₦airaland Forum

Congrats to the Nigerian Military for their recent gains in the fight against the insurgency group boko haram. But the question that comes to mind is why was the fight not intensified as it is now before this 6 weeks extension? Why did it take the top military generals this long to make up their mind to fight boko haram even with the billions they were given over the years? Could it be because they wanted to be getting huge capital votes in their budget at the expense of those under boko haram attack? Whatever the case is, I still congratulate them on their recent achievement. Better late than never. Anyway March4Buhari

It would be bad if PDP play this card. But in Nigerian politics anything can happen. But I don't sincerely think PDP would want to do a thing like this.

Congrats to the Nigerian Military for their recent gains in the fight against the insurgency group boko haram. But the question that comes to mind is why was the fight not intensified as it is now before this 6 weeks extension? Why did it take the top military generals this long to make up their mind to fight boko haram even with the billions they were given over the years? Could it be because they wanted to be getting huge capital votes in their budget at the expense of those under boko haram attack? Whatever the case is, I still congratulate them on their recent achievement. Better late than never. Anyway March4Buhari

He doesn't deserve to be a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after the "ekitigate" saga. He should hide his head in shame. Only in Nigeria will a minister arrange a scam job and he will still be left to continue serving. Only in Nigeria will a minister use 10 billion Naira for private jets in the mist of millions suffering and yet they are asking to come back. Come back to do what? To kill us all ? I pity those Nigerians who are campaigning for GEJ when it is very clear that he has mismanaged all the funds that has come to Nigeria.

Well this time he has failed.

That's politicking! APC sure knows what they are doing. Its so unfortunate for us in the South South that the cap fell on the wrong person from that region. Just wishing it wasn't Goodluck Jonathan that was chosen from the South South.

Interesting read. Well meaning Nigerians will definitely vote for Buhari. No sentiments here. I am from the South and I want Change. What good has Jonathan coming from the south done to my life? I am voting for someone who will make Nigeria better for my future and the future of my Children

Desperate man. I know that he just said that to create a division in APC. The truth is that the members of APC are so confident that they will be winning the elections come 28th of March. So non of their member will be moved by this statement. Its just too late to save his sinking boat that has already been shot at the base by his actions and inactions over the past 5 years

Not sacking the minister of interior. Aba Moro for immigration scam. And thinking he can turn his fortune in 6 weeks when he had 5 years to have convinced Nigerians with his actions

They just want to be heard like how Governor Fayose wants to be heard everyday in Nigeria.

People’s Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Jigawa, Alhaji Aminu Kani, on Sunday defected to the opposition All Progressive Congress.

Kani made the declaration during an APC rally at Matsaro ward in Hadejia.

The aspirant noted that the APC had better programmes designed to ensure good governance and improve the socio-economic well-being of the people.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Kani had vied for the seat under the platform of the PDP for the second time having lost to the incumbent Sule Lamido in 2007.

Kani also stepped down for the current governorship candidate, Malam Aminu Ibrahim, during the party’s congress in December.

Receiving the new member, the Jigawa State APC Chairman, Alhaji Ado Kiri, said the party is ready to welcome new members into its fold.

Kiri said APC had received thousands of PDP supporters who defected to the party in the last few weeks.

He explained that the party had adopted effective campaign strategies to sweep polls in the state.

NAN reports that hundreds of APC supporters including the governorship candidate, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, and his running mate, Ibrahim Hassan, attended the rally.


Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/jigawa-pdp-gov-aspirant-defects-to-apc/

Lol

Nigerians should vote for Change for a better Nigeria.

Elderstatesman and for­mer presidential aspi­rant, Senator Olabiyi Durojaye has declared the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for a sec­ond term in office by pan-Yoru­ba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere as a unilateral action which didn’t enjoy the support of all members of the body.

While dissociating himself from the endorsement, Durojaye, who spoke withSaturday Sun in Lagos, insisted that President Jonathan doesn’t deserve a second term.

“I want the whole world to know that the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term by our leaders like Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Senator Femi Okunrounmu didn’t reflect the position and stand of allAfenifere members. Some of us like myself, Senator Ayo Fasanmi and Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora have not endorsed Jona­than for a second term. Rather, we believe in change because Jonathan has not lived up to expectation”, he declared in an interview with TUNDE THOMAS.

Durojaye also spoke on other is­sues including the postponement of the polls by INEC, calls for Jega’s resignation, among a host of others. Excerpts:

What is your reaction to the postponement of general elections from February 14 to March 28 by INEC?

I’m not happy about the post­ponement because it amounts to admission of failure on the part of the Federal Government which is saddled with the duty of provid­ing security for the entire country. Who is responsible for providing the wherewithal for conducting an election? It is the Federal Govern­ment.

INEC is just an agency under the control of Federal Government. I have heard reports before that all materials required by the agency to conduct the elections have been provided by the Federal Govern­ment, but why excuses now? In­stead of the Federal Government to admit and apologise to Nigerians over its failure and inadequacies, it is now passing the buck to INEC.

Why the security excuse now? At a time when everybody had pre­pared for the poll, government now passing the buck to INEC was able to come up with an unconvincing excuse to shift the polls. To me, rather than making it look as if it was INEC that shifted the poll, the Federal Government should have been bold to come out to take re­sponsibility for the shift.

I strongly believe that there is a hidden agenda. Peoples Democrat­ic Party-led Federal Government is desperate to cling to power. Ni­gerians should be vigilant. Let me, however, warn that if things should go bad in Nigeria, it would have serious repercussion on the entire continent, and the international community would also feel its im­pact, and that was why the United Nations Secretary General sent for UN’s former Secretary General, Kofi Annan, to come here to hold talks with President Goodluck Jon­athan, and General Muhammadu Buhari. Even the United States of America sent Secretary of State, John Kerry, to hold meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan.

All these moves were aimed at ensuring that we avoid a needless crisis, but with the way PDP-led Federal Government has handled the issue of the election, it leaves much to be desired. Jonathan should be advised that he should try to be a good student of history. Whatever he does today, posterity will either be kind or harsh on his legacies.

Again, what is the guarantee that there won’t be further excuses at the expiration of the six weeks exten­sion by INEC. The poll extension could also be a gimmick by PDP to slow down the opposition which appears to be waxing strong. What the Federal Government has done is like shifting the goal post. When your opponent is about to score.

Are you saying that the poll shift was occasioned by the prospect of a likely defeat of PDP by the opposition APC?

That is exactly what happened. All the signals are there. Defeat was staring PDP in the face, and out of panic, the idea of poll shift came. Everybody in Nigeria today is clamouring for a change. Every­body is tired of bad and inept lead­ership.

With this current develop­ment, what are your fears for Nigeria?

Personally, I have no fear. I have strong faith in God that at the end of it all, Nigeria will remain. In Ni­geria, it is sad that we do not have true spirit of sportsmanship. Afri­can leaders are afflicted with this sit-tight syndrome. The only excep­tion so far has been the late Nelson Mandela. He did the Black race proud through his exemplary lead­ership style, and that is why he was rated among the 100 greatest men that had ever lived. He is the only African on that list.

But some people recently were comparing President Goodluck Jonathan with Man­dela, how do you see that?

That is a big joke. How can you compare Jonathan with Mandela? There is no basis for comparison. Those making the comparison are jesters. It is a cheap joke. Mande­la’s shoes are too big for Jonathan to wear.

Those jesters praising Jonathan today, I won’t be surprised when the man leaves office, and they start abusing him. These are people that are called AGIP, meaning Any Government In Power. These unpa­triotic elements, because of crumbs they get from those in authority, are ready to sing the leaders praise to heavens even when such leaders are not living up to expectations.

Jonathan is playing a dangerous game with Nigeria. He and his sup­porters and those selfish advisers who are not ready to tell him the truth should think of Nigeria first.

I was one of those who risked their lives to enthrone democracy in Nigeria. I was a leading member of NADECO. Not only me but also others who put their lives on the line by fighting military dictatorship are not happy with the unfolding sce­nario, and we won’t like democracy to be truncated.

Democracy is about choice and change. Jonathan is still young, I’m 82 years, and the president is still in his late 50s, if he loses an election, he can still come back to recontest. There is nothing that bars him from recontesting, what he can’t do is to contest again after eight years in office. If he doesn’t win this time round, he should honourably step down, hand over power to a winner. He can then reorganise himself, and restrategise with the aim of recon­testing. He should try to be a hero and not a villain in Nigeria’s histo­ry. If Jonathan wins the election in a free and fair contest, I will congrat­ulate him.

As a person, Jonathan has not of­fended me in anyway so I have no reason to condemn him, but what is at stake is the country.

Jonathan has not lived up to ex­pectation. Look at our economy, see what will happen in the next six weeks. The indications have re­vealed that investments in Nigerian Stock Exchange are diminishing. Apart from that, look at the insecu­rity, the Boko Haram insurgency is also affecting the economy. Econo­my is not doing well, and to make matters worse, the polls postpone­ment will also have adverse effect on our economy.

Instead of picking up, our econo­my has been going down the slope, hundreds of youths are unem­ployed. This is not the democracy we fought for. We put our lives on the line so that democracy could prevail, but these people are jok­ing with it. They are toying with democracy. What is wrong in con­testing and losing an election? Why are they afraid of going? Let’s learn to be contented with whatever God has given, you can’t get what God has not given you.

But the Federal Govern­ment is telling Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm…?

(Cuts in) Excuse me. If the econ­omy is robust as they want us to believe, and if there is no cause for alarm, does the belly of the com­mon man on the street lend cre­dence to that assertion by the gov­ernment?

What you see all over the place is anger and hunger. Nigerians are hungry but they are also angry. Look at the case of the missing Chi­bok girls, several months after, the Federal Government is yet to find an answer. But you can imagine the agony of the parents. The failure on the Chibok girls issue is even enough to force a government to throw in the towel in some climes.

Some Nigerians are con­fused by the turn of events, what is your advice?

Nigerians should remain calm. Although I’m surprised that there has been calm, I know Nigerians are calculating. They know that those who postpone the elections are only postponing their own day of shame. In fact, the postponement will win more sympathy for the progressives. It will attract more support for them.

Before the turn of events, INEC chairman, Prof. Attahi­ru Jega, was somebody many hold in high esteem, do you think the election postpone­ment is capable of affecting his reputation?

I won’t be able to provide, a cat­egorical answer, until the end of the exercise, it will be difficult to assess Jega now. But my advice to Jega is that he should be focused. He should not allow any distrac­tion between now and March 28 when the election will come up. He should try to be an unbiased umpire. He should not succumb to threat or blackmail or any form of arm-twisting.

How do you see the recent call by the Southern People’s Assembly led by Chief E. K. Clark, calling for Jega’s resig­nation?

I won’t like to talk about the per­sonality of Jega or Clark, I won’t like to talk on any of them but only react to issues. But I can tell you that Jega has been saying for long that he is not only capable of doing the job, but that he is even ready to conduct the poll, but do we know government’s agenda? Now some­body’s name is being touted as a replacement for Jega. But why all these now?

Why replacing Jega now? Will that not amount to travesty of jus­tice? Replacing Jega now will amount to shifting goal post when somebody is about scoring a goal. Who are we going to pick up now that will have the built up experi­ence that Jega has? It won’t be de­cent to replace Jega now.

The Yoruba socio-cultural group, theAfenifere recently endorsed President Jonathan for a second term …?

(Cuts in) I, as a member of Afenifere, didn’t endorse him. I gave a dissenting opinion.

Why did you disagree with other leaders over the endorsement of Jona­than?

I gave my reasons. Jonathan has not performed. Nigeria is worst off under Jonathan. Where has Jona­than performed? Forget all those things being said by his support­ers, it is all propaganda. It is even insulting that Jonathan’s supporters are threatening that there will be trouble if he doesn’t win. That is an insult.

People saying that should have been arrested for treason. Why must some people say heavens will fall if Jonathan loses? These people are no longer talking about excellence and performance? Why is the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo popular today? It was due to his ex­cellent performance while in pow­er. Even today, compare the level of development in APC controlled states and that of PDP, the differ­ence is clear.

Still on that Afenifere issue …?

(Cuts in). There should be no controversy about it. It is simple and clear. Although these leaders in Afenifere like Chiefs Fasoranti, Ayo Adebanjo, Olanihun Ajayi and oth­ers are my elders but I don’t agree with them on this issue of Jonathan. They are entitled to their own views while I’m entitled to my own view as well.

Three of us that are leading mem­bers ofAfenifere opposed Papa Ayo Adebanjo and others that support­ed Jonathan are doing so based on principle and assessment of Jona­than’s administration.

The three of us, Senator Ayo Fasoranti, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora and myself share the same belief on Jonathan and that is, he doesn’t deserve being re-elected for second term.

Papa Ayo Adebanjo knows me very well that I can’t be bent to fol­low a position I don’t agree with. Integrity lies in telling the truth no matter whose ox is gored. To me, Jonathan has not done well. You don’t rate government based on promises but on achievements, Jonathan’s government might have made a lot of promises, but what has it achieved?

Look at power generation, it has deteriorated. Look at the level of corruption, and even state of roads in some parts of the country, and some people say this government should continue. I will say NO. Jon­athan should go. Nigeria is heading towards a wrong direction under Jonathan. Let’s have an alternative.

If another government comes into power, if it doesn’t perform, then in another four years time, we can have PDP back. That is the way it is supposed to be – we should not be saying that it must only be my party that should be in control of govern­ment. I have always been an advo­cate of two party structure, and we are almost getting there, with PDP and APC. Although we have small­er parties, but power can alternate between these two major ones, PDP and APC.

I personally have my doubts as to whether this government is capable of conducting free and fair election but let’s still give Jega and INEC benefit of the doubt. It appears PDP and this government are desperate to remain in power. It is doubtful whether PDP can ensure a level playing field.

On your dissent view with that ofAfenifere leaders like Chief Ayo Adebanjo, and Pa Reuben Fasoranti, don’t you think they will be angry with you?

Let them be angry if they want to. I have no regret on my position. My stand against Jonathan is based on principle and not sentiments.

They have always been angry with me for expressing dissenting views on some issues during our meetings. I will always show them respect which I have always been doing. However, what is at stake this time round demands saying the truth. I show respect for elders, but on this issue of Jonathan’s adminis­tration, I don’t agree with them. The administration has failed Nigerians. This is time for men of courage to stand up and say the truth no matter whose ox is gored.


Source: http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=105840

Hmmm. This is a strong allegation, and I don't really trust the CAN President, but I think we have to thread carefully when it comes to matters such as these. Anyway sha still March4Buhari.

Way to go

The chances of President Jonathan winning this election is very slim going by this. And especially now that people want change.

Minimum of 1.48billion dollars it means it can be up to 20 billion dollars. The report just said they should remit a MINIMUM of 1.48billion. So they shouldn't just say that is the amount missing. Most Nigerians are not dumb as they think

Don't mind him, he usually goes for the highest bidder. President Jonathan must be paying him very handsomely. And he said it himself, the God that used Obasanjo to put him there will also use Obasanjo to remove him lol

The major difference is the scope they cover. While the members of House of Representatives cover just 2 local government areas in most instances, the senate covers as much as 5 to 8 or 9 local government. And to be a Senator you must be 35 years and above while for a house member 30.

He looks 72 any way. Happy birthday though

Too much politics of bitterness

Useless PHCN why take the light! Was enjoying this a whole lot

Card readers should be used period. With that the number of voters can really be checked. The excess ballot papers can not be used to thumb print, and the number of voters in a polling unit can never be more than the number the machine captured

Why did she not appear before the house of Representatives if she knew she was clean? Why waiting till now before making such statements. Lies upon lies. They are denying everything now because they can already see the writing on the wall

Okay. Good to know that you will hand over WHEN you lose, because I can feel it that you have already lost. I know you can feel it too, that is why your party is looking for every way possible to make sure we don't use our PVC to vote so that they can rig in your favour. I actually feel sorry for you Mr. President because no matter what you do now to persuade us to give you our votes, its already too late. Our minds have been made up for change. A change that will put an end to corruption, a change that will make Nigeria more secured, a change that will give jobs to our youths. So start preparing your hand over note for 29th May 2015 if you haven't started yet. No vote on sentiments this time. We actually want someone to get the job done and end this nose dive that Nigeria is currently experiencing in virtually every sphere of her affairs. March4Buhari

Gen Buhari's interview was short, interesting and precise while President Jonathan's interview was just okay

That is a right thinking Nigerian. He knows that is the only way forward.