2019: Buhari ignorant of his incompetence – Ezekwesili attacks President

Former Minister of Education and presidential candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari is incompetent but does not realise it.

She made the remarks in Calabar on Friday while speaking with journalists on why she is running for the office of president.

Her words: “We have seen serial failures in this administration. The president rewards incompetency. And I am not surprised because the president himself is incompetent but does not realise it.

“What he does is to extend their (ministers) stay in an office in which they have failed. We have also seen it with the military. We have seen it with the police.

“He has retained the Inspector General of police after the expiration of his tenure. It is it for stellar performance? This is an IG of police the president told the whole country he did not go to where he was assigned to go in Benue State.

“What the president is essentially telling us is that the Nigerian life does not matter that much to him, otherwise he should be very aghast at the level of killings that happen.

“My greatest shock and one of my triggers for deciding to run for election not being a politician, as you all know, is that the debasement of the Nigerian life which is the final straw that can turn us into a society of anarchy.

“For it to be that children will grow up in this society and just come to the understanding that killing a person is a normal thing; you know, you can just do it, there is no consequence. My goodness! What kind of impunity is that? That is a dangerous level of impunity.”

On the economy, Ezekwesili said the President himself had rated his performance on the economy low and wondered why it took him four years to realise that his economic policies were bad, saying the ability to get the economy right was what the president lacked the capacity to do.

She bemoaned the high level of poverty in the country and said as president she would focus on the right kind of policies, institutions that would promote investments and find innovative solutions to infrastructure deficit.

- DAILY POST

Ongoing reforms to address double taxation – JTB

Mr Oseni Elamah, the Executive Secretary of Joint Tax Board (JTB) says ongoing reforms by the board will address the issue of double taxation in the country.

Elamah said this while speaking in Abuja on Friday.

He said awareness on the amendments to the Taxes and Levies Act and other efforts aimed at streamlining taxes collectable by various tiers of government were being promoted.

According to him, state governments are being encouraged to harmonise their tax laws to ensure that citizens do not suffer double taxation.

“The notion of multiple taxations is a misconception in the lexicon of the average Nigerian.

“What many refer to as multiple taxations occur when more than one tier of government collects same or similar taxes from an individual or business.

“What we do have may be referred to as double taxation, albeit at the domestic level as the concept of double taxation are also present at the international level.

“While we recognise that there may have been instances in the past where taxpayers were double taxed, there are currently efforts to address this issue,” he said.

Elamah said the board under his leadership intended to consolidate on the gains so far recorded and to also ensure that there was zero incidence of double taxation in the country.

He disclosed that JTB was also at the forefront of driving reforms of the existing tax laws to remove ambiguous provisions that might give rise to double or arbitrary taxation.

“Under the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC) and reforms initiatives of the Nigerian Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), a number of proposed amendments have been made.

“It is expected that the outcomes of all these interventions will not only simplify but clarify the tax laws and create minimal room for the incidence of double taxation and more tax friendly environment,” he said.

- PM NEWS 

Former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari is dead

Former Nigeria’s President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari is dead. Shagari died at the age of 93.

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal announced the death of Shagari on his twitter handle on Friday evening.

Shagari was said to have passed on at the National Hospital, Abuja.

“I regret to announce the death of former President Shehu Shagari who just passed away at National Hospital Abuja. May his Soul Rest in Peace,” he said.

- PM NEWS

Insurgency: Over 2,000 newly displaced people fleeing attacks in Nigeria – UN

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says escalating attacks by non-state armed groups suspected to be Boko Haram are triggering new displacements in northeast Nigeria, especially Borno.

OCHA said more than 2,000 newly displaced people had recently arrived in Teacher’s Village camp in Maiduguri, after fleeing attacks by non-state armed groups as well as clashes between armed groups and the military in Kukawa, Kauwa, Doro Baga, Kekeno and Bunduram near Lake Chad.

The latest influx, which started in late November, has brought additional pressure on already stretched facilities in the camp, OCHA said.

According to reports, the National Emergency Management Agency officially registered over 2,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in just 24 hours.

OCHA said humanitarian organisations were supporting the Nigerian government-led response in providing life-saving support, including food, non-food items, shelter and healthcare services.

Hundreds of people fleeing conflict have also arrived in Monguno reception centre, in Borno, with already overstretched resources, the UN relief agency said.

Humanitarian organisations provided shelters, relief kits, and water and sanitation, OCHA said.

OCHA said in both locations, the authorities and humanitarian partners were currently mobilising critical resources including food, shelters and medical supplies to assist the new arrivals.

More than seven million people in northeast Nigeria require humanitarian assistance and protection, including 1.8 million internally displaced people.

The 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan for Nigeria requests $1.05 billion to assist 6.2 million people and is currently 66 per cent funded.

- PM NEWS

Boko haram terrorists attack Goniri town in Yobe

Troops of 120 battalion stationed in Goniri, Gujba local government area of Yobe State have reportedly inflicted heavy casualties on Boko Haram terrorists who attempted to infiltrate the town through the western axis of the town.

It was learnt that the assailants, who came in droves at about 7pm yesterday, met their waterloo at the outskirt of the village where officers and men of the battalion confronted them in a fierce battle.

It was also gathered that there was wild jubilation in the town by residents of Goniri over the success recorded by the troops.

The town suffers from poor telecommunication facilities, hence it was hard to reach out to the residents for more details on what had transpired during yesterday’s gun duel.

When DAILY POST sent a text massage on the situation in Goniri town following the attack to the spokesperson of 27 Taskforce Brigade Buni Yadi, Major Alimi, he replied saying “The situation is cool and calm, Goniri is peaceful for now”.

The image maker did not give further details on the number of casualties from both sides.

Goniri, which is about 80 kilometers away from Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, was once under the occupation of the Boko Haram insurgents.

With Goniri’s attack, the insurgents have raided three communities in Yobe state in less than a week.

- DAILY POST

PDP is not just an option, says Oshiomhole on 2019

Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not an option for Nigerians in 2019.

Oshiomhole said this while speaking with state house correspondents after a meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa on Thursday.

The APC chairman expressed optimism that the ruling party would win the 2019 elections, adding that the electorate would not be so confused as to entrust the economy into the hands of people that mismanaged it.

“PDP is just not an option; particularly when their candidate is not a new face; there is no basis for benefit of the doubt,” he said.

“You can give benefit of the doubt to a stranger, not to someone who was at the heart; perhaps one of most powerful vice presidents we have ever had.

“So, I am clear that Nigerians will not have any basis to give PDP the benefit of the doubt.”

Asked to be emphatic on the chances the APC in the elections, Oshiomhole said: “Of course, how can you ask what the chances are?

“If PDP was doing well after 16 years, they wanted to do for 60 but they were terminated, no employer will recall an employee dismissed due to gross misconduct and abuse of finances you don’t recall the employee back.

“I remember that the best Uche Secondus had to say was that he was apologising to Nigerian people and I have not heard anybody say they have accepted the apology and people who have robbed you they don’t apologise and say allow me back into your store room, you don’t do that.

“I have not heard anybody say he has accepted the apology. People that have robbed you; they don’t apologise and say allow me back to your storeroom; you don’t do that.

“We are certain that even as we cannot talk of any perfect situation, nothing can make Nigerians get so confused as to think that those who mismanaged yesterday and those who were at the heart of that mismanagement can be entrusted with providing leadership for tomorrow.

“I do not think that is a question at all. PDP is out of this calculation as far as I am concerned.”

- THECABLE

Five killed in fresh outbreak of violence in Plateau

Unknown gunmen have killed five villagers in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau state in a late night ambush.

Mathias Tyopev, spokesman of the state police command, said the incident happened on Wednesday at Pugu village.

He said the gunmen attacked the villagers while they were returning from a birthday party at about 9pm.

Barkin Ladi was one of the worst hit councils when suspected herdsmen killed at least 100 people in Plateau state some months ago.

He added that two persons were injured in the attack and that they are currently receiving medical treatment.

The statement read: “On the 27/12/2018 at about 0800hrs the Plateau State Police Command received information from Kim Timothy the Youth Leader of Rawuru Village, Fan District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State that on the 26/12/2018 at about 2115hrs some unknown gunmen attacked some people when they were returning from a birthday party from Pugu Village.

“As a result of the attack, five people were killed and two were injured. The five persons who lost their lives have since been buried while the two injured are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital Barkin Ladi.”

Tyopev added that Austin Agbonlahor, the state commissioner of police, has called for the immediate probe of the attack.

- THECABLE

SHOCKING !! Man stones 7 months pregnant wife to death on Christmas day

A middle aged man, Amos Ogbo is now cooling off his heels in detention over the alleged killing of his 7months pregnant wife on Christmas day.

The incident occured around Eliozu, Obio-Akpor Local government area of Rivers State.

The woman, according to eyewitness accounts, died of internal bleeding after her husband, Ogbo pelted a stone on her ribs when she tried to escape from a fight.

The eyewitness said Ogbo, who was under the influence of alcohol on Christmas day, started with beating his wife before using the stone.

“Neighbours were trying to separate them but the man refused to stop. When the woman tried to run away, the man stoned his wife and the woman fell. Immediately, she started loosing breath. By the time they got to the hospital, she had died,” the eyewitness narrated.

Spokesman of the Rivers State Police Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni who said the stone used by the man has been kept as an exhibit, added that the
suspect has been transferred to the State CID.

DSP Omoni disclosed that, “The Commissioner of Police has ordered investigation into the matter. The homicide department are on it.

“The good thing is that the man has not denied the incident but he is claiming that he doesn’t know what came over him.”

DAILY POST reports that Amos Ogbo who rides tricycle, popularly called Keke around Eliozu in Port Harcourt, has 3 children with his late wife.

He told newsmen at the Police Command that, “I didn’t know that the stone will kill her. When the thing happened, I was trying to carry her but she was too heavy and nobody came to help me. I wanted to take her to the hospital when she fell but as I tried to stand, they will slap me and hit me with things.

“By the time we eventually got to the hospital she had died. I don’t know what happened to me. I didn’t know what to do. I was begging my wife not to leave me.”

- DAILY POST

Niger Delta group tackles Buhari over Nigeria’s worsening economic situation

A socio economic and political pressure group, the Niger Delta Development Initiative (NDDI) has expressed sadness over Nigeria’s worsening economic statistics in recent times.

It blamed the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari for the downward trend in the economy.

They also criticized the President for the failure of his anti-corruption campaign and for allowing his party, the APC to shelter some politicians they had previously described as very corrupt.

In a statement Thursday in Uyo and endorsed by its President and Secretary, Mr Ernest Ukpe and Tom Buma, the group expressed sadness that corruption has increased in the country despite the high expectations of Nigerians following the President’s promises of fighting corruption to a standstill when he was sworn-in in 2015.

“We are however surprised that the President is campaigning with corrupt politicians like the former Senate Minority Leader Chief Godswill Akpabio and the NDDC MD Obong Nsima Ekere who have been enmeshed in misappropriation scandals.

“Senator Akpabio, Musiliu Obanikoro, Orji Uzor Kalu and all the previously “corrupt” PDP big wigs have now been sanctified after their defection to APC. Recall that Akpabio was charged over N180 billion money laundering,” it said.

The statement said that “the President’s five point agenda and his economic policies have failed with no return on the country’s debt; the present administration has borrowed more than the Obasanjo, Yaradua and Goodluck Jonathan’s administrations in three years while electricity generation and distribution has worsened.

“Nigeria has become the poverty capital of the world overtaking India with more than 50% living in extreme poverty, while the UN predicts that Nigeria needs 11.9 people per minute to escape extreme poverty, but presently has a deficit of 6.8 people every minute, i.e. 6.8 people enter into poverty every minute.

“According to statistics by NACCIMA, more than 800 companies shut down within the three years of this current administration further denying Nigerians of the much needed employment opportunities and ruining the
livelihood of many families.”

“Under the present administration Nigeria has become the 2nd worst electricity supply nation in the world. The country has not added more than 1,000 MGW to its supply bank while Egypt in less than two years have added 14,500 MGW of electricity, enough to provide uninterrupted power for over 40 million people.” It said.

The group expressed their support for a President who would ensure the immediate restructuring and practice of
true federalism in Nigeria, commence the immediate development of the Niger Delta and clean up Ogoni and other communities ravaged by oil exploration and exploitation.

“That though we sympathize with the President as a human for his fragile health, Nigerians will want a very healthy and strong President who can cope with the rigorous demands of the office. We strongly doubt that the current state of health of the President will let him cope with the demands of his office.

“As we welcome the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Gen Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.) for the flag off of his Presidential Campaign in Uyo on Friday we will want to remind him that the Niger Delta people will only support a President who will give us restructuring, true federation and who will truly fight corruption.

“That the Niger Delta people will only support a President who will build our battered economy and who will support investments, develop the Niger Delta region and Akwa Ibom in particular.

“The East/West Road has been abandoned while only N3 billion out of the more than N130 Billion needed for Calabar/ Itu highway has been released to mobilize the contractor making the people of the region to believe that this could be another political road project.

“Niger Delta Development Initiative therefore call on the President to as a matter of urgency begin the implementation of the recommendations of the 2014 constitutional conference as regards the practice of true federalism. Bring all corrupt politicians who have formerly been indicted to book. Begin the implementation of a feasible and sustainable road-map for the development of the Niger Delta,” they further stated.

DAILY POST

Chinese university cracks down on student Marxists

A top Chinese university has cracked down on a campus student Marxist society, replacing its leadership after its former head was detained and questioned by police on the sensitive 125th birthday of the founder of modern China, Mao Zedong, Reuters reports.

China has an awkward relationship with the legacy of Mao, who died in 1976 and is still officially venerated by the ruling Communist Party.

But far leftists in recent years have latched onto Mao’s message of equality, posing awkward questions at a time of unprecedented economic boom that has seen a rapidly widening gap between the rich and the poor.

In particular, students and recent graduates have teamed up with labor activists to support factory workers fighting for the right to set up their own union. Dozens of activists have been detained in a government crackdown that followed.

Qiu Zhanxuan, head of the Peking University Marxist Society, said he was approached on Wednesday morning at a subway station by plainclothes police who said they wanted him to answer questions about an event he was organizing to celebrate Mao’s birthday. Mao was born on Dec. 26, 1893.

When Qiu refused, the men took his phone, forced him into a car and drove him to a police station where he was questioned for 24 hours before being released with a warning, Qiu said, according to accounts provided by fellow students, who declined to be identified.

Late on Thursday, the university’s extracurricular activities guidance office released a notice saying police had penalized Qiu and he “did not have the qualifications” to continue as head of the society.

The teachers in charge of guiding the group had determined its members had deviated from promises made to teachers when the group was registered and so had “restructured” the group, the office said.

The “restructuring” was an attempt to “scatter” the group after weeks of continuous harassment by campus police and attempts to cast its members as being involved in a “conspiracy”, Qiu said, according to the accounts of his comments.

Qiu declined to comment directly to Reuters.

None of the new list of student leaders released by university authorities were previous members of the group, and many of them are members of the official Student Association that had been involved in harassing the group, Qiu said.

“We don’t recognize this,” he added, according to the accounts of his comments.

The university did not answer calls seeking comment. The Ministry of Public Security also did not respond to requests for comment.

Qiu said his non-academic school adviser, a deputy secretary of the Social Sciences party committee, Shi Changyi, was with him while police questioned him and had advised him not to be “extreme” or “impulsive”, according to the accounts of his comments.

- PM NEWS