The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), in the last election, Atiku Abubakar has been advised by a Nigerian Spiritual Leader, Sheikh Guru Maharaj Ji on his tussle with President Muhammad Buhari at the tribunal.

Maharaj ji advised Atiku to “simply resign to fate and accept the ruling of the Presidential Election Tribunal” which affirmed Buhari as the winner of the presidential election.

He spoke during a Press Conference at his Spiritual Centre in Lagos on Tuesday.

The spiritual leader implored the former Vice President, to congratulate President Buhari and have a good hope for the future.

He also canvassed that Atiku should not institute further appeal at the Supreme Court.

“Rather, Atiku should congratulate and give support to Mr. President to allow him proceed in earnest to tackle matters of State which require urgent attention,” he said.

“I would like to also congratulate all present for cooperating with me to disgrace the enemies of the people who predicted that there would be war in Nigeria before, if not during and or after the just ended general elections.

“I singularly led the team to advise the blacks in the Diaspora right from the world not to vote for any other contestants other than President Buhari because we do not need any egregious leader who would wire, transform and steal all your wealth for developing Middle Eastern and European countries, as discovered during the first term of Mr. President.

“I am therefore congratulating the Judges in the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal for a job well done to confirm that the election of President Buhari was fair, free and conducted in an atmosphere of peace.

“This was given credence by all the local and foreign observers.

“I would like through this medium, to allay the fears of the other members of the opposition groups who have been fingered for diverting money meant for public utilities for private use, not to be afraid,” Guru Maharaj ji said.

Maraha Ji, however advised corrupt Politicians to surrender their loot to the government or face the wrath of law.

“All the corrupt politicians need to do is to come out one by one to confess and handover what is left of how much they stole and they would be given soft landing, otherwise, they should be prepared for the worst should they wait to be caught unawares. IBB and Abdulsalam Coup cannot happen at this time”, he said.

Gunmen clad in military camouflage violated the peace in Pegi resettlement community when they kidnapped nine persons during a brazing attack on the community, located in Kuje Area Council, of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Members of the community, who confirmed the attack, said the kidnappers struck about 8 p.m. on Monday night.

They disclosed that some of the kidnappers had established contact with the families of some of the kidnapped persons, demanding N10 million ransom.

They said that one of the kidnapped persons included a 12-year-old boy.
The kidnappers were said to have cordoned off the community by blocking the arterial road linking it with Kuje while the operations lasted.

The Chairman of Pegi Community Development Association (PECDA) Taiwo Aderibigbe, who confirmed the onslaught, said the community was caught unawares by the attackers.

He said that the gunmen overpowered the local security team before vanishing into the surrounding forest with their victims.

The gang of criminals, according to him, also demobilised a pick up truck which the community could have deployed to give them a hot chase by deflating all the tyres.

Aderibigbe added that one person, who was critically injured during the operation was receiving treatment at an unnamed hospital.

“Gunmen came to our community on Monday and kidnapped nine persons . We have since reported the incident to the Police “, Aderibigbe said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, for FCT Police Command, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, confirmed the development.

He said that the Police had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers.

“We are making concerted efforts to rescue the persons kidnapped around Pegi Community. Though details of the incident is still sketchy, the Police command pleads with members of the public to be calm while the police intensify efforts to rescue and reunite victims with members of their families.

We also call on the public to be security conscious and provide information to the police and other relevant security agencies on suspicious movements and activities within their communities,,” Manzah said.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari presented a record 10.33 trillion-naira ($33.8bn) budget for 2020 to lawmakers on Tuesday as he aims to spur growth in Africa’s largest economy at the start of his second term in office.

The plan for Africa’s top oil exporter assumes crude production of 2.18 million barrels a day and an oil price of $57 per barrel, although an analyst said the budget implementation may “deviate dramatically” from the figures unveiled.

Nigeria emerged from its first recession in 25 years in 2017. Growth is still sluggish, although higher oil prices and recent debt sales have helped the country to accrue billions of dollars in foreign reserves.

Buhari told lawmakers at a joint session of the upper and lower chambers of parliament that the “economic environment remains challenging” but said the budget was expected to increase the pace of growth.

“The 2020 budget is expected to accelerate the pace of our economic recovery, promote economic diversification, enhance competitiveness and ensure social inclusion,” said Buhari, who won an election in February and began his second four-year term in May.

The president has repeatedly stated his desire to boost non-oil sources of revenue since crude oil sales make up around 90 percent of foreign exchange. Low prices were the main reason for the economy’s slide into recession in 2016.

Economic growth slowed to an annual rate of 1.94 percent in the three months to the end of June, the second quarter in a row of decline.

“We are optimistic of attaining higher and more inclusive GDP [gross domestic product] growth,” Buhari said.

The spending plan, which includes a value-added tax increase from five percent to 7.5 percent, is up from the 8.83 trillion-naira budget for 2019 and tops the previous record spending plan which was the 9.12 trillion-naira budget for 2018.

Road and rail

Buhari’s government has repeatedly rolled out record spending plans but struggled to fund them because of lower oil production and an inability to boost non-oil exports.

Actual revenue collection and budget implementation are likely to “deviate dramatically from the administration’s plans”, said Malte Liewerscheidt, vice president of Teneo Intelligence.

Buhari, who in his re-election campaign vowed to implement a road and rail construction programme, said 2.46 trillion naira had been allocated for capital projects and 2.45 trillion naira for servicing debts.

A budget deficit of 2.18 trillion naira – representing 1.52 percent of the estimated GDP – was to be financed through foreign and domestic borrowing, plus the proceeds of privatisation, he said.

The president said he would seek the support of lawmakers to pass two petroleum bills into law.

And he said he would resubmit a bill sent to parliament in 2018, which was not passed into law and which would review the fiscal terms for deep offshore oil fields.

“We estimate that this effort can generate at least $500m additional revenue for the federal government in 2020, and over $1bn from 2021,” he said.

Nigeria’s government is already in court with several international oil majors claiming “colossal” sums of money that it says it should have been paid under that law.

The budget must still be approved by parliament before being signed into law by Buhari, a process that can take months.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar and his Brazil teammates yesterday intensified their training ahead of their friendly game against the Super Eagles of Nigeria billed for Sunday, October 13 at the National Stadium in Singapore.

The five time world champion who would face Senegal tomorrow October 10, before the game against Nigeria.

Other top stars including Gabriel Jesus and Ederson who arrived late on Monday, joined others such as Neymar’s Paris Saint-Germain duo of Thiago Silva and, Marquinhos, Liverpool duo Roberto Firmino and Fabinho; Lucas Paqueta, Casemiro, Philippe Coutinho and Eder Militao in yesterday’s session at Kallang Football Hub.

Real Madrid duo of Eder Militao and Carlos Casemiro and Alex Iwobi’s Everton teammate Richarlison also joined the session.

At their opening press conference ahead of the friendlies, Marquinhos told reporters that the team “are honoured to be here”.

He also defended the friendlies, saying: “Club coaches and supporters won’t like that their players go away with the national teams. But you also have to think for our national coach Tite too. How else can he test players and organise the national team? He needs such friendlies.”

More than two months after it was constituted, the Senate Ad-hoc committee investigating the assault incident by Senator Elisha Abbo (PDP, Adamawa) has submitted its report.

Mr Abbo was on May 11 caught on camera assaulting a woman in a sex toy shop in Abuja.

Footage of the video published by this newspaper showed the PDP senator, who represents Adamawa North Senatorial District, physically assaulting the woman, whom he accused of insulting him by calling him “a drunk”.

A policeman, who stood by, did nothing to protect the victim.

Mr Abbo later apologised publicly amidst tears after which he turned himself in to the police, which held him for a night before granting him bail “after meeting a set of administrative conditions for his bound”.

The lawmaker was charged to court with two counts of criminal charges. He pleaded not guilty despite his public apology.

The court granted him bail of N5 million with two competent sureties.

The Senate set up an ad-hoc committee on July 3 to investigate the incident.

The lawmakers set July 24 as the deadline for the committee to submit its report and the deadline was later extended by a week.

Shortly after the plenary commenced on Tuesday, the Senate Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya, moved that the Senate “receive the report of the bi-partisan ad-hoc committee on the alleged assault by Senator Elisha” – which was adopted.

The chairman of the committee, Sam Egwu, thereafter laid the report before the Senate.

He is expected to present the findings and recommendations of the committee on the next legislative day, possibly Wednesday.

The incident reportedly happened on May 11 exactly one month before the 41-year-old lawmaker was sworn into the 9th Senate.

Meanwhile, 10 bills on Tuesday scaled first reading on the floor during plenary.

The bills are: Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act (Repeal and Reenactment) Bill, 2011, sponsored by Sen. Ajayi Boroffice (APC, Ondo North); Federal University Gusau Bill, 2019, sponsored by Sen. Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u (PDP, Zamfara North); Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta Ogun State Bill, 2019, sponsored by Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (APC, Ogun Central); NDDC Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019, by Sen. Barinada Mpigi (PDP, Rivers South-East); and Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Bill, 2019, by Sen. Istifanus Gyang (Plateau North).

Others are: Nigeria Metallurgical Industry Bill, 2019, sponsored by Sen. Theodore Orji (PDP, Abia Central); Federal Polytechnic Orogun Delta State Bill, 2019, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central); Dormant Account Funds Management Bill, 2019, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central); Social Assistance Bill, 2019, by Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani (APC, Enugu East); Federal Polytechnic Silame, Sokoto State Bill, 2019,by Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North).

No fewer than two persons were reportedly killed and about seven others severely injured in a case of ‘accidental discharge’ by an officer of the Nigerian Police Force.

The incident, which happened at the burial ceremony of the late mother of the traditional ruler of Umuakoli Urualla in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, HRH Eze Martin Aladi, penultimate weekend, reportedly recorded multiple casualties.

The policeman who was not immediately identified, was said to be an orderly of one of the prominent indigenes of the town, Mr. Remy Chris Nwagbo.

It was gathered that the incident happened when members of the Ideato Committe of Friends went to the king’s Chambers to pay him a condolence visit.

According to community sources, members of the group were leaving the king’s chambere when they saw Nwagbo, who is also a member of Ideato Committe of Friends, and decided to accompany him to pay his own visit to the Eze.

“Before they made to move, they stayed to exchange pleasantries as members of the club. It was then that a police orderly guarding Remy Chris tried to give them some gun salutes.

“As he made to lift the gun up, it opened fire, destroying the jaws of the man exchanging greetings with Chris as well as injuring about seven other persons waiting to greet Remy Chris”, one of the sources told our correspondent.

The source added that the last person the bullet touched died instantly because the bullet blew his brains to smitterins while the other person was confirmed dead in the hospital.

The spokesman of state police command, Orlando Ikeoku simply responded ‘Get back to you please’ to a text message sent to him by our correspondent.

However, as of the time of filling this report, he did not get back as promised neither did the state commissioner of police, Rabiu Ladodo answer calls and messages sent to his phone.

But, a senior police officer told our correspondent in confidence that the officer had since been arrested and that he was facing orderly room trial.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday hinted on losing his voice.

Buhari disclosed that he lost his voice due to cold and his hard work.

The President said this during the presentation of the 2020 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly.

Buhari, who was about to commence the reading of his speech, apologised to lawmakers for losing his voice and his inability to speak audibly.

According to Buhari: “Before I proceed to read the details of the budget, let me apologise for my voice.

“As you can hear in my voice, I have cold because I am working hard and it’s sign that I’m working hard.”