Defectin: Senator Kunlere Joins PDP, Declares Labor Party Dead

Senator Boluwaji Kunlere, who represents southern senatorial district in the National Assembly, has announced his defection from the Labor Party to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr. Kunlere’s defection came two days after the widely reported news that Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo was on the cusp of defecting to the PDP as well. Senator Kunlere said he decided to join the PDP after consultations with his constituents and in order to pursue his political career.

Describing his defection as a matter of principle, he added that he had had enough of what he alleged to be repeated blackmail from close aides of Governor Mimiko in his local government.

Embarrassed By Escape Of 500 Troops To Cameroon, Nigeria's Military Claims "Tactical Maneuver"

Embarrassed by reports that close to 500 Nigerian soldiers fled into Cameroonian to escape from heavily armed Boko Haram insurgents, Nigerian military authorities today posted a statement claiming that the soldiers had charged into the neighboring West African country in a tactical maneuver. Cameroonian officials had told the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that at least 480 Nigerian soldiers had been disarmed and were being held in the protective custody of their gendarmes after the soldiers crossed into Cameroon while fleeing from a fierce attack by the Islamist insurgents.

Boko Haram burnt down vehicles in Gamboru-Ngala during their last attack

NEMA laments growing Boko Haram victims in North-East

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has lamented the increasing number of displaced persons due to Boko Haram attacks, saying it has been faced with growing challenges of handling the daily surge of internally displaced persons at established camps in the North-East.

Information officer of the agency in the North-East, AbdulKadir Ibrahim, said the weekend attack by Boko Haram on Madagali, Adamawa State, where many of the fleeing residents of Gwoza were staying, had led to another challenge for the agency.

(VIDEO) In New Gruesome Video, Boko Haram Declares Caliphate, Shows Scenes Of Fleeing Soldiers, Civilian Massacres

Abubakar Shekau, the mercurial leader of Nigeria’s Islamist group, Boko Haram, today released a video in which he declares the areas under his sect’s control a Caliphate and shows scenes of carnage carried out by his fighters against unarmed civilians. The video, which is the most gruesome since Boko Haram started the tradition of periodic releases of videotaped messages, also shows Nigerian soldiers fleeing from approaching insurgents.

Mr. Shekau, who has used such images to cultivate the image of a fierce, reckless and merciless threat, appears to have tailored the current video to draw maximum global attention to his group. His declaration of a Caliphate is reminiscent of the style of the Sunni Islamic group, ISIS that has shot to the frontline of sectarian terrorist groups after declaring its ambition to build an Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Boko Haram Insurgents told us to ignore curfew imposed by govt, say residents

Residents of Adamawa State town Madagali yesterday said Boko Haram insurgents told them to defy the 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government.
Acting Governor Umar Fintiri on Sunday announced the curfew after Boko Haram’s fighters invaded the town, which is close to the boundary with Borno town Gwoza, seized by the insurgents.
Residents said the insurgents, who are moving freely in the town, brandishing their guns, asked them to continue with their normal businesses, without fear of attack.
‘’They asked us to ignore the 24 hours curfew, promising not to attack us. They (Boko Haram) told

Nigeria’s military denies Boko Haram’s 'caliphate' claim

Abubakar Shekau, leader of Nigeria’s Islamist group Boko Haram said in a video they now control Gwoza, a city in northeastern Nigeria. The Nigerian military dispute the claim by the insurgents.

According to Nigerian military officials, "The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nigerian state is still intact." Local newspaper 'This Day' quoted Major-General Chris Olukolade as saying the claim by Boko Haram that they now control Gwoza, was "false and empty." However, security sources and some witnesses said police and the military were being pushed out of Gwoza by Boko Haram fighters.

Boko Haram takes over Nigerian town; executes two for smoking

Boko Haram stormed the headquarters of the Gujba Local Government Area (LGA) in Yobe State on Thursday, declaring rule over Buni Yadi Town.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported that the group began enforcing their laws upon the residents immediately, killing and whipping citizens of the northeastern city.

Boko Haram seeks to establish an extremist, Sunni Muslim reign across Nigeria. They have primarily targeted Borno and Yobe States, kidnapping, raping, killing, and attacking villagers. The terrorists have also attacked schools, marketplaces, churches, and other crowded places.

How APC presidential candidate will emerge — Buhari

Former Head of State and a national leader of the opposition All Progressives Congress [APC] Muhammadu Buhari, has given insights into how his party will select its presidential candidate for the 2015 general election. Mr. Buhari spoke to a team of editors from the leading Hausa Newspaper, Rariya, in his office in Abuja, recently. PREMIUM TIMES’ Sani Tukur translated the full interview into English, with permission from Rariya.

Can you give us a glimpse into your typical day? How do you start your day, what’s your breakfast like and how do you coordinate your schedule? Well, my day starts from 5 a.m. Normally the morning prayers are offered after that. I am an avid listener of Voice of America and BBC Hausa Service so I stay

Ribadu Speaks on Why He Dumped Presidential Ambition For Adamawa Governorship Race

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and former presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN said he dropped his presidential ambition to participate in the Adamawa governorship race because of his desire to serve at any level.

PUNCH reported that Ribadu said, "Everything in my life has been about public service. I’m prepared to serve in any capacity. If you ask me to come and be a sweeper of any street in any part of the country, I’m ready to do that. I don’t even have power of my own in any part".

Jigawa Governor Lamido's Presidential Posters Flood Kano

The Jigawa state Governor, Sule Lamido may have denied having any plan to contest for the office of President come 2015, however his supporters believe otherwise.

THE NATION reported that presidential posters of Lamido are flooding Kano streets. The posters were seen at strategic locations around the state. They read: ‘Vote for Lamido as PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) presidential candidate in 2015.’

So far, the governor is yet to openly deny having anything to do with the posters. Do you think Lamido will declare for presidency?

Ondo PDP Sets Up 7-Man Committee For Mimiko's Defection

The Ondo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has set up a seven-man committee to help fast track the defection of the Governor Olusegun Mimiko from the Labour Party.

DAILY POST reported that a source in the PDP said the leadership of the party met yesterday at one of the popular hotels in Ijapo Estate, Akure, the state capital where the Committee was inaugurated. The source however, did not disclose the composition of the committee.

Corruption In Rivers State: Amaechi And Wike’s Revealing Talk Show By Ifeanyi Izeze

It is pathetic that the ability of my Rivers people to recall past incidents is very poor because everybody prefers to live in the now.

 It is an established fact that any person that is heavily drunk will always tell the truth on almost everything not because he prefers to but because under the influence of kai kai, the part of the brain that engineers lies usually gets totally incapacitated. However, many people are ignorant of the fact that inordinate ambition intoxicates even more than grade one ogogoro. Is this not clear from the running exchanges between the Rivers state governor, Chibuike Amaechi and his estranged right hand man who was also his erstwhile Chief of Staff, the current minister of state for Education, Nyesom Wike?

Nigeria Confirms 2 New Ebola Cases

The two are the first infected people who didn’t have contact with the ill traveler

Nigeria’s health ministry confirmed Friday two new cases of Ebola in the country, the first people to come down with the disease who didn’t have direct contact with an infected traveler who brought the virus into the country from nearby Liberia.

Nigerian Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu said both newly infected people are the spouses of two

Nigeria Police Force Announces New Spokesperson, Frank Mba Redeployed To Lagos As Area Commander

Current Nigerian Police Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), ACP Frank Mba, was today redeployed to Lagos State Command as an Area Commander. Stepping into his shoes is DCP Emmanuel Ojukwu, who will be occupying the position of Force PRO for the second time, having served from December 2008 to October 2010. The new Force PRO has promised the public accord and cooperation from the Force, stating "the Police are you helper and friend."

New Force PRO DCP Emmanuel Ojukwu
New Force PRO DCP Emmanuel Ojukwu
ACP Mba served from February 2012 until present.

Read the Nigerian Police Force's press statement on the announcement below.

How to End Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria – AUN President, Ensign

The President of American University in Nigeria, based in Yola, Adamawa state, Margee Ensign, has offered a three pronged approach to end the deadly Boko Haram insurgency ravaging north-east Nigeria.
Ms. Ensign shared her thoughts with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
She has lived in Yola for a very long time and seems to understand the area very well. She said the use of

Insurgents take over police mobile training camp in Borno

Boko Haram insurgents have taken over the Police Mobile Training camp in Limankara village, Borno State. Limankara is south of Gwoza, which has been in possession of the sect in the last two weeks. The mobile training camp is patronised by police officers and men from all parts of the country and is located in the midst of hills and valleys between Gwoza and Cameroun, according to report from National Mirror. The terrorists had invaded Gwoza two weeks ago, sacked the whole community and hoisted their black and white flags at different locations, including the emir’s palace. It was gathered that there was heavy fighting between the

Nigerian Soldiers Mutiny, Refuse To Fight Boko Haram Claiming They Are Ill Equipped

A group of government soldiers based in northeastern Nigeria have refused to fight Boko Haram militants until they receive better equipment, according to reports. Fighters from the extremist Islamist group have been reported to be far better equipped than the Nigerian army soldiers sent to fight them.

At least 40 Nigerian soldiers are reported to have mutinied against orders to fight the militants who have forced a state of emergency in three northeastern states since last year and are fighting to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria, the BBC reported. The militant group has stepped up its attacks, targeting towns and villages across the region in deadly raids after being pushed out of its bases in Maiduguri, the capital of

Bomb scare in Abuja over abandoned car. Fear of Boko Haram is…

There was a bomb scare in Nyanya, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday, as residents took to their heels on seeing an abandoned Peugeot 406 car which they feared was laden with explosives.
The car, which was parked along the road for a long time, was said to have sparked curiosity and fear around the neighborhood when the owner did not show up.
Residents and traders who feared that the vehicle might have been primed with explosives, were said to have run away from the vicinity.

Boko Haram Recruits Nigerian Almajiri Children: Cameroon Next Target?

Boko Haram is actively recruiting Almajiri school children in northern Nigeria, while concerns mount regarding the possibility that the Islamic extremist group’s next target for mass violence may be Cameroon. The Almajiri system of education is a form of religious instruction in which male children attend school for several hours each day to learn Koran verses, then spend the rest of their time begging in the streets.

“Almajiri” is from the Arabic word for “immigrant,” and in most cases almajiri students have left their birth homes and parents and traveled long distances to attend Koran school. Many almajiris find they have nowhere to turn after the relative structure of their education has been completed, and are easily attracted to Boko Haram. According to some sources, the number of almajiris in Nigeria is well into the millions.

Boko Haram: Minimah said Soldiers found guilty of conspiracy’ll be executed

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Kenneth Minimah yesterday in Enugu, hinted that firing squad awaits soldiers found to have conspired with members of Boko Haram in the North-East zone of the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, who was at the 82 Division, Enugu as part of his familiarisation tour of Nigerian Army formations, reiterated that the issue of conspiracy would not be tolerated.
Said he: “Of course, the issue of saboteurs, which we experienced in the North-East, where soldiers found it necessary to conspire, connive or collaborate with the terrorist elements, we are taking charge of that and

Welcome to BokoFever: I will join PDP when Satan converts to Islam — El ...

Welcome to BokoFever: I will join PDP when Satan converts to Islam — El ...: A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC< Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has rule...

I will join PDP when Satan converts to Islam — El Rufai

A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC< Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has ruled out the possibility of joining the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He said he might consider auch movement when Satan repents and converts to Islam.

El-Rufai stated this in reply to a question by one of his followers on Twitter, stressing that he will hardly take the option.

APC appoints Buhari, Atiku, Tinubu, others as BOT members

The All Progressive Congress, APC, has appointed former military Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), former, Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu as members of its Board of Trustees.

Also joining the 74 man BOT list are: former Minister of Foreign Affairs Chief Tom Ikimi, former Governor of Abia State, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, former Interim National Chairman of the party Chief Bisi Akande and former Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

Stakeholders worried over APGA crisis

Chief Godson Ezenagwu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has called on the leaders of the party, particularly former BOT chairman of the party, Chief Peter Obi to embrace peace and save the party from further embarrassment.

Ezenagwu, a former commissioner for agriculture in Anambra made the appeal in Awka on Wednesday while reacting to the feud between the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh and Chief Peter Obi, who has resigned as the party’s Board of Trustee chairman.

Ex-head of Nigeria's anti-graft body defects

Nigeria's former anti-corruption chief Nuhu Ribadu has defected to the ruling People's Democratic Party to contest a state election.

The move is seen as a boost for President Goodluck Jonathan, whose PDP has been reeling from high profile corruption scandals.

Analysts said his move was a big blow to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Reuters news agency reported.

FG accuses media of vocabulary error, says Resident Doctors were suspended not sacked

The Federal Government has denied media reports that it sacked striking members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).

Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, stated this while briefing State House correspondents in Abuja, on Wednesday, noting that the change in vocabulary from suspension to sack was capable of sending out a wrong message.

US donates bomb detector robots to Nigeria Police

The United States of America on Wednesday in Abuja donated high-tech bomb detector robots to the Nigeria Police Force.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the U.S. Ambassador, James Entwistle, while visiting the Acting Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, presented the robots.

Jega rules out Nigerians in Diaspora voting, supports Military involvement during elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has categorically stated that Nigerians living abroad will not participate in the 2015 general elections.
The electoral umpire said apart from the fact that it does not have the wherewithal, the Electoral Act, 2010 will have to be amended to accommodate such.

Speaking at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives committee on electoral matters, the

Mbu, 18 others now DIGs

The controversial Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu has been promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector – General of Police (DIG).

Eighteen other commissioners of police were promoted to the same rank by the Police Service Commission.

FG assures Military of commitment to improve on welfare

The Federal Government is committed to improving the welfare of military personnel, the Presidential Committee on Barracks Rehabilitation, has said.

The Chairman of the committee, Mrs Binta Muazu, stated this in Ibadan on Wednesday while inspecting some buildings rehabilitated by the committee at the Letmauck Cantonment, Mokola.

Real cause of fire that gutted NFF office

The Secretariat of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) was on Wednesday afternoon gutted by fire.

The inferno destroyed the office of the Accountant and Secretary-General in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fire, which started at about 9.30a.m., destroyed the left wing of the last floor of the building, which also housed the ICT Unit.

Lagos confirms five new cases of Ebola

Lagos State Goverbment has disclosed the discovery of five new cases of Ebola Virus Disease in the State.

It said the patients were brought to the Yaba Mainland Hospital, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Health Commissioner, Jide Idris, told newsmen on Wednesday that two of those cases were from secondary contacts.
“Till date, we have recorded eight suspected cases, five of which came in yesterday, 12 confirmed.

Nigerian soldiers revolt over lack of weapons

Dozens of Nigerian soldiers have refused to deploy for an offensive against Boko Haram Islamists until they receive better weapons, several of the mutineers told AFP on Wednesday.
The troops said they had been ordered to move out of their barracks in the northeastern city of Maiduguri towards the Gwoza area of Borno state, where the insurgents have reportedly seized pockets of territory.
But one of the soldiers, who asked not to be named, said: “We have vowed not to move one inch until our

USA’ll support Nigeria’s 2015 elections, says envoy

The United States has promised to assist Nigeria in order to have credible and peaceful elections in 2015.

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, who made the promise on behalf of his country, said that US was interested in peaceful elections in Nigeria.

He stated this on Wednesday in Abuja when he paid a courtesy call on members of the National Working

State creation: New proposed map of Nigeria released

Sequel to the July 3rd recommendation by the National Conference that 18 additional states be created to bring the total number of states in Nigeria to 54, members of the National conference Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government, jointly headed by Ike Nwachukwu & Mohammed Kumalia have released a copy of proposed new map of Nigeria with the additional states added. Embedded in the new map is the new additional 18 states, Premium Times has reported.

Doctors, students, protest mass sack of resident doctors (Photos)

Medical doctors, students, consultants converged at the Lagos University Teaching hospital, (LUTH), Idi Araba, today to protest the recent sack of 16,000 resident doctors by the Federal Government. The protest was led by the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Tope Ojo.

The doctors said their strike was never about an increase in their salary, that all they were fighting for was for better structures and equipment in hospitals across the country. See more photos after the cut

Nigeria’s first Ebola victim a ‘ crazy man’ – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has labeled the man who brought Ebola Virus into Nigeria a ‘crazy man’. Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian was warned against traveling to Nigeria after his sister died of the deadly virus in Liberia because he had contact with her and many others but he refused to heed to warning.

Nigeria had until last month been spared from Ebola, which has spread alarmingly in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

But its arrival has sown fear throughout the country and particularly in Lagos, a teeming mega city of more than 20 million people with crumbling infrastructure and poor healthcare facilities.

The authorities in sub-Saharan Africa’s largest city have appealed for volunteers because of a shortage of medical personnel, exacerbated by a month-long doctors’ strike.

A number of measures to tackle the spread of Ebola, which is passed on through direct contact with an infected person displaying symptoms, have already been announced.

Boko Haram is Desperate to Bomb South-East Nigeria

Igbo leaders claim that Boko haram terrorists are desperate to bomb south-east states in Nigeria; Vanguard reported.

Deputy Secretary, Evang. Elliot Uko, the Igbo Leaders of Thought, ILT, issued a statement on behalf of Igbos during the weekend.

In the statement, the Igbo leader said, described as worrisome the Sallah day arrest in Borno State of a long trailer laden with bombs and IED’s disguised as cattle merchants headed for Onitsha and Port Harcourt.

"This simply tells us that those who are committed to bombing the east are very serious at their plans.
We have two choices facing us. One is to keep quiet and look the other way until it happens. The other is exactly what we are doing now: Raise our voice in warning, praying and hoping that this avoidable catastrophe would pass us by. Truth is that Boko Haram is desperate to bomb eastern Nigeria. We don’t want that to happen because the implications are clearly frightening.

Ekiti State Police Command Parade Suspected Car Thieves

A gang of suspected armed robbers and car-thieves terrorising residents of Ekiti, Ondo, and Osun States has been arrested.

The suspects were arrested by the Swift Response Squad on patrol and handed over to the Ekiti State Police Command, following a serious cross fire, which left the leader of the gang injured.

They are specialised in stealing vehicles and reselling same in another state, with relevant documents provided by another member of the gang.

Osun Guber Election: INEC Releases List of 20 Participating Parties, Candidates

INEC  Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega

•  Accredits 29 observer groups to monitor election 

• 5,000 DSS operatives, 40 Hilux vans deployed

By Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

With a little over a week to the August 9 governorship election in Osun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday released the list of the 20 political parties and governorship candidates that will be contesting in the poll.

Guber Poll: Jonathan, Sambo To Storm Osun For Omisore

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun on Thursday said that all arrangements had been concluded to receive President Goodluck Jonathan in Osogbo on Saturday.

The Secretary of PDP in Osun, Mr. Bola Ajao, made this known when he addressed journalists in Osogbo.
Ajao said the President was coming to throw his weight behind Senator Iyiola Omisore’s bid to win the state governorship election.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the election holds August 9.

Ex-Sports Minister Was APC Mole In Jonathan’s Government – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, Kwara State chapter, yesterday accused a former Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who publicly declared his membership of the All Progressives Congress on Wednesday, as being an APC mole in President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.

The State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Rex Olawoye, in a statement on Thursday, said the party was not surprised at Abdullahi’s declaration for APC.

The PDP spokesman alleged that unknown to many Nigerians, Abdullahi on Saturday, February 8, 2014 secretly registered as a card-carrying member of the APC in Kwara State.

He stated that Abdullahi actually became a member of the APC five months ago, before President Jonathan sacked him as minister.

US Will Not Relent In Helping Nigeria Fight Boko Haram- Consul General

The United States Consul General to Nigeria, Mr Jeffery Hawkins has reiterated the threat Boko Haram poses to Nigeria and the African continent as a whole and the United States’ continued effort to curb the activities of the dreaded Islamist sect.

He also noted that the Obama-led US government remains keen in helping Nigeria to rescue the abducted Chibok girls from the sect.

He however noted that “the US government’s interest in assisting Nigeria with Boko Haram predates that (abduction of Chibok girls)” adding that “we have an extensive engagement with the Nigerian government on security side which has ramped up since the Chibok girls have been abducted”.

Nigeria Appoints Suleiman Abba As New Police Chief

CLARIFICATION: PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPOINTS NEW INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE The statement earlier released announcing President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s approval of the appointment of a new Inspector-General of Police refers. Please note that AIG Suleiman Abba’s appointment as Inspector-General of Police is in acting capacity. The appointment is with effect from Friday, August 1, 2014-Reuben Abati

The Federal Government has appointed Mr. Suleiman Abba as the new Inspector General of Police. A press statement issued by President Goodluck Jonathan's media aide, Reuben Abati today states that Abba will resume as new IGP tomorrow.Mr. Abba who once served as Aide De Camp to the wife of Nigeria’s late dictator, Maryam Abacha will succeed Mohammed Abubakar, whose tenure ended today.
 A source at the Presidency told SaharaReporters that Mr. Abubakar tried in vain to gain an extension of his tenure, but that many forces opposed to him prevailed on President Goodluck Jonathan to look for a successor. Mr. Abubakar had spent 35 years as a police officer.

10-year-old would-be suicide bomber arrested in Nigeria

The 10-year-old girl had a suicide bomber's explosives belt strapped to her when she was arrested with her 18-year-old sister

The arrest came shortly before another female suicide attacker blew herself up at a higher-education college in Kano Photo: Reuters

A 10-year-old girl strapped with a suicide bomber’s explosives belt has been taken into police custody alongside her 18-year-old sister in northern Nigeria, police said.

Their arrest on Wednesday came shortly before another female suicide attacker blew herself up at a higher-education college in the nearby city of Kano, killing six people in the fourth such attack using women in a week.