₦airaland Forum

The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign
Organisation has told former President Olusegun
Obasanjo to stop playing God over his numerous
criticisms of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The organsiation was reacting to the claim by Obasanjo
that President Jonathan was planning to perpetuate
himself in office.
Apart from this, the former President also accused
Jonathan of planning to cause chaos if he lost the March
28 presidential election.
But the Director of Media and Publicity of the
organsiation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, debunked the
allegations, saying the former President under whom he
served as Minister of Aviation and Special Assistant on
Public Communication, was trying to play God.
Fani-Kayode, who spoke at a press briefing in Abuja on
Sunday, accused his former boss of trying in vain to
control President Jonathan.
He said the problem between the two members of the
ruling party had nothing to do with Nigeria, and called
on the former President to leave Nigeria out of the
issues between him and the President.
He said, “The bottom line is this: President Obasanjo’s
grouse with President Jonathan is personal and it has
nothing to do with Nigeria.
“He should leave Nigeria out of it and let us all be. If he
has a personal score to settle with Jonathan he should
not do so at the expense of the peace and stability of
Nigeria.
“If he wants to stop Jonathan then let him attempt to do
so through the democratic process and through the
ballot box and not through foul and unconstitutional
means.
“We said it before and we will say it again: gone are the
days that any President can be tele-guided and
controlled because we have all come of age.
“We continue to hold President Obasanjo in high esteem
but his recent actions and utterances are beyond the
pale. He has been unfair to Jonathan, to Nigeria and
even to himself.
“Most importantly the days of intimidating others with
his harsh words and overbearing influence are long
over. Obasanjo is not God.
“Only God is God and He alone determines the fortunes
of men and the destiny of nations.”
Fani-Kayode said that after Jonathan came to power,
Obasanjo did not only try to control and tele-guide the
President, but he also asked him to do a number of
things that he said were simply wrong and
unacceptable.
Asked to tell Nigerians those issues, he refused. He
merely said that the President would speak on the
matter anytime he likes.


source: http://www.punchng.com/news/you-are-not-god-jonathan-campaigners-tell-obasanjo-2/

As the funeral service began, Sarah wept. If only
Tamuno could wake up and forgive her. If only she
could tell him she did everything because of her love
for him. “Dust unto dust, ashes to ashes,” the priest said
performing the rites. Funeral over, she entered the car
with her children and recalled what led to her
husband’s death.
Tamuno and Sarah had been married for six years
without children. Though Tamuno was not bothered,
Sarah was. An astute banker, he loved his wife and
believed that the absence of children should not mar
the joy of their marriage. But his wife did not think so.
She went from one doctor to the other, ran various
tests and was confirmed fertile. The same was said of
her husband and they were advised to be hopeful.
But the advent of Beck, Tamuno’s brother, changed the
story of the family. Beck was a young man, who came to
live with them after his national youth service. He was
very hard working and despite his academic
qualification, he opted to help Sarah with house chores
including cooking. To Sarah, Beck’s stay was a welcome
relief because she had been on a search for a maid.
“Aunty, you need not trouble yourself, I am ready to
help with whatever chores there are in this house,” he
said to Sarah.
Was she glad? Before they both knew what was
happening, they became an item and went everywhere
together. Tamuno was happy because his brother kept
the company of his wife and she was no longer lonely
or depressed. Initially, Tamuno wanted his brother to
work in a bank but after four months of the young
man’s stay in his house, he changed his mind and
helped him secure a job in the state’s civil service. That
gave Beck ample time to close early from work and
return home to be with Sarah, who was six weeks
pregnant.
Tamuno’s joy knew no bounds when Sarah got
pregnant. At last, he was going to be a father. After the
third trimester, Sarah gave birth to a baby boy, who
bore a striking resemblance to her husband. He did not
spare any expense during the christening and it was a
party much talked about. He named his baby, David,
after his grandfather.
After eight months, Sarah was pregnant again. They
were happy and this time, he requested that his mother
should relocate to their Lagos home in order to help his
wife since a maid had not been found yet. Mama
accepted and came to Lagos with a 12-year-old girl
called Grace, who was one of her granddaughters.
Sarah was happy to see everyone doting on her. She
liked Grace and did everything to make her
comfortable.
By the time Sarah had the second baby, a boy; Beck
asked that he moved out of the home to an apartment
of his own. His brother obliged since their mother and
Grace were around to help. Three months after Beck
left, an incidence occurred. That day, Mama had bathed
the baby, taken her meal and went to sleep when Grace
rushed in to wake her up.
“Mama, I saw Aunty and brother Beck in the bedroom,”
Grace whispered. “Stop saying such things,” Mama said
angrily. How on earth could Beck be in the same
bedroom with Sarah? Beck had not even shown up in
the house since he packed out. Though Mama went
back to sleep, what Grace told her kept ringing in her
mind.
A month after, the little girl came to say the same thing
but this time, “they are quarrelling and I saw brother
Beck trying to take baby from aunty,” Grace whispered.
Mama was angry and decided to go to Sarah’s bedroom
but there was no Beck there.
The car from the cemetery halted in front of their
house and Sarah was jolted out of her thoughts. They
all alighted and saw some policemen waiting for Sarah.
“Are you Mrs. Tamuno? You are under arrest,” said a
policeman to her as she made to enter the house. Some
of the mourners who came from the cemetery with her
protested but Sarah was whisked away in a police van.
At the police station, she understood that the autopsy
carried out on Tamuno indicated that he was poisoned
and she was a suspect. Grace had told Mama that she
saw her pouring ‘something’ in one of the drinks in the
kitchen. With all fingers pointing in her direction, Sarah
confessed:
“I lied to Mama that Beck was not in the room because
he hid in the bathroom. That day, Beck had come to ask
for N20million from me or I hand over my children to
him since he was their father. I had begged him to keep
our secret but he kept asking for money because he
was travelling to the United States of America for a
post-graduate programme. Where on earth would I get
N20million? Beck knew this but wanted to punish me.
He threatened telling Tamuno and Mama. I knew I had
to eliminate Beck before everyone knew the babies were
his.
“On Valentine’s Day, I invited him over to a dinner in
our home and poisoned his drink. I was in the kitchen
and told Grace to take the first cup to brother Beck but
foolish girl! She said it was their tradition for the eldest
to be served first and she gave the drink to Tamuno! I
almost passed out when I entered the dining-room and
saw the glass meant for Beck in Tamuno’s hand and
vice versa! I did it to save my husband, I didn’t know it
would turn out this way.”

source: http://www.punchng.com/spice/love-series/my-husband-died-on-valentines-day/

The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has
cautioned police personnel against misuse of firearms
during the forthcoming elections in the country.
Abba stated that arms would be used only in extreme
circumstances, stressing that all police officers must
protect the rights of citizens at all times.
Apparently refuting a statement credited to AIG Joseph
Mbu, who said “If one of my men is killed, I shall kill 20
of them but don’t shoot first,” the police boss reassured
the public that “the Nigeria Police has a mandate to
save and protect lives, and not to kill, contrary to recent
statements in the media.”
The IG said this during a meeting with senior policemen
at the Force headquarters, Abuja, according to a
statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel
Ojukwu, on Saturday.
“IG Suleiman Abba, advised all officers of the imperative
necessity to apply caution in the use of firearms,
warning that except in extreme circumstances, arms
shall not be used during the forthcoming elections,” the
statement read.
While admitting that there were circumstances under
which an officer might be provoked in the course of
duty, the IG stressed that the attributes of a police
officer as contained in the Police Regulations, required
him to exercise “tact, patience and tolerance and the
control of his temper in trying situations.”
He observed that the rule of law is the underpinning
tenet of democracy, which he noted would guide police
officers in the discharge of their roles during the polls.
Abba restated his commitment to observance of the rule
of law and the respect of the fundamental rights of
citizens and residents alike by all police officers.
He cautioned officers to avoid excesses, pointing out
the dire consequences of abuse of human rights as
contained in the recently released Human Rights
Practice Manual.
He also restated the preparedness of the Force to
provide the requisite security before, during and after
the elections.

source: http://www.punchng.com/news/ig-counters-mbu-police-will-use-arms-with-caution/

Icon4s:
Where are the SW, SS, & other SE candidates. Na so so Abboki and mallam full that list. APC is truely a Northern party.

Northern party? Whereas ur VP says APC is Christain so don't vote for them………………………CONFUSED FELLOW!

Following what the All Progressives Congress described
as the growing threat to the lives of its leaders, some of
the party’s chieftains have resorted to making private
security arrangements.
SUNDAY PUNCH gathered on Friday that part of these
arrangements included engaging private security guards
(some of which allegedly carry arms) as well as beefing
up security in and around their homes and offices.
Some of the party members volunteered this
information on the condition of anonymity.
One of them explained that the chieftains were forced
to make backup plans because it was becoming clear
that the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal
Government would withdraw the services of regular
security men as the elections approach.
He said, “We cannot pretend we don’t know what the
PDP is up to. There is more to the deliberate
harassment of our leaders by security agencies within
the last one week.
“First, it was Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and Governor
Rochas Okorocha; then our Presidential Campaign
Director of Media, Mr. Garba Shehu. Only God knows
who will be next.
“It was in this same country during election period that
Chief Harry Marshal and Bola Ige were killed. Only a
careless person will rely solely on government security
men who can be withdrawn at any time.”
In Rivers State, the state chapter of the APC said its
members were relying on “natural human instincts” to
protect party leaders from assassination plots.
The state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Fynebone, told
one of our correspondents that no matter how the
party’s political detractors tried to intimidate its leaders,
it would be impossible to eliminate all of them.
The Kwara State Secretary of the party, Mr. Adekanye
Olabode, also said the party had written to all relevant
security agencies to provide security for its prominent
members.
Olabode said, “We cannot do anything that is contrary
to the law. So we have taken the legal step. We have
also committed our lives to God’s hand who can best
secure human lives.”
Similarly, the Akwa Ibom State spokesperson of the APC,
Mr. Udobong Samuel, said the soldiers’ siege on
Tinubu’s house could mean that none of the party’s
candidates was safe in the hands of the security
agencies.
He said “When we hear something like this we raise the
alarm because if we don’t do this, something else may
happen.”
Although the Ogun State chapter of the party declined
to give details of its security arrangements, it said it was
not leaving anything to chance.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Lai
Mohammed, also said the party would rely on the
security provided by the Nigerian people.
He noted that the use of security services to serve the
interest of those in power was not only weakening their
capabilities but also putting democracy at risk.
But reacting to reports that some politicians’ security
men were carrying arms, the police said it was illegal
for politicians’ private security guards to bear arms.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu,
said, “Any private guard caught with arms will face the
consequences of his action; he and his principal will be
prosecuted and they risk going to jail for 14 years, that
is what the law says.”
Also speaking, the Civil Defence Corps Public Relations
Officer, Emmanuel Okeh, said the laws regulating
operations of private security firms in the country did
not permit them to carry arms.


source: http://www.punchng.com/news/apc-resorts-to-private-security-guards/

Here

NEMA has been distributing relief materials to victims of
Boko Haram insurgency in the north. Some of the relief
materials double as campaign for the presidential
candidates of the Official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Nigeria. A raging argument questions the legality of using
a government agency to campaign for a party and the
morality of cashing in on the plight of Boko Haram
victims.
What do you think of the act?

source: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=809607129076903&substory_index=0&id=248318348539120&refid=7&_ft_=qid.6115497868873793496%3Amf_story_key.4156193908419543574&__tn__=%2As

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday promised that
the nation’s security forces would completely wipe out
members of the violent Boko Haram sect from Adamawa
and Yobe states before the March 28 and April 11
rescheduled dates of general elections.
He also promised that in the case of Borno State, at
least 70 per cent of the state would be recovered before
the elections.
Jonathan made the promise during a cocktail he
organised for members of the diplomatic corps at the
Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the security forces would carry out the
operation in order to ensure that elections hold in the
three affected states.
He said, “This period will give them (security forces) the
opportunity to clean up the three states. If at all they
cannot clean up the three states, at least two states will
be recovered completely and more local governments
even from the remaining state so that elections could be
conducted even in Borno State.
“Even if we don’t take over all the territories in Borno
State, definitely in Adamawa and Yobe states we will
take over completely and even Borno State, the
headquarters of Boko Haram, even if we don’t take over
completely at least 70 per cent of that state will be free
for elections to be conducted.
“This is because democracy can only be meaningful if
people are allowed to select who rules them.”
Jonathan boasted that his administration would defeat
insurgency the same way it defeated the Ebola Virus
Disease.
He said the whole world would see his administration’s
achievement in that area very soon.
The President said his administration recognised the
real threats terrorism posed to the nation’s
development and national security.
He said insurgency had become the biggest
manifestation of terrorism not only in Nigeria but also
in the region.
He said the activities of the sect had further shown that
no single country could effectively tackle terrorism and
insurgency alone.
Jonathan explained that that was why the Federal
Government was collaborating with neighbouring
countries, sub-regional allies and other partners
beyond the region to deal with what he described as
mortal challenge to Nigeria’s security and development.
“We are already beginning to turn the trend. Let me
reassure you very clearly that we will surely win the
war against Boko Haram. We are moving faster now, in
the next few weeks, the whole world will know that we
are totally committed and that we are in a position to
save our people,” he added.
On the rescheduled elections, the President insisted
that it was a decision taken in the best interest of the
country.


source: http://www.punchng.com/news/well-reclaim-three-boko-haram-held-states-before-elections-jonathan/#comments

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission have arrested Abdul-Aziz Nyako, the son of
impeached Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako.
The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson
Uwujaren, said in a statement on Friday that Abdul-Aziz
was picked up by EFCC operatives in Gombe.
Uwujaren said former governor’s son was immediately
flown to Abuja “where he is currently being grilled by a
crack team of detectives, who had been working on the
Adamawa investigation for several months.”
The EFCC had declared Nyako and his son wanted for
money laundering-related offences two weeks ago.
Uwujaren said Abdul-Aziz was being grilled in relation
with how N15bn, belonging to the Adamawa State
Government, was laundered through five accounts of
companies belonging to him.
The said companies under investigation, the commission
said, were Blue Opal Nigeria limited, Crust Energy
Nigeria Limited, Blue Ribbon Multilinks Limited, Tower
Assets Management Limited and Blue Ribbon Bureau De
Change.
The EFCC spokesman said the money was moved into
the accounts of the companies domiciled in a new
generation bank with the help of the manager, who is
also an in-law to Nyako.
It was stated that the Accounts Officer was quizzed and
released on bail.

source: http://www.punchng.com/news/efcc-arrests-nyakos-son-probes-n15bn-transactions/

P rofessor Tam David-West, former Minister of
Petroleum Resources, has called on President Goodluck
Jonathan to start preparing his hand-over note because
his days in office as president of Nigeria are numbered.
The reason, according to David-West, is because
Jonathan’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
will suffer a humiliating defeat in the hands of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming general
elections.
“Jonathan should quickly look for shoes and go back to
Otuoke. I have shoes in Ibadan and Abuja, I can give
him some if he is in need of shoes.
“Everywhere you go, you see signs that the end of this
government, led by Jonathan, is very near. Honestly, I
do not have anything against him, but a party and a
man that can better manage Nigeria has appeared on
the scene, and we have no choice but to save our
country from an impending doom.”
The elder statesman and Professor of Virology said
Nigerians cannot continue to tolerate a government
that is evidently confused and incapable of providing
leadership. He warned that the drift in almost every
sphere of our national life will continue if Jonathan is
not shown the way out because, according to him, the
president lacks the capacity to lead.
David-West also called on President Jonathan to show
Nigerians his doctoral thesis, and end the ragging
controversy around his certificate. “I became a
professor in 1974, so when I see a scholar I know. I
have asked people to look for the PhD of Jonathan but I
am yet to find it. I think he owes Nigerians an
explanation because he is our president, Professor
David-West said.

source: http://saharareporters.com/2015/02/09/“look-shoes-quickly-and-go-back-otuoke”-david-west-tells-jonathan

The Independent National Electoral Commission has
shifted the general elections earlier scheduled for
February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11, 2015.

source: http://www.punchng.com/news/inec-shifts-polls-to-march-28-april-11/

The Kano State Government said it had concluded
arrangements for the coronation and presentation of
staff of office to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad
Sanusi II, scheduled for Saturday, February 7.
Special Adviser to the state governor on Kano Emirate
Council, Alhaji Mailafia Sanka, disclosed this in an
interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano on
Friday.
“The state government has made special arrangements
for the grand occasion as prominent personalities from
all walks of life are expected to grace the coronation,’’
Sanka said.
Already, he said, dignitaries from within and outside the
country had started arriving for the grand occasion.
“The occasion will be held at the newly-constructed
Coronation Hall, located in the Government House,’’ he
said.
NAN reports that Kano city is wearing a new look as
eminent personalities have been arriving for the grand
event widely described as the Century Great
Coronation.
NAN recalls that Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II was
appointed the 14th Emir of Kano on June 8, 2014,
following the death of Emir Alhaji Ado Bayero on June 6,
2014.


source: http://www.punchng.com/news/emir-sanusi-for-coronation-on-saturday/

Simply Addressed as captain Oni was killed on sunday by Boko haram Militants.We pray God gives his family the gratitude to bear the loss.May his gentle soul Rest in Peace.

SaharaReporters has received unimpeachable
documents and audio recordings providing substantial
evidence that major Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
leaders planned and successfully rigged the
gubernatorial elections in Ekiti State, and plotted a
similar scenario in Osun in 2014.
The audio recordings and affidavit were provided by
Sagir Koli, a Captain in the 32nd Artillery Brigade
stationed in Ekiti State, who has since fled the country
for fear of retaliation. Capt. Koli recorded the
conversation on 20th June 2014 when he was asked to
accompany his Commanding Officer, Brigadier General
Aliyu Momoh, to the meeting. The venue was held at
Spotless Hotel in Ado-Ekiti.
The audio recordings depict the meeting as being
attended by the eventual “winner” of the election,
Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti; Senator Iyiola Omisore; a,
man identified as Honorable Abdulkareem; the Minister
for Police Affairs Caleb Olubolade; and Senator Musiliu
Obanikoro who was at the time the Minister of State for
Defence. Mr. Chris Uba came to Ekiti with huge stash
cash and soldiers from the East to carry out the
assignment.
The 37-minute recording details the conversation
between these men as they bribed Brigadier General
Momoh with a promotion for his assistance in carrying
out election fraud in Ekiti. In it, Obanikoro is clearly
heard informing the group of men, “[I] am not here for
a tea party, am on special assignment by the President.”
SaharaReporters further received credible intelligence
that President Goodluck Jonathan had instructed the
Chief of Defense Staff, Alex Badeh, to use the army in
arresting and intimidating opposition politicians before
and during the election. The audio recording provides
exact details of the plot, with the collaborators almost
degenerating into physical combat.
AUTHENTIFICATION OF AUDIO RECORDING AND PROOF OF ELECTION FRAUD
The audio recordings were analyzed and authenticated
by Guardian Consulting, an independent US-based
security consulting company. According to a report
authored by Guardian Consulting, also in the possession
of SaharaReporters, the independent company used
Forensic Voice Frequency Comparison technology to
identify all voices on the recording with audio available
in the public domain.
The then Deputy Defense Minister, Obanikoro clearly
states to General Momoh that he was not only sent to
the meeting by President Jonathan, but “you can’t get a
promotion without me sitting on top of your military
council. If I am happy tomorrow night, the sky is your
limit.”
Governor Fayose revealed that he had already bribed an
official of the Independent National Election
Commission (INEC), the non-political commission
charged with organizing elections in Nigeria, to bring
copies of voter ballots with the INEC logo to him that
day. Fayose, upset that his INEC contact was caught in
traffic, narrated his day’s frustrations: “Where are we
supposed to be collating the thing INEC gave to us? Soft
copies we now printed? Why is my [INEC] contact not
with [the ballots]…my contact man [was] sitting in the
check point…it took me more than two hours to get
this man.”
As the plotters began to argue, Omisore, who was
running for Governor of Osun State on the PDP ticket,
tried to calm the room: “I would just say that we don’t
have to argue so much, we have seen some lapses
[today] yes. It’s just this evening, there is nothing
happening now that we cannot contain before
tomorrow morning.”
PLANS TO RIG ELECTIONS IN FAVOUR IN FAVOUR OF PDP
The eyewitness testimony and sworn affidavit by Capt.
Koli corroborates the audio recordings of the PDP
officials’ plans to manipulate the Ekiti elections. The
plotters devised several plans intended to bring about
an unlawful victory for PDP candidates in Ekiti State
races, including the forging of INEC ballots, the use of
the military to facilitate access for PDP operatives and
supporters, the creation of a list of APC members to be
arrested, and the deployment of a Special Team of
military personnel to prevent APC voters from reaching
the polls.
The PDP officials told General Momoh that those
soldiers on election duty “must work hand-in-hand with
the PDP agents” and ordered the arrest of selected APC
stalwarts as that could “greatly assist the party during
the election including DG campaign organization for Dr.
Fayemi, Mr. Bimbo Daramola,” Capt. Koli said in his
affidavit.
General Momoh, confronted with criticism by the
group, defended himself by saying that “we have done a
lot of [APC] arrests.” It would be recalled that there
were arrests of APC members in Ekiti during the period.
It would also be recalled that many members of the
security offices paraded around Ekiti in disguise.
The PDP collaborators also demanded that the military
block APC members’ access to the electorate and that
moles should “be careful because the consequence will
be severe.”
Soldiers were instructed set up roadblocks leading to
the polling stations and prevent APC supporters’ access.
Additionally, vehicles and individuals with a special
sticker labeled “National Security Task” were allowed
movement anywhere, and were only distributed to PDP
agents.
General Momoh informed the group that there were
“about 6 special teams. I have one strike force. I have
almost forty soldiers after deployment,” evidently an
organized system being used to manipulate voter
turnout.
Capt. Koli’s statement explained that based on these
strategies, “they succeeded in rigging the Ekiti State
election with victory in all the 16 Local Governing
Authorities (LGAs). These really inspired them and they
were with the euphoria that same would happen in
Osun State.”
Indeed, leading into the Osun State elections the
Brigadier General posted there was told to take a three-
week leave during the elections. His position was
temporarily filled by General Momoh, who then
repeated the same fraudulent tactics in Osun.
RETALIATION AGAINST CAPTAIN SAGIR KOLI
SaharaReporters was provided with additional evidence
that proves the military retaliated against Capt. Koli
when he released this information. Capt. Koli fled
before he was arrested, but the military arrested,
secretly detained, and chained his brother Adamu to a
bed for nearly five months at the Adekunle Fanjuyi’s
Cantonment.
In an exclusive phone interview with from his hideout
outside Nigeria, Capt. Koli told SaharaReporters that his
brother was starved for periods of time and sometimes
“fed worms.” Adamu was only released after a petition,
which is also in possession of SaharaReporters, was
submitted to the National Human Rights Commission by
Barrister Chief K. Akinola Ajayi.
The treatment of Capt. Koli’s brother was so poor
during his illegal confinement that he had to be
hospitalized due to malnutrition.
SaharaReporters contacted Nigerian Defense
spokesperson, General Chris Olukolade as well as
Nigerian Army spokesperson, Col. SK Usman, for
comment on this story. Both officials promised to get
back to us but never did.

source: http://saharareporters.com/2015/02/05/how-obanikoro-fayose-chris-uba-and-brig-general-momoh-rigged-ekiti-governorship-election

N igerian Christians at home and abroad will be shocked
by the reported crass opportunism of some of their
religious leaders as next week’s presidential polls draw
closer, SaharaReporters has learned.
Authoritative sources disclose that during a meeting of
Christian leaders held recently, the President of the
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo
Oritsejafor expressed a strangely personal reason why
he is not supporting the clamor of Nigerians for change
in the country.
Oritsejafor told his colleagues at the event, which was
convened at the Redemption Camp of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God on the Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway that oil bloc leases are due for renewal this
year, and if the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket prevails, his
chances of owning one would diminish.
“The oil in my father’s backyard,” he specifically said. “I
don’t own one bloc, and all these Northerners have oil
blocs!”
The CAN president has been known to be an ardent
supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan, and
anopponent of his leading challenger, General
Mohammadu Buhari. What shocked many of the
Christian leaders at the meeting, howver, was his
message that he was less interested in good governance
or the killing of innocent Nigerians by Boko Haram in
the Northeastern part of Nigeria, and more so about his
desire to also own an oil bloc this year.
Reported to be an even more vocal supporter of
Jonathan at the meeting was Bishop David Oyedepowho
reportedly said it would be an insult to have any of the
Christian leaders at the meeting to vote for Buhari. At a
point, a respected pastor, Bishop Mike Okonkwo of
TREM, lambasted the meeting for not inviting Pastor
Yemi Osinbajo to witness the meeting, being himself a
Christian leader and pastor.
According to Okonkwo, the least the Christian leaders
could have done was invite Osinbajo and hear from
him, adding that not doing that was “an act of
cowardice.”
Oyedepo, our source said, did not take kindly to that
suggestion from a Bishop of equal caliber, and
demanded an apology from Okonkwo. Okonkwo,
equally annoyed, insisted on his position and refused to
offer an apology at the tension-filled meeting.
Sources said the conveners of the meeting did not want
to invite Osinbajo as the candidates on the other
ticketwere also not represented. But some sources at
the meeting said it was a disgrace that a fellow pastor
at their level, running for Vice-President was not even
allowed to sit in at the meeting which was convened
under the banner of the Nigerian Apostolic
Coalition,membership of which he was entitled to.
While Oyedepo maintained his advocacy for President
Jonathan at the meeting, at times in vehement anger
and outright disrespect for the opposing views of the
other pastors, a leading Bishop from the North spoke
up against the plans of Oyedepo and Oritsejafor to
mobilize support for the president. Christian leaders in
the North have always criticized the lust of some
Southern Christian leaders for material things making
them not to empathize with the sufferings of the
Christians in the North, who are facing persecution.
Bishop Jonas Katung of the Maranatha Churchin
Josexplained that President Jonathan has done nothing
in the past four years deserving of a second term.
Katung, who is known as the Lion of Jos, was ordained
Bishop in Jos by RCCG’s Pastor E.A. Adeboye in 2013.
He strongly advocated that the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket
should be given a chance given the level of failure of the
incumbent.
Pastor Mathew Kasali of the Foundation of Truth
Assembly in Lagos also spoke passionately at the
meeting, calling on the Christian leaders to remain
neutral and not become encumbered with partisan
issues for any reason. He also supported Bishop
Okonkwo that Pastor Osinbajo, “who is one of us,”
should be allowed to address the meeting.
A source at the meeting disclosed that the national
clamor for change in the country as being captured by
the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket has now become a source of
great fear by several Christian leaders in the Southern
part of the country, essentially because of their own
selfish interests.
He asked in disappointment, “Where is the fear of God
in the lives of some of these leaders?”


source: http://saharareporters.com/2015/02/04/10-days-election-jonathan-splits-nigerian-pastors

N igerian Christians at home and abroad will be shocked
by the reported crass opportunism of some of their
religious leaders as next week’s presidential polls draw
closer, SaharaReporters has learned.
Authoritative sources disclose that during a meeting of
Christian leaders held recently, the President of the
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo
Oritsejafor expressed a strangely personal reason why
he is not supporting the clamor of Nigerians for change
in the country.
Oritsejafor told his colleagues at the event, which was
convened at the Redemption Camp of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God on the Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway that oil bloc leases are due for renewal this
year, and if the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket prevails, his
chances of owning one would diminish.
“The oil in my father’s backyard,” he specifically said. “I
don’t own one bloc, and all these Northerners have oil
blocs!”
The CAN president has been known to be an ardent
supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan, and
anopponent of his leading challenger, General
Mohammadu Buhari. What shocked many of the
Christian leaders at the meeting, howver, was his
message that he was less interested in good governance
or the killing of innocent Nigerians by Boko Haram in
the Northeastern part of Nigeria, and more so about his
desire to also own an oil bloc this year.
Reported to be an even more vocal supporter of
Jonathan at the meeting was Bishop David Oyedepowho
reportedly said it would be an insult to have any of the
Christian leaders at the meeting to vote for Buhari. At a
point, a respected pastor, Bishop Mike Okonkwo of
TREM, lambasted the meeting for not inviting Pastor
Yemi Osinbajo to witness the meeting, being himself a
Christian leader and pastor.
According to Okonkwo, the least the Christian leaders
could have done was invite Osinbajo and hear from
him, adding that not doing that was “an act of
cowardice.”
Oyedepo, our source said, did not take kindly to that
suggestion from a Bishop of equal caliber, and
demanded an apology from Okonkwo. Okonkwo,
equally annoyed, insisted on his position and refused to
offer an apology at the tension-filled meeting.
Sources said the conveners of the meeting did not want
to invite Osinbajo as the candidates on the other
ticketwere also not represented. But some sources at
the meeting said it was a disgrace that a fellow pastor
at their level, running for Vice-President was not even
allowed to sit in at the meeting which was convened
under the banner of the Nigerian Apostolic
Coalition,membership of which he was entitled to.
While Oyedepo maintained his advocacy for President
Jonathan at the meeting, at times in vehement anger
and outright disrespect for the opposing views of the
other pastors, a leading Bishop from the North spoke
up against the plans of Oyedepo and Oritsejafor to
mobilize support for the president. Christian leaders in
the North have always criticized the lust of some
Southern Christian leaders for material things making
them not to empathize with the sufferings of the
Christians in the North, who are facing persecution.
Bishop Jonas Katung of the Maranatha Churchin
Josexplained that President Jonathan has done nothing
in the past four years deserving of a second term.
Katung, who is known as the Lion of Jos, was ordained
Bishop in Jos by RCCG’s Pastor E.A. Adeboye in 2013.
He strongly advocated that the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket
should be given a chance given the level of failure of the
incumbent.
Pastor Mathew Kasali of the Foundation of Truth
Assembly in Lagos also spoke passionately at the
meeting, calling on the Christian leaders to remain
neutral and not become encumbered with partisan
issues for any reason. He also supported Bishop
Okonkwo that Pastor Osinbajo, “who is one of us,”
should be allowed to address the meeting.
A source at the meeting disclosed that the national
clamor for change in the country as being captured by
the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket has now become a source of
great fear by several Christian leaders in the Southern
part of the country, essentially because of their own
selfish interests.
He asked in disappointment, “Where is the fear of God
in the lives of some of these leaders?”

source: http://saharareporters.com/2015/02/04/10-days-election-jonathan-splits-nigerian-pastors

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic
Party, President Goodluck Jonathan, has said that he
has fulfilled all the promises he made during his
inauguration speech in 2011.
He also said the Federal Government would soon come
up with an automobile policy that would ensure that
vehicles would be assembled in Nigeria.
He added that the Federal Government would mandate
vehicle assembly plants in the country to source 65 per
cent of their raw materials within the country to boost
industrialisation, employment generation and economic
development.
Jonathan spoke in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, during
the PDP presidential campaign rally.
The President also said if re-elected, his administration
would show greater commitment to sectors that were
critical to Nigeria’s economy.
He reiterated his commitment to addressing insurgency,
corruption and other developmental challenges of the
country.
He said the Federal Government was committed to
reactivating the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State to
full production capacity so that more jobs would be
available to the jobless people and also to boost the
economy of Nigeria and that of Kogi State.
According to him, all the legal tussles surrounding the
ailing Ajaokuta Steel Company had been resolved.
He appealed to the electorate in the state to vote him
for another term. He claimed that he had fulfilled all the
promises he made during his inauguration speech in
2011.
Jonathan said, “The legal process of Ajaokuta Steel
Company has been completed. Investors can now come
in and harness the opportunities that abound in the
iron ore company.
“We are coming up with automobile policy where
vehicles will be assembled in the country. With that,
Ajaokuta Steel Company will be empowered to produce
iron sheets.”
The Vice-President, Namadi Sambo said the Federal
Government under Jonathan had transformed Nigeria.


source: http://www.punchng.com/news/ive-fulfilled-all-my-promises-jonathan/#comments

The calls for the postponement of this month’s general
elections may be discussed during Thursday’s
(tomorrow) Council of State meeting convened by
President Goodluck Jonathan.
The council consists of the President, the Vice-
President, all former Presidents or ex-Heads of State, all
former Chief Justices of Nigeria, the President of the
Senate, all state governors and the Attorney-General of
the Federation.
One of the key responsibilities of the body is to advise
the President in the exercise of his powers with respect
to the Independent National Electoral Commission,
including the appointments of members of the
commission.
Proponents of the polls’ shift had hinged it on the
inability of INEC to distribute enough Permanent Voter
Cards to registered voters. The call is widely believed to
be engineered by the Presidency, which though had
denied the charge.
INEC had however insisted that there would be no
postponement of the elections.
The PUNCH however learnt from a Presidency official in
Abuja on Tuesday that the Council of State would
review the preparations for the elections by INEC and
the relevant security agencies.
He said that information available to the government
showed that contrary to the claims by the Chairman of
INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, the commission was not yet
ready for the elections.
For example, the official claimed that INEC only
awarded the contract for the printing of ballot papers
for the February 14 presidential election last Monday.
He wondered how the ballot papers would be made
ready before February 14 which is the first day of the
polls.
The official said, “The truth of the matter is that if
urgent step is not taken, Prof. Jega may end up
ridiculing this country.
“Available information shows that the commission is not
set for this election contrary to Jega’s claim.
“We learnt he actually summoned a meeting recently
with a view to postponing the election but he is scared
of the opposition who have been kicking against such.
“This Thursday (tomorrow) meeting will definitely
review INEC’s preparations and take a stand.”
Another Presidency source also informed The PUNCH
that Jonathan might use the opportunity provided by
the meeting to garner support for the postponement of
the polls.
“The Presidency is not resting on its oars concerning the
plan to shift the elections. It is already in talks with
some members of the council,” he said.
On what the Presidency would do if the plan fails, he
replied, “we would opt for another plan, which is to
return to the drawing board; plan a new strategy on
how to deal with our opponents.”
To underscore the importance Jonathan attaches to the
meeting, his re-election campaign rally earlier billed to
hold on Thursday in Yenagoa, the capital of his home
state, Bayelsa, has been put on hold.
It was gathered that the rally might hold later in the day
if the meeting ended on time or be shifted to Friday.
The PUNCH has however learnt that some of the
proponents of election postponement might have
perfected plan to ensure that Jega did not return as
INEC chairman if their plan materialises.
A week-long investigation by one of our correspondents
showed that the Presidency was waiting patiently for
INEC to yield to the pressure before coming out with its
real plan for Jega.
It was gathered that the Presidency and the ruling
Peoples Democratic Party were not ready for the
elections and believed that their chances could be
affected if the elections were held as scheduled.
Because of this, the Presidency, backed by some hawks
in the PDP, are said to be waiting for an auspicious time
to ask the INEC chairman to proceed on terminal leave.
His tenure ends on June 9, 2015.
The PDP source said, “The plan is to discredit the
election by forcing postponement. When this is done,
sponsored people and groups would start asking for the
sack of Jega.
“At this point, the government would then say because
of this, he should proceed on terminal leave and then
ask the most senior national commissioner to take over
and conduct the election.”
Jega’s nomination as INEC chairman followed approval
by a meeting of the Council of State.
Jonathan had said then that he had never known Jega, a
former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of
Universities.
Jega’s candidature for the job was said to have been
facilitated by a presidency top official, Hassan Tukur,
who is from Adamawa State.

source: http://www.punchng.com/news/council-of-state-may-discuss-poll-shift-tomorrow/

A bomb blast has occurred in Gombe, the Gombe State capital barely five minutes
after President Goodluck Jonathan left the town where he held the PDP presidential
campaign rally, Ibrahim Ahmed, a resident of the town said.
Ahmed, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone, said the blast occurred
on Kashere Street near the Stadium, where the rally took place.
He said two suicide bombers died in the explosion that injured 18 persons.

source: http://www.punchng.com/news/explosion-kills-suicide-bombers-after-jonathans-gombe-rally/

There are reports that the insurgents are trying to
penetrate Maiduguri through Sector 7 along the
Damboa-Maiduguri Road.
The insurgents are also attacking Mafa.
Soldiers of the MNJTF have retaken Gwoza.
Details later…

source: http://www.punchng.com/news/soldiers-repel-boko-haram-attack-on-maiduguri/#comments

How funny.Anyway,I'm not surprised because Gej doesn't Trust some of his party members.I predict massive exodus of Pdp members after feBUHARI 2015.

Six persons were on Sunday killed in a fresh suicide
bomb attack in Potiskum, Yobe State, residents of the
town have said.
Potiskum, in recent times, have been at the receiving
end of such attacks which have claimed several lives.
Though no one has claimed responsibility for the
attacks, they are believed to have been carried out by
members of the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
Witnesses said the explosions occurred around 1:20pm
on Sunday, in front of the residence of the People’s
Democratic Party candidate for the Potiskum/Nangere
federal constituency in Yobe State, Sabo Garbu,
opposite the Federal Government College in the town.
A witness, Ali, said the bomber came to the residence of
the politician and detonated the explosives just in front
of his house.
He said he was hosting a lot of party supporters at the
time.
He said the explosive killed six persons on the spot with
several others sustaining injuries.
Police are yet to confirm the incident but an hospital
authority, who pleaded anonymity, said six corpses
where brought to the hospital.
Details later…
source: http://www.punchng.com/news/six-killed-in-potiskum-suicide-bomb-attack/

Six persons were on Sunday killed in a fresh suicide
bomb attack in Potiskum, Yobe State, residents of the
town have said.
Potiskum, in recent times, have been at the receiving
end of such attacks which have claimed several lives.
Though no one has claimed responsibility for the
attacks, they are believed to have been carried out by
members of the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
Witnesses said the explosions occurred around 1:20pm
on Sunday, in front of the residence of the People’s
Democratic Party candidate for the Potiskum/Nangere
federal constituency in Yobe State, Sabo Garbu,
opposite the Federal Government College in the town.
A witness, Ali, said the bomber came to the residence of
the politician and detonated the explosives just in front
of his house.
He said he was hosting a lot of party supporters at the
time.
He said the explosive killed six persons on the spot with
several others sustaining injuries.
Police are yet to confirm the incident but an hospital
authority, who pleaded anonymity, said six corpses
where brought to the hospital.
Details later…


source: http://www.punchng.com/news/six-killed-in-potiskum-suicide-bomb-attack/

A Yoruba socio-
cultural group, Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, has
condemned the use of its insignia to support President
Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, adding that it is
not a party to the president’s endorsement.
In a statement in Lagos Wednesday, the group said that
the use of ‘Afenifere’ to promote Mr. Jonathan is
fraudulent and an attempt to deceive the Yoruba
people.
“It has come to our notice that some broadcast stations
are using ARG’s name and logo to promote the said
endorsement”, said Kunle Famoriyo, ARG’s Publicity
Secretary.
“This is fraudulent and we wish to advice media houses
to be wary of such fraudulent promoters especially now
that public interest must be defended by the media”.
The apex Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, had
on Tuesday in Akure, Ondo State, endorsed Mr.
Jonathan for a second term in office.
According to the group, the endorsement was
necessary to enable President Jonathan complete his
“transformation agenda” as well as implement the
recommendations of the 2014 National Conference
report.
“Afenifere is a socio-political association. We have
always spoken out our minds on any matter that affects
our country”, Seinde Arogbola, the group’s National
Secretary, had said.
“We therefore want to say it loud and clear that after
considering so many things, the Nigerian Constitution
inclusive, we see you for now as the best option to
continue as the president of our dear country”.
But Mr. Famoriyo distanced ARG from the endorsement,
adding that the group does not think that Mr.
Jonathan’s performance as president since May 2010
was worth the endorsement of any patriotic citizen.
“We believe there is a difference between
‘transformation,’ which President Jonathan promised
Nigerians in 2011 and mere ‘reform’ of the same
governance culture that Nigerians have rejected”, said
Mr. Famoriyo.
“The ARG does not dictate to the generality of the
Yoruba people, rather it gives voice to their feelings and
aspirations. The extensive consultations we have made
showed that Yoruba people have come to a firm
conclusion that they have been at the shorter end of
the stick under the Jonathan-led Government, under
whose administration, nepotism and ethnocentrism have
taken over as the emblem of our presidential politics.
“ARG therefore stands with the aspirations of Yoruba
people for change. As echoed in Abeokuta recently at
the public lecture organised by the Ogun State chapter
of ARG, the change that we demand include a public
pledge to restructure the country in such a way that
power will devolve to the most efficient federating
unit”.


source: http://www.informationng.com/2015/01/afenifere-renewal-group-distances-self-from-endorsement-of-jonathan.html

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Kaduna State
Campaign Council has been informed that soldiers have
been ordered to shoot APC supporters at sight, as the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stages a presidential
rally in Kaduna this weekend. Such an order is
obviously illegal, and the APC has warned soldiers and
other security agents that they would be personally
liable, as individuals, for obeying unlawful orders.
Explaining its outrage, an APC spokesman said it has
already delayed its Kaduna Central zone rally for two
days ago now scheduled for Saturday. Announcing the
postponement on Wednesday, Ben Kure, the director-
general, said the APC made the decision to postpone
because the PDP presidential rally was fixed for Kaduna
that day. A step taken by the APC to ensure that
political competition can proceed with civility has now
been regrettably rewarded with a blatant attempt to
turn soldiers into the armed thugs of the PDP.
Following this development, the APC today disclosed
that it considers it necessary to advise its supporters to
avoid the streets of Kaduna this Saturday. “The APC has
noticed a determined effort by our desperate political
rivals to stoke violence and increase tension in Kaduna,”
Kure explained. “At least five of our campaign vehicles
have been attacked as deliberate efforts to provoke,
maim and kill our supporters. We will not give them the
pretext they are seeking to impose a curfew and use
that as a lever to suppress votes, rig and declare fake
results.”
APC supporters have been firmly told to stay at home
whilst the PDP does its rally. They are expected to stay
off the streets, respect the right of our political rivals
and calmly avoid responding to provocation.
The APC said it has demonstrated its commitment to
peace by today moving its campaign machinery to
Southern Kaduna zone today, three days earlier than
planned. This ensures that the APC has no political
activity in Kaduna this Saturday. “That way, we
responsibly keep our supporters off the streets, and we
also frustrate the plan to instigate, and then blame
violent acts on our supporters,” Kure explained.
“The APC expressed its gratitude to the people of the
Kaduna Central zone for their massive turnout and
passionate support. Just as Zone 1 demonstrated its
support for change, Zone 2 is clearly showing that it’s
time to make Kaduna State great again” Kure said. The
party said it will conclude the Zone 2 campaign tour
next week.

source: http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/30/shoot-sight-order-apc-asks-supporters-stay-kaduna-streets-weekend

An extensive mopping up operation to search for
arms or stranded terrorists and other casualties is
ongoing in Michika after troops sacked the
terrorists who have been operating in the town and
it's environ. The main assault on terrorists main
positions was concluded yesterday as many of them
died in the combat. Troops who sustained injuries
in the operation are receiving necessary medical
attention. Other troops are continuing the pursuit
of those who are on the run from the town.
Normalcy has been restored accordingly.

Major General Chris Olukolade

Meanwhile, Nigerian officers in key command
positions of the Multi-National Joint Task Force
(MNJTF) are in the process of accounting for their
actions leading to the loss of weapons, men and
location in their area of responsibility in the
mission area. This is a normal military procedure in
major operations or after encounters. The essence
is to extract and collate relevant information for
subsequent missions. It could also lead to or
determine appropriate disciplinary action where
necessary.
CHRIS OLUKOLADE
Major General
Director Defence Information
January 30, 2015


source: http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/30/terrorists-sacked-michika-nigerian-officers-mnjtf-account-their-actions-operations

President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy was again stoned
on Thursday by some aggrieved youths in Jalingo,
Taraba State.
Jonathan was in the city in continuation of the Peoples
Democratic Party’s presidential rally.
His convoy had before Thursday been stoned in Katsina
and Bauchi states when he went to seek the votes for
his re-election bid.
It was gathered that the windscreens and windows of
some of the vehicles on the convoy were destroyed
before security operatives used tear gas and horsewhips
to disperse the youths.
Those who witnessed the Thursday incident but pleaded
anonymity told The PUNCH that the incident occurred
when the President’s convoy was going to the palace of
the Emir of Muri, Abass Tafida, from the airport.
One of them said, “Security agents ensured that people
were moved very far from the main but at a point, the
convoy got to a particular village where the youths
became restive.
“Before we knew what was happening, they started
stoning the convoy.”
It however could not be determined as of press time if
anyone in the convoy was hurt or any arrests made.
One of our correspondents learnt that Jonathan, who
was unruffled by the incident, used the opportunity of
his visit to the state to meet with ailing Governor
Danbaba Suntai.
Suntai has been unable to return to work since he was
involved in a plane crash in October 2012.
The PUNCH learnt that Jonathan met with Suntai inside
the Government House, Jalingo.
But while Jonathan was busy campaigning, another set
of angry youths descended on the state PDP secretariat
in Jalingo.
It took the intervention of security agents to save the
edifice from being reduced to rubble by the angry
youths who vandalised 12 vehicles on the premises.
The spokesman for the PDP in the state, Napoleon
Adamu,who lamented the incident, said the youths were
protesting their non-inclusion in the preparation for
Jonathan’s visit.
He expressed anger that despite the Abuja accord
signed by all the presidential candidates , some elements
could still go as far as attacking members of the party.
He said, “We are happy that no life was lost and we
want to appeal to our teeming youths to eschew
violence and not to take the law into their own hands.
“Even before the date the President’s campaign was
fixed, the youths had been complaining that they were
not carried along by the committees constituted for the
visit.”
At the state stadium campaign ground, Jonathan said he
would ensure the completion of both the Kashimbila
Dam and the Mambilla Hydro Power projects in the
state if re-elected.
He added that plans were on to establish a presidential
resort at Mambilla to attract top government
functionaries and business moguls to the state.
Jonathan later moved to Yola, Adamawa State, where he
again assured the people that Michika and Madagali
Local government Areas would be recaptured by the
military from Boko Haram.
Jonathan told the crowd that his administration would
provide funds to enable those affected by insurgency to
rebuild their houses and live a meaningful life.
Making inferences about insinuations in certain quarters
that he was going about seeking re-election when Boko
Haram was intensifying its attacks on parts of the
North-East, the President urged the people to disregard
such.
“No human being with his right senses, except a mad
man, will encourage the insurgents to attack and kill
people for political purposes while he is going about
looking for votes,” Jonathan said at the Mahmud Ribadu
Square venue of the rally.
“No political leader will compromise his stance and
connive with terrorists under whatever circumstances
to declare war on his country,” he added.
Calling on the electorate to have confidence in the
leadership of the PDP for accelerated development,
Jonathan warned Nigerians against playing politics with
insecurity.
He said that his administration was “disturbed by the
insurgents’ activities” and added that it was mad for
political opponents to claim that he was not doing
much to end the insurgency which, according to him, is
a global phenomenon.
“This type of allegation from politicians who campaign
to garner votes from the electorate amounts to
madness. People should disregard such insinuations
because they are aimed at derailing our democracy,”
Jonathan added.
He advised the people to also vote for the PDP
governorship candidate in the state, Nuhu Ribadu,
whom, he said, would use his position to fight Boko
Haram.
A PDP topshot and a former Petroleum Minister, Prof.
Jibril Aminu; former acting Governor Umaru Fintiri; and
the Senate President, David Mark, jointly called on the
electorate to vote for Jonathan.
They said the best legacy the President and the
government of PDP could leave behind was a good
educational standard for the people.
The National Chairman of the party, Adamu Mu’azu,
after thanking the people, presented the PDP flag to
Ribadu.
He also lifted the suspension of a former National
Chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur, and the state
executive of the PDP .
A little drama however happened when overzealous
security agents on horseback thrashed some of the
party supporters. This made some of the party loyalists
to react back by hauling chairs at the security
operatives.


source: http://www.punchng.com/news/angry-youths-pelt-jonathans-convoy-with-stones-in-taraba/

SaharaReporters can report authoritatively that John
Kennedy Okpara, the Executive Secretary of the
Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), has been
delivering millions of Naira in bribes to some Christian
pastors on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The money is meant to buy their support of the
candidature of President Jonathan in the February 14
presidential elections.
The NCPC boss, our investigation revealed is a member
of Jonathan’s kitchen-cabinet specifically saddled with
the responsibility of mobilizing Christian leaders.
Okpara is described as being close to prominent
Pentecostal pastors in the country, and as serving as a
middle man between Jonathan and Christian
communities over vital issues.
A credible source said that in that capacity, he visited
some key Northern states including Kano, Kaduna and
Sokoto. Meeting with the Christian leaders, he first
explained the ‘dire need’ for Jonathan to be re-elected,
before delivering the largesse to them.
The pastors who met with him in the hundreds, were
offered N50,000 as each, while some senior Pentecostal
leaders were paid in hard currency.
Okpara is said to have so far facilitated the
disbursement of public funds running into millions in
the name of Jonathan’s campaign.


source: http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/29/kennedy-okpara-distributing-jonathan’s-bribes-pastors

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has admitted the
criticism by Governor Rotimi Amaechi that his
government has not done anything for the people of
Rivers State.
This, he said, was because he did not want to be seen as
an ethnic leader. Hence, his resolve to ensure the
equitable distribution of resources across the country.
Jonathan’s wife is from Rivers State.
President Jonathan, who spoke during the presidential
rally of the Peoples Democratic Party at the Adokiye
Amiesimaka Stadium in Igwuruta-Ali, Ikwerre Local
Government of Rivers State, however, promised to
develop the South-South region if elected for a second
term in office.
The President was reacting to the criticism by Amaechi,
who is also the Director-General of the All Progressives
Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation, that he
(Jonathan) had not done anything for Rivers and
Bayelsa states.
Describing Amaechi’s statement as a challenge, Jonathan
admitted that though he had not allocated more
development to his people, the situation was an
indication that he (Jonathan) meant well for the
country.
He pointed out that he accepted Amaechi’s challenge,
but would do “something” for the South-South states
when he is re-elected,
The President said, “What I want to tell you and the rest
of the country is that the director-general of the APC
presidential campaign organisation, when he was in
Yenagoa and when he was in Port Harcourt, mentioned
clearly that the President had done nothing for the two
states.
“Don’t worry. It is good news because people are saying
that I concentrated development in the South-South.
Bayelsa State was part of Rivers State. Then, if I don’t
concentrate development in this state, that means there
has not been development in Rivers and Bayelsa states.
“The DG (Amaechi) is telling Nigerians that I have not
done this. That means that I am a transparent person. I
did not allocate positions to my people. The DG would
have been the very first person to expose me to the rest
of the world; not just Nigeria. He would have taken me
to America, to South Africa, to France, to UK, but that
shows clearly that we mean well for this country.
“In our development, every part of Nigeria must be
carried along. You will agree with me that when we
looked at the university education, and we insisted that
look, the Federal Government must make sure that all
Nigerian youths must have opportunity for university
education.
“We did not divide North or South; we made sure that
all the states that had no federal university got a federal
university. I am not going to comment on development
in Rivers State and Bayelsa states. I can reassure you
that just work with us; vote for us on February 14, for
me and Sambo and on February 28, for Wike and
Ipalibo. Since we have been challenged that we have
not done anything, we will do something.”
Earlier, the PDP governorship candidate in the state,
Chief Nyesom Wike, had expressed confidence that the
party would win the February 2015 presidential and
governorship elections.
Calling on the people of the state to vote for the PDP,
Wike, who was formally presented with his party’s flag,
criticised Amaechi for his (Amaechi) refusal to approve
the application by the state PDP for the usage of the
Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
In her remarked, the President’s wife, Patience, boasted
that the PDP would get over 2.4 million votes in Rivers
State, adding that such a feat would be an improvement
on the 2 million votes won by the party in 2011.
Mrs. Jonathan said that only the PDP had done a lot in
the area of women empowerment, maintaining that the
women had been able to manage the economy of the
country.


source: http://www.punchng.com/news/amaechis-criticism-a-challenge-jonathan/

The Federal Government on Wednesday said the H5N1
influenza virus, also known as bird flu, is now present in
11 states in Nigeria.
It confirmed the presence of the virus in four other
states apart from the seven states earlier reported on
January 22, 2015.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr.
Akinwumi Adesina, outlined the additional states to
include Oyo, Jigawa, Gombe and Imo.
He said the total number of birds exposed had risen to
232,385 with 51,444 mortalities recorded.
Details soon.


source: http://www.punchng.com/news/bird-flu-now-in-11-states-fg/

The Federal Government on Wednesday said the H5N1
influenza virus, also known as bird flu, is now present in
11 states in Nigeria.
It confirmed the presence of the virus in four other
states apart from the seven states earlier reported on
January 22, 2015.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr.
Akinwumi Adesina, outlined the additional states to
include Oyo, Jigawa, Gombe and Imo.
He said the total number of birds exposed had risen to
232,385 with 51,444 mortalities recorded.
Details soon.


source: http://www.punchng.com/news/bird-flu-now-in-11-states-fg/