The Age Newspaper Online

President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly accepted to allow the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to go South in 2023. He made this known at a dinner with the APC presidential aspirants at the Aso Rock Villa. According to sources close to the situation, Buhari failed to state any consensus but asked the southern aspirants to compete at the party’s primary. This is coming after 10 Northern governors have advised the President to allow the presidential ticket of APC to be zoned to the South and demanded that all Northern aspirants should withdraw from the race.   The governors stated their position in a public statement signed by 10 of them and the leader of the party in Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko. A total of 22 of Nigeria’s 36 states are governed by the APC. Fourteen of the governors are from the North, while eight are from the South. Only four northern APC state governors did not sign the statement. Two of them, Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Abubakar Badaru of Jiga

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified ten of the twenty-three screened presidential aspirants. This was revealed by the party’s committee chaired by the former national chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun on Friday, June 3, while submitting the report of his seven-member panel to the national chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, at the party’s national secretariat today in Abuja. The aspirants that were disqualified were not immediately available. However further revelations have shown that some bigwigs who bought the party’s N100,000,000 nomination have been disqualified. According to one of the sources, all 23 aspirants screened were cleared and qualified, but the committee recommended a “safe list” of 13 names.   Those recommended in the list include; APC National leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi; Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, and Eki

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified ten of twenty three screened presidential aspirants. Odigie-Oyegun made this known, on Friday, June 3, 2022, while submitting the report of his seven-member panel to the national chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, at the party’s’s national secretariat today in Abuja. The aspirants that were disqualified have not been made known yet. About thirty individual were reported to have purchased the N100,000,000 million APC presidential forms, but 23 were summoned for screening exercise. The individuals screened are; Former Minister of State Education; Chukwuemeja Uwaezuoke Nwajiuba; Governor of Jigawa state, Badaru Abubakar; Senator Robert A. Boroffice; Barr. Uju Ken-Ohanenye (only female aspirant); Nicholas Felix; Ebonyi state governor; Nweze David Umahi; former senate president, and Ken Nnamani; Gbolahan B. Bakare. Others are; former Ogun state governor, Ibikunle Amosun; former Lagos state governor, Ahmed B. Tinubu; Ah

The United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect has appointed the Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen to Head a Global committee that will develop a framework of analysis for the prevention of atrocity crimes and genocide from the perspective of women. The Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Ms. Alice Nderitu made this known in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Women Affairs. Ms Alice explained that the existing framework of analysis on the prevention of atrocity crime does not reflect issues of women and the responsibility of the committee was to reflect the perspective of women in conflict prevention and the peace process against genocide. In July we are convening very eminent women from around the world. In Italy, we will seat with these women and we will draw up a frame work of analysis for the prevention of atrocity crime. We already have a frame work of analysis but this framework

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, has been asked to resign from his position by the PDP Concerned League, identified as a stakeholders’ group. The group also demanded the resignation of Samuel Anyanwu, PDP national secretary, and Umar Bature, the party’s national organising secretary. The leader of the group, Daboikiabo Warmate, who made the demand at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, said the listed officials must resign on or before June 20. Citing the PDP constitution, Warmate said since the party has elected Atiku Abubakar from the north as its presidential candidate, Ayu who is also from the north ought not to continue in office. “This is inconsistent with section 7, subsection 3 (c) and section 46 subsection 3 of our great party constitution as amended 2017. It’s politically unethical and immoral,” the group said. “Therefore, we call on the national chairman, national secretary and national organising secretary to, without any fur

Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Idris Ahmed arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N200,000,000,000 fraud has reunited with his family. This is according to a video circulating on social media that showed the AGF being welcomed by members of his family with wild jubilations. It is however, not clear when his release was secured from the custody as of press time. Recall that Idris was nabbed by EFCC operatives on May 16, 2022 in connection with a series of fraud that was initially thought to be N80billion.   Three days after his arrest, Idris was suspended by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, to enable him face his probe. It was gathered that based on the findings of the EFCC, the total sum in the series of coordinated scams traced to the suspended AGF is up to 200 billion Naira (N200,000,000,000). According to an internal source of the EFCC, questioning of Idris by detectives broug

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday closed its case in the alleged N6.2 billion fraud against the former governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang. Jang and Yusuf Pam, a former cashier in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (OSSG), are being prosecuted before Justice C. L. Dabup of Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos. They are facing trial for alleged criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of Plateau State funds to the tune of N6.2 billion. At the last sitting, the EFCC had presented its fourteenth witness (PW14), a Chief Superintendent of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Commission (ICPC), Taiwo Oloronyomi, who testified against the defendants. While tendering the statement in evidence, the second defendant’s counsel, S. Olawale, raised an objection, arguing that the statement of his client to the ICPC was not voluntary as he was subjected to physical and psychological torture by one Hajiya Fatima Mohammed o

The General Manager of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), TPL Kefas John Yilrwang has enumerated the functions and responsibilities of the board as that of controlling the physical development of cities, the promotion of safety in building, helping out in peace settlement in land issues using the development plan of the cities, the generation of internally Generated Revenue for the State Government through park and pay, granting approvals for temporary projects like bill boards,maintenance of parks and gardens and its management in the city, urban governance, approval of building plans and the implementation of the BEEC code in Plateau State. Yilrwang made this clarification when Chief Amb Nanyah Andrew Daman JP, Jarumin Jat, Group Managing Editor and the Chairman of the Plateau Publishers Association (PPA) led members of the Board Executive Council and PPA members on a courtesy call and media parely to the headquarters of the JMDB in his office on Tuesday, 31st May, 2022.

By BUHARI B. BELLO, Jos The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State is currently heading to eventual disintegration and total crisis which may mark the end of the party in the state. Many of the party’s loyalists and supporters it was gathered, are deeply disenchanted over the way and manner the party conducted it’s primaries where Nentanwe Yilwada was declared winner against the wishes of majority of the aspirants with their supporters who staged a walk out at the venue of the event. Members of the ruling APC in Plateau State are contemplating decamping to other political parties, which may signal the end of APC in the state, considering the election at the various 17 local government areas and the state that makes People’s Democratic Party (PDP) a favourite political party in the state. Crisis in the party started with the removal of the former chairman of the party in the state, Nde Latap Dabeng who decamped to the opposition party and contested for the governo

A Group Known as Grassroot Mobilization of All Progressives Congress,(APC) in Plateau state, has unanimously endorse Hon. Ishaya Itse For the Position of Deputy Governor of the Party. Hon. Ishaya Itse is a Frontline Politician,A Philanthropist on the Plateau and has impacted positively on the lives of the less privileged.Students and Women through scholarships and grants. The endorsement was signed by the Chairman of the group,Hon. Henry Patrick and Secretary,Hon. Azi Moses Madaki. They called on all APC stakeholders in the state to join hands with them and support Hon. Ishaya Itse to Deputise Hon. Nantawe Yilwada for good Governance,Equity and fairness, he will use his prowess and wealth of experience to lead the party into victory comes 2023. If you can recalled,He contested for the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the state and is still contributing his quota to the growth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at His Jos Jarawa Ward,Jos North LGA, Plateau state a

The Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN has said plans have reached an advanced stage to commence academic activities of the Karl Kumm University, KKU at the COCIN Comprehensive College CCC Gindiri, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. President of the Church, Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo said the move became necessary to help salvage the operational license of the KKU from revocation following the expiration of the six (6) months suspension slammed on the institution by the National Universities Commission, NUC sometimes last year. Lightbearernews reports that the church leader explained that since he assumed office, he has set in motion machinery for dialogue with the hope of reaching a peaceful resolution with the aggrieved host community so that academic activities will resume at the permanent site in, Vom, Jos South LGA of Plateau State. “We are commencing the second campus of the KKU in Gindiri to avoid further sanctions from the NUC and also to give room for further dialogue wit

The Concern and Patriotic PDP Youths in Plateau State have described the Chairman Plateau Northern Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and Former Commissioner of Finance during Da Jonah David Jang Administration Hon. Davou Mang as the best candidate for the Deputy Governorship Seat under the People's Democratic Party. The Youths in their submission through one of their Leaders Matthew John described Hon. Mang as a Loyal party man who has never left the party, but stand with Baba Jang throughout trubulent moment of the party and defended the party in different capacity It would be recalled that Hon. Mang had contested the Reps Seat for Barkin Ladi and Riyom Federal Constituency during the 2019 general elections and lost, but stood to work for those who emerged winners without bitterness. According to them, bringing the two experienced and capable persons such as Barr. Caleb Mutfwang as Governor and Hon. Davou Mang as Deputy Governor of Plateau State will be very good and acce

Comrade Luka Panpe Yakubu,the People's Professor declares his intention to become the Governor of Plateau State in the 2023 General Elections at Azi Nyako Youths Centre, Jos on Sunday 29th May,2022. The People's Redemption Party is gradually having a fling in Plateau State as discontentment is the fallout of the Gubernatorial primaries. Panpe is a Lecturer with the Plateau State Polytechnic, B/Ladi and hails from Panyam District of Mangu LGA.

PRESS RELEASE CONCERNED APC PLATEAU NORTHERN YOUTHS It has come to our notice that a certain group of desperadoes are currently pursuing a futile and illegal attempt to invalidate Amb. Chris Giwa's emergence as the bonafide candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Plateau North for the coming 2023 general elections. We wish to inform them that we are aware of the gimmicks they are currently employing to ensure that against all odds the resounding victory of the capacitated philanthropist is upturned. They should be aware that Amb Giwa is the people's project which reflected in the landslide victory he earned having scored an overwhelming 213 votes to defeat his closest rival who scored a distant 150 votes. How this particular group intend to execute this project which has failed even before its started is mind burgling and leaves one bewildered as even our co-contesters who we see as a family have since conceded defeat, congratulated Amb Giwa and promised to collapse the

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has bowed to Pressure from Political parties to extend its deadline for Primary elections. The commission has extended the deadline by 6 days. A statement from the commission signed by Festus Okoye on Friday evening read; "The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met with the leadership of political parties today Friday 27th May 2022. Once again, the political parties requested the Commission to review the timelines for political party primaries provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the conduct of the 2023 General Election released on Saturday 26th February 2022.” Earlier, the political parties had requested for 37 – 60 days extension of the timeline for primaries and the nomination of candidates. The Commission was emphatic that this request could not be granted because it would disrupt other scheduled activities on the Timetable. This position of the Commission has not changed. However, based on

By Genius Nanfa As the Plateau State 2023 Gubernatorial gong and the ticking of the hands of a clock sound loud and clear, the political murky waters and subtle deployment of political arsenal, mudslinging, intrigues, and intricacies to ensure success in the March, 2023 Gubernatorial election on the Plateau are on top gear. Now that Mwaghavul has emerged as the opposition's candidate, PDP gladiators, spectators, analysts, and onlookers are watching with bated breath, speculating on what Governor Simon Bako Lalong and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Delegates must consider before throwing the gubernatorial ticket. It is a well-known fact that the APC's incorrect choice of flagbearer, or rather the imposition of the acclaimed government candidate on Plateau citizens in any guise, will undoubtedly attract a repeat of the 2015 mass exodus from the ruling party, marking the end of the party in the state and its imposed candidate. Since the PDP delegates have decided to nominate

The incumbent Honourable member representing Langtang North and Langtang South Federal Constituency, Beni Butmak Lar has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), primaries for the constituency. Honourable Lar polled a total of 70 votes to defeat her rivals Mr. Gidoen Nanden who scored 1 vote while 3 delegates were absent at the voting center. The Chairman of primary election committee for Langtang North and Langtang South Federal Constituency, Mr. Solomon Abdong declared Hon. Lar winner of the election having polled 70 votes out 74 votes. The election was observed by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission from the two Local Government Areas. Shortly after declaring winner of election, Honourable Lar thanked the delegates for their confidence on her and dedicated the victory to her constituents. She assured the people of her determination to consolidate on the gains of the past by providing effective representation.

By Jerry Jatdul The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed the screening of the 25 presidential aspirants slated for Monday, May 23rd. APC National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka, announced the postponement in a statement issued on Sunday night, although no reason was given for the change in plan. Morka added that a new date for the screening exercise will be communicated to the public shortly, without mentioning any specific time. “The Screening Exercise for Presidential Aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier scheduled to be held on Monday, May 23rd, 2022, is hereby postponed,” the terse statement read. “A new date for the exercise will be announced shortly. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.” Key aspirants that have submitted their forms include Vice President Yemi Osibanjo; APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu; ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Minister of Niger Delta Development, Sen. Godswill Akpabio. Others are

By Filibus Edwards & Abdulwahab Abdulkarim Dr Patrick Sunday Dakum, the Chief Executive Officer of the institute of Human Virology, Abuja Nigeria, leader of the consolidation for Greater Plateau 2023 Team as well as the All Progressive Congress (APC) Plateau State Gubernatorial Favourite has won the four days opinion polls conducted by the Plateau Progressives Youth network (PPYN) with 16,718 votes to beat his closest rival Dr Nentawe Yilwatda with 14,953 votes. Dr Patrick Dakum scored 16, 718 votes out of the 36,244 total votes representing 46.1%, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda with 14,953 votes represents 41.3%, Mr Sunday Biggs came third with 2,274 votes which represents 6.3%, Prof Sonni Tyoden scored 1,929 votes representing 5.3% in that order. Dr Patrick Dakum has won about nine other opinion polls conducted by other groups both on the social media, Twitter and Instagram. He has of late received numerous distinguished merit awards from respected organizations both within the secular and

The Governor of Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, says he will introduce modern technology to provide security across the country if he is elected as the president in 2023. Fayemi, one of the aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said this on Saturday in Jos during his interaction with the party delegates. “I will improve on intelligence gathering, processing and introduce significantly the use of technology; satellite and drone technology in the management of security challenges. “These are fundamentals that we must do because the flip side of security is development.   “You cannot have development if you don’t have security and you cannot have security if you don’t have development,” he observed. Fayemi also told the delegates that he would work hard to strengthen national cohesion, devolve responsibilities and resources to the sub-national levels. “I know what states are going through and I know that we can build a partnership that works, a partnership that can st