Author: Chronicle Editor

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has disclosed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is already reaching out to some political parties in its effort to regain power in 2019. Ekweremadu, who made the disclosure in Abuja, said the development will help reposition the party ahead of the next general election. He said, “What you are seeing today is the party’s efforts to rebuild and reposition itself ahead of 2019. “Going forward, you are going to see other developments. “We are also reaching out to a number of political parties, who are prepared to come on board to join us…

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun said the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) shared N400 billion which is N13.1 billion more than what the three tiers of government shared as revenue in December. She said the N400 billion was distributed under four distributable sub-heads. They are statutory allocation where the sum of N224.88 billion was allocated; Value Added Tax N79.27 billion, exchange gain N52.84 billion and excess Petroleum Profit Tax N42.99 billion. From the statutory allocations, the minister said after deducting cost of collections to the revenue generating agencies, the Federal Government got N105.76 billion, states N53.64 billion and…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the EFFC for arresting Mr Johnson Ogunyemi, the Chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC). The APC, in a statement by its Ondo State Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, applauded the EFCC for beaming its searchlights on the state and its finances. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EFFC, on Wednesday, Jan. 18, arrested Ogunyemi and the Permanent Secretary of the commission, Dr Dipo Durojaye. Other OSOPADEC officials included the Director of Finance Administration, Mr Sola Orisamoluwa and Director of Account, Mr Vincent Ikuomola. APC urged the commission…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the defection of some of its elected officials to other parties as “unwise decision’’ for which they will “pay a political price’’. The National Chairman of the party, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, stated this at the PDP caucus meeting held in Abuja. Makarfi said that the party would reclaim the seats won by its former members, who defected to other parties. “For those, who are running helter scatter for one reason or the other to say they are cross carpeting. “There is no division in PDP and it is unfortunate, but they will pay…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) have sent an urgent appeal to Mr. David KAYE, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, requesting him to “urgently intervene to prevail on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army, police and several state governments to end growing clampdown, intimidation and harassment of journalists, online newspapers, and bloggers.” The urgent appeal followed the arrest yesterday of Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of the online newspaper, Premium Times, and the medium’s judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu. The appeal signed by Adetokunbo…

The Lagos State Government on Friday carried out comprehensive enforcement of Traffic and Environmental Laws across the State, just as it urged motorists and residents to adopt willful compliance with the relevant laws to ensure free flow of traffic, civility and public order. The enforcement, which was jointly carried out by men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, witnessed the arrest of hundreds of commercial motorcyclists plying one way and restricted routes in Agege, Iju Road, Abule-Egba and Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, among others. Traders displaying their wares…

Confusion has greeted Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. President as rival-support groups clashed on the streets of Washington DC in support and against the inauguration of Trump. Supporters arriving for the “Deploraball” inauguration celebration in Washington were greeted by screaming profanities and threats as they entered the National Press Club Building. Some of the hundreds of protesters sprayed Mace, while others were peaceful as law enforcement officers lined the streets to monitor the chaotic scene. At least one passer-by reported bottles were being thrown as he showed off a gash in his head. The “Deploraball” was organized by a pro-…

President of Guinea Alpha Conde and that of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf arrived Banjul, Gambia, on Friday for a last minute talk with outgoing President Yahya Jammeh. The deadline given to Jammeh to relinquish power to President-elect Adama Barrow expired at noon. Barrow was sworn-in at The Gambia Embassy in Daker, Senegal on Thursday. Barrow has been in Senegal for several days at the request of West African leaders until his planned inauguration. Speaking after taking oath of office in Dakar, he called on security forces to “demonstrate their loyalty” in a standoff with outgoing President of the country, Yahya Jammeh.…

Chelsea striker Diego Costa will be available for Sunday’s Premier League match against Hull City, a week after being left out amid reports of interest from Chinese clubs. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has also indicated that the Spanish forward will remain at Stamford Bridge sparking speculation that he is on the brink of signing a new deal. “Diego is a good player and a good person and now he is only focused on Chelsea and playing for us,” Conte said at his pre-match press briefing today. “The player wants to stay at Chelsea, he is very happy to play with…

West African leaders on Friday said they would travel once again to The Gambia in a last-minute effort to convince election loser Yahya Jammeh to cede power, a media report said. It said the presidents of Liberia and Guinea were expected to arrive in Banjul to give the ousted leader, who ruled the small West African nation for 22 years with an iron fist, a last chance to respect the constitution. The announcement came hours after military forces of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) crossed from Senegal into Gambia in an attempt to search for Jammeh. On…