The real reason why Buhari will keep Dasuki in detention – Book reveals

– Buhari’s biographer Professor Paden in his book about the president explained why former national security adviser Dasuki will be kept in detention
– The professor said that as Buhari wanted to be remembered for the fight against corruption he would punish all culprits
– Mr. Paden also ruled out the personal relations between duo as the reason of Dasuki’s detention

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court has on October 4, Tuesday ordered Nigerian government to release former national security adviser Sambo Dasuki.
Dasuki, one of the officials of the government of Goodluck Jonathan, is facing trial for misappropriation of over $15 billion fund meant for the purchase of the arms and other equipment to fight Boko Haram insurgents.
Federal government while explaining why ex-NSA was not released despite the ECOWAS judgment said that the Nigerian authorities need to study it before taking any decision.
However, President Muhammadu Buhari’s biographer, John Paden, who presented his book “Muhammadu Buhari – The challenges of Leadership in Nigeria” on October 3, Monday, hinted that Dasuki’s release from detention may not happen soon.
Mr. Paden in chapter 15 of the book, which focuses on ‘Military Procurement Accountability’, stated that the president believed in confronting to the end any act of corruption that will undermine the integrity of the Nigerian army.
He writes: “For Buhari who has said openly that he wants to be remembered for fighting corruption, it will be an unmitigated disaster for his legacy if such a gargantuan fleecing went on in his primary constituency, the military, and he failed to unearth it and punish the culprits.
“Buhari knows that Task Force and Division Commanders knew of and approved these arms purchases; Service Chiefs knew too; Ministers of Defence and Finance knew; Chief of Staff knew; civil servants in the Ministries of Defence and Finance knew, Chief of Staff to the President knew; the Vice President knew; and the President knew. It is why Buhari will keep his foot on Dasuki’s throat until he fesses up.
“Who really was Sambo Dasuki fronting for in Jonathan’s cabinet? That is the main question to which Buhari is also seeking answers.”
“As noted throughout this study, Buhari has a strong belief in right and wrong. He also has an abiding respect for the Nigerian military as an institution that can help hold Nigeria together,” Paden added.
“From Buhari’s perspective, if corruption in military procurement undermines the integrity of the military, that corruption must be confronted.
“And if such procurement allegations weaken the military response to Boko Haram and put ordinary foot soldiers at risk, that corruption poses a double threat, endangering even the Nigeria Project itself.”
Meanwhile, the professor denied personal or political relations as a reason for former NSA’s continuous detention.
Paden added: “It is beyond the scope of this study to assess all the back stories of the relationship between Buhari and Dasuki. Suffice it to say that the so-called grudge between the two has never really existed.
“Dasuki is twelve years younger than Buhari, even though Dasuki did participate in the 1985 countercoup. The family of Ibrahim Dasuki and the Buhari extended family have been linked by marriage for more than four decades.
“In addition, in his inaugural address, Buhari had professed that although ‘the past is prologue’, he had no time to pursue alleged ‘enemies.”
“Other personal relationships in play included Buhari’s relationship with Jonathan’s Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Gusau and Buhari’s relationship with General Babangida, who has played such a ubiquitous role in Fourth Republic politics.
“Yet the real story probably has little to do with personal or political relationships.”

Not bad for an $800m dropout: Floyd Mayweather shares rags-to-riches testimony

This photo shows Floyd Mayweather Jr. sitting in a ‘handmade luxury lounge cube… surrounded by the softest sand you can find, imported from Caladesi Island, exclusively for my multi-million dollar tropical estate.’
Caladesi Island is an exclusive retreat on the west coast of Florida and not accessible by car, but by ferry.
And Mayweather – who most recently has been showing us the inside of his amazing estates – took the time to remind everyone just how lucky he is after growing up with a mother on drugs and dad in prison.
According to the testimony he posted on Instagram, it reads;
‘It’s funny… when I was in high school, my grades were always mediocre. My focus wasn’t on getting the highest GPA in class. I was focused on getting my mother off of drugs and my father out of prison. This is my testimony!

‘I wouldn’t be rated one of the top, most influential entertainers in the world if I never told you the road I had to travel for me to get to where I am. Now, I look around and all of my employees have Masters degrees and 4.0 GPA’s.
‘It’s one thing to be book smart but, it’s another thing to have the intelligence and wisdom to surround yourself with a team of smart and driven people to help sustain your success!

‘Sitting in my handmade luxury lounge cube… counting my blessings; in the comfort of my custom private beach, laced with the softest sand you can find. Imported from Caladesi Island, exclusively for my multi-million dollar tropical estate.

‘I have one of my executive chefs, putting together a gourmet spread made for a King. Ultimately, when you think about it… this isn’t bad for an $800,000,000 drop out!

President Buhari receives Leadership 2015 Man of the Year Award

President Buhari received the Leadership 2015 Man of the Year Award at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja,today, 6th Oct 2016.

Muslims In US Put Up Billboard Saying ISIS ‘Suck’

A billboard in the US mid-western city of St. Louis in Missouri has been put up by local Muslims condemning the terrorist group, Islamic State (ISIS).
The billboard in Ballwin has a message which reads, “‘Hey ISIS, you suck!!!’ from: #ActualMuslims.”

The billboard also contains a verse from the Quran that says, “Life is sacred.”

According to reports from Fox News, the campaign started in Chicago with a non-profit organisation called Sound Vision Foundation.
American Muslims say the myth of Muslim silence in the face of terrorism has real world consequences – which includes an increase in Islamophobia.

Twitter User Calls Out Zahra Buhari For Wearing A £360(N200k) Dior Earrings. (Photos)

So this Twitter user, who obviously in on eagle’s eye on the expenditures of the family of the Nation’s head of state, has spotted an extravagant accessory on the ears of the president’s daughter.
The Twitter user, @Laraba811 pointed out that the earrings PMB’s daughter Zahra is wearing in this photo above between £330 -£360.


Yeah well… Is there anything wrong with her wearing that kind of earring, given her status?!

How Oyegun, Two Others Manipulated Ondo APC Primary – Nat’l Vice Chairman

Things appear to be falling apart for the All Progressives Congress (APC) with its handling of the controversial governorship primary in Ondo State last month.
With a former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APC, Timi Frank and some aggrieved aspirants faulting the role played by the national leadership of the party led by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the Ondo governorship primary is fast proving to be the proverbial storm in the governing party’s tea cup.

Rekindling the controversy that greeted the primary election won by Rotimi Akeredolu, the National Vice Chairman (Southwest) of the APC, Chief Pius Akinyelure has given fresh insight into how the exercise was manipulated.
Akinyelure, in a statement Wednesday, named Chief Odigie-Oyegun, National Secretary Mai Mala Buni and the National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, as the persons behind the act.
The statement, which the APC National Vice Chairman said enjoys the support of six National Working Committee (NWC) members, accused the trio of using National Working Committee meetings to usurp powers and unilaterally take decisions that their offices did not give them the power to take.
It emerged that as many as three delegates’ lists for the election were in circulation at some point after the first list was tampered with.
Izunaso, according to the statement, single-handedly removed, added or substituted names on the initial list circulated to the party’s 24 aspirants, leading to the emergence of a second list that was allegedly altered in favour of Akeredolu.
Mr. Akinyelure, a Tinubu loyalist, said this action enjoyed the support of Oyegun and Buni, even when other members of the NWC opposed it because it contravened party rules.
The statement reads: “The National Organising Secretary confirmed to the NWC meeting of Monday September 19, 2016 that he actually received objections from some of the aspirants as to the delegates’ list. Then he unilaterally made the adjustments as he deemed fit.
“It is emphasised that the National Organising Secretary performed these adjustments without recourse or reference to the NWC. The NWC was not appraised of his actions before the primary. The National Organising Secretary then issued this altered list to the Primary Election Committee for use in the conduct of the election.
“This altered list became available to some of the aspirants in the early hours of the election day (September 3, 2016). When the election process was about to commence, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and three other aspirants protested and raised objections as to the delegates’ list to the election committee.
“However, the committee members could not address it as it was not within their competence to do so. They went ahead with the conduct of the election.  After the declaration of the results of the election by the election committee, three aspirants petitioned the Election Appeal Committee, alleging discrepancies and the alteration of the delegates’ list provided to them by the election committee and other irregularities.
“Consequent on the above, the NWC of the party received both the Election Committee and the Election Appeal Committee’s reports, which were tabled at the NWC meeting of Monday, September 19, 2016”.
A decision by the NWC to submit the name of an interim substitute to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as place holder until a fresh primary was conducted suffered a setback after Oyegun, Buni and Izunaso “blindsided the other members to submit Akeredolu’s name in spite of a six to five votes in favour of presenting the substitute name”, Akinyelure explained.

PDP Prepares To Challenge Obaseki’s Victory At Election Tribunal

The National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the Chairmanship of Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, yesterday met with the party’s caucus of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, with a vow to drag the All Progressives Congress, APC to court over the just concluded Edo State gubernatorial election.

According to them, they were optimistic that the PDP would get the victory, just as they said that they have confidence in the judiciary. Makarfi led other members of his team to brief NASS caucus on the decisions taken so far to have lasting peace in the party, especially the move to put in place a twenty- four member team from both sides of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and that of Makarfi.
The Meeting was convened at the instance of the National Caretaker Committee briefed members of the National Assembly on the state of affairs of the Party since after the last National Convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State; especially on the ongoing reconciliation process.
According to the National Chairman, the Meeting was to assist leadership of the Party harvest more ideas and be guided towards achieving the mandate of rebuilding the Party and strategize to return the PDP to power in 2019 not only with majority of states, but also reclaiming the Center, the meeting unanimously endorsed the peace process initiated by the National Caretaker Committee to reconcile all aggrieved members of the Party.
The Party leadership maintained that there is no faction in the PDP, but grievances amongst Party members and that will be resolved soonest. Speaking to Journalists after the meeting, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye who noted that Edo issue was discussed at the meeting, “We discussed it. We know that we were we robbed in Edo State. We believe that we will have our day in court. And by the grace of God, we still have confidence in the judiciary. What happened in Edo State will not stand. ”
Speaking further on the meeting, Adeyeye said, “The members of the National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi came in here today to brief our National Assembly Caucus. The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives is here, the DSP was also here. We had very good representation at this meeting.
“Basically, it was to brief them on new developments in the party, particularly relating to the peace efforts that we are making in the party. We have to put them into confidence in some of the actions we have taken lately. And ask for their own contribution because after all they are major critical stakeholders. They put us there, we need to consult with them, we need to brief them on developments from time to time. “And I’m happy to say that after the review of what has happened, we have come to the conclusion that the peace efforts already taken by the caretaker committee are in order. And the National Assembly Caucus have given full endorsement to all the efforts made so far by the National Caretaker Committee to reconcile all the aggrieved members of this great party.
On why the other faction was not at the meeting, he said, “We don’t have any faction in PDP. I’ve said some people are aggrieved. And we are trying to make peace with everybody. The PDP is one single body. In every party, you have people who could be aggrieved from time to time. And we are making efforts to reconcile everybody together. ” In his opening remarks, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who thanked members for taking time out of their busy schedule to attend the Meeting, however expressed appreciation for the recognition accorded them by the National Caretaker Committee for the briefing.
In the same vein, the Minority Leaders of Senate and House of Representatives, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Leo Ogor in their goodwill messages respectively, eulogized the collective responsibility of the leadership style of the National Chairman and his team especially in their pursuit for peace and unity in our Party.

Chibok Girls: How Boko Haram’s Demand For N1.7tr Ransom Frustrated Rescue Efforts

Boko Haram demanded €5billion or N1,706,850,000,000 from the Nigerian Government for the release of 219 Chibok girls, who they have held hostage since April 2014, fresh facts have indicated.
The terrorist group, which has oft-repeated its readiness to swap the Chibok girls for its members in government custody, may have spoken tongue-in-cheek.

According to American author, Prof. John Paden, whenever the Nigerian government moved to facilitate the swap deal with Boko Haram, the terrorist group always back tracked from the original plan, demanding for outrageous sums instead.
Prof. Paden, a teacher of International Studies, revealed these facts in his biography on President Muhammadu Buhari titled “Muhammadu Buhari: The challenges of leadership in Nigeria”.
The book was presented to the public on Monday at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
The author’s account on the botched negotiation between Boko Haram and the Federal Government provided fresh insights into the plight of the Chibok girls, who have been in captivity for over two years.
Some excerpts from the book are: “An additional issue was the status of the Chibok girls. Secret negotiations had been held regarding an exchange of Boko Haram prisoners for the girls.
“On several occasions, prisoners were taken to Maiduguri to facilitate an exchange. But these negotiations stalled when Boko Haram demanded a ransom of €5billion for the girls.
“The dilemma for the DSS, which was handling the negotiations, was that a military assault to rescue the girls would almost certainly result in their deaths at the hands of their Boko Haram captors.
“But the Nigerian government was not going to accede to Boko Haram’s extra-ordinary demand for a vast sum of money which would no doubt be used to fund future attacks.
“One or two girls were able to escape their captors in May, but the rest remained captive and the impasse continued
“The Chibok girls were not alone in their grim fate. Hundreds if not thousands, of persons had been captured by Boko Haram in the North-East. Buhari would need to continue degrading Boko Haram until he could tighten the noose around its Sambisa hideouts and bring a close end to this painful episode”.

Tinubu Chose Osinbajo for Buhari, Says Ex-General

The claim that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) was nominated as running mate to then General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) in the run-up to the 2015 general elections, despite pressure against it by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has been described as a distortion of recent history.
A Professor of International Studies, John Paden, had in his recently launched biography on President Muhammadu Buhari, claimed that Osinbajo was picked by Buhari ahead of Tinubu and former Governor, Babatunde Fashola.

Reacting to the portion of the book by Prof. Paden titled “Muhammadu Buhari: Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria”, a retired general, Iliyasu Ibrahim, said it was wrong.
Ibrahim, in a statement yesterday, expressed fears that some fifth columnists are trying to distort recent history and urged Nigerians not to pay heed to them.
The statement reads: “I became disturbed about this falsification of recent history. Why would the author say this and have it published when many of us know the truth? The truth is that Tinubu singlehandedly chose Yemi Osinbajo and sent the name to President Buhari. There was no pressure. Tinubu is Osinbajo’s political mentor. The latter was his attorney-general and commissioner for Justice in Lagos and both have a close relationship.
“My worry stretched further when I recall the recent piece by Femi Fani Kayode on Tinubu and his huge contributions to the APC and how he is now being short-changed. Though I do not agree with all the claims made by Femi Fani-Kayode, I am convinced he made some reasonable arguments and his summation about Tinubu’s role in the current political dispensation can hardly be faulted. In some areas, he went overboard and you could see him gloating, the PDP apologist that he is. Also, the mention of Governor Ajimobi as one of the governors working against Tinubu is a fallacy and here he got his facts wrong. Ajimobi has remained consistently behind Tinubu and that is easily verifiable.
“But back to the emergence of Osinbajo as Vice Presidential candidate. I was there the night before the final decision and subsequent announcement. I was there at the Lagos Lodge Annex in Asokoro, Abuja at Tinubu’s place. On the night in reference, Asiwaju insisted that three names would not be sent for the VP slot. He maintained that only one name would be sent. Eventually, the name of Osinbajo was sent to President Buhari. There was no issue of pressure.
“Osinbajo was Tinubu’s man and that was the only person Tinubu was willing to accept to cede the VP slot. Shortly after Governor Amosun came around to the Lagos lodge. He came in and we greeted. Now, it seems clear that some fifth columnists are trying to distort recent history and we should not let them. This history is too recent to be mutilated”.

Ex VC; University Of Ibadan, Bamiro, Shot

Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Femi Bamiro, was shot on Tuesday night in Ibadan by unknown gunmen.

Details about the incident are still sketchy, but our correspondent gathered that Bamiro was attacked around his house and shot in the leg.
He was rushed to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, where he is said to be responding to treatment.
Bamiro was the 10^th vice-chancellor of UI and a predecessor to the immediate past VC, Isaac Adewole, who is now the Minister of Health.
The school’s Director of Communication, Olatunji Oladejo, confirmed the incident to our correspondent, adding that the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Gbemisola Oke, and the Registrar, Olujinmi Olukoya, had visited him at the UCH.
He said, “I can confirm to you that our former vice-chancellor, Prof. Gbemiro, was shot on Tuesday night. There is no detail of the shooting for now.
“The school’s DVC, Academic and Registrar have visited him at UCH on behalf of the school.
“What I can say further is that we are thankful to God that he is responding to treatment. We are in touch with the hospital management whom we trust to offer the best treatment to the former VC.”

Germany To Build Military Base In Niger

Germany will build a military base in Niger to support the UN mission fighting jihadists in neighbouring Mali, Berlin’s ambassador to Niamey said Wednesday. Bernd von Munchow-Pohl also announced in a speech to mark the anniversary of Germany’s reunification seen by AFP that German Chancellor Angela Merkel would visit Niger in the next few days. “With the establishment of a German military airbase in Niamey in support of the MINUSMA mission in Mali, which Niger has supported since the beginning, a new chapter in our cooperation has begun,” he said, using the acronym for the UN mission in Mali.
“(Germany) is ready to engage more in the Sahel region (and) assume even more responsibility,” he said. “Niger is a central partner for us in this respect (and) a key country in the fight against terrorism and illegal migration” from West Africa. The US and France already operate bases in Niger as part of the battle against jihadists in the Sahel region — principally in Libya and Mali. They have also deployed drones to Niamey and Agadez in the north to monitor jihadist movements.
Experts say Niger, the poorest country in the Sahel, is becoming “a crucial base” for Western powers in the fight against jihadists.