N1trn Rail Scam: Tukur, Baraje, 2 Others In Trouble

•House summons Amaechi, 4 ex-PDP chieftains
The House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on Rail Transport Contracts has summoned four former chairmen of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to appear before it on Thursday over an alleged N1 trillion rail contracts scam.
Those summoned include three former chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and another who had served as chairman and board member of the NRC
They are Bamanga Tukur, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Haliru Bello and Amb. Ladan Shuni. The former chairmen of NRC are expected to render accounts of their stewardship.

Biafra Protests:Nigeria’ll Not Split –Lai Mohammed

Federal Government has described agitations by some Nigerians, largely in the South-East and some parts of South-South, as “completely legitimate.”
There have been mass protests in the South-East for an independent country of Biafra. The protests have, sometimes, gone violent with reported deaths, allegedly at the hands of security officials
The protests got worse following the arrest and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu, director of Radio Biafra, a pirate radio the Nigerian government accuses of spreading hate and violence.
The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who spoke on the agitations, however said the basic cause of it was “economic” which would have gotten worse but for the efforts of the current administration.

Without God’s Intervention, Buhari, Others Cannot Solve Nigeria’s Problems – Speaker Dogara

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Sunday said current Nigerian leaders need divine wisdom to overcome the several challenges confronting the country.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, in Abuja.
Mr. Hassan stated that Mr. Dogara made the remark when he visited Keffi, Nasarawa State, to condole with the people, family and state government over the death of the Emir, Chindo Yamusa II.
According to him, the plethora of problems bedevilling the country cannot be solved with mere human wisdom.

Biafra Protest Politically Motivated - Uwazuruike

Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Biafra (MASSOB) Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, yesterday apologised to people of the South-east and northerners living in the region over the recent killings and burning of mosque.
Protest by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) last week, led to killing of about five people and destruction of property in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Addressing newsmen in Owerri, Imo State, Uwazuruike disassociated members of MASSOB from the protest.

Senate Warns Governors Against Unnecessary Loans

Chairman of the senate committee on local and foreign debts, Shehu Sani has cautioned states government against collecting “unnecessary loans.”
Hosting the country director of the World Bank, Dr. Rachid Benmassoud, Sani stressed the need for the judicious use of loans borrowed by government at all levels.
“I want to call on the federal government to discourage state government from borrowing under Development Policy Operation. We want to see future borrowings tied to specific projects for accountability and transparency.

Atiku Salutes Kogi People, Says Nigeria’s Democracy Enriched

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), congratulates the entire people and government of Kogi State, as well as the political and opinion leaders of the state, on the successful conclusion of the supplementary governorship election in the state.
The former Vice President also commends the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts. He said that the fact that the election resulted in a clear winner after all the doubts, tension, uncertainty, stresses and strains, is a testimony to the fact that the people of the state are resilient and peace- loving and that when adhered to, the tenets of democracy tends to yield an outcome satisfying to the people.

Ben Bruce Labels ‪#‎BayelsaDecides‬ An ‘Execution’

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District has described the ongoing governorship election as an ‘execution’.
Murray-Bruce who was reacting on Twitter this evening said it was safe for him to conclude that it was not an election but an execution.
In a tweet he wrote: “I am in Bayelsa and with what I’m seeing I can conclusively say this is not an election. This is an execution!” the Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker said.

MTN:Communication Minister, You Are Dead Wrong

Nigeria’s Communications Minister Adebayo Shittu has been widely quoted as declaring that President Muhammadu Buhari will have the final say on issues arising from the $5.2billion fine imposed on South African telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria, by the National Communication Commission (NCC). The company’s management has admitted to the infractions for which it was being sanctioned, all it’s asking for is a reprieve in the form of reduction of the huge fine and the time lag for it to pay up the sum that might be allowed.

Faleke Remains Kogi Deputy Governor-Elect – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Sunday upheld the running mate to the late Abubakar Audu, James Faleke as the Deputy Governor-elect of Kogi State. This is notwithstanding his earlier public announcement of his withdrawal from the supplementary election.
Following INEC’s declaration of Audu’s replacement, Yahaya Bello, the winner of the election, an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the state collation centre challenged the nomination of Bello as governorship candidate by the APC.

APC Can’t Penetrate Into My Constituency – David Mark

Former Senate President, David Mark has assured that Benue South Senatorial zone will remain impenetrable for the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming re-run election.

He based his optimism on the overwhelming solidarity and support “by my people who are solidly behind me . I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that there is no opposition to my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in my zone.”

Speaking when the Senate caucus of the PDP paid him a solidarity visit following the annulment of his March 28, 2015 Senatorial election, Mark assured that the Appeal tribunal verdict has strengthened him and his constituents the more.

Why Does China Need Military Base in Djibouti?

A Chinese military base in Djibouti will be conducive to the international war on sea piracy, and the West will hardly have any objections to that, several leading British experts agreed on Monday.


A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman said in November that Beijing was in talks to build a naval logistical center in Djibouti to service its patrol ships in the Gulf of Aden and elsewhere in the region.
Djibouti is a good choice for a Chinese military base as there are French, US and Japanese naval forces also stationed there, said Alex Vines, a co-director at Coventry University’s African Studies Center.

APC Can’t Penetrate Into My Constituency – David Mark

Former Senate President, David Mark has assured that Benue South Senatorial zone will remain impenetrable for the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming re-run election.
He based his optimism on the overwhelming solidarity and support “by my people who are solidly behind me . I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that there is no opposition to my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in my zone.”
Speaking when the Senate caucus of the PDP paid him a solidarity visit following the annulment of his March 28, 2015 Senatorial election, Mark assured that the Appeal tribunal verdict has strengthened him and his constituents the more.

Senate WILL NOT Suspend Anti-Social Media Bill.

The senate has expressed willingness to go ahead with the treatment of the anti-social media bill, also known as the anti-frivolous petition bill, but says that citizens will have “the opportunity to shape its final outcome as there is an elaborate process which the bill must undergo before it becomes a law”.
On December 2, the bill seeking to curb frivolous petitions, false allegations and statements in the social media passed second reading.

Jonathan Was Inexperienced, Says IBB.

Former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, says “inexperience” rather than “incompetent” was the right word to describe former President Goodluck Jonathan who lost his re-election bid in March.

Speaking with The Interview magazine in the December 2015 edition which is currently on sale, Babangida said Jonathan “is a very pleasant person” and said he believed the former president meant well for the country.

Asked about the perception that Jonathan is a good person but was “incompetent”, Babangida replied: “If you use inexperience, I will buy that.”

He refused to disclose whom he really supported between Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, who eventually won the election.

Pentagon Denies US-Led Coalition Strikes on Syrian Army Facilities

According to the Syrian Foreign Ministry, four US-led coalition aircraft launched nine missiles at Syrian Army facilities on Sunday evening killing three and injuring another 13, as well as destroying numerous military vehicles, weapons and equipment.

WASHINGTON  — US Army spokesperson Col. Steve Warren denied on Monday that US-led coalition airstrikes hit Syrian government military facilities on Sunday as claimed by Damascus.

Iraqi Army Repels Massive Daesh Attack in Anbar Province

The Iraqi Army and police repelled a massive attack by Daesh (ISIL) militants in the Anbar province in Western Iraq.


"The ISIL terrorists intended to carry out massive attacks on different locations in Anbar province with seven bomb-laden vehicles," Commander of Anbar Operations Jamal al-Dailami told FARS News.
He added that the militants were also planning attacks on two headquarters of the Iraqi Army and federal police, 35 kilometers to the west of Ramadi.

Falana: Why Buhari Didn’t Make Me Minister.

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer and activist, says President Muhammadu Buhari did not appoint him a minister for “ideological reasons”.
He said some people believed that he was “too radical” and should not be made attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice.
Speculations that he would be appointed minister were widespread, but Buhari picked Kayode Fayemi from Ekiti state.

Govt Reject Naira Rain For Victorious Eaglets

A reward package proposed by the sports ministry for Nigeria’s team to the recent FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile has been rejected by the country’s government as “too outrageous”, sources at the Presidency have revealed.
The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has sounded it loud and clear the country’s coffers are hugely depleted and as such it cannot afford unnecessary expenditure.

Finland To Pay Every Citizen $1,100 Per Month And Scrap All Other Benefits

 In Effort To Reduce Unemployment Rate Finland’s government is drawing up plans to pay every citizen a basic income of euros 800 ($1,165) each month, scrapping benefits altogether. Under proposals drafted by the Finnish Social Insurance Institution (Kela), the tax-free payments would replace all other benefit payments, and would be paid to all adults regardless of whether or not they receive any other income. While it may sound counterintuitive, the basic income is intended to encourage more people back to work in Finland, where unemployment is at record levels.

Social Media Censorship Bill: Oppositions Have Opportunity To Contribute – Senate

ABUJA- THE senate said yesterday that those opposed to the social media censorship bill were free to make contributions to the red chambers.
A bill seeking a two-year jail term for any person who makes allegation or publishes any statement or petition in the newspaper,radio or medium of whatever description against another person,institutions of government or any public office holder, on Wednesday passed second reading in the Senate and controversies have continued to trail it.SO

Governance Can’t Be All About Fighting Corruption..But – Ezekwesili

Nigeria’s former Minister of Education, Obiagele Ezekwesili, has made a strong case for the government of Nigeria to develop and pursue sound policies that could drive economic growth in the country, saying Governance can’t be all about fighting Corruption.
Tweeting through her twitter handle, ?@obyezeks, on Monday, Ezekwesili, however, stated that there is no justification for corruption, be it petty or otherwise.

INEC Puts Result Collation On Hold Indefinitely ‪#‎BayelsaDecides‬

The Chief Returning Officer of Bayelsa state gubernatorial election, Prof. Zana Akpagu, has put on hold indefinitely, the collation of the governorship election of Southern Ijaw local government area in the ongoing state governorship election.
Akpagu while making the announcement, said the results from the local government which is located deep down in the riverine community, is still being awaited.
He explained that he does not know when the Returning Officer from the local government area will come in with the result.

‪#‎BayelsaDecides‬: PDP Supporters Protest In Yenagoa

Despite police ban on processions and demonstrations in Bayelsa state, hundreds of PDP supporters , men, women and youths, took to the streets of Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa state in protest of what they called ‘military hijack’ of the electoral process.
The protesters who carried placards and sang war songs, attempted to storm election result collation centre.

Kachikwu: From 2016, Refineries Will Pay Directly To Federation Account.

Ibe Kachikwu, the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), says from 2016, state-owned refineries will make direct payments to the federation account.
The refineries are subsidiaries of the NNPC, which is the body expected to make the payments.
But Kachikwu said the NNPC was adopting a plan that would give the refineries some sort of autonomy, without privatising them.
In a statement by Ohi Alegbe, the corporation’s spokesperson, Kachikwu was quoted as saying high level discussions are underway with local and international investors to bridge the perennial JV cash call funding gap.

Jailing Diezani ^Would Send A Signal, Says Sanusi.

Sanusi Muhammad II, the emir of Kano, says jailing Diezani Alison-Madueke for sharp practices at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will send a signal to the corrupt in Nigeria.
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also said Nigeria was losing about N200bn on a monthly basis, under the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking on the operations of the NNPC under the leadership of the Alison-Madueke, Sanusi said corruption prevailed in the NNPC and allowed a small group of people siphon the treasure of the Nigerian people.