ALIYU STONED IN NIGER, SMUGGLED OUT OF STADIUM

IMMIDIATE past governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu was yesterday booed and stoned at the venue of the handing over ceremony in Minna. Aliyu was at the Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium for the transfer of power to his successor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello. The former governor, who arrived at about 10.15 am was booed by the crowd as he walked to the podium.
Shouts of ‘Barawo’, ‘thief’, ‘ole’, ‘change has come’, ‘your time has gone,” filled the air. Aliyu was not able to present his farewell speech as a result of the ensuing pandemonium. Even as he was seated at the pavilion, stones and sachet water were hauled at him. As a result of that, military men from 31 Artillery Brigade were drafted to the stadium in search of those behind the incidence.
It was gathered that former governor was earlier advised against attending the ceremony to forestall such occurrence. The new governor , Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello and his Deputy, Alhaji Mohammed Ketso were administered the oath of office and allegiance by the Chief Judge, Justice Lami Abubakar.
Immediately after the event tear-gas was shot into the air leading to stampede. The former governor was smuggled out of the stadium amidst tight security led by the state Commissioner of Police to avoid being mobbed by the crowd. The new Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello in his inaugural address titled,”Repositioning the State For Peace and Development,” said though he was taking over at a critical period, all would be done to put smiles on the faces of Nigerlites.

FEAR OF ARREST: WE'VE NOT BARRED ANYONE FROM TRAVELLING - BUHARI

The President Muhammadu Buhari has directed all security agencies at all the border posts and airports not to bar anyone from travelling abroad unless otherwise directed by the courts.
In a three-paragraph statement issued by the Head of his media team, Garba Shehu, the President said officials of past administrations, including ministers, are entitled to their full rights and privileges under the constitution and must not be subjected to any undue harassment and intimidation at the airports or at other points of entry and exit.
"We have not banned anyone from travelling," said the President.
Reacting to some cases of "V.I.P stoppages" at the airports as reported to him on Saturday, Buhari directed all agencies under the government to run their affairs in full compliance with extant rules, regulations and the constitution of the country.

WANTED NYAKO RETURNS HOME TODAY

Former Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtal Nyako(retd.), is returning to Nigeria today, Saturday.
Nyako, who is coming from London via Lufthansa Airline flight, is expected to land in Abuja this evening.
One of his political aides, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said Nyako decided to return to Nigeria following the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as the President.
Nyako fled the country following his controversial impeachment by the Adamawa State House of Assembly.
His impeachment, which he is still contesting in court, was said to have been as a result of his disagreement with former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The former naval chief had accused the then President of having hands in the Boko Haram menace ravaging the North-East.

I WILL REMAIN FOREVER GRATEFUL TO ALAMESEIGHA----JONATHAN

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in an emotion-laden voice on Saturday, said he will remain forever grateful to ex-Governor of Bayelsa state, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, for the role he played in his life, just as he reaffirmed his pledge to dedicate his life to peace-building.
The former President who chronicled his adventure into politics, said but for Alamieyeseigha’s singular effort, his emergence as a politician, which eventually culminated in his becoming the President of the country for six years running, would not have been.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service at the St Peters Anglican Church, Yenagoa, as part of activities marking his return home after six years as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, organized by the Bayelsa state Government, Jonathan said, "Without Alameseigha, nobody would have known Jonathan today. I never thought I can even become a Commissioner."
He equally used the opportunity to thank those people who he said fasted and prayed for him silently for six years without him knowing them or them sending a text message to him that they were praying for him, saying their prayers were the ones answered by God the most.
"Just like all of us know, some people offer prayers and send you text messages that they are praying for you; they expect you to know that they are praying for you. There are people who don't even want you to know that they are praying for you. These are the prayers God listens to. I want to specially thank them."

HOW NORTH SENT JONATHAN BACK TO OTUOKE – COOMASIE

Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad Coomasie, a former Inspector General of Police, is also the Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).
In this interview, he narrates the story of the return of power to the North and the role his group, among others, played in stopping President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, thereby sending him from the Presidential Villa back to his Bayelsa village, Otuoke.
Coomasie faults the sacking of the immediate past IGP, Suleiman Abba. He also speaks on how former President Olusegun Obasanjo imposed a ‘terminally ill’ Umaru Yar’Adua as president against advice.

BUHARI CONDEMNS MAIDUGURI ATTACK

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday condemned the latest terrorist attack on Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
In a statement by the head of his media team, Garba Shehu, the President warned that his administration won’t tolerate wanton and willful destruction of life by criminal elements that are bent on anarchy.

He said his administration meant business in its determination to tackle terrorism with all the resources available to his government.

Describing terrorists as cowardly murderers that target innocent people, Buhari explained that as the Commander-in-Chief, he has sworn to protect the security of Nigerians everywhere.

The President, while calling for increased vigilance by local communities, assured that his administration would give security close attention, and that his government was committed to boosting the morale of the armed forces by effectively funding them and attending to their welfare.
He condoled the families of the victims of the latest terrorist attack on Maiduguri and assured them that the worst days of the criminal elements will be over soon.

President Muhhamadu Buhari and Deputy Declare Assets

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have declared their assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau as required by the Constitution.
The head of Buhari’s media team, Garba Shehu, in a statement on Saturday, said the President and Vice President submitted their assets declaration forms separately on Thursday.

Shehu added that the CCB, through its Chairman, Sam Saba, on Friday acknowledged the receipt of the forms.
He said Buhari’s declarant identity was given as: President: 000001/2015.
Shehu however did not disclose the contents of the assets declaration forms.

BORNO GOVERNOR ATTACKS JONATHAN, SEEKS AMNESTY FOR BOKO HARAM

Newly sworn-in Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, on Friday said his new administration would, among other policies, pursue amnesty for members of Boko Haram who are ready to de-radicalise. 
Mr. Shettima, who took an oath of office to serve for yet another four years alongside his deputy, Zannah Mustapha, said he would lobby the new federal government of President Muhammadu Buhari to consider granting amnesty to the militants. 
Messrs Shettima and Mustapha were sworn in by the state’s chief judge, Kashim Zannah, at the Ramat Square, amidst tight security mounted by soldiers and police officers. 
Mr. Shettima’s second inauguration, although low-key, was attended by guests from within and outside Nigeria.

BUHARI LEAVES GUESTS, ATTENDS JUMAT SERVICE

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday left some African leaders and other guests who were at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa to celebrate his inauguration midway into the programme.
The guests had moved with him from the Eagles Square where he and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had earlier taken their oaths of office to the Villa for a luncheon.
Buhari, however, left the venue midway into the programme while his guests were taking their lunch.
After waiting for a while for the President to return, organisers decided to invite Osinbajo to make remarks on behalf of Buhari.
The crest of the Commander-in-Chief was quickly removed from the podium to enable the vice-president make use of it.

Governor Obiano Appoints Comrade Chinedu Obidigwe As Commissioner For Political Matters

The Governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano yesterday appointed Comrade Chinedu Obidigwe as the Commissioner for Political Matters
The appointment came as a shock to many lobbying for that exulted office  as Governor Obiano on Wednesday gave out appointment letter to Comrade Obidigwe who accepted the offer a day after.
Comrade Obidigwe was the immediate past Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters hence he replaced Chief Joe-Martins Uzodike who was relieved of his appointment before the 2015 Presidential elections.
Obidigwe’s rise started from his University days at the Ebonyi state University where he served as the state Chairman of  NANS comprising of five institutions in the state.
He joined APGA and became youth leader in Anambra East local government where he was appointed into the transition  administration and later became youth campaign Director or mobilize of Ex Governor Peter Obi campaign organization that brought in the incumbent governor of the state.
He later became a Transition Committee Chairman for Anambra East and from there he mobilized Anambra Youths under Anambra youths Assembly to rally support for Obiano after which he was rewarded with SSA on youths mobilization.