₦airaland Forum

konkolok:
Considering the Nigerian political situation as at today, is it rationally possible for a southern president to succeed another southerner? With GEJ, having two ibo names, Ebele and Azikiwe, is he not considered an ibo man by some regions?  If zoning was dead as those whom it has favoured claiming , how come NASS is not being allowed to elect is key officers democratically?  For those who are still dreaming of 2015, get ready for a great disappointment. The actions of these so-called leaders from before the elections to date has effectively truncated that dream. You cannot eat your cake and have it. Mark my words, the north and other regions will remind us that we claimed zoning was dead in 2011 and so we can not lay claim to being zoned 2015. As an individual, i look forward to effective leadership by whoever can provide such and in 2015, i look forward to a FASHOLA presidency. Our ibo elders failed us.

Keep having the dream of FASHOLA presidency for 2015, it is just not going to happen. 2015 is the Southeast presidency whilst Jonathan serves out Yar adua tenure. FASHOLA will have to wait until the North complete another four years term after the South east.

Don't let your greed split Nigeria as predicted by the USA in 2015, 

All these are just speculations, lets wait until GEJ is inaugurated, then we get confirmations on what is what! Only then can we take a decisive action.

If you ask me, I think the old boy wants an Igbo SGF because it is strategic for him to have his base at the heart of affairs than on the outskirts. This would be more comfortable and effective for him.

But the problem with this is that the igbos believe in every man for himself. we have helped you get the post, so fend for yourself and let us do our own bidding in the senate or reps. lol Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin

All these are just speculations, lets wait until GEJ is inaugurated, then we get confirmations on what is what! Only then can we take a decisive action.

If you ask me, I think the old boy wants an Igbo SGF because it is strategic for him to have his base at the heart of affairs than on the outskirts. This would be more comfortable and effective for him.

But the problem with this is that the igbos believe in every man for himself. we have helped you get the post, so fend for yourself and let us do our own bidding in the senate or reps. lol

Headlines    Monday, May 16, 2011

BY LEKE ADESERI, South West Regional Editor & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

ABUJA- NINE outgoing state governors across the country who have enjoyed immunity for the past four or eight years may soon be guests of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as their tenures expire on May 29.



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Sources at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, told Vanguard, weekend, that the anti-graft agency was going after nine state governors it perceived as having cases to answer over how they spent the billions of naira allocated to their states throughout their tenure.

Meantime, EFCC is said to have placed the governors under a 24 hour surveillance.

Vanguard gathered that the essence of placing them on the watch list was to forestall their jetting out of the country immediately they handed over to their successors on May 29.

The agency is, however, keeping mum over the matter, a tactic observers say was being adopted not to sensitise the affected public officers.

When the spokesman, Femi Babafemi, was asked about the situation he simply said: "No comment, when we get to the bridge we will cross it."

Vanguard learnt that loads of petitions against the nine governors were now with the EFCC and that in a matter of days the governors would be made to account for their deeds as the commission is said to have started investigating them.

Nine outgoing govs

The nine outgoing governors, whose names are being bandied, are Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State; Bukola Saraki of Kwara State and Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State.

Others are Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State; Ibrahim Shinkafi of Zamfara State; Muhammadu Goje of Gombe State; Modu Sheriff of Borno State and Akwe Doma of Nasarawa State.

On May 29, these governors will lose their immunity as none of them will return to office, having either completed their two terms in office or lost their re-election bid in last month's governorship election.

When contacted over the matter, Ogun State government through the Chief Press Secretary, Adegbenro Adebanjo, said the state government was not perturbed at all.

He said: "It will not be the first time EFCC will be investigating some of the commissioners, but like what happened the other time, nothing will again be found this time around."

One of the petitions against Governor Gbenga Daniel is believed to have been written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Petitions against Akwe Doma

It was also gathered that one of the petitions sent to EFCC against Akwe Doma, the outgoing Nasarawa State governor, was written by Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau Musa, Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in Nasarawa State.

In the petition, Musa alleged that Akwe Doma's son, Umar, was one of the fronts the governor was using to siphon money.

It was also alleged that the state's Ministry of Water Resources raised the sum of N900 million through a backdated memo for the purported supply of chemicals.

The ministries of Housing and Health were also allegedly ordered to raise N200 million and N340 million through a backdated memo for the construction of the Banquet Hall of Government House.

It was further alleged in the petition that a backdated memo was used to raise an additional N68 million to cover the cost of accommodation for pilgrims participating in this year's Hajj operation.

EFCC has already moved to Nasarawa State as well as the other eight states whose governors are under probe.

Already, EFCC is prosecuting 14 former state governors for alleged corrupt enrichment while they were in office between 1999 and 2007. The former governors are Joshua Dariye of Plateau State whose case is pending at the Federal High Court in Abuja; Abdullahi Adamu of Nasarawa dragged to the Federal High Court, Lafia; Abubakar Audu of Kogi State with case at the Federal High Court in Lokoja; Saminu Turaki, former governor of Jigawa State who is being tried at the Federal High Court, Abuja; Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State facing trial also in Abuja; Boni Haruna of Adamawa with case at Federal High Court, Abuja and Michael Botmang of Plateau facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Other former governors on trial at various Federal High Courts are Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, James Ibori of Delta, Lucky Igbinedion of Edo, Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu, Jolly Nyame of Taraba, Rasheed Ladoja of Oyo and Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto State.

Ibori is also currently facing trial in the United Kingdom after he was extradited from Dubai to face money laundering charges.

All Nigeria needs is a three party system, with strong ideological grounding.

South East talk too much, Action speaks louder than words. Defect from PDP now and abstain from GEJ government.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Anxiety, As NASS Races To Choose Leaders

From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja) and Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu (Benin City)

* Senators-elect Meet Over David Mark


Anxiety, As NASS Races To Choose Leaders

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* Bankole Endorses Muraina As Speaker

* Owie Backs Southeast For Speaker

BARELY three weeks to the inauguration of the 7th National Assembly, campaigns for the election of the next leadership of the chambers has overtaken other legislative commitments.

In the Senate, some Senators-elect are bracing up for a consensus candidate in Senator David Mark, as the Senate President. The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also adopted his candidature.

In the House of Representatives, the contest is between Ajibola Muraina and Mulikat Adeola, both from Oyo State. It follows the decision of the PDP to allow the position of the Speaker to remain in the Southwest.

However, the former Chief Whip of the Senate, Chief Rowland Owie, at the weekend criticised moves by the PDP to cede the position of the Speaker to the Southwest.

He argued that the position should go to the Southeast where the PDP won "convincingly" during the general elections.

In order to take a stand in the raging politicking in the National Assembly, all Senators-elect are to meet next weekend, to harmonize positions on the matter.

Coordinators of the consensus talk have resolved to take their campaigns to a five-day Retreat and Induction Programme being organised for all Senators-elect across the country in all six geopolitical zones beginning from today.

A statement by Senators-elect Philip Aduda (FCT), Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom) and Ahmed Barata (Adamawa) advised all other Senators-elect to remain in contact and coordinated during the retreat.

The statement reads: "This is to inform all Senators-elect that the inaugural meeting of the forum, which was rescheduled for Saturday, May 14, 2011 has been further rescheduled.

"This postponement is due to the Retreat/Induction programme organised for all elected legislators in the various geopolitical zones across the nation by the National Assembly.

"However, consultations will be held at the various venues where the retreat is being held, as a prelude to the general meeting. The meeting will be reconvened when Senators-elect may have returned from the retreat.

"By this notice, all meetings of Senators-elect howsoever are hereby postponed. However, dear colleagues, the Secretariat of the forum at Protea Hotel, Apo Apartments, remains open for interaction and information during and after the retreat until the inauguration of the Senate."

Incumbent House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, said yesterday that he would support and campaign for whomever the national leadership of the PDP picks from the Southwest to succeed him next month.

The declaration comes on the heels of speculation that he has endorsed the candidature of Muraina for the number-four position in the country.

Bankole, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Bakare, said that as a loyal party man, he would not differ from the PDP on its choice regarding any leadership position in the House of Representatives.

The House had hardly settled down for the legislative business of the day when Bankole, on sighting Muraina said: "Honourable Muraina,  I can see you are already moving closer to the seat of principal officers now."

Muraina was discussing with the House Leader, Tunde Akogun, at the time of the remark.

Consequently, supporters of Muraina have been celebrating the open remarks by Bankole on Thursday, interpreting it to mean outright endorsement.

Although the PDP is yet to make public any statement on the person it endorsed between Muraina and Mulikat, the two have intensified efforts and have even set up campaign headquarters in Abuja.

Incidentally, the two have their headquarters at the same venue in Abuja - Protea Hotel.

Muraina's bid to preside over the House for the next four years got a boost on Thursday night following his endorsement by the Southwest Caucus of the House of Representatives.

It was, however, gathered that this move attracted negative reactions from some lawmakers opposed to his aspiration.

They are not happy with the support given by Muraina to former President Obasanjo during investigation over an alleged expenditure of $16 billion on the power sector by the Obasanjo administration.

A source said that the lawmakers are particularly worried that the PDP's poor performance in the Southwest during the general elections would continue to haunt its chances; a situation, which the source said is compounded by the seeming choice of Muraina as House Speaker-designate.

Nonetheless, Senator Owie has criticised moves by the PDP to cede the position of the Speaker to the Southwest, arguing that such arrangement would be unfair to the Southeast, which, he said, deserves the position.

Answering reporter's questions yesterday in Benin City, Owie said the current President of the Senate, David Mark, deserves to remain to stabilise the system, but the speakership should be ceded to the Southeast, which had more support for the PDP than the Southwest.

He said: "Nigerians should recall that when Obasanjo was President from the Southwest, one of the other zones from the South produced the Senate President. That was the Southeast.

"When Yar'Adua came from Northwest, one of the other two zones in the North - North Central - produced the Senate President.

"Now, the President is from the South-South; therefore, the logical thing is for one of the two zones in the South to take the Senate President.

"The ideal zone to take it should have been the Southeast. The Speaker of the House of Reps would have then gone to the zone that is not producing the National Chairman in the North.

"The midway alternative that the PDP must adopt will be to retain Mark as Senate President and the zone the Speakership of the House of Reps to the Southeast.

"The Southwest must not be in contention at all. After all, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (of the PDP) is from Southwest.

It is time we retire all our political leaders. These men are children, the women have stronger back bone and broader shoulders. Our strong men were all lost in the biafra war.

Only strong igbo women exist. Jonathan jus gave them a dirty slap and they can't understand dat.

Such useless bunch,

South East talk too much, Action speaks louder than words. Defect from PDP now and abstain from GEJ government.

INEC hammer falls: •
By OBIDIKE JERRY

Sunday, May 15, 2011

By the time cases at election petitions tribunals are determined, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will invoke a section in the amended Electoral Act to deregister more than 50 political parties, Saturday Sun can authoritatively reveal. When this provision is invoked, only 10 political parties would survive.



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Part V, Section 7 of the Electoral Act 2011, as amended, stipulates: “The Commission (INEC) shall have powers to de-register political parties on the following grounds: (i) breach of any of the requirements for registration, and (ii) for failure to win a seat in the National Assembly or state Assembly election.”

A very reliable source in INEC confirmed to Saturday Sun that the Electoral Act is clear on this. But INEC will not take a definite action on the deregistering of the parties until the pending petitions at the tribunals are handled.

The caution is to enable the party know the parties that would not make the survival list and those that would be weeded off.

In the last elections, 63 political parties participated and were expected to win at least one seat in the National Assembly or state Houses of Assembly or risk deregistration. Results of the elections showed that only 10 parties fulfilled the requirement. They include Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Labour Party (LP), Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Accord Party (AP), Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and KOWA Party.

About 53 other parties did not meet the requirement and, therefore, maybe deregistered by the time cases at the election petitions tribunal are concluded in 180 day, as stipulated by the Electoral Act. The parties include Action Alliance (AA), Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Liberation Party (ALP), African Political System (APS), African Renaissance Party (ARP), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP), Change Advocacy Party (CAP), Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Community Party of Nigeria (CPN), Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Democratic Alternative (DA), Democratic Front for Peoples Federation (DFPF) and Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA).

Others are Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Freedom Party of Nigeria (FPN), Fresh Democratic Party (FRESH), Hope Democratic Party (HDP), Justice Party (JP), Liberal Democratic Party of Nigeria (LDPN), Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP), Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ), Movement for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRDD), National Action Council (NAC), National Conscience Party (NCP), National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP), National Democratic Party (NDP), National Majority Democratic Party (NMDP), National Movement of Progressive Party (NMPP) and National Reformation Party (NRP).

Yet other parties that will be affected are National Solidarity Democratic Party (NSDP), National Transformation Party (NTP), National Unity Party (NUP), New Democrats (ND), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Nigeria Advance Party (NAP), Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NEPP), Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC), People for Democratic Change (PDC), Peoples Mandate Party (PMP), Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Peoples Salvation Party (PSP), Progressive Action Congress (PAC), Republican Party of Nigeria (RPN), Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP), United Democratic Party (UDP), United National Party for Development (UNPD) and United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP).

Investigation revealed that the realisation that INEC may wield the big stick has caused a division in the polity. While some sections ask INEC to bare its fangs and delist the erring political parties, others, especially the beneficiaries, urge INEC to cause no harm to the offending parties, in the interest of democracy. Those in the latter group have also threatened to drag INEC to court if it dares implement the law.

Barrister Sonnie Ekwowusi, who contested the 2011 election as the deputy governorship candidate of National Transformation Party in Lagos State, told Saturday Sun that his party will drag INEC to court if it goes ahead to implement the provision of the Electoral Act. He further said that democracy is not about winning elections but rather a forum for propagating developmental ideas.

His words: “The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi went to court over this issue and got a favourable judgment from the Supreme Court, which led to the opening of democratic space. We shall go to court again to test the validity of the new law. Democracy is not about winning elections. Democracy is about contributing ideas that nurture democratic culture. There are many political parties in US that have not won election and they still exist.”

He warned INEC not to play into the hands of PDP and ACN, which are agitating for two party-state. He said: “If INEC goes ahead to implement the law, it will lead to one or two party state, which does not augur well for our democracy. This is what PDP and ACN want, but we shall resist it.”

The NCP, which led the crusade for registration of more parties in 2002, has also declared the provisions of the Electoral Act on deregistration of political parties as illegal and threatened to go to court again. Speaking through its national chairman, Chief Femi Falana, the party argues: “The law is illegal. You cannot abort a child that has been born. Parties that are already in existence cannot be destroyed by the law because the interest of the members and their fundamental right to associate has accrued. You cannot wipe out such fundamental right.”

Other Nigerians disagree with some of the submissions of Ekwowusi and his group. They argue that the proliferation of political parties has given rise to an unintended evil of resort to primordial tendencies, as political parties are formed not on issues but religious and ethnic proclivities. According to Joe Igbokwe, Lagos State publicity secretary of ACN, INEC would be doing the polity well if it goes ahead to de-list these parties, as democracy will grow faster taking a cue from the era of NRC and SDP.

He said: “During the NRC and SDP period, both parties won almost equal number of governorship and legislative election. Such situation will create a ruling power but also an equally stronger opposition party.”

Igbokwe added: “All these me-and-my-wife parties should be allowed to go into oblivion, where they belong because they came into existence because INEC was giving them subventions. Now that INEC has stopped doing that, they have no business existing. The only thing they do is to endorse a candidate and PDP has been using them to win election by giving them money to cause division, while PDP run away with rigged victory.”

Other analysts are of the view that parties “without sustainable structures” should be allowed to die natural death, since INEC has stopped funding the parties.

On whether INEC will have the courage to implement the law, some analysts believe that the commission has no discretion in this matter, since it is the requirement of the law. However, they added that INEC’s power to deregister must be supported by an equal power to regulate registration of political parties, otherwise as you deregister, more parties will spring up based on the judgment of the Supreme Court in 2002.

At the dawn of civil democracy in 1999, the Electoral Commission registered only three political: PDP, All Peoples Party (APP) (which later became ANPP) and Alliance for Democracy AD. After the 1999 elections, politicians began agitations for the political space to be increased to accommodate more political parties. When INEC released the guidelines for the registration of parties on May17, 2002 these politicians were disappointed, as they claimed the guidelines were stifling. Some of the provisions of the guidelines demanded that a group seeking to be registered as a political party must have offices in at least 24 states of the federation. Also, the party must submit “the names, residential addresses, and states of origin respectively of the members of its national and state executive committees and the records of the proceedings of the meetings, where the officers were elected.”

Fawehimni and his unregistered party, NCP, headed to court to challenge some of the provisions of the 2002 Electoral Act that empowered INEC to issue such guidelines. The NCP was later joined by PRP led by Alhaji Balarabe Musa, M.D Yusuf’s MDJ, NPC and CP. The suit progressed from Federal High Court and eventually to the Supreme Court then headed by Justice Mohammadu Uwais. On November 8, 2002, Justice Uwais, in a lead judgment, held, among others, that the INEC power to issue the guidelines contravened the 1999 Constitution and thus pronounced the guidelines as invalid. This epochal judgment opened the democratic space, leading to 28 political parties contesting the 2003 elections.

Political analysts believe that as good as the judgment was, in terms of removal of restrictions on party registration, it gave room for mushrooming of parties for political showmanship and self-aggrandizement. The 2006 Electoral Act did not help matters, as it compelled INEC to give yearly subvention to registered political parties. The number of registered political parties moved from 28 to about 54, as parties were formed mainly on the pecuniary interest, with politicians interested only in the subvention doled out by INEC.

If INEC deregisters political parties, this would be the second time this is happening in the country. During the General Abdulsalami Abubakar government, parties were registered based on their ability to win local government elections, which were first conducted. The political associations that did not win any local government seat were not registered to contest the general elections of 1999. In the exercise, only PDP and APP met the provisions, but the government added AD, to appease the South West.

Likely victim parties

10. Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP)

11. Change Advocacy Party (CAP)

12. Citizens Popular Party (CPP)

13. Community Party of Nigeria (CPN)

14. Congress for Democratic Change (CDC)

15. Democratic Alternative (DA)

16. Democratic Front for Peoples Federation (DFPF)

17. Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA)

18. Freedom Party of Nigeria (FPN)

19. Fresh Democratic Party (FRESH)

20. Hope Democratic Party (HDP)

21. Justice Party (JP)

22. Liberal Democratic Party of Nigeria (LDPN)

23. Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN)

24. Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP)

25. Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ)

26. Movement for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRDD)

27. National Action Council (NAC)

28. National Conscience Party (NCP)

29. National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP)

30. National Democratic Party (NDP)

31. National Majority Democratic Party (NMDP)

32. National Movement of Progressive Party (NMPP)

33. National Reformation Party (NRP)

34. National Solidarity Democratic Party (NSDP)

35. National Transformation Party (NTP)

36. National Unity Party (NUP)

37. New Democrats (ND)

38. New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)

39. Nigeria Advance Party (NAP)

40. Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NEPP)

41. Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC)

42. People for Democratic Change (PDC)

43. Peoples Mandate Party (PMP)

44. Peoples Progressive Party (PPP)

45. Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)

46. Peoples Salvation Party (PSP)

47. Progressive Action Congress (PAC)

48. Republican Party of Nigeria (RPN)

49. Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP)

50. United Democratic Party (UDP)

51. United National Party for Development (UNPD)

52. United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP)

Map
Continue reading the main story
Nigeria - Troubled Giant

Mapping the divides
Anxiety over poll fallout
Jos: Neighbours are enemies
Maiduguri: City of fear

Gunmen in Nigeria have kidnapped two foreign engineers in the north-west state of Kebbi, the police have said.

State police commander Adamu Hassan told the BBC a British man and his Italian colleague were taken from their lodgings on Thursday evening.

A Nigerian neighbour who came to help was shot and is in hospital.

The BBC's Haruna Shehu Tangaza in Birnin Kebbi city, where the raid took place, says kidnappings for ransom are uncommon in the north-west of Nigeria.

It is the southern oil-producing Niger Delta where expatriates are often targeted for kidnapping.

Our reporter says the men were working for B Stabilini, an Italian construction firm based in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

During the incident on Thursday evening, another Italian employee managed to escape by scaling a fence, he says.

"The kidnappers have not established any contact with us and have so far not demanded for any ransom," AFP news agency quotes Mr Hassan as saying.

He said that immediately after the incident all routes out of the state were blocked by the security forces.

The workers were involved in the construction of the state headquarters for the Central Bank of Nigeria in Birnin Kebbi.

The politics of Nigeria has to improve to gain economic success. Definitely PDP is not the way forward and its time for change. The revolution to bring about that change for 2015 starts now.

News Thursday, May 12, 2011

By HENRY UMORU, CHRIS OCHAYI & CALEB AYANSINA

N-Central – Senate president, S-West – Speaker, S-East gets SGF, N-East – National Chairman
Muazu, Modibo, Wampana in race for National Chairman
South East deserves Senate presidency or Speakership as compensation – Chukwumerije
75 Senators-Elect endorse Mark as House contest narrows down to 2 contenders

ABUJA – PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, new national chairman is to emerge from the Northeast geopolitical zone next March under the zoning arrangement proposed by the national caucus of the party.

This came as 75 senators-elect yesterday endorsed Mark to lead the new Senate.



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*South East deserves Senate presidency or Speakership as compensation – Chukwumerije

*75 Senators-Elect endorse Mark as House contest narrows down to 2 contenders

ABUJA – PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, new national chairman is to emerge from the Northeast geopolitical zone next March under the zoning arrangement proposed by the national caucus of the party.

This came as 75 senators-elect yesterday endorsed Mark to lead the new Senate.

The zoning arrangement adopted by national leaders of the party sustains the present zoning arrangement of PDP with the particular exception of the offices of National Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation which are to be swapped between the Southeast and the Northeast.

The zoning of the office of the national chairman to the Northeast immediately spurred interest from some political heavyweights from the zone including the immediate former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Aliyu Modibo, and the incumbent national vice-chairman of the PDP (Northeast), Senator Paul Wampama.

Goje’s interest

There were speculations that the outgoing Governor of Gombe State was equally interested, but this could not be immediately confirmed. Goje, is the senator-elect for Gombe Central Senatorial district and the possibility of his abandoning his Senate seat for the office of national chairman of the ruling party was as at last night, hazy.

The zoning of the National Assembly positions was yesterday being welcomed by supporters of Senator David Mark who is bidding to retain his position as Senate President in the next Senate. As in the last Senate leadership contest in 2007, the zoning of the office of the Deputy Senate President to the Southeast also reinforced the collaboration between Mark and the incumbent Deputy Senate President for a fresh term next month.

75 senators-elect endorse Mark

Meanwhile, the prospects of Senator Mark returning to his position as Senate President were, Tuesday night boosted after 75 senators-elect at a meeting in the Abuja residence of Senator Zainab Kure endorsed Mark to lead the next Senate. Present at the meeting were serving senators and fresh senators-elect from across geopolitical lines.

The senators-elect who are being coordinated by some incumbent senators including senators Kure, Smart Adeyemi, Ehigie Uzamere, Ayogu Eze and Ahmad Lawan at the end of the meeting advised others eyeing the Senate seat to drop their bids for the purpose of sustaining the current stability of the sixth Senate.

Senator Smart Adeyemi, PDP, Kogi West confirming the surge in support for Mark said yesterday that the resolution of the 75 senators would make victory for Mark in the leadership election a foregone conclusion.

Senators Ahmad Lawan who is from Yobe, in the Northeast where the opposition to Mark first emerged concurred saying that it would be dangerous for the dominant PDP to harm the present stability of the Senate by presenting another candidate.

Senator-Elect Ifeanyi Okowa, PDP, Delta North, whilst also affirming the support of majority of the senators in Mark told Vanguard: "It is an open thing that we are behind Mark."

The leadership battle in the House of Representatives was equally getting tough, yesterday, with more members reportedly eyeing more positions with the declaration of the PDP zoning formula. Mrs. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, from Oyo State has become the major contender against the aspiration of Rep. Mauriana Ajibola who is eyeing the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Ajibola's main burden, it was learnt, is his alleged closeness to former President Olusegun Obasanjo which is counting against him. Meanwhile two frontline House members, Aminu Tambuwal and Farouk Lawan are angling for the position of Deputy Speaker of the House while Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and Leo Ogor are angling for the position of House Leader.

NEC to ratify zoning

The new zoning arrangement is to be presented to the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party for ratification in the immediate future.

With the development, the South East zone has lost its bid for the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vanguard gathered that the zone's bid for the office of Speaker was passionately canvassed at the national caucus by one of the stakeholders from the zone who pleaded that his people were rooting for the position because they believe that the country stands on tripod.

He was said to have pleaded that the zone be adequately rewarded for their unqualified support for the PDP during the recent elections.

A source told Vanguard: "He argued that in the ranking of political offices they want to see one of their own as being among the first four that wield enormous power in the country. They are not comfortable with the position of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation because they have been conditioned to believe that the SGF is a mere tea server in the federal cabinet."

Niger State governor and chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Dr. Babangida Aliyu had assured President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP national leadership led by the Acting National Chairman, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, that the governors were on the same page with them on the issue.

The well attended meeting had President Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo the entire leadership of the National Assembly, PDP governors, members of the NWC in attendance.

The meeting was reported to have passed a vote of confidence on the Acting National chairman and members of the National Working Committee, NWC, and ratified their continued stay in office till March 2012 when they would complete their four year tenure.

The Acting National Chairman, Dr. Bello Mohammed was also commended for giving the party policy direction during the electioneering campaign and the general elections, even as the source said the NWC was mandated to urgently embark on consultations with all segments of the party and stakeholders to explain the rationale behind the new zoning arrangement.

Chukwumerije speaks

Meanwhile, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, PDP, Abia North, yesterday warned that it would be dangerous for the people of the South East if they are left out in very top political offices at the National Assembly and the yet to be constituted Federal Executive Council, FEC.

Chukwumerije said the people of the region desired the position of Senate President or Speaker of the House of Representatives as compensation for the support Jonathan got during the April 16 Presidential poll.

Addressing leaders of the Abia North senatorial district who paid him a courtesy visit in his Abuja office yesterday, Senator Chukwumerije noted that it would be against natural justice the zone to be sidelined when plum offices were being shared as he noted that geopolitical zones that performed less for the PDP were getting better positions.

Meanwhile, the All Progressive Grant Alliance, APGA, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan would be betraying the support he got from the Southeast if he endorsed the proposed zoning formula of political offices that denies the Southeast the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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Re: Southeast Should Abstain From Gej Government.
« #5 on: Yesterday at 04:08:42 PM »

Quote from: Calculia on Yesterday at 04:04:05 PM
The political smart ones you said,  Is that why Yoruba women are the number one love-peddlers in London. In what way did OBJ eight years in OFFICE liberate any region from poverty. Don't children still work to school on bare foot. Instead of going forward Nigeria has gone backward. Since the Southeast left active government in the 1960s.

Were is the Nigerian currency. Your ignorance is killing you.

Instead of coming up with a smart rebuttal, you hit a "personal" one. Is it today that Igbo women are known for "buy one for N100, get 3 free" in Lgos, Abuja and Anambra, and even in Italy?


And Igbos abstaining from politics is the best way to go forward abi?

J12 (m)
Posts: 456

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Re: Southeast Should Abstain From Gej Government.
« #7 on: Yesterday at 04:17:38 PM »

Interesting. . . So the south east should now boycott his government after supporting and voting for him. How is that possible?
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Today was a good day.

kasiem
Posts: 324

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Re: Southeast Should Abstain From Gej Government.
« #8 on: Yesterday at 04:28:24 PM »

We should disown any that accept any post from gej. We the masses that voted for will never accept any insult from gej.

[b]Quote from: Ileke-IdI on Yesterday at 03:57:54 PM
They should abstain from Government in general.
They should just sit and watch as the politically smart ones do their things.

From Onaheze threats to Peter Obi's visit to Aso rock, nothing was accomplished. Just embarrassing. Even Dora (Anambra queen of the Nights) sef dey who-re from one office to the next.

Just abstain plz, it will be better for Igbos and Nigerian people in general.

[/b]


The political smart ones you said,  Is that why Yoruba women are the number one love-peddlers in London. In what way did OBJ eight years in OFFICE liberate any region from poverty. Don't children still work to school on bare foot. Instead of going forward Nigeria has gone backward. Since the Southeast left active government in the 1960s.

Were is the Nigerian currency. Your ignorance is killing you.

Southeast should abstain from GEJ government.  They were crucial players to the emancipation of Nigeria from Britain. They single handedly carried the economy with out any support from Federal Government prior to the civil war and after the civil war. Each time Jonathan takes office he sacks the nearest igbo representative in Government. This nonsense has gone long enough and it is time to take a dignified stand.

Boycott GEJ government full stop.

That will send him a clear message and leave him very vulnerable to the Northerners and South westerners he choose to be President and serve and not all Nigeria. He had a chance to reform this country and he has just blown it, to continue along failed lines with corrupt leaders such as Obasanjo, etc.

When will Nigeria ever unite and pursue a common interest of sustainable development in all ramification. This is certainly not going to happen under GEJ.

[quote author=bk.babe97y link=topic=665772.msg8306247#msg8306247 date=1305210504]Right! So when you voted for him you thought he was just gonna dump OBJ, eh?[/quote]You also voted for him to make this mess possible, Don't try that one [quote author=bk.babe97y

[quote author=Chyz* link=topic=665772.msg8306102#msg8306102 date=1305209300]Calculia you are right,but, our polticians are naïve and weak apart from the women,which are few in number. Our strength is in our women but the seats are dominated by men. The obvious is there,leave PDP for your regional party since you are not respected. Any who, this should teach the se politicians a lesson and have them embarrassed for their non-actions.why wouldn't any sane poltician from an opposite group not take advantage of a people who they know will not do anything but instead take the disrespect and disregard with content?[/quote][quote author=EzeUche_ link=topic=665772.msg8306111#msg8306111 date=1305209386]I weep my brother. These Igbo men are not fit to be called men. Our beloved ancestors would weep.

Igbo women have more strength than these men.[/quote]Well!! One by one they will fall like Ohakim,  Men must be men and not be afraid to take the bull by the horn. There is nothing to fear but fear itself. If Jonathan wants a dis-functional Country with no strong hold from North to South, East to West.

Then we should allow him to make that choice and face the consequence. His government will be the weakest Nigeria has ever had and the level of violence and killings will be shameful for the image of Nigeria.

He had a chance to reform this country and he has just blown it, to continue along failed lines with corrupt leaders such as Obasanjo, etc.

When will Nigeria ever unite and pursue a common interest of sustainable development in all ramification. This is certainly not going to happen under GEJ.

Explain!! We are waiting. please!

igbo should abstain from GEJ government.  They were crucial players to the emancipation of Nigeria from Briatin. They single handedly carried the economy with out ant support from Federal Government prior to the civil war and after the civil war. Each time Jonathan takes office he sacks the nearest igbo representative in Government. This nonsense has gone long enough and it is time to take a dignified stand.

Boycott GEJ government full stop.

That will send him a clear message and leave him very vulnerable to the Northerners and South westerners he choose to be President and serve and not all Nigeria

New PDP chairman to emerge in 2012

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Written by Idowu Samuel and Jacob Segun Olatunji, Abuja Thursday, 12 May 2011

AN enlarged national caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ratified the zoning formula of the party, in which case the post of Senate president and speaker of the House of Representatives would be retained by the Middle Belt and the South-West, just as it accepted the zoning of its national chairmanship slot to the North East.

According to the outcome of the meeting, the current acting chairman of the PDP, Dr Haliru Bello Muhammed, would remain in the saddle till 2012, when the party would hold its national convention.

The caucus had held a meeting at the Presidential Villa, on Tuesday, during which they also zoned the post of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to the South-East, as part of the zoning arrangement agreed to at the Obudu retreat by PDP elders.

A member of the caucus, who spoke with newsmen under strict condition of anonymity, said “the South-East members told the caucus that in the ranking of political offices, they want to see one of their own as being among the first four that wields enormous power in the country.

The table finally turned against the South-East when the governor of Niger State and the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, expressed confidence in the zoning formula by the party, on behalf of his colleagues and assured President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP national leadership of total support.

The meeting had President Jonathan, Vice-President Namadi Sambo, leadership of the National Assembly and PDP governors in attendance.

Pls we should remove tribal sentiments and bias when we are posting anything here.

Don't cry for me Nigeria by Segun OLE

otokx:
With the likes of AMAECHI and AKPABIO the south south is ok with PDP; south east can try APGA or ACN

lol! Even the blind can sense PDP is on its last leg with Jonathan. There can be no return. Change is the only formula that is constant. Change is Progress and Change is inevitable. Don't let the boat leave you behind,

How ex-minister, 15 others stole N75.7bn -EFCC *As trials begin today

Written by Lanre Adewole
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detailed how a former Minister of Works, Dr Hassan Muhammad Lawal and 15 others allegedly stole N75.7 billion public funds through unexecuted contracts.



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The commission had subsequently slammed a 25-count criminal charge on them, with the accused persons to be arraigned before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja today.

The spokesperson of the commission, Mr Femi Babafemi, confirmed the planned arraignment, while disclosing that the accused had been arrested on Tuesday, preparatory to their arraignment today.

Babafemi said Hassan and 15 others were being kept in custody for onward movement to court today.

Others charged along with Lawal were Dr Adegbola Ademola; Digital Toll Company Ltd; Okala Phillip Yakubu; Thahal Paul; Swede Control Interlink Ltd; Proman Vital VenturesLtd; PEB 04 Nigeria Ltd; Lassa Ltd; Odomac Nig Ltd; Nuirda Ltd; Hillel Gilboa; SirajNig Ltd; Geographical Information System; Wise Health Services Ltd and Dave Enejoh.

In charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/38/2011, the accused were charged with fraudulent award of contracts, money laundering and embezzlement.

Nigerian Tribune had exclusively reported on Friday, last week, that the commission was already closing in on the former minister, who had been arrested and quizzed twice and released on administrative bail, while investigation was ongoing in the alleged fraud.

Confirming his earlier arrest and detention, Babafemi had said "the return of Lawal to EFCC custody was for further interrogation, based on fresh evidence that came up in the course of investigation."

Though he was released again on administrative bail, his international travel passport was seized.

A commission source revealed that the seizure of the travel document was a pointer to his being arraigned in court soon, to answer to criminal charge.

He served as minister of works in the late President Umaru Yar'Adua-led administration.

Lawal also served as Minister of Labour and Productivity in the cabinet of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.