7.8m idle PVCs with INEC

By Angela Atabo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said it has 7.8 million uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the 2015 general elections.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, told a meeting of Civil Society Organisations Situation Room in Abuja that out of the uncollected PVCs, Lagos had the highest with 1.4 million, followed by Oyo with 700,000 and Edo, 540,000.

Yakubu said: “In terms of the least collection by percentage, Ogun has the least while Bauchi and Zamfara have the highest rate in collection by percentage and number.”

“There are some we have not printed from the last general elections; so, we are meeting some stakeholders next week in this regard to settle it.

“The commission is still reiterating its advice that collection of PVCs by proxy is not allowed.

“So we are working out ways to ensure that people collect their PVCs before the next elections and those who are of age

Democracy or mental siege

Central to democracy is individual freedom. Unfortunately, a mental siege has been imposed on Nigerians making a mockery of their individual freedom. If, for instance, you are an APC man in Rivers State and you grant an interview saying Nyesom Wike, the PDP governor of Rivers State is “trying” (their word for performance), forget about your appointment with Rotimi Ameachi. Also, if you are a PDP man in Kaduna State and you say that Nasiru El-Rufa’i is “trying”, as the governor of Kaduna State, you have lost your membership of the PDP. This happens even within the same party. If you are a member of the Kwankwasiyya movement in Kano and you say that Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of the state is “trying”, you h

DSS letter that led to the rejection of Magu as EFCC boss

The Nigerian Senate has rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive head of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Earlier on  the Department of State Security (DSS), had written to the Senate, insisting that the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, is ‘unfit’ to head the anti-graft agency.

Here is the DSS letter: 

 

DSS letter

 

Neither Senate Nor DSS Can Stop My Fight Against Corruption — Magu

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu, has vowed to continue the fight against corruption, stressing that neither the rejection of his nomination by the Senate nor the report by the Department of State Security (DSS) that he is ‘unfit’ to head the anti-graft agency can stop him.

Magu said this when he addressed a coalition of civil society groups at the entrance to the National Assembly.

“My priority is to fight corruption. My confirmation has not changed anything. We have always been on duty I will work until the last day whether confirmation or no confirmation.

“The greatest violation against human right is crime against the society and the humanity but everybody has a duty and responsibility to fight corruption and I also has a responsibility. I assure you that we will fight to finish.

“We will never be deterred because what we are doing is trying to investigate what has gone before and protect the future of our chi

A Medical Doctor in Search of Healing

By Pius Adesanmi

(He came to me to unburden and unload inbox because of what Nigeria is doing to him. He is a medical doctor practicing his trade in Nigeria. I am a teacher practicing my trade outside of Nigeria. Nigeria is killing us both and the doctor came to unload on the teacher. For respite. For therapeutic healing. My doctor friend, your unloading is adding to my own death. Alas, I have no cure for you. I can only upload your missive here unedited. I will not post your name for you name names in your outburst and the powerful can come after you…)

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Good morning Prof. God bless you for your write

Ekiti Women Day Celebration: Over 75,000 women get refund for Ankara fabric

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has directed that over 75,000 women who paid N500 each for the Ankara fabric to celebrate the International Women’s Day last week Wednesday, but were unable to get the cloth should have the money refunded to them with immediate effect.

Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday that a sum of N9.2 million was refunded to over 18,000 women groups between Monday, March 13 that the governor gave the directive and today (Tuesday).

He said the refund was being coordinated by Speaker of the State of House of Assembly, Pastor Kola Oluwawole.

“Provision was made for a little above 25,000 women, but surprisingly, over 100,000 women paid N500 each for the Ankara fabric.

“Many of the women were even willing to pay as much as N2, 000 for the cloth but the governor insisted th

SSS writes Senate again, insists Magu lacks integrity

The State Security Service has insisted the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, is not fit to head the anti-graft agency because he lacks integrity, a lawmaker has said.

The SSS said this to the Senate in a fresh report dispatched Tuesday evening.

The content of the report was raised by a senator, Dino Melaye, after it had appeared Mr. Magu would scale the Senate hurdle, after answering a wide range of questions at his confirmation hearing still underway.

“In the light of the foregoing, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption stand of the current government,” the SSS report, read by Mr. Melaye, stated.

An earlier report by the SSS had prevented the Senate from confirming Mr. Magu as EFCC chairman earlier.

The current confirmation hearing is still underway.

Details later…

Bill to establish EFCC Court passes second reading in House of Reps

A bill to amend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has Act passed second reading on Wednesday in the House of Representatives.

The bill which seeks to establish an EFCC Court to provide quick recovery procedures for stolen asset was sponsored by Bede-Eke Uchenna, a Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker from Imo, and four other lawmakers.

Leading the debate, Mr. Uchenna said the bill also seeks to implement active pursuit of cases, build capacity and improve trust and co-operation with foreign counterparts.

“The bill seeks to ensure adequate funding of the commission, make it more independent and effective in the enforcement of laws and to establish an Economic and Financial Crimes Court.” Mr. Uchenna said.

The lawmaker said the bill will generally enhance the effectiveness of the Act.

In his contribution, Mohammed Monguno (Borno-APC) said that the bill was as a result of the delay-attitude of the regular courts in the administration of justice.

“Rather tha