Monday, 13 February 2017
We’ve handed over Buhari’s death wishers to God — Community leader
By Soni Daniel & Bashir Bello
Daura— As some Nigerians continue to spread rumours of President Muhammadu Buhari’s death, a family friend of the President in Daura, Katsina State, said last night that the community had handed over such evil elements to God for appropriate punishment for deliberately spreading falsehood to cause apprehension and destabilize the country.
Ahmed Ahidjo Wali, who is from Daura where Buhari comes from, however, asked security agencies to take urgent steps to fish out the perpetrators of the death wish and bring them to account for their evil machinations to serve as a deterrent to others.
Wali, who spoke in an interview with one of our correspondents, said the masterminds of the false news of Buhari’s death were all out to create the impression that the north had been plagued with misfortune when it comes to running the presidency.
Wali described as wicked and mischievous the spreading of Buhari’s death by some elements while he was alive and on vacation all in a desperate attempt to recreate what he called the ‘Yar’Adua scenario’ and blackmail the north.
Wali said the family and the people of Buhari’s community in Daura were unfazed by the wicked rumours of his death and were preparing for his return to Nigeria after his vacation.
Wali, who said the people of Daura were hurt by the rumours of the leader’s death making rounds, however, said they would not dignify the evil merchants with a response, apart from handing them over to God for divine punishment.
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We didn’t understand Rivers tactics—Real Bamako
Mali’s AS Real Bamako have admitted they were held back by the tactics of Nigerian club Rivers United after both teams played out a scoreless draw in a CAF Champions League tie at the weekend.
A tactical masterclass by Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma proved to be catalyst for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club to peg back their Malian hosts AS Real Bamako to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their preliminary round CAF Champions League game.
As Real Bamako coach, Pascal Pons blamed his side’s failure to win on their lack of knowledge of the Nigerian side but promised a better performance in the return fixture in Port Harcourt. “It (the result) was okay even though we played a 0-0 draw. We could not really understand the tactics and system of our opponents,” said Pons.
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Baales vs OYSG: Court orders direct disbursement of councils funds
By Ola Ajayi
Ibadan—THE Oyo State Government said it got a variation order which allows all monies and allocations meant for the 33 local governments in the state to be paid directly to them.
The state commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun said this in a statement yesterday.
He said that Justice John Tsoho of a Federal High Court, Abuja gave the variation order in a ruling on February 7, 2017 in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/16/2017 between 15 baales from Oyo Town and Oyo State Government and nine Ors on the conduct of local government elections in the 33 councils and 35 local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
This came just as indication emerged that the case may be settled out of court.
Arulogun explained that the variation order expressly states that: “It is hereby ordered that following the understanding reached by the learned counsel representing the principal parties on the divide as communicated to court, order 4 on the drawn up order of this court dated 20th January, 2017 is varied as follows: that there shall be no more warehousing of monies and or allocations meant for the 33 constitutionally-recognised local governments in Oyo State by the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Defendants.
“That such monies and or allocations shall be released directly to the said local governments as constitutionally mandated and that this matter is adjourned to 22nd March, 2017 for Report of Settlement,” Arulogun noted.
He further recalled that there was a previous ruling of January 20, 2017 restraining the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC, from conducting local government elections earlier scheduled for February 11, 2017 and one of the interim orders of the court directed the 2nd (Accountant General of the Federation), 3rd (Central Bank of Nigeria) 4th(Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission) and 5th (Federal Ministry of Finance) defendants to warehouse into an interest yielding account, all monies and or allocations belonging to the distorted 33 constitutionally recognised local governments in Oyo State, pending the determination of the motion on notice.
He said the warehousing of the councils’ monies and allocations would have affected the welfare of the people, payment of salaries and the development of the grassroots, stressing that the variation order was a relief from the ambush for the councils allocations and monies.
The commissioner pointed out that the time frame between now and the next adjourned date will give the plaintiffs and defendants ample time for out-of-court settlement, adding that the state government would do everything humanly and constitutionally possible to resolve the impasse stopping the conduct of the local government elections.
Arulogun restated that it is a misrepresentation of facts for some individuals and groups to insinuate that the state government orchestrated the suit in order not to conduct local government elections, reiterating that the election will hold as soon as all the legal impediments are removed.
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Akwa Utd end Plateau Utd’s unbeaten run
CHRISTIAN Pyagbara and Alhassan Ibrahim goals in Uyo yesterday ended Plateau United’s eight match unbeaten run in the Nigerian Professional League.
The League leaders could not come to terms with their defeat at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Substitute, Chima Ndukwu’s consolation goal proved nothing against the crucial goals scored by Christian Pyagbara and Alhassan Ibrahim for the Uyo outfit.
Plateau coach, Kennedy Boboye cried that his attackers were not clinical in front of goal.
“I know that one day our unbeaten run in the league will come to an end but not against Akwa United. I’m not really convinced and impressed with their performance in the clash.
“Our attackers were poor. If they had converted the chances at goal we would have even scored more goals.
“We’ll get back home to be ready for the clash against Niger Tornadoes.
Plateau United still lead the 20-team top-flight with 17 points despite the defeat in Uyo.
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