KING OF MOROCCO WISHES PRESIDENT BUHARI WELL, NOTIFFIED HIM OF MOROCCO'S INTENTION TO JOIN ECOWAS

King Mohammed VI of Morocco Wednesday had a telephone conversation with President Muhammadu Buhari in London, where the Nigerian president is on vacation.

The King, who initiated the call, asked after the President's health and expressed satisfaction at his rate of improvement.

The two leaders also discussed the current stage of the Morocco-Nigeria Atlantic crude oil pipeline project.

King Mohammed VI thanked President Buhari for Nigeria's support in returning Morocco to the African Union and notified him of Morocco's request to join the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

ECOWAS Forces Moves Into Gambia without any resistance

Economic Community of Waest African States (ECOWAS) coalition forces who have been on stand by in Senegal have moved into Gambia with a view to securing strategic positions.

Ecomog Force commander, Air Commodore Tajjudeen Yusuf confirmed that the troops met no resistance as they moved into the country. The Gambian security forces are said to have rather been friendly and welcoming.

The Nigerian air-force also conducted armed Reece of the the country from the base in Dakar Senegal without any hindrance. Correspondent Macham reports that the troops are expected to prepare the grounds for the return of president ADAMA BARROW to the country.

I am in consultation with ECOWAS: President Barrow to stay in Senegal until Jammeh Leave for Guinea

An Unconfirmed reports has it that Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh with his familly has departed The Gambia to Guinea

The recently inaugurated president of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, has revealed he will be ruling the country from his hide out in Dakar, Senegal until he gets security clearance from ECOWAS. He was sworn into office on Thursday at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar as Yahya Jammeh refused to relinquish power after losing elections in December.

Jammeh cites irregularities during the electoral process in December.

Mr Barrow, a political novice, won the elections to end the over two-decades-old grip on power by Mr Jammeh. Since the announcement by the country's electoral commission, Mr Jammeh has sought to use various means to extend his rule, calling for fresh elections at some point.

Why Yahya Jammeh agrees to go into exile after election defeat

"I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation," Jammeh said on state television, wearing a white robe and looking tired.

Yahya Jammeh, who led his country for 22 years but refused to accept his election defeat to new President Adama Barrow last month, has agreed to step down and go into exile. He said his decision was taken in the national interest after prayer and said he was proud to have served the Gambian people, imploring them to work together as one nation.

It has not been specified where Mr Jammeh would go into exile.

The news came as regional armies, who entered Gambian territory late on Thursday, were poised to remove Mr Jammeh by force just hours after the army chief recognised Mr Barrow as commander-in-chief.

It is Already War: Yahya Jammeh pleads for more time as troops close in

By land, sea and air, Gambia is surrounded. A total of 7,000 men will participate in the mission to re-establish democracy in Gambia

The Gambia's defeated President Yahya Jammeh has asked for a deadline for him to leave office or be forced out by UN-backed forces to be extended until 16:00 GMT on Friday.

The earlier deadline of noon passed as the Guinean and Mauritanian presidents arrived in Banjul for last-ditch talks.

Mr Jammeh's elected successor, Adama Barrow, was sworn in as president at a ceremony in Senegal on Thursday.

Troops acting in support of President Barrow have paused their advance.

The forces from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) regional grouping are backed by the United Nations.

Why President Buhari flew out of Banjul with Barrow on Friday, en route to Mali,

President Buhari arrives Bamako Mali to
attend 27th Africa-France Summit on 13th Jan 2017

(AFP)   President Muhammadu Buhari and other West African leaders, may have tactically taken Gambia’s president-elect, Adama Barrow into safety after a botched attempt to persuade President Yahya Jammeh to voluntarily cede power after he lost the 1 December election. Jammeh’s tenure ends 19 January. And both ECOWAS and the AU have said he would cease to be the leader of West Africa’s smallest country by 20 January.

President Buhari flew out of Banjul with Barrow on Friday, en route to Mali, for what was called crisis talks in hopes of ending the nation’s political impasse.

The Gambian President-elect Adama Barrow says Jammeh should not seek asylum as Nigerian Reps say he can stay in Nigeria

The winner of December's presidential election in The Gambia says there is no need for President Yahya Jammeh to seek asylum and he is confident direct talks can solve the crisis. Adama Barrow told the BBC he was confident he would be sworn in next week despite his rival's refusal to give up power.

Nigeria House of Representatives yesterday voted to offer Mr Jammeh asylum to help negotiations.

Nigeria should consider giving asylum to The Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh as a way of ending the political crisis in his country, lawmakers said on Thursday.

A motion passed in the House of Reps gave members' backing to regional efforts to resolve the dispute, sparked by Jammeh's refusal to accept election results.

Gambia’s President-elect, Adama Barrow says "I’m alive and well"

* Shakes off assassination rumour

* Gambia Army chief declares support of armed forces for Jammeh

Gambia’s president-elect, Adama Barrow

Contrary to media reports, Gambia’s president-elect, Adama Barrow is hale and hearty. CBN Television, Banjul had ‎earlier reported that he was murdered by that unknown assailants who overpowered his security guards, leaving two dead and six others injured from gunshots.



Reacting to the report, popular Gambian journalist Fatu Camara wrote: “BREAKING: We are getting reports that due to threats on the lives of coalition members, many of them are currently evacuated to safe houses..
Meanwhile, contrary to fake news going around that President Elect Barrow and two security guards were assassinated, we can confirm to you that Barrow is fine as we speak. Stay tuned!,” she posted on Facebook
However, a tweet from his official handle, @adama_barrow, ‎said he’s alive and well. “We would like to inform you that the President-elect is alive and well. #Gambia‎”, it read. His rumoured death is coming few days after he referred to the country’s constitution that a court action taken by supposed outgoing President Yahya Jammeh cannot prevent the winner of the poll from assuming office as mandated by the constitution.

Gambian Jammeh adamant, insists he will not step down as Gambian President

Embattled Gambia President, Yahya Jammeh, has condemned the West Africa economic bloc, ECOWAS, for urging him to step down following his election defeat.

Gambia was plunged into a crisis on Dec. 9 after Jammeh rejected the results, a week after conceding defeat to a little known property developer, Adama Barrow.

The term of the long-standing ruler is set to expire on Jan. 19.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the African Bar Association that was televised on Tuesday night, Jammeh said the position taken by the regional body had violated its own principle of “non-interference in the affairs of a sovereign state”.

WELCOME STATEMENT BY H.E MUHAMMADU BUHARI AT THE ECOWAS SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT

50TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ECOWAS SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT, 17 DECEMBER 2016, ABUJA, NIGERIA.

WELCOME STATEMENT BY H.E MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

1. It is indeed a great pleasure for me to welcome you to Nigeria and to the 50th Ordinary Session of the Authority and Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.

2. Allow me to start by congratulating us all for the peaceful elections held recently in the region. This is an indication of the growing commitment of the leadership and the people of the region to the principle of democracy and good governance.

3. Accordingly, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to H.E. President Jorge Carlos Fonseca on his re-election as the president of Cape Verde. My congratulations also go to the winner of the Ghanaian Presidential election, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, and to H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama for his display of maturity and statesmanship.

SP Saraki Tasks ECOWAS Parliament On Regional Integration, Security

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament to work towards deeper integration and effective security for persons in the sub-region.

Saraki who made the call when the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Mustapha Cisselo, led other management staff of the parliament on a courtesy call on him in Abuja
also commended the leadership qualities exhibited by Cisselo since his election and urged him to do more in promoting the aims and objectives of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Saraki said: "As I said in my speech at your inauguration, we must continue to ensure the economic integration of the West African sub-region. We must ensure that we do our best to enhance the powers of the ECOWAS parliament so that it becomes effective and not just a place for talk-shop. We must also play our role in seeing that terrorism which is one of the greatest threat to our people gets the necessary collective approach to solve the problem and danger in our region.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu the Last PDP Standing and His Future

Senator Ike Ekweremadu is the last PDP member standing or rather the highest PDP elected member who has a place in the federal government. He is thus in control of PDP. Usually in nations that operate with two strong political parties, each of the parties manage to control an arm of the government, the presidency or the senate or the House. The leader of the arm of government under the opposition party is considered the head of the party for he/she is the only person who can do something in the government. PDP does not control any arm of the Nigeria government except that due to APC’s weakness PDP has the senate deputy president’s post. As the highest ranking PDP member DSP Ekweremadu commands national attention. Exhibit one would be the kind of people who attended his “book lunching,” whatever that means. PDP stalwarts, APC rank and file and even the president via a representative were all there to hear the deputy senate president outline how he sees the future of Nigeria.

Good for him.

Being the effective leader of the opposition is an honor, a privilege, and a challenge.

Senate President Saraki Blast Political Cabals, Commends Buhari For Non-interference

Nigerian Senate

The embattled president of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Bukola saraki has insisted that he will stand strong in the face of persecution and calling on other lawmakers to stand with him in defence of the legislature.

Saraki stated this during a welcome address to senators while making reference to his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, reiterating on his submission to rule of law and said that he was been tried because he became the senate president “against the wishes of some political cabal”

Senate President also stated that the laws of Nigeria does not consider any external influence within the legislature while commending President Muhammadu Buhari for refusing to intervene in the politics of the national assembly

West Africa: UN envoy cites region’s daunting challenges, Boko Haram threat to Nigeria

While countries in West Africa are trying to promote development and consolidate democracy, they continue to face daunting challenges such as transnational organized crime and growing terrorist activities, the top United Nations official in the region told the Security Council on Tuesday, while also warning of the increasing threat the Boko Haram crisis poses to Nigeria.

Said Djinnit, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa, added that the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA), which he heads, has been trying to sensitize regional leaders to the need for “decisive concerted efforts” to fight these threats to regional security and stability.

SEE!!!!! SENATE RESOLUTIONS OVER CHIBOK SCHOOL GIRLS ABDUCTION

The Senate today considered a Motion on the Abduction of School Children in Chibok, Borno State. The motion, sponsored by the Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma Egba and 107 other Senators, was passed as a Resolution of the Senate to: 

• Condemn as callous, the abduction of the school girls. 

• Urge the Federal Government and all Security Agencies to intensify efforts on immediate rescue of the abducted students of Federal Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

How Cameroon, Chad, Niger became a den of terrorists: Boko Haram get cross-border assistance for their operations

Take a very close look, if you have the heart, at the gory pictures of the wreckage at Nyanya Mass Transit Park, Abuja rocked by bomb blast in the early morning of Monday, April 14, 2014. About 100 people were killed, over 200 others sustained injuries, many maimed, burnt beyond recognition while nearly 18 high capacity buses, several smaller commercial vehicles and cars filled with passengers ready to leave, all destroyed in the explosion planned and mindlessly executed by Boko Haram Islamist insurgents.

Immediately following on the heels of the Nyanya deadly blast about 234 female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, were abducted by the Boko Haram sect after sitting for the West African School Certificate (WASC) examinations. This has caused international outrage as USA, Britain and other western European countries have pledged to assist Nigeria in efforts to rescue the abducted school girls.