NEWS REEL: THURSDAY MORNING NEWS HEADLINES.

JONATHAN SET TO PICK UP NOMINATION FORM TODAY, READY FOR RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR.

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday prayed the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to dismiss the suit challenging his eligibility to seek re-election next year, even as he said he will formally pick the nomination form today to contest the presidential election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, who announced the President’s decision to take the form today also revealed that already, various groups and individuals have contributed various sums of money totalling N98.75 to the President to pay for the form.The cost of the PDP’s nomination form for the presidential election is N22m.
According to the Presidential spokesman, individuals and groups that contributed money for the President to Purchase the form include the PDP Governors Forum; N22m; the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, N22m; Ogbia LGA Stakeholders, Bayelsa State, N5m and Otuoke Community Stakeholders, N2m.
Othere are the Bayelsa State PDP Stakeholders, N5m; Northern Youths Forum, N2m; Central Market Traders Union, Kaduna State, N1m; PDP Stakeholders, Zaria LGA, N500, 000; PDP Stakeholders, Yobe State, N500, 000 and PDP Stakeholders, Kaduna State, N2m.

Other groups that also made donations to the president include, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, N5m; The Goodluck Support Group, Gombe State, N1m; Adamawa State PDP Stakeholders, N3m; Ebonyi State PDP Stakeholders, N2m; Kogi State PDP Stakeholders, N5m; Rivers State PDP Stakeholders, N5m; The 2015 Project, N1m; Team Goodluck, Ondo North Senatorial District, N5m.
Others include Middle Belt PDP Women Support Group for GEJ 2015, N500, 000; King David Generation Foundation, Jos, N200, 000; Behwong Weneng Yere Duk, Jos, N200,000; Redemption 3 Youth Organization, Plateau State – N500, 000; Plateau State Indigenes Association, Abuja, N300,000; Gombe Youth United for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan 2015, N500, 000; Gombe Youth Vanguard for PDP, N500, 000; Yamahu/Deba Goodluck Support Group, N200, 000 and Coalition of Gombe Support Groups for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, N2m
The rest include: Hinna Youth Coalition for Goodluck, N500, 000; Nigerian Women Pray for Jonathan, N1m; National Association of Widows, N100, 000; National Council of Women Societies, N500, 000; Female members of the PDP Board of Trustees, N500,000; Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities, N100,000; National Association of Market Women, N500, 000 and Community Awareness and Development Network, N1m.
Two individuals, Mr. Kennedy Ikenna Odoeme and Mr Ezemagu Sunday Nnamdi donated N5,000 and N10,000 respectively.
The Presidential Spokesman said President Jonathan expressed appreciation to all “Nigerians, members of the PDP, friends, associates, and all groups who in sincere appreciation of the achievements of the administration in the last four years, have been urging him to seek a second term in office.
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ADAMAWA ON FIRE AS BOKOHARAM SACKS POLICE STATION.

Fighting between Nigerian troops and Boko Haram insurgents escalated in Mubi, Mararaba Mubi and Uba in Adamawa State on Wednesday.

Casualty figures could not be obtained as of 8pm but the development forced the state government to impose 24-hour curfew on the affected communities.

Our correspondents gathered that   Mubi, the second largest town in the state and host of two high institutions, was the worst hit.

A parent, Ahmad Sajoh, whose   daughter is studying at the Adamawa State University, said that as of 2pm on Wednesday, the police barracks in the Government Reservation Area was overrun by the insurgents while the prison in the town was blown open.

He added that   fighting which was ongoing at the army barracks caused confusion at the IDP camp in the Lamorde area of the town.

However, an online newspaper, SaharaReporters reported that Boko Haram insurgents took over the headquarters of the 234 battalion in the town.

Our correspondents gathered that the development made banks to move their cash to Yola, the state capital.

Sources told The PUNCH that insurgents   launched an attack on Uba   in the Michika-Madagali area of the state in response to sustained aerial bombardment of their hideouts by security forces.

Residents said they saw a large number of insurgents at Mararaba, a town about seven kilometres from Mubi.

Sajoh told one of our correspondents that his daughter called to inform him about the development in Mubi.

He said, “This morning, I got a call from my daughter who is a 200-level student. She was hysterical. I was in Abuja for a meeting, but her information forced me to head back to Yola immediately.

“I ordered her to leave the hostel and join her cousins to escape the town. I called my father who confirmed the story. By the time I arrived at Yola airport, the town had fallen to the insurgents.

“My parents are trapped while my daughter and her cousins are missing. We have lost contact for   six hours.”

Sajoh, who is the director of Press and Public Affairs to the former Governor Murtala Nyako, added, “Mallam Iliyasu of the Bursary Department of the state university, who is trapped in the town said by 2pm, the Police Barracks in the GRA was overrun by the insurgents, the prison was blown open while fighting was going on at the army barracks. The IDP camp at Lamorde area was thrown into confusion.

“The new rulers of the town had issued a decree banning   entry and exit to the town. Students who trooped to the motor park were stranded with most taking refuge in any house that could welcome them.

“The barracks are the least safe locations in the town. So far, there are no reported cases of killings or abductions. But fear and apprehension have taken over.”

Another source said that Mubi was currently deserted by residents after the incident, the second in three months.

The   higher institutions in the   town were forced to close down again.

There are fears of   humanitarian crisis should the town fall into the hands of the insurgents.

A fleeing resident, Joshua Gajere, said   several people might have been killed during the shootings that lasted for almost two hours in Uba and other villages.

He said, ‘‘We are in serious trouble as these boys (Boko Haram) have taken over our towns, splitting into groups and advancing towards Mararaba, Mubi and Vintim, the home town of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh. They made the   Nigerian troops to retreat to Mubi’’.

Gajere added, “As I am talking to you now, residents are scampering for safety.

‘‘Mubi has now become a ghost of itself as people in their hundreds are fleeing for their lives.

‘‘Even here in Maiha, we saw military vehicles zooming off towards Yola, the state capital.’’

However, a resident from Michika, Mr. Siva Zira, told one of our correspondents that the   military was having an upper   hand as they were able to dislodge the insurgents in Michika and Uba.

Meanwhile,   Governor James Ngillari has asked the people of the state, particularly those in the affected areas to remain calm as security agents were on the top of the situation.

His Director of Press and Public Affairs,   P.P. Elisha, said   the governor met with security heads in the state to assess the situation.

He said, “It’s unfortunate with this development, His Excellency, has met with security chiefs in the state on Wednesday to assess the situation.

“People should remain calm, security agents are on the top of situation.’’

It was further gathered banks in Mubi have taken the pre-emptive steps to move out large volume of cash to the Central Bank of Nigeria in Yola.



JONATHAN BLAMES NFF CRISIS ON EAGLE'S POOR PERFORMANCE.


President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday identified internal crises as reasons behind the abysmal performance sometimes put up by the country’s male national football teams.

He however noted that in spite of the numerous crises suffered by the Nigeria Football Federation, the female football teams had been putting up spectacular performances because of the high level of discipline among them.

Jonathan spoke when the Super Falcons formally presented the golden trophy they won at the just-concluded African Women’s Championship in Windhoek, Namibia to him.

The Minister of Sports, Tamuno Danagogo, led the team’s captain, coach and other officials to present the trophy to the President shortly before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.

The President said a team could only succeed when there is discipline and commitment. He commended the women’s national team for doing the nation’s proud.

He said, “Today, we are quite pleased to receive the cup from you. You have made the country proud. Nigeria is known to be a soccer country.

“The male teams have been doing very well. But somehow sometimes, because of certain internal crises, we tend to lag behind.

“But the female teams have been doing wonderfully well. We didn’t expect that you would win, but still, that you won for this country is remarkable.

“We thank you for your commitment because it requires discipline to achieve this height. No matter how good you are, even in the academics, you see brilliant boys and girls who ordinarily would have made first class but because of lack of discipline, they don’t make it.

“So, if there is no discipline, you cannot excel in anything. You have the skills but you have also shown discipline that made you excel. We will continue to adore you.”

Jonathan promised to formally receive the victorious players on November 5 in order for the Federal Government to properly appreciate them.

Danagogo had in presenting the trophy to the President, extolled the virtues of players for displaying high level of dedication and discipline which he said was unprecedented.

He said, “We bring you good tidings from Namibia. The legendary good luck is still continuing in sports. We have been dominating female football in Africa over the years although we lost in 2012.

“Due to your (President’s) support and tenacity, we won. The discipline and dedication displayed by the players during the tournament is unprecedented.”

A FIFA suspension threat is still hanging over Nigeria due the current NFF crisis that began since July at the World Cup in Brazil.




JONATHAN CALLS EMERGENCY PDP MEETING BECAUSE OF TAMBUWAL


President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday engaged some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in a meeting aimed at taking a common position on the Tuesday defection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.

The meeting took place hours after the House said the PDP, individuals and groups condemning the defection of   the speaker to the All Progressives Congress should not dictate to it on how to conduct its affairs.

Tambuwal had announced his defection from the PDP before he adjourned sitting till December 3.

The situation made the President to summon the National Chairman of the PDP,   Adamu Mu’azu, to the meeting which had the Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha; the Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor; and a member from Delta State, Ndudi Elumelu, in attendance.

Some PDP governors such as Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa): Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe) and Sullivan Chime (Enugu) were also part of the meeting.

Top government officials who attended the parley   included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; the National Security Adviser,   Sambo Dasuki; and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Muhammed Adoke (SAN).

One of those in attendance told one of our correspondents on the condition of anonymity that the meeting centered on how to make Tambuwal vacate his seat as speaker.

“The issue of the Speaker and his exit was one of the fundamental issues discussed at the meeting,” he   said.

The source however did not disclose the decision reached at the meeting.

Another source said that Ihedioha “took the heat at the meeting.”

He did not explain further.

The presence of Adoke and Dasuki at the meeting suggested that they might have reviewed the legal and security implications of the options available to them with the two government officials.

Earlier, Mu’azu had at another meeting   the President had   with a delegation of the Federal Capital Territory Council of Chiefs,   dropped the hint that Jonathan summoned him.

“The President had summoned me for a meeting. I was with him when he wanted to come and receive you and he told me to follow you. I only did follow follow,” he had told members of the delegation.

The PDP had shortly after Tambuwal announced his defection called on him to do the needful by resigning as speaker.

The party, argued through its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, that since Tambuwal became the speaker on the ticket of the “majority party (PDP), he had no right to continue to occupy the seat.

But the House said on Tuesday that   the PDP and most of the commentators on the issue were “ignorant” of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the House Standing Orders.

The   Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs,   Victor Ogene, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues,   said Tambuwal did not breach any law in defecting to the APC.

He also noted that there was no provision in the constitution prescribing that the speaker must be elected from among the majority party members.

Ogene cited Section 50 (1)(b) of the constitution to buttress his argument.

He said, “The clear provisions of Section 50(1) (b) of the Nigerian Constitution easily settle the worries regarding the continued speakership of Tambuwal – ‘There shall be a Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.’’’

He also noted that the speaker was elected as the representative of the “generality of Nigerians” and not necessarily because he belonged to a particular political party.

On the views of some “commentators” that Tambuwal should have vacated his office by virtue of the provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the constitution, he replied that the matter was still awaiting judicial decision.

Ogene added, “It is common knowledge that following the defection of 37 members of the House in December 2013, from the PDP to APC, there has been multiple court cases on the matter, thus rendering it subjudice to discuss any likely outcome.

“Everyone is thus enjoined to await the final judicial pronouncement on the issue of defection, which has afflicted virtually all political parties in the land.”

He warned the PDP   against interfering with the lawmakers’ “privilege” and constitutionally-guaranteed freedom to choose their leaders.

Ogene stated, “Additionally, Order 1, Rule 1 (2) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives states: ‘ In all cases not provided for hereinafter, or by sectional or other Orders, precedents or practices of the House, the House shall by resolution regulate its procedure.’

“It is in the light of the foregoing that the House wishes to appeal to those who seek to regulate its procedure from outside its hallowed chambers to have a rethink, as the nation’s Constitution, the Standing Orders of the House and precedent – as in the Speakership of the late Edwin Ume-Ezeoke in the Second Republic on a minority platform – have all provided answers to what would have otherwise been a knotty political issue.”

But as Ogene spoke, the PDP through its National Vice-Chairman of the party in the South-South, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh,   vowed to do everything within its powers to regain   the speakership of the House.


80% of Nigeria’s pipeline network has been vandalized — FG

Respite seems not to be in sight for the chaotic traffic situation across the country, especially on roads to the country’s ports, as the Federal Government, yesterday, disclosed that 80 per cent of the country’s 5,120 kilometers pipeline network for petroleum product distribution have been vandalised.
In his presentation at the Oil Trading and Logistics 2014, African Downstream Expo in Lagos, Mr. Haruna Momoh, Managing Director, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Limited, PPMC, further stated that the country’s refineries are currently producing about 5.10 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, daily.
This, he said, is in contrast with the average local consumption of 40 million litres per day.
In addition, Momoh disclosed that the refineries are currently producing Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) of three million litres daily, in contrast with an average consumption of 12 million litres per day and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) production of 2.1 million litres per day, despite an average consumption of 11 million litres daily.He said the country is facing difficulties in distributing products through existing pipelines due to pipeline vandalism and rupture due to aging.
He further stated that the country is also faced with challenges of insecurity of pipelines to transport crude to existing refineries because of pipeline vandals.
He further lamented the limited number of trucks for product haulage and the bad road network, saying as a result, most marketers, in some cases, use the same truck to convey products that are intolerable, such as Premium Motor Spirit and Dual Purpose Kerosene.
To address the challenges of products supply in the country, Momoh said the country requires three million metric tonnes per annum of product supply; 10,000 to 25,000 metric tonnes capacity vessels and additional jetties; over 1,000 additional trucks with a 20 metric tonnes carrying capacity and 500 Liquefied Petroleum Gas filling plants among others.
To this end, he said there a lot of investment opportunities in the downstream segment of the oil sector, in the areas of construction/expansion of coastal storage facilities, provision of floating storage, dredging of the jetties to enhance draft and construction of more jetties.
He, however, stated that the Federal Government is exploring the use of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and use of modern technologies in pipeline surveillance and pigging, and also the replacement of the existing pipeline network.
Speaking in the same vein, James Gooder, Vice President, Business Development, Argus Media, said Nigeria and other African countries are faced with stagnant production of refined products and reliance on expensive long haul imports.
He emphasized the need for infrastructure investment at ports and inland depots, better roads and safer, more efficient transportation.
He stated that the mismatches between pricing regimes encourage informal markets, cross border fuel smuggling, differing product specification standards and adulteration of fuels.
Also speaking, Mr. Tunji Rabiu, Head, Business Operation, Forte Oil Plc, lamented the delayed payments of the Petroleum Support Fund, PSF, receivables, saying the payments are not made within the 60 days stipulated in the Act.
He listed other challenges hindering downstream operations to include: “Multiplicity in reporting and compliance requirements with various government agencies; high dependency on deplorable road infrastructure and inadequate road networks for effective products distribution as a result of poor pipeline integrity.
“Pipeline vandalisation and ruptured pipelines. Limited number of jetties -there are currently a high number of vessels on the queue for few berthing space prevent timely receipts of product and thereby increasing product cost as a result of cost incurred on  demurrages.”
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PDP VOWS TO REGAIN SPEAKER'S SEAT..



THE national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday took a swipe at the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, who on Tuesday defected to All Progressives Congress, APC, saying the party would regain the speakership soon.
PDP National Vice Chairman, South South Zone, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh told reporters yesterday that God had exposed Tambuwal, who used the party to elevate himself and later dumped the platform that bought him to limelight.According to Ojougboh, “PDP is a disciplined party. If you use it to elevate yourself and get into office, when the time comes God will get you out, like the issue of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
“You can see how God has exposed them, and PDP will do everything within the law to regain its seat and that is what we are going to do in both Edo and Rivers states.”
The PDP zonal chairman boasted that the party willwin Rivers’ governorship election and that “Amaechi will relocate to Ghana to meet his people there.
“Come May 29, 2015, I can assure you that Amaechi will not be there to hand over. Some people boasted in Adamawa State. Where are they?
“I am sure he is preparing his home in Ghana.”
Commenting on the denial of sale of presidential nomination forms to Dr. Abdul Jahlil Tafawa Balewa (son of First Republic Prime Minister), and Professor Akasoba Duke-Abiola (widow of late MKO Abiola), Ojougboh said: “The issue is that the party has taken a decision on the issue of the presidency at the National Executive Committee, NEC, and if they have paid, the matter will be addressed.”

Doing business in Nigeria now easier – World Bank



The World Bank has given a positive assessment of doing business in Nigeria and 34 other countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the global body, the report of this year’s study on Doing Business indicated that almost all nations in the continent took deliberate steps to implement reforms which made doing business easier for private sector operators.
“The report, Sub-Saharan Africa has had a great year of reform, with 35 of 47 economies recording at least one reform that makes it easier to do business – 75 reforms in total”, it said yesterday.Nigeria alone undertook 10 regulatory reforms in its push towards making private sector operators take charge of the economy.
Majority focused on improving business incorporation, trade, and credit reporting systems, allowing Nigeria to gradually narrow the gap with the best regulatory practices in the region.
The report finds that Nigeria ranks among the top five economies in Sub-Saharan Africa in two areas – the ease of getting credit and the strength of minority investor protections.
Between 2013 and 2014, Nigeria saw an increase of 3.6 points in its distance to frontier score, greater than the global average increase of 0.8.
This, the World Bank report said “is due in large part to an increase in the coverage rate of Nigeria’s credit reporting system and a reduction in the company registration fee that made it less costly to start a business.”
Nigeria is one of the 11 economies with a population of more than 100 million where the report now covers two cities, providing new insights into the variability of business regulation within economies. Lagos and Kano were covered in the report.
“This year, for the first time, the DB team analyzes business regulations in Kano as well as Lagos making Nigeria one of few countries where the report covers two cities”, the bank said.
It added, “Francophone Africa had an excellent year, with Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and Togo counted among the top ten reformers globally. Senegal is the global top reformer, with 6 reforms, closely followed by Cote d’Ivoire and the DRC with 5 reforms each”.
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We, APC, will chase out PDP ‘cabal’ ruling Nigeria – Tambuwal

Still basking in the euphoria of his defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the opposition All Progressives Congress, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, on Wednesday, vowed that his new party will chase out the “cabal” currently running the country in the 2015 presidential election.
Apparently referring to the PDP-led federal government, the Speaker said the APC was the only party that could give Nigerians hope and urged its members to unite in order to achieve the task.
Mr. Tambuwal spoke at the APC’s extraordinary non-elective national convention held at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja Wednesday.
The Speaker, who formally announced his membership of the opposition party on Tuesday after months of speculations that he would dump the ruling PDP, arrived the venue of the convention accompanied by several members of the lower chamber, who according to the master of ceremony, Dino Melaye, were about 100.
His arrival was greeted with thunderous cheers from the party delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, who hailed “Tambuwal oyoyo! Tambuwal oyoyo! for about two minutes.
Mr. Tambuwal was subsequently invited to the podium by the National Chairman of the APC, John Oyegun, who, in excitement described him as the newest member of the party.
Accompanied by some APC lawmakers, including the Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abdulmumni Jubrin, the Speaker greeted party members after which he was presented with a bunch of broom, amid cheers from the party’s delegates.
Apparently excited, Mr. Tambuwal, who had a prepared speech but initially spoke extempore, said the APC would oust the ruling PDP next year.
“To the glory of God, come May 29, 2015, we shall sweep away……(you get the message,” Mr. Tambuwal said while raising the broom (APC symbol) and acknowledging cheers from the enthusiastic party members.
“APC is the only party that is giving Nigeria hope and we shall deliver Nigeria from the evil that it has been plunged into by a certain cabal.”
The Speaker said he was glad to be part of the APC family, adding that he was overwhelmed by the massive outpouring of goodwill and welcome that he had received from members of the party and other well-meaning Nigerians since his formal notification of his membership of the party.
He said, “And in appreciation of your warm hand of fellowship, I hereby rededicate myself to the task of building and growing our party, and helping our party achieve its mission of lifting Nigeria to glorious heights and restoring hope to the citizens of our great country.
“In this regard, I hereby call on all other like minded Nigerians to join this movement to deliver on the promise of a new Nigeria.”
The APC, according to him, is the party where the progressive ideals of good governance to which he subscribe were wholeheartedly embraced and applied for the betterment of Nigeria.
He stressed, “I have embraced the APC platform as a veritable instrument for genuine change and enduring national development. We must constantly remind ourselves that Nigerians yearn for true change and APC represents the hope for this change, and a promise of a brightertomorrow.”
Mr. Tambuwal noted that the work may appear tedious and the road ahead may appear long and hard, but the party was amply endowed with all the key ingredients of success.
According to him, the APC members would need unity and solidarity in their ranks in order to face the challenges ahead.
“In the weeks ahead, we will engage party men and women and Nigerians on the future direction of our nation and means of rescuing her from the malaise of youth unemployment, insecurity, institutionalized corruption, poverty, socio-economic decline and infrastructural decay.”

Ex-militant leader, Tompolo, wants to kill me, Keyamo cries out

Lagos-based lawyer, Festus Keyamo, has petitioned the State Security Services, SSS, and the Nigerian Police over an alleged threat to his life by Government Ekpemuopolo, an ex-militant leader, popularly known as Tompolo.
In the letter dated October 29, 2014, and also copied to the President and the Delta State governor, Mr. Keyamo said that Tompolo threatened to “beat him to death” for wading into a perceived fraud in the just concluded Delta State local government election.
“At exactly 10:13p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2014, I received a telephone call from one Mr. Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo)…,” Mr. Keyamo said.
“We have been acquaintances in the past, so I know his numbers. After reaffirming that he is Tompolo when I picked his call, he went straight to the point by informing me that he wishes to inform me that he and his ‘boys’ will kill me by beating me to death or shooting me anywhere they can find me. And that the hunt for me is on.
“His exact words in pidgin English was ‘we dey look for you. Anywhere we see you, whether for Lagos or Abuja or Warri, we go beat you die or we go shoot you.’
“He said he would kill me because I have decided to take up the matter involving his blood brother, Mr. George Ekpemupolo, who was used to illegally substitute another candidate, Mr. Weyinmi Omadeli (48 hours to the election) in the Warri South-West L.G.A elections that were concluded last Saturday in Delta State.”
On Tuesday, Mr. Keyamo had petitioned Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Delta State governor, over the latter’s “illegal substitution” of Mr. Omadeli, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Warri South-West at the council poll with George Ekpemuopolo, Tompolo’s younger brother.
“On this issue concerning Warri South-West L.G.A, I have no choice but to cry out, because your decision is capable of igniting a crisis that will affect all of us. The decision was taken whimsically and it is unjust, unfair, illegal, and ungodly,” Mr. Keyamo had written to the governor.
“Consequently, it is unacceptable and will be challenged legally and politically.”
Mr. Keyamo said Tompolo told him that nobody had ever challenged his authority in Delta State.
“I asked Tompolo five times whether, he was, in fact, threatening my life over an open line and he said nobody in the country can do anything about it by the time I am dead,” said Mr. Keyamo.
“Co-incidentally, exactly three minutes after Tompolo dropped his line, His Excellency, Governor Uduaghan called me at exactly 10.16pm, and I reported to him what just transpired between Tompolo and myself.
“The Governor promised to speak with him, but that cannot be reassuring enough, and I know the remedy in law against an intended murderer is not to beg him but to ignite the criminal justice system against him, no matter how comatose that system is.”
Mr. Keyamo said that Tompolo had the “instrument to kill human beings”.
“I know the subject of this petition, Tompolo, is a favoured citizen of this government, and I am not. I know Tompolo is close to those in power at the moment, whereas I am an ordinary citizen. I know Tompolo has money and influence (which are factors that are widely acknowledged to aid a suspect walk away with murder in Nigeria), but I have none of these.
“In the circumstance, I am making this petition public so that when you refuse to attend to my complaint and outcry, the ordinary people of this country will, at least, know from where my death came and I will not join the long list of unresolved murders. My killer, should, at least be known.”

APC unprepared for governance – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party said Wednesday’s amendment of the constitution of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in what the party termed special national convention just few months into the life of the same document, is a direct consequence of “lack of direction and unpreparedness,” and an attempt to reedman a “jaundiced party law.”
The PDP National Publicity Secretary PDP, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Wednesday said the development has confirmed the “APC as a disorganized political party, lacking the ability to effectively administer itself” and wondered how it can govern a nation as complex as Nigeria.
Describing the APC’s special convention as a charade and an exercise designed to mask their inadequacies and paper over the numerous cracks that are obvious for all to see, the PDP said the APC is a collection of strange bed fellows and enemies of democracy.
“In APC, Nigerians have continued to witness a rickety, wobbly vehicle bound to jerk to a stop midway, abandoning the occupants to the mercy of inclement elements. Of course, Nigerians have noted that the PDP remains the only steady and stable platform for the growth and progress of democracy in our dear country”, the PDP said.
Olisa Metuh
National Publicity Secretary