Presidency denies spending N2tn on elections

ITRealms:

The Presidency has denied spending or budgeting N2 trillion on the just concluded elections and described media reports making a round as suspicious and only the imagination of the authors, reports ITRealms.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr.  Reuben Abati, the Presidency and the People’s Democratic Party conducted the 2015 elections in strict accordance with the rule of law.

“The allegation of a theft of public funds is extremely malicious,” Abati said, noting that the annual budget of the Federal Government is a little over N4 trillion and wondered where and how the Federal Government should have used half of the estimated budget on elections.

He insisted that the story is practically suggesting that half of the federal budget was spent on elections.

“This kind of reckless insinuation is meant to incite the public and instigate national crisis,” he decried.

President Jonathan, he said, has done his best to protect and strengthen democracy and promote peace.

Abati pointed out that President Jonathan, deserves all the accolades that he has received from both Nigerians and the international community for this.

He alleged that certain persons and interest groups may not be happy that his profile has further risen and that his legacy is assured; but they do their country gross disservice when they act so unpatriotically.

“Anyone who is engaged in imposing a crisis on the country by any means is not being fair to Nigeria. We can only appeal to the public to be wary of such reckless tactics now on display, which form the substance of an odd, malicious campaign after the elections,” he said.

The presidential spokesman emphasised that the Presidency is particularly worried that since the March 28 and April 11 elections, some persons have continued to work very hard to diminish the Jonathan Presidency.

“They need to be reminded that the time for politics is over; it is now time to focus on the in-coming government, with emphasis on national development and moving the country forward,” he said.

 +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +Reuben Abati

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Breaking News: Senator Uche Chukwumerije dies at 75

ITRealms:

The former Minister of Information and Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije has been confirmed dead after a protracted lung cancer battle, reports ITRealms.

The Senate affirmed the death of  Chukwumerije on Sunday disclosing he died at the Turkish Hospital in Abuja at the age of 75.

Reacting to this development, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu said the Senate will miss Chukwumerije’s doggedness.

ITRealms recalls that Uche Chukwumerije was elected a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in April 2003, representing Abia North Senatorial District. 

Chukwumerije also served as Minister of Information in the last days of the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. 

*Nenye Dom/GEE

 

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14 year old Nigerian killed in Xenophobic attack

ITRealms:

Nigeria has continued to record casualties in the on-going Xenophobic attacks in South Africa, as the Federal Government has confirmed the killing of five citizens including a 14-year old Nigerian, reports ITRealms.

Officials of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed this to ITRealms saying that the government has received reports of xenophobic attacks in South Africa by South Africans, directed at migrants and migrant’s workers especially of African origin.

Also a press statement made available to ITRealms indicated that the violent began two weeks ago with locals attacking and looting properties owned by fellow Africans, including Nigerians.

“The attacks have led to the death of five people and displacement of over 2,000 among those killed was a fourteen year old,” our source told.

Although details of the 14-year old was still sketchy, it was equally gathered that the five persons reportedly killed so far were of the same family.

The officials equally said, the people and government of Nigeria stand in solidarity with the rest of the world to condemn these unprovoked attacks on fellow Africans who have left their countries to seek greener pastures and better livelihood for themselves.

The government of Nigeria, ITRealms gathered has reiterate its abhorrence of violence and also stand firm in its conviction that no cause could justify taking innocent lives.

The FG, therefore called on the government of South Africa to live up to its responsibilities and take all necessary steps to stop the ongoing xenophobic attacks and put in place policies and structures to prevent a re-occurrence.

Further news reaching ITRealms news desk alleged that some Africans with high-probability of Nigerians, were set ablaze even as they scamper for safety, while others were butchered with machete cuts as wells some being tied to a stake before burning them to death. 

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) @Xenophobic SA +South Africa
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*Pictorial extract from some of the South African xenophobic attack.

Why Bayelsa PDP is probing Senator Paulkner

ITRealms:

The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is planning a probe into the anti-party activities of Senator Emmanuel Paulker in the recently concluded State House of Assembly elections, reports ITRealms.

Indications to this effect, ITRealms gathered was based on some complaints by a section of the party chieftains for allegedly working against the interest of its candidate in the elections.

The leadership of the party in Bayelsa, ITRealms also learnt had weekend summoned and queried some top party chiefs in the state over their non-committal role and anti-party activities during the House of Assembly elections, especially the open support given to APGA, Labour Party and APC candidates.

ITRealms also gathered for instance, the allegation against Senator Paulker and his wife who reportedly mobilized resources contrary to PDP interest and candidates in favour of his preferred APGA candidate.

According to the party source, the Senator "looked like a wounded lion as he was stopped from having his way."

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +PDP Nigeria - Official Page
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Delta Central extols Igbuya’s qualities, tips him for Speaker

ITRealms:

Arising from a meeting of Delta Central leaders on Sunday, participants extoled the qualities of the Majority Leader,Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Monday Ovwigho Igbuya, reports ITRealms.

The leaders, ITRealms gathered met at Mosogar, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state, charted the way forward for the Urhobo nation.

They noted that the lawmaker made invaluable contributions to the growth of democracy and good governance in the state.

Spokesman of the leaders, Raymond Akpojaro told newsmen that they resolved to pursue unity among the people of the state, lauding Igbuya for his integrity, empowerment of the youths in Delta Central and redefinition of Sapele politics.

He also said there were no doubts as to whether Sapele would produce the next Speaker of the state assembly.

 “Among the contenders for Delta State Speaker’s position, Igbuya stands out. He has the contemplative demeanour of the kind of a man who can lead the House. He understands the workings of the Assembly and the needs of the state and the people. He is a ranking member of the House and the most appropriate person for this position,” he said.

@Chuks Egbuna  +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) @+Ebireri Ovie Henry 

 

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