Venuz News (Impressive Media) Blog

The Senate President in a press release today, officially dumps the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC for the People's Democratic Party, PDP. The Press statement reads; I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is not a decision that I have made lightly. If anything at all, I have tarried for so long and did all that was humanly possible, even in the face of great provocation, ridicule and flagrant persecution, to give opportunity for peace, reconciliation and harmonious existence. Perhaps, more significantly, I am mindful of the fact that I carry on my shoulder a great responsibility for thousands of my supporters, political associates and friends, who have trusted in my leadership and have attached their political fortunes to mine. However, it is after an extensive consultation with all the important stakeholders that we have come to this difficult but inevitable decisi

The Obafemi Awolowo University Ile organised the festival of food and identity 2018 edition . The  festival which it opening ceremony was graced by the Nobel Laurel Professor Wole Soyinka,  the Deputy Governor of Ogun State , the representative of the The President of Rwanda, Dr Mugashimana . In the words of the vice Chancellor of the school Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede while giving the his opening speech at the festival he said "  the  festival of food and identity  is aimed at the reinstatement of the relevance of the cultural value". Meanwhile , in the words of the deputy Governor of Ogun State who represented the Governor of the state Senator Ibikunle Amosun,  she said " agriculture is aimed at reducing the dangerous dependency on oil. Ogun State one of the states in Nigeria sustaining Agriculture in the country. She further advised the organisers to keep the legacy of such festival moving. To mark the opening of the festival,  the Nobel Laurel Professor

A high powered tension pervaded the Aso Rock Villa few hours after the decampment of senators and some members of the house of Representative contrary to the façade sold to Nigerians about the president wishing those who decamped well in their sojourn to a new party. Sources in the villa confirmed that President Mohammadu Buhari was so miffed with the shift by several Senators and members of the house pf representatives and threats of several others that he almost dropped the idea of a 2nd term pursuit by telling Nigerians he is opting out as a result of his health and age. Investigations confirmed that the president and his wife had both agreed to toe that line of honor having realized the dismal decline in his popularity base and the possibility of a defeat staring him in the face if he goes ahead with the gamble of 2019. According to Sources, the President was totally disorganized and pissed with the strange decampment in spite of the overwhelming assurances given by the APC to

Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara got a piece of advice yesterday- resign from All Progressives Congress (APC) or be expelled. The advice came from Senate Committee on Police Affairs Chairman Abu Ibrahim, an ally of President Muhammadu Buhari in the upper chamber and APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena. Ibrahim said failure of Saraki and Dogara to leave the party would lead to their expulsion. The Senator, who represents Katsina South Senatorial District, also said the plot to impeach Mr Buhari would have begun today (Thursday) as planned by some lawmakers. Ibrahim, who appeared to have spoken the minds of other APC senators, said developments in and around the National Assembly clearly showed that Saraki and Dogara could no longer be trusted in APC. The expulsion calls came as Buhari met last night with APC senators following Tuesday’s defection of 14 senators and 37 members of House of Representatives from the party to Peoples Dem

The melodrama in Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power Tuesday morning was part of a grand plan by persons loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari to execute a ‘coup’ on the Senate leadership, multiple sources revealed. Sources familiar with the plan provided journalists with details of the operation that went awry. Nigerians woke up Tuesday morning to stories of security sieges on the residences of Nigeria’s Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and that of his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. Mr Saraki later relieved the saga to his colleagues, saying he escaped on the “intervention of the almighty God”. The execution of the plot began Monday night with the police divulging the content of a letter by Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, inviting Mr Saraki for questioning. Mr Saraki was invited in connection with the recent Offa robbery incident which occurred in his state of Kwara in April. The Police had in the aftermath of the incidence alleged links between the suspected robbers and Mr Sara

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has debunked rumour being circulated in the media that he congratulated the Ekiti State Governor-elect, Kayode Fayemi, on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election in the state. Obasanjo also added that his signature and letter-head paper were forged, saying that Nigerians should ignore the information. The former president was said to have written Fayemi, saying: “Indeed, your success at the polls after a hard fought campaign is proof that the people of Ekiti State value your leadership and appreciate the efforts you have made thus far on their behalf,” Mr Obasanjo said in the letter dated July 15. “I salute you and all those who worked for your re-election.” “You will agree with me, no doubt, that the outcome of the election broadly reflects the choice of your people, who have, by their conduct, visibly demonstrated that they cherish you and will do their utmost to make you succeed. “I urge you, therefore, to reciprocate their trust by

The governor-elect of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi, on Sunday said he would immediately restore the values of the people of the state when he takes over office from governor Ayo Fayose. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday morning, declared the APC candidate as winner of Saturday’s poll. Fayemi polled 197,459 to beat his rival, PDP’s Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, who got 178,121 votes. And Fayemi, who is returning to the seat after losing to Fayose in 2014, told reporters Isan-Ekiti that “the victory of this election, I believe, is for reclaiming the land and restoring the values of our people. “Our values in Ekiti are respect for our leaders, commitment to our people, non-brigandage, non criminality and so on. “This victory is a victory for all, it is not a victory for only Gov. Kayode Fayemi, it is a victory for all the Ekiti people.” Fayemi also described his victory as significant to the future of democracy in Nigeria. ”This was just not an Ekiti elect

Kamarudeen Ogundele , Ado Ekiti The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Dr . Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the July 14 governorship election . The Vice- Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and Returning Officer for the election, Prof . Idowu Olayinka, said he had satisfied the requirement of the law by polling the highest lawful votes in the election. Fayemi polled 197 , 459 to beat Prof . Kolapo Olusola of the Peoples Democratic Party who scored 178 ,121 votes.

Few hours ago, former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo met with the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the instance of the NWC.  Chief Olusegun Obasanjo received a twenty-one-man delegation of the Committee led by the National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Walid Jibrin, who paid a courtesy call on the former President and had a breakfast working meeting with him at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta. The PDP National Chairman, speaking on behalf of the delegation and the party, made four key submissions (i) Apology to the former President for the bad conduct and mistreatment of him by the PDP (ii) The distress and prostrate situation of the country today (iii) The progress of the MOU on grand alliance of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) (iv) Appeal for the former President not to be tired with giving leadership to save the country from the throws of mismanagem

As the D- Day arrives for the much anticipated Ekiti State governorship election, we want to give you analyses on the strengths of the parties in each of the 16 local governments of the state All is set for today ’ s governorship poll in Ekiti State as political campaigns had come to an end on Thursday . The Independent National Electoral Commission began the sharing of sensitive materials to all the secretariats of the 16 local government areas on Thursday under tight security . Our correspondent reviews how political gladiators in the state have been deploying energy and resources to boost the chances of their parties in the election. Arguably , the two leading political parties in the contest are the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state and the Federal Government- led All Progressives Congress . The tenure of Governor Ayodele Fayose comes to an end on October 15 , 2018 having taken the oath of office on October 16 , 2014 . Fayose in the June 21 , 2014 governorship elec

The Chairman , Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption , Prof . Itse Sagay (SAN ), has called on the NYSC to immediately release its findings on the status of Adeosun . Sagay said this during an interview with one of our correspondents on Friday. A former Director - General of the NYSC, Brig. Gen Maharazu Tsiga ( retd . ) , and a former Director of Mobilisation , Anthony Ani , had said there was no way the agency could have issued a certificate of exemption to the minister since she was not qualified for it having graduated below the age of 30 . The NYSC had said it was investigating the matter but has kept mum for nearly a week. In his reaction , however , Sagay said the NYSC would need to clear the air as soon as possible to prevent speculations and further distractions . He said , “ To start with , without expressing an opinion on the validity of the exemption certificate or not , we have been preaching transparency in government operations since the time we came to

Olusola Fabiyi , Kamarudeen Ogundele There was drama in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday as Governor Ayo Fayose said he was brutalised by policemen who allegedly stormed the main entrance to the Ekiti State Government House to stop a rally by the Peoples Democratic Party . Residents said there were gunshots at the main entrance to the Government House while tear gas canisters were reportedly shot to disperse the crowd at the rally . An eyewitness said the situation became tense when riot - policeman dispersed supporters of PDP governorship candidate in the July 14 election, Prof . Kolapo Olusola, who had gathered at the Fajuyi Pavilion for a rally . The pavilion is serving as the campaign office for Kolapo Olusola Campaign Organisation . The PDP supporters who refused to leave the venue of the rally were reportedly forced to by the policemen . The police allegedly fired canisters of tear- gas to disperse the crowd , saying it had to do so because the organisers did not obtain its permit

The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly , , Peter Azi , , representing Jos North West State constituency , was on Wednesday impeached by 17 out of the 24 -  member parliament dominated by the All Progressives Congress . He was replaced by a former Chief Whip and legal practitioner , Joshua Izang Madaki , representing Jos East constituency . . Also removed was the Majority Leader , , Henry Yunkwap , , representing Shendam constituency , who was also replaced by Daniel Nanlong , representing Mikang constituency . . They were said to have been sacked after they had all endorsed the impeachment document with their personal signatures . Their impeachment , sources said , was premised on “ irreconcilable differences” , over the recent removal of Local Government Caretaker Committee chairmen . The chairman ,Public Accounts and Petition Committee , Peter Gyendeng , , representing Barkin Ladi constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party , , confirmed the impeach

The All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday that no gang-up by political parties will make the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration waiver on its promises to rid the country of corruption and improve Nigerian’s quality of lives. Reacting to Monday’s formation of a coalition against the ruling party by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 38 other political parties, APC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi dismissed the coalition, saying the party remained united behind the President. Abdullahi insisted that the “so, called” Reformed-All Progressives Congress was not a faction of the APC as the party remains one. He asked all those who are aggrieved to take advantage of the window of reconciliation to approach the party. The party said: “On Monday July 9, 2018, a group of individuals under the so-called ‘Reformed-All Progressives Congress’ platform purportedly joined a coalition of opposition political parties ahead of the 2019 general elections. “We respe

United States President, Donald Trump, is set to meet other NATO leaders for potentially fractious talks at a summit in Brussels shortly. Ahead of his visit, Mr. Trump hit out at the European Union on trade and at his NATO allies for failing to spend enough on defence, the BBC reports. He was met with a sharp rebuke from European Council President, Donald Tusk, who accused the U.S President of criticising Europe “almost daily.” “Dear America, appreciate your allies, after all you don’t have that many.” Mr. Tusk added that the EU spent more than Russia on defence, and as much as China. He said the U.S did not and would not have a better ally than the EU, reminding the President that European troops had also fought and died in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US. For his part, President Trump predicted that the NATO meeting could be harder than his summit with the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, in Finland next Monday.

Twenty-four hours after a group of 38 parties announced the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) to wrest power from President Muhammadu Buhari, another group of 20 political parties yesterday joined forces with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in an alliance to form the Coalition of Progressives Political Parties (CPPP) Also yesterday, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Chairman and former Kaduna State Governor Balarabe Musa described the coalition against Buhari “as an act of opportunism.” A presidential aspirant of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) also lashed out at the PDP-led coalition for its “lack of any real agenda to improve the lives of Nigeria.” There are 68 registered political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering the application for registration of about 138 others. The political parties in pro-Buhari’s CPPP which met in Abuja yesterday, are: All Progressives Congress (APC), Accord Party, Peoples Democratic

Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos will be shut to traffic at midnight on Thursday July 26 and reopened at midnight of Sunday July 29. The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Adedamola Kuti, stated this yesterday, saying that the closure was to enable engineers conduct assessment tests on some sections of the bridge He explained that if vehicles were allowed on the bridge during the tests, the movement would alter the readings expected from the tests. Kuti said the results of the tests would enable them to determine how to embark on actual repair work, adding that details of alternative routes would be provided to members of the public tomorrow after a stakeholders’ meeting in the afternoon tomorrow.

The House of Representatives has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to ensure that the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) is reactivated and applied to all drugs purchased in the country. It further urged NAFDAC to as a matter of urgency, begin a nationwide publicity on MAS for the education and enlightenment of the public as well as mandated its Committee on Health Services to ensure compliance with the resolutions. The decision of the House followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) on the need to carry out the directive to save lives. Benson had expressed concern that drug counterfeiting remained a major cause of death of many citizens. Benson, while leading the debate said fake drugs undermined every aspect of medical treatment and health care delivery and constitute the major cause of suffering and death of many Nigerians.

FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday described the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government as incompetent, corrupt and disunited in handling the affairs of country and welfare of Nigerians at large. The former Vice President who stated this during an enlarged Peoples Democratic Party, PDP meeting in Abakaliki emphasized that the present federal government was more corrupt than any government since the emergence of civil rule in the country. According to him: “I am here to introduce myself to the people of Ebonyi state to seek your support and that of our party so that we can throw out Muhammadu Buhari from Aso Rock. Yesterday, 40 political parties came together to meet themselves to present one candidate for presidential election. The coalition is going to have one candidate for presidential election, one candidate for governor, one candidate for senator, one candidate for House of Reps, one candidate for House of Assembly, one candidate for party chairman. “We

JUSTICE Sule Hassan of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, ordered that the chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, Mr. Clement Faboyede and the Director-General of the party’s Campaign Organisation, Modupe Adetokunbo be remanded in prison custody till July 19. Both Clement and Adetokunbo were arraigned before Justice Saidu on June 29, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged N500 million fraud. Justice Saidu, had on June 29, after their arraignment, ordered that they should be remanded in prison, pending their trial, which is slated for September 19. However, after hearing of their bail application, yesterday, the court ordered that they should return to prison custody pending July 19, when ruling on their bail applications would be delivered. Arguing their application for bail, their counsel, Eyitayo Jegede said: “The essence of this motion is to seek the temporary release of the defendants pending trial. They w

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), on Wednesday, urged Christians to intensify their prayers for the peace and progress of the country. Uja, made this call in an interview with newsmen, while reacting to the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), declaration of National Day of prayer and fasting programme against the killings across the country. The NCPC boss said that prayer remained the key to the resolution of the country’s numerous socio-economic, political and security challenges. He called on the Church to continue to pray for God’s intervention and that things would get better for the country in all ramifications. “The Church should remain fervent in prayers for the healing of the land, ‘enough is enough’ on killings across the nation. “Fervent and effective prayers will make our leaders to do what is right toward peace and the development of the country. “I urge everyone in this country to rise and seek for God’s mercy