₦airaland Forum

A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan would attempt to split the country, if he does not win the 2015 general elections.

The former minister said the President has divided the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

He said the interference of the Presidency in the internal affairs and the subsequent division of the NGF were part of a game plan and a “clear indication that should President Goodluck Jonathan lose next election, he will plot for the division of the country”.

Fani-Kayode, who addressed reporters yesterday in Minna, the Niger State capital, wondered why a loser of an election would declare himself the winner because he enjoyed the backing of the Presidency, thereby splitting the NGF.

Fani-Kayide expressed optimism that opposition parties would terminate the continued reign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the next general elections.

The former minister, however, said the nation should prepare for a possible attempt to split the country when the PDP government fails at the poll.

He said: “It is only in Nigeria that a loser with the backing of the Presidency can declare himself the winner, leading to the splitting of NGF. This is a prerequisite for 2015. When the President is defeated, he will declare himself winner, the same way it happened in the NGF. He will try to split the country the same way he did to the NGF.”

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, said 70 new roads had been approved and awarded for construction and rehabilitation in the state, even as the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, deplored the poor state of the Federal High Court in Lagos Island, saying “it is in its old self.”

Fashola who spoke during a courtesy call on him by the NBA, Lagos Branch and Ikeja, led by Mr. Monday Ubani and Mr. Taiwo Taiwo, said the contract had increased the number of awarded road contracts since the commencement of the second term of his administration to 230.

According to him: “We set ourselves the target in the second term to complete about 450 roads. Last year, we awarded about 160 roads. This year, we have awarded about 70 roads. This signifies our intention this year that we are more concerned about road construction.

“We have already completed about half of the roads we set out to achieve. But again, we can only award that much if we were able to complete much. That was why this year’s project was based on completing the roads in the state. The decision making for which road to deal with first, is based on the road that carries the most traffic.

“The need continuously outstrips the source and so also they outstrip the capacity. And what we have done this year was to identify the roads that needed urgent repair. And these are continuous engagement and undertaking from the state government. They will never finish in the tenure or life of any government.

Sec5: what of assasination attempts on perceived oppositions

Peoples Democratic Party and Accord Party lawmakers in the Oyo State House of Assembly on Thursday declared that Governor Abiola Ajimobi had piloted the affairs of the state well in the past two years.

They passed the vote of confidence after listening to an address presented to the Assembly by the governor as part of activities marking the second anniversary of his administration.

The Deputy Speaker, Babatunde Olaniyan, who is of the Accord Party, said the governor was not only industrious but also accountable.

He attributed the peace and development in the state to harmonious working relationship between the executive and legislature.

He said, "You have, in the last two years, demonstrated that you want us all to work together to move Oyo State forward."

The Minority Leader, Rafiu Adekunle, said, "You are performing and we want you to perform more. We are very grateful and happy to work with you. Those of us in other political parties cannot see something good and say it is bad."

The Deputy Majority Leader, Kehinde Subair, moved a motion for passing the vote of confidence in the governor while the Chief Whip, Abiodun Ahmed, seconded the motion.

The governor, who attributed the administration's performance to tenacity of purpose, noted particularly that he was happy with his accomplishments in infrastructural development.

He said, "The acceptance and encouragement you gave me during that first state of the state address became the fillip with which we moulded the achievements that we have recorded."

He noted that the three political parties in the state-Action Congress of Nigeria, PDP and AP- worked together to support his administration.

He said, "Our preoccupation was to rewrite our un-enviable position in the annals of history and trumpet to the world that we are a people conscious of our pacesetting heritage".

pistol: This circus is becoming boring.
The Apc was already dead on arrival as it is marriage of strange bedfellows with conflicting interest and nobody willing to compromise.
Ordinary registration see wahala.
Their registration committee has three chairman,three secretaries etc.
Bunch of funny and unserious clowns.








Btw am I first to comment?
Oshe baba thank you o.
Mtn thank you for a fast bis service.
Blackberry for providing the platform.
My mom for giving birth to me.
Oga seun for the insight to open the site.
And all nairalanders.
I thank you all.
Daz all.

2curiousity: Hello Mr. Payless. Kindly take note that i used the term "419" to describe his attitude and i hope you know the reason why i used that term. For instance if a man made a promise to pay you N10k if you are able to carry out an assignment for him and after you have done that assignment the man is now giving you an excuse, begging you to manage N3k that is available. Will you be wrong to call such a man 419? at from Nigeria concept. Do you remember he was too vocal about paying N22,000 minimum wage to workers before he was voted in? How much is your governor paying now? Ask if you are not a civil servant in oyo state. Do you remember he made a promise on news media that he will not demolish houses and shops when voted? Why is it that he has now taken that demolition as if that is the only thing his government has come to do?(Am not against his beautification programs but am against his own style of total demolition having in mind that we can beautify without much of demolition). And again i like you to read what he campaigned for:

[b]The ACN candidate, Senator Abiola Ajimobi said he intends to lay a good foundation that would transform the state to an enviable position by integrating and opening up the rural areas of Oyo state through provision of roads, development of agro-industries and provision of employment for the masses.

According to him, major roads in the state would be dualised, while a railway network would be construed to link up with Lagos state.

Senator Ajimobi stated that Oyo state required between 500 and 1,000 megawatts of electricity, which he intends to provide by building a thermal station to provide 100 megawatts in 18 months as well as using coal to supplement the energy source.

While promising to provide affordable housing through joint ventures with the private sector and creation of satellite towns, Senator Ajimobi said he would provide potable water for citizens by setting p mini water-works, using the water springs that abound in the state.

Senator Ajimobi also called for a return to regional government in the country to enable every region to develop at their own pace, while he pledged to run an all-inclusive government.

He described corruption as the greatest problem facing the state’s as well as the nation’s economy, and pledged zero tolerance to the cankerworm which he promised to minimize through industrialization, commercialization and provision of gainful employment for citizens of Oyo state.[/b]

you can also do the assessment of him on the basis of his electioneering campaign. Is YESO job a gainful employment? Its now 24 months he has been governing, where is the 100 megawatts electricity supply, where is the railway network? Infact, there are many questions to be answered. So, i called him "419" on the basis of his failure to do what he promised. His beautification program is not worth making noise over because its not beyond what local government can achieve if they have not destroyed that sector and they will do it better with more human face. I rest my case till you respond but mind you, you dont need to bring our family issue to discussion here.

The Peoples Democratic Party  has administered an oath of secrecy to its members of staff  as part of its efforts to control the flow of information in and outside the party.

The compulsory oath, which took many of the workers  by surprise, was supervised on Thursday by the Acting National Secretary  of the party, Chief Solomon Onwe.

Some of the workers, who spoke with our correspondent on Sunday, complained  about the oath, which they said was aimed at victimising perceived enemies by some leaders of the party.

They said that some members of the National Working Committee of the PDP  were not happy with them and had been doing everything possible to replace them with their loyalists.

The workers claimed that Onwe told them that anyone suspected to be fraternising with journalists  might be summarily dismissed if the party found out that a piece of information was leaked by  any of them.

One of the workers said, "On Thursday, we swore to an oath of secrecy which the party said was meant to control the flow of information at its secretariat.

"We were also warned to stay  away from you people (journalists) and that anyone of us who fraternised with you  could be sacked without any query.

"You will recollect that a cleaner was sacked few months ago for telling reporters that they (cleaners) were being owed five months' salaries. That is the kind of treatment they say awaits some of us, including directors, if they suspect that we are close to you people (journalists)."

But another member of staff said they were not surprised with the attitude of the NWC members, whom he accused of being desperate to fill the secretariat with their cronies.

"You can see their retinue of aides. None of the former NWC members   had the number of aides these present NWC members have,"   he  added.

Efforts   to speak with both Onwe and the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, on the issue were not successful.

They neither picked  their calls nor  responded to text messages sent to their telephones

In a veiled  reference to the happenings in the party, its National Chairman,  Alhaji Bamanga Tukur,  said the PDP needed to maintain discipline and good conduct among its members.

Tukur stated this in a statement which he signed in Abuja on Sunday.

He said the leadership of the PDP did not harbour any malice against any of its members.

It will be recalled that the party, in the last few days,   suspended two of its governors – Mr. Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and  Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko(Sokoto)- for what it called   insubordination.

Tukur said,  "We harbour no malice against any member. We only do not want to be a flock without a She pard. If we are not disciplined as a party, we certainly may not be able to produce the most progressive government in line with the greatest expectation of every Nigerian and the rest of the world.

"The PDP government led by President Goodluck Jonathan has a good agenda founded on desire to transform Nigeria.

"The agenda has started bearing fruits. Indeed, the PDP should lead in the implementation. We do not want to constitute a distraction to the President's Transformation Agenda.What we  require  are  absolute discipline and loyalty from every member.

"Right now, we are reorganising by way of bringing everyone to appreciate the constitution and manifesto of the party so that when we go into election in 2015, we can win landslide as a family."

Also, Metuh said in a statement that happenings in the party in the last few weeks were part of the processes of instilling discipline within the PDP .

He said the PDP  was not unmindful of the feelings of its members since it began to enforce discipline, hence the need for the clarification.

Metuh said, "We assure that all the issues will be looked into and resolved amicably in line with the spirit of brotherliness and the guiding principles of our party.

"The PDP remains a strong, united and democratic family guided by the principles of equity, justice, rule of law and love for one another and will at the end of the day definitely come out stronger than ever before.

"We therefore urge all members to close ranks and totally disregard suggestions from   enemies of our family that some individuals or groups are being targeted for certain reasons.

"We assure all members that the PDP remains the only national party committed to the welfare of the people for which it will continue to win elections across board.

"It will continue to exist as the party with structures in all wards, local governments and states in the federation where all are free to air their views and canvass their opinions."

Meanwhile, leaders PDP in the  North-West will on Monday (today) speak on the suspension of  Wamakko.

The Vice-Chairman of the party in the zone, Senator Ibrahim Kazaure, stated this in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Saturday.

Kazaure said the zone would use the occasion to speak on the suspension, which he had earlier said was not acceptable to them.

The suspension was believed to have been the outcome of the Nigeria Governors' Forum's chairmanship election, which was won by Amaechi.

The  Presidency was    said to have been angered by the defeat of their candidate for the office, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State.

Also, governors elected on the platform of the party may meet this week to review the outcome of the NGF election.

A competent source said the meeting was being considered to appraise the efforts of the Jang-led faction of the NGF to gain acceptability among Nigerians.

barcanista: is it fair to hate a man of repute without a reason?

The Peoples Democratic Party has said it decided to suspend Governor Aliyu Wamakko because he refused to pick calls made to him by the party's national chairman, Bamanga Tukur.

In a statement released in Abuja today, PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh sought to explain why the governor was suspended.

He stated that Mr. Tukur had called to ask the governor to explain his recent comments, but that the national chairman was unable to get across to Mr. Wamakko.

Mr. Metuh also said the governor refused to respond to a query sent to him, but instead asked Bello Sokoto, the party’s then secretary for the state to reply on his behalf.

Mr. Metuh argued that Mr. Bello Sokoto was too junior in party ranking to have responded to Mr. Tukur.

In addition, Mr. Metuh stated that it was improper for Mr. Bello Sokoto to have used the official letter head of the state government in his reply.

Metuh’s full statement:

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to set the records straight on the reasons for the suspension of the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as a member of the PDP.

The decision to suspend His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko came after very wide and exhaustive consultations, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the PDP and in the overriding interest of the Party.

It is important to note that the reason for the suspension of Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko predates the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s election.

Sometime in early April, the leadership of the Party was concerned with the statements and conduct of the Governor whereupon the National Chairman placed several calls to draw the attention of the Governor to the matters concerned.

However, it was not possible for the National Chairman to speak with the Governor despite several attempts. The National Chairman thereafter vide a letter dated 12th April, 2013 requested an explanation to the NWC within seven days.

Instead of replying the National Chairman, Governor Wamakko directed the Sokoto State Secretary of the Party, Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto to reply the National Chairman. The State party Secretary in a letter dated April 14, 2013 and on the official letterhead of the Sokoto State Government House, replied the National Chairman on behalf of the governor.

This amounted to gross disrespect and act of insubordination to a National Officer and a lawful organ of the party which is in violation of Articles 58.1 (c ), (h) and (m) of the PDP constitution which prescribed sanctions for any member who (c ) “disobeys or neglect to carry out lawful directives of the party or any organ or officer of the party”, (h) “engages in any conduct likely to cause disaffection among members of the Party or is likely to disrupt the peaceful, lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the Party” and (m) “fails, refuses or neglects to treat a petition, complaints or appeal timeously” respectively.

Nevertheless, the NWC, vide a letter dated April 17, 2013 kindly requested His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu MagatakardaWamakko to appear before it on the 8th of May, 2013 to clear the issues thereof.

The NWC also wrote to the State Secretary, Sokoto PDP, Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto requesting explanations for his actions as a state party officer, in replying the National Chairman.

Regrettably, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko never honoredthe invitation and refused to respond in any way despite repeated invitations from the NWC, an action which is in clear violation of Article 58.1 (c), of the PDP constitution. In the same vein, the State Secretary, Sokoto PDP also refused to respond to the National Working Committee (NWC).

Consequently, the NWC at its 336th meeting held on May 22, 2013 suspended the State Secretary, Sokoto PDP Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto and communicated the decision to him in a letter dated May 22, 2013.

The NWC thereafter extended yet another invitation to His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko in a letter dated May 23, 2013 in which it requested him to appear before it on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 to clarify the issues.

Unfortunately, in complete disregard to a lawful organ of the Party, His Excellency, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, instead of appearing before the NWC traveled out of the country on Tuesday June 5, 2013 without any form of response to the party.

The NWC frowned at this act of gross indiscipline and disrespect to the party and was therefore left with no other option than to invoke relevant articles of the PDP constitution in furtherance of the determination to enforce discipline at all levels within the Party.

We wish to state that the leadership of the Party has immense respect for all elected and appointed political office holders and in the same vein expects all political office holders to reciprocate by respecting the constitution and lawful organs of the Party upon which platform they hold office.

The NWC hereby restates that no individual or group within the party is, and must be seen to be above the constitution and lawful organs of the party. All party members are under the rule of the constitution of the party and must so abide.

Signed

Olisa Metuh
National Publicity Secretary