NigerianNews

Nigerian
News

Focus

|Convert your currency|
|Shopper's Paradise|

TOP NEWS
FOCUS

November 30, 2006

PTDF: Don’t Mislead Nigerians, Presidency Tells Atiku
The Presidency has said Vice President Atiku Abubakar should stop misleading Nigerians that the Lagos High Court cleared him of the indictments by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ThisDay

Voters’ Registration: Iwu Snubs House
The House of Represen-tatives and the Chairman of the Independent Nat-ional Electoral Commi-ssion (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu, appeared to be on a colli... ThisDay

UK to Invest over N24bn in Nigeria
Heir Apparent to the British throne, Prince Charles, yesterday said the United Kingdom is to increase its investments in Nigeria to the tune of a hund... ThisDay

2007: Buhari, ANPP Leaders
Former Head of State and Presidential Aspirant of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Major General Muhammadu Buhari and governors of ANPP, were among top leaders of the party that stormed Jos, the Plateau State capital, for a strategic National Executive Council (NEC) meeting othe party. ThisDay

Expunge Immunity Clause – Afe Babalola
Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos and legal icon, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, yesterday said the immunity clause in the Nigerian Constitution is a major impediment to the war against corruption. ThisDay

Fresh hurdles for Atiku, EFCC appeals verdict
LAGOS — THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday hurled a fresh obstacle on the path of Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2007 presidential race...........Vanguard

Nigerians angry, say Obasanjo should repair collapsed Lagos-Benin road
BENIN—“We take off from here (Ojota) everyday. The bad road has been impacting on business negatively. Vanguard

2007: Donate over N1m, go to jail —IWU
LAGOS—INDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu, yesterday threatened to cause the jailing of any politician who donates over N1 million to any political party ahead of the 2007 elections. Vanguard

EFCC arrests Audu, ex-Kogi gov
FORMER governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was arrested on Wednesday while on his way to the...Tribune

Nigerians may not appreciate OBJ now - Yar’Adua
KATSINA State governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, said in Ibadan on Wednesday that Nigerians might not appreciate President Olusegun Obasanjo now until after he leaves office. Tribune

2007 Presidency: PDP Summons Aspirants
All aspirants to Aso Rock on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been summoned to a meeting in Abuja today to ensure...Daily Independent

PTDF Report: Don’t Celebrate Yet,...
President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, not to do a victory dance over Tuesday’s court...Daily Independent

Back to school at 68
President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday made good his promise to go back to school to widen his scope of knowledge by enrolling at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) | The Sun

IBB’s aspiration makes 2007 elections interesting – Okorie
The National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, says that the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo could be elongated by the poor preparation for elections | The Sun

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigerian VP ambitions boosted
Legal moves investigating corruption allegations against Nigerian Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have been quashed by the High Court in Lagos. BBC

Court Ruling Could Affect Nigerian Elections
In Nigeria, Vice-President Atiku Abubakar may now have a brighter chance of contesting next year's presidential elections. He recently won a court victory nullifying his indictment on charges of corruption. VoiceOfAmerica

Castro too sick to attend his own party
HAVANA, Cuba (AP) -- Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro told hundreds of admirers who traveled here for his 80th birthday party that he was not well enough to meet with them on Tuesday. CNN

November 29, 2006

LET YOUR CONDUCT BE UNIMPEACHABLE - YOU MAY DEFY THE SLANDEROUS TONGUE
by D. Akinsanya Juliuson HonDBA, IOM
A great thinker “Darwin” remains a controversial figure in some parts of the world. Some people don’t like his theory of evolution because it appears to contradict the Bible. The great thinker, though, deserves to be questioned for another reason. What would that reason be? His words have been used too often to justify the notion that life is about, “the survival of the fittest”. NigerianNews Special Issues

PTDF: Court Voids EFCC Report
Reprieve seemed to have come the way of the embattled Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday, when a Lagos High Court set aside the report by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ThisDay

INEC to Vary Ballot Papers
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it plans to use different ballot papers for different localities in the conduct of the 2007 general elections ThisDay

Gaddafi Causes Stir at Abuja Airport
In a movie-like nature, Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and his delegation yesterday caused a major stir at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja when his security details refused to declare and register weapons brought by them into the country ThisDay

Plateau Bye Election: Stakeholders Meeting Deadlocked
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholder meeting called by its Plateau State chapter to brief the political parties on the bye-election into the 14 seats of the state legislators declared vacant ended up in disagreement and confusion. ThisDay

Obasanjo Flags off $40b Railway Project
The first phase of the railway modernization project, Lagos-Kano standard gauge line, expected to cost over $40 billion United States dollars on completion has been flagged off by President Olusegun Obasanjo. ThisDay

Court: EFCC, panel reports on Atiku illegal - As court orders EFCC to pay Fasawe N5m
THE quest of Vice President Atiku Abubakar to contest next year’s presidential election received a boost yesterday when a Lagos high court declared the EFCC report on the Petroleum Technology Development Fund...Tribune

IBB to dump PDP if...
INDICATIONS have emerged that former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, may no longer seek the presidential...Tribune

PTDF: Reprieve for Fasawe, Atiku
REPRIEVE came the way of owner of the controversial MOFAS account, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, yesterday when Justice Inumidun Akande of the Lagos High Court set aside the report of the Administrative Panel of Enquiry which indicted him for tampering with money meant for the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).By implication, the ruling was seen as a legal victory for Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who is challenging his alleged indictment by the panel headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Miniser, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN).; ...>>Champion

INEC get special ballot papers
INEC strategies on Ballot papers, deploys 2,000 machines daily. As part of its preparations to conduct credible elections next year. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday, said it has designed Ballot papers in such a way that voters would find it absolutely impossible to transfer the papers to another locality for the exercise. . ...... >>Champion

Gusau hits Atiku, picks his friend to head campaign
ABUJA—PRESIDENTIAL aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), General Aliyu Gusau (rtd.), has named as the director-general of his campaign organisation, a long time............Vanguard

PRESIDENCY: PDP Moves To Reduce Aspirants To Four
All sorts of calculations have been thrown into the Presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), even though the number of aspirants is now pruned to four. Daily Independent

PTDF: Court clears Atiku for 2007 presidency
The quest of Vice President Atiku Abubakar to contest next year’s presidential election received a boost Tuesday when a Lagos High Court declared the controversial Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) report on the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), null and void|The Sun

I’m not Obasanjo’s candidate in 2007 – Yar’Adua
Katsina State Governor and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democrtic Party (PDP), Umar Musa Yar’adua Tuesday denied being an anointed candidate of President Olusegun Obasanjo | The Sun

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Gaddafi in Nigeria airport drama
Libya's leader storms out of Abuja airport in a row with Nigerian security officials over his armed bodyguards. BBC

Nigerian army rape 'impunity'
The Nigerian government is failing to prosecute police and soldiers who rape women and girls with impunity, says rights group Amnesty International. BBC

Africa-South America Summit Opens in Abuja
More than 60 heads of a state and governments are arriving in Abuja, Nigeria, for the first Africa-South America summit on Wednesday. Gilbert da Costa in Abuja reports for VOA that foreign ministers and other officials have been meeting since Sunday to prepare an agenda for the start of the talks. VoiceOfAmerica

Rape by Nigerian forces 'endemic'
Amnesty International, the human rights group, has accused Nigerian police and soldiers of raping women and committing acts of sexual violence with near impunity. Aljazeera

November 28, 2006

Voters Registration: INEC Gets 13,000 Machines
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday said it has taken delivery of 13,000 Direct Data Capture machines, ready to be deployed to various states across the country. ThisDay

Obasanjo: N/Delta Situation Now Controllable
President Olusegun Oba-sanjo yesterday stated that, despite recent hos-tage takings and the death of an expatriate held hostage in the Niger Delta, the situation in the volatile area is now controllable. ThisDay

Why I Abandoned Dariye – Botmang
Governor of Plateau State, Chief Michael Botmang, at a meeting hosted by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu yesterday, gave an insight as to why he abandoned his former boss, Chief Joshua Dariye. ThisDay

‘FG Implements 62% of 2006 Budget’
The Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Bureau (BMPIU) has disclosed that ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), under the Federal Government have so far implemented 62 per cent of the 2006 budget. ThisDay

Nigeria Rakes in $4.9bn from Trade with Brazil
Total volume of exports  from Nigeria to Brazil last year amounted to $4.9 billion, Nigerian envoy to South America, Mr Kayode Garrick, said yest... ThisDay

Military caused Nigeria’s woes - OBJ
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday took a swipe at the military, saying they were responsible for the nation’s economic woes. The president who is a former military head of state also blamed...Tribune

Thugs bomb senator’s house
PERSONS suspected to be political thugs, numbering over 50, threw devices suspected to be bombs into the private residence of Senator Effiong Bob, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance...Tribune

Gusau hits Atiku, picks his friend to head campaign
ABUJA—PRESIDENTIAL aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), General Aliyu Gusau (rtd.), has named as the director-general of his campaign organisation, a long time............Vanguard

N-Delta leaders angry, blast FG on Lagos-Benin road palaver
WARRI— NIGER Delta leaders, yesterday, described as offensive and reckless, Federal Government’s explanation that it had no money to fix, this year, the horrible Lagos-Ore-Benin road................Vanguard

CBN, 25 banks to raise $1bn for African Finance Corporation
LAGOS—THE Central Bank (CBN) in partnership with the 25 banks operating in the country are set to raise $1 billion for the proposed African Finance Corporation (AFC) through private placement. ........Vanguard

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Kabila confirmed as Congo leader
DR Congo's Supreme Court confirms Joseph Kabila as the winner of the country's presidential elections. BBC

Blair 'sorrow' over slave trade
Prime Minister Tony Blair has said he feels "deep sorrow" for Britain's role in the slave trade. BBC

Officials reinstated after toxic waste scandal
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) -- President Laurent Gbagbo is reinstating three senior officials who were accused of allowing hundreds of tons of toxic waste to be dumped in the capital, the presidential spokesman said Monday. The dumping contributed to at least 10 deaths and sickened thousands. CNN

Congo court confirms Kabila victory
The Democratic Republic of Congo's supreme court has confirmed Joseph Kabila as president after rejecting a challenge filed by rival Jean-Pierre Bemba. Aljazeera

November 27, 2006

Corruption: US bars 5 governors
The United States government has barred five Nigerian governors from entering the country with effect December 1. This follows a request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)|The Sun

Obasanjo not afraid to go – Aide
President Olusegun Obasanjo is not in any way afraid of life after office, says one of his aides.The Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Mallam Uba Sani, who stated this in Abuja on Sunday, said in spite of what some of Obasanjo’s critics might say, he has nothing to lose sleep over outside office | The Sun

IBB, Atiku Shop for Alternative Platforms
With strong indications that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might have schemed them out of the presidential ticket, indications emerged at the weekend that Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as well as former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) ThisDay

Obasanjo: I’ll Leave Aso Rock Fulfilled
President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said he was not in any way scared of life after office, adding that he would leave the presidency a fulfilled man who has given his best to his country ThisDay

‘Census Result'll Stun Nigerians’
Head of Public Enlightenment Committee of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Duro Famojuro, has said Nigerians will be stunned by the rate at which their population has grown within the last ten years when the priliminary figure of the last head count held in March is released late in December 2006 by the National Population Commsission (NPC). ThisDay

Masari: Election Must Hold Despite INEC’s Deficiencies
Speaker House of Represen-tatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, has assured Nigerians that the 2007 election would hold as scheduled, despite the hitches trailing the ongoing voters’ registration exercise. ThisDay

Why I Took on Buhari, By Senator
Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on States and Local Government Administration, Senator Isa Mohammed, weekend justified his position on former Head of State, Major-General Muhamadu Buhari, (rtd.) ThisDay

Kupolokun: Nigeria Makes $36bn Annually from Oil
Nigerian National Petrole-um Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Dire-ctor, Engr. Funso Kupo-lokun, has reaffirmed the nation’s over dependence on the oil and gas industry with a revelation that the country generates an annual $36 billion from the oil and gas sector ThisDay

Ibori’s wife arrested - After jumping bail in London
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday arrested one of the wives of Delta State governor, Mrs. Udo Okoronkwo Ibori, over alleged money laundering and illegal...Tribune

12 Atiku loyalists die in auto crash - 6 in critical condition
TWELVE suporters of Vice President Atiku Abubakar lost their lives in a road accident which occurred as they were making their way back to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, after attending...Tribune

I’ll Go In 2007, Obasanjo Insists
Meets With PDP Governors • UAD Begins ‘He Must Go’ Campaign Daily Independent

Enugu PDP Expresses Fears Over Nnamani’s Political Future
Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has foreclosed the possibility of Senate President, Ken Nnamani, seeking a return to the Senate in 2007 on the party’s platform Daily Independent

PDP: We’ll meet Atiku at battlefield
PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday dismissed Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s assertion that the party will lose the 2007 general elections saying it will test the latter’s challenge " in the battlefield". "When we meet in the battle field, we will know" said the national secretary of PDP, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, in a telephone interview with Daily Champion. Abubakar had while declaring his intention to run for president next year, . . ....>>Champion

Explosion rocks PDP secretariat
YENAGOA— A MASSIVE explosion, Saturday night, rocked the Bayelsa State secretariat of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Yenagoa, damaging the frontage of the two-storey building and blowing out its windows.......Vanguard

No fund to fix Lagos-Benin road now—FG
ABUJA — TRAVELLERS and motorists using the Lagos-Benin road may have to endure its present deplorable condition until next year. Reason: there is no fund in the 2006 budget to enable .........Vanguard

Second ballot may decide PDP's flag-bearer Dec 16, says Turaki
LAGOS— GOVERNOR Samiu Turaki of Jigawa State has predicted that the December 16 National Convention of the PDP will be decided on the second ballot. Gov. Turaki on a courtesy visit .............Vanguard

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Made in China
Are Beijing's ambitions in Africa exploiting poor nations?
China has stepped up its business presence in Africa, but is being criticised for not pushing for improvements in human rights and governance in some countries. BBC

Logistical Glitches Mar Nigeria's Voter Registration
Just about two million of Nigeria's estimated 70 million eligible voters have been registered under a process that began in October. A shortage of registration machines is impeding the high-tech plan to deliver credible elections as Gilbert da Costa in Abuja reports for VOA. VoiceOfAmerica

Berlusconi collapses during speech
Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian prime minister, has collapsed while making a speech at a political rally in Tuscany. Aljazeera

November 26, 2006

Atiku's Leap Of Faith
by Reuben Abati
Vice President Atiku yesterday, November 25, at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki in Abuja, FCT, formally declared his interest in the 2007 Presidential elections thus again defying his boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo who had left no one in doubt so far that he will not hand over power to the Vice President, who has been disloyal to him, and who has been indicted on the grounds of corruption by an administrative panel. The Guardian

Atiku: I’ll Strengthen Anti-graft Agencies
Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday said there cannot be development without tackling the menace of corruption and that if elected president next ... ThisDay

Turaki Canvasses State Police, Resource Control
Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Saminu Turaki at the weekend said if he is elected President of the country in the 2007 general elections, he would push... ThisDay

Surprises Greet PDP Reps Primaries
Surprises and upsets yesterday greeted the House of Representatives primaries of the ruling Peoples Democractic Party (PDP) nationwide. In Enugu State... ThisDay

Friends Honour Osuntokun
Friends of Mr. Akin Osuntokun, Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Political Matters would today, honour him at the Muson Centre, Lagos as he marks his birthday. ThisDay

FG Urged to Address Voters’ Register Irregularities
The Federal Govern-ment has been called upon to expedite action in addressing the irregularities, which has dogged the on-going voters' registration exercise. ThisDay

N1.6trillion fraud uncovered at NNPC
A trillion naira fraud has been uncovered at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) barely one week after a N12 billion scandal rocked the establishment. According to documents...Tribune

Delegates go wild in OBJ’s constituency - Demand N10,000 from aspirant
Delegates in Ogun State Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) primaries for House of...Tribune

Aso Rock Pressures Alaibe, Mimiko To...
Strong indications emerged over the weekend that barring any hitch, Governors Olusegun Agagu and Goodluck Jonathan of Ondo and...Daily Independent

Atikun slams Obasanjo * Youe reforms are anti people * declares for 2007 presidency against all odds* PDP plans 3-million-man counter rally
Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, yesterday formally declared publicly his intentio........................Vanguard

2007: Fresh plot against OBJ
•Senate President, Speaker on the card
The emergence of Governor Umar Yar’Adua of Katsina State in the 2007 presidential race last week may have inspired a fresh plot by the triumvirate of Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Atiku Abubakar to checkmate President Olusegun Obasanjo. | The Sun

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigeria VP to run for president
Nigeria's Vice-President Atiku Abubakar announces he will stand for the presidency in next year's elections. BBC

Rebels 'seize' two Chadian towns
Rebels in Chad say they have captured two eastern towns, but the government denies losing control of either. BBC

Nigerian VP Announces Candidacy for President
Atiku Abubakar tells rally of thousands of supporters in Abuja that he plans to be the candidate who will bring positive changes to Nigeria VoiceOfAmerica

November 25, 2006

Ganiyu Dawodu, Awoist Dies at 73
Lagos State frontline politician and an Awoist, Pa Ganiyu Olawale Dawo-du, yesterday died at the age of 73. He died while the family members were taki... ThisDay

Ex-Siemens Manager: I Paid Bribes to Abacha
Evidences of financial impropriety during the regime of former dictator, late General Sani Abacha resurfaced once again yesterday in far away Germany ... ThisDay

Violence Mars Repeat PDP Congresses
There seems to be no end to the crisis trailing the Peoples Demo-cratic Party (PDP) over its local government and ward congresses across the nation. T... ThisDay

Obasanjo Didn’t Influence Me to Run – Yar'Adua
Governor Umaru Musa Yar'Adua of Katsina State has refuted allegations that his decision to join the 2007 presidential race on the platform of the Peop... ThisDay

NCAA Bans More Items on Board Aircraft
Apparently reacting to last Saturday incident where items suspected to be explosives were intercepted by securitymen before they were checked into an ... ThisDay

Atiku Declaration: Police Deploy 2,000 Men
AHEAD of today’s public declaration by Vice President Atiku Abubakar of his 2007 presidential ambition in Abuja, the police have deployed over 2,000 regular, anti-bomb disposal and mobile...Tribune

Stop Instigating Coup, FG Warns Atiku - VP Refutes Claim
THE Federal Government on Friday warned Vice President, Abubakar Atiku to stop making statements capable of instigating political crisis, particularly, military...Tribune

Ex-Governor Looted Kogi - EFCC
THE Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has revealed to a Federal High Court in Abuja, the detailed analysis of how the former governor of Kogi State, Prince Audu Abubakar allegedly looted the treasury of the...Tribune

Presidency: Heavy Security In Abuja As Atiku...
There is heavy security in and around Abuja as Vice-President Atiku Abubakar declares publicly his intention to contest the...Daily Independent

Ojukwu Backed My Emergence, Says Etiaba
Amid accusations of alleged betrayal and sell-out of her former boss, Governor Virgy Etiaba of Anambra State has finally opened...Daily Independent

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Rwanda cuts relations with France
Rwanda breaks off diplomatic ties with Paris in a row over a French inquiry related to the 1994 genocide. BBC

Ivory Coast Discovers New Case of Bird Flu
Ivory Coast has declared a new outbreak of bird flu, the first since the virus was detected there in April VoiceOfAmerica

Chad extends state of emergency 6 months
N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP) -- Chad extended a state of emergency Friday for six months in the country's eastern provinces, where ethnic clashes have killed as many as 400 people and raised fears that Sudan's Darfur conflict is spilling across the border. CNN

Rwanda cuts ties with France
Rwanda has cut diplomatic ties with France and given France's ambassador to Rwanda 24 hours to leave the country. Aljazeera

November 24, 2006

Atiku not qualified to run –Gani
LEGAL luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) has dismissed as "futile" tomorrow’s launch of presidential campaign by Vice President Atiku Abubakar saying the latter stands disqualified from the race following his indictment by an Administrative Panel of Inquiry for alleged corruption.>>Champion

Ali: PDP Market is Flourishing
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmadu Ali, who only on Wednesday complained about the sheer number of aspirants who have shown interest in seeking the presidential nomination of the party ThisDay

Again, FG Moves Against Militants
The Federal Government may have decided to intensify the use of military onslaught against militants operating along the creeks of the Niger Delta, as massive military deployment was carried out in Bayelsa state yesterday. ThisDay

My PTDF Story, By Atiku
Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the conclusion of the investigation into the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), by the presidency was a pre-determined move to pronounce him guilty of fraud and embezzlement Thisday

ICPC Seeks N500m to Probe Govs, Deputies
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has requested the National Assembly to approve for it N500 million in the 2007 budget to fund the probe of political office holders ThisDay

Jubril Aminu set to replace Atiku as VP - Atiku writes top Nigerians on ambition
SENATOR Jubril Aminu has been positioned to replace Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nigerian Tribune has gathered. This came as indication emerged from the top echelon of the Peoples...Tribune

EFCC to fly Alamieyeseigha abroad for treatment
ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has concluded plans to move former Bayelsa State governor, Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha, abroad for medical attention. The commission which made this public at the resumed hearing of the...Tribune

Atiku Prepares To Dump PDP, Writes...
Vice President Atiku Abubakar may have finally kissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) goodbye just as his Presidential...Daily Independent

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Hostage 'fiasco'
Nigeria criticised after rescue mission leaves Briton dead
The death of a British oil worker and three others in Nigeria's first attempt to use force to free hostages in its troubled Niger Delta has drawn criticism from security experts. BBC

EU backs away from migration fund
EU and African ministers vow action on migration, but fail to set up a fund requested by African states. BBC

Nigeria: Group Blames Government, Oil Companies for Hostage Crisis
A kidnapped British oil worker, one of seven taken hostage this week, was reportedly killed yesterday when Nigerian security forces carried out a rescue operation in the troubled Niger Delta region. He was the first foreign oil worker to be killed since militants in the oil-rich region began taking hostages this year. VoiceOfAmerica

November 23, 2006

Kalu In Secret Talks With CIA
Abia State Governor, Orji Uzo Kalu, has met with the elite American clandestine organisation, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) at...Daily Independent

Democratic Institutions Yet To Take...
President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday said democratic institutions have not yet firmly taken roots in the country and as...Daily Independent

Atiku: Why Buhari, IBB Should Step Down for Me
Vice President Atiku Abu-bakar has given reasons why Generals Muham-madu Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida should drop their presidential ambitions and all... ThisDay

Court Fixes Dec 20 for Judgment on Atiku's Case
The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday has set  December 20, this year to deliver judgment on the case in which the Vice President Abubakar At... ThisDay

Oshiomhole Alleges Nocturnal Voters Registration in Edo
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Edo State gubernatorial aspirant, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has alleged that officials of an unnamed, but... ThisDay

2007: Obasanjo Calls for Fasting and Prayers
President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on Nigerians to fast and pray for a smooth transition in 2007 because making the right choice would not be easy... ThisDay

We Need a Listening President – Masari
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, has declared that Nigerians need a listening President that would meet their needs... ThisDay

Court in rowdy session over Atiku
THE battle of wits between President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku Abubakar has spilled over into the courts, as the Senior Advocates of Nigeria...Tribune

2007 election shaky - INEC
Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu, opened up on the fears being expressed on the possibility of holding the 2007 elections, when he revealed...Tribune

Supreme Court: Ladoja to wait for now - Adjourns suit till Dec. 7
A presidential aspirant (name withheld) has been linked to last Saturday’s attempt to smuggle six explosives onto an Abuja-bound Bellview flight at the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed...Tribune

N/Delta: Briton, 2 militants killed
A British oil worker and two militants were killed yesterday during an attempt by security operatives to free six foreign oil workers abducted by militants in the Niger Delta.An Italian, whose identity could not be ascertained, was seriously wounded while five expatriates were rescued unharmed, Daily Champion learnt.The incident occurred 30 miles off the coast of Bonny, Rivers State.Death of the Briton is significant being the first foreigner to have lost his life since hostage taking . .....>>Champion

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

British hostage killed in Nigeria
A British oil worker is killed and an Italian is wounded during an attempt to free those seized by Nigerian militants. BBC

DR Congo leader issues ultimatum
DR Congo President Joseph Kabila gives the forces of his rival 48 hours to leave the capital or face removal. BBC

Authorities: Foreign Oil Worker Killed in Rescue Attempt in Nigeria
Officials say six other hostages freed, though at least one worker was wounded VoiceOfAmerica

ECOWAS: Economic, Socio-Political Integration Top Priority
A new crop of leaders have emerged in West Africa that is focusing on building a culture of democracy, transparency and accountability to achieve sustainable development, according to the regional group ECOWAS. For VOA, Gilbert da Costa reports from Abuja that the group, at a recent meeting, said its top priority is economic and socio-political integration of the region. VoiceOfAmerica

Oil worker killed in Niger delta
One Briton has been killed during clashes between Nigerian troops and kidnappers who had abducted seven men from an offshore oil facility. Aljazeera

November 22, 2006

Obasanjo: ‘Fifth Columnists’ Should Quit PDP Now
President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be vigilant against those he described as “adversaries and fifth columnists” ThisDay

Presidency, US Pledge to Strengthen Democracy
President Olusegun Obasanjo has said his administration would leave no stone unturned to strengthen democracy and its institutions in the country, just as the United States pledged to support the transition programme ThisDay

I Remain Focused on My Ambition – Atiku
Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said he remained focussed on actualising his presidential dream in 2007, despite the obstacles strewn on his path. ThisDay

UK: Why Foreign Investors Are Hesitant on Nigeria
The United Kingdom yesterday said, President Olusegun Obasanjo's aggressive diplomatic shuttle to attract foreign direct investment into Nigeria, has not yielded the expected result ThisDay

Nigerian professor jailed in US
A Nigerian professor based in the United States who used pepper and ants to punish one of his sons is to serve two years in prison for child abuse, despite pleas by two of his children and ex-wife. Hinds County Circuit...Tribune

INEC has registered 2 million voters - Iwu
THE Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)...Tribune

Atiku: No going back on Saturday’s declaration - May run on AC/ANPP ticket
THE Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday said he was not prepared to change his mind on his proposed formal declaration for the 2007 presidential race scheduled for Saturday. Atiku’s...Tribune

2007: Obj predicts doom if PDP loses
•I remain focused – Atiku
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday alleged infiltration by those he called "fifth columnist" into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) even as he warned that it will be "calamitous" for Nigeria if the party failed to retain power in 2007.President Obasanjo who spoke at the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party alleged that some PDP chieftains were already paid to work against the party ahead 2007 elections. .....>>Champion

INEC to engage 500,000
INDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission (INEC) has engaged the services of 500,000 ad hoc staff for the conduct of April 2007 general elections.The body has also fixed 8 a.m to 4 p.m. as voting hours during the election while two hours each day have been earmarked for the recharging of machines.INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu stated this yesterday in Abuja where he accused some politicians of plotting to rig the elections.. ....>>Champion

PDP plots to replace Atiku, lobbies N-Assembly * My Saturday declaration on course, says Atiku
ABUJA — THE leadership of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has decided to replace Vice President Atiku Abubakar as he prepares to formally declare on Saturday to........Vanguard

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigerian Minister Defends Government's Corruption Policy
Nigeria’s information minister Frank Nweke says corruption is a worldwide thing that is not limited to Nigeria or Africa. He says President Olusegun Obasanjo has been fighting corruption in an unprecedented way. Nweke rejects any suggestion that corruption is rampant in Nigeria. VoiceOfAmerica

Rwanda fury at call for Kagame trial
Rwanda dismisses a French judge's claims implicating the Rwandan president in the 1994 killing of his predecessor. BBC

New bid to solve Darfur impasse
Several African leaders meet in Libya to try to find a solution to the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region. BBC

BBC

African leaders hold mini-summit on Darfur
TRIPOLI, Libya (Reuters) -- Six African leaders met Tuesday to try to advance peace efforts in Darfur and repair frayed ties between neighbors Sudan and Chad, whose border region has been destabilized by Darfur's worsening violence. CNN

November 21, 2006

Security alert: Obasanjo, Atiku's aides in fresh row * Three million man-match to force Atiku's impeachment Monday
ABUJA— CLAIMS by the Atiku Abubakar political camp that his life was in danger have sparked a fresh row between the group and that of President Olusegun Obasanjo with an ally of the Vice President saying he (VP) was ...................Vanguard

Getting Obasanjo's successor won't come easy —ODILI
LAGOS— GOVERNOR Peter Odili of Rivers State and presidential aspirant of the PDP gave reasons yesterday why it appeared “difficult” to find a suitable successor to President Olusegun Obasanjo...................Vanguard

Ladoja: Hearing on 18 lawmakers' suit begins today
IBADAN— hearing in the suit filed by the 18 pro-Adedibu lawmakers of the Oyo State House of Assembly challenging the nullification of the controversial impeachment of Senator Rashidi Ladoja by an appellate court on ..................Vanguard

Obasanjo: There’s No Threat to Atiku’s Life
President Olusegun Oba-sanjo yesterday dismissed as mere rumour the alleged threats to the life of his deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ThisDay

Nnamani Warns Against Flawed Polls
Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, yesterday issued a warning on the consequences that await the African continent, should there be anarchy arising from the conduct of next year’s general elections in Nigeria. ThisDay

Masari: Govs are Victims of Own Creation
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, has said though the current spate of impeachment in the country constitutes serious threat to the survival of democracy, but the governors are victims of their own creations. ThisDay

Ladoja: Supreme Court Battle Starts Today
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) , Justice Salihu Alfa Modibbo Belgore, will today lead judges of the apex court to start hearing the appeal filed by the 18 pro-Adedibu lawmakers, ThisDay

2007: IBB Not a Threat, Says Buhari
Former Head of State and Presidential aspirant of All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), General Moham-med Buhari, ThisDay

Congress: Battle Moves to PDP NEC
Political gladiators in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would today take the battle for control of delegates to the congresses and convention to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party which would hold a crucial meeting today. Thisday

Day 7: Atiku’s whereabouts still unknown - May declare presidential ambition Saturday
FOR the seventh day running, Vice President Atiku Abubakar has not made an appearance in his office and he has also not been seen in his official residence despite claims by his aides that...Tribune

Adedibu, Adeojo, Ladoja, Akala shift battle to Abuja
THE power tussle within the Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has now shifted to Abuja with Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu leading the 18 pro-Akala lawmakers to the Federal Capital Tribune

Passengers desert airport - Over bomb scare
THE Murtala Muhammed Airport, local wing, Lagos, was on Monday deserted by passengers following the reported discovery of bombs in an aircraft of one of the domestic airlines...Tribune

I’ll Pursue My Case Against IBB...
Lagos lawyer and human rights defender, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), has restated his resolve to pursue his court case against...Daily Independent

2007 election: Senate President Seeks Foreign...
Senate President, Ken Nnamani, on Monday urged the European Union (EU) Parliament to help Nigeria conduct the coming elections because its...Daily Independent

Starcrest, Addax Oil Deal Not...
Acquisition of interest in oil prospecting licence (OPL) 291 by Addax Petroleum gels with industry standards, Minister of State...Daily Independent

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

Nigeria scams 'cost UK billions'
Financial crime in the UK stemming from Nigeria involves "billions of pounds" but not enough is being done to stop it, a report has concluded. BBC

Vote Counting Shows Tight Race in Mauritania
Vote-counting has started in Mauritania's post-coup legislative and municipal elections, and early indications are that opposition parties have done well in some areas. VoiceOfAmerica

Kissinger: Victory in Iraq no longer possible
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A U.S. victory in Iraq is no longer possible under the conditions the Bush administration hopes to achieve, but a quick withdrawal of American troops would have "disastrous consequences," former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said Sunday. CNN

Netherlands moves to ban burqa
The Dutch government has said it intends to ban the wearing of burqas and other Muslim full-face veils in public, justifying the move on security grounds. Aljazeera

November 20, 2006

100 Bellview passengers escape death - Bomb found at check-in point - Bomber arrested
WHAT could have been another disaster in the aviation industry was averted on Saturday as security operatives intercepted...Tribune

FG probes minister, Kupolokun, others - Over N12bn oil block scandal
SHOCKED by the discovery of a N12 billion scandal in the oil sector, the Federal Government has launched an internal probe of the..Tribune

EFCC takes over Dariye’s properties
FOLLOWING the impeachment of Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State last week, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)...Tribune

Why Atiku Left Aso Rock
Vice-President Atiku Ab-ubakar, weekend moved out of his official residence in the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, in order to get the needed sanctuary to thra... ThisDay

Security Intercepts Explosives at Lagos Airport
But for providence, the beleaguered aviation industry would have witnessed yet another sad commentary after the fatal ADC crash, when a man, attempted... ThisDay

Senate May Give INEC More Time
Voters’ Registration The Senate may keep its planned legislative actions against the Independent National Electoral Comm-ission (INEC), in abeyance t... ThisDay

Plot to blow up Bellview plane foiled * Man caught trying to smuggle explosives into Abuja-bound flight
LAGOS — BUT for the vigilance of security men at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, the nation would have recorded yet another air disaster on Saturday. Security men of the Federal Airports Authority ................Vanguard

PDP primaries: Upset in Ekiti, Anambra
RESULTS from PDP House of Assembly primaries held in many states of the federation, weekend, are showing some upsets. Vanguard

I Will Shame My Critics – Iwu
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu, at the weekend in Abuja said he...Daily Independent

CBN Pegs Bureau De Change Forex Sale At...
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has pegged the maximum amount of foreign exchange (forex) that can be sold per transaction...Daily Independent

Atiku alleges assassination plot
*Reveals plan to rope him in phantom coup
*May be denied declaration venue
Vice President Atiku Abubakar left his official quarters at the weekend, claiming his life had been threatened. His planned declaration may suffer a setback as a venue for the event has not yet been secured, sources in his campaign organization said. The presidency said it has nothing to do with the claimed threat. The source close to the Vice President said ...Daily Trust

... he is crying wolf - Presidency
There is no threat to the vice president’s life and there is no plan to arrest him or scuttle his planned declaration for the top job, the presidency said yesterday. Mallam Uba Sani, Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, said.... Daily Trust

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Read all the NigerianNews letters to the editor
NigerianNews Letters

NIGERIA PERISCOPES THE WORLD

African flood rescue gathers pace
Aid agencies launch a relief operation to help 1.8 million people affected by floods in the Horn of Africa. BBC

Forces Loyal to Government, Renegade General Clash in Madagascar
Authorities in Madagascar say government forces and troops loyal to a renegade army general clashed at a military base, killing one soldier. VoiceOfAmerica

Madonna adoption dad weds girlfriend
LILONGWE, Malawi (Reuters) -- The father of the African boy Madonna wants to adopt was enjoying his honeymoon on Sunday after marrying his pregnant girlfriend in a colorful ceremony attended by relatives and villagers in Malawi.CNN

Gaddafi: Oil behind Darfur crisis
Muammar Gaddafi has accused the West of trying to grab Sudan's oil wealth with its plan to send UN troops to Darfur. Aljazeera

November 19, 2006

Atiku packs out of Aso Rock - Whereabouts unknown
LESS than a week to the planned declaration of Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the 2007 presidential race, he, over the weekend, packed his belongings from his office and official...Tribune

2007: Reps reject IBB, as students’ body vows to stop him
There are strong indications that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives may have rejected the candidature of the former Military President...Tribune

Nine feared dead in PDP House of Assembly primaries in Rivers
Violence rocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State House of Assembly primaries in Rivers State during which more than nine persons were feared dead in different parts of the state...Tribune

ADC Crash: FG Grounds Sosoliso, 3 Others
The Federal Government at the weekend suspended the operating licences of four airlines - Sosoliso Airlines, Fresh Airlines, Space World and Nicon Air... ThisDay

Adedibu Woos Governors to Stop Ladoja
Strongman of Oyo State politics, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu has been mounting pressures on some governors perceived to have the ears of the Presidency to persuade President Olusegun Obasanjo not to allow Senator Rashidi Ladoja return to the state house even if the Supreme Court judgment favours him. ThisDay

Again, Violence Rocks PDP Congress
Like what obtained in some states during the ward congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) two weeks ago, violence also trailed yesterday's Lo... ThisDay

Be Innovative, Obasanjo Charges Universities
President Olusegun Obasanjo has charged universities in the country to be innovative and creative about raising funds.Obasanjo was speaking in Ibadan ... ThisDay

PDP presidential campaigns get dirtier
BACK stabbing, betrayal, late minute re-arrangement and insider dealings may be employed by interest groups within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to shove out some of the aspirants jostling to replace President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007. The party has scheduled its convention for December 16, 2006 and it is expected that the presidential candidate would emerge there from. Already, palpable fear has gripped some of the aspirants, who are being alleged to have been involved in one act of misdmeanor or another, as defined by the leadership of the party..