Biafra: Buhari’s govt too tribal, corrupt, may be Nigeria’s last President – MASSOB

The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) on Sunday claimed that going by happenings in the country, President Muhammdu Buhari could be Nigeria’s last President.

This is as the group accused President Buhari of running a tribal and corrupt government.

The pro-Biafra group made the claims in a statement made available to DAILY POST by its leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, where he said Buhari was not fighting corruption but was favouring his kinsmen against other parts of the country.

Madu said rather than work as a leader for all the sections of the country, Buhari was pursuing ethnic and religious agenda.

He said in the statement that “President Buhari have shown to the world that he is an unrepentant and resolute promoter of Islamic fundamentalism.”

He further alleged that under the current administration, “the people of Biafra, Middle Belt and Oduduwa have watched, seen and experienced the unleashing of terrorist and genocidal wars, with the backing of Nigeria security agencies manned by Buhari’s kinsmen against the armless and innocent citizens of Biafra, Oduduwa and Middle Belt.

“The consciousness for survival of the the people of Biafra, Oduduwa and Middle Belt have been reawakened and charged for self-defense and self determination.

“We insist that President Buhari shall be the last president of this geographical expression called Nigeria because 2019 will surely manifest the last doom of Nigeria.”

On corruption in governance, Madu said “since the inception of democratic rule in Nigeria, the country has never be run in such high magnitude of illiterate tribal domination and corrupt tendencies.

“Records has it that President Obasanjo sacked his IGP Tafa Balogun for corruption. He backed the impeachment of the then Senate President, Adolfus Wabara for corruption allegations. He also sacked his own ministers, Fabian Osuji, S.M Afolabi, Hussein Akwanga, Tim Menakaya, etc for corruption cases. He also sacked Mrs Mobolaji Osomo for administrative infraction.

“The same way, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua sacked Mrs Adenike Grange as Minister of Health for administrative infraction.

“It is on records that President Jonathan also sacked Stella Odua for corruption allegations, though she was one of the most powerful ministers in President Jonathan’s administration.

“President Jonathan also sacked Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina as the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reform for issues of corruption.”

“Who has President Buhari sacked for the reported cases of corruptions and infractions in his government?” He queried.

He added that “on the case of former SGF, Babachir Lawal, we wish to remind that the same President Buhari wrote the Senate, defended and exonerated Babachir of all wrongdoings leveled against him. It was the cries of citizens that forced him to sack Babachir and have him replaced with his own brother, Boss Mustapha. In other words, Mr. Babachir brought his own replacement.

“MASSOB wish to remind the citizens that president Buhari also re-appointed the sacked corrupt men as a compensation for being Fulanis after they were all sacked for corruption and violation of their oaths of offices.

“Abdulrasheed Maina was the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reform. He was secretly recalled and reinstated by President Buhari. He was even promoted to the position of Director in charge of Human Resources in the Ministry of Interior. Maina was dismissed by President Jonathan in 2013 following recommendations by the Office of the Head of Service. He was accused of stealing about 100billion naira from the pension fund.

“Zakari Biu (CP) was dismissed following his complicity in the escape from police detention of notorious Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Sokoto. He was reinstated and promoted to the rank of AIG by President Buhari before he was gloriously retired from active service.

“Prof Usman Yusuf (NHIS Boss) was accused of squandering over 997 million naira from the schemes intervention fund. Investigation was carried out and he was dully sacked by the minister of health, but because he is President Buhari’s brother, he was recently reinstated.

“We know that President Buhari is not fighting corruption or upholding rule of law, but using the estate called Nigeria to enrich and project his Fulani kinsmen against the rest of the citizens. President Buhari’s government has finally exposed the fraudulent foundation of the British establishment called Nigeria.” - Daily Post

End of a famous ponzi scheme — MMM announces ‘irreversible’ closure

The Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM) ponzi scheme has announced that it is shutting down — for good.

The scheme said on its website that the closure is as a result of the death of its founder, Sergei Mavrodi.

Mavrodi died in March after suffering from heart attack.

“After much deliberation, we have made the conclusion that continuing the system operation, without our leader and ideological inspirer, is impossible and makes no sense,” the message on MMM Nigeria website read.

“We all carried out the tasks he assigned to us, since we had no doubt in his genius and rightness of the path he had chosen. We are firmly aware of the fact that none of us has a full view of his conception’s profoundness and sequence of all the actions to achieve a final goal, declared in the MMM’s Ideology.

“Sergei Mavrodi’s broadmindedness scale is unprecedented. Therefore any attempts to continue the system operation without him are bound to fail.

“We respect him immeasurably and cannot afford to allow that our unskilled actions may cause profanation of his concepts. In view of the above, with deep sadness, we have to announce the ultimate and irreversible MMM closure.”

The scheme reminded its participants that they “were fully aware of the risks and read the warning and confirmed that by checking the relevant box when registering”.

Mavrodi founded his MMM financial pyramid in 1989. It was a typical ponzi scheme in which early investors receive their profits from subsequent investors.

He promised returns of 20 to 75 percent a month as well as lotteries and bonuses for investors.

As soon as the number of new clients stopped growing, the pyramid collapsed, reportedly causing huge financial losses for at least 10 million people.

In 2011, Mavrodi launched another pyramid scheme called MMM, calling on investors to purchase “so-called” mavro currency units in a bid to get rid of the “unfair” financial system.

Some 15 months later, Mavrodi halted the project.

From 2011 to 2016, Mavrodi launched ponzi schemes under the MMM brand in India, China, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria.

In most of those countries, Mavrodi’s scheme was ultimately shut down or suspended.

Three million Nigerians reportedly lost N18 billion to the ponzi scheme after it crashed in 2017. - Cable Nigeria

Arsene Wenger : Mkhitaryan may still play again this season

Arsenal boss, Wenger remains hopeful Henrikh Mkhitaryan will play again this season despite confirming the Armenia international suffered knee ligament damage against CSKA Moscow.

Mkhitaryan was hurt in the 61st minute of Arsenal's 4-1 win over the Russian side in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

The January arrival from Manchester United missed Sunday's 3-2 win over Southampton and will not be available for the return fixture against CSKA on Russian soil.

"He's got knee ligament damage," Wenger told the club's official website.

"He will not be available for Thursday and not for Newcastle and certainly not for the week after, when we play West Ham.

"I think he will miss these games for sure, but he could still play at the end of the season.”

In Mkhitaryan's absence, Danny Welbeck scored twice to help Arsenal extend their winning streak to six games in all competitions by seeing off Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.

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In Mkhitaryan's absence, Danny Welbeck scored twice to help Arsenal extend their winning streak to six games in all competitions by seeing off Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger has already ruled the 29-year-old out of contention for the upcoming Premier League fixtures against Newcastle United and West Ham too, though he may yet be back for the run-in.

Arsenal boss happy to keep winning run going after 'hectic' finish against Southampton

Wenger felt Arsenal's 3-2 victory over Southampton was more about spirit than skill after Danny Welbeck settled a see-saw contest at the Emirates Stadium.

Having put CSKA Moscow to the sword on Thursday, winning the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final 4-1, Arsenal made heavy weather of seeing off a side sitting in the Premier League's relegation zone.

Welbeck headed in an 81st-minute winner to secure Arsenal a sixth successive win in all competitions, though Wenger admitted fatigue was to blame for his side's below-par display.

Southampton's Jack Stephens and Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal both saw red in stoppage time for violent conduct, leaving their respective sides to play out the closing minutes with 10 men.

"I believe that when you play every three days it’s difficult to get the pace of the game,” Wenger told Sky Sports.

"When you look at the game today, twice we had situations – once when 1-0 down and then when they came back to 2-2 – where we had to find the resources to win the game.

“Then it became a bit hectic, a bit out of control, which was surprising.

“But so long as we have the resources and the spirit, especially when the legs don’t respond as much as you’d want."

Wenger did rotate his squad for Arsenal's fifth home game in a row, resting Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey as Reiss Nelson was handed a first start in the Premier League.

The teenager played 64 minutes before making way for Jack Wilshere, though his manager felt the talented youngster failed to fully capitalise on the opportunity.

“I felt that he has shown in glimpses that he has big potential. I felt he played a bit within himself, he didn’t take enough risks," the Frenchman added.

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“His game is about going past people, about taking them on, and overall I believe he’s shown he has the necessary tactical and technical level. If you could say the one thing he lacked was a bit of freedom to do what he can do.” - Goal

Terrorism : How herdsmen abducted, killed my father – Edo Pastor’s son

Suspected herdsmen have reportedly killed two persons, including Pius Eromosele, a pastor attached to the Church of God Mission, in Benin City, Edo State.

The pastor was said to have been killed by the herdsmen after a demand for the sum of N4million from him was not met.

The decomposing body of the pastor was found when hunters and vigilante members went into the bush in search of the pastor.

The Eldest son of late Pastor Eromosele, Dr. Richard Eromosele, speaking on the incident, told Punch that his father was abducted on Thursday, March 29, and was found already decomposing in the bush on Tuesday, April 3rd.

“I almost fainted when I saw how they brutally murdered my father; the killers cut through his skull after they shot him at close range.

“I reported the incident to the police and was referred to the anti-kidnapping unit but the police did not do anything to rescue my father.

“Two of my father’s workers, Kingsley and Akpan, who managed to escape from the herdsmen, narrated what happened before my father was killed.

“The herdsmen demanded for N4m but we begged them that it was a holiday and could not raise such money. I went to the police and they told me that I should call them whenever the herdsmen called for ransom payment.

“I did that but there was no response from the police. The two workers that escaped told us that the herdsmen told my father that he was one of those killing their cows.

“We want security agencies to protect farmers in Odighi. My father has farmed in that place for many years. How could I go into farming when my father was killed like a pig”, he lamented. - Daily Post

Jonathan should be docked, says Oshiomhole

Former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan should be docked if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insists that prosecution of suspected looters is selective.

According to Oshiomhole, Jonathan should be docked for approving money beyond his powers and spending same in a way that was not accounted for.

Oshiomhole spoke to newsmen in Benin City at the weekend shortly after attending the wedding  of the daughter of the member representing Ikpoba Okha/Egor federal Constituency, at the national assembly, Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonayima.

The former Edo Governor also faulted the calls by the PDP that the National Assembly should approve the $1bn the federal government wants to spend on security.

He said the PDP spent well above that sum without going to the national assembly.

On the condemnation that trailed the release of looters’ list, Comrade Oshiomhole said names of looters should be made public as it was the right of Nigerians to know the level of rot that transpired.

Oshiomhole urged President Muhammadu Buhari to be ruthless in going against those alleged to have looted the nation’s resources.

He alleged that hired writers were made to challenge him when he first raised alarm over the money that was looted from the treasury.

“I hear them say prosecution is selective. Maybe they are right because if they are not, maybe President Jonathan should be on the dock. He approved money beyond his powers and spent it in a way that is not accounted for.

“I think that if other Nigerians don’t understand the power of transparency, the right to know, the media should uphold that right and defend it. What was stolen was not from private purse; the house that was destroyed was not a private residence.  We are talking of resources which if it is distributed on basis of equality divide by 180 million people you will be a lot richer.

“I think my only complain is that the federal government should go more ruthless because they are a lot of people who should be in court who are not there because when I was still in the office and I said the kind of money they stole was huge in dollars, they paid hired writers to say how do I know.

“I know that we cannot be lamenting today without understanding that the treasury was burgled yesterday. It is like someone sneaked into your kitchen and took everything out and you woke up he tells you am sorry I stole the pot of soup, in fact, I broke the pot. Should we continue like that?

“I think the promise of democracy is that good or bad the people have the right to know and that is the starting point and particularly important when that armed robber of yesterday is trying to do face surgery so that he looks different.  Some are jumping the boat to wear new face, to change identity, and to change their finger print so that they can come back. I think the people have the right to know and If any of them think that what has being said is not true, they can go to Court”

“All of them who are involved and those who they are looking for they should put everything in public domain and that is the promise of democracy and it is about you. Just by virtue of being in a winning party, they helped themselves so much. One of the acting chairmen of PDP, Makarfi, I used to respect him so much, I heard him saying that the reason they did not indict Diezani was that the money missing and everything that was done Goodluck approved.

“If President approved that money, should it be stolen and not go into the federation account. Is that the reason the PDP led senate and a sub –committee led by Markarfi cannot say it is not the minister but President Jonathan?.

“Jonathan may have immunity against prosecution, but he doesn’t have power to appropriate what  the national assembly have done. Right now, they are now saying the national assembly should approve the $1 Billion the federal government is going to spend on security, but this is a party that spent well above that without going to the national assembly at all,” Oshiomhole - The Nation

Cardinal Onaiyekan reveals kind of politicians Nigeria needs to end treasury looting

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has said Nigeria needs philosophers as political leaders to enable it put an end to the recurrent looting of the nation’s treasury.

Onaiyekan said this while delivering his homily at a mass celebrated to jointly mark the Divine Mercy solemnity and the 2018 Mothers’ Day in Abuja on Sunday.

According to him, the dearth of political leaders who possessed philosophical mindsets as well as the willingness to live modestly was responsible for the menace of corruption within government circles and its attendant negative effects on the society.

He said: “I wish Nigeria had a pool of politicians who are philosopher kings. That would have made the twin problem of greed and corruption a thing of the past in our nation. Mahatma Ghandi of India was not even a Christian but he believed in the philosophy of modesty. He once said ‘there is enough in the world for every man’s need but not for every man’s greed.’

“The pattern of consumption in our modern society cannot be sustained in the long run. If only we would all live modestly, the greed that breeds corruption will be eliminated, and no one will ever be in need.

“If our politicians would possess the mentality of frugality and modesty, it will cascade down to the citizens and every one will be willing to share whatever he possesses with his neighbour.” - Daily Post

Police have no right to search phones, demand renewal of tint permit - Dolapo

Dolapo Badmos, a chief superintendent of police, says it amounts to violation of privacy for police officers to search people’s phones.

Badmos, who spoke when she featured in a video song by Ruggedman, Nigerian rapper and music producer, said police officers are only allowed to search phones when they have cogent reasons to suspect a person.

Ruggedman, in the video, titled ‘Is Police Your Friend?’, spoke against police brutality and unlawful arrest of  people.

According to Badmos, police asking to search phones “is like you just meet someone on the road and you say ‘look, can you pull your trouser because I want to search your boxer”.

She also said police officers are not required to ask any driver for renewal of tint glass permit.

“You are only permitted when there is reason to investigate. Not that you will just stop people on the road and say ‘come, excuse me, you look like somebody. Can I see your phone?’ That is wrong, and we have been clamouring and working on that,” Badmos said.

“What I want you to know is that phone is private. It is like you just meet someone on the road and you say ‘look, can you pull your trouser because I want to search your boxer.’ That is how I view someone searching someone’s phone because it is my property.

“You know people do a lot of stuff on phone. Some have the statement of account on their phone and then you want to open. It is wrong. Police officers have no right to do that except there is a reasonable ground to do that. Maybe they have reason to suspect you. Maybe a crime has just been committed and someone gave them information.

“The AIG has directed police in Lagos and Ogun state to stop demanding renewal of tint permit. No policeman should arrest anyone because of tint permit. So if any policeman is asking you or demanding for renewal, it is wrong.” - Cable Nigeria

2019: I am Ready To Sacrifice My Life For Nigeria, Sowore says

Pro-democracy activist and publisher of SaharaReporters, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, has declared that he is willing and ready to sacrifice his life to leave a good legacy for Nigeria.

Sowore, a former leader of University of Lagos students’ union spoke at a town hall meeting organised by Take it back Movement at the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday.  

Sowore, who has indicated interest in running for the presidency in Nigeria’s 2019 general elections, went down memory lane to intimate his supporters on the legacy he left behind at UNILAG by protecting students even in the face of gunshots by security operatives.

 "The day I left University of Lagos at least 5 people were killed by the guards and what was I doing at that time, I wanted to leave a legacy at the University of Lagos that I can sacrifice my life to protect others who needed a future. I have brought myself out again," the publisher of Sahara Reporter said.

The presidential aspirant was received by a mammoth crowd of young and old persons who wanted to hear from the man with ears for the grassroots on arrival at Ibadan.

Speaking with reporters, some of those who attended the meeting gave reasons why they believed in the presidential ambition of Sowore.

A man who did not want his name mentioned said "He (Sowore) has been on the frontline of the struggle to make the Nigeria of our dream. The moment he came out boldly to take the mantle of the struggle. I decided to support him because he is a man of vision".

Another supporter, who squeezed out time from his busy schedule to attend the town hall meeting said "Because of my believe in the person of Omoyele Sowore that is why I took time out of my busy schedule to come for the town hall meeting"

Taking a cue from Martin Luther King Jnr, Sowore said at the event: " I have been to the mountain top and have seen the promise land it doesn't matter what happen to me now"

Those who attended the meeting left fully assured that with the advent of Sowore, the Nigerian political space is set for a major, positive disruption. - Saharareporters

Transfer news : Salah linked with big-money PSG move

Paris Saint-Germain are the latest club to be linked with a big-money move for Mohamed Salah.

Reports in France from Le10 Sport claim that PSG are interested in the player and could make a move if either Neymar or Edinson Cavani leave the club this summer.

The Brazilian has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid just a year after joining from rivals Barcelona.

The report suggests that Salah has been earmarked as a potential replacement following his eye-catching season with the Anfield club.

Liverpool will be desperate to keep hold of Salah after his phenomenal first season at the club, but face the prospect of big bids coming in for him this summer.

The Ligue 1 side are likely to keep tabs on the player’s situation over the summer regardless of who moves on from Paris, but face competition from Real Madrid who have been linked with Salah in the past. - Read Sport

PL news : Arsene Wenger surprised by Southampton's struggles

Wenger is surprised by Southampton's Premier League plight this season and believes Virgil van Dijk's departure to Liverpool could have been key.

The Arsenal manager is preparing to take on the struggling Saints on Sunday, with the Gunners looking to secure sixth place while their opponents battle relegation.

The sides drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture in December and Wenger did not expect to find Southampton 18th in the league, in grave danger of the drop, in the closing stages of the campaign.

"Southampton are a team who have good technical quality and I am quite surprised to find them where they are," he said.

"They gave us a very good game this season. Honestly I don't know [why] - maybe they had injuries, lost Virgil van Dijk as well and needed time to recover from that."

Mark Hughes will be looking to pick up his first league win as Southampton boss after replacing Mauricio Pellegrino last month, with Wenger acknowledging that managerial changes are to be expected given the pressure on clubs to perform in the top flight.

"It is part of the modern game, it is why clubs have to continue to work with what they believe is right," he said. "It is certainly more difficult because the pressure from the fans is bigger everywhere now. - Goal

Update ! Offa Bank robbery: We counted 50 dead bodies – Vigilance group

The Operations Commander, Vigilance Group of Nigeria, Offa, Kwara State chapter, Wasiu Adepoju, has claimed vigilantes in the state recorded about 50 dead bodies after the armed robbery attack that happened on Thursday.

He also said that five banks were robbed by the fearless robbery gang.

The Commissioner of police in the state, Lawan Ado, had said 17 people, comprising nine police officers and eight civilians, were killed.

Adepoju told Punch that the robbers took the local security personnel by unawares.

He said, “After the robbery, we counted about 50 dead policemen and civilians.

“They shattered the bodies with bullets. They targeted mainly the heads of their victims.”

“This is new to us. Bandits came to Offa some years ago.

“After that, all security operatives, including vigilantes, started to monitor the town from morning till night.

“They came twice at a time but it was not possible for them to operate.” - Daily Post

Bafarawa : PDP should repent of its sins

Former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, wants members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to intensify prayers and repent of their sins.

“It is the sins that the PDP members committed that God is punishing them for,” Bafarawa said yesterday at the PDP Northwest zonal rally in Katsina.

“Almighty Allah does not make mistakes and that was the reason why when the PDP offended him, he snatched the power and handed it to APC,’’ he said.

Also addressing the rally, the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus said Nigerians should return  PDP back to power next year as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in his opinion, has failed the generality of Nigerians.

The APC, according to him, has no business returning to power.

The National Women leader of the party, Hajia Maria Umar Waziri said the turnout of party supporters despite the fact that the President is spending the weekend in his Daura hometown is a clear indication that the party is waxing stronger in the state despite APC’s claim of a one party state

She said, “If we lose the next election here, it is pure rigging; we must win the next election.’’

Immediate past Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema rejected the blame game and accusations of corruption levelled against him by the incumbent governor, Aminu Bello Masari

He said: “Democracy is a matter of choices; you have chosen a party before. Now it’s our turn to be chosen in the coming elections. I left behind N14.5b in the account but they said it is false, I improved education and infrastructure, they discredited it saying I borrowed money and am challenging anybody with proof to come forward with evidence.’’ - The Nation

How N671m APC funds were moved into private accounts

It is now clear why   more members of the National Executive Council of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) backed out of the tenure elongation gambit championed by the party leadership.

It followed the unearthing of the party’s financial records indicating a breach of all known rules and personalization of party funds in “the most opaque manner.”

A top leader of the party allegedly authorized the disbursement of party funds into personal account of another senior member of the NEC.

It was discovered that savings of over N1b handed over in 2014 by the interim executive headed by Chief Bisi Akande was “hastily decimated without care for transparency.”

State chapters of the party were equally short changed in the disbursement of fund they are statutorily entitled to.

Hopes of party officials from the national to the ward levels having their tenure extended by a year suffered a setback last week when President Buhari bluntly described such a move as a breach of both the party constitution and the provisions of the 1999 constitution.

The President’s new position is at variance with the NEC’ resolution in February which had favoured tenure elongation on the grounds that extending the stay of the current executives (whose subsisting four-year tenure ends by June) would spare the party of possible internal acrimony that might jeopardize its chances ahead of the 2019 general polls.

Some members of the party national executive committee were said to have become crest-fallen when they got wind of the classified reports detailing consistent transfer of party funds running into billions of naira to personal bank accounts of a party chief over the years for purposes not stated in the covering memo.

It was further discovered that there was no clear paper trail on what all the funds were used for.

Said one member of the national executive committee who craved anonymity: “My brother, someone like me who initially was among those canvassing tenure elongation became dumb when I saw the reckless way party money was being used. If you don’t have anything to hide, why put party’s money in personal accounts? As if that is not bad enough, once money got released, no one bothered to explain for which purpose and no retirement was made in line with the principles of book-keeping.

“So, the conclusion one could draw is that these people asking us to support the extension of their stay in office by all means are only out to continue this financial recklessness.”

For instance, in the report sighted by The Nation, two “suspicious” transactions on a single day resulted in the transfer of N143.8m via two letters addressed to the manager of the Maitama, Abuja branch of a leading new generation bank. The cash moved in two instalments of N100 million and N43,880,000 ended up in the account of another member of the party’s executive committee who hails from the Southeast.

In another transaction, a letter entitled “Authority to Transfer the Sum of N50,000,000 from our account number (figure withheld)” was issued with the instruction to transfer the said amount to the same official.

On yet another day, another transfer of N48,470,000 from the party’s account with the Area 3, Abuja branch of a First Generation bank was carried out involving the two top executives of the party.

In total, the report indicated that “a whopping N671,640,000 was transferred to the personal account of the party executive alone under such suspicious circumstances”.

The transfers had continued when administrative workers at the national secretariat of the party were complaining of being owed salaries and wages.