Current News In Nigeria Today 18th January 2019

iDONSABI presents the current news in Nigeria today 18th January 2019. Some important happenings including Atiku’s trip to the U.S.A


Atiku Visits U.S.A

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has arrived Washington DC on a visit to the United States, the first time in over one decade.

The former vice president was accompanied by Senate President Bukola Saraki and Director General of his campaign, former governor Gbenga Daniel.

Atiku had been unable to visit the United States since he left office as Nigeria’s vice president in 2007 because the US government did not grant him entry visa, until today, the 18th day of January, 2019.


Senate Wants Former President, Shehu Shagari Immortalised

The Senate, on Thursday, urged the Federal Government to immortalise late former president Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari by naming a national monument after him.

Senators also resolved to send a high-powered delegation to condole with the family of the late former president.

While observing a one minute of silence in honour of the late former president, senators paid glowing tributes to Shagari, whom they described as a core patriot and democrat.

The resolutions were reached after the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senators Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba, Aliyu Wamakko and seven others


Tambuwal Begins Door To Door Campaign

A new voluntary group has emerged to campaign for all the candidates of People’s Democratic Party in Sokoto State.

Alhaji Yusuf Dingyadi, the Chairman of Sokoto State Door-to-Door Mobilisation Vanguard (H2H) sakd the group has begun the door-to-door Mobilisation campaign for the re-election of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state, and other candidates of the party in the state.

According to Dingyadi, “over 6000 volunteers across the state are expected to participate in the four weeks of mobilisation and public enlightenment exercise meant to attract support for the party, particularly on the governor Tambuwal across the 23 local government areas of the state.”


Buhari Arrives Very Late For Campaign In Edo

After the residents of Edo State had waited for long, President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for next month’s election, finally showed up in the Edo state capital of Benin for a rally at 5.20 pm.

Buhari’s late coming for the campaign rally which was billed to start at 11 a.m, had the residents hungrily waiting for over six hours.

President Buhari attended the rally in the presence of host Governor Godwiin Obaseki, his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, APC national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, the South-South Director General of the Presidential Campaign Organization, Mr. Rotimi Amechi and some key officials.


Man Condemned To Die By Hanging In Osun State

An Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo, has sentenced a middle age man, Sunday Palms, to death by hanging for murder.

The convict was arraigned on December 8, 2014, on one count charge of murder, a punishable offence under the law.

According to the charge sheet, the offence was contrary to section 316 and punishable under section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 24, Vol 11, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

The prosecution informed the court that the convict committed the offence on August 20, 2006, when he killed one Isiaka Rafiu, a motorcyclist.

In his confessional statement, the convict admitted killing deceased, saying “I saw the boy riding Okada. I stopped him to carry me to the farm along Gbongan road, Ikire. On getting to the farm, I asked him to stop. Before leaving my house, I carried a knife and kept inside a poly bag, later I fell him down and I brought my knife and cut his neck. After I saw him dead, I left him and went away with his motorcycle”.


2019 Elections: Don’t Intimidate Judiciary, US Tells FG

Ahead of next month’s general elections, a delegation of the European Union on Wednesday visited the national headquarter of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to seek for the update on the forthcoming exercise from the electoral umpire.

Leading the delegation was the EU Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Ketil Karlsen. Other members of the delegation were Charge D Affairs United States of America Embassy in Nigeria, David Young; British Commissioner in Nigeria, Catriona Laing and Germany Head of Mission in Nigeria, Regine Hess.

The United States Ambassador pleaded for the autonomy of all arms of government in Nigeria as he noted that Nigeria runs three tiers of government.

In an apparent reference to the growing fear of emasculation of the judiciary, Ambassador Karlsen stated in clear terms that it ” is critically important that the executive does not interfere in the role of the judges and the judiciary. And it important that judiciary is safeguarded and respected.”


Shake-Up In FRSC: 68 Officers Redeployed

The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has carried out a major shake-up within the Corps with the approval for the redeployment of about sixty-eight (68) officers under Batch 1 of the Officers’ posting.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, said this was in continuation of efforts by the Management of FRSC to strategise and realign its operations towards the attainment of the 2019 strategic goals.

He said the development was contained in the circular signed by the Corps Secretary,  which directed all the affected officers to complete the handing and taking over processes on or before 23 January 2019.


Buhari Promises Completion Of Projects During Warri Campaign

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians, particularly Deltans that the Federal Government is committed to complete all ongoing projects for sustainable growth and development in the Niger Delta region.

He made the statement on Thursday at the Warri Township Stadium in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, during the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign ahead of 2019 general elections.

As earlier echoed by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Buhari said that the Federal Government has done so well for Delta State in the areas of the ongoing dregding of the Escravos river, to revive the Delta seaport.

Buhari added that the FG is working to ensure full accreditation of the Nigeria Maritime University in Okerenkoko, kick start the EPZ project and other lucrative projects that will improve the economy of the country.


INEC Releases Final List Of Candidates For General Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the full names of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The electoral umpire published the names on its website on Thursday, 29 days to the general elections.

The list was released by INEC secretary, Mrs Rose Orianran-Anthony.


Governor Okorocha Suspended By APC

A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has suspended the Imo State Governor, Anayo Rochas Okorocha for gross anti-party activities with immediate effect.

The governor’s name has just been published as the candidate of the party for Imo West senatorial zone election.

The Chairman of the Imo State Caretaker Committee of the APC, Prince Marcellinus Nlemigbo, said the anti party activities of the governor, which formed the basis for its action, include sponsorship of a rival political party, Action Alliance (AA) in Imo State and its governorship candidate, Uche Nwosu, Open denunciation of APC and its Governorship Candidate in the State, Senator Hope Uzodimma; and openly canvassing of votes for Action Alliance (AA) and its governorship, National and State Assemblies’ candidates.

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