Read the statement below

Following the on-going invasion of the National Assembly complex by men of the Department of State Services (DSS) in which legislators and members of staff, including the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Omolori, who is the administrative head of the Federal legislature, were harassed and prevented from accessing their offices, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara have condemned the action of the security agents and described it as another attempt to subevert the nation’s democracy.

In a statement jointly signed by the two presiding officers of both Chambers of the National Assembly, Saraki and Dogara stated that the heavy presence of armed security men who unnecessarily militarized the legislative complex and harassed legislators and the workers in the complex could not be justified in a democracy.

The Senate President and Speaker further noted that today was a sad day for democracy as very early in the morning, they got reports backed by video and pictures, from members of staff of the National Assembly, their colleagues from both chambers and other individuals, about the heavy presence of the security personnel who insisted that nobody would enter the complex except certain Senators who were to be conveyed into the complex in a Coaster bus.

“By 6.30 am, the reports started coming in and by 7am, there were pictures and video online showing armed security men preventing Senators and Honourable members from coming into the Complex. Some of our colleagues then mobilized other members in both chambers from their respective abode so that they could pressurize the Security men from allowing them to gain entry.

“Obviously, the public outcry from Nigerians and members of the international community against this illegality, this desecration of the sanctity of the legislature and this flagrant abuse of powers forced the government to relax the directives given to the security men as they later allowed the legislators to walk from the main gate into the foyer. Still the lawmakers were not allowed to drive in, in their vehicles and were denied access into the main building housing their offices.

“It is not clear what the plan of the government is but information reaching us indicated that some Senators who are pro-executive arm are being camped somewhere here in Abuja and they are being compelled to sign an impeachment notice that would later be brought to the Assembly complex. The Senate Chamber will now be forced open to enable an illegal change of leadership take place in the Senate.

“It should be noted that the Senate formally adjourned on July 24, 2018 and it stands adjourned. To reconvene, there is a process which has to be followed. Also, it should be clear that these Senators who are camped somewhere know the procedure for changing the leadership of the Senate. Both the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency officials masterminding this illegality know that they do not have the numbers to lawfully carry out this action.

“Therefore, we call on members of the international community to view this development as a coup against democracy. This is a throw-back to the inglorious days of military rule where dissent is not tolerated and freedom of association and other fundamental human rights are willfully and carelessly violated.

“We urge Nigerians and the international community to condemn this illegal invasion of the National Assembly complex and the attempt to asphyxiate the legislature as undemocratic, uncivilized and irresponsible.

“Let us use this opportunity to thank our colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives who immediately mobilized to resist this coup against democracy. Their action will be recorded as one taken at a time when the soul of this country is being imperilled. They have acted to avert the breakdown of constitutionalism and collapse of the rule of law. They have stood up to dictatorship and demonstrated that this country belongs to all of us.

“We also thank members of the press, local and international, and all Nigerians whose support for the cause of democracy have sustained us this far.

Following this unpleasant development, the joint leadership meeting slated for this afternoon has been postponed till further notice because under the prevailing circumstances, we cannot guarantee the safety of the 20 members from both chambers expected at the meeting”, Saraki and Dogara stated.

Signed

1. Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON, President of the Senate

2. Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives

No more shocking as Senator Godswill Akpabio received a rousing welcome in Akwa Ibom today ahead of his rumored defection from PDP to APC tomorrow August 8th.what do you think? See more photos below;

 

Senator Godswill Akpabio has resigned as Minority Leader of the senate. There are rumors that he will be installed as Senate President this morning. See his resignation letter below...

Today, the world marks the 21st anniversary of the of late Afrobeat pioneer and legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

In this extremely detailed piece that documents the last days of 'Abami Eda'. the story of his last days come to bare and details of how Fela refused western medicine till it was too late.

check below...

The spiritual connotation for 1997 was more than the 20th anniversary of the Kalakuta raid or the 10th anniversary of the death of Fela’s close friend President Thomas Sankara (who through undeniable spiritual fate, died on Fela’s birth day). 1997 was also the beginning of the manifestation of the cycle: Fela’s rejuvenation. Though strong for important days, Fela was already a shadow of his former self in February.

His body was too thin for his head, his skin dry, spotty, like they’d been sucked from within. Loads of white hair on his head. In March, Fela had his most expensive show ever. 3,000 Naira (about $27 dollars then. $27 dollars today is almost 10 thousand). “Fela at the Muson” was a huge success. As rich people and foreigners came to watch Fela. Fela was warned prior, that no marijuana smoking should be done on stage, no provocative dances either. Fela would break those rules barely 5 mins in. Fela, by one of his boys side stage, had been provided with a big blunt.

The music was however enthralling especially for the bass-filled rendition of ‘Clear Road for Jaga Jaga’. By the time Fela got to ‘Condom Scallawag and Scatter’, the provocative dances came. Fela began to grab at the vagina of his dancers, making different sex poses as he danced with them. An act which shocked those who were seeing him for the first time. The music was bubbling as the chorus “Baba Obo” rang through. The crowd was well pleased with Fela’s performance giving him a wonderful applause at the end. Similar to his Yabbis Night speeches, Fela during the course of the show had complained of the country’s situation, sighting that the country was actually getting worse.

While not finger pointing at Abacha specifically, Fela dribbled around his main point: the government. Everyone went home that night and the world seemed at peace. A few weeks after, NDLEA agents with armed soldiers swooped down on Kalakuta. This time with more fire power. Fela who had been arrested and magically released with a National TV declaration in ‘96 for Drug charges, had done enough. Fela had been left to smoke and remain in his own corner. Now, ‘Kalakuta Show’ began to spin That gruesome day in March of 1997 saw Fela and the Kalakuta clan in a situation they’d been in, many times. The armed soldiers began to ransack the premises, Fela who must have been in his room smoking wasn’t expecting the ‘visitors’.

It was February 18, 1977 all over again, and while it wasn’t Fela’s mother who was thrown down from the balcony again, it was Fela’s heart and trust. It may have been the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Members of the Kalakuta abode were all hauled to prison. Fela himself was handcuffed, paraded before newsmen and led behind bars. Many who saw Abami that day were aghast! Fela looked frail and undeniably there was sorrow in his eyes.

He wasn’t smiling like he normally would. The Abacha regime had another win. Beko behind bars, Wole fled the country, and now Fela was in custody. The government used the ‘cut the head, and the body will shrivel’ technique. As many of the famous activists found themselves dead, forcefully exiled or behind bars, the reality of the sovereignty began to dawn vividly to Nigerians. The Fela images were to humiliate him around the world. Not even Abami couldn’t be touched. Fela resulted to a well known explanation for his predicament: his own enemies were right there in Kalakuta.

The spirits can’t help him if some of his own people aren’t with him. Fela was brought before General Bamaiyi of the NDLEA again. The same man who had said Fela could smoke marijuana on TV now rescinded his words. Fela was banned from smoking. He told Bamaiyi that he couldn’t fuck, eat, or sleep without marijuana. A logic, - a medical condition of drug dependence, would be one of the points used in Fela’s defence. Nonetheless, Fela was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and the Kalakuta shrine was closed. But the spirits wouldn’t just abandon Fela.

After some time, Fela was released on bail. The Government had obviously shaken him and made their message clear: they were always watching. It was in this imprisonment that some of the Kalakuta brethren, especially some wives believe Fela was injected with what eventually killed him. A theory or reality? Life continued 

Fela’s supposed last show was June 14, 1997 at a Port Harcourt Show with Geraldo Pino. It was clear that the magic and fire were gone. Fela himself ordered the band’s quick return to Lagos, despite some opposition. Upon return, Kalakuta went back to its own business: loud music, laughing, fighting. But Fela was always in his room. Despite attempts by Yeni and Femi to give Fela Western medicine, he wouldn’t take it. When they managed to put some in his water, Iyase, one of the Kalakuta women would go tell on them to Fela.

With that, Fela concluded his own children couldn’t be trusted. And even his beloved Sola couldn’t touch him anymore. Fela could no longer play at the Afrika Shrine- Seun, Dede, Baba Ani and Femi (with his ‘Sunday Jump’) kept the place bubbling. On July 21, Fela finally accepted a last chance and was moved to Victoria Island Consultancy and Hospital services. It was during this time that news broke that Fela was dead. A rumour his family was quick to shut down. Fela resisted the treatment at first but accepted it later on.

He also refused to watch TV while he was on the sick bed. On July 23, Fela who had been mostly unconscious, woke up and asked for a doughnut. Funke, Femi’s then wife, brought some from Mr Biggs. The tests confirmed that Fela had AIDS. At midnight, he asked for rice. Rasheed Gbadamosi, a pal of Fela, had his wife cook some and bring it. On Friday, August 1, 1997. There was persistent and powerful RAin, for those who knew, Fela, Ra, was showing his final prowess.

Femi who was supposed to perform that day in Ikeja, couldn’t. August 2, Chima the room aide beside him, saw him breath his last, at 5:30 after a rapid and lengthy breathing. Before the hospital staff arrived, Fela died of heart failure, the third one within a month’s span and the final. For a split second, it was as if time froze. RA, had passed away.

The staff confirmed he was dead and with that, members of his family began to rush in. Dotun arrived first on scene, followed by Femi, Yeni, Sola and Funke. His elder brother Koye followed next. Koye had earlier gone to Beko’s house, with Gani Fawehinmi and other activists to celebrate Beko’s birthday

The Ransome-Kuti, Anikulapo-Kuti family released a press statement at 9, that Fela was dead. A press conference was to take place at the Afrika Shrine, on Sunday, August 3 at 4 pm. Armed with the press statement, news reports began to fly around world wide that Fela was dead. Radio stations began to play his music, breaking news reports on the International and National news.

The shrine was in complete remorse: many couldn’t believe it. But they all shared the same certainty: Abami Eda wasn’t dead, he was still very much alive and now would always be with them in spirit.

Special thanks to Mabinuori Idowu, Kevwe Kuti, Lanre Kuti, Majemite Jaboro, Damiregba Kuti, Ihase Kuti, John Collins and Carlos Moore whose detailed explanations of Fela’s last days enabled this piece.

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Friday, August 3, 2018, travel to London on a vacation which will last for 10 working days.

Mr. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement to journalists today, adding that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will act in the capacity of the President while he's away.

The statement reads:

President Muhammadu Buhari begins a 10 working-day holiday from August 3, 2018. 

In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, a letter has been transmitted to the President of the Senate, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, to that effect.

While the President is on vacation, the Vice President will be in acting capacity as President.

President Buhari will be in London for the holiday.

President Buhari today inspected the renovation works done at the proposed Buhari-Osinbajo Campaign office in Abuja,

He's pictured here with Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi, Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, Director Logistics Buhari Campaign Organisation Nasiru Danu, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Hon. Farouk Lawal and SGF Boss Mustapha.

APC has announced a replacement for the post of its National Publicity secretary previously occupied by Bolaji Abdulahi who resigned from the party and decamped to PDP.

Making the announcement, APC said, 'following a resolution of the National Working Committee today, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, has assumed office as the Acting National Publicity Secretary of our great Party'.