Former spokesman of the House of Representatives, Eseme Eyiboh, says the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has lost the visionary philosophy of its founding fathers and empowered a crop of political dealers deficit in inspirational leadership.

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant of All Progressives Congress, APC, and Chairman of the Economic Team of Edo State Government, Mr Godwin Obaseki, weekend, vowed to source capital that will be enough to develop the economy of the state.

LAGOS — Investors in the Nigerian stock market, yesterday, lost N93.5 billion in the first trading year of 2016, amidst global equity markets fall, signifying slow economic activity.

Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and some leading lawyers in the country have disagreed with the Presidential Committee on anti-corruption led by Professor Itse Sagay over President Muhammadu Buhari’s insistence that the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, and the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu who are facing separate criminal charges, would not be released from custody, despite valid court orders that granted them bail.

The new year will be quite challenging for Nigerians. They need no prophet nor soothsayer to predict this. The country’s situation evolves from its reliance on a mono- culture; oil. Politics is the largest and most productive industry in the country with being in government, the most profitable investment. With falling crude oil prices, the economy is bound to wobble, and unpalatable policy dishes served. Wisely, the Government benchmarked the 2016 Budget on a very low figure of $38 per barrel down from the $53 last year, and $76 for the 2014 Budget. Based on a 2.2 million barrels quota, it is hoping to make a daily income of $83.6 million or $30.514 billion in 2016.

As part of efforts at putting an end to incessant clashes between farmers and cattle herdsmen in the State, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III have recommended a total ban on night grazing of cow herds in Ekiti State.

Agbarha-Otor—Military officials attached to the 222nd Battalion, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli have arrested three members of a local vigilante group at Oveto Street in the town for allegedly killing an unidentified commercial motorcycle operator popularly known as okada rider on New Year’s Day.

THE Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, yesterday, consecrated three bishops with a call on them to be good shepherds over their flocks.

TRADE Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, weekend described the 469 cars the federal lawmakers plan to buy as a misplaced priority, saying it was pained that the lawmakers did not understand the mood of the nation or know the task before them and the country.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has described as baseless, the denial offered by Commissioner For Public Utilities, Deji Adesua, over the accusation that Governor Ayodele Fayose expends N210 million monthly to power street-lights in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Yenagoa—A policeman was reportedly killed Friday night by a gang of armed robbers as they attempted to escape after robbing a woman at Agudama community in Yenagoa Local Government area of Bayelsa State.

Tension rose in the ancient town of Ile-Ife, Osun State, yesterday as the controversy surrounding the selection of the new Obalufe of Ile-Ife, the second-in-command to the Ooni of Ife caused rancour among the supporters of the ten contenders to the throne from Aga ruling house of the town.

Following fears of a repeat of the violence witnessed during the botched December 5 and 6 governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the state police command has summoned ex-militant leaders to a security stakeholders’ meeting in the state.

Life is certainly looking better for Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi who put in another stellar perfor-mance for the Cham-pions who ran an away with a 3-0 win against city rivals Crystal Palace yesterday. The 28-year-old Nigeria international played the duration of the game at Selhurst Park and was effective sitting in front of the Chelsea back four.

The home-based Super Eagles of Nigeria have begun the second phase of their preparation for Rwanda 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Pretoria, South Africa.