SUMMARY OF PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI SPEECH

Buhari commends outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan for statesmanship..promise to do all he can to rescue chibok girls..to relocate the headquarters of the military command to maiduguri until boko haram is defeated..promise not to witch hunt anybody from the past regime..thanks the media but call for cooperation and caution especially those in social media to be patriotic in their reporting.will continue funding of niger delta activities..will identify quickest and safest way of bringing electricity to Nigerians..will tackle corruption at the federal,state and local govt level..I won't interfere in the activities of legislature and judiciary..thank all Nigerians who voted and did not vote for him.promise to be the president of all Nigerians..thank cameroon,niger and chad for assisting in the fight against boko haram..

THANK YOU NIGERIANS.

Buhari invites Ifeanyi Ubah, thankful for the averting of fuel crisis

Report reaching elekenews.blogspot.com is that the president elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari who is due for inauguration this Friday has invited Dr Ifeanyi Ubah of Capital Oil and Gas to thank him for averting what would have been a dark inauguration.

A source who is close to Ubah disclosed that the President Elect through his aide yesterday called Ubah, inviting him to his Abuja residence to thank him for forcing petroleum marketers through his action to shelve their strike action.

Ubah had on Sunday Night announced that he will not be a part of the evil cabal that has planned to plunge the country into crisis by refusing to distribute fuel, and that he was going to send 13,000,000 litres of fuel out for sale in all his outlets across the country at the approved price of N87 per litre.

This action may have forced the marketers to reconsider their stand and shelve their strike with the hope that between today and tomorrow, the product would be available at a reduced price.

Save for the action a source said, the Friday inauguration of the president elect would have been the worse in history as passengers both on air and on land have already been stranded as a result of the scarcity of the product.

Ubah sources said may end up being the first core Jonathan supporter to benefit from the Gen Buhari administration as ac result of his action.

Comic actor, John Okafor this morning May 25th married his longtime love, Stella Marris, the mother of two of his children. The couple have been together since 2008 but never married. They had three kids, one died a few years ago. The actor quietly married his lady in front of a few family and friends today. There wedding reception will hold after Mr Ibu's mother's burial. Congrats to the couple.

MTN, Airtel set to stop operation in Nigeria over petrol scarcity

Telecommunications outfits, Airtel and MTN have issued statements on the current diesel and petroleum products scarcity in Nigeria, noting that, the adverse effect would impact on both voice and data services.
In a statement issued yesterday, Airtel said: “Airtel Networks Limited wishes to inform our customers and the general public that the prevailing situation in the country regarding the scarcity of diesel and other petroleum products is presently impacting negatively, our commitments to delivering best-in-class quality of service and seamless telephony experience to all Nigerians.
“While we are currently doing everything within our means as well as going the extra mile to ensure that all our base stations and switches are up and running, it is sad to note that it is becoming increasingly difficult to replenish current stock of diesel due to the lingering scarcity of the products.”
“We are also concerned that, if the situation persists, it may have adverse effects on our network, impacting both voice and data services.”
“Airtel, therefore wishes to assure all customers that we will continue working with all our partners and stakeholders to mitigate any negative impact as we remain committed to our promise of providing exceptional services just as we seek the cooperation and understanding of all whilst apologizing for any inconvenience at this time.”
In a similar move, rival MTN has also said fuel scarcity may affect the quality of its services as it is finding it hard to get diesel to power its base station.
MTN Nigeria says it may shut down its services due to scarcity of fuel to power its operations.
According to the company, it needs a “significant quantity of diesel in the very near future to prevent a shutdown of services across Nigeria,” it wrote on its site.
“If diesel supplies are not received within the next 24 hours the network will be seriously degraded and customers will feel the impact,” it added.
The crisis has also led to the shutdown of radio stations and schools across the country.
Three radio stations have already shut down due to no-availability of diesel.

BUHARI REJECTS ROLLS ROYCE IN LONDON

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, currently on a private visit to England, on Friday turned down the use of a Rolls Royce made available for him by the Nigerian High Commission in London.
Buhari shocked officials of the High Commission when, on landing at the Heathrow Airport, he declined to make use of the Rolls Royce and other facilities offered him.
The Nation gathered that after exchanging pleasantries with the embassy officials led by the High Commissioner, Dr Dalhatu Tafida, the president-elect politely told them that his visit was strictly private and he had made arrangement for all his needs while in the UK.
He reportedly thanked them for the warm reception and quickly hopped into a less flamboyant car he had arranged for and drove out of the airport.
A source said: “It appeared he was uncomfortable with the number of exotic cars in the convoy.
“Hard as the stunned diplomats present tried to convince him, he refused to bulge, insisting that since he did not inform the Commission of his visit because it was not an official trip, hence he was not entitled to such grandeur.”
Buhari, yesterday, held talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron at his 10, Downing Street official residence.

APGA elects new state chairman, to become major opposition party

The All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) in a state congress held late Saturday, elected a new state executives to pilot the affairs of the party with a promise to move the party to an enviable height.

The newly elected chairman of the party in the state, Sir Norbert Obi said that his executive will work hard to meet the dreams of the founding fathers of the party especially now that the new Board of Trustees chairman, and governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has promised to expand the frontiers of the party beyond the state.

The 1,139 delegates who attended the congress voted through voice vote to elect Obi and other members of the executives who were the only ones that purchased forms for the 28 elective positions advertised by the party.

The chairman of the congress committee, Mr Ifeatu Olejeme who called for any form of objection to the election of the executives declared them winners when no one contested their election.

Olejeme said he is not surprised about the peaceful nature of the congress as APGA members have been known for being peaceful and orderly people.

Meanwhile, The out-gone chairman of the party in the state, Chief Mike Kwentoh in an address said that with the poise and dedication of the State governor and BOT chairman, he is sure that the party will grow to be the greatest opposition party in Nigeria.

Kwentoh said that in the last general election, the party contested governorship election in several states and made significant impact in far away states like in Nasarawa and Abia States where it came close to winning.

He said the party has gotten to where it is today because its members worked assiduously to ensure victory in the 2013 governorship election, while urging all to ensure total support for the governor who is committed to moving the party forward.

Some of those elected during the congress include; Tony Oleka, Vice Chairman; Tony Ifeanya, Secretary; Titus Anigbogu, Vice Chairman, South; Chinedu Nnatuanya, Vice Chairman, North; and Barr Nnoli, Vice Chairman, Central among several others.

Anambra’s incoming Senators for the 8th National Assembly and how they will fare

Former Anambra Governor, Mr Peter Obi said when the 8^th national assembly resumes in June, Anambra will be made proud because she elected top squads who will represent them. DAVID-CHYDDY ELEK

E looks at Anambra’s incoming senators and how they will fare.

The trio of Hon Mrs Uche Ekwunife, Senator Andy Uba and Princess Stella Oduah all from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP would from June begin representation for Anambra State in the red chambers of the National Assembly.

The trio have also been described as one of the best squad that will be coming from any state and it is expected that they will synergise to bring about development in the state especially as it has to do with infrastructural development, pushing the state governor’s Agricultural revolution to make for food sufficiency and effecting changes in the country’s law to accommodate Anambra as an oil producing state.

Among the incoming senators is Hon Uche Ekwunife, a current member of the house of representatives who is also ranked high in the house. She has been eight years in the house and has also held sensitive positions. Most people say the choice of Iyom as she is popularly called for this representation is apt as it is believed that if the proverbial national cake was to be shared on the floor of the senate, Anambra Central’s share will definitely not elude her.

The history of Anambra politics cannot be complete without her getting a fair mention for her contributions and dogged fight to occupy the governorship seat at different times. Iyom will further get the chance to assert herself and also show that she is still capable of delivering as a governor when she gets to the senate.

Another Senator for Anambra in the coming Senate will be Senator Andy Uba. A quiet but smooth and dogged fighter too. Uba nearly lost his sit which he also presently occupies to smooth talking and gentle manly former Vice Chairman of NCC Ernest Ndukwe. Uba may be a taciturn and lacks in speech power but his clinching for himself the juicy and sensitive committee chairmanship of INEC in the senate, even as a fresher in 2011 speaks volume of his person.

He was a respected kitchen cabinet member of the Obasanjo administration and had on a platter of gold won the Anambra governorship seat in 2007 and reputed also to have even scored more votes than registered voters in the state. Most people argue that Andy is a bench warmer in the senate but during the previous electioneering campaign, he insisted that he has met his campaign promises and will ensure robust representation if elected again.

Uba is a force in Anambra State and together with his younger brother, Chris Uba, they have consolidated their hold in Anambra State and especially in Anambra South where the younger Uba is still in court fighting to upturn his elder brother’s victory and corner it for himself.

The last senator from the state and who will represent Anambra North is a fresher in the game of lawmaking, she is Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, the immediate past minister of Aviation. Though she will be a rookie lawmaker, Oduah is no small name in the politics of Nigeria. With the controversy steered by her gift of bullet proof cars, Oduah attained a high height and her ability to emerge unscathed after the uproar further proved her strength. As she goes to the senate she may still have to contend with media who from time to time exhume the already dead scandal and asking for justice.

However just like Ekwunife and Uba, Oduah is not the type to be shunned by whoever emerges as senate president as she has seen it all and reputed to be wealthy, well travelled and very exposed too. She is expected to help the state governor with legislations that will ensure that the Northern part of Anambra State whioch is known as the state’s food basket attains its real status. Only time will tell how well Anambra reps in the senate will fare in the 8^th senate.

Anambra NASS election: why Ekwunife will perform at the Senate

By EMMANUEL UZOR

Certainly, the euphoria of the last election is gradually evaporating and the reality that lies ahead is slowly coming to light. These realities for many people are anguish and pains, but to those that believed in the essence of hard work, it is a reality of joy and celebration. Now, the process of giving the people quality representation at the Senate is now the focus of Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, the senator-elect for Anambra central senatorial zone.

True to type as expected in a new dispensation the rumour mills are in full swing, with those who failed to plan and certainly planed to fail, coming up with all manners of accusations and sentiments concerning the outcome of the 28^th March Presidential and National Assembly elections in Anambra state especially in Anambra central senatorial zone.

Anybody who is conversant with the politics of Anambra state since the return of democracy in 1999 will agree that Anambra central zone has been and still is the hottest zone in the state with the larger chunk of political gladiators coming from the zone. The zone which has seven local government areas has remained one of the interesting zones in the country.

The last National Assembly election however was no exception. The zone paraded three political heavyweights in the likes of Senator Chris Ngige, who is the current senator representing the zone and Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, the current member representing Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka federal constituency at the House of Representatives as well as the outgoing National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh.

Among all the major political parties that participated in the 28^th March election, only the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP held a hotly contested primary election which threw Mrs. Ekwunife up as the best candidate to hold the ace for the election. The choice of Mrs. Ekwunife however became very apt in the face of obvious threats by other political parties to hold on to power as against the interest and aspirations of the people of the zone.

Other candidates including Senator Chris Ngige of APC emerged unopposed and in the case of the outgoing National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, there was a physical and systematic muscling out of aspirants from the zone not to dare aspire to contest for the senatorial election. Hence, he emerged unopposed and nobody even bought nomination or expression of interest forms.

Chief Victor Umeh however became an umpire in his own game, going into the election with bruises and curses from party faithful whose political fortune and future he traded for personal gains. These people he shortchanged however went home to gather their pieces together and vowed never to see the red cap man at the red chambers of the National Assembly.

In fact, one of the closest allies to Chief Umeh was quoted as vowing that over his dead body will he be alive to see Chief Victor Umeh become the senator representing Anambra central zone.

Apart from the internal wrangling and bruises Chief Umeh went into election with, the Ekwunife factor became very inevitable. It became a very big task for him to match Mrs. Ekwuife whose political sagacity spreads across the state. Having contested for Governorship elections in the whole state, it is very correct to say that she has the widest acceptability and her political philosophy equal to none.

Mrs. Ekwunife apart from her popularity never took anybody for granted. This was evident in her visits to the seven local government areas of Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South, Njikoka, Dunukofia, Idemili North an Idemili South council areas twice during the campaigns. She remained the only person seen everywhere in the streets, on the roads campaigning, convincing the people what she has done and what she will do if elected.

The people of the zone kept faith her and on the day of the election, it was a payback time for all the candidates as even before the election was over, it was even obvious that Mrs. Ekwunife had won. Among the market women, children and men at various beer palours, the popular verdicts of the people were that nobody can stop the hurricane Ekwunife in the election.

With apparent move and muscling out by the state government might against Ekwunife which included banning all market chairmen and leaders to stop Ekwunife from entering into their market for campaigns and even threats to the President Generals of Town Unions and their Igwes, Ekwunife still matched on through the bumpy traps and cruised to victory laving behind, crushed victim who now goes about crying like a baby.

After the declaration of Mrs. Ekwunife as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mrs. Ekwunife took time out of her busy schedule a she was already visiting the communities and wards on a thank you visit to address the inquisitive journalists who were not surprised with the outcome of the election.

One of the questions that were thrown to the Senator elicited a very definite answer when she said ‘I beat Umeh silly and he is crying like a baby” indeed, borrowing Mrs. Ekwunife’s word, it is very important to know that you cannot build something on nothing. Therefore, suffice to add that Chief Umeh and his ailing APGA never planned to win the election and they never won.

To come out now to begin to blackmail the whole people, accusing Mrs. Ekwunife who won the election clinically on free, fair and credible terms and INEC is nothing but an expression of frustration especially now that it is obvious that he has lost it all. Now, there will be no more APGA National Chairmanship and there will be no more BoT chairman of the party as well, there will be no more Governor Willie Obiano to run to, certainly, the bird has come home to roost. 

Still, there are reasons to celebrate. The people of Anambra central senatorial zone are celebrating. Not just celebration for celebration sake but celebrating an uncommon audacity that turned out to be an audacity of hope, history and posterity in the building project of the zone. The author of new face of representative democracy Anambra Central zone is Mrs. Uche Ekwunife (Iyom).

Only few people were bequeathed with the opportunity of being part of progress in their societies. Certainly, Mrs. Ekwunife warmed her way into the hearts of the people of the zone, becoming the first and only female senator to be part of the history of the great Anambra Central senatorial zone hence her massive acceptance by the electorate demonstrated by their ballots on the 28^th March Presidential and National Assembly elections.

One important records broken by the emergence of Mrs. Uche Ekwunife today is that Ndi Anambra central zone have now come to realize that in her they have a good foundation to build on and build we must, and continuously too.

While we have earned the right to enjoy the glory of the rare moment presented by the emergence of Ekwunife, the 2015 elections and the solemn celebration of her inauguration we need to realize that there is hope coming to the people from the quality representation by Mrs. Ekwunife.

It is also imperative to note that the job of further democratizing, consolidating democracy and making democracy work for the people through quality representation is not yet fully done by the successive persons that have represented the zone in the past. The great achievement that we sing and dance is the emergence of Mrs. Ekwunife.

Sensing anxiety and expectations in the faces of Ndi Anambra central zone as they stand in awe, watching their new hope, Mrs. Ekwunife stand to address the National Assembly and speak on behalf of her people for the first time as their Senator, there is serious joy in the political landscape of the state. The ancestors and indeed fathers of this great state are also not left out in the solemnity or the political rituals of the day.

There is still an almost equal chance of further progress. Mrs. Ekwunife, is the major beneficiary of an expanded democratic space and expression of people’s will and as such, she has a moral and historic responsibility to further deepen democracy in the zone and Nigeria at large by building a new zone where development will not be seen as an achievement of the person in power but as a right of the citizenry. Ends

EMMANUEL UZOR is the Special Assistant on Media to Mrs. Uche Ekwunife