Buhari intervenes in Senate dispute to save APC’s unity

President Muhammadu Buhari (second left) with (from left) Benin’s President Boni Yayi; Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou; and Chadian President Idriss Deby after the Lake Chad Basin Commission in Abuja...yesterday.

The crisis sparked by the election of National Assembly officials was still smouldering yesterday.

President Muhammadu Buhari has invited Senator Ahmed Lawan’s Unity Forum, which is contesting the election of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President , for a meeting today.

“It is all to save the party from being factionalised,” an All Progressives Congress (APC) source said.

The meeting is expected to resolve the crisis, which deepened yesterday as:

•the APC National Working Committee called off a proposed visit by Senator Saraki; and

•some members of the Senate discovered that the chamber breached its rules in electing Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

Security expert explains why Osinbajo can't attend national security meetings for now

A security expert has explained why Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has so far not been allowed to attend any of the national security meetings President Buhari has had with Service Chiefs since he assumed power. On June 2nd and yesterday June 10th, President Buhari met with the Service Chiefs without Osinbajo and this has led to some media houses reporting that the Vice President was "locked out" from the Defence House, venue of the meetings.

A security expert explains why the pastor and lawyer can't be allowed into such meetings for now. See that after the cut...

The security expert explaned that Vice President Osinbajo is not a trained military officer and so it will take the military some time before sensitive intelligence can be shared in his presence. He also made reference to the Vice President's affiliation to Tinubu. What he said below...

"I am sure he would have been invited if he had security background. Being a Professor of Law is fine, but in terms of intelligence and access to security information, you are nowhere near the rank of Colonel or equivalent in the Nigeria Military. Look, I have watched some footages that if the VP gets to see, he would lose appetite for days. Now, we have someone who has been in luxury virtually all his life, attaining the position of VP and some people are clamouring for his presence in highly sensitive talks. The truth is that the military hierarchy would not even feel comfortable saying some things in his presence. I can tell you that they respect Prof. Osinbajo as VP but they cannot trust him with information yet.

You cannot compare him to Buhari who served in many military roles, chased away a militia that was threatening Nigeria security, overthrew a military government, became Head of State, fought corruption and went ahead to instill discipline among a stubborn citizenry. The VP would have to go through what is called ‘Stimulation’. This is a process where he is lectured on terms, dealings, operations etc. of the military. His inner strength, strong heart and ability to keep things to himself will first be put to test before he gets access to some classified materials and information. We must understand the fact that Osinbajo was a candidate promoted by Bola Tinubu (ex-Lagos Governor), he was not handpicked by Buhari. If the President had picked a vice, it is likely that such individual may get the access Osinbajo isn’t getting now. Everyone knows the VP has been loyal to Tinubu for decades and he cannot swear that he would not divulge details of these security meetings to his political godfather. So he has to earn it. Tinubu may have used his influence to put him in this position but he must draw a line between blind loyalty and national duty.” he told Daily Independent

Voting Public Decide Winner of Etisalat-Sponsored Nigerian Idol V This Week

After several months of music, hard work and tension filled shows, the on-going Etisalat sponsored Nigerian Idol is finally down to the Top 2 contestants; the small but very mighty, Dolu and the King of Fuji, K-Peace.

British woman facing imprisonment for upsetting mountain gods with her nudity & causing an earthquake

A British woman has been arrested in Malaysia for allegedly posing naked on top of a sacred mountain and upsetting mountain gods, causing a 5.9 magnitude earthquake on the mountain last Friday June 5 which killed 18 people. Eleanor Hawkins is being held with four other Westerners while they are investigated for indecent behaviour. The five face possible prison sentences. How do you blame an earthquake on someone's nakedness? Some things you hear eh...

Metro UK reports

They are believed to be part of a group of 10 people who stripped naked before taking photos at the peak of Mount Kinabalu on May 30 – an act which a senior minister in Malaysia has blamed for causing an earthquake that killed 18 climbers last week.

Miss Hawkins, a 23-year-old Southampton University graduate from Derby, was detained on Tuesday at Tawau airport as she was flying from the island of Borneo to the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Her father, Timothy Hawkins said last night: ‘We spoke to her this morning. She’s okay, she’s very scared, she’s very upset. She’s been arrested. It’s not a situation she’s been in before so it’s not good.
‘We’ve talked to the consulate and arranged a lawyer.’

Mr Hawkins, who runs a mechanical engineering business, said his daughter is ‘obviously in the photos’ but he did not want the situation to be ‘blown out of all proportion’.
‘It’s fair enough to charge for the misdemeanour committed,’ he said. ‘What we don’t want is her lumbered with further charges.’

After a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit the 13,400ft-high mountain on Friday, Sabah deputy chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan blamed the tragedy on the tourists for showing ‘disrespect to the sacred mountain’ by posing naked at the peak.

He has said a special ritual will be conducted to ‘appease the mountain spirit’ after 18 people were killed in the disaster.

Port Harcourt refinery to commence operation by end June - NNPC

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Joseph Dawha today said the refinery in Port Harcourt will start refining petroleum products by the end of this month. Dr Dawha made the announcement while inspecting some petrol stations in Abuja today. He said;

Photos: New speaker Dogara visits former PDP chairman Mu'azu

Former PDP Chairman Adamu Muazu turned a year older today June 11th and the new speaker of the Federal House of Reps, Hon Yakubu Dogara paid him a visit to felicitate with him.

Oh by the way, I was on the same flight from Paris to Lagos with Adamu Mu'azu and former president Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday. I said hello to Mu'azu and introduced myself to him but I was too scared to go near Baba ...lol...and he was sitting just two seats away from me. My first time seeing him in real life so close and I was excited...lol. Anyway, more photos after the cut...

2 teenage girls electrocuted while trying to take selfies on top of a train

In May, an 18-year-old Romanian girl died as she tried to take "the ultimate selfie" on top of a train, now these 2 teenage girls are in a serious condition after being electrocuted as they tried to take a selfie on top of a train which they though was no longer in use.

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