Innocent Ojefia Blog

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday has finally signed into law the Not Too Young To Run bill bringing to an end the seclusion of young persons from the politics of Nigeria. President Buhari, flanked by a number of Nigerian youths, signed the Not Too Young To Run bill in the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja. The President, signing the bill into law, today, fulfilled the promise he made in his nationwide broadcast in commemoration of the nation’s 2018 Democracy Day on Tuesday. He said, “In few days to come, I will be joined by many promising young Nigerians to sign into law the ‘Not too young to run’ bill”. The bill, which is part of the process to amend the 1999 Constitution, seeks to reduce the minimum age requirement for elective positions in the country. Member representing Oshodi-Isolo II, State Lagos State, Tony Nwulu, sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives. It was first passed by the Senate and the House o...

Zinedine Zidane has announced that he is resigning as the Real Madrid manager, less than a week after guiding them to an unprecedented third successive Champions League title. The club revealed early on Thursday that Zidane was to appear in a hastily arranged news conference that caught many by surprise, fueling speculation that his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu could be coming to an end. Zidane confirmed his departure at the start of the news briefing, just five days after he presided over the 3-1 Champions League final win over Liverpool. “It’s time to go. These players need a different discourse, a different methodology,” the Frenchman said. Such success with the Los Blancos’ team, which he also managed in each of his first two seasons, has not been enough to persuade him to prolong his spell. Madrid’s third-place LaLiga finish is likely the major factor in Zidane’s departure, as Los Blancos ended the season 17 points adrift of bitter rivals and champions Barcelona. ...

Tragedy struck in Cross River State House of Assembly when one of theirs, Stephen Ukpukpen, who represented Obudu I State Constituency, died while jogging, yesterday. An eyewitness, Michael Ojong, said Ukpukpen slumped and died at about 7:00am while carrying out his regular morning exercise along Moore Road, in Calabar, the state capital. Ojong said: The deceased lawmaker was initially rushed to a nearby Navy Clinic but could not be admitted in the hospital as medical officials on duty suggested that he was in a critical condition. “On their way to another hospital, he gave up the ghost and was confirmed dead in a private hospital where he was later rushed to.” His corpse was, thereafter, taken to the Anatomy Unit of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where he was also confirmed dead. In his reaction, to the development, Speaker John Gaul-Lebo expressed shock “over the development” and announced that the Assembly has contatced the family. “We’re i...

Justice Mohammed Shuaibu gave the order following the arraignment of the defendants by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Yero and the other defendants were charged with four counts bordering on money laundering, criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public fund, and breach of trust. However, they pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them. Details later…..

There was drama in the Senate yesterday as Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West), technicallydefected to the Peoples Democratic Party during plenary, though without submitting a formal letter to that effect.  This was as he alleged that the Nigerian Police made two failed attempts to kill him while he was in their custody after being arrested for prosecution over alleged arms peddling and sponsorship of banditry in Kogi State. Melaye, while appearing in plenary for the first time since April 24, when he was arrested by the Police, requested the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to direct the Chamber Sergeant-At-Arms, to provide him a comfortable seat at the PDP Wing in the Chamber, where he would be sitting till further notice. The lawmaker said that his request was informed by the circumstance of his present state of health, pointing out that he was not comfortable to continue to sit at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Wing, indicating that ...

The Senate yesterday asked former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Attahiru Jega to name members of the National Assembly involved in corruption practices. Senate President Bukola Saraki threw the challenge to former INEC boss, following a Point of Order raised by Senator Isah Hamman Misau on the allegation of corrupt practices levelled against National Assembly members by Jega. Jega was reported to have said National Assembly committee chairmen asked for gratification from heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) to carry out their constitutional duties in the name of so-called over sight functions. Misau said: “My point of order is based on the lecture made during the Democracy Day; the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was in attendance. “During the lecture, the guest lecturer, who is an elder statesman and the former chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, made a statement, which I feel I have to bring it to this floor. ...

Governors of the South-South States have thrown their weight behind restructuring and devolution of power, saying such will lead to a more peaceful and prosperous nation. The Governors who met on Wednesday night in Port Harcourt, Rivers State under the aegis of South South Governors Forum had in attendance, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Bayelsa State Governor and Chairman of the Forum, Rt Hon Seriake Dickson, Rivers State Governor and host to the meeting, Nyesom Wike, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel and the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt Hon Philip Shaibu.  Briefing journalists after the meeting, Governor Dickson said far-reaching decisions that will be of benefits to the people of South-South region and the country were taken. According to him, "everyone is aware of the ongoing clamour for devolution and a return to essential founding principle of this great country and we, in our meeting resolved as we have been speaking over sometime that we as...

As plans for the 2019 general elections are underway, high-level stakeholders have moved to throw their weights behind three aspirants from the northwest to vie for presidency. The top politicians gathering the support of these northern elders and leaders include the governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and a former minister of special duties, Turaki Tanimu. Vanguard reports that support of the elders have began to lean towards Tanimu, although Tambuwal and Kwankwanso have been in the radar for sometime. Also, it was gathered that some generals including former president Olusegun Obasanjo and several emirs have stuck their necks for Senator Kwankwaso emergence's as president in 2019. A source said: "Obasanjo has been briefed on him, but he is holding back." Also, an associate of the former president said: “Even the manner of his (Tanimu’s) entry into the contest inspires suggestions of some high-level influence pushing his...

The Delta State All Progressive Congress (APC) faction supported by the duo of Chief Great Ogboru and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege Tuesday, May 29, 2018 inaugurated its State Executives allegedly led by the immediate past state party chairman, Prophet Jones Erue without approval of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). The Erue led State Working Committee (SWC) which was allegedly elected at a parallel state congress despite the fact that the party leadership had earlier postponed the state congress, today, in what has been described as a continuation of reign of impunity were inaugurated at the state party secretariat in State capital, Asaba. Recall that the APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi stated that the party leadership will only recognize state congress conducted by party’s approved convention committee, but in a move aimed at preempting the decision of the party NWC, the Ogboru/Omo-Agege group rushed to Asaba to inaugurate its executive, whi...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has insisted that the fact that a former governor of Abia State, Mr Orji Kalu, changed his political party won’t stop the alleged corruption case involving him. Spokesperson for the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said on Tuesday during his appearance on Channels Forum, a Channels Television programme which brings opinion leaders and policymakers together to discuss and find solutions to Nigeria’s problems. The EFCC had charged Mr Kalu with fraud allegations running into billions of naira when he served as governor of Abia State. In January, A legal practitioner, Kingsley Ekwem, declined to testify as a prosecution witness in the trial of the former governor and two others over an alleged N3.2billion fraud. Kalu has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while members of the opposition party have continued to accuse the APC government of a one-sided anti-corruption war. ...

The Federal Capital Territory High Court has sentenced a former governor of Taraba State, Mr Jolly Nyame, to 14 years in prison without an option of fine. The court convicted Mr Nyame of criminal breach of trust in a case of N1.64billion fraud preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Nyame, who was Taraba State governor between 1999 and 2007, was accused of criminally misappropriating the funds while he governed the state. Delivering a judgement that lasted more than four hours on Wednesday, Justice Adebukola Banjoko found the former governor guilty in 27 out of 41 counts he was charged with. The judge blamed Nyame for financial recklessness and brazen display of executive power without following due process. According to the judegment, the former governor was jailed two years for misappropriation of government funds, seven years for receiving gratification, and five years for obtaining valuable government properties without considera...

The Enugu State Police has confirmed that the arrest of Benjamin Onwuka, the leader of Biafran Zionist Movement (BZM). Ebere Amaraizu, the Spokesman of Enugu State Police Command, confirmed Onwuka’s arrest in a statement he circulated to journalists in Enugu. INDEPENDENT gathered that Onwuka and members of his group were marching to Enugu State Government House to hoist Biafran flag when they were arrested. In the statement, Amaraizu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed that Onwuka was arrested alongside 21 of his followers, based on the intelligence information. He recalled that Onwuka has been evading trial in a court of competent court of jurisdiction over his alleged role of murder, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms before he resurfaced on Wednesday and fell into the hands of the eagle eyed security operatives of the command. “Suspects are helping the operatives in their investigations” he said. Meanwhile, Amaraizu said there was movement of v...

Justice C Nwogu, who gave this ruling on Wednesday, May 30, said that the attitude of the APC holding the same congresses barred by the court on a later date was contempt, stressing that it was targeted at arm-twisting the judiciary. The development was made public in a statement signed by the party’s national chairman, John Odigie Oyegun and the national secretary, Bala Bunu, on Friday, May 18.   The statement was not signed by the party’s national legal adviser, Muiz Banire, who recently criticized the APC leadership. Banire’s failure to sign the statement reportedly shows cracks in his relationship with Oyegun. Meanwhile, more facts have emerged in the crisis that engulfed the Rivers state chapter of the APC during the congress. An eye witness, who chose to be anonymous, recently gave an account of what she witnessed in the violence that characterised the party's ward congresses in the state. According to her, the shootout witnessed in a Rivers state...

The minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, has resigned from President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet. Mr Fayemi is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Ekiti governorship election. The former governor had earlier informed that he would resign from the cabinet following his victory at the primary election. Details shortly…

The Nigerian Senate is currently in a rowdy session following Dino Melaye's announcement for his defection to PDP. Dino during plenary this morning, thanked his colleagues particularly members of the PDP for standing by his during his ordeal with the police. He thereafter asked that a seat be made available for him with members of the opposition party and afterwards will write a letter to the senate president formally defecting to PDP. Shortly after his announcement, the APC nad PDP senators engaged in s firrce exchange of words. Dino is right now sitting beside former Senate President, David Mark. Details soon…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan said he is ashamed that Nigeria is now being used as a negative example in the international community. He cited recent instances when the Ghanaian president, Nana Akufo-Addo, allegedly mocked the poor state of security in Nigeria and the naira’s weakening status, The Punch reports. Jonathan spoke at the inauguration of the first bridge built by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Friday, May 25. The former president lamented that things were so bad in the country that Nigeria had lost its respect in Africa. He said: “He (Ghanaian President) said Ghana is not like Nigeria where cattle roam the streets. At another occasion in the United Kingdom, he made scathing remarks about Nigeria’s currency. “I feel ashamed as a former president that the president of a neighbouring country used Nigeria as negative examples. “If a neighbouring African president will use Nigeria to make negative ...

Police has taken over Enugu Government House as member of Biafra Zionists Federation (BZF) led by Benjamin Onwuka attempts to declare an independentBiafra and forcefully take over government House. BZF members numbering over fifty had converged at the House as early as 7.30am with Biafran adornments but were stopped at the gate by police men. Details soon…..

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Nigerians to get their Permanent Voters Card and vote anybody they want. He spoke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last night while breaking Ramadan fast with members of the judiciary led by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Okukayode Ariwoola. Buhari, who said technology aided his victory in 2015, was responding to a remark by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria,  Alfa  Belgore. The president said he kept appealing to state governors to embark on voter education so that citizens could regard their PVCs as their national card. “I find it necessary to invite you because I don’t normally see you. I’ve to repeat what I said having heard what you said. I mentioned that when I was in the military and much younger, we believed things were going wrong and so when I  came , I took from the president downwards, to Kirikiri against your advice and told them that they are guilty until they p...