Gist Arena

T he national leadership of the All Progressives Congress has asked a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff, who has expressed his desire to join the ruling party in Abuja, to do so at his ward. Sheriff was scheduled to storm the national headquarters of the party in Abuja by noon on Thursday with his supporters, where he would have declared for the party. He was billed to be received by the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the party’s National Working Committee. However, our correspondent observed that none of the national officers of the party was on ground to receive the former governor of Borno State. This action, it was gathered, was an indication to Modu-Sheriff and his supporters that the party was not favourably disposed to his joining the party. A three-paragraph statement was nevertheless issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the ruling party, Mallam Bola...

T he Senate on Thursday re-summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to appear before the senate plenary on Wednesday. Mr Idris was on Wednesday summoned by the Senate to answer questions on the arrest of Dino Melaye and the recent insecurity in the country, but he snubbed the lawmaker on Thursday. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday said the summon was necessary as he had not been able to reach Mr Idris for some days. The chairman, senate committee on police affairs, Abu Ibrahim, informed the senate that the IGP was in Bauchi and could not honour the invitation of the senate. He said the Deputy Inspector- General (DIG) Operations was sent to represent him. The announcement was greeted with anger from senators who felt Mr Idris’ failure to appear was a disrespect to the institution. The Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Ibn Na’ Allah, said the senate had approved in its votes and proceedings that the IGP should appear and no ot...

T he House of Representatives has summoned President Muhammadu Buhari over the security situation in the country. The House will suspend sitting for three days in solidarity with Nigerians over the killings in the country. Source: Channels TV

S enate Summons IGP In 24hours To Brief It On Ill-Treatment Of Sen. Dino. Shuts down plenary for all Senators to visit Sen. Dino  The NGR Senate has summoned IGP, Ibrahim Idris to in 24 hours brief it on why Sen Dino Melaye was maltreated by the police Source: Sumner Shagari Sambo

T he Senate delegation sent to check the health condition of Sen. Dino Melaye  has been recalled. Currently meeting with chairman governing board of N/Hospital, Hon. Patricia Etteh It was reported earlier that Police denied the Senate delegation access to National Hospital ward where Senator Dino Melaye is admitted. The delegation which is led by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Na'Allah and three others. Source: Sumner Sambo

P olice deny Senate delegation access to National Hospital ward where Senator Dino Melaye is admitted. The delegation is led by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Na'Allah and three others. Source: Sumner Sambo/ P: Aminu Omoye

I particularly want to thank Nigerian nationals who are present here today. Your love for Nigeria is evident in that you have left your regular pursuits to be here to interact with lovers of Nigeria. Your presence inspires me.  The question now is, why are we saddled with a heavy and almost unsustainable debt burden twelve years after President Olusegun Obasanjo and I provided the leadership that paid off Nigeria’s entire foreign debt of $32 billion in one fell swoop? My idea is for the introduction of Matching Grants to be taken from the revenue accruable to the Federal Government for the purpose of matching IGR of each state in order to encourage states to become self-reliant. I will make certain rivers are dredged to open up the hinterlands of the North. Licenses would be given to state governments to begin immediate exploitation of resources in their jurisdictions. There has not been a year in the last twenty years that I have not set up a new enterprise...