PDP Challenges APC To Admit To Nigerians That Their Manifesto Is False And Unrealistic

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday described as lies and unrealistic, the various electoral promises made to Nigerians by the All Progressives Congress (APC) while seeking votes for its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.

The ruling party accused the APC of deceiving Nigerians repeatedly in a bid to get votes, saying the APC has formed the habit of "one day, one lie."

Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of the party, at a press conference held at the party's National Secretariat, said the PDP has performed exceptionally well with its present programmes for the nation, and that the APC can never match what the PDP has done for the nation.

Speaking on the promises being made to Nigerians by the APC, Metuh insisted that the offer of monthly stipend to unemployed youths by the APC in relation to its cost on the finances of the nation was unrealistic and unrealisable.

"The APC in one of its phantom promises said it would pay a stipend of N5,000 each to 25 million poor Nigerians monthly.

"This gives a total of N125 billion each month and N1.5 trillion every year.

"What is baffling is that the APC knows full well that this is not only unrealistic but also impracticable in a nation with an estimated budget of N4.69 trillion comprising recurrent and capital expenditures yet they continue to dish it out to unsuspecting citizens in a clear bid to mislead.

"Also, the deceitful tendency of the APC came to light in its promise to create 740,000 direct jobs in each of the 36 states of the federation and the FCT within one year while on the other hand promising to create one million jobs for Igbo youths also within the same period. We ask, which do we believe?

"The APC has also promised to provide free education, daily free meals for millions of Nigerian school children, free tertiary education, free health care and free houses to Nigerians.

"The opposition knows too well that this is unrealistic yet they prefer to brandish falsehood.

"The APC should explain to Nigerians how they would fulfill their promises with the prevailing 40 per cent drop in national income and dwindling oil price in the international market.

"These promises are therefore either bogus or part of their plot to subject the citizens to a harsh tax regime ostensibly to finance Bourdilon Drive and other personal interests, the real reason they desperately seek power.

"We therefore challenge the APC to come forward and admit before Nigerians that these promises are false and merely deceitful, if not, they should be bold enough to tell Nigerians that they are planning to skyrocket our personal income and company taxes if they ever get to power," he stated.

Metuh insisted that the PDP government is workers' and investors' friendly as the tax regime under its leadership is good for an average Nigerian while warning that the APC would impose terrible tax regime on the people to achieve a minute of its numerous promises, even if it would give it a try at all.

"Under the PDP-led administration, company tax is a maximum of 30 per cent of the profit whereas personal income tax hovers from 1 per cent for minimum wage earners to a maximum of 19 per cent for Nigerians earning up to N100 million.

"Can Nigerians afford a tax regime of 45 per cent company tax and 32 per cent personal income tax?

"Whilst we note the multiple tax regimes in APC states like Lagos State, we believe that Nigerians are not ready to bear the brunt of APC's harsh tax policy.

"If on the other hand APC decides to deny the planned imposition of a harsh tax regime, then they must accept they are guilty of fake campaign promises and deceitful manifesto," he stated.

Listing what he considered as the various lies told to Nigerians by the party, Metuh said
"Nigerians are still shocked at the discovery of the latest international fraud where the APC rehashed an old interview by its Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, as a fresh one, all in a bid to cover up a mismanaged international trip.

"This is coming on the heels of another shocking discovery that the APC's claim that its Presidential candidate visited Chibok turned out to be a hoax meant to deceive Nigerians, as he never did," he further stated.

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Reported By Rotimi Akinwumi,
For Daily Independent Newspaper
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The Best Defence For The Naira Is To Make Nigeria An Export-Based Economy —GTI

Economic analysts have stressed the need to grow nation's capacity for exports to prop up the value of the naira, which has remained under pressure since last year.

Analysts at GTI Securities Limited, in a report entitled 'CBN's tactical devaluation of the naira, what next?' said, "The best defence for the naira is to make Nigeria an export-based economy, so that the severe pressure on the local currency as a result of crude oil price volatility can be averted."

In a move to calm the foreign exchange market, the Central Bank of Nigeria had last week closed the Retail and Wholesale Dutch Auction systems. It said the action had become necessary following the sharp disparity between the official exchange rate and interbank rate of the naira, adding that all demand for forex should be channelled to the interbank market.

"By and large, we view the CBN's decision a bold and positive move and expect to see the naira exchange rate fluctuate to its market determined exchange rate level."

The CBN had, at the close of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting of November 25, 2014, devalued the naira and moved the exchange rate from N155/$ to N168/$1 and equally raised the asymmetric band from +/-3 per cent to +/-5 per cent.

The GTI report stated, "At this point, the plausible trading region of the naira to the US dollar in the interbank market was at a lower limit of N160 and upper limit of N176. Unfortunately, the naira closed at N176.20 that day, 20 kobo above the upper limit.

"It appeared that the CBN had kept faith in the belief that the rapid fall in the oil prices which has remained the sole driver of mounting pressure in the forex would likely halt in no distance time.

According to the analysts, this assertion confirmed the unanimous decision by the MPC to maintain universal status-quo in the January's meeting.

They observed that despite the fact that the naira was already high at N189.14 to a US dollar at the interbank market, the CBN's decision to leave the regime unchanged elicited a lot of comments.

They stated, "In our view, this decision of the CBN to scrap the rDAS/wDAS foreign exchange window is a technical way of re-pricing (devaluing) the naira against the US dollar.

"The CBN's particular interest here is to reduce the unavoidable depletion in the external reserves account as a result of continuing uncompetitive trading position of the naira to the US dollar. Note that the external reserves accounts closed on February 13 at $33.66bn, 5.24 per cent lower than end-December 2014 figure of $34.47bn."

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Reported by Femi Asu, for Punch Newspaper
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Fierce Battle: Femi Fani-Kayode Denies Renting Crowd To Boo Buhari In London

Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has denied allegation that he has rented a crowd to boo the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Rted) during his presentation at the Chatham House, London, on Thursday.

He took to micro-blogging site-Twitter to deny the allegation, stating that "My attention has been drawn to a story that I am renting a crowd to embarrass Gen. Buhari at Chatham House later today. It is a lie," via his handle, @realFFK.

Since his appointment by president Goodluck Jonathan, the former APC stalwart has engaged the party and its presidential candidate, Gen. Buhari in a fierce campaign battle.

It will be recalled that the APC alleged on Wednesday that their sources in London disclosed that Fani-Kayode is organizing a paid protest against Gen. Buhari on Thursday when he appears for his Chatham House engagement.

Gen. Buhari also threatened, Wednesday, to back out of the Abuja Peace Accord over what he termed 'repeated thrown tantrums' over his academic qualifications by Fani-Kayode.

Buhari will address Chatham House by 11:00am.

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Reported by Abiodun Alade (@biodunpen) for Vanguard Newspaper
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Attempted Jail Break In Calabar Prison Foiled By Men Of The Nigerian Prisons Service

An attempted jail break in Calabar prison, Cross River State, has been foiled by officers and men of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) with the support of the Army and Police Force.

The Controller General of Prisons, Dr. Peter Ekpendu, mni stated that but for the gallantry of the armed men on duty, the mass escape bid would have resulted in a monumental security disaster as over 500 out of the 638 awaiting trial prisoners at the time of the incident, are charged for capital offences such as armed robbery, murder, kidnapping etc.

He further stated that while the Prisons Service is devoted to humane treatment and correction of the inmates, his administration is committed to putting a stop to the wave jail breaks in the country, hence such attempts would never be tolerated.

Recounting the entire event has happened, DCP Enobore O. Francis, Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Prisons Service, National Headquarters, Abuja, said: "trouble started when on the 20th of February, 2015 at about 1100hrs, two cells housing some awaiting trial prisoners where opened, as a normal routine, for the inmates to take their bath. About four of them walked up to an escort staff to complain that they were tired of staying in the prison awaiting justice and wanted to be taken to court."

"The staff on duty appealed to them to exercise patience for courts to resume seating as they were currently on strike but this fell on deaf ears. Other prisoners soon joined in the agitation to be taken to court and in a spontaneous reaction, pounced on the staff, advanced through the Chief Warders office, destroying all the adjoining doors before gaining access to the gate lodge. They eventually broke into the armoury situated in the gate lodge and collected three riffles, went to the yard and started firing sporadically."

"Warning shots fired by armed men on guard duty outside the perimeter fence did not deter them. The prisoners rather went to the rear of the perimeter fence and fired several shots at the wall to weaken the blocks. Thereafter they used a concrete slab to hit open the weakened wall, making large hole through which they jumped out still firing at anything in sight."

"They were however engaged in a gun battle with the Armed Squad personnel assisted by the Army and Policemen and at the end, 8 of the prisoners died, 17 were injured, 4 staff were also injured with one of them having serious wounds. Others were arrested and returned to the yard. No prisoner escaped and all the riffles were recovered. The situation is now fully under control and normalcy has since returned to the yard."

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Newsbeat Portal, Abuja / PR Nigeria
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EFCC Arraigns One for N6m Online Banking Scam

The Economics and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 arraigned one Akpere Ovine Desmond before Justice Abubakar Shitu of the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State on a 2-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

The petitioner had alleged that on May 29, 2012, he received a phone call from one Mr. Taiwo Ogunsanyo who claimed to be a staff of First Bank Nigeria Plc.

According to him, Taiwo claimed the bank was updating customers' security information and requested for his token number, phone number and corporate identity number.

He sent all the details as requested and, to his surprise, he received a debit alert of the withdrawal of the sum of Six Million Naira (N6, 000,000.00) from his company, First Ambition investment Limited's account with First Bank.

A trail of the funds, led investigators to an account (number 2060211484) at the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) belonging to one Frank Asemota, from where the money was transferred to different accounts and consequently withdrawn at various ATM terminals.

Akpere Ovine Desmond whose account was flagged was arrested in Access Bank, Benin, Edo State with 44 ATM cards.

Investigation further revealed that the accused person conspired with others to launder the six million naira (N6, 000,000.00) proceed of the scam.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Adebayo Soares asked for a date for trial but the defence counsel, D.O Afure presented an application for bail of the accused before the court.

Justice Abubakar granted the accused bail in the sum of three million naira( N3,000,000.00) and two sureties in like sum, who must be resident within the Jurisdiction court.

Additionally, one of the sureties must have a landed property with Certificate of Occupancy in Delta State.

The matter was adjourned till April 29, 2015 for trial.

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Courtesy: EFCC / PR Nigeria
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EFCC Press Release: CPC Partners EFCC to Protect Consumers Against Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Consumer Protection Council, CPC to bring fraudulent mortgage, and other scammers of consumers to book.

Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, and the Director General of the CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki signed the MoU, which was witnessed by the Director, Legal and Prosecution, EFCC, Mr. Chile Okoroma and the Director, Legal Services, CPC, Emmanuel Ataguba.

Lamorde said, "It is very important that the EFCC partners with the CPC particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing, investigation, prosecution and engaging in campaigns to educate consumers."

He urged the CPC to cooperate with the EFCC in investigating and prosecuting financial crimes and consumer abuse.

He also commended the efforts of the Director General of CPC, adding that her dedication to her work got her awarded US citizenship by the State of Georgia.

Atoki noted that the MoU between the two agencies will "ensure that consumers and victims will receive appropriate redresses, restitution and compensation in a competent court of law."

Atoki stressed the need for joint investigation and enforcement cooperation between the two agencies of government, particularly on matters affecting consumers' economic and financial well-being.

"The collaboration is aimed at protecting consumers and combating scams using a three-pronged approach: Complaint data analysis to establish patterns, trends and hotspots; consumer education and sensitization campaigns across the country, and case investigations, prosecution and redress," she said.

She further disclosed that the two agencies signed a tripartite MoU with the United States, Federal Trade Commission, which was aimed at enforcing the law in cross-border cases.

She thanked the Commission for accepting to partner with the Council in strengthening consumer protection and consumer education.

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Wilson Uwujaren / PR Nigeria
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EFCC Arraigns Six In Court For Crude Oil Theft

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday February 25, 2015 arraigned six persons in a Federal High Court for Crude Oil Theft.

They are Abu Sunday Smith, Albert Azasu, Lawal Abdul Akinola, Simeon Inatemi John, Sunday Essien, John Fregene.

The six men were arraigned before Justice Abubakar Shitu of the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State on a 2-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum Product.

In a statement made available to the press by Wilson Uwujaren, the Head, Media & Publicity of the commission, the men were alleged to siphoned crude oil from an abandoned oil well at Sokobolo community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Except of the statement reads: "The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today February 25, 2015 arraigned Abu Sunday Smith, Albert Azasu, Lawal Abdul Akinola, Simeon Inatemi John, Sunday Essien, John Fregene, and a vessel, MT RAGINA before Justice Abubakar Shitu of the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State on a 2-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum Product."

"The vessel and its crew members were arrested sometime in December, 2014 by officers of the Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield, at Forcados loaded with 300 metric tons of substance suspected to be crude oil. They are alleged to have been involved in siphoning crude oil from an abandoned oil well at Sokobolo community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State."

"They pleaded not guilty to charges.
Justice Abubakar adjourned the matter till March 4, for hearing of bail application, and April 29, 2015 for trial. He ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody."

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Newsbeat Portal, Abuja.
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Breaking: Nigeria Lawmakers Fail To Confirm Obanikoro’s Ministerial Nomination

The Nigerian Senate failed to conduct the ministerial confirmation hearing for Senator Musiliu Obanikoro scheduled to take place on
Wednesday.

The ministerial confirmation hearing was not listed in the Order paper of the senate, this led to it being rescheduled for another date that is yet to be made available.

According to our sources, the postponement was to enable the Senators debate the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper preparatory to the passage of year 2015 budget today.

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, including six other ministerial nominees, was reportedly scheduled to be screened by the senate.

It would be recalled that Obanikoro's nomination, by President Jonathan, had been under scrutiny from the opposition APC following the alleged role he played towards the rigging of Ekiti State governorship election that led to the emergence of Fayose as governor.


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Newsbeat Portal, Abuja.
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Breaking: Senate reschedules Ministerial Screening, Passes MTEF

The Senate today rescheduled the Ministerial screening listed in its Notice paper yesterday. The item was not listed in the Order paper.

Reason given for the postponement was to enable the Senators debate the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper preparatory to the passage of year 2015 budget today.

Meanwhile the Senate today at plenary passed the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper.

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Charles Akpan / PR Nigeria
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Account for U$800m, N50bn Cabotage Fund, APC Campaign Tells FG, Nigerian Maritime Authority

The APC Presidential Campaign Organization (APCPCO) has challenged the federal government and the Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA) to tell Nigerians what happened to the $800 million and N50 billion of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF) which the agency was in control of until recently when the "Fund" became unaccounted for.

Mallam Garba Shehu, Director, Media and Publicity of the APCPCO said that Nigerians deserve to know what happened to the money, and that the agency should make public the list containing names of beneficiaries and amounts from the "Fund" if any.

He explained that the "Fund" was money derived as 2% surcharge for all Contracts under the Cabotage regime which came into force in 2004 by virtue of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act (Cabotage) 2003.

The Cabotage Act, which was closely modelled after the United States of America's Jones Act 1938, was to help develop the capacity and participation of indigenous ship owners in coastal inland trade which was largely dominated by foreigners.

Up till today, that objective has not been achieved as seen in the depleted Indigenous Ship Owners Registry, the mass unemployed Nigerian Seafarers, and the prevalence of foreign interest in the Nigerian coastal waters,
Malam Shehu said that instead, the Cabotage regime breeds corruption, ranging from request of inducement and gratification from foreign ship owners through their agents for waivers processing by NIMASA and approval of the Federal Ministry of Transport by some top staff of the agency to the disappearance of the CVFF Fund meant to be accessed by the Nigerian ship owners.

He noted that the website of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association (NISA) shows that 90% of its 78 registered ship owners are on the brink of extinction as they are submerged in debts without the necessary CVFF to access.

He stressed that time is of the essence in publishing the list following fears that the money may have been diverted for other purposes such as the campaign of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, and the submission of a request from the Director General of the agency to proceed on a six-months leave of absence from the agency.

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SaharaReporters, New York
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