₦airaland Forum

[size=18pt]Jega queries Niger state Inec boss •For allegedly romancing with Gov Aliyu[/size]

Written by Dipo Laleye Minna Wednesday, 15 September 2010



Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attaihiru Jega, may have issued a verbal query to the Niger State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo, over an alleged romance with the Niger State government.

This was coming on the heels of a verbal war between the Niger State governor, Dr Muazu Baban-gida Aliyu and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), governorship candidate in the 2007 election, Mr David Umoru.

Professor Jega’s query according to a source close to the INEC office in Minna, arose from a recent visit of Dr Onucheyo to Governor Aliyu during which he allegedly solicited for the support of the administration.

The same issue was the cause of the verbal war between Mr David Umoru and Governor Aliyu at the stakeholders forum, organised to sensitise the people ahead of the voter registration and election proper.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that Professor Jega, who read about the interaction between the Niger State REC and the governor in the newspapers reportedly put a phone call through to Dr Onucheyo asking for the details of the discussion.

It will be recalled that Professor Jega had instructed all his officers not to ‘romance’ with state governors as one of the ways of achieving a free and fair election in 2011.

Nigerian Tribune was told by an official of the commission, who was at the REC office when the call came in, that Dr Onucheyo denied seeking for assistance from the state government.


http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/11081--jega-queries-niger-state-inec-boss-for-allegedly-romancing-with-gov-aliyu

[size=18pt]Niger PDP backs out of IBB declaration •As ex-military leader begins campaign today in Abuja •Holds secret meeting with Atiku[/size]

Written by Dipo Laleye, Idowu Samuel, Adewale Ajayi, Soji Ajibola and Sola Mohammed
Wednesday, 15 September 2010


AS General Ibrahim Babangida begins his campaign today at the Eagle Square, Abuja, it has been confirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State will not be officially represented at the event.

The executive members of the party at all levels will not be present at the launch in their official capacities, Nigerian Tribune also gathered.

According to Nigerian Tribune findings, the decision was taken because “General Babangida is still an aspirant, we should not be seen to be openly supporting one aspirant over the other.

“Anybody going to Abuja is going on his own,” the source said, adding that “we must be seen to be neutral, until when we have a candidate, then we will come out openly.”

However, it was learnt that the Niger State governor, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, would be attending the event by virtue of his position as the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum.

A source close to the governor also said that he (Aliyu) would attend the inauguration of any presidential campaign by aspirants from the northern part of the country.

When contacted, Niger State PDP acting chairman Mr Tanko Beji, confirmed the story, adding that “we must not be involved for now.”

Beji, however, said that the party could not stop individuals from going to Abuja for the launch of the campaign.

Meanwhile, the declaration fever reached feverish point in Minna, the state capital, on Tuesday, as virtually everybody was discussing it at press time.

Scores of vehicles had been volunteered to convey supporters and admirers to the event, while new campaign posters of the former military president also surfaced in many parts of the city.

Thousands of supporters, loyalists, as well as political associates of General Babangida had also been mobilised to Abuja from other parts of the country, to kick-start the campaign in grand style today.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that loyalists of Babangida in Lagos State were finalising travel arrangements on Tuesday evening while his supporters from Bayelsa were already in Abuja.

The actual number of mass transit buses hired by the organisation for the trip from Lagos could not be established by press time, but a source said many of the supporters would go by road.

In Bayelsa, over 300 supporters of the erstwhile military president left Yenagoa for Abuja, on Tuesday, in readiness for his declaration today.

The coordinator of the group in Bayelsa, Alaowei Opukeme, stated that the former president had all it took to lead the country, and, therefore, called on the people of the region to live above the politics of ethnicity and rally round IBB.

Both Babangida and Atiku had met in Abuja about three days ago, to come up with strategies on how they would approach the 2011 presidential election as a formidable team, in view of clamour by the North to reclaim power.

The two, again, met last night in Abuja, to review their strategies and plans for the coming elections, just as aides of the two gladiators disclosed that none of them disclosed details of their talks which they described as exploratory on the possibility of the two working together.

In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, the media consultant to Abubakar, Mallam Garba Shehu, confirmed the meeting of his boss with IBB, stating, however, that the two usually met behind closed doors without any of their aides in attendance.

In the same vein, the chairman of National Democratic Party (NDP), Prince Chudi Chukwani, in an interview said Babangida and Atiku were working as a team in line with the order given them and other presidential aspirants to refrain from acts capable of making them to lose the scope of returning power to the North.

He said both had realised the dangers inherent in working at cross purposes, more so, having fought hard to halt the  PDP from shutting the North out of the presidential contest through zoning.

However,  General Babangida has refuted reports that he had picked the former governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, as his running mate, noting that the issue of running mate would be addressed by his team after the PDP presidential primaries.

He spoke through Chukuwuani, stating that the choice of his running mate was not his sole responsibility but that of his supporters, with whom, he said, the decision would be made collectively.

Meanwhile, over 24 pro-Jonathan political groups have relocated to Abuja, ahead of Saturday’s formal declaration of President Jonathan.

This is just as his campaign train, led by the Cross Rivers State governor, Senator Lyiel Imoke, moved to Port Harcourt.

A top government functionary who spoke on condition of anonymity, said aside from the political rally, President Jonathan was expected to commission some projects embarked upon by the government of Governor Timipre Sylva.


http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/11093-niger-pdp-backs-out-of-ibb-declaration-as-ex-military-leader-begins-campaign-today-in-abuja-holds-secret-meeting-with-atiku

Nsiman:
But if i may ask IBB, is civil rule a good thing, why did you anulled the 1993 presidential election? And what did IBB forget in Aso Rock? Its laughable if odili accepts the offer because odili wished to be the first citizen of Nigeria during the 2007 presidential election. If he accepts does he has integrity in his wishes? Odili note that south-south needs the best (president not vice president again)in this jubilee of Naija.

There's no way the two of them with their personalities and work together as Pres and VP. IBB wont bow down to Odili and Odili wont bow down to him. See one of them having the other killed. But hey, money works miracles right?

MRbrownJAY:
@poster
she wants you to know what kind of stunts she wants you to do in order to compete with these guy and possibly have any chance to impress her (in other words: how much her toto cost).
she is also making it clear that she has no interest in you (as a person) but only to get free meals/gifts because if she did, she would never tell you such damaging info.

she should be dropped like a bad rash.

Best answer to go with OP.

cold:
this is wat it is,a rumour

madejibo:
It is a lie I sincerely doubt the story

Sorry to burst you 2's bubble but he wants to come back as governor so "A MAN'S GOTTA DO WHAT A MAN'S GOTTA DO"

[size=18pt] Governor Babangida dumps IBB[/size]
…Northern Governors Split

https://www.pointblanknews.com/News/babangida_aliyu.jpg

Niger State Governor and Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, NGF, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu, an arrow head of pro-Northern Presidency has made a last minute change of heart. He has dumped General Ibrahim Babangida’s presidential campaign, preferring to pitch his tent with President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2011 presidential election.
advertisement

Governor Aliyu was hitherto a die-hard supporter of General Babangida who had boasted that Niger State will produce the next civilian President in 2011.

More Northern Governors are expected to jump ship before Saturday’s declaration date for President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential ambition.

The Northern Governors Forum is currently divided because of Governor Aliyu’s new position and Governor Bukola Saraki’s ambition to contest the 2011 presidential election, Pointblanknews.com was reliably informed.

Sources hinted Pointblanknews.com that while Governor Saraki is not seen as a Northerner by some northern Governors even though he belongs to the Northern Governors, Governor Aliyu’s volte face, is considered a betrayal of the forum’s agitation for a Northern Presidency in 2011.

“Saraki is not a Northerner so if he is running, he represents the South-West but for Aliyu, he has just betrayed us once again, a Northern Governor told Pointblanknews.com

Governor Aliyu’s new romance with President Jonathan’s camp is a boost to the incumbent’s desire to contest the 2011 Presidential election going by the stiff opposition his ambition is receiving in northern Nigeria.

General Babangida was said to been shocked about the Governor’s change of heart. He quickly dashed over to Governor Aliyu in what was termed an “idil Filtri visit” and was assured all was well. But sources close to the Governor insisted that “he has switched camp and I can assure you this is real and concrete.”

Sources told Pointblanknews.com that Governor Aliyu’s last minute change of heart may not be unconnected with his fears of losing his return ticket ahead of the Governorship election.

“You know the Governor wants to run for a re election and IBB cannot guarantee that. The only person who can guarantee his return ticket is Jonathan so you can understand where he is coming from,” a source in Niger State who would not want to be named told Pointblanknews.com

The source added “In politics, there are no permanent friends but interest and so the Governor has an interest and whoever can guarantee his interest that is where his allegiance lies and there is nothing illegal or wrong about that politically.”

Pointblanknews.com sources hinted that in the last couple of weeks, Governor Aliyu and some Northern Governors have been paying frequent visit to the president in what was described as “an assurance of support” for President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential ambition.

The Northern Governors forum, chaired by Governor Aliyu has also become divided following the decision of some of the Governors to back down on their agitation for power to be retained by the North.

According to a source “all is no longer well with the Northern Governors because everyone is now fighting for his interest and survival. This is a very critical time and from the look of things, the division will remain until after the elections in 2011


http://www.pointblanknews.com/News/os3880.html

[size=18pt]Obasanjo 'reconsidering' Jonathan endorsement[/size]
By Ademola Adeyemo, 09.12.2010
Monday, September 13, 2010



President Goodluck Jonathan may have scored an own goal with his choice of Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State as his campaign co-ordinator in the South-west, THISDAY has learnt.


Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who led the South-west Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to endorse Jonathan for the 2011 presidential race a fortnight ago, is said to be unhappy with the choice of Daniel who is at loggerheads with Obasanjo and virtually every political heavyweight in the state where the former president hails from.

Obasanjo is also reported to be unsettled by the imminent trial of his former aide and confidante, Mr. Adeyanju Bodunde, over the $180 million Hallib-urton bribe scandal.

The former president believes it is trial by proxy, the source said, hinting that the zone might come up with another position to declare itself neutral in the presidential race.

The endorsement of Jonathan two weeks ago had created ripples in the camp of former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, who is also interested in the race.

In a statement by the Media and Communication Director of his campaign, Prince Kassim Afegbua, Babangida had accused Obasanjo of going back on his word to be neutral, stating: The recent reported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan who has not declared his intention to run defeats the earlier neutrality position of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on choice of aspirants. As one of the leaders of the party, a former president and elder statesman, we expect that his word should be his bond. We will not be drawn into any argument with those who easily suspect the political moves of former President Obasanjo, but we insist that a true leader should stand by his word.

But former presidential spokesman and PDP chieftain in Ogun State, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said the endorsement was a joint decision by the leaders of the party in the South-west as anybody who was somebody was in attendance.

Last week, Jonathan finally informed 11 PDP governors at a meeting in Abuja that he would be stand in the January poll.

He appointed six governors from the geo-political zones to co-ordinate his campaign.

They are Governors Ibrahim Shema for the North-west, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State for the North-east, Gabriel Suswam of Benue for Nort-central, Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State for the South-east, Liyel Imoke for the South-south and Daniel for the South-west.

Daniel is to be assisted by a close associate of Obasanjo and former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

Daniel, meanwhile, had openly canvassed the candidature of Babangida in the past.

Speaking earlier in Abeokuta at his 50th birthday, Daniel called on Nigerians to forgive Babangida for his past errors of judgment, saying the ability to forgive would enhance development and harmony in the country.

In what was understood to be a subtle campaign for IBB's presidential ambition, Daniel urged Nigerians to erase the sins of the former military ruler from their memory.

The governor said though Nigerians may fault IBB, some of his achievements while holding the exalted office, his passion for the progress and peace of Nigeria could hardly be faulted.

In the meantime, Obasanjo is said to be unhappy with the president over the the trial of Bodunde, his former PA.

Bodunde is to be tried over an allegation that he received $5 million in cash payments from six other suspects George Mark, Jeffrey Tesler, Hans George Christ, Heinrich J. Stockhausen, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Bilfinger Berger GMBH.

http://odili.net/news/source/2010/sep/13/205.html

ode remo:
which part is figurative?
if ribadu is to be taken seriously , he must do his maths properly, must choose his words carefully and precise

In a nutshell he's saying that the insecurity within the police force is corruption and disloyalty.The large number of the policemen make no difference if majority(lets say 95.5%) or all are committing crime themselves. Basically the David and Goliath story.

His quote is meant to be figurative, not to be taken literally. Read well.

~Bluetooth:
You may not be against jonathan but a lot of ibo have expressed their opposition toward his aspiration even on nl.what i still want to understand is why IBB would want to settle for Odili,a ND when he had made noise that he would want to see an ibo presidency in 2015.is that not a deception to the core ?

Thats a rhetorical question. IBB hasnt chosen the guy anyways.

Dr Cork:
IBO people are just too dyamm loud. So what if they made him an officer??  Big deal.

Maybe u should declare a national Holiday in IBO State (no oofeinse)

I hope you realize that the story was written by [size=13pt]Kunle Akogun and Yemi Akinsuyi[/size] not Igbos or ibos.

Dr Cork:
BIG DEAL, SO WHAT??  WHO  CARES,  COZ I DONT!!!

WHY ARE THESE IBO PEOPLE SO BLOODY TRIBALISTIC FOR CHRIST SAKE!!!   DYAMMM!!

I HEAR YOU.I WONDER THE SAME THING ABOUT THESE Yoruba PEOPLE!!!

~Bluetooth:
is odili an ibo man ? If no,why should he take ibo slot  ? If you are going to accept Odili being an ibo man to take the ibo slot,why are you guys against Jonathan then ?

who says anybody is against jonathan?what we are concerned about is Igbo interest. ibo,yoruba, hausa interest is not our business. and i didnt say he was going to try to go for the ibo slot come 2015 so clean ur ears. I said he going to try and be "Igbo" PDP candidate.

gadogado:
Well, in the United States of America, we know there are four major groups that make up that population, the African Americans, the European Americans (whites), Asian Americans and Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans (American Indians making up 1% of the population)
All these groups minus whites who make up more than 70% of the population are considered minorities. The first minority to become president in Americas 200+ years of existence as a country is Barack Obama.

Ok, It is standard practice and a norm that Majorities have more say in any society since they represent a larger base within this society. When Nigerias democracy is mature enough, we can discard ethnicity and religion and vote for competence. Bit for right now, care has to be taken to preserve the delicate balance of power in the country.

You are a selfish imperialist. This is exactly why we wont vote for you people.Do you not see how condescending what you typed is? What do you mean balance of power,between who and who?

Check out another video showing how corrupt this thief is:

[flash=300,300]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNRyOMrJE-w[/flash] Start at 2:14

~Bluetooth:
How could IBB think of getting ss votes by going for odili when most ND would definitely vote for jonathan ? I'd expected him to extend the vp slot to the ibo atleast to show that he's truly passionate about seeing an ibo president in 2015

The plan is to keep the money running in these old political elites family. of course if this happens Odili is going to be the "igbo" PDP candidate for presidency.

Look at this greedy evil thief Odili.

Onyakpiri:

[flash=300,300]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpWg-HoykZ8[/flash] Start from 3:03

"POST DELETED"

mechris:
wonder why ethnic bias colours every decision of Government or at best percieved as such, time to ask our selves ; are we realy a nation or one makeshift ad-hoc community passing bye? mmmmmmm,

Nigeria can never be one.the people drawing remarks based on ethic bias are only products. Nigeria is a basket filled with nations.For instance, in the Igbo nation you have the Aro ,ikas, mbaises, ngwa, ikwerre, , in the yoruba nation you have the Egbas, aworis, ijebus,ilajes,etc. Nigerians are not ONE just a bunch of dogs in a circle fighting to get that steak in the middle.

naijaking1:
So after all the personal hatred against Odili/IBB, can someone think of a strategic importance of this issue, barring emotions from the discussion as much as possible.

The strategic purpose of IBB reaching out is to get SE and niger delta votes. i think thats quite clear.

Ibime:
^^^I think you might find that it is IBB who should beware association with Odili lest his reputation be forever sullied.

Odili is a son of a LovePeddler, large-scale thief and murderer.

God forbid bad thing. I rather vote Abacha than Odili. Odili you no go die well for all the people you have killed in Rivers State. Son of Jezebel.

Odili is so effing evil. i swear i hate that bastar.d.the dude is so crooked. definitely if IBB is considering him,its to loot the country to the last drop.

Obviously the "special adviser" is working for IBB undercover.There is no reason for him to bring Biafra up at this moment so its obvious that it was planned. Anyways, I blame goodluck jonathan for having stage fright. He scared to open his dam.n mouth and speak up. Everything you hear from him is by proxy and quotes in newspapers.

I hope odili does not accept that position and disgrace us. this IBB is using the same northern tactics as others.any igbo that accepts VP is a fool and deserves to be assassinated.im sick of it.

Edo is used to describe a people in that region.It is not a language. With in edo state there are the esa, bini, igarra, igbanke,etc. they each speak their own distinct language.