​BREAKING: Nigeria Army Chief, General Ibrahim Attahiru dies in air crash

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru died in an air crash on Friday.

The top military officer was aboard a military aircraft to Kaduna for an official trip.

DAILY POST reported that Attahiru died with his aides.

Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Nigerian Air Force Director of Information confirmed the mishap in a statement

“An air crash involving a @NigAirForce aircraft occurred this evening near the Kaduna International Airport.

“The immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained. More details to follow soon”, the spokesman noted.

Attahiru was among the Service Chiefs appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in January.

Others are General Leo Irabor – Chief of Defence Staff; Vice Admiral A. Z. Gambo – Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Marshal I. O. Amao – Chief of Air Staff.

The quartet replaced ex-Defence Chief, General Abayomi Olonisakin; ex-Army Chief, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai; ex-Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, and ex-Air Chief, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

2023: APC Govs Rejects Zoning Presidential Ticket

By Victor Habila

Ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections, the Progressive Governors Forum under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), says there would be no zoning of presidential ticket in the party. 

The Governors declared that any of its chieftains is free to aspire to any position in the country in line with provisions of the party’s constitution and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. 

Kebbi state governor and Chairman of the forum, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu made the declaration on Friday in a statement where he commended the Cross Rivers State governor, Ben Ayade who dumped the PDP for the APC on Thursday. 

He maintained that the ruling party remained “open, transparent and will continue to guarantee fair contestation in politics, in line with the overarching commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari and all our founding leaders. 

According to the statement; “Our National Caretaker Extraordinary/Convention Planning Committee has worked hard to restore the political credentials of the APC as a strong institution for Nigeria’s democratic development. We will continue to support the National Caretaker Extraordinary/Convention Planning Committee in all its current initiatives to rebuild our great party. With the coming of Mr Ayade, the capacity of our party to mobilise all patriots and other like-minded progressive Nigerians to join the APC is stronger. 

 “APC belongs to all Nigerians. Everyone, from every part of the country, is free to aspire for any position in the party in line with provisions of our party’s constitution and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The guiding philosophy as enshrined in the provisions of our manifesto is the economic, social and political development of Nigeria. 
“The Progressive Reinforcement of our party continues. We look forward to receiving more patriots and progressive-minded Nigerians into the APC!” 

The APC Governors who attributed the decision of Governor Ayade to the tireless efforts of Yobe state governor and Chairman of the CECPC, Mallam Mai Mala Buni, also claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari leadership qualities have endeared many Nigerians to the ruling party.

 “The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) welcome His Excellency, Mr. Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State to the All Progressives Congress (APC). We join all leaders and members to welcome this illustrious Nigerian into our great party. The decision of Mr. Ayade to join the APC is a testament to our party’s capacity to mobilise all Nigerians consistent with the vision of the founding fathers to ensure that the APC is a platform to unite all Nigerians. 

The coming of Mr. Ayade into the APC further reinforces the process of membership and leadership recruitment at all levels. 

“We congratulate our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, whose sterling qualities and fair mindedness endear patriotic Nigerians to the party. Mr. President’s credentials as a fair leader who is impartial will continue to promote our party and serve as a major source of electoral advantage. As Progressive Governors, we will remain steadfast in supporting the efforts and initiatives of Mr. President to build our party, APC, as a strong and democratic political party in the country. 

“Also, we salute our members of the APC National Caretaker Extraordinary/Convention Planning Committee under the leadership of HE Mai Mala Buni for this milestone achievement of once again getting another experienced leader in the person of His Excellency Ben Ayade to join the APC. We welcome Mr. Ben Ayade for taking the courageous decision of leaving the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to join our party, the All Progressives Congress. The movement of our compatriot to the APC is indicative of his principles, commitment and conviction to the development of Nigeria. 

“Given all his achievements in Cross River State, Mr. Ayade is only coming home where he belongs. APC is indeed the party that will provide him and his people, and indeed all Nigerians the viable platform for political aspirations and negotiations. Together with Mr. Ayade and all our leaders in the APC, our party’s capacity to serve the collective interests of all Nigerians through effective representation will be strengthened and reinforced.” 

NLC Strike: Former Governorship Candidate, Miqati Advises el-Rufai, NLC to Shift Ground

A member of Chartered Institute of Personel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN) and former governorship Aspirant in Kaduna State under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Shuaibu Idris Miqati has noted that until the State governor, Nasir El-rufai and leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) shifted ground, peace may elude the State over who is right or wrong regarding mass sack of civil servants in the State.

In a statement made available to newsmen, Alhaji Miqati however said he was happy at the level of progress made so far between the two parties to come to the round table.

However, the former governorship Aspirant said he has enough experience on labour matters, and that if invited, he could help and contribute in resolving issues at hands.

The statement said, “I am happy to note the progress thus far made in the process of restoration of normal life in our great state.

“I commend the efforts of all parties particularly the Federal Government for its intervention and the warring parties to the crisis for their understanding thus far.

“Life is usually full of challenges and one should stand firm on principles and the path of honour. Its important however for everyone to realise that without shifting position, peace may elude us. It’s in this regards that I seize the opportunity to crave the indulgence of all parties to imbibe and inculcate the spirit of love and care, feelings and concerns and above live let’s live!

“My offer to serve as a mediator is not political. It stems from my concerns for the suffering of our people, my little understanding of the issues, my knowledge and experience of Human Resources management having served as Group Head Human Resources of Dangote Group and a member of Chartered Institute of Personel Management of Nigeria.

“Indeed having being a labourer for years my self, I can feel the pains and concerns of Labour! Also having managed businesses, and as finance expert, I can also feel and see the views of the State Government in this saga.

“During the period of my career as Human Resources practitioner I had cause to relate with Labour leaders and we had excellent relationship to the extent contentious issues were resolved amicably to the satisfaction of parties. It is these experiences I offered to bring to bare and share with the parties in our dear state as a patriotic citizen.

“Once again I request the understanding of all parties so that lasting peace and harmony can be entrenched and sustained in our State”.

END.

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No fuel price increase in June, says FG

By Victor Habila

Following the recent reports regarding the resolution of the Nigeria Governors Forum to increase the pump price of petrol to N384, the Federal Government has on Friday insisted that there would be no price increase in June. 

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva affirmed this in a statement issued and made available to journalists. 
He said it became imperative despite the huge burden of under-recovery, the non-increment has caused. 

According to him, the FG was not in a hurry to increase the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to reflect current market realities. 

It’s on this note that the minister mentioned that the current price of petrol will be retained in the month of June until ongoing engagement with organized labour is concluded.

Sylva warned marketers against practices that may jeopardize the seamless supply and distribution system in place. 

“I also urge members of the public to avoid panic buying because the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has enough stock of petroleum products to keep the nation wet,” he stated.