APC is broke, says national chairman

APC is broke, says national chairman

January 25, 2016

The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Monday, said the harsh economic situation in the country was beginning to affect the operations of the party. Odigie-Oyegun disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja. The chairman said in spite of of the development, the party would not seek funding from government or any of its agencies. "Yes, there has been this talk in the media about the state of our finances, but that goes to tell you that just like the economy, the party too is suffering the stress and the strains of funding just like every other institution in our polity. "It also tells you that we are not a party that will draw funds from either security votes or from any government agencies; we are working on plans to raise resources from within the membership. "The plans have matured and very soon, they will go into operation." On whether Sen. Uche Ekwunife, who defected to the APC this month from the PDP was cheated out of the race for Anambra Central seat, Odigie-Oyegun said she went through the nomination process. "It was very nice, there were two ladies. She scored less than 51 per cent which was the pass mark," he said. On allegation of selective prosecution of corrupt officers, the chairman said Nigerians should not undermine the intent of what was going on. "If we want to save this country, then, we must be serious about it. Wherever the train goes, there we will also go. "All attempt to divert attention from the reality will just not work. If you are caught with your hands in the till, then you must account for it and let me say the good thing happening now is that one or two states have started their own," he said.

UN seeks $820m to rehabilitate the displaced in Nigeria, others

UN seeks $820m to rehabilitate the displaced in Nigeria, others

January 25, 2016

The United Nations and partners are appealing for more than $820 million to help refugees and others affected by violence in Cameroon, Nigeria and Central African Republic, reports the Associated Press (AP). A UN statement, on Monday, said it was appealing for $282 million to provide protection and assistance to 1.1 million people affected by violence from Nigeria's Boko Haram extremists and malnutrition compounded by flooding and recurrent drought. The humanitarian plan also accounts for the thousands of refugees forced into Cameroon from Central African Republic because of ongoing conflict. The world body says a regional refugee response plan aims for $346 million for more than 476,000 Central African refugees and the 289,000 people hosting them in neighbouring countries. It also appeals for $200 million for 230,000 Nigerian refugees fleeing attacks and their host communities.

NSCDC arrests 3 suspects for operating illegal fuel depot

NSCDC arrests 3 suspects for operating illegal fuel depot

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command, said it had arrested three suspects for operating illegal petrol depot in the state.
The State Commandant of the corps, Mr Aliyu Yusha’u, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Kano on Tuesday, said that the suspects were arrested at Dawanau market in Dawakin -Tofa Local Government Area of the state.
He said that during the operations, the operatives of the command also recovered 240 drums of petrol, equivalent to 63, 000 litres.
Yusha’u said that the arrest of the suspects and the discovery of the illegal fuel depot were as a result of consistent surveillance mounted by the men of the command.
He promised that the command would continue to raid areas suspected of suspicious movement in order to arrest perpetrators of illegal acts for justice.
  
The commandant said that investigations were on to determine the extent of the crime by the suspects and charge them to court as soon as investigations were completed.