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Ambode, Fashola RECONCILES After Public Fight ...Fashola Did Wonders As Lagos Gov. - Ambode Praises

Ambode, Fashola RECONCILES After Public Fight ...Fashola Did Wonders As Lagos Gov. - Ambode Praises

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AMBODE FASHOLA AND NDIAT ADEBULE
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and his predecessor, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday made up with renewed commitments to collaborate for the growth and development of the state less than three weeks after they both disagreed publicly over issues of interests.

Ambode, who established the grounds for reconciliation admitted in his remarks that he was able to take off smoothly with the business of governance in the state in the last 22 months because of the achievements of Fashola during his eight years reign as governor of the state.


The governor said this at the  Government House, Alausa,  during  a  courtesy call by Fashola, who had been going round the geo-political zones in the country for project inspection.

Fashola too seized the occasion of the visit to pledge more support and collaboration with the state, even as he brought Ambode up to speed on the activities of his three-in-one ministry in the state.

Ambode said, “We want to say that whatever it is that we have done in the last 22 months is just more or less the fallout of the great achievements the former governor had already put in place. We have decided that we will carry on with a sense of continuity in all things that have been done.

“I had always said that what we wanted was this continuity of the last 18 years. But ours is continuity with improvement. We are happy that all that has been done in the last 22 months is just a continuation of the template the former governor left behind,” he said.

He therefore welcomed Fashola to the state. “On behalf of the people of Lagos State, I would like to wholeheartedly welcome Mr. Babatunde Fashola, my predecessor and now Minister for Works, Power and Housing and especially back to the Alausa office, where he actually left about 22 months ago.

“This is a historic moment for us, notwithstanding that the minister lives in Lagos. This is the first time he is stepping his feet into Lagos House since he left office in 2015. We need to honour him for his service to the state. We need to say a big thank you for coming back home.”

The governor commended Fashola for serving Lagos and his people meritoriously, noting that his administration “has improved on the template already laid down during the previous administration.

He explained that the sense of collaboration expressed by Fashola “is what we believe can take whatever it is that Lagos stands for forward. As you may be aware, Lagos is celebrating its 50 years of existence this year.

“The last 18 years has been so dramatic and historic in terms of the growth and development that we have seen in Lagos, commencing from 1999, when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu came into office and the eight good years spent by you and the two years we have done. So, obviously, there is a remarkable change between 1999 and now.”

On his part, Fashola, now the Minister of Works, Power & Housing, pledged support and collaboration with the state, even as he give an insight into some of the things his ministry has been doing in the state. He disclosed, for instance, that Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) could only supply Lagos State about 100 megawatts of power.

He, however, said the power supply to the state was certainly not enough, noting that the federal government “is already expanding its transmission capacity to ensure the state had more power supply,” adding that most of the power assets in the country “are in private hands,” even though the federal government “has responsibility as regards the transmission.”

He, therefore, added that the federal government “is working with the generation companies (GENCOs) to improve service to Lagos State. Already, we are expanding the transmission capacity in Ayobo and Odonguyan, where a new contract was awarded by the Federal Government this year.

“We have completed work on transmission at Alagbon. Last week, a damaged transformer was also restored to boost availability of power supply in the state. While coming here, we stopped at the Omotosho and Olorunshogo power stations, to access the performance of the facility.

“The intention is to get more power in the country. As at this morning, the power supply coming into Lagos is about 100 MW. That is certainly not enough. But we hope to improve on it.”

The minister pledged support for the power initiative, which the Ambode administration had started, noting that the federal government “is ready to assist the state government especially towards the rural area. But we want it to happen in a regulated area.”

He disclosed that the works ministry had already made representations to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on modalities to pay debts owed state governments including Lagos State for rehabilitation of federal roads over the years, reiterating that “the debts will be paid.” He also gave an assurance that the federal government would refund the sum of N51 billion it owed the state government.

He asked the state government to help establish the right of way on federal roads across the state, lamenting that trucks, businessmen and women had turned the right of way to their business zones.

“We have right of way challenges across the length and breadth of the country. We have trucks, businessmen and women trading within the federal government right of way. In Lagos State, that right of way is equivalent to 25.7 meters. We appeal to the Lagos State Government to deploy its personnel to recover the right of way for the apex government. It is unfair for traders, truck and others to convert the right of way to venue for business.”

He said the major area he had written to the state government about and “I think we have received some acknowledgement, was to set up a joint taskforce to recover the right of way around the Ebute Ero, Lagos Island. I hope that the committee will get to work.”
AMBODE FASHOLA AND NDIAT ADEBULE
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and his predecessor, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday made up with renewed commitments to collaborate for the growth and development of the state less than three weeks after they both disagreed publicly over issues of interests.

Ambode, who established the grounds for reconciliation admitted in his remarks that he was able to take off smoothly with the business of governance in the state in the last 22 months because of the achievements of Fashola during his eight years reign as governor of the state.


The governor said this at the  Government House, Alausa,  during  a  courtesy call by Fashola, who had been going round the geo-political zones in the country for project inspection.

Fashola too seized the occasion of the visit to pledge more support and collaboration with the state, even as he brought Ambode up to speed on the activities of his three-in-one ministry in the state.

Ambode said, “We want to say that whatever it is that we have done in the last 22 months is just more or less the fallout of the great achievements the former governor had already put in place. We have decided that we will carry on with a sense of continuity in all things that have been done.

“I had always said that what we wanted was this continuity of the last 18 years. But ours is continuity with improvement. We are happy that all that has been done in the last 22 months is just a continuation of the template the former governor left behind,” he said.

He therefore welcomed Fashola to the state. “On behalf of the people of Lagos State, I would like to wholeheartedly welcome Mr. Babatunde Fashola, my predecessor and now Minister for Works, Power and Housing and especially back to the Alausa office, where he actually left about 22 months ago.

“This is a historic moment for us, notwithstanding that the minister lives in Lagos. This is the first time he is stepping his feet into Lagos House since he left office in 2015. We need to honour him for his service to the state. We need to say a big thank you for coming back home.”

The governor commended Fashola for serving Lagos and his people meritoriously, noting that his administration “has improved on the template already laid down during the previous administration.

He explained that the sense of collaboration expressed by Fashola “is what we believe can take whatever it is that Lagos stands for forward. As you may be aware, Lagos is celebrating its 50 years of existence this year.

“The last 18 years has been so dramatic and historic in terms of the growth and development that we have seen in Lagos, commencing from 1999, when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu came into office and the eight good years spent by you and the two years we have done. So, obviously, there is a remarkable change between 1999 and now.”

On his part, Fashola, now the Minister of Works, Power & Housing, pledged support and collaboration with the state, even as he give an insight into some of the things his ministry has been doing in the state. He disclosed, for instance, that Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) could only supply Lagos State about 100 megawatts of power.

He, however, said the power supply to the state was certainly not enough, noting that the federal government “is already expanding its transmission capacity to ensure the state had more power supply,” adding that most of the power assets in the country “are in private hands,” even though the federal government “has responsibility as regards the transmission.”

He, therefore, added that the federal government “is working with the generation companies (GENCOs) to improve service to Lagos State. Already, we are expanding the transmission capacity in Ayobo and Odonguyan, where a new contract was awarded by the Federal Government this year.

“We have completed work on transmission at Alagbon. Last week, a damaged transformer was also restored to boost availability of power supply in the state. While coming here, we stopped at the Omotosho and Olorunshogo power stations, to access the performance of the facility.

“The intention is to get more power in the country. As at this morning, the power supply coming into Lagos is about 100 MW. That is certainly not enough. But we hope to improve on it.”

The minister pledged support for the power initiative, which the Ambode administration had started, noting that the federal government “is ready to assist the state government especially towards the rural area. But we want it to happen in a regulated area.”

He disclosed that the works ministry had already made representations to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on modalities to pay debts owed state governments including Lagos State for rehabilitation of federal roads over the years, reiterating that “the debts will be paid.” He also gave an assurance that the federal government would refund the sum of N51 billion it owed the state government.

He asked the state government to help establish the right of way on federal roads across the state, lamenting that trucks, businessmen and women had turned the right of way to their business zones.

“We have right of way challenges across the length and breadth of the country. We have trucks, businessmen and women trading within the federal government right of way. In Lagos State, that right of way is equivalent to 25.7 meters. We appeal to the Lagos State Government to deploy its personnel to recover the right of way for the apex government. It is unfair for traders, truck and others to convert the right of way to venue for business.”

He said the major area he had written to the state government about and “I think we have received some acknowledgement, was to set up a joint taskforce to recover the right of way around the Ebute Ero, Lagos Island. I hope that the committee will get to work.”
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On Return, Buhari Sets To Rejig Cabinet; CBN Gov, Fashola, 'almighty' Kyari, Babachir, Others To Be Affected, Oshiomhole, Others In

On Return, Buhari Sets To Rejig Cabinet; CBN Gov, Fashola, 'almighty' Kyari, Babachir, Others To Be Affected, Oshiomhole, Others In

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Buhari Sets To Rejig Cabinet; CBN Gov, Fashola, 'almighty' Kyari, Babachir, Others Likely Affected
A report published by News Punch yesterday over possible cabinet shake by President Muhammadu Buhari on return from United Kingdom medical vacation has just been confirmed by the renown Punch Newspaper on Sunday.

Punch Newspaper affirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari has concluded plans for a major overhaul of his administration, reliable sources in government revealed.


The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject, said the changes were going to be ‘earth-shattering’ because a few of the President’s powerful aides and prominent members of the administration would be affected. 

Findings according to Punch Newspaper also revealed that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, is likely to be affected by the changes.

A senior government official, who preferred anonymity said, “In the next few weeks, we are entering the second half of this administration. I can tell you that a major cabinet reshuffle is on the way. 

Ministerial vacancies for Kogi and Gombe states would be filled, while there would also be an exchange of portfolios.

“Some junior ministers, whose relationships with their senior counterparts are not smooth would also be redeployed.”

A source within the administration, who is privy to the details of the planned changes, said the country would soon witness greater synergy between the President and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. 

The source added that under the new scheme of things, the President intended to assign more important national duties to Osinbajo.

Buhari, who will resume duty on Monday after a 49-day medical vacation in London, is said to have been very impressed by what a source in government described as the ‘performance, competence and loyalty’ of  the Vice President, who served as Acting President while he was away.

When asked why it took the President two years to synergise fully with his deputy, the source replied that both men had  always been closer than the public knew.

“The President and the Vice President have always been on the same page. They are close. He likes to delegate tasks to the VP. 

However, not much could be done in the past because of the interference of some people close to the President. The President is determined to remove those who interfere so that his administration can build on its recent strides,” the source, who is a senior government official, said.

It was learnt on Saturday that besides filling vacancies in his cabinet, the President  would redistribute some ministerial portfolios. He may also divest the former Governor of Lagos State and current Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, of one of his portfolios.

The senior government officials who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH were however not forthcoming with the names of those likely to be affected by the changes. They said the President liked to keep such things close to his chest. However, independent findings by one of our correspondents revealed that  those to be removed may include the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; and some ministers who have been adjudged as under-performing. A former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, is expected to join the cabinet.

The source explained the criteria the President would use in reshuffling his cabinet.

He said besides measuring the performance of each cabinet member, the President would also examine the relationship between senior and junior ministers.

Currently, two states, Kogi and Gombe, have no representatives in the Federal Executive Council.

Kogi State’s position became vacant following the death of a former Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Mr. James Ocholi (SAN), in a road accident on March 6, 2016.

The Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, who hails from Gombe, left the Federal Executive Council last month when she assumed duty as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

There has been speculation since late last year that the President would carry out a major cabinet reshuffle.

In Kogi State,  it was learnt that already, there was intense rivalry among various groups to  fill the vacant slot for the state

According to a report, the Kogi East zone, where Ocholi hailed from, had expressed concern about the  delay in picking one of them to replace the late minister.

Also,  the All Progressives Congress  in Kogi West was reported to be interested in filling the vacant slot of the state.

The President,  after his return on Friday,  promised to rededicate himself to serve Nigerians.

He said  he returned on Friday deliberately so that he could continue his rest while the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo continued working.

“I deliberately came back towards the weekend so that the Vice-President will continue and I will continue to rest,” the President said.

He also took a retrospective look at his about-two-month medical sojourn in London, and declared that he had never been this sick.

His statement contrasted sharply with that of top government officials who had insisted that he was hale and hearty.

“I couldn’t recall being so sick since I was a young man, including in the military with its ups and downs,” he said.

Buhari added that He said he remained grateful to all Nigerians who had been praying for his good health.

He said the support he had received was a testimony that in spite of the hardship being experienced, Nigerians were behind the government in its efforts to tackle the country’s challenges.

Buhari’s spokesmen, Garba Shehu and Femi Adesina denied knowledge of the impending reshuffle.
Buhari Sets To Rejig Cabinet; CBN Gov, Fashola, 'almighty' Kyari, Babachir, Others Likely Affected
A report published by News Punch yesterday over possible cabinet shake by President Muhammadu Buhari on return from United Kingdom medical vacation has just been confirmed by the renown Punch Newspaper on Sunday.

Punch Newspaper affirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari has concluded plans for a major overhaul of his administration, reliable sources in government revealed.


The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject, said the changes were going to be ‘earth-shattering’ because a few of the President’s powerful aides and prominent members of the administration would be affected. 

Findings according to Punch Newspaper also revealed that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, is likely to be affected by the changes.

A senior government official, who preferred anonymity said, “In the next few weeks, we are entering the second half of this administration. I can tell you that a major cabinet reshuffle is on the way. 

Ministerial vacancies for Kogi and Gombe states would be filled, while there would also be an exchange of portfolios.

“Some junior ministers, whose relationships with their senior counterparts are not smooth would also be redeployed.”

A source within the administration, who is privy to the details of the planned changes, said the country would soon witness greater synergy between the President and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. 

The source added that under the new scheme of things, the President intended to assign more important national duties to Osinbajo.

Buhari, who will resume duty on Monday after a 49-day medical vacation in London, is said to have been very impressed by what a source in government described as the ‘performance, competence and loyalty’ of  the Vice President, who served as Acting President while he was away.

When asked why it took the President two years to synergise fully with his deputy, the source replied that both men had  always been closer than the public knew.

“The President and the Vice President have always been on the same page. They are close. He likes to delegate tasks to the VP. 

However, not much could be done in the past because of the interference of some people close to the President. The President is determined to remove those who interfere so that his administration can build on its recent strides,” the source, who is a senior government official, said.

It was learnt on Saturday that besides filling vacancies in his cabinet, the President  would redistribute some ministerial portfolios. He may also divest the former Governor of Lagos State and current Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, of one of his portfolios.

The senior government officials who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH were however not forthcoming with the names of those likely to be affected by the changes. They said the President liked to keep such things close to his chest. However, independent findings by one of our correspondents revealed that  those to be removed may include the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; and some ministers who have been adjudged as under-performing. A former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, is expected to join the cabinet.

The source explained the criteria the President would use in reshuffling his cabinet.

He said besides measuring the performance of each cabinet member, the President would also examine the relationship between senior and junior ministers.

Currently, two states, Kogi and Gombe, have no representatives in the Federal Executive Council.

Kogi State’s position became vacant following the death of a former Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Mr. James Ocholi (SAN), in a road accident on March 6, 2016.

The Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, who hails from Gombe, left the Federal Executive Council last month when she assumed duty as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

There has been speculation since late last year that the President would carry out a major cabinet reshuffle.

In Kogi State,  it was learnt that already, there was intense rivalry among various groups to  fill the vacant slot for the state

According to a report, the Kogi East zone, where Ocholi hailed from, had expressed concern about the  delay in picking one of them to replace the late minister.

Also,  the All Progressives Congress  in Kogi West was reported to be interested in filling the vacant slot of the state.

The President,  after his return on Friday,  promised to rededicate himself to serve Nigerians.

He said  he returned on Friday deliberately so that he could continue his rest while the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo continued working.

“I deliberately came back towards the weekend so that the Vice-President will continue and I will continue to rest,” the President said.

He also took a retrospective look at his about-two-month medical sojourn in London, and declared that he had never been this sick.

His statement contrasted sharply with that of top government officials who had insisted that he was hale and hearty.

“I couldn’t recall being so sick since I was a young man, including in the military with its ups and downs,” he said.

Buhari added that He said he remained grateful to all Nigerians who had been praying for his good health.

He said the support he had received was a testimony that in spite of the hardship being experienced, Nigerians were behind the government in its efforts to tackle the country’s challenges.

Buhari’s spokesmen, Garba Shehu and Femi Adesina denied knowledge of the impending reshuffle.
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Fashola Under Immense PRESSURE, Asked To RESIGN Over Failure in Power

Fashola Under Immense PRESSURE, Asked To RESIGN Over Failure in Power

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Fashola and Buhari
Apparently disturbed by the lingering epileptic power supply in the country, particularly in the South East zone, the Campaign for Democracy, CD has given the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) up till 30 days from now to revive the ailing power sector or resign his appointment as a minister of the federal republic.

Giving the ultimatum in a press statement issued in Onitsha, Anambra state, yesterday, Mr. Dede Uzor A. Uzor, the National Publicity Secretary of CD, said Fashola has failed woefully to increase the megawatt from 4,320 where he met it since two years ago to till date. 



Minister of Power, Fashola CD noted that rather, Fashola allowed the megawatt to decrease to less than 1,000 at the moment, a situation which he said forced Nigerians to witness zero megawatt on January 30, this year with a total nationwide power blackout. 

CD suggested that the federal government should detach Works and Housing ministries from the Power ministry and handed them over to another minister to oversee, to enable Fashola concentrate only on power which is presently the most important need of every average Nigerian. 

CD also asked Fashola to make available pre-paid meters to all Nigerians, particularly in the South East region within that 30-day ultimatum period to assist in checkmating estimated and crazy bills on poverty-stricken Nigerians, so as to controvert United Nations, UN’s recent prediction that Yemen, Sudan, Nigeria, Syria and other countries would face acute food shortage in the near future
Fashola and Buhari
Apparently disturbed by the lingering epileptic power supply in the country, particularly in the South East zone, the Campaign for Democracy, CD has given the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) up till 30 days from now to revive the ailing power sector or resign his appointment as a minister of the federal republic.

Giving the ultimatum in a press statement issued in Onitsha, Anambra state, yesterday, Mr. Dede Uzor A. Uzor, the National Publicity Secretary of CD, said Fashola has failed woefully to increase the megawatt from 4,320 where he met it since two years ago to till date. 



Minister of Power, Fashola CD noted that rather, Fashola allowed the megawatt to decrease to less than 1,000 at the moment, a situation which he said forced Nigerians to witness zero megawatt on January 30, this year with a total nationwide power blackout. 

CD suggested that the federal government should detach Works and Housing ministries from the Power ministry and handed them over to another minister to oversee, to enable Fashola concentrate only on power which is presently the most important need of every average Nigerian. 

CD also asked Fashola to make available pre-paid meters to all Nigerians, particularly in the South East region within that 30-day ultimatum period to assist in checkmating estimated and crazy bills on poverty-stricken Nigerians, so as to controvert United Nations, UN’s recent prediction that Yemen, Sudan, Nigeria, Syria and other countries would face acute food shortage in the near future
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Ambode Creating Storm In A Tea Cup - Fashola Explodes; Reveals Delay in Airport Road approval, List Several FG Approvals Granted Lagos

Ambode Creating Storm In A Tea Cup - Fashola Explodes; Reveals Delay in Airport Road approval, List Several FG Approvals Granted Lagos

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Fashola and ambode
Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola yesterday denied frustrating the government of Lagos State’s  efforts to rebuild the International Airport /Oshodi Road.

His ministry has presented the state government's request to the Federal Executive Council, stressing that he was following the due process.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode spoke on Wednesday of his administration’s battle to get the green light to rebuild the road, which he described as “a disgrace”. The Federal ministry of Works, he said,  was frustrating the efforts to take over the all-important road.

Fashola said in a statement by his media aide, Hakeem Bello, that he had explained the processes to the governor, adding that equating processes to a lack of cooperation is akin to creating a storm in a tea cup.

Dismissing the governor’s allegation of non-cooperation, he listed some requests the ministry had granted to the state government since he assumed office.

Fashola alleged that the state government had refused to provide land for the take off of the National Housing Programme in the state.

He explained that he decided to respond to the governor’s allegation to ensure that members of the public are not misled by deliberate or inadvertent mis-statements.’

The statement reads: “The allegations of lack of cooperation from the Ministry and frustration of Lagos State Government development initiatives are simply not true and the facts do not bear them out.

“In 2016, the Hon Minister for Power Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji  Fashola, SAN, approved the use of the Federal Ministry of Works yard at Oworonsoki for Lagos State Government to create a lay-by to ease traffic.

“The Hon Minister also approved that Lagos State be granted the Rights to manage the Street Lighting on the 3rd Mainland Bridge to support the security initiatives of the State, a request which the previous Federal Government administration had denied Lagos State for years.

“During the same year, the Hon Minister also supported the approval of the World Bank Loan of $200m to Lagos State, again a request the previous administration had denied Lagos State.

“As far as International Airport Road which is currently the ground for alleged “frustration” is concerned, the correct position is that the Lagos State Government presented a  request for four roads that it would wish to take over.

“This is consistent with the position being canvassed by the Hon Minisiter for states who are interested to apply to take over roads that are within their states.

“The Ministry has presented the Memorandum conveying the request of the Lagos State government to the Federal Executive Council as was done with a similar request by the Kaduna State government in 2016.

“Due to the fact that two of the roads also connect Ogun State, the Federal Executive Council could not reach an immediate decision on them because it requested the input of the other state government affected.

“The Kaduna State government requested the Federal Government to transfer two roads within Kaduna Metropolis to the state in November 2015. Due process was followed and the request of the state government was approved in August 2016, a period of ten months.

“Federal Executive Councill Memorandum are debated and commented upon by all members and in cases of roads, surveys, maps and other material have to be provided to assist members understand the location and connectivity of the roads, (in this case Four roads), in order to assist how they vote on the Memorandum.

“As far as the Presidential Lodge is concerned, it is under the management of the Presidency and not the Ministry.

“After the approval by Mr President that the Presidential Lodge be handed over to the State Government, there was a directive to the Ministry to work out the modalities for handing over.

“The ministry has prepared a vesting instrument to convey the transfer and all that is needed is a survey plan.

“The Presidential Lodge is a high security location and officials of the Ministry also require security clearance to enter in order to do any works.

“Access to the lodge is not under the control of the Ministry.The motive behind this public accusations must therefore be scrutinised coming barely a week after the governor spoke with the Honorable Minister, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN on the outstanding requests of the State for several minutes and the Minister took time to explain the situation of things to the governor. (The first telephone conversation the governor has had with the minister since May 29, 2015).

“If there is any lack of co-operation it is on the part of the state government that has refused to acknowledge not to talk of approving the Ministry’s request for Land of the National Housing Programme in Lagos.

“The ministry is not frustrated by this lack of response and remains optimistic that a response will come from Lagos State.

“The ministry remains committed to serving the government and good people of Lagos and will treat all their requests on merit and in accordance with necessary due process as will be done to other states.

“As far as the refund of N51Billion is concerned, this is not a new item. Almost all if not all states have these claims and the Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing has verified these claims.

“What is left is the process of raising the finance to pay the debt owed to the States.

“Those who are familiar with the workings of Government will attest to the fact that it is an intricate sequence of processses, consultation and collaboration.

“Equating processes to a lack of co-operation is therefore akin to creating a storm in a tea cup.”

Fashola and ambode
Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola yesterday denied frustrating the government of Lagos State’s  efforts to rebuild the International Airport /Oshodi Road.

His ministry has presented the state government's request to the Federal Executive Council, stressing that he was following the due process.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode spoke on Wednesday of his administration’s battle to get the green light to rebuild the road, which he described as “a disgrace”. The Federal ministry of Works, he said,  was frustrating the efforts to take over the all-important road.

Fashola said in a statement by his media aide, Hakeem Bello, that he had explained the processes to the governor, adding that equating processes to a lack of cooperation is akin to creating a storm in a tea cup.

Dismissing the governor’s allegation of non-cooperation, he listed some requests the ministry had granted to the state government since he assumed office.

Fashola alleged that the state government had refused to provide land for the take off of the National Housing Programme in the state.

He explained that he decided to respond to the governor’s allegation to ensure that members of the public are not misled by deliberate or inadvertent mis-statements.’

The statement reads: “The allegations of lack of cooperation from the Ministry and frustration of Lagos State Government development initiatives are simply not true and the facts do not bear them out.

“In 2016, the Hon Minister for Power Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji  Fashola, SAN, approved the use of the Federal Ministry of Works yard at Oworonsoki for Lagos State Government to create a lay-by to ease traffic.

“The Hon Minister also approved that Lagos State be granted the Rights to manage the Street Lighting on the 3rd Mainland Bridge to support the security initiatives of the State, a request which the previous Federal Government administration had denied Lagos State for years.

“During the same year, the Hon Minister also supported the approval of the World Bank Loan of $200m to Lagos State, again a request the previous administration had denied Lagos State.

“As far as International Airport Road which is currently the ground for alleged “frustration” is concerned, the correct position is that the Lagos State Government presented a  request for four roads that it would wish to take over.

“This is consistent with the position being canvassed by the Hon Minisiter for states who are interested to apply to take over roads that are within their states.

“The Ministry has presented the Memorandum conveying the request of the Lagos State government to the Federal Executive Council as was done with a similar request by the Kaduna State government in 2016.

“Due to the fact that two of the roads also connect Ogun State, the Federal Executive Council could not reach an immediate decision on them because it requested the input of the other state government affected.

“The Kaduna State government requested the Federal Government to transfer two roads within Kaduna Metropolis to the state in November 2015. Due process was followed and the request of the state government was approved in August 2016, a period of ten months.

“Federal Executive Councill Memorandum are debated and commented upon by all members and in cases of roads, surveys, maps and other material have to be provided to assist members understand the location and connectivity of the roads, (in this case Four roads), in order to assist how they vote on the Memorandum.

“As far as the Presidential Lodge is concerned, it is under the management of the Presidency and not the Ministry.

“After the approval by Mr President that the Presidential Lodge be handed over to the State Government, there was a directive to the Ministry to work out the modalities for handing over.

“The ministry has prepared a vesting instrument to convey the transfer and all that is needed is a survey plan.

“The Presidential Lodge is a high security location and officials of the Ministry also require security clearance to enter in order to do any works.

“Access to the lodge is not under the control of the Ministry.The motive behind this public accusations must therefore be scrutinised coming barely a week after the governor spoke with the Honorable Minister, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN on the outstanding requests of the State for several minutes and the Minister took time to explain the situation of things to the governor. (The first telephone conversation the governor has had with the minister since May 29, 2015).

“If there is any lack of co-operation it is on the part of the state government that has refused to acknowledge not to talk of approving the Ministry’s request for Land of the National Housing Programme in Lagos.

“The ministry is not frustrated by this lack of response and remains optimistic that a response will come from Lagos State.

“The ministry remains committed to serving the government and good people of Lagos and will treat all their requests on merit and in accordance with necessary due process as will be done to other states.

“As far as the refund of N51Billion is concerned, this is not a new item. Almost all if not all states have these claims and the Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing has verified these claims.

“What is left is the process of raising the finance to pay the debt owed to the States.

“Those who are familiar with the workings of Government will attest to the fact that it is an intricate sequence of processses, consultation and collaboration.

“Equating processes to a lack of co-operation is therefore akin to creating a storm in a tea cup.”

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Fashola's Ministry Frustrating Me Over Road Construction, Presidential Lodge - Ambode Cries Out

Fashola's Ministry Frustrating Me Over Road Construction, Presidential Lodge - Ambode Cries Out

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The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has said his administration’s effort to reconstruct the International Airport Road from Oshodi is being frustrated by the Federal Ministry of Works.

Ambode spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday, after carrying out an extensive inspection of some critical projects in the state, noting that the present state of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road was a national disgrace and required immediate attention.

He said, “The road linking Oshodi to the International Airport is a national embarrassment. In the spirit of the regeneration and urbanisation that this administration has set out to achieve, we believe that the road must be repaired.


“We took it upon ourselves that the House of Assembly should approve the total reconstruction of the Airport Road from Oshodi to the International Airport in the 2017 budget. Every plan has been completed, but we are having challenges with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.”

Ambode also expressed frustration that six months after President Muhammadu Buhari approved the handing over of the Presidential Lodge in Marina, the state government had yet to gain access into the premises.

“We plan that by May 27, 2017, we should be able to invite Mr. President and other people to that Presidential Lodge for the final banquet and dinner to mark Lagos@50.

“As we speak,  we have yet to gain entrance into that place and this is frustrating our programme. The approval of Mr. President should be honoured and the agencies concerned – the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the security services – should honour the promise made by Mr. President.”

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has said his administration’s effort to reconstruct the International Airport Road from Oshodi is being frustrated by the Federal Ministry of Works.

Ambode spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday, after carrying out an extensive inspection of some critical projects in the state, noting that the present state of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road was a national disgrace and required immediate attention.

He said, “The road linking Oshodi to the International Airport is a national embarrassment. In the spirit of the regeneration and urbanisation that this administration has set out to achieve, we believe that the road must be repaired.


“We took it upon ourselves that the House of Assembly should approve the total reconstruction of the Airport Road from Oshodi to the International Airport in the 2017 budget. Every plan has been completed, but we are having challenges with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.”

Ambode also expressed frustration that six months after President Muhammadu Buhari approved the handing over of the Presidential Lodge in Marina, the state government had yet to gain access into the premises.

“We plan that by May 27, 2017, we should be able to invite Mr. President and other people to that Presidential Lodge for the final banquet and dinner to mark Lagos@50.

“As we speak,  we have yet to gain entrance into that place and this is frustrating our programme. The approval of Mr. President should be honoured and the agencies concerned – the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the security services – should honour the promise made by Mr. President.”

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AGF Report INDICTS Lai Mohammed, Fashola, Ngige, 14 Others' Ministries In N24.3 Billion 'Fraud'

AGF Report INDICTS Lai Mohammed, Fashola, Ngige, 14 Others' Ministries In N24.3 Billion 'Fraud'

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Fashola, Lai Mohammaed and Ngige
An annual report from the office of the Auditor General has indicted many ministries including the Ministry of Information and Culture of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Works, Power and Housing Ministry of Babatunde Raji Fashola, Dr. Chris Ngige's Labour and Productivity ministry among others.

According to the Auditor General's report as published by Daily Trust,  the Ministry of Information and Culture failed to account for the sum of N561.6m.

The report revealed that the infractions were perpetrated by top government officials between January and December 31, 2015. 


The report further detailed that the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing also misappropriated N9.2billion; Aviation - N702 million; Water Resources - N3.4 billion; Foreign Affairs -  N4.4 million; Labour and Employment - N84.7 million.

Others are Ministry of Petroleum Resources - N1.7 billion; Women Affairs - N20 million; Solid Minerals Development - N37.6 million; Transport -N87.8 million; Environment - N86.5 million and Niger Delta Affairs - N1.9 billion. 

Ministry of Defence - N2.692bn; defunct Ministry of Police Affairs - N1.839bn; Youths and Sports Development - N1.144bn; Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment - N1.076.bn, and the Ministry of Finance - N22.103m.

The report submitted to the National Assembly has since been assigned to the Senate Committee on Public Accounts for further action. 

The Auditor-General queried the Ministry of Aviation for spending N427 million on the procurement of Navigational Aids/spare parts and maintenance services without approval. 

“Scrutiny of the capital appropriation document revealed a zero budget allocation for the purchase of Air Navigation equipment with code number 23010131. This constituted a gross violation and distortion of the Appropriation Act,”  the report said. 

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry has been requested to furnish the Auditor-General with the statutory financial instrument of the National Assembly authorizing the expenditure. 

“In addition, the responsible officials involved in the authorization and disbursement of the fund should be held liable for lack of due diligence, “it said. 

The Auditor-General observed that 51 recurrent expenditure account items, mainly local and international travels amounting to N147million were inappropriately charged to the Capital Development Account of the Ministry of Aviation. 

“The Permanent Secretary has been asked to explain the circumstances that warranted the Ministry’s misapplication of capital development fund for expenditure which appears at variance with the Appropriation Act and extant.” It directed that the amounts involved should be recovered and recovery particulars forwarded to the Auditor-General for verification. 


Fashola, Lai Mohammaed and Ngige
An annual report from the office of the Auditor General has indicted many ministries including the Ministry of Information and Culture of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Works, Power and Housing Ministry of Babatunde Raji Fashola, Dr. Chris Ngige's Labour and Productivity ministry among others.

According to the Auditor General's report as published by Daily Trust,  the Ministry of Information and Culture failed to account for the sum of N561.6m.

The report revealed that the infractions were perpetrated by top government officials between January and December 31, 2015. 


The report further detailed that the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing also misappropriated N9.2billion; Aviation - N702 million; Water Resources - N3.4 billion; Foreign Affairs -  N4.4 million; Labour and Employment - N84.7 million.

Others are Ministry of Petroleum Resources - N1.7 billion; Women Affairs - N20 million; Solid Minerals Development - N37.6 million; Transport -N87.8 million; Environment - N86.5 million and Niger Delta Affairs - N1.9 billion. 

Ministry of Defence - N2.692bn; defunct Ministry of Police Affairs - N1.839bn; Youths and Sports Development - N1.144bn; Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment - N1.076.bn, and the Ministry of Finance - N22.103m.

The report submitted to the National Assembly has since been assigned to the Senate Committee on Public Accounts for further action. 

The Auditor-General queried the Ministry of Aviation for spending N427 million on the procurement of Navigational Aids/spare parts and maintenance services without approval. 

“Scrutiny of the capital appropriation document revealed a zero budget allocation for the purchase of Air Navigation equipment with code number 23010131. This constituted a gross violation and distortion of the Appropriation Act,”  the report said. 

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry has been requested to furnish the Auditor-General with the statutory financial instrument of the National Assembly authorizing the expenditure. 

“In addition, the responsible officials involved in the authorization and disbursement of the fund should be held liable for lack of due diligence, “it said. 

The Auditor-General observed that 51 recurrent expenditure account items, mainly local and international travels amounting to N147million were inappropriately charged to the Capital Development Account of the Ministry of Aviation. 

“The Permanent Secretary has been asked to explain the circumstances that warranted the Ministry’s misapplication of capital development fund for expenditure which appears at variance with the Appropriation Act and extant.” It directed that the amounts involved should be recovered and recovery particulars forwarded to the Auditor-General for verification. 


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Poor Electricity: FG SACKS Abubakar Atiku As NASS Summons Fashola

Poor Electricity: FG SACKS Abubakar Atiku As NASS Summons Fashola

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Poor Electricity: FG SACKS Abubakar Atiku As NASS Summons Fashola
The leadership crisis rocking the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) yesterday took a new dimension as Federal Government announced the ‘removal’ of its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Abubakar Atiku. 

Atiku, who was replaced with a chartered Accountant, Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed, was appointed CEO last year after the Canadian consulting company, Manitoba Hydro International, stopped running TCN late last year.

Following Atiku’s removal, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Power, yesterday summoned Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, over the sudden change in the leadership of TCN and its attendant crisis. However, sources from the TCN headquarters in Abuja alleged that Atiku was relieved of his duties for ‘inefficiency’.


The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the National Union of Electricity Employee (NUEE), had on Wednesday, protested the alleged plan by Fashola to remove Atiku. According to the union, Atiku was allegedly removed to pave way for a government appointee to manage the alleged $364 million World Bank loan.

Before his removal, Atiku had briefed the press, stating that the market operators owed Transition Company over N100 billion. However, a statement to justify Atiku’s removal was signed yesterday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr. Louis Edozie.

The statement read: “The Federal Government has approved the secondment of Usman Gur Mohammed from the African Development Bank (AfDB), as the interim Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).” While justifying Mohammed’s appointment, Edozie said: “Nigeria’s power sector is in transition from a vertically integrated government owned statutory monopoly to an industry in which private and publicly owned companies interact through contracts under the regulation of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

“Since 2013, the generation companies who produce the electricity we all consume and the distribution companies who deliver it to our homes, industries and businesses, are now being mainly privatelyowned companies.

“TCN, which transmits the electricity from the generation companies to the distribution companies for onward delivery and sale to customers, is currently owned by Federal Government of Nigeria FGN). In this role TCN operates two important licenses issued by NERC.

“As the Transmission Services Provider (TSP), TCN owns and operates the 132KV and 330KV high tension transmission lines and the 330/132/33KV substations that make up Nigeria’s national grid.

“As the Independent Systems Operator (ISO), TCN monitors and controls the national grid and when and how the power stations, which are owned by different companies, can supply electricity for delivery to distribution companies in a safe and orderly way.

TCN charges the distribution companies for these services.From 2012 to 2016 Manitoba Hydro International of Canada ran TCN as a management contractor.

With the exit of Manitoba, Mohammed comes with a clear mandate to review, validate and implement the best management structure, strategy, business plan and processes to take TCN, both TSP and ISO, to the next level of operational effectiveness.

“Mohammed has resumed duty with a 12 month non-extendable deadline to complete his transformational mandate and set TSP and ISO on a path of greater operational efficiency and effectiveness, and enhanced responsiveness to the needs of the generation companies and distribution companies, who are TCN’s customers.”

Meanwhile, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Power noted that the minister and other relevant officials were required to appear before the committee on February 6 at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

The Joint Committee had earlier invited the minister to appear before it yesterday but he failed to honour the invitation. In a letter obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, the Joint Committee directed that the status quo ante in respect of the management of the TCN be maintained pending the outcome of the meeting of the minister with the committee. The committee also urged all staff of TCN and relevant stakeholders to maintain the peace in the overall interest of the country.

The letter, which was entitled, “The TCN leadership crisis and its effects on the power sector, was jointly signed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Daniel Asuquo.

Part of the letter reads:“The Joint Committee on Power of the National Assembly, acting on its powers of oversight, received disturbing correspondences and information regarding the sudden change in the leadership of TCN, and its attendant crisis.”

Poor Electricity: FG SACKS Abubakar Atiku As NASS Summons Fashola
The leadership crisis rocking the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) yesterday took a new dimension as Federal Government announced the ‘removal’ of its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Abubakar Atiku. 

Atiku, who was replaced with a chartered Accountant, Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed, was appointed CEO last year after the Canadian consulting company, Manitoba Hydro International, stopped running TCN late last year.

Following Atiku’s removal, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Power, yesterday summoned Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, over the sudden change in the leadership of TCN and its attendant crisis. However, sources from the TCN headquarters in Abuja alleged that Atiku was relieved of his duties for ‘inefficiency’.


The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the National Union of Electricity Employee (NUEE), had on Wednesday, protested the alleged plan by Fashola to remove Atiku. According to the union, Atiku was allegedly removed to pave way for a government appointee to manage the alleged $364 million World Bank loan.

Before his removal, Atiku had briefed the press, stating that the market operators owed Transition Company over N100 billion. However, a statement to justify Atiku’s removal was signed yesterday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr. Louis Edozie.

The statement read: “The Federal Government has approved the secondment of Usman Gur Mohammed from the African Development Bank (AfDB), as the interim Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).” While justifying Mohammed’s appointment, Edozie said: “Nigeria’s power sector is in transition from a vertically integrated government owned statutory monopoly to an industry in which private and publicly owned companies interact through contracts under the regulation of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

“Since 2013, the generation companies who produce the electricity we all consume and the distribution companies who deliver it to our homes, industries and businesses, are now being mainly privatelyowned companies.

“TCN, which transmits the electricity from the generation companies to the distribution companies for onward delivery and sale to customers, is currently owned by Federal Government of Nigeria FGN). In this role TCN operates two important licenses issued by NERC.

“As the Transmission Services Provider (TSP), TCN owns and operates the 132KV and 330KV high tension transmission lines and the 330/132/33KV substations that make up Nigeria’s national grid.

“As the Independent Systems Operator (ISO), TCN monitors and controls the national grid and when and how the power stations, which are owned by different companies, can supply electricity for delivery to distribution companies in a safe and orderly way.

TCN charges the distribution companies for these services.From 2012 to 2016 Manitoba Hydro International of Canada ran TCN as a management contractor.

With the exit of Manitoba, Mohammed comes with a clear mandate to review, validate and implement the best management structure, strategy, business plan and processes to take TCN, both TSP and ISO, to the next level of operational effectiveness.

“Mohammed has resumed duty with a 12 month non-extendable deadline to complete his transformational mandate and set TSP and ISO on a path of greater operational efficiency and effectiveness, and enhanced responsiveness to the needs of the generation companies and distribution companies, who are TCN’s customers.”

Meanwhile, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Power noted that the minister and other relevant officials were required to appear before the committee on February 6 at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

The Joint Committee had earlier invited the minister to appear before it yesterday but he failed to honour the invitation. In a letter obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, the Joint Committee directed that the status quo ante in respect of the management of the TCN be maintained pending the outcome of the meeting of the minister with the committee. The committee also urged all staff of TCN and relevant stakeholders to maintain the peace in the overall interest of the country.

The letter, which was entitled, “The TCN leadership crisis and its effects on the power sector, was jointly signed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Daniel Asuquo.

Part of the letter reads:“The Joint Committee on Power of the National Assembly, acting on its powers of oversight, received disturbing correspondences and information regarding the sudden change in the leadership of TCN, and its attendant crisis.”

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SHOCKER: Fashola Caught In Alleged N5.8b Road Contract Fraud, The Senate Sparks

SHOCKER: Fashola Caught In Alleged N5.8b Road Contract Fraud, The Senate Sparks

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Babatunde Raji Fashola
Punch Newspaper - The Senate may probe the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, headed by Mr. Babatunde Fashola and the Bureau of Public Procurement over alleged inflation of the costs of some contracts awarded by his ministry.

The lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye, who raised a point of order during the plenary on Wednesday, alleged that the BPP conspicuously changed the contractors and costs of some projects applied for by the ministry.


Melaye said, “The BPP got a letter from the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing for the award of two batches of contracts. The first is the award of the construction and rehabilitation of 10 roads and bridges under the 2016 budget in November, 2016. The second batch is the award of the construction of bridges and roads – 13 of them – in the 2016 budget.

“The ministry sent a letter to the BPP, asking that 10 companies, who had undergone its (the ministry’s) internal due process and technical qualification, be issued Certificate of No Objection for the award of the contracts.

“The BPP, after its diligence, wrote its first report, giving the ministry the nod. But somehow, a second letter came from the BPP, indicating ‘Revised Due Process Review.’ This is now a review of the first one.

“What caught my attention is that while the first was in compliance with what the ministry recommended, in the second letter, they (BPP) completely changed the list of the contractors.

“Not that the contractors were just changed, figures also varied. In the first batch of 10, a contract was given to new contractors, who were not assessed by the ministry. After awarding the contract to them, the initial contract awarded for the Muman-Jalingo Road in Adamawa State, was given to a new contractor at N12.8bn as against N11bn that was recommended by the ministry.

“Another contractor was also given a new contract against the recommendation of N10bn; the contract was now awarded at N14bn.”

The senator asked that he be allowed to present the matter as a motion to allow a detailed presentation and debate.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, who presided over the plenary, however, said since Melaye came under Order 42, “by our rules, we will need the leave of this Senate, so that the matter can be brought as a motion.”

The lawmakers granted the leave and Saraki proclaimed that the motion be moved on Thursday (today).
Babatunde Raji Fashola
Punch Newspaper - The Senate may probe the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, headed by Mr. Babatunde Fashola and the Bureau of Public Procurement over alleged inflation of the costs of some contracts awarded by his ministry.

The lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye, who raised a point of order during the plenary on Wednesday, alleged that the BPP conspicuously changed the contractors and costs of some projects applied for by the ministry.


Melaye said, “The BPP got a letter from the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing for the award of two batches of contracts. The first is the award of the construction and rehabilitation of 10 roads and bridges under the 2016 budget in November, 2016. The second batch is the award of the construction of bridges and roads – 13 of them – in the 2016 budget.

“The ministry sent a letter to the BPP, asking that 10 companies, who had undergone its (the ministry’s) internal due process and technical qualification, be issued Certificate of No Objection for the award of the contracts.

“The BPP, after its diligence, wrote its first report, giving the ministry the nod. But somehow, a second letter came from the BPP, indicating ‘Revised Due Process Review.’ This is now a review of the first one.

“What caught my attention is that while the first was in compliance with what the ministry recommended, in the second letter, they (BPP) completely changed the list of the contractors.

“Not that the contractors were just changed, figures also varied. In the first batch of 10, a contract was given to new contractors, who were not assessed by the ministry. After awarding the contract to them, the initial contract awarded for the Muman-Jalingo Road in Adamawa State, was given to a new contractor at N12.8bn as against N11bn that was recommended by the ministry.

“Another contractor was also given a new contract against the recommendation of N10bn; the contract was now awarded at N14bn.”

The senator asked that he be allowed to present the matter as a motion to allow a detailed presentation and debate.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, who presided over the plenary, however, said since Melaye came under Order 42, “by our rules, we will need the leave of this Senate, so that the matter can be brought as a motion.”

The lawmakers granted the leave and Saraki proclaimed that the motion be moved on Thursday (today).
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Cabals Move To Stall Looming CABINET SHAKE-UP As Buhari Pencils Down 10 Ministers For SACK, Fashola, Others Affected

Cabals Move To Stall Looming CABINET SHAKE-UP As Buhari Pencils Down 10 Ministers For SACK, Fashola, Others Affected

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Buhari Pencils Down 10 Ministers For SACK
Following reports that the Presidency was getting ready to announce a major cabinet reshuffle in the New Year, it has emerged that some forces have initiated moves aimed at stalling the plan.

Sources in the polity confirmed that immediately reports emanated that the Presidency had hinted the National Assembly of a possibility of cabinet reshuffle this January, some forces went to work with the sole aim of frustrating the plan.

It was learnt that emissaries started making moves around the power base to sell an idea aimed at postponing the cabinet change agenda.


At least 10 ministers were said to have been penciled in for change as the government of President Muhammadu Buhari was said to be looking for “more dynamic persons who can help push things through in certain sectors.”

Multiple sources confirmed that the lobbyists seeking a postponement of the cabinet change were sending emissaries to the president to put off the plan till May, when his administration would clock two years in office.

It was learnt that the lobbyists were arguing that the president needed to allow the ministers stay a bit longer till the second anniversary of his government.

Sources said the lobbyists were of the view that since the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, who is set to resume at the United Nations (UN) would not leave the government till February, the president could hold on till the end of February.

It was also gathered that some forces were of the view that to stave off the pressure for cabinet change, the president could name the nominee from Kogi and Gombe states to replace the late James Ocholi, who died in March 2016 and Amina Mohammed, who is set to resume at the UN as Deputy Secretary General.

The development is coming on the heels of further investigation which indicated that the government might have gone far with the planned reshuffle and that the names of prospective candidates were already being examined at the right quarters.

It also emerged that the government was already considering a substantive ministerial slot for Ondo State, which joined the league of states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the result of the November 26 governorship election.

Sources said part of the cabinet change was the plan to reduce the workload of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who might be asked to drop one of the ministries to be ceded to the Ondo nominee.

“The government is of the view that the workload of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing should be reduced to ensure efficiency and focus.

“The thinking is also informed by the fact that with the coming of Ondo State into the APC fold in the South-West, the ministerial nominee from the state will now head a substantive ministry,” a source  said.

Besides, it was confirmed that two senatorial districts of Kogi were already at a loggerheads over who picks the vacant ministerial slot, with Kogi West and Kogi East in intense battle.

Sources stated that with the Central senatorial district occupying the governorship seat, Kogi West and East were now struggling to secure the slot.

No fewer than five names from the two Kogi senatorial districts had been linked to the top job, sources confirmed on Monday.

A source mentioned some of the names already linked to the ministerial slot from Kogi East as including Senator Emmanuel Dangana and Mr Edward Onoja.

It was also gathered that a former running mate to the late governorship candidate of the party in the November 2015 election in Kogi, Honourable James Faleke, was also being linked to the ministerial slot.

Also being linked to the vacant ministerial slot were a former acting governor of the state, who was also a former speaker, Honourable Clarence Olafemi, as well as the senatorial chairman for the party in Kogi West, Chief Gbenga Ashagun.
Buhari Pencils Down 10 Ministers For SACK
Following reports that the Presidency was getting ready to announce a major cabinet reshuffle in the New Year, it has emerged that some forces have initiated moves aimed at stalling the plan.

Sources in the polity confirmed that immediately reports emanated that the Presidency had hinted the National Assembly of a possibility of cabinet reshuffle this January, some forces went to work with the sole aim of frustrating the plan.

It was learnt that emissaries started making moves around the power base to sell an idea aimed at postponing the cabinet change agenda.


At least 10 ministers were said to have been penciled in for change as the government of President Muhammadu Buhari was said to be looking for “more dynamic persons who can help push things through in certain sectors.”

Multiple sources confirmed that the lobbyists seeking a postponement of the cabinet change were sending emissaries to the president to put off the plan till May, when his administration would clock two years in office.

It was learnt that the lobbyists were arguing that the president needed to allow the ministers stay a bit longer till the second anniversary of his government.

Sources said the lobbyists were of the view that since the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, who is set to resume at the United Nations (UN) would not leave the government till February, the president could hold on till the end of February.

It was also gathered that some forces were of the view that to stave off the pressure for cabinet change, the president could name the nominee from Kogi and Gombe states to replace the late James Ocholi, who died in March 2016 and Amina Mohammed, who is set to resume at the UN as Deputy Secretary General.

The development is coming on the heels of further investigation which indicated that the government might have gone far with the planned reshuffle and that the names of prospective candidates were already being examined at the right quarters.

It also emerged that the government was already considering a substantive ministerial slot for Ondo State, which joined the league of states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the result of the November 26 governorship election.

Sources said part of the cabinet change was the plan to reduce the workload of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who might be asked to drop one of the ministries to be ceded to the Ondo nominee.

“The government is of the view that the workload of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing should be reduced to ensure efficiency and focus.

“The thinking is also informed by the fact that with the coming of Ondo State into the APC fold in the South-West, the ministerial nominee from the state will now head a substantive ministry,” a source  said.

Besides, it was confirmed that two senatorial districts of Kogi were already at a loggerheads over who picks the vacant ministerial slot, with Kogi West and Kogi East in intense battle.

Sources stated that with the Central senatorial district occupying the governorship seat, Kogi West and East were now struggling to secure the slot.

No fewer than five names from the two Kogi senatorial districts had been linked to the top job, sources confirmed on Monday.

A source mentioned some of the names already linked to the ministerial slot from Kogi East as including Senator Emmanuel Dangana and Mr Edward Onoja.

It was also gathered that a former running mate to the late governorship candidate of the party in the November 2015 election in Kogi, Honourable James Faleke, was also being linked to the ministerial slot.

Also being linked to the vacant ministerial slot were a former acting governor of the state, who was also a former speaker, Honourable Clarence Olafemi, as well as the senatorial chairman for the party in Kogi West, Chief Gbenga Ashagun.
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Drama As 'Fashola's Men' Embarrass VP Osinbajo, Wife At Minna

Drama As 'Fashola's Men' Embarrass VP Osinbajo, Wife At Minna

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Drama As 'Fashola's Men' Embarrass VP Osinbajo, Wife At Minna
The men at Power Holding yesterday did what they know how best to do when they abruptly switched off the power at the mid of an event attended by  the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and his wife Dolapo at Minna Niger State.

Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, of course, is the Minister of Power, steering the affairs of Nigeria ever dwindling electricity.

According to the Daily Sun, there was mild drama in Minna, capital of Niger State, yesterday, when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, accompanied by his wife, Dolapo,  got a feel of the epileptic power outage being experienced in recent times with five minutes blackout.


The occasion was the 8th Festival of Songs, organised by the Minna Choral Society, with Osinbajo, his wife and the state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, in attendance.

The well-attended festival was barely 30 minutes when power went off, throwing the entire hall into confusion. This brought the event to  a halt for five minutes.

There was uneasy calm as security agents and the state government, as well as the organisers battled to restore power.

However, when the confusion was on, governor Bello excused himself from the hall and returned to the hall after light had been restored.
The governor reportedly went to observe his prayers but the august visitors kept their cool until power was restored.

Some dignitaries at the occasion expressed disappointment at the embarrassment and blamed the organisers for relying solely on Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) as against the usual practice of getting a generator on standby whenever there is an event at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna.

Besides, the state has witnesssed epileptic power supply in recent months.

Worried by continued power outage in the state, the state government, in September, this year, negotiated with two companies from Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to build alternative power source in the state.

The state government had equally threatened to stop payment of electricity bills to the AEDC if power outages persisted.

Then, Bello said the state, which hosts three hydro power generation stations with 1,600 mega watts capacity each, should not experience such power outages. “We have demanded from electricity generating companies to allocate additional 10 per cent electricity from the national grid to the state. That is yet to yield result. We can no longer wait but take appropriate action to seek other means of steady electricity supply to our people.

“We have started talks with two electricity companies based outside the country. We will start with Minna, the state capital then, it will cut across other local government areas of the state.

“Though the president is aware of our plight, we will try, on our par,t pending when the 10 per cent additional allocation we are demanding will be allocated to us, to look for alternative way.”

Drama As 'Fashola's Men' Embarrass VP Osinbajo, Wife At Minna
The men at Power Holding yesterday did what they know how best to do when they abruptly switched off the power at the mid of an event attended by  the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and his wife Dolapo at Minna Niger State.

Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, of course, is the Minister of Power, steering the affairs of Nigeria ever dwindling electricity.

According to the Daily Sun, there was mild drama in Minna, capital of Niger State, yesterday, when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, accompanied by his wife, Dolapo,  got a feel of the epileptic power outage being experienced in recent times with five minutes blackout.


The occasion was the 8th Festival of Songs, organised by the Minna Choral Society, with Osinbajo, his wife and the state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, in attendance.

The well-attended festival was barely 30 minutes when power went off, throwing the entire hall into confusion. This brought the event to  a halt for five minutes.

There was uneasy calm as security agents and the state government, as well as the organisers battled to restore power.

However, when the confusion was on, governor Bello excused himself from the hall and returned to the hall after light had been restored.
The governor reportedly went to observe his prayers but the august visitors kept their cool until power was restored.

Some dignitaries at the occasion expressed disappointment at the embarrassment and blamed the organisers for relying solely on Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) as against the usual practice of getting a generator on standby whenever there is an event at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna.

Besides, the state has witnesssed epileptic power supply in recent months.

Worried by continued power outage in the state, the state government, in September, this year, negotiated with two companies from Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to build alternative power source in the state.

The state government had equally threatened to stop payment of electricity bills to the AEDC if power outages persisted.

Then, Bello said the state, which hosts three hydro power generation stations with 1,600 mega watts capacity each, should not experience such power outages. “We have demanded from electricity generating companies to allocate additional 10 per cent electricity from the national grid to the state. That is yet to yield result. We can no longer wait but take appropriate action to seek other means of steady electricity supply to our people.

“We have started talks with two electricity companies based outside the country. We will start with Minna, the state capital then, it will cut across other local government areas of the state.

“Though the president is aware of our plight, we will try, on our par,t pending when the 10 per cent additional allocation we are demanding will be allocated to us, to look for alternative way.”

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Ondo Election: Judge Bribery Scandal Rocks Fashola, Fayemi, Amosun

Ondo Election: Judge Bribery Scandal Rocks Fashola, Fayemi, Amosun

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Judge Bribery Scandal Rocks Fashola, Fayemi, Amosun
Just two weeks to the controversial ridden gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, his Solid Minerals counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, at a secret meeting allegedly boasted to compromise Judge handling a case involving Mr. Olusola Oke's eligibility suit.

Olusola Oke is the candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, AD. He has since been dragged to court by the Party's legal adviser in an eligibility suit.

Oke, yesterday Oke yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to caution some ministers who he said were bent on stopping him from contesting the November 26 election, The Nationa Newspaper report suggests


Addressing a news conference in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday, the Director-General of the Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation (OOCO), Mr. Bola Ilori, specifically, fingered Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, his Jigwa State counterpart who chaired the All Progressives Congress (APC) Primary Election Committee, Abubakar Badaru, Minister of Works Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Solid Minerals Kayode Fayemi and  Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosu as  arrowheads of the plot to stop him. This, said Ilori, is to pave the way for their “protégé”, APC’s Rotimi Akeredolu.

His words: “This plot to stop Chief Oke from contesting the election is simply to clear the way for their protégé, Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is also vying for the Ondo State governorship position.



“The plan of these people is to prevent Olusola Oke from contesting the election because their candidate, Akeredolu, is not in contention, having lost relevance with the people. Thus, they have resorted to lots of underhand tactics to stop him.

“We are aware of the pedigree of President Buhari, his uprightness and his zero tolerance to dirty tricks to get advantage of people, even against his avowed antagonists, but this cabal is using the paraphernalia of the Federal Government with impunity to get unsavoury advantage, thus tainting his good work.

“When they noted that Olusola Oke was becoming popular by the day while their protégé lag behind in the build-up to the election, they have resorted to series of underhand tactics to get him out of the race, thus leaving the APC candidate as the major candidate in the election, owing to the festering crisis in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

Ilori alleged that there was an attempt to award a N10 billion contract without due process to a community and plough back N7 billion out of it into APC’s plan for the election, which he claimed the APC plots to rig.

“Also, they have tried several times to compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State without success, given the media altercations between the APC and INEC of recent,” he said.

Ilori added: “Next, they have surreptitiously instigated the Legal Adviser of the Alliance for Democracy, a man who is not a candidate in the Ondo State election, to institute a suit in the court. While we are not against this action since it is the fundamental right of anybody to resort to the court as an arbiter, but we have credible information from a meeting held by this  cabal last week in Abuja, where they boasted that they would ensure that the Judge who will sit on the matter would be compromised to give ex-exparte injunction against Chief Olusola Oke.

This in itself, he noted, “amounts to double speak” from top officials of a government noted for its uprightness.

“When you accuse judges as being corrupt and you did indeed  move against some of them, isn’t it an irony that members of the same government are the ones boasting of compromising a Judge that would sit on the matter in Court? Such, Your Excellency, is the desperation of this cabal who are hell-bent on tainting your administration’s reputation.

“But their best joker, which has been lent credence to by the popular boasts in town in the past few days by Akeredolu and his minders is the ploy to instigate the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to invite and possibly detain Chief Oke days before the election over phantom allegations. Chief Olusola Oke has been severally investigated and cleared by the anti-graft agency of any financial impropriety, but of recent, they have been putting a lot of pressure on the Commission to harass him of late with a view to making him look as if he is guilty, a development which is far from the truth.”

He wondered why this renewed onslaught against Oke now that the election is two weeks away, adding : “But we are abreast of their tricks, which will continue to fail. We want to express our absolute confidence that he has nothing to fear from any anti-graft agencies, having left office on a clean slate 12 years ago and having been cleared

severally too.

“We also want to quickly tell his traducers that Olusola Oke was a part-time member of the Niger Delta Development Commission and he was never involved in any untoward activities while in office. The allegations against him are mere tissues of lies that had been found to be so by the proper authorities

“We are aware of their evil plots to perpetrate perfidy in Ondo State during the election and the people of the state are watching them keenly. We want to appeal to Mr. President to please be aware of this grand plot to harass Chief Olusola Oke, distract him from meeting the people in his campaign tours and possibly to get him disqualified through unsavory means.

“The details of all the nocturnal meeting they have been holding, we are aware. It is not a new ploy and we are abreast of it. It happened few days to the APC primaries when this same Rotimi Akeredolu wrote a petition against him in which his tissues of lies were later exposed, all to get him disqualified, because he knows that he is but a mere babe in politics and cannot win the election.

“Now, they have started again, putting pressure on INEC, the security agents, resorting to compromising the Judiciary and lately to use the EFCC to restrain restrain and frustrate him, but by the grace of God, they will fail.

“But Chief Oke is not deterred. If they like, let them dare the will of God, the consequences await them. Our people in Ondo State are watching them keenly and in the fullness of time, they will get their rewards in full if they don’t desist

“We want to commend Mr. President for his zero tolerance to perfidy and we urge him to please save our souls in Ondo State from those who say the masses shall not be allowed to live and do their things in peace.

Fayemi, Fashola: it’s not true

Fayemi’s media aide Mr. Olayinka Oyebode described his boss as a decent politician who would not be dragged into an unnecessary controversy. He said: “The Minister of Solid Minerals is a busy man. He is a focused person doing the work given to him by the President diligently. It is during election period like this that people concoct lies to malign others. We have no reply for frivolities.”

Fashola’s Media Adviser Hakeem Bello said the allegation is laughable, saying that it did not make any sense. He said: “A reporter called me last week to ask for a similar reaction. Let’s look it this way. What is the allegation about? Does it make meaning to any reasonable person? The Minister has much work to do than to be involved in what these people are saying. His priority is to stay focused on the job.”

Judge Bribery Scandal Rocks Fashola, Fayemi, Amosun
Just two weeks to the controversial ridden gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, his Solid Minerals counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, at a secret meeting allegedly boasted to compromise Judge handling a case involving Mr. Olusola Oke's eligibility suit.

Olusola Oke is the candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, AD. He has since been dragged to court by the Party's legal adviser in an eligibility suit.

Oke, yesterday Oke yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to caution some ministers who he said were bent on stopping him from contesting the November 26 election, The Nationa Newspaper report suggests


Addressing a news conference in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday, the Director-General of the Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation (OOCO), Mr. Bola Ilori, specifically, fingered Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, his Jigwa State counterpart who chaired the All Progressives Congress (APC) Primary Election Committee, Abubakar Badaru, Minister of Works Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Solid Minerals Kayode Fayemi and  Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosu as  arrowheads of the plot to stop him. This, said Ilori, is to pave the way for their “protégé”, APC’s Rotimi Akeredolu.

His words: “This plot to stop Chief Oke from contesting the election is simply to clear the way for their protégé, Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is also vying for the Ondo State governorship position.



“The plan of these people is to prevent Olusola Oke from contesting the election because their candidate, Akeredolu, is not in contention, having lost relevance with the people. Thus, they have resorted to lots of underhand tactics to stop him.

“We are aware of the pedigree of President Buhari, his uprightness and his zero tolerance to dirty tricks to get advantage of people, even against his avowed antagonists, but this cabal is using the paraphernalia of the Federal Government with impunity to get unsavoury advantage, thus tainting his good work.

“When they noted that Olusola Oke was becoming popular by the day while their protégé lag behind in the build-up to the election, they have resorted to series of underhand tactics to get him out of the race, thus leaving the APC candidate as the major candidate in the election, owing to the festering crisis in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

Ilori alleged that there was an attempt to award a N10 billion contract without due process to a community and plough back N7 billion out of it into APC’s plan for the election, which he claimed the APC plots to rig.

“Also, they have tried several times to compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State without success, given the media altercations between the APC and INEC of recent,” he said.

Ilori added: “Next, they have surreptitiously instigated the Legal Adviser of the Alliance for Democracy, a man who is not a candidate in the Ondo State election, to institute a suit in the court. While we are not against this action since it is the fundamental right of anybody to resort to the court as an arbiter, but we have credible information from a meeting held by this  cabal last week in Abuja, where they boasted that they would ensure that the Judge who will sit on the matter would be compromised to give ex-exparte injunction against Chief Olusola Oke.

This in itself, he noted, “amounts to double speak” from top officials of a government noted for its uprightness.

“When you accuse judges as being corrupt and you did indeed  move against some of them, isn’t it an irony that members of the same government are the ones boasting of compromising a Judge that would sit on the matter in Court? Such, Your Excellency, is the desperation of this cabal who are hell-bent on tainting your administration’s reputation.

“But their best joker, which has been lent credence to by the popular boasts in town in the past few days by Akeredolu and his minders is the ploy to instigate the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to invite and possibly detain Chief Oke days before the election over phantom allegations. Chief Olusola Oke has been severally investigated and cleared by the anti-graft agency of any financial impropriety, but of recent, they have been putting a lot of pressure on the Commission to harass him of late with a view to making him look as if he is guilty, a development which is far from the truth.”

He wondered why this renewed onslaught against Oke now that the election is two weeks away, adding : “But we are abreast of their tricks, which will continue to fail. We want to express our absolute confidence that he has nothing to fear from any anti-graft agencies, having left office on a clean slate 12 years ago and having been cleared

severally too.

“We also want to quickly tell his traducers that Olusola Oke was a part-time member of the Niger Delta Development Commission and he was never involved in any untoward activities while in office. The allegations against him are mere tissues of lies that had been found to be so by the proper authorities

“We are aware of their evil plots to perpetrate perfidy in Ondo State during the election and the people of the state are watching them keenly. We want to appeal to Mr. President to please be aware of this grand plot to harass Chief Olusola Oke, distract him from meeting the people in his campaign tours and possibly to get him disqualified through unsavory means.

“The details of all the nocturnal meeting they have been holding, we are aware. It is not a new ploy and we are abreast of it. It happened few days to the APC primaries when this same Rotimi Akeredolu wrote a petition against him in which his tissues of lies were later exposed, all to get him disqualified, because he knows that he is but a mere babe in politics and cannot win the election.

“Now, they have started again, putting pressure on INEC, the security agents, resorting to compromising the Judiciary and lately to use the EFCC to restrain restrain and frustrate him, but by the grace of God, they will fail.

“But Chief Oke is not deterred. If they like, let them dare the will of God, the consequences await them. Our people in Ondo State are watching them keenly and in the fullness of time, they will get their rewards in full if they don’t desist

“We want to commend Mr. President for his zero tolerance to perfidy and we urge him to please save our souls in Ondo State from those who say the masses shall not be allowed to live and do their things in peace.

Fayemi, Fashola: it’s not true

Fayemi’s media aide Mr. Olayinka Oyebode described his boss as a decent politician who would not be dragged into an unnecessary controversy. He said: “The Minister of Solid Minerals is a busy man. He is a focused person doing the work given to him by the President diligently. It is during election period like this that people concoct lies to malign others. We have no reply for frivolities.”

Fashola’s Media Adviser Hakeem Bello said the allegation is laughable, saying that it did not make any sense. He said: “A reporter called me last week to ask for a similar reaction. Let’s look it this way. What is the allegation about? Does it make meaning to any reasonable person? The Minister has much work to do than to be involved in what these people are saying. His priority is to stay focused on the job.”

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