₦airaland Forum

Gbawe:
Excellent observation. Supporters of Jonathan know , beyond doubt, that he will score low in the minds of Nigerians as per ability to fight corruption. He is surrounded by corruption, highly profligate and the new poster child of the corrupt establishment that needs a continously deceptive facade , callously exploiting the mood of the day and the current angst of Nigerians , to retain control of Nigeria by proxy.

Therefore they , the fans of Jonathan , have come up with a new plan : belittle the influence of corruption and rubbish the need to fight it robustly in regards to our current predicament. This , according to their thinking, earns Jonathan a little reprieve to discountenance how he is "dead on arrival" in regards to the war against what is fundamentally destroying Nigeria - corruption.

Hmmmmmmmm! The PDP is not without its problems, but I wouldn't have thought ACN stalwarts would refer to anyone as corrupt! Wonders!
It is strange that while the PDP is reforming, already rotten parties like ACN are reaching new explosive highs of putrefaction.

While the PDP held impeccably transparent primaries, ACN slithered out with what they termed, a "consensus" candidate. And the criminal concessions didn't end there either; there was an inheritance of the people sweat for every Tinubu extended family member and family friend. Senate, ministerial, House of rep, LG and other positions were simply nodded into grubby manipulated palms by the drug baron led ACN.

PDP is cleaning up its act and reforming to deliver a new Nigeria under GEJ, where is ACN going? They are totally lost:

www.nairaland.com/attachments/139268_BolaTinubuHeroinforfeiture_jpgb084d334c74cec7150ee9588a3aed2fc

cjfavour:
BEAF i have something to tell you. GEJ have had the chance to be tested and he failed. If schools are closed for security reason why allow the school his children are attending to be open? Won't they be cut down at their prime too? 2. For you to have the fear that people will be killed in an election while your principal is the chief security officer of the country is an indictment on him. Simple he cannot secure the country.You indicted him by your self.
3, You made this comment:Gbawe's comment about corruption being Nigeria's main problem is completely wrong and displays a fundamental lack of understanding of the Nigerian fabric, but going further to build his candidates profile around that is almost hilarious.
I will make a very bold and assertive correction; corruption is simply a by product of Nigeria's deeper problems. It takes a lot of understanding and deep thought to discern that the government structure of Nigeria was deliberately tailored by the cabal in such a way that ethnic bigotry, religious bigotry and corruption flourish, all for their financial benefit. Nigeria's biggest issue is our national architecture, this is something GEJ understands perfectly and in his usual quiet way, has begun tackling.
True federalism below the surface, will ensure accountability and the demise of corruption and ethnic bigotry. Jonathans govt is planting the seeds.

simple you are lying simply because you know that the party of your principal is highly corrupt and filled with corrupt men. So they have chose to deny that corruption is the disease destroying Nigeria. If corruption is rooted out, i tell you Nigeria will be great. Go to China and see how they're fighting corruption. Everybody there is afraid of being caught. but here, the PDP member are having a field day.

GEJ have lost the chance to be a great leader by turning a deaf ear to the corrupt men in his party.and for not trying to make a difference. let us try another person please.
Some of the contestants have been tested and are trusted to be against corruption. We want them.

Dude, you've got to screw your head on before abusing me. I do not take kindly to being called a liar, not based on fact, but simply because you have a different argument. That is simply uncouth.

I will only reply to your numbers one two, because number three is an incredibly confused mixture of my words and yours. My friend, there is a quote button that requires minimal intelligence to use, please learn to use it, don't mix my words with yours.

For number 1. How about private schools which are not registration areas cannot be targets for violence targetted at registrations? There are no DDC machines to steal, no opponents to intimidate etc; they are simply not threatened. If their owners decide to open its their call. In fact, as someone pointed out, the Ogun state govt ordered all its schools open and they have been open for a week now. In fact, there are private (and public) schools open all over the country, so why should the American school cause you unusual levels of pain?

As for GEJ being the chief security officer, do you think that includes standing by your every bed in the nation with a cutlass? Perhaps you were on Pluto when bombs went off and killed the innocent.

Please, look for reasonable points ask people. Unnecessary rudeness makes you look rather agricultural.

debosky:
Is this a joke?

GEJ had no personal interest in the case initially - he was arrested after a Fracas in Oyo state. Once the Federal legislators (Folarin's peers) in the PDP indicated that they would not support GEJ if their man remained locked up, he swiftly ordered his release.

How can we trust a man who is so desperate to win that he will do ANYTHING to get support? Where are his principles?

What will he sacrifice to garner support next? There are already allegations that the 'last minute' distribution of a billion dollars on the 31st was aimed at buying governors over, what other sacrifices is this man willing to make to actualise his ambition?

A man willing to overlook murder so casually to win, committing murder to go ahead might not be beyond him either.

Nah, you'll find its just one of the usual rumours. Folarin is still very much on trial in Ogun state. A lot of funny business went on to scuttle the PDP primaries, the PDP chair was even sacked only today for some of those intrigues, I would be patient for things to further unravel before making the sort of comments you left above.

Abagworo:
I doubt if a northerner has the capability of blowing pipelines in Niger Delta.It is more understandable if "beaf" claims northern sponsor or inspired rather than direct accusation.

@beaf.Why is it so difficult for your Oga to manage what Abagworo can easily solve permanently?Tell him to consult me for some wisdom.

I think govts only reason to consult you might be to lock you up. You are the one always promising deadly new militant groups.

Chrisbenogor:
Beaf Sir,
With all due respect they warned about the warri bombings, the abuja bombings and now this one. Your principal should take it seriously, I always knew the amnesty was a flawed plan. It is a band aid for a problem that needed surgery, I wonder if it was even legal When the whole dokepsi saga was on I know how you jumped up and down thinking the North was responsible when will it dawn on you guys to stop blaming atiku and ibb for the woes of GEJ?

With due respect, who are these "they?"
Do you think you cannot personally sign up to a free email service and send emails as jomo gbomo? We Nigerians tend not to read much, otherwise it would be very common knowledge that after the arrest of Charles Okah, all emails purporting to be from Jomo Gbomo came from a BRAND NEW EMAIL ADDRESS.

. . .
Now a new email address purports to offer journalists MEND statements, these poorly worded and with a different format — suggesting a new person has adopted Jomo Gbomo's identity.

"It would have to be one of their former lieutenants who knew how to take advantage of these communications to pick up where those guys left off," said Mark Schroeder, the director of sub-Saharan Africa analysis for the U.S. security think-tank STRATFOR.

Or it could be someone taking advantage of the power behind the group's name. Recent messages came from an email account previously not associated with MEND and did not offer any details about the attack Monday, such as how many people were taken hostage.

"All the abducted expatriates are well and in our safe custody," an email sent early Tuesday morning read. . .

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=12097659&page=2

ReachRich:
Jonathan strategically placed Ribadu in the AC to stop other stronger Contenders to the office of the President.Ribadu is Jonathan's man and will do his (Jonathan's) bidding's when the time comes. Forget Ribadu's ambition.This is just politics.

Dude, you should keep away from Atiku/Ciroma camp tales if you aren't one of them. That untruth is part of some of the inflamatory text messages making the rounds.

Some people lose primaries, refuse to congratulate the winner and a brand new Jomo Gbomo rises. Interesting.
It is quite clear that this is a group of desperate terrorists, who see nothing wrong with killing tanker drivers. May the govt flush em and their master out of the system with red hot bullets.

PapaBrowne:
Are you serious This is the first time Education is receiving the highest budget allocation in Nigeria and you are complaining!! We have a President that has just established 9 new Universities(There were just 27 FG Universities b4 now established in the last 60 years) and you are complaining. We have a President that approved N40 Billion for Research in Universities and you are complaining? All these in less than 1 year!!

We have had Presidents that have ignored the education sector, but Jonathan is surely not one of them!!!

Lets also not forget that this is the first govt to plan the education of the almajiri's. There is a whopping 10 million of them; the FG will funding their and standardising their curriculum (with the inclusion of Western education). Other govts before now were content to allow the almajiri problem fester and become the present threat to national security it has become.

GEJ is doing extremely well in education, compared to all other govts. It will get even better.

Granted the Jos situation isn't normal, but shooting to kill isn't the answer.

Fourth, and on a lighter note, I am opposed to recycled material. In a nation of 120million people we can do better than restrict our leadership to a small group. I think Buhari, Babangida and yes Obasanjo should simply allow others try their hand instead of believing they have the monopoly of wisdom.

-Sanusi

Mmmmmm! This part of the article struck my sweet bone!
I think many of the Buhari huggers here cannot read that well.

blacksta:
According to this logic we might as well keep at home till after the elections in April.

"We?" Posting from the safety of far off East London as "we?"
Abeg, make pesin hear word jare! "We" my foot!

Nigerians value the safety of their kids. At dangerous times they will be kept at home; during the elections in April, they will surely not be in school.

ziccoit:
I wish you understood what "almost impossible condition" meant. How many people have ever seen you while in the act of fornicating with those girls you branded as your "wives" You shut close and bolt all the available doors that lead to the crime scene.

That surely explain the impossibility of you been caught when actually you deserved to be punished. The fact that Zamfara failed to exercise the rule doesn't abrogate it or debase its very existence. I hope I am clear enough for the straight thinkers.

I am a man of principle. I reiterate, I am quoting nobody here.

So fornication (or whatever) is the reason we must accept some neanderthal who is living by 4th century precepts in this information age as presidential material?
Damn!
Just when I thought I'd heard it all!

Whats your bloody business with the naughty things others do behind closed doors, ain't you capable of being naughty yourself? Is your manhood chopped off? Damn!
So you want a sharia president to stop fornication? You looked outside your window, saw 10 million almajiri's and the biggest problem that comes to your mind is how to get a sharia president to cure fornication? Na wa o!

^
Exactly! 3 people died at a school yesterday, and some people here are talking about their non-existent "little babies" not having the same opportunity.

^
I called you a rumour monger, and it makes a lot of sense.
Should I add shallow thinker to it? Please don't call my name in your foolishness again.

ziccoit:
Some people would never be a straight thinker. Go and read a book titled "WHY WE STRUCK" by Ademoyega and you will understand what kind of game people use religion to play.

That is why we must never accept as presidential material, any hidiot with extremism sprouting out of his ears, and the glint of madness in his eyes.

philip0906:
What explanation r u waiting 4?He does not need his kids vote neither d votes of students of d school. . .He is banking on Beaf and other short-sighted and "politically irresponsible" nigerians 2 vote 4 him,dats y he shut your schools so u can register(he might not need 'em afterall,he is d commander in chief and incumbent,he has Jega at his service)

Don't call my name in your foolishness.

Are you living in a different country from the one where bombs have been going off? Do you think it is reasonable for peoples kids to attend school that are sites for registration?
There is little govt can do to shut down private schools that aren't flouting any laws, especially when they aren't registration centres; we aren't in some primitive society.

And who told you GEJ's kids attend that school? Are their names written on the gate? Where are those people who were swearing that his kids are schooling in Italy?
Bloody rumour mongers!

The best thing for Atiku is to continue his current behaviour so he can be locked up.

Stupeed article.

Onlytruth:
Exactly my point.
Why should he set millions of tongues wagging in Igboland just to please Ekweremadu and Chime?
They recommended Nwodo before, didn't they?
They should live with it.
As for GEJ, he is presently enjoying a cult-like following in Igboland. He shouldn't risk that.
The general elections is around the corner.

I really doubt many will side with Nwodo on this, although I am beginning to see things from your point of view, I believe your reasons aren't strong enough for GEJ to forgive what he did. Its gonna be really tough for Nwodo, however it might also present an opportunity to score other goals with the party makeup.

oyb:
http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5664107-146/story.csp

@ beaf over to you.

please explain why our president's children are in school while their fellow citizens are languishing at home 

same stinkin' smell, different president

It is easy to realise that schools were closed more for security reasons than any other; better for them to "languish" at home (or whatever you call it) than be cut down in their childhood.
Quite a few private schools that aren't registration centres have reopened and there is nothing anybody can do about it. They are private schools and it isn't a dictatorship.

I prefer Atiku the way he is. I wish he will never apologise in the belief that crude means will get him the already lost PDP ticket. I wish he will continue pursuing his almajiri style politics. I want him to go all out, manically chasing a lost cause.

. . .Because, this time he has pitched himself against his very own people and they will be the ones to deliver the final resounding defeat to him. That is really the only way we can rid ourselves off every last vestige of Atiku/Ciroma style "politics" of ugliness and blood.
The country is at a crossroads in her history and is feeling the pangs of rebirth. Men like Atiku, Ciroma and co must be consigned to the rubbish heap forever, so let them help themselves along the way.

[size=14pt]Groups call on Atiku to accept defeat[/size]
By Ifedayo Adebayo

January 18, 2011 02:31AM

[img]http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg&STREAMOID=TsgvyepOIo_EZ0T9ExSy9S6SYeqqxXXqBcOgKOfTXxSk5631wQ0UsYAgznl_9a_gnW_PgxgftuECOcfJwS6Jtlp$r8Fy$6AAZ9zyPuHJ25T7a9GKDSxsGxtpmxP0VAUyHL6IDcZHtmM2t7xO$FHdJG95dFi6y2Uma3vSsvPpVyo-[/img]

Civil society groups have called on former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, to emulate other People’s Democratic Party’s presidential aspirants by accepting the verdict of the party’s national convention, held in Abuja.

Making the call through a statement signed by its national publicity secreatry, Afam Iheanacho, the Movement for Democratic Sustainability (MDS), a civil society group, said the former vice president is sending a bad signal of his desperation and bad sportsmanship in his remarks after the primaries.

It said that even as Mr. Abubakar has commended the PDP presidential panel for organising a free, fair, and credible election, which he said, “indicates that the wind of positive change is now blowing in that party,” he should also see it as the best thing to do “to concede victory, congratulate Mr. President, and join hands with others to unite the PDP.”

Mr. Iheanacho cited instances of how Ibrahim Babangida, the former head of state, and Aliyu Gusau, former national security adviser, who were both allies to Mr. Abubakar, had both congratulated Mr. Jonathan and wished him success in the race.

Emeka Obinagwu, national publicity secretary of the National Vanguard for Democracy and Development (NVDD), another civil society group, asked Mr. Abubakar to stop further acts and statements that could heat up the polity.

Mr. Obinagwu, who criticised the Atiku Campaign Organisation for its reluctance to accept the resounding victory of Mr. Jonathan at the just concluded PDP presidential primaries, said that “the PDP presidential primaries of January 13, 2011 has been adjudged by both local and international observers, the diplomatic community, local and international media as free, fair and transparent, hence the strange silence of the Atiku group is a big embarrassment to all lovers of democracy.

“We are shocked that six days after the primaries the Atiku campaign group is still searching for a clear statement to respond to the resounding victory of Mr. Jonathan. What is coming from Atiku campaign is indicative of a possible challenge of an affirmative, popular choice. It is sad. It is unfortunate,” he said.

According to the group, there was palpable tension in the country days to the primaries and Nigerians in their millions heaved a huge sigh of relief when the primary was concluded.

“Instead of another round of rancour and divisive statement, we plead that the former vice president, for the sake of our nation, allows peace to reign. He should avoid this indelible image of desperation that is now hanging around him. Doing otherwise will be a stigma that will stick with his name forever,” he added.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5664049-147/groups_call_on_atiku_to_accept.csp

Onlytruth:
Somehow you sound like Beaf! You just joined nairaland.
I hate debating one person twice.

THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE PICKED HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Again, all these talks of his being loyal to Atiku is ridiculous.

Thats some funny stuff!

Onlytruth:
I don't care if he committed murder on the job.

They should have known BEFORE bringing him in to replace Ogbulafor. For me the story ends there.
If you are Igbo, please always try to view things from the national perspective. We are not the only ones in Nigeria.

This is NOT about Nwodo now. It is about Ndigbo.

They should leave him alone.

No, he isn't allowed to commit murder on the job. From an Igbo perspective, I would be very concerned if just one man attempted to ambush the direction the whole of Igbo land had so resoundingly decided to move in.
GEJ has a way of thinking that is far sighted and diplomatic, so I cannot say for certain how things would go by the end of the day, but it looks bleak for Nwodo.

Onlytruth:
So, basically if I were GEJ I would save Nwodo (for a one good turn deserves another moment in the future), and whip Ekweremadu and crew in line. This is smart politics.
He should not sacrifice the love and loyalty of millions of Igbos to please ten thieving PDP elements in Enugu state.

The PDP primaries are over. He won! Time to exert his authority on the party.

He should save Nwodo. Simple.

I don't know about the "one good turn" part, because Nwodo was scheming to deliver to Atiku, that is why there were avoidable problems (that could be milked) from Ogun to Enugu. It is surely not about pleasing a few people in Enugu, they just happen to be spectators in a game played around them.
You are right that only GEJ can save him now, but I doubt that will happen, because some sins are just too big.

ziccoit:
I need not responding by quoting anybody since there is general low understanding of what Sharia meant. IT IS ONLY AND ONLY FOR THE MUSLIMS. If this is taken therefore, all the steps and processes that should be undertaken to ensure its successful implementation are only for the muslims. Be this as it may the non-muslims should however respect this and hold their boundaries. Afterall Saudi has a population of non-muslims living and working there without any problem.

Sharia only cut your arm when all evidence point to the fact that you chose to steal in the midst of plenty and comfortability such as embezzling the public fund. You would also be stoned to death when you abandoned your wife for another man's wife with four witnesses attesting to it that you were actually caught in the act ( almost an impossible condition). There is no law or ideology that protect the rights of woman as Islam.

It is part of Sharia that you don't pay interest on money you borrow from the bank. The lender and borrower share the profit and loss if the business flourish and fall respectively.

I wish I could go on and on stating all the details. There is no a single negative thing about it, just tell me one and I would tell you how ignorant you are, Sharia is Islam as Islam is Sharia. The day you against the practices of Sharia as a muslim the day you go out of the fold of Islam.

I am sure that like me, you wouldn't cast a vote for Rev. Chris Okotie. The reason is simple and understandable, Nigeria is not a Christian country and you would not be governed by someone who puts Christian tenets first. So why is sharia different?
Nigerians will only accept a tolerant person who can reach out across religion, not someone so narrow minded that religion is be all and end all.

With the obvious fact above, what pains me is the blindness with which some of you approach the topic. Dude, we do not really care about the inner workings of sharia. We simply do not want to have a leader who is crazed with religion, whether it is Christianity, Islam, Buddhism,  zoroastrianism, Ifa or whatever. We do not need any wild eyed fanatic forcing their religious tenets down our throats; moreso when there have been thousands of lives lost to religious violence in a country that is not at war.

Nigeria is a secular state and will remain so.

Kalu Akanu:
This is some welcomed news! He was becoming an headache for Sullivan Chime. Good riddance to that man.

The execution of his removal is so clinical! Starting with the court action on the eve of the primaries, the man must have felt as dazed as someone worked over by a heavyweight boxing champ!

Nwodo had been formenting problems in all the state, because he was working tirelessly for Atiku. But he was very foolish to start fires in his own state, now he has been rejected by his own people. I think we might see the likes of Anyim taking over in the long run.

[size=14pt]Nwodo faces sack[/size]
Headlines Jan 18, 2011 By JIDE AJANI, EDITOR NORTHERN OPERATIONS, EMMANUEL AZIKEN, UMORU HENRY & TONY EDIKE

ABUJA—THE National Executive Committee, NEC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is today set to oust its National Chairman, Dr. Okwesileze Nwodo, barring a last minute intervention from President Goodluck Jonathan.

The move was apace last night even as the embattled National Chairman was himself banking on a reprieve which could offer him a soft landing. The decision to remove Nwodo as National Chairman was agreed at a consultation on Sunday night during which his macabre intervention into the proceedings of the party’s national convention, Thursday evening, was reviewed in strong negatives.

With Nwodo’s hold on the leadership hanging on a knife edge, his antagonists including members of the National Working Committee, NWC, governors, particularly his home governor, Sullivan Chime, were sharpening the arrows against him with the articulation of his alleged impersonal dealing with party officials and members.

The chairman was himself banking on a last minute intervention from President Jonathan at the end of a consultation meeting in the Presidential Villa. The consultation with party chieftains and stakeholders was ongoing as at last night leaving permutations on the prospects of Nwodo remaining in office in the balance.

Quarrel with Gov Chime


Dr. Okwesileze Nwodo
Vanguard gathered last night that Nwodo’s problems have spread beyond his quarrell with Governor Chime of Enugu State over control of the State chapter of the party into personality problems with members of the NWC which climaxed with what party officials said yesterday was his strange appearance at the national convention.

Nwodo, it was learnt had been implored by NWC members prior to last Thursday’s national convention not to make an appearance at the convention on account of the Enugu High Court order which had barred him from parading himself as the national chairman of the party.

But Nwodo’s sudden appearance and his attempt to take charge of the convention was read as an act of sabotage suggestive of a deliberate attempt at upturning the progress of the convention and possibly putting the nomination of the President in legal jeopardy.

Following the convention, party chieftains on Sunday night at a consultative meeting reportedly resolved to move against Nwodo whose seven month stewardship of the party has itself been characterized with internal disharmony both at the NWC and in dealings between the national executive and the state chapters of the party.

Grievances against Nwodo

Indeed, part of the grievance against Nwodo, Vanguard learnt, yesterday, is his unilateral dealing of issues which party executives said had severally put the party in bad light.

However, the kernel of the action that may lead to the removal of the national chairman, Vanguard learnt was the resolution of the Southeast zonal executive passing a vote of no confidence on the national chairman.

The Southeast executive had on Sunday passed a resolution calling on Nwodo to be removed from office.

A state party chairman on his way back to Abuja for the emergency meeting said yesterday: “If his people say they do not want him, then what can we do? His problem started principally from home but it has spread to a national problem as he equally does not relate well with members of the NWC and even with us State chairmen. He does not seem to regard us well too.”

A prominent party member from Enugu was equally adamant saying that Nwodo had messed up the party saying he would equally canvass for the removal of the national chairman at today’s NEC meeting.

Vanguard learnt that Nwodo’s problems were well articulated at the Sunday meeting to the point that the national chairman may have become a serious liability to the party and its presidential candidate.

Besides, party chieftains are hoping to use the Nwodo faux pas as a channel to redress the seeming imbalance in the polity in a way to allow the position of National Chairman rezoned to the North. The acting National Chairman and substantive Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, is from the Northwest, a part of the country where the President got the least of his votes during the last party convention.

Resolution of S-East caucus

It was being speculated last night that unless the President intervenes, today’s NEC could adopt the resolution of the Southeast caucus passing a vote of no confidence on Nwodo.

Part of the communiqué which was signed by the zonal secretary, Mr. Vincent Okpareke, read: “We hereby pass a vote of no confidence on Dr. Nwodo and ask him to resign his chairmanship of the party, and that if he fails the National Executive Committee of our party should expel him from the party.

“We condemn without reservation the ignoble conduct of the suspended National Chairman of our party, Dr. Nwodo, who by flagrantly disregarding the party’s constitution, disobeyed a valid court order by showing up at the special convention and lying to the convention that the order had been vacated, brought shame and embarrassment to the party and therefore us, his kinsmen and women.

“The zone apologises to the country for this calamitous behaviour of Dr. Nwodo in deliberately and wilfully attempting to void the special convention by not only showing up but forcibly taking over the officiating at the convention before he was overpowered and subdued.”

The communiqué appealed to PDP members in the country “who have deserted the party especially National Assembly members and party stalwarts in Oyo, Osun, Plateau, Anambra, Adamawa and other states, since Dr. Nwodo unleashed his high_handedness on nearly every state chapter of the party, seeking to hand_pick candidates without going through the process of primaries to return to the party.”

The communiqué equally jettisoned Nwodo, their son and declared support for the acting National Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Bello to run the affairs of the party pending the emergence of another chairman from the South East acceptable to the party members.

Overwhelming endorsement

They restated their overwhelming endorsement of President Jonathan’s candidacy and “our firm belief that he with the Vice President, His Excellency, Architect Namadi Sambo, possess the experience, education and sufficient knowledge of Nigeria’s problems to be able to pilot the country to the next level of her development.”

Reacting to the meeting, the embattled National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo said that the South East zone meeting was not properly constituted.

Nwodo who spoke through his Special Assistant, Media, Ike Abonyi, Nwodo said: “They didn’t call the meeting properly. How many governors were there? How many senators and House of Representative members were there? It was not attended by any governor except Sullivan Chime.

“Their meeting is political. It has no legal implications and they don’t have the powers to remove the national chairman.”
Meanwhile, the apex Igbo socio_cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, initiated moves to resolve the crisis that has pitted some Igbo political leaders against Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo leading to the demand for his removal from office.

Character assassination

Some stakeholders of PDP in the South East Zone also condemned the attempt by a few individuals in the zone to assassinate the character of the PDP National Chairman by mounting campaign of calumny against him just as they accused those who lost their bid to secure the party’s ticket as responsible for the plot to unseat Dr. Nwodo.

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, Chief Olisa Metu who is the national vice chairman of the party in the South East as well as two deputy governors were among the leaders who met in Enugu and passed a vote of no confidence on Nwodo, Sunday, saying he flouted the Enugu High Court order made on the eve of the national convention of the PDP, restraining him from operating as the national chairman of the party .

President_General of Ohanaeze, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue who spoke on the move against Nwodo by some leaders of PDP in the South East zone, said: “Already, we are trying to reach out to certain persons involved in this latest crisis to see how we resolve it.

“We need unity of Ndigbo in all ramifications and certainly, what has happened now does not portray that we are united. We don’t have the details yet of what happened on Sunday but the effect has shown that we have a problem militating against our unity and it is not good that this is happening.”

Expressing regrets over the development, Uwechue noted that “any sign of disunity that is made public concerning Ndigbo is not good news. We would want such matters concerning our people to be settled within our fold and not to be treated publicly like this one.
“We are not taking sides but this is creating bad impression about our people. It shows there is open disunity.

And it is not good for those involved and Ndigbo generally, hence, we want a situation where a level of understanding should be reached on this matter.”

It was gathered that Uwechue had been held up in consultations on the matter for the greater part of yesterday and only took a short break from his meetings to speak to reporters who were waiting for the outcome of his talks with the parties.

Meanwhile, South East stakeholders of PDP said in a statement issued in Enugu that the call on the National Working Committee of the party by a section of the zonal executive committee to remove Nwodo from office was uncalled for and urged the NWC to disregard it.

Zonal executive committee statement

In the statement signed by nine members of the Zonal Executive Committee of the party including Barrister Okonkwo Emmanuel, Chief Pius Onwe, Hon. Uzo Okere, Chief Mrs Eugenia Ewereuzo, Chief Mrs. E.O. Nwankwu, Barrister John Aneke, Hon. Ikechukwu Mba, Dr. Eugene Mbamalu, Hon. Agbo Egenti and Mrs. Agnes Egbo, the stakeholders said: “We wish to state that this is not the decision of the entire Zonal Executive Committee, but that of some individuals from the zone who lost out in the recently concluded party primaries with themselves or their surrogates who failed to make it.

“We also advice that if they feel that the National Chairman erred in any form, he should be given fair hearing as provided by the constitution of our great party, PDP instead of washing our dirty lines on the pages of newspapers. We also, therefore, call on the NWC of our great party to disregard this unwarranted call for the removal of Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo in the interest of peace and oneness in the party. The discerning public should also ignore this call.

“Finally, we wish to state further that if they continue with their evil plans, we will be left with no option than to mobilize all true Igbo sons and daughters to resist this act of intimidation and political hooliganism.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/01/nwodo-faces-sack/

[size=14pt]Presidency set to overhaul security system over Abuja, Jos, Borno crises[/size]
Font size: Yusuf Alli 18/01/2011 00:35:00
Jonathan

The Presidency is contemplating an overhaul of the security system nationawide, it was learnt yesterday.

The measure may not be unconnected with the seeming unending crises in some parts of the country.

The government may also withdraw soldiers from internal crisis points like Jos and Maiduguri in Plateau and Borno states.

Investigation indicated that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) is coordinating the review of the National Security Strategy.

All security agencies are part of the proposed policy which might take immediate effect.

It was gathered that the heavy security cordon during the recent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries and Armed Forces Remembrance Day, even though needful in the face of recent security threats, was not in sync with the ideology that underpins this new security thinking.

Findings showed the exercise will be carried out in a way that is “likely to promote ambient but non-intrusive security.”

A top security source said the proposal will also cover far-reaching police reforms and citizen mobilisation.

According to the blueprint, the government might limit the role of the military in internal security management.

It was gathered that the Presidency is concerned that deployment of soldiers to manage crises in the country has been affecting Nigeria ’s contributions to peace-keeping missions abroad.

It was also learnt that the government is uncomfortable that soldiers are taking over the traditional roles of the Police.

Also to be addressed is strengthening the working relationship among security agencies, so as to elevate security as a stimulus for national development.

The source said: “The challenges in some of these flashpoints like Abuja , Jos and Maiduguri will soon be over. In apparent response to recent security incidents, the Federal Government is reconsidering its national security strategy.

“The highpoint of this new thinking, is the formulation of an all involving security strategy which could include possible reduced involvement of security forces in civil conflicts, police reforms, increased citizen mobilisation, awareness and participation in national security.

“The policy thrust whose development is being coordinated by the office of the NSA was in response to government’s concern over the increasing use of military forces in civil conflicts and relative alienation of the populace from the national security management process.

“The traditional thinking was that because of the routine interface between the police and the public, the military should be invited into crisis situations to provide what we call ‘shock effect’, and withdraw after stabilising the situation.

Regrettably, we now have growing instances where our forces stay too long in theatres of conflict, blunting the essence of their intervention.

The government is not unmindful of its other commitments to contributing troops to international peace-keeping operations and is therefore, uncomfortable with the growing situation where more and more troops have to be deployed for internal security operations.

“As part of the new national security thinking, the government is reportedly disposed to the idea of increasing citizens’ mobilisation and awareness that national security is the collective duty of all.”

The source added that Nigerians may be mobilised to play key roles in the management of security.

He said: “The government is not comfortable with a situation where citizens see national security as the responsibility of government or security agencies alone.

“The government is already thinking of national security beyond the traditional perceptions. This new thinking is enhanced public safety as the goal. “To achieve this, a conscious drive must be made towards public mobilisation.

“The government is thinking of raising public consciousness in this regard. We have seen instances where public participation helped the cause of national security.

“But for the bravery of passengers on board the plane, perhaps Abdulmutallab would have succeeded in bringing down the plane. Also, but for the bravery of one person who overpowered the gunman as he tried to reload his gun in the recent Arizona shootings, the casualties would have been more.

“At present, there is an unacceptable gap between our security agencies and the public which can only encourage diminishing confidence on the part of the public to supply the agencies with intelligence that is vital to the success of their operations.

“The government wants to build public confidence in the security agencies, to see increased collaboration, leading to citizens offering information to the agencies. Without intelligence, they can do little. That is why it is a cardinal objective of this new security doctrine to encourage the public to see national security as a collective responsibility”.

“The new security strategy, which the official explained would define the Goodluck Jonathan presidency, would address such issues as the porosity of our borders and ports of entry in view of the dangers of arms proliferation as well as police reforms intended to deliver tangible results, and improved national crises’ management.

“The new thinking seeks to develop a comprehensive arrangement for more coordinated and efficient response to crisis and emergencies, which are inevitable in life, but government is concerned about how a well-mobilised citizenry can help in the face of such by remaining calm.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/25059.html

alj harem:
Mr stu.pid and Mr ideeiot

shakes my head at the level of ignorance

So what do you call people hiring kids to protest political party primaries, if not fools?
Abi, were you among the almajiri rioters?

Almajiri's rioting!!!
What has politics been reduced to that people now wheel out kids to protest political party primaries?

I call it foolishness.

ono:
How about someone just ask Buhari if he will indeed implement Sharia if given the reigns of government - especially during his campaign manifesto.

Ono, how ya side?

Interviewers have asked him that question directly, but he always chooses to dodge it (directly as well).

Below is an example of how Buhari totally side-steps very straighforward questions on the fear of Nigerians that he would force sharia down our throats. The question was asked just a couple of months ago as part of Nigeria Village squares 2011 candidate interview series:

Question: General, I hope you’re aware that some years ago there was a controversy around a statement credited to you somewhere in Sokoto state in which you are reported to have said that Muslims should vote for Muslims. Now whether you were misquoted or not, whether you were misrepresented or not, that has caused some anxiety and some concern, understandably, to some Christians in the south of the country, in the Middle Belt, even in the north itself. So how do you intend to sell your candidacy to those people who have perceived you wrongly or rightly as a sectional candidate who is popular in the North because he is seen as the champion of Islam and Sharia? How do you propose to appeal to people who are concerned legitimately and anxious about you being a president who will implement Sharia nationally or who will limit the rights of Christians and promote the interest of Muslims? I want you to speak to those people.

General Buhari: Well, that perception remains. I know in 2003 I wrote to many Bishops and I could recall I visited (inaudible) in 2003 and 2007. As you said, it happened in Sokoto in 2000 before I participated in elections. The person who reported me by tribe is a Yoruba man, by religion a Muslim. He was not in Sokoto and does not understand Hausa, maybe he still doesn’t. How he got the story I don’t know. And the comment I made was that people in Sokoto know their people, that when the ban on politics is lifted they should choose the people that will represent them responsibly. This is common sense: if someone aspires to rule this country, he cannot afford to offend even pagans or even atheists—those who don’t even believe in God. These are the people that will vote. How can I say Muslims should not vote for Christians? Then do I expect Christians to vote me, a Muslim? I wrote to the Bishops. I explained to them, but I think, as you mentioned, perception, people hold on to their perception. Even the church leaders were careful to explain to their flock that there is no way any leader will, at the federal level, antagonize any of the religions. So, I wrote to the Bishops to explain but I am still very surprised that the perception remains.

So there is nothing I can do about it, but I will continue to explain my position. And I have backed it by facts that I have served the country’s military for 25 years. I did all the command and staff work, as a platoon commander to General Officer Commanding and the only still surviving officers that commanded three of the four commands in the Nigerian Army. And the Nigerian Army is about 75% Christian and nobody has ever said I took a decision against anybody because of his religion or his tribe. There are other tribes in the whole command. So, if for politically it sticks that I don’t like Christians, well it is very very unfortunate, but my performance in office at all stages has portrayed me as an impartial person, and I have believe that whoever is still bringing that case up, for whatever vote, will definitely fail in a free and fair election. The question of me being a sharia advocate and a hater of Christians has never happened and it will certainly fail.

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/nvs/politicians-would-be-the-first-victims-of-sharia-if-properly-implemented-buhari-2.html
http://www.elombah.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4350:the-elite-has-compromised-the-country-buhari&catid=47:politics&Itemid=65

Nowhere did Buhari even attempt to quiet our fears by simply stating that he would not strive to implement sharia over the whole of Nigeria if he was to win the next election.
It is a potentially dangerous situation staring us in the face.

Thanks for this Akhenaten.

I recall growing up in Warri as a kid and young adult; there were days when the air in the whole town would reek of burnt natural gas; it was normal to turn on the tap for water to drink, take a sip and spit it out, because it tasted very fowl and stank like the devil, it also frequently had the sheen of oil on its surface.
The night was never dark, because there was the constant glow of flares turning the night sky orange. Many of us suffer various respiratory problems.

My experience was in Warri town, some distance away from the oil wells and drilling activities. So, any observer can simply extrapolate the real horrors of living close
to an oil well in areas where massive flares erupt from the ground a few short meters from built up areas.