₦airaland Forum

Good job nelson

Elder statesman and chairman of The Patriots, Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN), 83, has written 13 prominent lawyers and political scientists to join him in a committee to prepare a Draft People’s Constitution that will be submitted for deliberation at the Uyo National Summit when it re-convenes and thereafter present same to the Presidency and the National Assembly as a working paper for the National Conference proper.
The legal luminary, who opted out of the Senator Femi Okurounmu-led Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference/Dialogue on account of ill-health and medical treatment in London and nominated Chief Solomon Asemota (SAN), said he considered his appointment inappropriate because of age and ill-health.
Although, the Presidency did not accept his nomination of Asemota to replace him in the committee, he nevertheless assured that The Patriots would work with the Okurounmu panel to hammer out water-tight modalities for the national conference, if invited. In a statement he wrote on October 13, Nwabueze said, “I cut short my stay in London for medicals and returned to Nigeria on Saturday, October 12, 2013 to keep a long-standing commitment to chair the Anambra Literary Creativity Festival at Awka on October 15. It may be necessary for me, after my Awka engagement, to go back to London to continue my medicals.
“It is not generally known to people that I have been fighting prostrate cancer for some years now, and have been kept going by consultations from time to time with, and treatment by, a Consultant Oncologist at Charing CrossHospital, London. My appointment with the Consultant Oncologist had been shifted many times because of several postponements in the dates of The Patriots meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Summit at Uyo, both of which eventually took place on August 29 and September 3/4, respectively, leaving me free at last to travel to London on September 8 for my medical appointments.
“After The Patriots’ fruitful meeting with the President, a member of our team who has access to him on a personal basis was mandated to go back to get him to set up the Committee on the National Conference of which he had earlier given a hint.
Nomination of The Patriot member to the confab

My understanding from the contacts with him was that The Patriots would be asked to nominate a member to the Committee. I never expected to be appointed chairman or member of the Committee, and would, quite frankly, have considered such an appointment inappropriate in the circumstances. It is an appointment for a younger person, not for an old man of 83 years afflicted by ill-health. But The Patriots remain willing to work with the Presidential Committee, and to give it all necessary assistance, if called upon to do so.
“This is the area in which I think my contribution to the work of the Conference would be particularly useful, and I do not see this as in any way conflicting with the terms of reference of the Presidential Committee, although they (i.e. the Terms of Reference) contain a somewhat vaguely worded item, to wit, “to advise government on legal procedures and options for integrating decisions and outcomes of the national dialogue/conference into the constitution and laws of the nation.”

www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10

ballabriggs: PH Enugu, Enugu Umuahia and Aba PH is the long stretch.

That Okupe a dead man expects one to believe his rubbish says a lot about him.

I know the road like the back of my hand. You are not talking of the same road as Okupe. The Enugu-Portharcourt express road is totally different from the one in your picture. You have pictures of Portharcourt road inside Aba.

So Okupe is not lying.

ballabriggs: http://mobile.saharareporters.com/gallery/photonews-deplorable-state-port-harcourt-road-aba-abia-state

Here is a 25th Sept photo report on Okupe's Enugu PH road.

Like I said, to expect the truth from Okupe is to expect a dead man to dance.

http://leadership.ng/nga/articles/49181/2013/03/05/jolly_ride_enuguportharcourt_expressway.html

I hope you know there is a difference between Portharcourt road in Aba and Enugu/Portharcourt Expressway.

The presidency sees a political opening in the southwest. They are determined to drive a bulldozer through it. This NC has simply disabled APC plans in the southwest.

This is what you call a smack down.

eddiebruk: I just dey look you dey laugh, you think say everybody na the same, because you like bad thing no mean say i go see bad thing den accept am because every other person around me dey accept am, abeg shift go one side make i see better people, i dey meet your type everyday

Park well, look for another person to tell you lies.

eddiebruk: And you remain an uncivilized, greedy brat who will probably live all his life without accepting the truth, because you have been brainwashed by some idioticc politicians whom you are thugs to

Imagine a man claiming to come from Urhoboland calling a fellow Urhoboman greedy for demanding 50% derivation from the oil, pumped in the land of our fathers. As we say in Warri, nah you go dive kota.

eddiebruk: i hate psychopaths

does that makes sense to you now...?

You remain a liar. Eddiebruk's my foot.

eddiebruk: It is not done that way, at least not while Nigeria is still together, if you N-Deltans wants to claim ownership of your oil, then stand by your ground and Legally step out away from Nigeria after the expiry of the Amalgamation that brought the whole regions together as a single Nigeria, if N-Delta has been using the little they have been receiving in setting up other Avenues that would generate more returns even more than the supposed oil, there wouldn't be any need for this fight/misunderstanding in the first place, but because the money are being squandered and misused by your leaders, it becomes valueless without any good thing coming out of it thereby making every N-Deltans thinks that they are not getting enough as they should be getting.

You are a fraudster, neva pretend to be what you are not. A very pathetic impostor.

The richest woman in Nigeria paid almost nothing for her oil wells, where millions of dollars flows her waytoday. TY sold his shares in an oil deal and walked off with almost $600M. Tompolo had a company providing security for shell and nnpc pipelines between 2011 and 2012. How many times were those pipelines vandalized, during that period. He employed over 2000 young men in delta, bayelsa and rivers states. If the company involved was a yoruba/hausa owner most of the noise makers will not say a word. Please leave Tompolo alone and worry about your own zone. He is not paid with cocoa or ground nut dollars. I hope he makes $30B and not $326M. Bad belle and long throat for any man's wealth is a disease. Go get your own.

eddiebruk: How is Delta State better than Edo State....? the Bolded..? Which Delta State are you talking about...? or are you calling backyard farming a source of income in Delta State..?

The one you claim to know Very easy to catch a liar like you.

eddiebruk: I just cant understand why we Niger Deltan's are so greedy and selfish

Define greedy

Demdem: Ngozi the liar also has big balls.

because you have none.

THERE are strong indications that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has zoned its Vice Presidential slot to the South West while the Northern part of the country is to produce the presidential standardbearer of the party.

The national leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu is also reported to have abandoned his rumoured vice presidency bid and is now said to be shopping for the right nomination to team up with whoever emerges as the party presidential candidate.

These were said to be the outcome of series of nocturnal political consultations which took place within and outside the country when the former Lagos state governor was on medical treatment in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

Impeccable party source told the Nigerian Tribune that the unofficial decision to concede the vice presidency to the South West rather than the South East was because of the zone‘s strength within the party while the north is naturally primed to produce the standardbearer.

Tinubu, since returning from the medical trip is reported to have commenced search for a suitable nominee for the vice presidency which many insiders believe was his prerogative since he would have emerged the running mate but for what the source called sensitive considerations.

The consultation was reported to center on alleged condition given the party leader that whoever is to be nominated from the South West should be a Christian as the party is said to be oppose to a Muslim muslim ticket.

Contrary to expectation that the Lagos State governor, Raji Fashola may pick the Vice Presidency, Nigerian Tribune was told that the religious consideration has knocked all four South West governors of the party out of considerations.

Tinubu and his inner circle are said to have subsequently crafted criteria to be used in making the nomination from the zone. Among the conditions are that the nominee must be a Christian grounded in the politics of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), that he or she must have served in senior governmental capacity like minister, governor or senator and that he must have national name appeal.

A party source in Abuja told the Nigerian Tribune that “Asiwaju is in charge as far as South West is concerned. He actually raised the idea with a senator second day after his return into the country. I cannot say however whether a name has been agreed on or not,” the source said.

www.tribune.com.ng

payless: Any independent mind should have nothing but praise for what Tinubu wrote. His concerns are legitimate in the present dispensation. You have to be worried when committee after committees have been set-up without any of their recommendations being implemented. What we need is true SNC. This NC headed by jobless former PDP goons won't work. It is set-up to perpetuate longer term for Jonathan. Jonathan is looking for a second term in office where he gets 7-10 year office term starting from 2015. It won't work in this climate.

It is Jonathan's destiny to plunge Nigeria into crisis if he doesn't get his way. My mind tells me Jonathan will end up either like Samuel Doe or Lawrence Gbagbo.

In the words of ice T, your mind is playing tricks on you.

Sirniyeh: Remember that you are a prospect, a posterity at stake due to national economic crashes. Please reason well

"What about the much-publicized SURE-P" Can Tinubu tell us what the opposition states have done with 58% share, they collect monthly in sure-p monies www.sure-p.gov.ng/ will outline what, the federal government is doing with its own share of the monies. Are states not collecting this money monthly

This man is finally neutralizing himself politically. Oga Jonah's master stroke caught these jokers with their pants down. Tinubu, you are free as a bird to campaign and argue against NC all you want. You are also free to make any excuses that comes to your mind and head. The political wagon of the NC will leave without you and your backers. The Yorubas will be on board, just not you and your boko haram friends.

BESIDES the takeover of Delta Central senatorial district by the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, from Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, in weekend’s senatorial by-election in Delta state, one of the major surprises was that DPP leader, Chief Great Ogboru, popularly known as the ‘People’s General’, lost his Abraka home base in Ethiope East Local Government Area.
Also, his party’s candidate,Chief Ede Dafinone, not only lost in his local government, Sapele, but also his polling unit to PDP, whose forces were marshaled by the Commissioner for Housing and Ugo of Okpe kingdom, Chief Paulinus Akpeki.
The All Progressives Party, APC, candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, was also visited by the same earthquake in his local government, Ughelli North.
The outcome of the by-election is like a political tremor and 24 hours after, the impact is reverberating and is bound to last for a long time. And if you call it a pound of flesh, you are not wrong, because that was what PDP took from DPP.
However, the landslide victory did not come by happenstance. It was a collective victory coordinated by the governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who relocated to Warri to prove to Chief Great Ogboru and his party that PDP owns the state.
Former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, was categorical when he told Vanguard that the resounding triumph was the handiwork of Dr Uduaghan, who not only directed that the warring chieftains of the party in Delta Central should sink their differences and work together, but gave marching orders to party stalwarts and appointed office holders to deliver their polling units, wards and local governments to the party unfailingly.
Akpeki, who is the Chairman of the state PDP Campaign Council, confirmed Gbagi’s assertion, saying, “some people in Delta Central were aggrieved with the PDP, but when you ask them, what is the problem, they will not talk. The governor also noted that there were misgivings among the leaders in the district.
“It was like a command, but he said we must reconcile before everything else, after which we poured into the field, having heard that the people were complaining of empowerment. They said the problem was not actually PDP but some few persons and we went round explaining the various empowerment programmes and efforts of the government.”
The governor himself, Dr. Uduaghan, confirmed yesterday in Warri that it was disunity that robbed the party of its position before now in Delta Central.
Speaking to party leaders from the area at a thanksgiving service in his residence, he said it was PDP chieftains, who left the party out of anger in the past that won whatever victory the party’s rivals were claiming, saying, “With the newfound unity in PDP, it has taken back its strength, let us now see the power they are going to use again.”
To record weekend’s victory, PDP actually overpowered its closest rival with a wide margin. While it polled 263, 024 votes, the APC, which came second, got 29,075, while the DPP secured 29,055 votes.
Sapele
In Sapele, where the DPP candidate got only 5,003 votes in his homestead, Chief Akpeki and his troops, overran him with 19,795 votes, while APC’s Emerhor trailed with 2,194 votes. Indeed, Chief Dafinone was beatenin his own polling unit. He scored 10 votes as against 570 votes scored by the PDP in the unit in front of his father’s compound.
Akpeki was joined in the battle by the likes of Chief Monday Igbuya, Chief Charles Obule, Mr Michael Diden, Mr .Joseph Atsenku, Mr. Austin Ayemidejor, Chief Felix Anirah, Mr. Godwin Atuse and a host of others ensured that Sapele was delivered to the PDP. These men embarked on rigorous campaigns for the PDP.
Ughelli North
In Ughelli North, PDP polled 51, 387 votes to DPP’s 5,706. The rest are , APC (11,138), LP (763) and APGA 1,211 votes, thereby defeating the APC candidate, Emerhor and Chief Andi Osawota of LP in their home local government.
PDP big wigs, notably the National Vice Chairman, South-South, Dr Steve Oru, former Secretary to State Government, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, Chief Omeni Sobotie, Chief Peter Kgbogban, Chief Fred Majemite, Chief Austin Uloho, Mr Abel Oshevire, Chief Patrick Egone, Chief Shedrach Imonieroh, Chief Austin Uloho, Chief Benson Asore, Chief JB Oduma, Mr Igho Aragba, Chief Joe Ereketa, Chief Friday Onodjae, Chief Isaac Akpoveta and a host of other leaders worked round the clock to give victory to the party in the area.
Ughelli South
In Ughelli South, home local government of Chief Aguariavwodo, PDP polled 38,931 votes to beat the APC and DPP candidates who scored 2,412 and 2,552 votes respectively.
Here, former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, who got 467 votes in his polling unit and cleared his ward for PDP, Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama, Olorogun John Oguma, Olorogun Taleb Tebite, Mr Oma Djeba, Chief AP Fovie, Dr Chris Oghenechovwen, Chief Ovis Uto, Chief Francis Aguonigho including the party candidate, Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo ensured that the party won crushingly in their area.
Udu
In Udu, the PDP led with a margin of 53,700 votes to beat the DPP, 4,037 votes and APC 4,598 votes. At Udu, Chief Austin Ogbaburhon who just decamped to the PDP, Chief Henry Sakpra and others ensured for once that the party swept the local government area.
Okpe
In Okpe Local Government Area PDP polled 8,138 votes to beat the DPP with 1,914 votes in the second home of Chief Ede Dafinone with the APC polling 1,065 votes.
The e DPP got 180, APC -19, and in unit 9, PDP got 102, DPP-75 and APC-4
Ethiope- East
PDP polled 10,616 votes against the 5,844 votes scored by the DPP, while the APC polled 3,195 votes.
The ‘people’s general, Great Ogboru, was practically brought to his knees in Ethiope East Local Government Area by his elder brother, Chief Julius Ogboru, former “Field Marshal” of the Ogboru Campaign Organization, Chief Mike Adiotomre, Commissioner for Finance, Chief Kenneth Okpara, Chief Bennerd Edewor, Mrs Faith Majemite, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo, Chief Sunday Onoriode and others. Chief Okpara, moved from house to house in Eku soliciting for votes.
Ethiope-West
In Ethiope West, the PDP polled 46,571 votes, DPP, 1,449 votes and the APC, 1,912 votes, while the PDP scored 33,886 votes in Uvwie, the DPP had 2,550 votes and the APC 2,271 votes.
At the forefront to ensure victory for the PDP in Ethiope- West are Chief Ighoyota Amori, Chief Halims Agoda, Chief John Nani, Mr Ben Igbakpa, Mr Emmanuel Ighomena, Mr Princewill Ejogharado and Mr Christian Onogba.
Uvwie
PDP chairmanship candidate, Henry Baro and other party leaders worked hard in Uvwie, turning the tide overnight. This is a local government that bookmakers narrowed to either APC or DPP, but in ward 10, Ekpan 2, Baro polled 9,201 for PDP, DPP got 311 and APC-129. Baro’s ward result could well be the best PDP performance in Delta Central.
www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/delta-bye-election-pdp-machine-crushed-apc-dpp-others

Another rubbish

Alxmyr: Bro, many people at the grassroots don't understand the issues of development as you do. Sadly they have same voting power as you.

That is your problem, you think, you know too much, when you know nothing. I hope this serves as lesson to APC.

Who wants to deal with liars

Fresh facts have emerged on why the New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has chosen to stay back within the main PDP, despite the refusal of President Goodluck Jonathan to yield to any of their seven demands.

Credible insiders confirmed to Sunday Tribune that the G7 governors stayed back in the PDP when negotiations on their joining the opposition coalition became deadlocked, due to the conditions they presented.

It was gathered that few weeks ago, one of the G7 governors from the North-Western zone approached the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on behalf of his colleagues and submitted request of the Kawu Baraje-led faction to join the opposition so as to defeat the main PDP in 2015.

The leadership of APC was said to have welcomed the idea and went ahead to propose that the G7 meet the eleven governors of the APC. The meeting was held in Abuja and Nasarawa State, according to our source, but it was the last between the two groups.

The source confided in our reporter that: “The G7 governors’ main condition was that the APC structures in Rivers, Kwara, Niger, Sokoto, Kano, Adamawa and Jiagawa be handed over to them, if they were to join the opposition. This was what they called the first condition upon which they would publicly declare for the APC.

“The APC team at the meeting rejected the condition as the APC itself is made up of three parties just trying to fuse together. They were told they can only join as ordinary members and without preconditions.”

It was learnt that many APC leaders, especially those from the North-West, kicked against the idea on the grounds that most members of the G7 from the zone are political rivals to leaders of the APC in their respective states.

According to our source, the APC in Sokoto, led by former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, rejected any possibility of the party structure being handed over to Governor Aliyu Wamakko, his old rival in Sokoto politics.

The same situation was said to have played out in Kano State where former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau was said to have rejected such condition on the ground that the opposition in the state is well grounded even without Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Sunday Tribune was told that the national leadership of the APC also believed the G7, if admitted, might create another round of political rancor within the new party. According to an APC chief from Kano State, “we actually rejected the New PDP when they wanted to join us.

“They want to take over what they don’t know how we built. We in Kano said we don’t want Kwankwaso. Bafarawa people also said they don’t want Wamakko. Since the last talk, the G7 has not approached us again.”

http://www.tribune.com.ng/

donphilopus: Election Rigged Or Not??

You have to come up with a better propaganda than this.

*The bumpy road ahead for a nation in distress
*Lessons for Mr. President and Nigerians
By Jide Ajani
Because of his demure demeanour, some people have refused to grant Goodluck Ebele Jonathan the needed respect and accord as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Yet, with flickers of brightness and good sense, he comes across, to the sometimes embarrassing astonishment of his critics, as an individual who could be at once calculating and deliberate in his actions – and in actions.
In the wake of the near-deafening clamour for a National Conference (mind you, this clamour had always been on just before and immediately after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election), President Jonathan, penultimate Tuesday, announced the decision of his administration to set up an Advisory Committee that would work out modalities for a National Conference. The offer is tempting and irresistible. There have been applause and knocks. However, this report examines the genesis of President Jonathan’s decision to convoke the conference, the challenges ahead and how he can leverage on the genuine potentials of having such a conference with a view to charting a clear departure from past cosmetic engagements and leave behind a legacy that both he and the Nigerian nation can build on.
A PRESIDENT MISREAD
Have you ever been with Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President and Commander-in-Chief, privately? If you have not, as tens of millions of Nigerians have not, here is a tip. Most times, especially when he has many personal and state challenges to deal with, he wears a demure demeanour – which some have come to describe as his signature look. But beneath that veneer, he is deep, very deep in thought, joggling options and pondering how best to handle the challenges of governing the state. An encounter in 2006 while he was governor of Bayelsa State produced this revelation. Those who work with and are close to him now insist that President Jonathan has not changed.
Indeed, Aso Rock Presidential Villa insiders disclosed that it was during one of those deep moments of meditation and sober reflection some six months (yes, six months) ago, that he was said to have made up his mind “about the convocation of a National Conference”.
According to a Sunday Vanguard source – and contrary to a publication two months ago that the President “was likely to agree to a national talk shop” – it was during one of those moments that
“President Jonathan invited one of Nigeria’s brightest minds to the Villa and held very frank talks with him. “The talks”, the source went on, “centred on how to go about the convocation of a National Conference”. Between President Jonathan and the egg-head, it was resolved that a position paper needed to be prepared, weighing the options, the overriding imperatives and the possible backlash, “especially in a country where interests clash with the speed of light”, the Aso Rock source said. In fact, it was learnt from another insider that a prominent, no-nonsense religious leader was also privy to the thinking by President Jonathan.
Between President Jonathan and the egg-head, correspondences were exchanged. During this period, Sunday Vanguard was made to understand that President Jonathan “bounced” the idea off a few confidants without necessarily betraying the inner workings of his mind. Interestingly, when some weeks ago, Professor Ben Nwabueze, the octogenarian professor of constitutional law, visited Aso Rock and told President Jonathan, in no unmistakable terms, that he should not seek re-election but act the statesman, convoke a National Conference and make that a legacy, the latter simply took it with equanimity. Therefore, when, during his October 1 national broadcast, Mr. President revealed that his administration had set the machinery in motion for the convocation of a National Conference, it jolted critics, sent supporters into a frenzy and set many tongues wagging.
THE PUSH BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT
Sunday Vanguard gathered that before the President made the announcement, he had, in collaboration with some very key members of his administration, engaged in wide consultations. The matter was hugely debated as to whether the National Dialogue or the conference would be able to sufficiently address and come up with solutions to the present socio-economic, religious, cultural and political challenges on ground in a manner that the National Assembly has not been able to. The discussions were sometimes very animated, especially given the fact that the President made it clear that he was determined to have a credible exercise.
And whereas there were those described as the hawks in the Presidency who attempted to choreograph a repeat of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo-style National Political Reform Conference, NPRC, which was solely set up as a vehicular means for the objective of a constitutional amendment to pave the way for a Third Term in office, President Jonathan was said to have shot it down. “That was why at some point Mr. President ensured that the correspondences were kept tight”, an Aso Rock source disclosed “Bad as the level of skepticism is, the situation would be made worse should Nigerians discover that the conference was another road show, a stage-managed affair. But it was generally agreed that even if it was merely to provide a platform for honest ventilation of views by
Nigerians from different shades of opinion, it would be better than just shouting at each other on the pages of newspaper. In a structured debate or discussion, especially one that is on a face-to-face basis, many would discover that a natural platform for the engagement of contending views is likely to moderate the sentiments that would ordinarily run overboard”, a presidential aide said last week in Abuja.Upon private inquiries, Sunday Vanguard learnt that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, where former Senate President, Anyim Pius, holds sway, was instrumental in the lastminute consultations which led to the final announcement.
Before the final push to make the announcement, it was discovered that the televised presidential chat, held just 36hours earlier, was set up in such a manner that the issue of a National Conference would not become topical. It was not discussed.
President Goodluck Jonathan flanked by Vice President Namadi Sambo (4th right) and the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on the National Conference, Dr. Femi Okurounmu while other committee members watched shortly after the inauguration of the Committee at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.
President Goodluck Jonathan flanked by Vice President Namadi Sambo (4th right) and the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on the National Conference, Dr. Femi Okurounmu while other committee members watched shortly after the inauguration of the Committee at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.
CONTINGENCY
It was disclosed that in the build- up to the announcement, it “had been anticipated that some critical segments of the society may not welcome the idea as a genuine confabulation with national interests being the overriding consideration”“In fact”, a source said, “the opposition was not expected to
immediately embrace the idea because it would be described as diversionary”. In addition, “the groundswell of opinion preparatory to the acceptance of government in setting up a talk shop pointed in the direction that majority of Nigerians would likely support the move.” So, when a cacophony of voices began to pooh-pooh the sudden announcement, “government was decidedly unperturbed because the negative reactions had been anticipated”, the source said, a seeming reference to the statement credited to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State who said the National Conference was no more than ‘diversionary, a Greek gift’.
STRATEGY
Part of the strategy put in place by thinkers, in collaboration with President Jonathan, was to ensure that the advisory body didn’t suffer any form of character deficit. Therefore, in selecting members for the committee, certain factors were considered. Firstly, just as it was during the heady days of the General Abdulsalami Abubakar transition programme when the Presidency was all but conceded to the Yoruba-speaking South-west zone of Nigeria, the virulence, mobilization and clamour for a National Conference, which was spearheaded by the likes of the late Alao Aka-Bashorun in the late1980s and early 1990s, especially in the wake of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, was a key consideration. Not unconnected to that, the choice of the chairman of the Advisory Committee was made with full cognizance of the sentiments of the South-west zone. In addition, some members of the committee are known proponents of the restructuring of the Nigerian federation albeit – in an extreme fashion. According to one of those who worked very closely with President Jonathan on the conference papers before it was announced, “the mere fact that the list contained the name of Professor Nwabueze, who had, some months ago, counseled the President not to seek re-election, demonstrates the open-mindedness of the Presidency and its response to criticism. In any part of the world – even in the developed world – such an individual would be described as anti-President, anti-system and would not even be brought close to any engagement of the government. But here we are, the professor was named as one of the members but for his explanation that the rigours of the conference would not be friendly to his age, the thinking was that since his twilight mantra had been the convocation of a national conference, it would be nice to have him on board.
THE CHALLENGES TO COME
Whereas it would be politically intelligent to read meanings that are far from the altruistic to the sudden change of heart by President Jonathan on the issue of a National Conference, the need for a talkshop cannot be said to be unintelligent. And that is why the words of JFK on the need “not to negotiate out of fear and never fear to negotiate” are apt for this season. However, there are some bumps ahead. Firstly, how would the Advisory Committee handle the issue of representation? In the instance of the late General Sani Abacha Constitutional Conference, an election was held to fill some seats while the maximum dictator nominated members, too – though the mass boycott of that election proved to be its major, nay most critical downside. The outcome of that conference, despite the massive boycott, gave birth to the 1999 Constitution that is in use today. Can the cost of an election be added to the economic burden of the Nigerian state today? Though the Advisory Committee chairman, Senator Femi Okurounmu, has said President Jonathan has not provided “no- go” areas, that in itself would pose a challenge of some sort.
The lessons of 1990 Peoples Republic of Benin are there for people to learn from. After running a racket disguised as democratic governance, Mattieu Kérékou was re-elected as President in 1980. “That year”, according to reports, “in the course of an official visit to Libya, he converted to the Islamic faith in the presence of the Libyan leader, Col. Mu’ammar al-Qadhafi, and accordingly took the first name Ahmed. During the visit, the two countries signed a major bilateral cooperation agreement.”
The reports continued, “In February 1990, after weeks of unrest and economic disorder, Kérékou convened a National Conference of Active Forces of the Nation to discuss Benin’s future. It became a public critique of Kérékou’s 17 years of rule. On 2 December 1990, a new Constitution was adopted by
popular referendum. Members of the National Conference simply paid a discourteous visit to Kérékou and forced him to turn over effective power to a transitional government, which held presidential and
parliamentary elections on 10 March 1991, and runoffs on 24 March. It has been called a ‘civilian coup.’ The conference also changed the name of the country to the Republic of Benin.” In the instance of Nigeria, one of the challenges President Jonathan would have to contend with is how the conference would not be hijacked by some political forces and turn it into a trip-wire for him and his administration.
Mercifully, the structures of democracy in Nigeria (and though unimpressive) as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution would make it very difficult if not impossible for a “civilian coup” to occur. All said, Sunday Vanguard was told, last week, that another committee would be set up. That committee would be saddled with the planning of the conference proper. However, it could not be determined, at press time, whether the Planning Committee would be empanelled even while the Advisory Committee is setting out modalities or whether the Presidency would wait for the Okuroumu Comm ittee to finish its work first. No matter. The words of JFK in 1960 should guide President Jonathan and Nigerians.
www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/national-confabulation-jonathans-redemption-ride/

Waiting for the noise makers to start crying.

[quote author=kunle4toye@yaho]how did they make noise on pages of newspaper ? Don't u know u can have the grip/control of a state if your party is in power(governorship)? Pdp won the election only because they hav a stronger structure in place in delta state.Let them try it in osun state and see whether the Pdp would not be defeated.[/quote]Why was DPP in control of the zone before now

PDP back in charge in delta central. Now the gods are happy.

PDP is doing really well in Udu a very strong DPP LGA. Looks like a landslide

DerideGull: The Southwest loves One-Nigeria the most
The North benefits the most from One-Nigeria
The South-South weeps crocodilian tear most about One-Nigeria
The Southeast hates One-Nigeria the most

can you explain?

Rubbish Rubbish the end of DPP is today.