Fuel scarcity worsen Nation's power problem.

The current nationwide scarcity of refined petroleum products has reached a crisis point with a litre of petrol selling for between N200 and N600 in many parts of the country, while diesel, household kerosene and liquefied natural gas have also become elusive.

Also, with power generation dropping to an all-time low of 1,327 megawatts, most Nigerian households are now living without electricity as they have also run out of fuel to power their generators.

Even before the dip in power generation, most Nigerian households have been relying on generators as the main source of their power supply while using the public power supply as a backup. However, the fuel shortages which started over a week ago, have made it impossible for households to even get fuel to power their generators.

Although, daily fuel consumption nationwide is about 40 million litres per day, it is estimated that a sizeable proportion of the demand goes into fuelling of generators.

“It is now impossible for me to get a four-litre fuel to run   my small generator,” a man who was in the queue in one of the filling stations, told one of our correspondents on Sunday.

Also, a resident of one of the upscale estates in Magodo, who identified himself as John Adebayo, told one of our correspondents that he had been unable to run his generator for three days because he could not get diesel to buy.

“I have money to buy diesel but it is just not available anywhere.   I can’t even pump water, it is really pathetic,”he lamented.

Already, the situation has started affecting companies with some firms like MTN and Airtel saying that they could not get diesel to run generators at base stations.

Unless urgent steps are taken by the Federal Government and all concerned stakeholders, many citizens will find it difficult to get to their various places of work and business as from today (Monday) due to the crippling scarcity of refined petroleum products occasioned by the refusal of marketers to import them and a strike by tanker drivers.

Our correspondents reported on Sunday that petrol had dried up in almost all the filling stations nationwide, while black marketers capitalised on the prevailing scarcity by selling the product in jerry cans for between N200 and N600 per litre in places like Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Kaduna and Oyo states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

The situation affected vehicular movements in many parts of Lagos and Ogun states on Sunday, with attendance at religious centres unusually low, while commercial transport operators raised their fares by over 300 per cent.

All the filling stations owned by major oil marketers visited by our correspondents were under lock and key. Majority of the independent petroleum products marketers were also not selling petrol on Sunday.

The very few independent marketers with petrol were selling the product for between N150 and N400 per litre, while black market dealers were selling for between N500 and N600 per litre in some of the stations visited.

A motorist plying the Berger-Mowe route traversing Lagos and Ogun states, who simply identified himself as Ola, expressed disappointment with the slow response of the government to the problem, adding that with the situation on the ground, workers would have to part with a lot of money to get to their offices on Monday (today).

A commercial transport operator in Ikorodu, Lagos, told one of our correspondents that he bought 30 litres of petrol for N12,000 instead of N2,610 at the regulated price of N87 per litre.

It was gathered that virtually all the filling stations in Osun State had run out of petrol as of Sunday, thereby forcing the residents to stay indoors.

A major petroleum products’ marketer told one of our correspondents that the Federal Government had refused to meet them to resolve the lingering issues surrounding the payment of the subsidy arrears owed the marketers.

The marketer, who pleaded anonymity, said since the last meeting they had with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on May 4, nothing had changed.

The Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Olawore, said though the marketers had reached out to the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on the lingering fuel supply problems, they had yet to get a positive response.

He confirmed that the marketers were not importing petrol at the moment, because they did not have the wherewithal to do so.

The spokesperson for the Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Saidu Muhammed, said the product scarcity was primarily due to the ongoing workers’ strike in the NNPC.

He said, “Products are not coming out from the depots and there’s virtually nothing anybody can do for now. But hopefully, when they resolve the strike, things may become normal.

“The strike by the NNPC workers is affecting all the depots. And until the strike is called off, there will be no loading. There is no loading in almost all the depots across the country and so products are not coming out.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has noted with concern the current energy crisis facing the country, which it describes as unprecedented.

In a statement signed by its President, Alhaji Remi Bello, the LCCI called on President Goodluck Johnathan to bring a halt to the imminent collapse of economic and social life in the country.

Bello said, “There should be an immediate engagement of stakeholders in the petroleum industry to discuss the outstanding issues of indebtedness and related labour matters in the interest of the economy and the citizens. The situation should not be allowed to degenerate any further.

“The Lagos Chamber urges the incoming administration to immediately deregulate the oil and gas downstream sector on assumption of office in order to provide an enduring solution to the recurring problem of petroleum products’ scarcity, corruption inherent in the subsidy regime, the collapse of refineries, lack of investment in the downstream sector, loss of jobs and so on.

“Options available to the incoming administration in this matter are very limited. The current regime of subsidy and government’s direct involvement in the operations of oil and gas sector should be discontinued. Government needs to get out of the way, so that the sector and the economy as a whole can make progress. This will pave the way for the restoration of normalcy in the sector and attract private capital, boost investments and create jobs.”

Similarly, a Global System of Mobile communications provider, Airtel Networks Limited, said in a statement that its commitments to delivering best-in-class quality of service and seamless telephony experience to all Nigerians was being affected by its inability to procure diesel for its base stations.

The company stated, “While we are currently doing everything within our means as well as going the extra mile to ensure that all our base stations and switches are up and running, it is sad to note that it is becoming increasingly difficult to replenish current stock of diesel due to the lingering scarcity of the product.

“We are also concerned that, if the situation persists, it may have adverse effects on our network, impacting both voice and data services.”

MTN Nigeria had issued a similar statement on Saturday.

A faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress led by Mr. Joe Ajaero said on Sunday in Kaduna that the current fuel scarcity across the country was a war against Nigerians.

It, therefore, warned that should the scarcity persist, organised labour would have no choice than to embark on an indefinite strike.

This was contained in a statement by the factional Deputy President of the NLC, Alhaji Issa Aremu, which was made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday.

ECA: FG and States shared N6.2Tr in four years - Okonjo-Iweala

The Federal Government on Sunday night released details of how N6.21tn was shared from the Excess Crude Account by the federal and state governments between 2011 and 2014.

The breakdown was released by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, through a statement by her Special Adviser on Communications, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu.

The minister had last week promised to make details of the account available following a demand by the state governors under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum that she should explain how she had managed the over $20bn in the ECA between June 2013 and April 2015.

However, in the document issued on Sunday, the minister said she needed to make public the details “to clarify issues thrown up by recent claims made by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State on behalf of some governors.”

Analyses of the allocation as revealed by the document showed that in addition to their constitutionally approved receipts from the Federation Account, the Federal Government received the sum of N3.29tn, while the 36 states got a total of N2.92tn from the ECA within the four-year period. 

A further breakdown of the ECA disbursement showed that the 36 states received N966.6bn in 2011; N816.3bn in 2012; N859.4bn in 2013 and N282.8bn in 2014.

The document attributed the low figure shared in 2014 to a steep decline in revenues due to the impact of the crash in global oil prices, which began in the middle of that year.

Akwa Ibom, with N265bn, got the highest allocation from the ECA; while Rivers and Delta states followed with N230.4bn and N216.7bn, respectively.

Other states with highest allocations, according to the document, are Bayelsa, N176.3bn; Kano, N106.5bn; and Lagos, N82.9bn.

On the other hand, Kwara (N52.8bn), Enugu (N51.6bn), Gombe (N47.7bn), Nasarawa (N46.9bn), Ekiti (N46.8bn) and Ebonyi (N44.3bn) received the least amounts.

The summary of the inflows and outflows from the account indicated that the opening balance was $4.56bn in 2011 and reached a peak the following year at $8.7bn before declining to $2.3bn in 2013.

The document put the balance as of May 2015 at $2.07bn, noting that “the fluctuation in the ECA reflects the sharing of the proceeds usually requested by state governors as well as the practice of augmentation.”

It said the augmentation involved additional sharing from the ECA by both tiers of government when available funds were not adequate to meet revenue projections.

Okonjo-Iweala had last week described the governors’ demand as strange because issues relating to the management of the ECA were usually discussed by the commissioners of Finance of the 36 states of the federation during the monthly Federation Accounts Allocation Committee meeting.

She had said since the commissioners were representatives of their respective governors at the meeting, there was no basis for the demand.

Okonjo-Iweala’s statement read in part, “It has come to our attention that governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum have requested that the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance should account for an estimated $20bn oil revenue from the Excess Crude Account from June 2013 to April 2015.

“There is no basis for the demand and the stated amount. The statement by the governors is totally strange because FAAC meets every month and the ECA is discussed at every session, with all the state commissioners of Finance present.”

Rivers State CP, Military Commanders reporting to Patience Jonathan - Amaechi

The Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, on Sunday said his disagreement with President Goodluck Jonathan, was due in part to Mrs. Jonathan’s meddlesomeness.

He said this after the premiere of a documentary on the Amaechi years, at the Silver Bird Galleria, Abuja.

According to him, the President and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, would have taken him to the cleaners, if they had found anything incriminating against him.

Amaechi said, “We had a disagreement in principle between me and the President. Have you seen a country where the Commissioner of Police is reporting to the wife of the President? It’s in Rivers State.

“Have you seen a country where the Brigade Commander or the Navy Commander or Air force Commander is reporting to the Wife of the President? It’s in Rivers State.”

He explained that he was convinced that such conduct would not help in the development of any nation and he took a stand against it.

Amaechi stressed that Nigeria must never again go back to such dark days, stressing that public officers should learn to lead by the rule so as to avoid abuse of office by their spouses.

He pointed out that it was the husband who was elected. The governor revealed that in his own case, he ensured that his wife knew her limits and he always told her she had no right to call any of his commissioners for anything, because the people voted him into office as governor not her.

Amaechi challenged anyone who had doubts about his performance in office to go to Rivers State and see for himself.

He also said all he did in the state were not for self-glorification but were done to bequeath a legacy for successive administrations in the state to sustain but added that 90 per cent of the people who worked with him betrayed him.

He further showcased his achievements spanning all sectors of the state economy, wondering why the Federal Government was desperate about casting his administration in bad light even when he spent N105bn on federal roads.

He also pointed out that he kept a proper account of his stewardship and the books were open for all to see. This, he said, gave him the courage to sustain the struggle, expressing joy that history will vindicate him in the end.

In the documentary which featured some of his projects in the areas of security, agriculture, education, transportation, health and social development, Amaechi’s said the documentary left out some projects he would love to see documented.

Senator Magnus Abbe, who also featured in the documentary, explained how Amaechi pioneered the amnesty programme through which insecurity in the state was drastically reduced.

Jonathan mismanaged Nigeria - Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo fired a fresh salvo the way of President Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, when he looked back at the last eight years and returned with a verdict: The country had been poorly managed under Jonathan.

Obasanjo said this when the Iyalode of Yoruba land, Chief Alaba Lawson, led a delegation of South-West women leaders on a visit to his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta.

The 78-year-old leader said owing to the mismanagement of the country in the last eight years, the incoming administration of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, should be prepared to face the daunting challenges that lay ahead.

He said, “The country had been poorly managed in the last eight years and it would take some time for Buhari’s government to correct the anomalies. But I want to tell him not to be frightened.”

Calling on Nigerians to exercise patience with the incoming administration, Obasanjo said the damage that had been done to the country in the last eight years could not be corrected overnight.

“What I would say is that we should all put our minds at rest. He (Buhari) is someone that will perform but we must exercise patience because what has been destroyed for eight years cannot be undone overnight.

“But like the Chinese proverb which says the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step, it is not only the first step (that matters) but the first step in the right direction because if you take a wrong step, you’re not likely to get to the destination,” he said.

The Owu-born leader recalled that when he assumed power as civilian president in 1999, the country was in the same situation it is today – battling fuel crisis and lack of power supply.

“When I came in 1999, there was no fuel and power. The situation was like this and I thought we have put that one behind us,” he stressed, even as he expressed confidence in the ability of Buhari to surmount the hurdle.

“The man that is coming on board has a lot of experience in terms of governance. He is not a novice in governance having ruled the country as a military Head of State from 1983 to 1985.

“Nigerians need to exercise patience because what has been destroyed in eight years cannot be rebuilt in a day,” Obasanjo maintained.

Recalling his years as military Head of State between 1976 and 1979, Obasanjo said he worked closely with Buhari and that their association produced results.

Urging Nigerians to pray for Buhari, Obasanjo said the president-elect needs the cooperation of Nigerians in order to put the country on the right footing.

“Let’s give him time. Let’s pray for him and let’s cooperate with him. We are all concerned about the present situation of Nigeria. The expectation is very high but at the same time, there is a lot of goodwill internally and externally for the incoming government.

“Once the incoming administration realises this and takes every step, particularly in the first three months when people will be watching and counting, I think for me, we will get there,” the former Peoples Democratic Party leader said.

The former Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, however, warned Buhari not to take Nigerians for granted as he called on him to always be honest in his dealing with Nigerians.

Obasanjo added that with Buhari at the helm of affairs, Nigeria would have a new opportunity.

He said, “God has provided a new opportunity for Nigeria and Nigerians and I believe God does not make mistakes. There are two things I believe the incoming President appreciates; one is that he knows that the expectations of Nigerians are high and two, that he should not be frightened by the situation on the ground.”

Also, Obasanjo urged the incoming administration against squandering its goodwill at home and abroad.

Decrying the agony inflicted upon Nigerians by the scarcity of fuel across the country, Lawson advised Obasanjo to continue to support the Buhari government in advisory capacity.

She said, “We are aware that you also took over the reins of power of this country at a critical time and with the help of the Almighty God, you were able to bring us back from the brink. The same goes for now.

“We, therefore, appeal to you not to leave this incoming government. Though we are confident of the time-proven abilities of our incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari, we also believe that two heads are better than one and where there is a gathering of wise ones, wisdom will issue forth from there.”

Get ready for extradition hearing, NDLEA tells Kashamu

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has advised the Senator-elect for Ogun-East senatorial district, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, to concentrate his effort on defending himself before the Federal High Court where he is expected to appear on Monday (today).

The agency reiterated that the decision to drag him before the court followed a formal request for his extradition by the United States.

In a statement by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchell, on Sunday, the NDLEA urged Kashamu to save his energy for the hearing of the extradition application.

Kashamu is the Chairman, Organisastion and Mobilisation Committee of the PDP in the South-West and he was a staunch supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.

He fell out with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and teamed up with President Goodluck Jonathan during the battle for the control of the party in Ogun State.

The agency said it was wrong of Kashamu to finger Obasanjo and a leader of the PDP in Lagos State, Chief Bode George, as being behind his present travails.

According to the NDLEA, Kashamu had been on the wanted list of both the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security.

The statement read in part, “According to an official report, Kashamu has been on the wanted list of both the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security.

“Kashamu was indicted in the Northern District of Illinois, United States, on charges brought against him by ICE.

“According to the United States court documents, Kashamu in his days as the leader of a prolific heroin-trafficking ring based in Chicago, Illinois, was known as ‘god,’ ‘Daddy, and ‘Kasmal.’ He is wanted to stand trial for charges of conspiracy and importation of controlled substances, namely heroin, into the United States dating back to 1994.

“Kashamu, who holds dual Nigerian/Beninoise citizenship, has taken multiple pre-emptive actions to thwart US extradition efforts such as claiming that he was being mistaken for his deceased brother whom he claimed committed the alleged offences in the US.”

The statement also said that Kashamu had filed injunctions at courts in the Northern District of Illinois, United States, and in Nigeria to prevent his arrest and prosecution.

The NDLEA said, “These are issues that Kashamu should prepare to address rather than point accusing fingers at eminent elder statesmen who have no connection with the ongoing investigative process. The senator who was placed on house arrest at the weekend is expected to appear in court in less than 24 hours.

“We expect Kashamu, as a distinguished senator-elect, to demonstrate ample confidence in the Nigerian judicial system and stop the blame game.”

Meanwhile, armed NDLEA operatives have gained access into the residence of the embattled politician, where he has been confined to his bedroom.

His lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, who spoke with our correspondent near the residence, on Sunday, said Kashamu had not been allowed to leave his bedroom since Saturday.

Oluyede said, “He has been locked inside the room while about 15 armed operatives are in the house. As I speak to you, I have not even seen him. We have only been talking through the door.

This is disheartening because his little children and his pregnant wife are all in the house with him.”

When asked to comment on the allegation that Kashamu threatened suicide, the lawyer said, “He is obviously traumatised but I wouldn’t say he is suicidal.”

Oluyede alleged that the NDLEA had no plan of taking Kashamu to court on Monday (today) but only later decided to do so because the media got involved.

“Their plan was to get him as early as 4am and put him on the plane to the United States. It was never their plan to take him to court. It was when the media reported the incident that they decided to take him to court,” he said.

About 15 patrol vehicles were seen blocking all entries that lead to Kashamu’s home while over 20 security agents were seen patrolling the street.

Residents of the estate were made to take alternative routes as all roads leading to Kashamu’s home were blocked.

In his reaction, the media aide to Kashamu, Austin Oniyokor, however, berated the drug agency, accusing it of being the mouthpiece of Obasanjo and George.

The statement said, “We do not know when the NDLEA becomes the spokespersons for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Bode George. We do not need them to tell us to address our issues.

“We are addressing our issues. We had told the court of the planned abduction of Kashamu and the NDLEA was represented. The court had given an order asking all the parties to stay action, pending the determination of the suit which had been fixed for Wednesday.”

Oniyokor explained that Kashamu refused to hand himself over to the NDLEA operatives, who stormed his Lagos residence on Ladipo Street, Lekki Phase 1, on Saturday, because they could not produce a warrant of arrest.

He said if the NDLEA provides a warrant of arrest against Kashamu, the PDP chieftain would “hand himself over to them but if not, he will not.”

But a member of PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, described the allegation by Kashamu that George was behind his travails as sad and ridiculous.

A statement by Babatope on Sunday said, “It is sad and ridiculous of Senator-elect, Chief Buruji Kashamu, to accuse Chief Bode George of being behind his current ordeal with the men of the NDLEA.

“This allegation is not true. I have known George for over 46 years and I know him never to go on a witch-hunt of anyone as a result of personal differences or disagreements. Though the wife of George is the Director-General of the NDLEA, he can never attack the person of Kashamu.

“I call on Kashamu to look somewhere else in locating those who might have been involved in his travails.”

Mayweather in new fight as reality show fallout persists

MONEY: Floyd Mayweather is being sued by two young boxers over his All Access reality TV show Picture: AFP

Unbeaten world champion Floyd Mayweather is being sued by two boxing brothers involved in sparring sessions that were shown on a television reality show.

The documents posted online by Las Vegas television station KTNV show that Sharif Rahman and his older brother, Hasim Rahman Jr, are suing Mayweather, his fledgling promotional company and cable telecaster Showtime over the TV show designed to promote Mayweather's last...

Gunners looking jaded ahead of Wembley final

Sadio Mane of Southampton celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Aston Villa at St Mary's Stadium on May 16, 2015 in Southampton, England.
Image: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images Getty Images

ter the Gunners failed to score for a third successive game at their Emirates Stadium home in a 0-0 draw against Sunderland this week, manager Arsene Wenger conceded that his players had lost the momentum they built up during an eight-game winning run in the Premier League a few weeks ago.

When asked whether his side could rediscover their winning touch ahead of the Wembley date on Saturday with Tim Sherwood's Aston Villa, Wenger said: "It is a little bit of a concern, but we have some time to prepare and to recover."

He went on to suggest the long campaign had taken a toll on some of his players and he hinted he may make changes to his lineup for their final Premier League game against West Bromwich Albion today with an eye on the FA Cup final.

When asked whether his players were jaded, Wenger said: "You could see that some players are [jaded] a bit. We played our 56th game of the season tonight [Wednesday] and some players have given a lot. We still have time to recover for Sunday [today] and prepare well for the FA Cup final. What is important now is that we win on Sunday. We want to finish on a high in front of our own fans."

The Liverpool dilemma: What now Brendan?

While some of his players may be tired, Wenger stressed the likes of Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere will be encouraged to join up with the England squad if they are selected after both endured truncated seasons with Arsenal due to injury.

"[Those] players don't need a rest," he said. "Theo has been out for a year, Jack for six months because he played his last game in November. They don't need a rest. They can go with England, it's no problem. Of course I'd welcome it."

Somewhere in north London, Danny Welbeck must be kicking himself. The England international left his beloved Manchester United to try and establish himself as a Premier League centre forward. However, at the precise time Arsenal need him, he finds himself unable to contribute to the cause.

Meanwhile, there is growing concern over the Gunners' first-choice centre forward, Olivier Giroud, who has been largely outstanding this season, but has now gone seven games without scoring. It's not ideal for the team's top striker to be finishing the season on a diminuendo.

It's not that he's suddenly become a bad player. Giroud's role is a physical one; in every game he takes a significant buffeting.

Eventually, that kind of conflict is going to take its toll on the body. As Giroud's stamina has waned, so has his confidence, and he now looks some way short of the player we saw a couple of months ago.

He simply needs a rest.

Aston Villa's Christian Benteke scores their first goal. Image: REUTERS Reuters / Paul ChildsLivepic

However, with Welbeck sidelined, there is no obvious player to come in for him. Walcott has ambitions of playing as a central striker, but Wenger has never considered him a serious option for the role.

At the start of the campaign, Alexis Sánchez was occasionally used through the middle, but he now seems to have settled into a role on the left.

Giroud didn't play particularly poorly against Sunderland, but his struggles are symptomatic of an Arsenal team who have now gone three home games without scoring a goal.

As much as opposition goalkeepers have rightly taken credit for some impressive displays, the real issue has been Arsenal's underwhelming attacking play. Even when the team do create chances, their finishing lacks the requisite conviction.

Giroud is not the only forward looking fatigued. Sanchez's start to the season was characterised by relentless running, but he is now bursting into life with increasing infrequency. Mesut Özil and Santi Cazorla once buzzed with activity at the creative hub of the Arsenal midfield. However, against Sunderland, they barely figured.

With an FA Cup final around the corner, Arsenal fans will be concerned by the lack of fluency in their team. Although a final is a one-off encounter where form can go out of the window, they would presumably feel more secure if they were heading to Wembley with significant momentum rather than stumbling towards the finish line.

Against West Bromwich today, Wenger must find a balance between handing a rest to those who need it and ensuring Arsenal have a team capable of taking them into the final on the back of a positive result.

Giroud could patently do with a rest, but the lack of an obvious alternative may force him into action once again.

'Zuma made Mandela feel ashamed' - Libyan PM

South African President Jacob Zuma (2nd L) stands behind a statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela outside Parliament in Cape Town.
Image: POOL REUTERS

ormer senior Libyan official accused President Jacob Zuma of making the late Nelson Mandela "feel ashamed", according to e-mails sent by US presidential contender Hillary Clinton while she was secretary of state.

The e-mails, released on Friday after a court order, reveal that Zuma had a frosty relationship with Mahmoud Jibril, who was interim prime minister of Libya during the civil war that claimed the life of Muammar Gaddafi.

Fewer people have faith in SA's future than in '94

Clinton's e-mails about the 2011 terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya were handed to the US State Department on Friday. They form part of more than 55000 pages Clinton has turned over to the State Department.

They span two years of Clinton's stint as secretary of state - 2011 and 2012.

An e-mail sent to Clinton by her aide and confidante Huma Abedin, dated August 21 2011, mentions Zuma in a briefing about the uprising in Libya and whether a battle for the capital, Tripoli, could be avoided.

At the time Jibril chaired the executive board of the National Transitional Council in Libya. The e-mail discussed the issue of humanitarian and financial need in the war-ravaged country, and noted that Jibril "understood the need for continued outreach to Africa".

However, said Abedin: "Part of our South African problem may derive from Jibril's poor relations with Zuma, with Jibril telling us that he recently accused Zuma of making Nelson Mandela feel ashamed".

Presidential spokesman Harold Maloka did not respond to a request for comment.

Manchester United confirm Falcao departure

The striker has spent the season on loan at Old Trafford but failed to impress and scored just four goals in 26 Premier League appearances

Manchester United have confirmed they will not be signing Radamel Falcao on a permanent deal from Monaco.

The 29-year-old, who moved to Old Trafford on the final day of the summer transfer window for an €8 million fee, has scored just four goals in 26 Premier League appearances this season.

Falcao, who missed Sunday's final game of the campaign against Hull City through injury, would have cost beyond €50m to make the move permanent, while also commanding a weekly salary of over €300,000.

"Falcao is a top professional and a good human being. On behalf of myself and everyone at the club I would like to wish him well for the future," Louis van Gaal told the club's official website.

Falcao's last goal for United came against Leicester City on January 31.

Mourinho eyes 'fresh blood' to motivate Chelsea

Despite winning the Premier League title after occupying top spot for a record 274 days, the manager is wary of letting his squad rest on their laurels next season

Jose Mourinho says he will strengthen his Chelsea side to put pressure on his title-winning players next season.

The Blues rounded off the campaign with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland before lifting the trophy for a fourth time, having occupied top spot in the Premier League for a record 274 days.

With Didier Drogba confirming his departure ahead of the game and the likes of Petr Cech possibily leaving, Mourinho knows there is space available to his squad to improve the compeition for a first-team place.

"I know that our rivals are not going to accept this title and they are going to fight and there are three or four teams that will be aiming for us," he told reporters. "We have to be better - me, the players and our squad.

"Maybe they need some fresh blood to keep them under pressure. They know me they know that they are not going to keep their positions on the basis of this year."

Mourinho also hit back at claims during the season that Chelsea were not entertaining to watch, labelling his side a "complete" team, before admitting his return to Stamford Bridge two years ago was a risk.

He added: "I think we have everything. Can anybody say we don't play fantastic football? No. Well, they can, but it's not true.

"We have art in our game but we also have fantastic spirit, organisation and pragmatism. We are a complete team and that is why we are champions.

"It was a bit of a risk to come here for a second time but with a new team a new generation we are champions again, and as a Chelsea supporter I feel it a double way."

Van Gaal: I know who I'll buy and sell

The manager says the transfer process is already underway at Old Trafford and branded Marouane Fellaini "stupid" for his red card after 10 minutes against Hull City

Louis van Gaal says he already knows which players he must buy and sell in a potentially busy summer atManchester United.

The Red Devils, who had already sealed a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, concluded the 2014-15 campaign with a 0-0 draw away to Hull City on Sunday.

United have already signed rising Netherlands star Memphis Depay from PSV and are expected to be active once again in the transfer market this summer as they look to mount a genuine title challenge next term.

And Van Gaal says he has already formulated plans to bolster his options for next season - as well as trim some of the dead wood from his squad.

"I have calls with every player I think I have to talk to, but the transfer period is a process," he told reporters at the KC Stadium. "I know which players have to go and which players have to come but you never know if they go or if they come because it is dependent on a lot of aspects."

Radamel Falcao was ruled out of the draw with Hull after picking up a knock in training this week but Van Gaal refused to be drawn on the Colombian's future beyond this term.

"Today we have to concentrate on this match and analysis of this match and not about decisions that we have made," he said. "You shall hear it at the proper time when Manchester United has to say something."

Hull failed to find a way past stand-in goalkeeper Victor Valdes on Sunday - despite Marouane Fellaini's red card for a shocking lunge on Paul McShane in the second half - and were relegated as a result of the draw.

And Van Gaal admits he is sad to see Steve Bruce's men drop into the Championship, while he branded Fellaini's challenge as "stupid".

"Very sad that a club like Hull City is relegated," he said. "I think everybody had seen it already before, this match was after all not so important but for us to play against a team that is fighting to the end, that is difficult. 

"We are fighting for a dream, thery are fighting for a rescue, and that you see. They were a little bit unlucky and also [Victor] Valdes has saved us with remarkable saves. A clean sheet, a lot of clean sheets we have achieved this season.

"Fellaini doesn't want to do that. For him, it is unbelievably stupid. Next season he starts on the tribune and also in preparation you start more or less as a substitute, so it is not so good for him personally. 

"But I don't know if that is a red card. I cannot see that from the bench but when I see it takes seven minutes, I believe, the player was not capable of standing up, it was a worst tackle.

"I'm ready [for the holidays], I go immediately. Last summer I didn't have any holidays, I go straight from Manchester, I am happy the holidays are starting for me."

Van Gaal added that Angel Di Maria will undergo tests on a hamstring problem which forced him off in the first half, though he believes the problem to be a minor one.

Mourinho: I would manage another English club after Chelsea

The Special One insists he will stay at Stamford Bridge as long as owner Roman Abramovich wants him but says he could end up at another Premier League club afterwards.

Jose Mourinho has revealed he would like to continue managing in England when his time in charge ofChelsea is up.

The Portuguese will lift the Premier League trophy for the third time at Stamford Bridge on Sunday after his side take on Sunderland.

And while he insists he wants to stay at Chelsea for as long as possible, Mourinho adds that he wants to remain in English football even if owner Roman Abramovich decides to dismiss him for a second time.

"The day Mr Abramovich thinks I am not good enough for Chelsea, I want to work, and if possible in England too," Mourinho told the BBC's Football Focus.

"Until Mr Abramovich says so, I don't see myself going. Any club can come to me now and offer me a fantastic project, offer me twice my wages in the contract at Chelsea, but there's no chance I will go.

"I see myself coaching another club, yes, but I love Chelsea and I am in Mr Abramovich's hands and until then, I am staying here."

Mourinho was heavily linked with succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in the summer of 2013, only for the Scot to instead recommend countryman David Moyes for the job.