₦airaland Forum

Nice Toyota car.

Bayelsa State leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Godwin Sidi, has claimed that the immediate past president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat to President Muhammadu Buhari to cover up the atrocities he committed while in office.

Sidi, who acted as the Secretary of the
defunct New Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, berated those commending
Jonathan for placing a telephone call on Buhari while collation was ongoing, stressing that the former President had no other choice but to do so.

The former South-South Youth leader of the PDP made this disclosure at a news conference in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital on Friday, where he called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to commence the probe of Jonathan over the whereabouts of the Chibok girls.

“Jonathan’s conceding defeat is a ploy to cover up political atrocities he committed while in office,” he said.

The APC chieftain went on to accuse Jonathan of taking possession of property seized from a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieseigha after the later was impeached in 2005 by the state House of Assembly and convicted for money laundering.

This, he said, paved the way for Jonathan to become the governor of the state, afterwards claiming Alamieseigha’s property, home and abroad, earlier confiscated and returned to the state by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC.

Sidi claimed that Jonathan took possession of one of the seized buildings of Alamieseigha at Maitama, Abuja, and later handed it over to his political associate and friend, who is a monarch in Bayelsa.

He also accused Jonathan of confiscating a 5-series bulletproof BMW car bought as a birthday gift for Alamieseigha by a friend.

The APC leader went on to hand a 72-hour ultimatum to the former president for him to return his predecessor’s property in his possession or face a lawsuit.

He further asked the National Assembly to compel Jonathan to give account of the whereabouts of the Chibok
girls since he was the Chief Security Officer of the country when they were taken away by terrorists.

He said his group had concluded plans to drag the ex-President to the International Court of Justice over the Chibok girls.

While calling on the Code of Conduct Bureau to make Jonathan’s assets declaration public, he insisted that the
former President glorified corruption and allowed graft to cripple the country.

According to Sidi, “Jonathan was instrumental to the removal of Alamieseigha and prior to his removal, I remembered vividly that a friend of Alamieseigha bought him 5-series BMW car salon. Jonathan took that vehicle to Aso Rock.

“The vehicle is still in his possession. I want him to return that vehicle. Property, the one l know for now, there are other ones l am trying to investigate, of DSP in Maitama was given to Jonathan’s associate.

“I am giving them 72 hours to return the house to DSP as we prepare our papers to approach the court. The National Assembly should invite the President to give account of the Chibok girls because he was the Chief Security Officer at the time the girls were kidnapped.


“We are going to file our case at the ICJ over the Chibok girls. I am calling on the Code of Conduct Bureau to make Jonathan’s asset declaration public,” he declared.


Source: http://dailypost.ng/2015/06/13/jonathan-conceded-defeat-to-cover-up-his-atrocities-kinsman-alleges/

President Buhari spotted leaving the mosque this afternoon after Jumaat service without convoy or siren.


What's your view?

Most of the 18 state governments whose workers commenced an indefinite strike on Monday (today) over several months of unpaid salaries are among those that collected the highest allocations from the excess crude revenue distribution between 2011 and 2014.

The General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Peter Ozo-Eson, said on Friday that the central labour movement had dispatched its special task force team to the various geo-political zones of the country ahead of the impending strike action.
The task force was constituted on March 19 at the end of the NLC’s national congress with a mandate to negotiate the immediate settlement of all salary arrears owed workers by some the 36 state governments.

Most of the states owe workers’ salaries and other benefits for between three and nine months.
The NLC secretary, who said the strike has since commenced in Plateau State, said a similar action was ongoing simultaneously in Cross River and 16 other states.

The states owing salaries are (in alphabetical order) Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Cross River, Ekiti, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers and Zamfara States.
The Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said apart from approved statutory receipts from the monthly Federation Allocations Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings, some of the debtor states were among the highest beneficiaries of the allocations from the excess crude revenue account savings between 2011 and 2014.
The Excess Crude Account holds billions of dollars raised by the Nigerian government as differential between budgeted oil price and actual market price.
While the government claimed in the past the account was for the “rainy day”, it repeatedly shared much of its value between the federal and state governments.

The money is different from the monthly oil receipts shared among the three tiers of government.
According to the finance minister, the Federal Government received an allocation of about N3.29 trillion for the corresponding period.
Details of the allocations showed that Akwa Ibom, which is among the states owing its workers at least three months salaries, collected a total of N265.07 billion for the period.

The list also places Rivers State in the second position, with N230.41 billion allocation for the period; followed by Kano state in third position with N106.48 billion, and Ondo state in fourth position with N81.73 billion.
Katsina State, which is the fifth highest receiver of the allocation, collected N76 billion, while Oyo state, in sixth position, collected N74.27 billion.

Imo state, in seventh position, took home N71.9 billion; Bauchi, Benue and Jigawa States followed in that order with N69.53 billion, N67.24 billion and N66.53 billion allocations respectively.
The other states are Kogi (N61.99 billion; Ogun (N59.13 billion); Cross River (N56.78 billion); Plateau (N56.4 billion); Abia,(N56.12 billion); Zamfara (N53.86 billion) and Ekiti (N46.8 billion) allocations.


Source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/183684-akwa-ibom-rivers-others-owe-workers-despite-receiving-highest-excess-crude-money.html

Na wah oo

Mechanics' chessboard

Senator Dino is defending this, what do you think?

What will you call this hairstyle?

While some people dedicated their time to make this world a better place, some animals devoted their time to destabilize the peace.

Shun Violence! Shun Terrorism!!

At least five Boko Haram members have been reportedly killed in faraway Iraq by Mosul Youth Resistance Movement on Wednesday, May 13.
This is the first report of the presence of Boko Haram militants in Iraq following the sect’s allegiance to deadly ISIS and ISIS’s acceptance of Boko Haram’s allegiance.
According to reports by Basnews.com, the Boko Haram insurgents were attacked in the Dargaza neighbourhood of eastern Mosul.
Saed Mamuzini, Mosul’s spokesperson was quoted by BasNews as saying, “The Nigerian Boko Haram militants were in Mosul to take part in a military training course conducted by Islamic State (IS).”
Boko Haram has abducted and killed thousands of people within the North-East region of Nigeria.



Source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/182925-boko-haram-members-killed-while-in-training-in-iraq.html

The 45-year-old commercial driver, Saturday Akpomose, who was attacked by seven dogs at Ajah area of Lagos State, has received N30,000 and a job offer from the owner of the dogs.

However, his family members expressed anger when they heard that Akpomose collected money from the dogs’ owner, who is a soldier.
Vanguard learned that the victim, who was admitted at Akodo General Hospital after the attack, was discharged on Friday, May 1, after about eleven days.

It was gathered that before the victim was discharged from the hospital, he demanded N5 million compensation from the soldier, but was persuaded and later given N30,000 to take care of himself, while a bag of rice and beverages were also given to his wife.
When Vanguard visited Akpomose in his residence, he said the money given to him was not a pay-off, as the man had promised to further take good care of him and his family.
He said: “I believe you saw all the injuries on my body. They have not healed completely. I collected the money from him because I am not a troublesome person. I have left everything to God.

‘How I defended myself’
“When the dogs attacked me, I tried to protect my neck, my private parts and my stomach, because I knew if the dogs touch any part of these places, I am gone. “That was one of the reasons I decided to settle out of court with the owner of the dogs. If I had died my family member would have collected the money and enjoyed it.

“However, I cannot work with him. All I want him to do for me is to assist me in my hotel business. How can I start waiting for salary at this stage, when I have grown up children who are in the university to cater for?” When Vanguard visited the house where the dogs are domiciled, the Chief Security Officer working in the building, who identified himself simply as Victor, said the matter had been settled out of court.
He said: “After we footed his medical bill, he was demanding N5 million from my boss to set up a business and feed his children, claiming that he cannot work now due to the injuries all over his body.

Family’s ritual claim
‘’But to our surprise, after the incident, Akpomose’s family members came to our house and started accusing us of using him for ritual. They claimed that after the incident, we slaughtered four cows and rams to appease the gods in the house.
“We have told his family members, who are threatening us with law suit, that after settling with the victim, they should go ahead with whatever they want to do because we have done our best.
“My boss gave him a bag of rice and some beverages to take care of the children.”
It would be recalled that in the early hours of Tuesday, April 22, seven dogs, allegedly owned by a captain serving in the US marine, were reportedly being taken out of the compound to ease themselves when they attacked Akpomose.
It took the intervention of residents and passers-by to rescue him from the dogs.
The incident was later reported at Ogombo Police Division, which referred Akpomose to the General Hospital at Akodo, Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area due to the severity of the injuries he sustained.


Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/05/man-attacked-by-7-dogs-gets-n30000/#sthash.3Ekexbyq.UWSgvMwb.dpuf

For the purpose of this article, it is assumed that Nigeria is a democracy and currently practising one of its cardinal principles – leaving the choice of governance to more than one political association or political party. During the just concluded elections, about fourteen political parties contested for a single position of the President.

It could be reasonably argued that the present day Nigeria enjoys a lot of political freedom far from those dark days in the early 1980s when Gen Buhari was a military dictator, and before he was overthrown by another military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida. The fact that a former military Head of State could aspire to be elected as the President after three attempts is a sign that the seed of democracy is germinating firmly in the country.

The present day democrats owe a great debt to those good old Greeks philosophers who developed the concept of democracy as a government of the people by the people and for the people. The lovely Athenians of those pleasant days should, also, be admired for enthroning a philosophy which had brought political stability to many civilized countries of the world.

It is observed that many strong political leaders, especially in some developing countries, including our own former President (Obasanjo), did argue, but rather disingenuously, that the Greeks who bestowed democracy on the world did “practice it without political parties”. To the former President, “multi-party bickering is definitely a luxury we cannot afford”. That attitude was apparent during his eight years reign as president, and after. However, the multi-party concept has been accepted in many civilized countries because it guarantees opportunity for the people to make a choice from the contending parties for governance. After the last elections, some analysts attributed the defeat of PDP to the lack of internal democracy in the party. Thus, that party was ill-prepared for a strong and well organized opposition.


However, the past political history of the country pointed to the existence of viral multi-party system – even under the colonial system (British Imperialism). After dominating the political process for about a decade, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) of Herbert Macaulay was strongly challenged by another party, Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) of younger and brilliant minds of the time – Dr Vaughan, Dr. Azikiwe, Chief H. O. Davies, Chief Awolowo and others. While the NNDP won Legislative Council seats in 1922, 1930 and 1931, the rival party (NYM) won in 1938, 1940 and 1941.

It should be recognized that in Lagos and later, in many towns of South-West, Obas and Chiefs were active political participants. In the struggle to extend political franchise in 1930s, the Oba of Lagos, Esugbayi and his chiefs were always seen at the political rallies of the NNDP. The late Oba of Lagos, Adele was a strong supporter of the Action Group (through the Area Council Party) while his successor, Oba Oyekan was a supporter of the NCNC and a personal friend of its leader, Dr. Azikiwe.

It may be observed that the concept of multi-party system has taken a firm root in Nigeria through earlier experiment in Lagos. However, its rapid growth has been affected by many attributes of Nigerian politics which have manifested themselves in diverse directions – ethnicity, religion, cultism and monetary inducements (infrastructure of the stomach). Under the multi-party system in this country, the election results have shown neither the victory for a particular political ideology nor the preference for a particular economic philosophy. There is neither the

Babangida`s party of the Left and Party of the Right, but a party predominantly of the South-East and South-South states and the other parts of the North (North-West, North-East), with South-West and the minorities of the North-Central, making electoral victory and loss, sweet and painful. It looks as if the recent elections have thrown into focus once again the recurrent problems of political disunity and economic insecurity.

Recently, in the matter of balancing Nigeria`s political equation, the case of the South-East and South-South States comes to mind. The question of supporting “our son or cousin”, irrespective of performance, should not arise if the concept of multi-party should work. The clever drafters of the 1999 Constitution have made the making of Nigeria President an uphill task in a democratic environment. Any successful candidate should enjoy widespread backing, especially by winning four of the six geographical political zones. Without any organized opposition, the ruling PDP wears a large hat, but in a contest with a stubborn opposition, the party`s thinking cap appeared to be forgotten at home.

As a Leader of Ibo Renaissance, the Anambra State Governor perhaps needs a refresher course in practical political strategy. A young struggling party which asked its own members to vote for another party deserves not to live. Any President would need a majority in the National Assembly to execute his programmes. Why not from the solitary APGA State? Any political strategists would have learnt from the disasters of AD in the South-West in 2003 elections. The AD party was “tricked” into Elysian field of the mainstream of national politics. The gullible AD leaders took the bait and the party lost all States under its control, except Lagos (where the Resident Electoral Officer was reported to have refused to announce fake results). The Lagos State under Ahmed Tinubu has been able to withstand the storms since, and has now become a part of the winning team.

Some of the pragmatic politicians are still asking about the reported deal by late Chief Emeka Ojukwu for a cooperative political alliance between APGA and the old AD (Ibo and Yoruba) as a bridge towards North/South political evolution. Lagos since the time of Tinubu has started with a South-East citizen as a Commissioner in its Executive. Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi could not see and evolve the same kind gesture.

It may be relevant to ask if the idea of a government of National unity is desirable in a multi-party system especially, if the victorious party has a workable majority in the National Assembly. Yes, an all inclusive administration may be required to tackle some complex and specific problems like Security, (internal and external), mass unemployment, widespread poverty and weak domestic currency. All these challenges need strong measures which could stretch the fragile political unity to its full limit.

The country needs injection of massive funds into the economy for infrastructural developments. But where are the funds coming from in a situation where corruption is endemic and where financial recklessness of political office holders could only be matched by the executive penchant for frivolous spending. And the vastly dwindling oil revenue is besieged by unreasonable subsidy payment and oil thefts.


Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/05/multi-party-system-and-the-nigerian-factor-in-a-democratic-environment/?utm_source=&utm_medium=facebook#sthash.Yp1ZVHPD.dpuf

NATIONAL Health Service (NHS) manager Kate Osamor has become the fourth Nigerian-born elected member of the British House of Commons after being elected as the MP for Edmonton in north London yesterday. Representing the Labour Party who had a generally bad night across the country, Ms Osamor was declared the winner in the north London seat with 25,388 votes. Her closest rival, Gonul Daniels of the Conservative Party ended up with 9,969 votes, making it a comfortable win for Ms Osamor.

She now joins fellow Labour MPs Chi Onwurah representing Newcastle Central, who was returned with 19,301 votes and Chuka Umunna who was returned in Streatham with 26,474 votes. Helen Grant, the sole Nigerian MP in the Conservative Party is still awaiting the results of her election in Maidstone and the Weald. Ms Osamor, who has worked for the NHS for 15 years, is a trade union activist, a women's charity trustee and a member of the Labour Party's National Executive Committee. Martha Osamor, Ms Osamor's mother is a former Haringey councillor.

In February this year, Ms Osamor was selected as the Labour Party's parliamentary candidate for the Edmonton constituency after stiff contest with fellow Nigerian diasporan Kate Anolue. She made funding the NHS, opposing its fragmentation and standing up to government cuts the centrepiece of her campaign. Despite this victory for the Labour Party in Edmonton, nationwide, the party appears to have had a disastrous result. It is expected to lose about 50 seats in Scotland alone to the Scottish National Party, who now have 56 members of parliament and in England, has made zero net gains against the Conservative Party.

Prime minister David Cameron looks set to be return to Downing Street with a working majority this time as his coalition partners the Liberal Democrats got more or less obliterated. Leading Liberal Democrats like Danny Alexander, Vince Cable, Simon Hughes and Charles Kennedy all lost their seats in what was a disastrous night for the party.


Source: http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/6927-nigerian-kate-osamor-elected-as-mp-for-edmonton-as-david-cameron-looks-set-to-return#sthash.WUMD1MAk.EUZWNc62.dpuf

Messi (77) goes back to the top of the UEFA Champions League all time top goal scorer list ahead of Ronaldo (76). Which of these two superstars will score more goals?

Things my eyes see ehn? Abeg is this na fashion, swag or effizy?

International interest in Nigeria’s political transition and the planned transfer of power from the Jonathan-Sambo presidency to the Buhari-Osinbajo presidency billed May 29, has risen in the United States as President Barack Obama now considers sending a high-powered U.S. to the event, officials said Wednesday.

U.S. government sources said that Mr. Obama is considering who might lead the American representatives at the event.
Besides, at least two US ivy universities-Harvard and Yale – have since held special review sessions where scholars were invited from around the U.S. and the world to give lectures and seminars on the outcome of the Nigerian elections, focusing on the emergence of a former military head of state, who is a Moslem from the North of Nigeria, and a Christian pastor, who is a law professor from the South as president-elect and vice president-elect respectively.

Three names are already being mentioned in official US and diplomatic circles including Obama’s wife, the American First Lady, Michelle, Vice President Joe Biden and the Secretary of State, John Kerry, as the head of the presidential delegation. From the U.S. Congress also, some of the senior members are said to be planning to attend the event including the Chairman of the US House of Representatives Sub Committee on Africa, Congressman Chris Smith.

The U.S. President normally announces a delegation to the presidential inaugurations of friendly nations being led by the Ambassador in that country. But in rare occasions, he picks very senior public officials as the head of delegation when he wants to underscore and emphasis a point of how the US highly regards the country or the circumstances at a given point in time.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Ade Adefuye, said, “I have been told that there would be an unusually large American delegation that will attend the presidential inauguration on May 29.”

He confirmed to journalists on Wednesday that he has also been told that a very senior member of the U.S. government is expected to lead the delegation, but that there was no confirmation yet.
The Nigerian Ambassador said he has been in consultations with the U.S. State Department on the matter, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan has already extended an invitation to the U.S. government.
“We are following up with the US government to ensure a very large US presence at the inauguration,” the Ambassador said Tuesday in Washington DC.

Mr. Adefuye explained that “Nigeria’s profile has been on the rise since after the election, the concession by Jonathan, and with the smooth transition that is going on”.
From the U.S. government to the business sectors and think tanks, the level of excitement about the anticipated peaceful transfer of power in Nigeria and the outcome of the elections itself producing the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket from an opposition party, APC, has been quite widespread.
Some of the U.S. groups that have been showing keen interest to attend the inauguration and pressuring the U.S. government to send a very high-powered delegation are the Atlantic Council, and the Constituency for Africa-groups known to be very influential in Washington DC.
A U.S. State Department source noted that after the elections, feelers were sent out to business groups, think tanks on interests in attending the Nigerian inauguration, and the “feedback has been very encouraging,” said the source.

At the Yale University over the weekend, a group of theologians-the Oxford Study Group on World Christianity had their annual meeting and participants disclosed that the Nigerian election was one of the major discussions this year.

A top U.S. Professor who attended the meeting said the Study Group composed of leading scholars from around the world who considered it significant that the Nigerian elections produced a Pentecostal pastor as Vice President to a Moslem, who had earlier been perceived not to be religiously pluralistic. Last month also, the Washington Post had published a report on its faith pages on “How a Pentecostal Law Professor Has Helped Reshape Nigerian Politics.”
Earlier Harvard Africa-American Program had also held an academic review session on the Nigerian election further revealing how widely significant the issue has become here in the US.


Source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/182514-obama-to-send-high-powered-delegation-to-buharis-inauguration.html?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended its leader, President Goodluck Jonathan, for the mature and timely intervention in ending the bickering among leaders of the party as a result of the outcome of the 2015 general elections.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said in a statement on Wednesday that the National Working Committee will absolutely abide by the counsel and has instructed all the executive members of the party at all levels to comply accordingly.

“The leadership of the PDP regrets any embarrassment the avoidable skirmishes may have caused the members of our great party, especially our founding fathers and teeming supporters across the country.

“We are aware that this unfortunate development is a consequence of post election trauma arising from our first ever defeat. We however note with relief that we have now overcome this challenge.

“The National Working Committee assures that in the new spirit of harmony in the PDP family, the reengineering process which began on Tuesday with the inauguration of the Post Election Review Committee will be vigorously sustained to restore the lost glory of our great party.


“We therefore urge all our members to ensure that they henceforth guard their utterances and actions no matter the provocation and distortions in some section of the media while channeling their energies and ideas towards the rebuilding process,” he said.


Source: http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/we-ve-overcome-post-election-trauma-pdp/208630/

A former militant leader in the Niger Delta, Ebikabowei Victor Ben, a.k.a General Boyloaf, speaks to PREMIUM TIMES’ Aderonke Ogunleye about the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, and the incoming Muhammadu Buhari government. Boyloaf says the oil rich Niger Delta did not benefit from the Jonathan Presidency. He pledges to work with Mr. Buhari, and explains why former militants in the region did not carry out their threats to go to war if Mr. Jonathan lost the March 28 presidential election.

Excerpts:
PT: Do you think the South West and the Northern part of Nigeria were marginalized under the leadership of Goodluck Jonathan?
Boyloaf: Did people from the South-South benefit? If you come to Bayelsa State, can you count how many people benefited? That is the president’s state. When the APC was going for campaigns, they made a statement that there is a town that they didn’t have light, and people said Otuoke. Then (Gov. Chibuike) Amaechi said “I didn’t mention name”. But can you imagine that in that place there is no road? You see, what Jonathan did was that he favoured the North and West. Go to the Niger Delta and see. He favoured the North. He did Almajiri. Then go to the West you will see the railway, you will see all what he’s doing there. What is happening in Niger Delta? Nothing! It is better to go there and see things for yourself. Jonathan did not do anything for his people, for his region.
[/b]PT: Maybe he planned to do that in his second term in the office?
[b]Boyloaf: I don’t believe in that. Charity begins at home. Jonathan was supposed to have started from his area because anything can happen the next day like what has happened now. So, what are you telling me? What about (late President Umaru) Yar’Adua? He did the airport in Katsina. He started from his own area. See, that is what Jonathan was supposed to do to. I have that belief right from time because they never wanted a Niger Delta person to be in government. We know that one because they will seal a lot of deals. I am a mariner. I know what is going on at the sea. For instance, like we are talking about subsidy, we know the people that do deals.
PT: What about the East West road?
Boyloaf: If Buhari comes and if he wants the Niger Delta people to work with him, we will be ready to work with him. It was not Jonathan that started the East-West Road. Obasanjo started the road and then Yar’Adua inherited it. Also, after the death of Yar’Adua, Jonathan inherited it and it continued from there. Governance is continuous process. As Buhari comes on board he will also inherit it and finish it. That is my belief for sure.
PT: Are you afraid that the incoming government will terminate the pipeline contract?
Boyloaf: Well, to me I am not afraid of anything. I am fully confident and if they terminate it the better for us because we will know that the government doesn’t want peace. So, that’s my own belief. I’m not afraid of anything. We will be ready to work with any person that has the Niger Delta people at heart. If you come with good ideas I think we will also work with you.
PT: What if he terminates it?
Boyloaf: We will see what will happen. God is not a man. If he terminates the contracts, I think there are other ways we can make it from. So, nobody cares.
PT: How would you want to work with the incoming government?
Boyloaf: Well, we are one Nigeria. Since we have taken amnesty we are bound to take up and follow all the processes. If he (Buhari) wants to work with us we will be there to work with him. I think there is nobody that will come into this country that will not want the assistance of the Niger Delta. This is because that is where the major resource of this country comes from. So, you must need the Niger Delta people except you want division in the country. That is when you don’t have the love for the people of this nation.
PT: What do you expect the Buhari Government to do about the Amnesty Programme? Some people are pushing that it should be suspended?
Boyloaf: There is one thing you need to know. Let me tell you something – the production this time around compared to some years back is increasing and the amnesty is something that has come to stay. And if the government wants to scrap the amnesty it means the government doesn’t mean well for the nation. That’s my own belief. Let me tell you something – people were also inciting others that the government wants to scrap the amnesty. I have been in the Niger Delta trying to pacify them and telling them that it is a lie and that the government will work with them. They wanted to start destruction. There is no way that you will come out and say you will scrap the amnesty. How many people can you kill? How many? The Niger Delta terrain is very different and our struggle is very sacrosanct. That is one thing you get. So you cannot kill everybody. Look at Boko Haram – their area is a desert and it is easy for vehicles to move.
When you talk about our area it is not a desert. It is not passable by vehicle but strictly on water and by the time you use your chopper in the night and come and finish and go, what will happen in the night? All these are just sycophants that don’t mean well for this nation. With what I have seen in Buhari, he will want peace. That is my belief.

PT: What if he insists on scrapping it, what will happen?
Boyloaf: Nothing will happen but God is not a man. We will remain in Nigeria and see how Nigeria will be. That is my belief.
PT: Will you go back to the creeks?
Boyloaf: Time shall tell.
PT: Some people believe that the South West and the North worked against Goodluck Jonathan, what do you think?
Boyloaf: Really, our struggle is beyond the presidency and it was Yar’Adua that gave us amnesty. When he gave us amnesty there were some things he pronounced and some infrastructural development that he was supposed to put in place like the coastal road and all of a sudden he died. May his soul rest in peace! And when Jonathan came on board and you know just for the fact that he (Jonathan) is from Niger Delta, we just embraced him. But he is not the best. That is one thing that I will assure you. I believe more in Yar’Adua who was even on his sick bed. There was no way sycophants will go to Yar’Adua and say all sorts of rubbish. Yar’Adua will confirm from the end and know the real thing to do, not our brother Jonathan who surrounds himself with sycophants. And there is no way we will destroy his government because tomorrow other people from other ethnic regions will say the Niger Delta people are the ones responsible for the destruction of their own
government. So we just let everything like that. Since Buhari has emerged the winner, I think we will be there to work with him if he wants to work with us and put in place all what Yar’Adua was supposed to do. That is my own belief.
PT: Would you work with Buhari himself?
Boyloaf: Well, in Niger Delta we need so many works to be done. In Niger Delta we have some kind of security programme we are supposed to indulge our people in to also protect the system especially the oil facility in the region. I think all these things are there and also the infrastructural development that Yar’Adua was supposed to put on. It will be the responsibility of Buhari to carry on what Yar’Adua started. So, there are so many things to be done.
PT: You and other former militant leaders boasted that if Jonathan loses you will go to war. So, when are you going to war?
Boyloaf: Who will go to war? Is Nigeria for one ethnic region? Nigeria is for everybody. It is not for one ethnic region. When you want to oppress one region that is when the region will stand up for their right. But we are all Nigerians. Nobody will go to war. Who will go to war?
PT: What is your view on the outcome of the elections?
Boyloaf: Well, it has come and gone as you can see. Every man has its game to play but the only advice I will give this incoming government is that they should beware of sycophants and don’t listen to people that would create problems for the administration. With what I am seeing, you know people have been saying that during the time of Buhari, during his military era, when he took over from Shagari, the governors that were working with the South-South people were the people he jailed. So, people are saying that now as he is coming on board he wants to make sure that he deals with many of the South-South people in this government to recover so many things.
PT: What, if he wants to scraps the Niger Delta Ministry?
Boyloaf: Well, we will watch what he is coming with, not that we will draft something and say you want to push it. Gone are those days when you just want to intimidate some people from the same region. Nobody is scared of anything. That is my belief.
PT: Are we going to see you in a political party soon?
Boyloaf: I am not a politician. I think any government that comes so long as they have the interest of the Niger Delta at heart, we will work with them.
PT: Do you work with any particular party?
Boyloaf: I work with everybody. For instance, when the APC came to my place in Bayelsa state, I received them. Even my former governor, Timipreye Silva, slept in my house. I received many of the APC people. I even gave them breakfast and dinner before they left. I also received PDP people. I sponsored my younger brother to contest the House of Assembly election, which was rigged. You know the system of Nigeria where people hijack ballot papers and work without even using the card readers and they went and thumb-printed. I think we are going to the tribunal.
PT: How will the Niger Delta receive Jonathan now that he is coming back home?
Boyloaf: To me, as a matter of fact Jonathan disappointed us. That is my own opinion. He disappointed us. To me, he disappointed us. He might be good to some people. There is nothing to tell if you get to my own state. We didn’t benefit. People like us did not benefit from his government. His government focused on one side. The Bayelsans did not benefit. It is only the Arugbos – that is Ondo State and Delta State – that benefited from his government. So, someone like me will not welcome him. I will not welcome him at all. The struggle continues.
PT: Do you speak for a large number of people?
Boyloaf: They are even more bitter than I am. Jonathan empowered many foot soldiers, the Niger Delta ex-agitators, foot soldiers. But in Bayelsa, he didn’t empower people and that is the state he comes from.
PT: What of the importation of oil?
Boyloaf: We know about the importation; we know how they killed the refinery system just for them to be importing products. Government should be subsidizing for them. All those types of bad deals we know. We are not kids; they are just telling people they are increasing fuel price. That is rubbish. We know what is going on. I am a full mariner. We know what is going on. They know what they were doing. When Jonathan stopped all these things, that was when they were mad. Look, these people import 30 per cent of fuel into the country and they know their landing costs. As soon as they get to the country they will queue. Sometimes, they don’t come with the 50, 000 metric tonnes. They will come with 30,000 metric tonnes and sign for the 50,000 metric tonnes. They will look for a tank farm pump into it and take 10,000 aside to the neighbouring country and sell.
That is what is done. So, the masses don’t know because they are not in the river. We know the deals they are doing. So, when Jonathan came and saw these things and stopped them they were mad. They are ready to throw Jonathan. We know everything going on. So, that’s the deal they’ve been doing. Even Diezani (Petroleum Resources Minister) that you are talking about saw all the rubbish they are doing and she sacked some people and stopped so many things they were doing. That is why they are accusing Diezani. She didn’t do anything. She is from my region. They thought we are fools. Who are the major beneficiaries of the oil blocks? It is the northerners and a few from East and West. The northerners are the major owners of oil blocks. Is it their region? What are you telling us? Are we fools? Were we born to be a second class citizen in this our country?
PT: What is your impression about those stealing the oil?
Boyloaf: Nobody is stealing. Can you steal your property? Who are the people stealing oil? Does the oil belong to them? I don’t believe in the saying that people are stealing oil.
PT: What about the Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke?
Boyloaf: No matter her stand she is from Niger Delta. Even if she didn’t take care of her people we don’t care but sometimes Niger Delta people unite and I believe Diezani is a trap set for the Nigerian Government. They believe the Buhari Administration would want to deal with her and so she is like a trap, and that is my own belief. I have heard people talk about it and if you are a northerner in that position if he leaves they will not touch him. What about that man Diezani took over from? What is his name again? I think he is dead now. They did a lot of deals, oil blocks and all the rest. People are aware of it and even the northerners. When Yar’Adua was even sick, even dead, they forged his signatures and did all those things, nothing happen. So, Niger Delta people are not fools.


Source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/182496-interview-jonathan-is-a-disappointment-ex-militant-leader-boyloaf.html

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on Tuesday alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party lost the last presidential election because its National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, compromised in the conduct of the election.
Fayose said he has cogent evidences of his unholy alliance with the opposition before the elections.

The All Progressives Congress, which was the major opposition party before the election, defeated the PDP at the federal level and in most states of the federation. This included in Bauchi State where Mu’azu hails from. Fayose threatened that if Mu’azu goes any further to deny romancing the opposition before the election, he would expose all his underhand deals.

The governor also challenged the National Working Committee of the party to provide evidence of money released to him to prosecute the last general elections. He said only N30 million was released to him for the prosecution of the last two elections. Fayose stated this in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, on Tuesday.

Fayose insisted that his call for the dissolution of the Mu’azu-led NWC of the PDP was in good faith and in the overall interest of the party.
He added: “I have no apology on my position on the NWC because their responsibility as a party does not take away their failure in the last general elections.”

The governor, who challenged the NWC to provide evidence of money released to him to prosecute the last elections, added: “Only N30 million was received for the last two elections and to the glory of the Almighty God and support of Ekiti people, we won all elections outrightly.
“I therefore demand for the mode with which money was released to me by the NWC.”
Governor Fayose reiterated his commitment to the PDP, pointing out that if it remained only him in the party, he would continue to defend its course.

He said: “If it remains only me, I will continue to defend the course of this party because some people are born to stand up at difficult times, and I believe I am one such people born to stand up for the PDP at this difficult time.”
Reiterating his call for the dissolution of the NWC, Governor Fayose said: “In saner climes, when a war commander leads his troop to an embarrassing defeat, such commander does not need anyone to tell him that he needs to leave the war front for another commander to take over.”

While describing the attack on his person by the NWC as unfortunate, the governor said it was sad that the NWC members, especially the National Chairman, were refusing to allow new people to manage the party after managing it into its first national electoral failure.
He said: “How do we explain the PDP losing so scandalously in Bauchi State, despite the presence of the National Chairman, Federal Capital Territory Minister and the State governor?

“I am even more particular about the National Chairman because he sold the party to the opposition. I have cogent evidences of his unholy alliance with the opposition before the elections and if they go any further, I will expose all his underhand deals.
“I want to say it again that I have no apology for calling for the resignation of the NWC members, especially the National Chairman. After all, someone resigned his position as the National Chairman for Alhaji Mu’azu to assume office.
“Lastly, let me say it categorically that they can only attempt to destroy this party for the moment, not forever. Sooner or later, they will all fade away and PDP will rise again.”


Source: http://scannewsnigeria.com/featured-post/elections-i-have-evidence-muazu-sold-pdp-to-apc-fayose/

Dangote, who is an an Arsenal fan worth $15.7 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, discussed buying a stake in the club five years ago before talks with the owners fell through.
Dangote told Bloomber: “I still hope, one day at the right price, that I’ll buy the team. I might buy it, not at a ridiculous price but a price that the owners won’t want to resist. I know my strategy.”
Despite his interest Dangote says that he will concentrate on expanding his own business before launching a new offer for Arsenal as he has invested a lot of money in numerous businesses.
“We have $16bn-worth [£10.5bn] of investments in the next few years. Right now I want to take my own business to a certain level. Once I finish on that trajectory, then maybe [an offer will follow],” he continued.
Dangote criticised Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, claiming that the 65-year-old “needs to change his style a bit” and warning that the club “need new direction”.


Dangote has interests in sugar and flour and controls Dangote Cement Plc, Nigeria’s biggest publicly traded company. He is investing $11 billion in a 650,000 barrel-a-day oil refinery near Lagos and as much as $2.5 billion in gas pipelines running to the city from Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger River delta region.
Arsenal meanwhile, is one of England’s most successful clubs and is valued at 988 million pounds ($1.49 billion). The club are set to play the FA cup Final on May 30 which if they win will make it their third title in two years.
The club won the FA cup last season after 8 years without a trophy then lifted the FA Community Shield at the beginning of the season. The club will play Aston Villa on May 30.


Source: http://www.informationng.com/?p=290093

Twaci:
Love and understanding . But if e no do am, he should go and drink garri

Drink garri indeed...

starlingslimnet:
Don't know about men in general but I only know about myself and I will say clearly "I don't have feelings" and for the expression "You can't express what you don't possess"

Nobody should quote me

but I only know about myself and I will say clearly "I don't have feelings" and for the expression "You can't express what you don't possess"

Does that mean you have a stone heart? Cos I am not sure I can buy into that.. Just saying

Twaci:
Who doesn't?

As for showing their feelings, its entirely up to them. I like open guys, one that can laugh openly at a funny joke, one that can cry on ma shoulders without any "machoness"...

Openess lead to good communication, and communication, Trust

It is not bad to have such kind of a guy but is that what you also can offer to the said guy?

Do you believe men have feelings? Should they express them openly?

Who will you say is the greatest boxer of all time?

A. Mohammed Ali
B. Mike Tyson
C. Floyd Mayweather

Private Jet parking for VIP's who flew in to watch the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight . Mc Carran airport in Las Vegas was said to be crammed wing to wing.The airport had to close due to the high volume of planes.

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrives at JKIA in Nairobi

“If you can’t beat them join them”. A statement that a coward must have come up with during one of those dark periods in human history.

Obiageli Ezekwesili, the chief campaigner of the BringBackOurGirls group, expressed joy over the rescue of 293 females after the operation in Sambisa forest.

The former minister of education said that the development had brought hope that the Chibok girls, abducted on April 14, 2014, might be among the freed victims.

Speaking with Channels TV on April 28, Tuesday, Ezekwesili said:

“It is a great news at this particular time. We are hopeful that this news will be for real and that the Chibok girls will be among those rescued after they have been profiled.

“Before the call from you, I was speaking with one of the key member of the association of the parents [the Association of the Chibok Girls Parents]. He is going to proceed on a journey to Chibok tomorrow. He is excited at the news.

“They are very interested in seeing that this comes to a reality and it will be a big achievement for Nigeria.”

Military officials yesterday confirmed the rescue of nearly 293 females.

However, they urged people not to rush to conclusions as it is yet to be ascertained if the Chibok girls are among the rescued victims.

An intelligence source said that the girls and women would be screened on April 29, Wednesday, “to determine whether they are Boko Haram wives, whether they are from Chibok, how long they have been in the camps, and if they have children”.


Source: http://www.naij.com/429666-oby-ezekwesili-hopeful-after-sambisa-operation.html

Just fired Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has offered his apologies to those people he may have offended in the course of performing his duties, stating that it was all the nature of the job.

Mr. Abba, who was fired yesterday by outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan, offered his omnibus apologies in remarks he made today while officially handing over to the new acting Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase. The hand-over took place at the police headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Mr. Suleiman appeared visibly sober and remorseful as he spoke in an emotion-laden voice. He disclosed that he regretted his actions and inactions during his tenure in office. He described the appointment of Mr. Arase as the acting police boss as a well-deserved honor. He also urged the management team, senior officers as well as rank and file police officers to support the new acting Inspector General of Police to move the force to a greater height.

He expressed gratitude to God for sustaining him during his period in office and for enabling him to leave the office in good health. He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for giving him the opportunity to serve during his administration, particularly for conducting peaceful general elections that were adjudged as credible, free and fair.

The former IGP called on the police to carry out their duties with diligence without fear or favor in the conduct of run-off elections in three states.

In his inaugural speech, Mr. Arase stated that, apart from routine operations, the police have two major national assignments where their professional expertise and commitment will once again be subjected to national and international scrutiny. He said the first challenge has to do with the holding of governorship elections in areas where the polling results were declared inconclusive by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo, Abia and Taraba States. The second challenge for the police, according to the acting IG, is to ensure hitch-free presidential, governorship and national as well as state assembly inauguration ceremonies.

Mr. Arase promised to work closely with INEC and other strategic stakeholders to ensure violence-free elections in affected states. He also assured Nigerians of their safety, adding that police officers would be instructed to treat all citizens with civility and to hold citizens’ human rights as sacred.

“Toward this end, a strategic police vision document which encapsulates intelligence-led policing, community partnership, restorative justice, re-assurance policing and healthy respect for human rights will be developed in due course,” said the acting IG.


Source: http://saharareporters.com/2015/04/22/sacked-police-ig-apologizes-those-he-wronged

Chris Kehinde Nwandu wrote;

INITIALLY FAYOSE WAS LOSING MY SYMPATHY BUT WITH THE POLITICS OF DO OR DIE BEING PLAYED BY THE APC IN EKITI,HE HAS MY FULL BACKING..FAYOSE SHOULD TEACH APC IN EKITI THE LESSON OF THEIR LIFE..AFTER LOSING ALL THE ELECTIONS SO FAR CONDUCTED,YOU ARE STILL HELL BENT IN REMOVING HIM..HELL NO,EKITI PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN,ITS EITHER YOU SHIP IN OR SHIP OUT..WHAT NONESENSE IS GOING ON HERE.IN AS MUCH AS FAYOSE ATIMES BEHAVES LIKE A DRUNK ,BUT ITS OBVIOUS TO ALL AND SUNDRY WHERE THE HEARTS OF EKITI PEOPLE ARE AND THEY SHOULD BE LEFT WITH THEIR CHOICE