₦airaland Forum

kITA TITA:
When you offer protection to a renegade criminal who has killed people, you don't expect law enforcement agents to say, "thank you, you are great". Soldiers were coming to arrest a bandit and some people were shielding him. It is not called reprisals, it is collateral damage.

Dude, shut your blasted trap. It is well known and JTF has said it countless times that the Ayakoromo people pointed out John Togo's camp to the JTF, not just that, but the camp was 3 kilometres away from the village JTF attacked.
The destruction was wanton and barbaric, not expected of a rational army. What sort of operation to catch John Togo involved  burning down PHCN transformers? Does John Togo hide in transformers? Why would the army deliberately set fire to buildings with lighters and petrol? They arent mad people, are they?

I wish people would stop giving lame excuses for the avoidable loss of life. Even JTF has expressed regret, so why are you talking this wicked rubbish here?

Sanders’ dispatch read: “Pickard said that Nigerian entities control the lifting of many oil cargoes and there are some "very interesting" people lifting oil. Oil buyers would pay NNPC GMD Yar'Adua, Chief Economic Advisor Yakubu and the First Lady Turai Yar'Adua large bribes to lift oil. Pickard also reported an instance of the Attorney General Aondoakaa allegedly soliciting a $20 million bribe to sign a document. The International Oil Companies (IOC) are quite concerned about the "very flawed" new petroleum sector energy bill. The IOCs will be asking U.S., Dutch, and U.K. COMs to convey points on the bill to GON policymakers.

“Pickard said that Nigerian entities control the lifting of many oil cargoes and there are some "very interesting" people lifting oil (People, she said that were not even in the industry). As an example she said that oil buyers would pay Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) General Managing Director Yar'Adua, (Note: not related to President Yar'Adua. End Note) Chief Economic Advisor Yakubu, and the First Lady Turai Yar'Adua large bribes, millions of dollars per tanker, to lift oil. The IOCs control the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cargos, so GON actors do not have the same opportunity for illicit gain. Pickard also said a former associate of hers (protect) had told her he had been present when Attorney General Aondoakaa had told a visitor that he would sign a document only if the visitor paid $2 million immediately and another $18 million the next day.”

These are some of the reasons why the cabal never wanted GEJ in power. I can even recall several of them saying, "we can't trust him." Trust him not to send them to jail?
We will be in for very interesting times after the elections, cos prison yards will start getting packed full of those that have held the country back and still maintain some power cos the current govt is inherited, the Aondokaa's, IBB's etc.

Boboribo:
Some of us dislike GEJ because he IS weak, IS dumb, IS clueless. Not WAS. All I hear about IBB is WAS, WAS and WAS.

shhhaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrap fast!!!!

[size=21pt]. . .$12.4billion thief, ethnic / sectional bigot, mass murderer, liar, conman. . .[/size]

abuc:
Actually I'm No longer taking this as a Joke, though i did at first. With each cable coming out,
there's always tension. Now i just read on BBC website on how US monitors 'aggressive' China in Africa.
Here is the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11955516 What will China be thinking when
they read that.

When they release their cable originating from Abuja about GEJ, all the Anti-GEJ where here accusing
GEJ of inexperience. Now they have release another cable pertaining to Yar'uda, Wife
and Aondoakaa, i wonder what Atiku Campaign Organization will say tomorrow.

The fact is that they have not started releasing the main cables. For Goodness sake, they have 251,287
cables and they have only release 1,269. While The one's originating from Nigeria is over 4,000. Just few cables has been
release and there's a whole lot of tension in the AIR. You may not know, then follow Up on CNN and BBC website.
Just read the Comment of Site Visitors from all part of the World. At least most of us are Believing these cables are
authentic. No one knows what other cables may be.

Meanwhile i know for sure Nigeria may be throw into a state of disarray if Wikileaks releases more cables Originating from
Nigeria. There's already Tension in our great Country and Now this whistle-Blowing Site wants to add to it. The way the whole
thing is Going, the world just need to be careful because majority of people are really believing these cables from wikileaks.
And when the next Wikileaks cables will start releasing the name of those politicians in Niger Delta sponsoring Militants and Some deep
Plans by the Elders of the Northern Part of Nigeria, then most of you will remember this post. This is not the best time for Nigeria,
Wikileaks should not add to it. I'm no more enjoying It. Most of you will understand with Time.

Please I'm appealing to WIKILEAKS to stop Releasing these Cables. I understand their Goal is "Freedom Of Speech" But this kind of freedom
is obviously Dangerous to the safety of the World. Most countries may have disagreement with each other because of these cables.

WIKILEAKS; ABEG MAKE UNA SEIZE FIRE. THANX FOR D ONE'S UNA DON RELEASE. UNA DON TRY,

I think Atiku is likely to be as quiet as a mouse. When he is finally wikileaked, it will be an earthquake!! It isn't easy to find a man like Atiku that was caught laundering 40 billion in the US.
Wikileaks, abeg carry go!

Vulture party.

I laugh in Buhari!

During Shagari's rule, a senate committee (headed by Olusola Saraki) traced our missing $2.8billa NNPC money to Buhari's London Midland bank account. He got the reporter (Vera Ifudu) who read out the facts on NTA sacked (she later sued, won the case and got compensation.

Buhari simply hasn't been "caught", because of soldiers penchant for burning down whole buildings, staging coups etc just to get rid of evidence. Buhari is most likely struggling for democratic power now to get rid of the last traces of incriminating evidence against him (since the coup route don block wella).

If no be to cover evidence, den e mean say Buhari loot don finis and e wan com chop.

What I find so damn funny is that when I want to diss IBB, Atiku or Buhari, I can refer to "holy sh!t" like:

1. Atiku was caught tiffing 40 billion by the US senate
2. IBB stole our 12.4 billiuon US dolars
3. Our $2.8billion missing NNPC money was traced to Buhari's London Midland bank account

But when our petty friends want to diss GEJ, they come up with "he said, they said."

I de laugh ooooooooooo!!!!

Supporters of experienced thieves!

What I find so damn funny is that when I want to diss IBB, Atiku or Buhari, I can refer to "serious sh!t" like:

1. Atiku was caught tiffing 40 billion by the US senate
2. IBB stole our 12.4 billiuon US dolars
3. Our $2.8billion missing NNPC money was traced to Buhari's London Midland bank account

But when our petty friends want to diss GEJ, they come up with "he said, they said."

I de laugh ooooooo!!!!

reckless:
GEJ has shot himself on the foot. Is he now saying the US ambassador lied? Why would she lie? The man has exposed his idiosyncracies for whoever cares to see.

Do you worship ambassadors? What a useless comment!

In every situation, there are two sides.
GEJ says the report is innacurate. Period. If you no like as e talk am, go hang jare!

I prefer GEJ to the group of bastar'ds that sold Nigeria's soul to Shell; the fools who place pocket before country. The single pearl wikileaks has given us, is that Jonathan is sincere.

Go GEJ!!! Na you biko!!!
Nigeria must move forward, we de ya back to jam any haters enter bush.

I wonder if [size=14pt]Atiku [/size] is involved again?
Just like in the United States Senate report that he was caught laundering 40 billa he had stolen from 9ja.

Please, there is nobody called "Quattara" or "Quattra" in the Ivorian Presidential race; just the same way as Liberia has never had a president called Charles Tarloy.
If we must comment, lets at least demonstrate that we have a clue of what we are yarning.

Nuhu Ribadu used to be one of my hero's until he started making gaffe after gaffe in every interview, where there were no gaffes, it was a glaring emptiness where there should have been policy.
He capped his gaffes with one so disgraceful that it became obvious he would never be ready to be president. He revealed himself as an ethnic bigot:

We can’t wait for 2015. Nigeria's problems must be arrested immediately. There is no way we can allow this mess to continue. Also, for the first time, the ruling party is in real trouble. Goodluck Jonathan [the incumbent] is from a very small ethnic group, Sadly, even if he were the best person for the job, northern Nigeria would never accept it. He is not electable.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/baobab/2010/11/interview_nihu_ribadu

Sky Blue:
I don't completely agree with you. I think people just want someone who can take control of the affairs of the country and give it some sense of direction. Do you feel this current leadership has a clear vision /direction and an agenda? If so please what are they and how are we going to get there?

Tell me under whose govt you felt this so called "clear vision /direction and an agenda."

1. Babangida
2. Abacha
3. Obasanjo
4. Yar Adua

People just seem to be making up standards as they go along, but I feel it is only because this govt is the very first under which practical standards can begin to be discussed and that bewilders the average Nigerian who is more used to being beaten and spat on, who is also used to climbing over his next door neighbour and stamping his own kids underfoot in a vain bid to get a few drops of fuel. Times have changed, thanks to GEJ and there is more to come.

Some of the posts here are soooooooooooooo funny!!!
Some fools actually see humility and honesty as bad attributes for a leader to have. This clowns evidently prefer the likes of Atiku (caught pants downs stealing 40 billion in the US) or IBB ($12.4 billion oil windfall theft) or Tinubu (drugs). Thank God for GEJ, a leader who is honest, forthright and a gale of fresh air, the country is at last taking steps forward.

I am happy for threads like this one, because they separate the true lovers of Nigeria from the godforsaken parasites who wish to continue the ra'pe of previous govts and the Pakistanisation of Nigeria with Boko Haram, Kala Kato, Maitatsine cults and Jos style pogroms. Shame on you!

I made this post elsewhere, but its apt here; its all about the "experienced" politicians some clowns here are gunning for:

Sanders’ dispatch read: “Pickard said that Nigerian entities control the lifting of many oil cargoes and there are some "very interesting" people lifting oil. Oil buyers would pay NNPC GMD Yar'Adua, Chief Economic Advisor Yakubu and the First Lady Turai Yar'Adua large bribes to lift oil. Pickard also reported an instance of the Attorney General Aondoakaa allegedly soliciting a $20 million bribe to sign a document. The International Oil Companies (IOC) are quite concerned about the "very flawed" new petroleum sector energy bill. The IOCs will be asking U.S., Dutch, and U.K. COMs to convey points on the bill to GON policymakers.

“Pickard said that Nigerian entities control the lifting of many oil cargoes and there are some "very interesting" people lifting oil (People, she said that were not even in the industry). As an example she said that oil buyers would pay Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) General Managing Director Yar'Adua, (Note: not related to President Yar'Adua. End Note) Chief Economic Advisor Yakubu, and the First Lady Turai Yar'Adua large bribes, millions of dollars per tanker, to lift oil. The IOCs control the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cargos, so GON actors do not have the same opportunity for illicit gain. Pickard also said a former associate of hers (protect) had told her he had been present when Attorney General Aondoakaa had told a visitor that he would sign a document only if the visitor paid $2 million immediately and another $18 million the next day.”

This was one of the very first areas GEJ cleared up, hence the old actors hate him so much and are so bitter. It used to be a free for all for anyone to walk in, pay a bribe to the cabal and walk off with oil that was meant for the countries development.

Both the lifting and importation (another lon and shocking story) areas were cleared  and thats how come we are able to buy petrol for 65 Naira per litre (or less) without spending nights at fuel stations.

---

It will never be business as usual again.

[size=14pt]Goodluck Nigeria!!![/size]

This is a sad story. The boy needs to be adopted by loving parents, here is a kid without parents while there are several parents dreaming for a child to love.

The person to contact to save this kid is, Ishola Musbua, the Chairman of the Otto/Ilogbo Community Development Association. If we are to organise something, it must come through this man. Does any of us live within easy distance of Ebutte Meta or regularly use 3rd Mainland Bridge? I you are that person and have a large heart, please seek out Mr. Ishola Musbua, it should be a fairly easy task.

If there is anybody with experience of childcare (where is NL's angel Aisha2?), they should please give advice on the next steps to take.

I suggest Atiku for stealing huge sums of money in the past, yet having the audacity to run for president in 2011.

Atiku was famously caught by the United States Senate, laundering 40 billion [/b]stolen from Nigeria.

Shame on Atiku!

I also suggest Turai, Tanimu Yakubu, Yusuf Tilde, Abba Ruma, Aliero, Onoedieva, Onanefe Ibori, Peter Odili, Aondokaa, Umaru Musa Yar Adua, Mangal, Tanko Yakasai, Kanti Bello, Adamu Ciroma, Lawal Kaita, Ibrahim Babangida (Satan) and all other members of the [b]cabal.

Shame on the cabal!

Sanders’ dispatch read: “Pickard said that Nigerian entities control the lifting of many oil cargoes and there are some "very interesting" people lifting oil. Oil buyers would pay NNPC GMD Yar'Adua, Chief Economic Advisor Yakubu and the First Lady Turai Yar'Adua large bribes to lift oil. Pickard also reported an instance of the Attorney General Aondoakaa allegedly soliciting a $20 million bribe to sign a document. The International Oil Companies (IOC) are quite concerned about the "very flawed" new petroleum sector energy bill. The IOCs will be asking U.S., Dutch, and U.K. COMs to convey points on the bill to GON policymakers.

“Pickard said that Nigerian entities control the lifting of many oil cargoes and there are some "very interesting" people lifting oil (People, she said that were not even in the industry). As an example she said that oil buyers would pay Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) General Managing Director Yar'Adua, (Note: not related to President Yar'Adua. End Note) Chief Economic Advisor Yakubu, and the First Lady Turai Yar'Adua large bribes, millions of dollars per tanker, to lift oil. The IOCs control the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cargos, so GON actors do not have the same opportunity for illicit gain. Pickard also said a former associate of hers (protect) had told her he had been present when Attorney General Aondoakaa had told a visitor that he would sign a document only if the visitor paid $2 million immediately and another $18 million the next day.”

This was one of the very first areas GEJ cleared up, hence the old actors hate him so much and are so bitter. It used to be a free for all for anyone to walk in, pay a bribe to the cabal and walk off with oil that was meant for the country's development.

Both the lifting and importation (another long and shocking story) areas were cleared  and thats how come we are able to buy petrol for 65 Naira per litre (or less) without spending nights at fuel stations.

chyz:
^^^We adopt the same/similar actions exercised by the Ogoni:

[flash=350,350]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OOzEvqloIg[/flash]

I recall Shell making a lot of noise to leave the country just a few months ago. In my opinion that desire should be helped and oiled, we can give them the best severance deal and get others to buy up their operations for decent money. Shell is a scourge on the Nigerian landscape, if the Ogoni could rid themselves off such a powerful parasite, so can Nigeria.

The above said, we must still restructure for true federalism or others will simply do what Shell did, only they would do it so much smarter we won't know what hit us.

This isn't a time for panic reactions, but we must calmly sit back and dispassionately plot our way out. Firstly though, we must ask ourselves piercing questions to find out how we got in the current mess.

Now the Niger Delta problem has become a scandal that is hitting every citizen in the jugular; what are we to do?
Those who have always taken the shallow view that the answer to ND problems is the JTF, what do you say to yourselves now?
Now that it has been proven that the ND is Nigeria's weak spot, through which Shell has gained control of our govt, what are your next steps?

I'll give a pointer to mine. Under true federalism, Shell would never have control of the Nigerian govt; with resource control, Shell would never have access to the handles of the Nigerian govt.

It is time to look that little bit deeper, our upside down government structure allows for not only corrupt men to take over, but for powerful companies to enslave 150 million of us.

We might cry loud and bang heads about expelling or nationalising Shell, but it will be a waste of time if the countries structure is such that they can simply do the same again from scratch. We need to change the structure of Nigeria, the country has become a patient in emergency.

The only way out is true federalism with devolved structures and well thought out land / asset ownership rights. What we currently have is an over centralised structure that is easy to attack and subvert by criminals within and criminals from abroad.

Now the Niger Delta problem has become a scandal that is hitting every citizen in the jugular; what are most gonna do?
Those who have always taken the shallow view that the answer to ND problems is the JTF, what are you gonna say to yourselves now?
Now that it has been proven that the ND is Nigeria's weak spot, through which Shell has gained control of our govt, what are your next steps?

I'll give a pointer to mine. Under true federalism, Shell would never have control of the Nigerian govt; with resource control, Shell would never have access to the handles of the Nigerian govt.

It is time to look that little bit deeper. _{In fact I should start a thread on this.}

IBB will be regretting ever making the threat now.
Is there no wikileaks on the man sef?

sley4life:
i dont understand all this. Have they turned politicians

You might mean militants?! Here is a mere company, anxious about the delivery of surface to air missiles. We need to ask what Shell really is.

eldee:
I swear to God, Hassange needs to be knighted . . . all what you know and people reply with 'hearsay' gets out in the open.
Two weeks ago, if anyone had come out to say the Multinationals had a grip on Nigeria, half of y'all would have said 'nah' . . . it's our government.
Now it's proven that these guys are even stronger than the state itself.

Come on, we have to do sumn about this . . . anything, even a huge fine, or mandatory injunction to build a thousand schools or sumn.
It's not going to solve the problem, but we all know Nigeria needs to start with baby steps.

I remember about a year ago when I said Nigeria has no GDP, instead the GDP we rant about is Shell's, cos they practically own us. All our officials do is sign documents and the oil companies drill, we don't even know how much they drill, they simply give us the figures we want to hear. I remember I was almost buried in abuse by NL's know little's who wanted to decieve themselves silly about our fat "GDP" that no one see's on the streets.

Nigeria has no GDP to boast of.

Yes, today the news has come out to vindicate what we already knew, Shell is in the know about every single Abuja decision on the ND and the ND is Nigeria. They own us.

[size=14pt]We are ready for salary cut -Senate[/size]
Written by Taiwo Adisa, Abuja
Thursday, 09 December 2010

THE Senate said on Wednesday that it was being needlessly singled out for persecution and attack by Nigerians over the allegation that members of the upper legislative chamber were receiving jumbo pay.

Senate spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze, who raised the alarm at a press conference in the National Assembly, said that the senators were ready to disclose their salaries to Nigerians.

He also said that the lawmakers would be ready for salary cut if that was what Nigerians wanted, but added that the salary inquest must not be selective.

Senator Eze, while responding to questions from newsmen, said that the Senate had taken stock of the public bashing of the National Assembly over what he described as the “overheads allocated to federal lawmakers.”

He said the selective fight against jumbo pay showed that the war was selective and deliberately tilted against the legislature.

He insisted that members of the National Assembly had volunteered to disclose their wages and allowances and that they would be ready for pay cut if that was what Nigerians wanted.

Senator Eze, however, said other agencies of government must also be ready to follow the footsteps of the lawmakers.

“Nigerians have mixed up what is used to run the office of a senator with the salary or entitlement of the senator or member of the National Assembly. I have said that severally. You should have asked why is it that everybody is interested in knowing the salary and allowances of only members of National Assembly when they are not the only people who are earning salary and allowances?

“We are answerable to the Nigerian people, we are ready to disclose, but let it not be selective. In 1999, the argument arose about furniture allowance in the National Assembly,” he said.

He further stated that the National Assembly is ready to lead the vanguard against corruption, adding that the searchlight must also be beamed on all arms of government.

The Senator also expressed surprise that the executive arm of government had not made the 2011 budget ready.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/14523-we-are-ready-for-salary-cut-senate

[size=14pt]How did Shell know about the delivery of 3 surface to air missiles to militants?[/size]

Did they order the missiles themselves through back routes? If so, for what purposes?

We need to put our thinking caps on because, that is not the sort of thing normal companies deal with. It is an extraordinary and highly alarming piece of info. Highly alarming.
We have a very dangerous company and an explosive situation on our hands.

What really is Shell?

And lest we forget, there are others involved, even though not to the extent of Shell. Chevron is worth a mention.

I think we should change our pasports to say, citizen of Shell. Lets drop Nigeria from it, that should make our politicians and ex-generals happy with themselves.

@DapoBear
I was of the opinion that everyone knew that the Ijaw are the oldest ethnic group in Nigeria, my apologies for being impatient. Here is a link with several references:

7. WITNESS OF HISTORY TO IJAW AUTOCHTHONISM IN NIGERIA

History books are replete with the fact that the Ijaws are the most ancient and indigenous inhabitants of wherever they are found in the riverine areas in Benin, Warri and Ugbo. In fact, it is the verdict of history that the Ijaws are the most ancient people in the whole of Nigeria, and are among the most ancient in West Africa. We shall quote a few historians who testify to this fact. Professor J.S, Coleman in his book titled Nigeria: Background to Nationalism (Los Angeles, 1963, p. 28) describes the Ijaws as "perhaps the most ancient in West Africa whose Language has little or no affinity with any other in Nigeria ". In similar vein Professors Stride and Ifeka submit: "Some of the oldest inhabitants of the Atlantic Coast are the Jola, Pepeh and Sorer of the Senegambia, and Sherbro and Bulom of Sierra Leone. Along the Guinea Coast, the Lagoon folk of Ivory Coast, the Guan of Southern Ghana and the Ijaws of the Niger Delta (underlining ours) must be included among the most ancient of the coastal dwellers." (.G.T Stride and C. Ifeka, peoples and empires of West Africa 1000-1800, 1971, P.S).

8. Dr. P.A Talbot, once acting Resident of Benin Division (1920), calls the Ijaws "this strange people- a survival from the dim past beyond the dawn of history- whose language and customs are distinct from those of their neighbors and without trace of any tradition of time before they were driven-southwards into these regions of sombre mangroves." (Tribes of the Niger Delta, 1932, p.5). In another context, Dr. Talbot submits firmly; "their (Ijaws) origin is wrapped in mystery. The people inhabit practically the whole Coast, some 250 miles in length, stretching between the Ibibio and Yoruba. The Niger Delta therefore, is…occupied by this strange people." (Ibid)

9. Professor Wilfrid D. Hambly testifies: " Beliefs held by the Ijaws are of particular interest because these people are probably the oldest inhabitants of Nigeria."(Serpent Worship in Africa, (Chicago, U.S.A. 1931, p.16). In another context, Professor Wilfrid Hambly declares firmly: "Pythons are held sacred throughout the region of Marsh lands and waters inhabited by the most ancient tribe of all, the Ijaws." "(underlining ours Ibid).

http://www.unitedijaw.com/egbemaclan.htm

[quote author=High_Chief link=topic=564965.msg7299188#msg7299188 date=1291861428]It will not be a bad idea creating a date to honor the lives lost during the war. If actually we are one Nigeria I dont see anytin wrong in doing that[/quote]It is a necessary thing to do to heal wounds.

Since Shell has being threatening to pack up and go, govt should simply make it easier for their dream to come.
Lubricate all "pack and go mechanisms;" if they want to sell oil concessions, ngovt should buy off them sharp sharp! If they say militants are causing too much trouble, JTF must look away. If the don;t like the PIB, make it even tougher.

Chei! I wonder which is the meaner slap between this and "I de laugh o!"

He is fully aware that the issue of zoning can only be determined at the national convention of the party; I wonder why he has decided to issue threats on the pages of the newspapers. I will not say that we are going to enlighten him; our first approach will be to convince him that this time around cannot be different from the other occasions.

Jesu!

Could they possibly be speaking to the demon himself? The great demystification has begun!

[size=14pt]IBB petty over zoning, says PDP[/size]
News Dec 9, 2010 By Kingsley Omonobi Ikechukwu Nnochiri
He should abide by PDP NEC decision—Jonathan’s team

ABUJA—THE ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, maintained that it would not be blackmailed by anybody to foreclose any of its members from vying for the presidential slot of the party in the forthcoming general elections.

It said that former President Ibrahim Babangida was being unnecessarily petty over the issue of zoning even as Jonathan Campaign Organization said the threat by General Babangida was like a drowning man clutching at the straw of zoning of the PDP to survive

The party which made the position known through its National Legal Adviser, Chief Olusola Oke, insisted that those clamouring for an enforcement of the zoning arrangement of the party were merely championing sectional interest, stressing that membership of a political party has always been a voluntary decision of an individual.

Annual lecture

Oke who spoke to newsmen at the end of Lex Fora’s first annual lecture for legal practitioners held in Abuja, said the party intended to dialogue with the ex_military president, with a view to convincing him on the need to shelve his plans to decamp from the party over the controversial zoning matter.

Babangida had, Tuesday, threatened to pull out of PDP should it fail to adhere to the principle of zoning and rotation as enshrined in Article 7.2 (c) of its constitution as amended in 2009.

However, Chief Oke said: “Though he has not formally made the threat to the party, it will be petty for a man that has tasted power before as a head of state of this country to be seen as championing a sectional interest to the effect that he will abandon the PDP if a northerner failed to secure the presidential ticket of the party in the 2011 general elections.

“He is fully aware that the issue of zoning can only be determined at the national convention of the party; I wonder why he has decided to issue threats on the pages of the newspapers. I will not say that we are going to enlighten him; our first approach will be to convince him that this time around cannot be different from the other occasions.

There had never been a time when that office was exclusively zoned to any part of the country, the last time when Yar’Adua contested, the next person that came second was from the South.

“However, we intend to convince him and let him understand that the North is not being shortchanged in any manner. Am very sure that after that understanding, he will not leave the PDP, moreover, membership of a political party has always been the decision of an individual.

“As one of the founders of the party, we believe that he will not destroy the house that he has built over an issue that is not nationalistic at all.

It’s an issue of a section, we believe that as a nationalist he would see the point in not becoming the champion of a sectional interest and on that basis abandon the platform of the party. I think he will be convinced not to carry out his threat, but as I said, to belong or not belong is his decision.”

On the issue of whether PDP will eventually succumb to the threat and give its mandate to a northerner in 2011,  Oke said: “If it is the view of the generality of the party that its presidential candidate in the next election should come from the North, the desire will be reflected in the election of delegates that will participate in the national convention.

“We cannot foreclose anybody from contesting and it is very bad that people are isolating the office of the president alone while advocating for the zoning arrangement. We have always zoned both political offices and party offices, but for some persons to now narrow the issue of zoning to the office of the presidency is totally wrong.

“We are going to zone as we have always zoned, we will put all the offices on the table and zone them as usual, but where the President will go is the issue of the national convention and where the Senate president will come from will be a decision of the party, if it will be done by voting it will be done so.”

Jonathan campaign teamreacts

The Jonathan Campaign Organization in its reaction to the letter written by General Babangida to PDP chairman noted that regional politics at this time of Nigeria’s history, was the least expected of a man who once held the highest position of head of state of Nigeria saying, “If IBB and his cohorts had taken their time to read and understand the judgment of the federal high court, they would have seen that the judge, while accepting that zoning and rotation exist in the PDP constitution, declared that the provision was too vague to be enforceable”.

A statement signed by Mr. Sully Abu, Director, Media and Publicity of the organization and titled ‘What is IBB Talking About?,’ said, “Contrary to the claim by IBB that the Federal High Court in Abuja had given a ruling on zoning and rotation in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that should be enforced by the chairman of the party, no such ruling exists”.

Abu said that “for over three months, the Mallam Adamu Ciroma_led Northern Political Leaders Forum, NPLF, searched for a consensus candidate of a northern extraction from among four candidates, which included General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, General Aliyu Gusau and Governor Bukola Saraki.

“When Atiku Abubakar emerged as the consensus aspirant of the NPLF, IBB and two other aspirants accepted the verdict and pledged to give full support to the aspiration of Atiku. Now, IBB is singing a totally new song”.

Sully Abu referred to the letter addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, in which IBB restated the existence of rotation and zoning in the party’s constitution, and urged the National Chairman to enforce the principle.

His words: “If IBB and his cohorts had taken their time to read and understand the judgment, they would have seen that the judge, while accepting that zoning and rotation exist in the PDP constitution declared that the provision was too vague to be enforceable”.

Emphasizing that the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the PDP had already taken the same position as that of the Federal High Court Judge, Abu said: “There is, therefore, nothing new to enforce. While zoning and rotation remain cardinal principles of the PDP, they, by no means vitiate the right of any person, from any part of the country, to contest”.

He said that the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organization sympathizes with IBB’s predicament, adding: “Having lost to Atiku in their so_called consensus arrangement, he must have been thrown into confusion and desperation at the prospects of impending political oblivion.

“Clutching at the straw of zoning seems attractive to a drowning man. But regional jingoism is unsuited for a man who once held the highest office in the land.

“IBB should learn to live with his changing political fortune and not further diminish himself by playing games which only political novices should play. If he wants to go to another party, he does not need to blackmail anyone to do so. He should just go. The PDP has taken a decision on zoning and rotation; IBB can either live with it or leave the party”.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/12/ibb-petty-over-zoning-says-pdp/