₦airaland Forum

Speaking on behalf of the Governors, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State said they had come specifically to thank the President for the award of the contract for the major component of the second Niger Bridge at the cost of N206 billion.

‘‘The project is the dream of our people and it has become a dream come true. Our people said we must come and thank you. Your Excellency, Mr President we are grateful Sir,’’ he said.

Thereafter, Governor Umahi while enumerating some challenges confronting the Governors to the President said: ‘‘out of mutual respect, we have come to you as a caring leader to listen to us.’’

Ketaokeipheoma:
u mean if he restructured nigeria,nigeria will not nave leader again!! Or u take restructuring as dividing?

Johnnyessence:
i will even post abdulrahman abdulrazaq shady deals on nairaland and other medium to let the whole world knows who Apc presented as their candidate. check my profile very well on nairaland on other medium, i always seek for justice where something is done wrong. i love politics and it is part of me when i was growing up. also I'm not in any contract with any political party but I'm supporting Pdp to remove Apc and its weak dullard buhari from power in 2019.it is a collective effort from everyone to do that. tinubu is our oppressors and we must reduced him to useless and clueless selfish man. the same thing applied to buhari too.

Johnnyessence:
No one is jittery please, tell me the strategy that saraki is adopting. if not that you are ignorance of what you are saying here, i hope you know that the so called tinubu and Apc that is sponsoring him are all devilish party. you can't eat your cake and have it.

seanfer:
It's funny how you jumped from Nigeria and now you want to compare Lagos with other places in the world.... Simple Question i asked which of those states under PDP since 1999 has achieved more than Lagos that has been Under APC since 1999.....

seanfer:
Hahaha.... So in your dreams now Enugu is more developed than Lagos?

ON NOVEMBER 17, 2018

Despite last Saturday’s statement by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole that his encounter with the Department of State Security Services, DSS, was not an arrest as being speculated, Saturday Vanguard learned that the forces against him were unfazed in the resolve to achieve preconceived objectives.

Already, exclusive reports by some influential online platforms had indicated that the DSS in its report to the Presidency, recommended the prosecution of Oshiomhole over its alleged findings.

Saturday Vanguard could not confirm the veracity of the existence of the report from the DSS and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, but top party sources said there was nothing like that.

They, however, said the protest against the Chairman at the office of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, and the said DSS report were part of the efforts of those opposed to Oshiomhole at achieving their aim.

One of the sources said the ultimate objective was to co-opt President Muhamadu Buhari in the anti-Oshiomhole camp.

He said it would be difficult to get the President’s support for the move, adding that those against Oshiomhole had since lost the President’s support for failing to accept the solutions he (Buhari) proffered as the leader of the APC.

In fact, he told Saturday Vanguard that there was a day the President asked one of the aggrieved governors, who was visiting him at the time, to speak to Oshiomhole on the phone in his presence so they could resolve the matter.

He added that instead of having the peace talk President Buhari suggested, the governor started insulting Oshiomhole on the phone, using unprintable words.

This scene which happened in the presence of the President, was said to have lasted more than 30 minutes.

The scenario was said to have convinced the President that the aggrieved governor and others were being driven by self-interest.

The source, who was even privy to the conversation Oshiomhole had with the DSS, said top party members and political office holders, have resolved to defend the chairman.

He noted that this support played out when Oshiomhole honoured the DSS invitation, adding that the party chieftains and public office holders immediately mobilised in solidarity, threatening to defend the national chairman at all costs.

Sources privy to the event told Saturday Vanguard that the party members, who were taken unaware immediately mobilised to Oshiomhole’s Abuja residence when they got wind of the matter.

Prominent among those, who immediately responded to the situation was a top presidency official in charge of the administrative workings of the government, a serving governor, and minister among others.

The scandalized officials were said to have threatened that should the interrogation continue, they would not mind if their defence of Oshiomhole’s integrity led to the implosion of APC.

However, Saturday Vanguard further learned that contrary to insinuations that President Buhari had prior knowledge of the operation, the President and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were called when it had ended.

The duo were said to have been rattled that such treatment was meted to the party’s National Chairman.

The incident, one of the sources said, was hatched by some top political office holders, who seem to have influence over some officials of the institution that was used.

The aim was to intimidate Oshiomhole into signing a resignation letter which would be presented to the public.

To achieve this, he was presented with a series of allegations of financial impropriety allegedly made against him.


Money from Lagos State governor

The allegations included the collection of money from Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode; senators; Kano State aspirants; Zamfara State aspirants and Imo State APC members among others.

These accusations, which the source described as cheap, were brought before Oshiomhole, who was said to have punctured them with superior and logical responses.

Saturday Vanguard learned that Oshiomhole, who saw the claims as laughable and pedestrian, told them that it was illogical to suggest that he collected money from Ambode when the outcome of the primaries in Lagos was not even being challenged by the governor.

On the allegation of collecting money from senatorial aspirants, it was learned that the APC chairman considered it a cheap one since he did not succumb to the pressure of being financially induced by those seeking higher offices.


APC primaries in Kano

In fact, the source said the allegation implied that those behind the matter could go to any length in their bid to oust the National Chairman.

The source, who said Oshiomhole’s response to the questions exposed the intelligence level of those, who made the allegations, said questioning him over APC primaries in Kano was needless.

His reason was that Oshiomhole gave the party a new lease of life in Kano with the return of a former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau to APC after Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s defection.

Explaining further, the source said: “What happened was the handiwork of a few people, who used the influence they think they have to intimidate the chairman. They wanted him to resign his position as the National Chairman to pave the way for their selfish interest. They invited Comrade and he honoured the invitation as a law-abiding citizen. He was taken aback when they started asking him questions about issues that didn’t exist.

“Even the President was not aware of it as some people claimed.

"The President and the Vice President were informed about the incident on phone and they were very angry because it is obvious that some people who are not comfortable with comrade’s resolve to ensure that candidates were not imposed on the party are ready to make the party implode.

"They asked him questions regarding Kano State, Imo State, and Zamfara State among others. The funny aspect is that they said he collected money from Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode.

"That was just a petty lie because the outcome of the Lagos primary was not a subject of controversy and Ambode did not even kick against the emergence of the winner.

"In addition to that, they said he collected money from senators. That is absolute nonsense because Comrade is a former governor, who has attained the peak in public office.

"How could he have collected money from a senator, who collects about N13 million monthly? The allegations against him lacked substance.


Governors, ministers

“The morning after the incident some governors, ministers and other top functionaries visited his house and were threatening to defend comrade, adding that they didn’t care if the party experienced an implosion. That scene is better imagined.

"Of course, their reaction was expected because the incident was on the heels of threats by an aggrieved governor that comrade would be forced out of office.

"The call by the opposition that the Interpol should arrest comrade was unnecessary because he committed no crime to have warranted such.

"It even showed that the main opposition party in this country does not engage in constructive criticisms.

"If the incident had happened to the National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus they would have described it as an abuse of power.

"Since Comrade is the victim, it does not amount to an abuse of power anymore. That is the kind of destructive politics people play in Nigeria. It should be on record that nobody would be allowed to bend the rules of the APC.

"Even Comrade and President Buhari do not have that power to subvert the will of the people. Oshiomhole’s position on the matter is simple. He stands for the rule of law not imposition of candidates.

"That is the reason he refused to succumb to all attempts at making him allow illegality in states where arrangements have been concluded to impose candidates on the people.”

By: Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja On: November 16, 2018

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be in a dilemma on how to design the appropriate campaign message to woo voters in the Southwest geopolitical zone for its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The various political parties will soon commence their presidential campaigns in line with the campaign timeline released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Presently, the PDP cannot boast of any of its key positions occupied by members from the Southwest at the national level within the party hierarchy.

The highest position held by the Southwest in the party’s hierarchy is that of Deputy National Chairman (Southwest) which is being occupied by Elder Yemi Akinwonmi from Ogun State.

Investigation by our correspondent at the weekend revealed that it was one of the key issues that dominated discussions in a meeting held by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar with key party stakeholders in Abuja Wednesday night.

Those that attended the Wednesday meeting included the PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Governors elected on the platform of the party, among others.
Our correspondent gathered that some stakeholders have pointed out that the All Progressives Congress (APC) having Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari, may constitute an uphill task for the PDP campaign in the Southwest.

On the other hand, the PDP has picked Atiku’s running mate, Mr. Peter Obi, from Anambra State in the Southeast geopolitical zone; while the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus is from Rivers State, in the South-South geopolitical zone.

This, according to some of strategists, has stripped the Southwest of any representation in key positions within the PDP. In their submission, this makes the situation more difficult for the opposition party, considering the fact that the entire six states in the Southwest are being controlled by the APC.

More so, the fact that the Buhari administration also parades a number of South Westerners in key positions in Buhari’s cabinet and other key federal agencies may also give the ruling party an edge in the zone.

They have cited the Ministries of Power, Works and Housing being manned by one of the prominent sons of the Southwest, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

The case of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) which is being headed by another South Westerner, Mr. Babatunde Fowler from Lagos State.

Similarly, some analysts have argued that restructuring of the country, which the PDP has projected as one of its key campaign points, is an elitist concept that does not strike any chord with the voting masses in the zone.

“For instance, what is the Yoruba word for restructuring and how do you pass the message across to the market women, artisans and the masses that form the bulk of the voting population”, a PDP chieftain who spoke on the condition of anonymity said at the weekend.

The source also described the positions of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG) and that of the Speaker of House of Representatives that the PDP promised the Southwest as uncertain, stressing that it’s only if the PDP wins the Presidency that that can be fulfilled.

In a swift reaction however, the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, disagreed with the postulations, saying that prevailing circumstances have changed voting dynamics in the country

Speaking with our correspondent on the telephone on Friday, Ologbondiyan said, “Nigerians are not talking about who occupies certain positions. They are interested in who can give them power and make ease of doing business available.

“Nigerians are interested in who can save them from hunger, starvation, killings, bloodletting and all the pain that the Buhari government has imposed on them.

“The issue is not about who occupies what positions. It is about that candidate that understands the nuances of our nation. That candidate that can turn our economy around and make life better for Nigerians.

“Having said that, it’s important to state that the PDP is interested in the value of life. The PDP is interested in the equitable distribution of wealth in the nation. The PDP is interested in making life better for the average Nigerian.

“As such, every group and every geopolitical zone will be well captured and well represented when we form government.

“This is the type of division that the Buhari administration has continued to set Nigerians against one another with all manner of ethnic crises. But Nigerians have come to resent this approach.

“It is unfortunate that even the President is so insensitive to the plight of Nigerians that he does not realise that this is not the time Nigerians will be thinking about who comes from where.
For now, Nigerian are only keen on good governance”.

By: Osagie Otabor, Bénin On: November 16, 2018

The lawmaker representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonnayima, has accused the People’s Democratic Party of blackmailing National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Agbonnayima explained that the purpose for the blackmail is because the PDP knows that they have no hope of winning the election with Oshiomhole as Chairman of the ruling party.

Agbonnayima, who spoke in a chat with newsmen in Bénin City, said Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had not business making any statement against Oshiomhole.

He noted that the reason the PDP is making noise and using politics of castigation as well as black mailing people is because they have nothing to showcase as achievements.

The lawmaker said the PDP has nothing to tell Nigerians as next year’s general elections would be about past antecedents.

According to him, “When they were given opportunity to serve, they served into their pockets. The people on the street will tell you PDP only got 20 percent pass mark while in office. That is total failure

“They are now shedding crocodile tears. The Senate President has no business making any statement against Oshiomhole. The PDP wants Oshiomhole to fail because they know that with Oshiomhole as Chairman, there is no hope for them during the elections.

“They are blackmailing Oshiomhole to make him leave office but they will fail. They failed before they will fail again. When Saraki was in APC, he said many good things about Oshiomhole. Go and check what he is saying now.

“Under the PDP, undeclared crude oil left the shores of this country. The evidences are there. The US government brought documents on how they sold crude oil abroad and the money went to private pockets. Where is all the money the PDP spent on the power sector? They spent N300bn on roads but where are the roads. President Buhari is three years in office, look at what is happening.

“I was Chairman of the Board of Nigeria Railway Corporation under the PDP. When we planned to have standard gauge and brand new coaches but they bought refurbished coaches. I challenged them. When those equipment came, they were refurbished equipment. I refused to commission those rubbish. Look at the all the coaches under Buhari, they are brand new and state of the art. Go and look at Abuja Airport. The APC government has turned it around. We are not where the PDP took us to. We now have $47.3bn in foreign reserve. By now, the PDP would have squandered the money.”

ikennaf1:
Stop using Drake's pictures in zombie senseless posts

November 10, 2018 Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

Mixed reactions trail last Friday invasion of the Ondo State House of Assembly by hoodlums suspected to be members of the National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW) attacking lawmakers, staff and journalists at the premises of the state Assembly complex.

Lawmakers including the newly elected Speaker, Rt Hon Olumide George, Deputy Speaker, Bimbo Fajolu, and former Speaker Jumoke Akindele, were not spared from the attack by the men suspected to be members of NURTW in the state

Investigation by Tribune Online revealed that men of the transport union were misinformed about the impeachment process in the State House of Assembly.

A member of the union who spoke with Tribune Online explained that members of the union were informed that the lawmakers have commenced an impeachment process to ease out the state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.

He stated that the leadership of the union received calls from an official of the governor, while the members mobilised to the state Assembly to disrupt the sitting but however regretted that the information was false.

He said: “We don’t know what was going on in the House of Assembly initially until when the chairman called us that he got a call that some lawmakers were sitting to impeach Governor Akeredolu. He said he was asked to send his boys to chase out the lawmakers.

“So the chairman ordered us to send everybody out of the House. He (chairman) said we should not allow the lawmakers to sit so that Akeredolu would not be impeached. But we later discovered that it was the speaker they impeached.”

Denying the state governor involvement in the attack,the State Commissioner for Information, Yemi Olowolabi, said governor Akeredolu had no hand in the crisis of the assembly.

According to him, impeachment is an inherent right of the lawmakers and said it was the right of the lawmakers to determine their leaders.

Olowolabi said the executive arm of government will not dabble into the crisis in the State House of Assembly and said “What the governor does is to invite the warring parties and try to find amicable solutions to the crisis and that is what the governor has been doing and will do.”

Thugs invaded the State House of Assembly on Friday after the impeachment of the Speaker of the House, Bamidele Oleyelogun who was subsequently replaced by Olumide George before they were chased out of the Assembly complex by the hoodlums.