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Tag: atiku

  • TSA: NPA gives Atiku, Tinubu’s Intels two-week ultimatum to remit $48 million

    The face-off between the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Intels Nigeria Limited (Intels), a company co-owned by former vice president, Atiku Abubakar is not over yet.

    This is as the NPA has handed a two-week ultimatum to the company to remit an outstanding $48 million that ought to have been paid into the agency’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) in 2017.

    Intels, a logistics and facilities services provider in the maritime and oil and gas sectors, was co-founded by Gabriele Volpi, an Italian national, and former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar.

    Atiku has since sold down most of his interest in the company to the former Lagos State governor and APC national leader Bola Tinubu.

    Speaking yesterday during an interview with CNBC Africa, Managing Director of NPA, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, said Intels’ notice of termination would stand if the company fails to settle its debt.

    “I am giving Intels a possible two-week window to provide payment, two weeks from now, following which the notice of termination will not be withdrawn,” she said.

    “One of the issues we have had with Intels is their non-compliance with the TSA. As you are aware, the Nigerian government instituted the treasury single account which is the account that all revenues of government need to be paid into.

    “Intels collects revenue on behalf of the Nigeria Ports Authority and had refused to comply with TSA and kept retaining those revenues in their coffers.

    “So we insisted that they must comply, no company is above the laws of the country and we went through the whole process,” she was quoted to have said in the interview.

    She spoke further on what caused the disagreement between the maritime agency and the logistics firm, accusing the company of failing to comply with the ground rules.

    “I think it’s important for all entities operating in an environment to adhere to the rules and regulations,” she said.

    “What we seek to ensure is with you have a level playing field and you must comply to regulations. At no point was Nigeria Ports Authority not going to remit their own portion of the revenues.

    “All other third-party agreements that we have in the Nigerian Ports Authority have a similar structure, so why should Intels feel it can operate outside of the law? The other companies are complying, why don’t you comply?” She added.

    Last year, Nigerian government directed the NPA to terminate the boats pilotage monitoring and supervision agreement that the agency has with Intels Nigeria Limited.

    Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), in a letter dated September 27, 2017 Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman, said that the agreement, which has allowed Intels to receive revenue on behalf of NPA for 17 years, violates the Nigerian Constitution, especially in view of the implementation of the TSA.

    Malami said the agreement, which allowed Intels to receive revenue on behalf of NPA for 17 years, violated Sections 80(1) and 162(1) and (10) of the constitution.

    The AGF wondered if the management of the NPA and Intels did not take cognisance of the relevant provisions when negotiating the agreement in 2010.

    But Intels insisted that it had settled the dispute with NPA and was awaiting the AGF’s clearance.

    The firm admitted the infractions and apologised for its initial rejection of the regulator’s directive on the TSA, stating its readiness to comply.

    In its apology, dated October 25, 2017, Intels, through one of its directors, Silvano Bellinato, suggested that an agreement that would ensure “mutual business satisfaction” be signed between the company and NPA.

    Bellinato also sought assurances that Intels’ share of collected revenues would always be remitted to it in good time after the TSA account with the CBN is credited.

  • Ekwueme helped stabilized PDP in its trying times – Atiku

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has said the late former Vice President and elder statesman, Dr. Alex Ekwueme helped stabilized the then ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in times of crisis when it was in power.

    Atiku said this on Sunday at the Evening of Tributes in Memory of late sage at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    Recall that the late elder statesman was one of the founding fathers of the party.

    Read full tribute below:

    A Tribute To Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme (Ide) (1932-2017)

    By Atiku Abubakar, GCON, Former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, at the Evening of Tributes in Memory of late Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    28 January, 2018.

    Protocol:

    It is with a great deal of shock and disbelief that I learnt of the sudden transition to eternal glory of Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, GCON, a former Vice President of Nigeria and someone who could rightly be said to be one of the great leaders and founders of the democracy we have enjoyed in Nigeria since 1999.

    In every ramification, Dr. Ekwueme was a great man and one of those who truly loves Nigeria. Between 1998 and 1999, he labored hard mobilizing other patriotic Nigerians to found the largest political party in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which went on to win the 1999 presidential election and ushered in the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration with my humble self as the Vice President

    It should be noted that the efforts put into national mobilization and party building made it possible for the then military administration in Nigeria to hand over power to a civilian government. This is because the country’s political leadership, under the direction and guidance of late Dr. Ekwueme, late Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and others, presented a united and disciplined group that genuinely represented and mirrored the political aspirations and readiness of Nigerians for democratic rule.

    Though Dr. Ekwueme contested for the presidential ticket of the PDP for the 1999 presidential election and lost, he was never for once a bitter man. It can be said without contradiction, that there are few Nigerian politicians of the mould of late Dr. Ekwueme who play politics without bitterness in a clime such as ours where reckless political deals and betrayals tend to be common.

    Whenever there were problems in the then ruling party, the PDP until 2015, and there were many instances, it was always to the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme that the PDP and most political leaders in the country reverted to seek solution. And the late Statesman, popularly known as Ide by his admirers following his traditional title, always delivered and ensured that the problems were nipped in the bud.

    I wish to recall that long before his advent in the PDP, Dr Ekwueme, had played a crucial role in the formation and government of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and its success in the democratic process in Nigeria.

    Dr. Alex Ekwueme is a man that Nigerians, and indeed the world will always remember. He was a very accomplished person and a philosopher of good standing. His pursuit of education and scholarship was legendary and helped in shaping the colossus that he eventually became. He showed these traits at the 1994 National Constitutional Conference held in Abuja, to fashion a new Constitution for Nigeria in order to prepare the country for a return to civil rule. Ekwueme deeply reflected on the problems of Nigeria and how the country can be made to work for the good of all its citizens by putting in place a convenient political structure. As a result of his great learning and easy grasp of issues as well as his honesty, integrity and reliability, his quarters at the Constitutional Conference venue became a Mecca of sorts. There delegates representing other parts of the country sought his audience and input before they made their presentations.

    It was at that 1994 Constitutional Conference, where I was among the delegates representing Adamawa State, that the astute and cerebral Ekwueme proposed the idea of restructuring the country along geo-political lines. The six geo-political zones, which he proposed and was later adopted by all delegates, is currently in use by all Nigerians as a convenient way to easily capture and categorize the 36 States and the FCT, into which Nigeria is divided.

    Suffice it to say that late Dr. Alex Ekwueme was a man of many parts, the likes of whom are very rare and the type that societies that crave for progress and development, hanker after. He unequivocally can be referred to as one of the best presidents that Nigeria never had, bearing in mind that on about three occasions beginning from 1999, the great Ide sought to govern his beloved country.

    Dr. Alex Ekwueme is one man who leaves anyone he has met with a good and lasting impression the way he has left a lasting impression and indelible footprints in Nigerian politics and society. He will undoubtedly be sorely missed especially at a time like this when many issues on which he stood and fought, including national integration and a viable and genuine federal structure, remain unresolved. In fact, one way to immortalize this great politician and Statesman would be for all Nigerians to visit, in good faith, the issue of political restructuring and devolution of powers which the great Alex stood for before his sudden death. I believe this will make him turn with joy where he is and bless the country.

    With his demise at the ripe age of 85, all those who knew him, should be consoled that he lived a good, worthy and productive life in the service of his country.

    I extend my heartfelt condolences to his beautiful family which he loved very much, the good people of Oko and Anambra State and the fraternity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    As we mourn the passing of this great son of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, just as we mourned some other great Nigerians before him, I pray that the Almighty God continues to raise for the country, wise and responsible men and women of vision, honesty and integrity who will take the nation on the right path of progress and development. And may Nigerians also have the good fortune to recognize these quality persons to make good use of them while they are alive.

  • 2019: Group drums support for Atiku’s presidential bid

    A group, Nigerian Youth Movement for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for President in 2019, Bayelsa State chapter, yesterday called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other relevant stakeholders to support aspiration of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 election.

    Bayelsa State Coordinator/ South-South Chairman, Nigerian Youth Movement for Atiku Abubakar, Saiyou Seifa Jones, made the call in Yenagoa during the inauguration of the state exco, local government and wards coordinators of the group.

    The group said Atiku’s call for restructuring had gained for him more popularity in the country. Jones said: “Atiku Abubakar is one of the few Nigerians that has what it takes to capture power back from this desperate government. He carries the youths along and has promised to give them adequate representation in his government.”

    “Our work is to go to the 36 states of Nigeria, the 774 locals governments and the 7, 760 wards to recruit soldiers of voters to get their PVCs ready because we really want PDP to be at the top.”

  • 2019: Arewa Youths beg Atiku, Lamido, Makarfi, others to ‘step down’ for Dankwambo

    Northern youths under the aegis of Arewa Youths Coalition have called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, to drop their presidential ambition.

    The coalition asked all the presidential aspirants in the PDP to throw their weight behind the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo.

    The Northern youths said Nigeria needs a young and vibrant leader like Dankwambo who has shown example of what good leadership should be in Gombe State.

    Speaking at a rally to drum support for Dankwambo in Kaduna, on Saturday, the Chairman of the coalition, Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Jika, said “everybody in the country knows that we are not where we ought to be as a country. That is why we are here to call on Governor Dankwambo of Gombe State to come and contest and rescue our country from the myriad of challenges bedeviling us.

    “We have chosen Dankwambo because we have seen what he has done in Gombe State. He is a detribalised Nigerian. He has solutions to our economic and security challenges and he can move the country to the promised land.

    “Therefore, we are calling on other contenders within the party to put their ambition aside and support Dankwambo with their resources, contacts and everything within their possession, because PDP is one big family.”

     

  • 2019: Atiku visits Fayose, hails him for standing up to opposition roles

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday visited Ekiti State where he held talks with the state Governor, Ayo Fayose and leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    Stating why he chose to visit Ekiti first since his return to the party, Atiku said Fayose’s role as opposition leader and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum has held put the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on its toes.

    He commended Fayose for various projects being executed in the state.

    Atiku said Fayose’s popularity in Ekiti and Nigeria was not in doubt as he has been acknowledged as “frank, bold and straight forward politician.”

    He said: “Since my return to PDP, this is the first state I am visiting to consult with leadership and party members.

    “Governor Fayose and I had struck a relationship during his first tenure and I respect him for this.”

    Atiku also hailed Fayose for nominating his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as his preferred candidate for the 2018 governorship election.

    The ex-vice president said he was not in Ekiti for campaign but to consult with party leaders on the way forward.

    But Fayose, himself a presidential aspirant, used the opportunity to throw verbal missiles at former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his latest advice to President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019.

    The governor alleged that Obasanjo was aggrieved with the President because his (Obasanjo’s) ministerial nominees were rejected.

    Calling Obasanjo unprintable names, Fayose faulted the ex-President’s call for a Third Force as alternative to PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He maintained that PDP remains the most viable alternative to APC, urging Nigerians to return the party to power in 2019.

    Fayose also blasted Buhari for allegedly inflicting hardship on Nigerians.

    The Ekiti governor said exchange rate has shrunk by 45 per cent under President Buhari whom he accused of doing nothing to stop the recent killing of Nigerians in some parts of the country.

    He said every attempt to muzzle PDP would fail and predicted a landslide victory for the party in the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti.

  • Atiku condemns burning of Falae’s farm

    Atiku condemns burning of Falae’s farm

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday condemned the burning of a farm belonging to former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olu Falae, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    Atiku said in a press statement by his media office in Abuja on Tuesday that arson is a punishable offence under the law and that when the crime is aimed at destroying a private investment, it carries the additional penalty for economic sabotage.

    He said, “It is a reprehensible act of economic sabotage to wilfully set ablaze any person’s property and investments.

    “As a statesman who has worked tirelessly for this country, Chief Falae deserves a quiet and peaceful retirement and not this lot that has been characterised by kidnapping and other vices, including this arson.”

    Atiku urged the police and other relevant security agencies in the country to launch an investigation into the crime and ensure that the culprits are brought to book to serve as deterrent.

  • [Photos] Atiku graces Elder Ade Ogunbode’s 90th birthday celebration

    Former Vice President and chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party graced the 90th birthday celebration of Elder Ade Ogunbode, his former boss at the Nigeria Custom Service, at the Eagle Club, Surulere, Lagos, weekend.

    See pictures from the event below:

  • 2019: I won’t leave APC for PDP because of Atiku – Alhassan

    A die hard supporter of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan popularly called ‘Mama Taraba’ has stated that she won’t defect from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) because of her godfather (Atiku).

    The minister also pledged allegiance on President Muhammadu Buhari, saying “I am and I will continue to remain in APC.’’

    Recall that the former vice president had in December defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Since Atiku’s defection, there has been wide speculations that Alhassan, a former senator on the platform of the PDP and other allies of the former vice president would also follow suit.

    She had earlier in September said she would support Mr. Abubakar for the 2019 presidential election even if President Muhammadu Buhari decided to run.

    “Atiku is my godfather even before I joined politics,” she said in Hausa. “And again, Baba Buhari did not tell us that he is going to run in 2019.”

    “Let me tell you today that if Baba said he is going to contest in 2019, I swear to Allah, I will go before him and kneel and tell him that ‘Baba I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve your government as a minister but Baba just like you know I will support only Atiku because he is my godfather. If Atiku said he is going to contest.”

    However, speaking in a telephone interview with Premium Times, the minister said she was not forced to leave the PDP in the first place and nobody can force her to leave the APC that she now belongs as well.

    “Politics is all about interest, and nobody forced me to leave PDP to join APC, so no want will force me out of it,” she said.

    “I will continue to work for APC and that’s why I travelled out to Taraba, to campaign for our party’s candidate Sanusi Jambawaile.

    “I know many may wish to see me leaving APC, but let me assure them I will remain in APC!

    ‘’So, how can I destroy the house we collectively built?”

    Although, she declined comment on Atiku’s defection from the APC, said the party “is intact in Taraba.’’

    She added, “There is no squabble or faction, and our great party APC in Taraba is intact. That’s why we all work and campaigned together with His Excellency the former Acting Governor UTC.

    ‘’So, we are one and there is no problem as some of you thought,’’ she further stated.

  • JUST IN: Atiku’s son, Aminu surrenders child to ex-wife

    Aminu Atiku, son of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, has handed over his seven-year-old boy, Aamir, to the child’s mother, Unmi Fatima Bolori.

    Aminu left with Aamir on Wednesday afternoon, after allegedly snatching the child from his mother.

    The incident occurred at about at 1:59pm, minutes after a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court ordered Bolori to take full custody of the boy and his nine-year-old sister, Ameera.

    Earlier Aminu failed to respond to Bolori’s application for child custody which was argued by her counsel, Gloria Albert-Ekpe (Mrs.) and Ethel Okoh from Festus Keyamo Chambers.

    In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Kikelomo Ayeye upheld in part, Bolori’s nine-point ‘statement of arrangement’ for both kids.

    It ordered Aminu to pay her N250, 000 monthly for the upkeep of the children, beginning from this month. It also ordered Aminu to carry out medical insurance on the children among others.

     

    Details later…

  • Atiku’s son runs away with own child after court awards ex-wife custody of kids

    Aminu, the son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday runs away with his son, Aamir, 7, after a ruling awards the custody of the children of his failed marriage to his ex-wife, Fatima Bolori.

    Bolori alleged that Aminu snatched Aamir from her and drove off with him.

    The incident was said to have occurred at the Tinubu Magistrate Court in Lagos, about 1:59pm, minutes after Aminu lost custody of his daughter, Ameera, 9, and Aamir to Bolori.

    The Chief Magistrate, Kikelomo Ayeye, had granted Bolori full custody of the children after Aminu failed to file a response to her application for child custody.

    The court ordered Aminu to pay Bolori N250,000 monthly for the upkeep of the children, beginning from this month.

    It also ordered Aminu to, among others, carry out medical insurance on the children.

    Bolori had in November 2017 filed an application for child custody.

    Chief Magistrate Ayeye ruled: “The respondent failed to file a response.

    “In view of the deliberate absence of the respondent and his legal team, I am constrained to make these following orders in default of respondent’s presence and in the best interest of the children to wit:
    “Unmi Fatima Bolori is hereby granted full custody of Aamir Abubakar Sadiq Aminu Atiku (seven years) and Ameera Amina Atiku (nine years).
    “The applicant is allowed to reside with the children at her residence at Katampe Extension, Abuja.
    “The applicant is ordered to put the children in schools suited for their educational needs in Abuja.
    “Access is granted to the respondent to visit his children in Abuja and request for the children to spend holidays with him.
    “The respondent is ordered to pay monthly upkeep for the children in the amount of N250,000 monthly beginning January 2018.
    “The Respondent is ordered to effect medical insurance on each of the children.”