₦airaland Forum

This YORUBA thief has again disgraced Nigeria, like they always do, including those here in London

I lambasted Ojukwu for wanting to rule Nigeria at  more than 70.

I lambasted Buhari's vice (Ume Ezuoke) for wanting to be VP at more than 70.

I hate it when oldies who should sit and advise, want to dabble into what they are no longer suitable for.

That is my grouse, which has nothing to do with ethnicity.

Apparently some people benefit from such arragement, whereas even Northern youths are against it.

What a shame.

Normally, I do not respond to rats of the hue of Afam (or whatever), one of such whom I since considered a lost cause. Just this once, and I am done with it.

Anyone who supports this thrash that is developing is definitely gaining from the rot. Thieving and conniving Niggers

If anyone does not see anything wrong for 70-year tested and failed oldies to be hellbent on being ministers at a time Nigeria needs young and contemporary egg-heads to move the economy and other related issues fast on, then the country is doomed to perpetual mediocrity. In this jet-speed electronic and globalisation age, anyone who thinks a Nigerian oldy will make the commensurate impact Nigeria needs to move from the present dead-wood situation is a big ignoramus. Period. Now I am getting sick of everything.

I hope you are not looking for the address to begin some kind of EFCC impersonation? If not, then good luck in the attempt to recover your duped money.

-20%. That is, below zero.

Are there no Yoruba minister performers in Nigeria Poor them, for their notorious ''anything goes'' culture

Gorrila Obasanjo (OBJ) is not only a COMMON thief, he is a pretencious and hypocritical one. Show me a thieving OBJ and I will show you his primordial and narrow-minded supporters

Bohoho . Loser

Question is, is the news concocted or true? If true, then shut up and mourn what Obj, your senior uncle, has done to you.

Mayhem, Fire, Brimstone, war in Yorubaland over council polls

* 10 feared killed
* Thugs abduct 50 students, others
* Detain hostages at Adedibu's home
* Torch houses, vehicles

From Iyabo Lawal and Temitope Ariyo, Ibadan

FOR several hours yesterday, Ibadan and its neighbouring towns in Oyo State literally stood still as thugs went on rampage, shooting sporadically into the air, killing and maiming people. They burnt houses and cars, hijacked electoral materials and kidnapped several persons linked to the state governor, Alhaji Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.


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At the end of the mayhem, 10 persons were feared dead, and several houses and vehicles were burnt.

Some indigenes including the factional chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) loyal to Governor Ladoja, Alhaji Gboyega Abubakre and some students of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, were detained at the Molete home of controversial politician, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu. Five of the deceased persons were killed in Saki during a factional crisis between members of the NURTW, three died in Oyo while two others were killed at Iyana Church and Oke Bola areas of Ibadan.

The Odo-Oba Elere residence of the NURTW factional chairman as well as the country home of Mr. Bayo Lawal, the state Commissioner for Information were among the five houses burnt across the state by the rampaging thugs.

But despite the activities of the hoodlums, the controversial local council election took place without police presence in some local councils in the state capital as well as Oyo, Ogbomoso, Saki and Oke Ogun among others.

Adedibu has declared the election as a nullity and a wasteful exercise.

Signs that the council election might turn bloody were visible on Wednesday evening when about 100 hoodlums shutdown the state-owned radio and television stations after switching off the transmitters and destroying vehicles in the premises.

A band of thugs who wielded yesterday morning, dangerous weapons including cutlasses, charms, axe, arms and ammunition were said to have taken off from Molete in commuter vehicles in batches to designated wards and local councils.

Although roads were deserted while shops were locked, there was booming of gunshots as the hoodlums went round the metropolis to ensure that the elections did not hold.

At Oke Padre area of Ibadan, the rampaging thugs intercepted a lorry conveying electoral materials and about 50 students of the Polytechnic recruited as ad- hoc staff by the state Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) for the election. The thugs fired shots into the air apparently to ward off any opposition before taking them to Molete.

It was the same situation at Challenge, Orita, Oke Bola and Ring Road in the state capital as the hoodlums went from one area to the other, driving recklessly on the streets, shooting into the air while some kept vigil at the local councils to prevent the conduct of the election.

Journalists were not spared as, the crew of a Lagos-based television station, Channels, were waylaid by the thugs at the toll gate end of the city. The hoodlums seized the crew's camera and detained them for several hours before releasing them without their camera.

At the Ibadan North West Local Council, the rampaging thugs fired shots to disperse the voters who had formed a queue.

The hoodlums then proceeded to the OYSIEC office within the council secretariat to destroy materials meant for the election.

The ballot papers alongside other materials were angrily flung out by the thugs who also destroyed the window panes, vehicles as well as offices within the council secretariat.

But for the intervention of security men, the hoodlums could have attacked the Government House.

They paraded the streets in a manner that suggested that they wanted to gain entry into the governor's abode. They shot indiscriminately into the air but the mobile policemen on guard mounted a tight security.

The thugs then drove to the nearby Ibadan North Local Council, seized the ballot bags and dispersed the voters.

For about 15 minutes, the thugs shot non stop at the frontage of the Government House and when their bid to gain entry failed, they proceeded to the state secretariat where they also fired guns into the air before driving off.

It was a similar story at Iwo Road, Gate, University of Ibadan (UI) - Ojoo, Orogun, Akobo and Bashorun.

Alhaji Abubakre, factional chairman of the NURTW and long standing opponent of a controversial Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in the state, was abducted by the thugs and taken to Molete while his vehicle and house were set ablaze.

Some of his boys were also rounded up across the various motor parks and detained at the residence of the Molete warlord.

But the situation was relatively calm at Apata, Bodija, Mokola, Old Ife Road, Egbeda, Ido, Ibarapa and some other areas in the state capital where the residents went out to cast their votes without any intimidation.

The governor in an interview with reporters expressed satisfaction with the turn out of people, saying the violence and skirmishes witnessed in some parts of the state were still tolerable when compared to that of the April 14

and 21 governorship and presidential polls in the state.

Ladoja pointed out that despite the initial hiccups placed on their way by the judiciary, which he said allowed itself to be turned into a political entity, the government was able to actualize its aim.

On the absence of police on the streets, Ladoja said while it was not the duty of the police or law enforcement agencies to be involved in the electoral process, he however pointed out that their duty in the maintenance of law and order was sacrosanct.

"Our position is that electoral process is not the responsibility of the police. Their duty is to maintain law and order, as long as there is rancour in the society they are supposed to maintain peace. The violence of today was not as bad as that of the just concluded general elections. If it is now the culture of Nigerians that electoral issues must be accompanied by violence, then Nigerians will decide that," he said.

Ladoja disclosed that the attack on the state-owned radio and television station by thugs, was sponsored by a PDP chieftain in the state, adding that all the equipment carted away at the broadcasting station were taken to the home of the controversial politician by the thugs.

"If Alhaji Adedibu who claims to be a supporter of the governor-elect, Adebayo Alao-Akala is behaving this way, you can expect the kind of government we will have on May 29," Ladoja said.

The governor, who said that the matter had been reported to the police for necessary action, however expressed doubt over the ability of the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Jonathan Johnson to bring the culprits to book saying the police boss had outlived his usefulness.

"The state government, local branch of the Nigeria Bar Association as well as civil society groups have complained to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, that the state police boss has outlived his usefulness in Oyo State but we don't know what he is still doing here. Let us hope that one day, the IG will wake up to his responsibility or when a new police chief comes, he will look into it."

On the rising cases of lawlessness in the country, Ladoja expressed hope that the new administration of Umaru Musa Yar'Adua would bring about the change Nigerians desired.

He recalled that the outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo recently described Yar'Adua as a patient and reflective unlike those who are not patient and reflective in their approach to issues", Ladoja added.

"By this time next week, we are going to have a responsible government."

But Adedibu dismissed the council election, saying as far as he was concerned, it was a nullity and would be reversed as soon as Alao-Akala comes on board on May 29.

He said: "There is no election and there will never be. The mandate of the people has been given to Alao-Akala. How can somebody leaving on Tuesday say he wants to conduct local government council election today? If Alao-Akala comes on board next week, he will reverse all the actions of Ladoja, including contracts awarded."

Adedibu also disclosed that apart from the state broadcasting station, other media houses in the state had been warned against being used in the political crisis of Oyo State so as not to incur the wrath of the incoming administration.

The state Police Commissioner said that his men did not take part in the council election but confirmed that some people were killed in Saki in a fracas he said was caused by members of the two factions of the NURTW. He, however, could not ascertain the number of deaths recorded.

Johnson, who expressed surprise over the alleged detention of some persons at the Molete home of Adedibu, said his men would be deployed to the place for investigation.

Mayhem in Yirubaland over council polls

* 10 feared killed
* Thugs abduct 50 students, others
* Detain hostages at Adedibu's home
* Torch houses, vehicles

From Iyabo Lawal and Temitope Ariyo, Ibadan

FOR several hours yesterday, Ibadan and its neighbouring towns in Oyo State literally stood still as thugs went on rampage, shooting sporadically into the air, killing and maiming people. They burnt houses and cars, hijacked electoral materials and kidnapped several persons linked to the state governor, Alhaji Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.


advertisement
At the end of the mayhem, 10 persons were feared dead, and several houses and vehicles were burnt.

Some indigenes including the factional chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) loyal to Governor Ladoja, Alhaji Gboyega Abubakre and some students of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, were detained at the Molete home of controversial politician, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu. Five of the deceased persons were killed in Saki during a factional crisis between members of the NURTW, three died in Oyo while two others were killed at Iyana Church and Oke Bola areas of Ibadan.

The Odo-Oba Elere residence of the NURTW factional chairman as well as the country home of Mr. Bayo Lawal, the state Commissioner for Information were among the five houses burnt across the state by the rampaging thugs.

But despite the activities of the hoodlums, the controversial local council election took place without police presence in some local councils in the state capital as well as Oyo, Ogbomoso, Saki and Oke Ogun among others.

Adedibu has declared the election as a nullity and a wasteful exercise.

Signs that the council election might turn bloody were visible on Wednesday evening when about 100 hoodlums shutdown the state-owned radio and television stations after switching off the transmitters and destroying vehicles in the premises.

A band of thugs who wielded yesterday morning, dangerous weapons including cutlasses, charms, axe, arms and ammunition were said to have taken off from Molete in commuter vehicles in batches to designated wards and local councils.

Although roads were deserted while shops were locked, there was booming of gunshots as the hoodlums went round the metropolis to ensure that the elections did not hold.

At Oke Padre area of Ibadan, the rampaging thugs intercepted a lorry conveying electoral materials and about 50 students of the Polytechnic recruited as ad- hoc staff by the state Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) for the election. The thugs fired shots into the air apparently to ward off any opposition before taking them to Molete.

It was the same situation at Challenge, Orita, Oke Bola and Ring Road in the state capital as the hoodlums went from one area to the other, driving recklessly on the streets, shooting into the air while some kept vigil at the local councils to prevent the conduct of the election.

Journalists were not spared as, the crew of a Lagos-based television station, Channels, were waylaid by the thugs at the toll gate end of the city. The hoodlums seized the crew's camera and detained them for several hours before releasing them without their camera.

At the Ibadan North West Local Council, the rampaging thugs fired shots to disperse the voters who had formed a queue.

The hoodlums then proceeded to the OYSIEC office within the council secretariat to destroy materials meant for the election.

The ballot papers alongside other materials were angrily flung out by the thugs who also destroyed the window panes, vehicles as well as offices within the council secretariat.

But for the intervention of security men, the hoodlums could have attacked the Government House.

They paraded the streets in a manner that suggested that they wanted to gain entry into the governor's abode. They shot indiscriminately into the air but the mobile policemen on guard mounted a tight security.

The thugs then drove to the nearby Ibadan North Local Council, seized the ballot bags and dispersed the voters.

For about 15 minutes, the thugs shot non stop at the frontage of the Government House and when their bid to gain entry failed, they proceeded to the state secretariat where they also fired guns into the air before driving off.

It was a similar story at Iwo Road, Gate, University of Ibadan (UI) - Ojoo, Orogun, Akobo and Bashorun.

Alhaji Abubakre, factional chairman of the NURTW and long standing opponent of a controversial Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in the state, was abducted by the thugs and taken to Molete while his vehicle and house were set ablaze.

Some of his boys were also rounded up across the various motor parks and detained at the residence of the Molete warlord.

But the situation was relatively calm at Apata, Bodija, Mokola, Old Ife Road, Egbeda, Ido, Ibarapa and some other areas in the state capital where the residents went out to cast their votes without any intimidation.

The governor in an interview with reporters expressed satisfaction with the turn out of people, saying the violence and skirmishes witnessed in some parts of the state were still tolerable when compared to that of the April 14

and 21 governorship and presidential polls in the state.

Ladoja pointed out that despite the initial hiccups placed on their way by the judiciary, which he said allowed itself to be turned into a political entity, the government was able to actualize its aim.

On the absence of police on the streets, Ladoja said while it was not the duty of the police or law enforcement agencies to be involved in the electoral process, he however pointed out that their duty in the maintenance of law and order was sacrosanct.

"Our position is that electoral process is not the responsibility of the police. Their duty is to maintain law and order, as long as there is rancour in the society they are supposed to maintain peace. The violence of today was not as bad as that of the just concluded general elections. If it is now the culture of Nigerians that electoral issues must be accompanied by violence, then Nigerians will decide that," he said.

Ladoja disclosed that the attack on the state-owned radio and television station by thugs, was sponsored by a PDP chieftain in the state, adding that all the equipment carted away at the broadcasting station were taken to the home of the controversial politician by the thugs.

"If Alhaji Adedibu who claims to be a supporter of the governor-elect, Adebayo Alao-Akala is behaving this way, you can expect the kind of government we will have on May 29," Ladoja said.

The governor, who said that the matter had been reported to the police for necessary action, however expressed doubt over the ability of the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Jonathan Johnson to bring the culprits to book saying the police boss had outlived his usefulness.

"The state government, local branch of the Nigeria Bar Association as well as civil society groups have complained to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, that the state police boss has outlived his usefulness in Oyo State but we don't know what he is still doing here. Let us hope that one day, the IG will wake up to his responsibility or when a new police chief comes, he will look into it."

On the rising cases of lawlessness in the country, Ladoja expressed hope that the new administration of Umaru Musa Yar'Adua would bring about the change Nigerians desired.

He recalled that the outgoing President Olusegun Obasanjo recently described Yar'Adua as a patient and reflective unlike those who are not patient and reflective in their approach to issues", Ladoja added.

"By this time next week, we are going to have a responsible government."

But Adedibu dismissed the council election, saying as far as he was concerned, it was a nullity and would be reversed as soon as Alao-Akala comes on board on May 29.

He said: "There is no election and there will never be. The mandate of the people has been given to Alao-Akala. How can somebody leaving on Tuesday say he wants to conduct local government council election today? If Alao-Akala comes on board next week, he will reverse all the actions of Ladoja, including contracts awarded."

Adedibu also disclosed that apart from the state broadcasting station, other media houses in the state had been warned against being used in the political crisis of Oyo State so as not to incur the wrath of the incoming administration.

The state Police Commissioner said that his men did not take part in the council election but confirmed that some people were killed in Saki in a fracas he said was caused by members of the two factions of the NURTW. He, however, could not ascertain the number of deaths recorded.

Johnson, who expressed surprise over the alleged detention of some persons at the Molete home of Adedibu, said his men would be deployed to the place for investigation.

laudate:
Yeah, Lagos has now become part of Alaigbo! It is no longer in the South-west, because the Nigerian map has been re-drawn to place it firmly in the East. In fact, a feat of engineering has transposed its original co-ordinates & placed it far across the Niger. And because the Igbo outnumber Yoruba folks in some districts (e.g. Festac, according to you) we should now probably re-name Lagos, to make it part of the East. Get real! Are you trying to re-write the title deeds of Lagos-Yoruba residents, through the back door? Na wa o!

No one is saying people from other parts of Nigeria cannot buy or own land in Lagos. So stop trying to twist the facts, that gave rise to our initial comments. What we are putting on the front burner (which you are trying vigourously to cover up) is that Docokwy is a rabid, tribalistic individual, who hates the Yoruba people with a passion. He has shown it in his comments, his responses & his insults, several times on this site.

So the question still remains 'why is he making investments in the territory where they live in such large numbers, especially fixed assets which guarantee profits for him, if he hates them so much?' And for the umpteenth time, why are you vigorously defending this tribalist, instead of allowing him to answer for himself? Your excuse of Lagos is not Yoruba land anymore, is not working. So what is Lagos, now? Outer space?

Stop making attempts to pull the wool over everyone's eyes. It is beginning to make everyone doubt any credibility you may have. Ah, now we all know the problem with the tribalistic cartel. When it is convenient for them, they claim to be 'Nigerians' who can buy land & live anywhere. And when it suits them, they become chameleons & decide they want a seperate state! Let the cartel make up its mind!

If docokwy was a non-Igbo who had made the same nasty, ill-bred comments about Igbo people, would you look the other way? If he had decided to buy land in Enugu or Onitsha after pouring venom on the Igbo, wouldn't you raise the same questions? Anyway, like I said earlier, I expect the Yoruba folks on this site, to respond to him at an appropriate time.

Finally Donzman, let's use your own words, "are you keeping quiet because you agree with him?! "

What on earth makes this one think that Docokwy is Igbo. Or is every Yoruba critic supposed to be Igbo?

Anyways, I just printed out the above crappy gibberish and symbolically dumped it in the garbage bin, where it is liable to. When/if Nigeria stops being one, then perhaps I can respond properly to this "laudmaut"

Privatisation: Militants Threaten To Blow Up Port Harcourt Refinery


May 24th, 2007


By Ubokikwan Gabriel

Reporter, Port Harcourt

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and other militant groups have threatened to blow up Port Harcourt Refinery if the Federal Government goes ahead to sell its 51 per cent equity investment share in the refining company to Aliko Dangote, Mr. Femi Otedola, Rivers State government and the Transnational Corporation (Transcorp).

Mr. Josua Minisagha, who spoke for MEND, Niger Delta Solidarity Front and other militants revealed the intention of the groups in an e-mail to Daily Independent.

He warned: "Tell them that what they have bought is dust. Dangote and Otedola have not bought a refinery, they have bought a war they can’t win, since the loss of income that accrues to our people and the total destruction of the facility from which the income accrues approximates to the same situation, we shall level it to the ground, instead of allowing strangers to become our masters in our own land.

"We hope that President Obasanjo’s international allies, who worry much about the stability of oil prices than the miserable existence our people are compelled to endure, were duly consulted before he embarked on this journey of no return.’’

Also, Mr. John Onwubokiri, the national coordinator for Non-Violent Change in the Niger Delta, has criticised the transaction, which led to the sale of the refinery. He said the transaction was not transparent and thus has some selfish motivation at the background.

He insisted that the sale of the complex is not acceptable to the people of the region.

Onwubokiri described the president’s action as a painful parting gift to the people of the region. He pointed out that the transaction would disrupt the good work of his organisation in actualising peaceful agitation and change in the region.

Besides, the group accused Obasanjo of moulding the private empires of his friends and his family with utter neglect to the common people of the country, insisting that his interest in the Port Harcourt Refinery is a total misadventure that would not survive the test of time.

I CAN ONLY CONCURE

These Yoruba them sef

nigeria1:
Well like I said that statement can not be true El Rufia need to check is paper right, Most part of abuja is own by people from the north, And Look go to the federal ministry do you see Igbo there,

1416 835 5790

The fool that is the owner of Nigeria has spoken.


Laudate or ludgate or lumidi or lamidi or whatever,

I owe you no further explanation. Why am I even talking with you?

Laudate and Tonim,

Blah blah blah liable to the garbage bin

sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnns

I dont mind reselling to you guys. But I guess few Yorubas are bouyant enough to pay (mocking you)

My response is a deserving one to a stupid post by laudate. He saw it coming

laudate:
Kai! Wonders shall never cease.  You decided to spend your money to buy 2 plots in the same South-west or Yoruba land (i.e. Lagos), whose indigenes you keep villifying, deriding and condemning . Who did you pay the money to? Chei!

Are you sure you made the right move? You cannot stand the south-western people, but you can buy land in their area as an investment. Something doesn't sound quite right.

FYI, I bought them off an Igbo who said he bought them off a Bini man. I do no deals with Yoruba to avoid being stabbed at the back; and that area where my properties are is populated by non-Yorubas.

Donzman:
Obviously this docokwy guy doesn't get it, he thinks this public statement is something to rejoice about.

Would you I rather cry that Igbos are able to achieve all that in spite of Nigeria? Recall that the said lands were duly acquired as attested to by the horse (El Rufai) himself. The last time I checked, Nigeria is not yet at war with itself, to warrant a repeat of the abandoned property saga. So if anyone (non-Igbos) wants to allow their envy to get the better of them because of the revealation, the courts are there to sort them out. Indeed, it is not a revelation but a confirmation of what was already commonplace knowledge.

And on Igbo  own 70%  of abuja that is not true,  Most of the land are alloted to the northerner,  it is just to make the igbo feel good. some people see Yar adua presidency and moving the capital to abuja  a blessing for another orkar coup.

Nigeria1,

So you mean that the Igbo are so stupid that they do not know they own so much in Abuja, such that if Rufai was mocking them, the Igbo do not recognise it as such (mockery)? You are indeed pathetic and now I know that any progress made by the Igbo hurts typical indolent folks like you to the bone marrow. It is not news that Igbo own so much in Abuja. El Rufai just restated what is obvious. The same also goes for Lagos. Continue in your childish denial while people are out there amassing fortunes for themselves. Even I own 2 plots of land in Lagos. What land do you own outside of the southwest?

el-Rufai: Igbos Own 73% of Abuja Land
From Chuks Okocha in Abuja, 05.21.2007


The Minister in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai over the weekend declared that Igbos have acquired about 73 percent of landed property in Abuja.
The Minister, who was addressing a gathering of Southeast elected officials also revealed how the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmadu Ali abused him for demolishing his house in Asokoro District in Abuja.
Speaking on a lighter mood, el-Rufai called on the Igbos to take Abuja as the sixth state of the southeast in view of their dominance of the real estate sector of the FCT.
He pointed out that such dominance explains why the Igbos appear to have been the worst victims of the demolition exercise in the territory.
For instance, he said “68 percent of the land allocations in the FCT belongs to the 19 northern states, but in actual land ownership, 73 percent belongs to the Igbos with the most aggressive in land ownership belonging to the indigenes of Anambra state, while Ebonyi lags behind.”

He also spoke of how the master plan of the Wuse market was distorted from 1800 lockup stores to a near aberration of 13,500 stores, which made movement in the market to become almost impossible.
He attributed the land ownership by the Igbos in Abuja to a measure of confidence that they have in the FCT project.
The Minister also attributed the rapid transformation of the city of Abuja to the Orkar coup of 1991 which forced the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida to quickly quit Lagos.
He explained that this singular action of the Babangida regime made the dream of Abuja as a seat of government to become real.
However, el-Rufai said that the most drastic decision that affected the total transformation of Abuja as a seat of government was the directive in 1996 by the regime of General Sani Abacha to transfer all federal ministries to the FCT.
Throwing more light on the recent demolition of the PDP chairman's house in Asokoro district of Abuja, el-Rufai stressed, “I did what I did with the best of intentions.”
The Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had last week rolled its buldozer over the personal house of the PDP Chairman located at  Number 6, Abubakar Koko Street for consisting environmental hazards to the neigbhourhood. The house was said to have been built on top of a water line thereby contravening the development control regulations of the FCT as outlined in the Abuja Masterplan.
Even at the PDP retreat in Abuja, the PDP National Chairman refused to acknowledge the greetings of the FCT Minister, it was revealed.
According to el-Rufai who was a guest speaker at the retreat organised by the National Secretary of the PDP, Chief Ojo Maduekwe for the Southeast elected officials “the PDP Chairman abused me for demolishing his house in Asokoro. But I did not take it personal because, I was doing my work. Somebody has to sanitize the city.
“The house was located on top of a water tank that supplies water to Asokoro. The house has to give way because it was a disaster waiting to happen.
“He abused me in front of the National Secretary of our party, Chief Ojo Maduekwe. Why I am saying this is that many people have accused me of demolishing many houses belonging to the southeasterners. It was not a vendetta against Igbos, but it was done to restore Abuja to the original idea of the master plan,” the minister explained.
This, he said made every civil servant working in the federal ministries to hurriedly relocate to Abuja with its attendant consequences.
He identified one of such consequences as “the rise of Abuja wives”, a situation which led to break-up in several homes, because of co-habitation of different married men and women in same flats due to shortage of houses.
However, he apologised to all those whose houses were demolished saying, “we did everything, I swear with the best of intention. I apologise.”
On life in post May 29, he said, “I am looking forward to go. I have not taken a break in the past four years. I will take a break and rest.”
Earlier, the National Secretary of PDP, Chief Ojo Maduekwe said that the party would no longer pay lip service to issues of reforms, explaining “PDP will be ahead of government in ensuring reforms.”
He also called for more interactions among Nigerians, with the aim of sustaining the unity of the nation.

House of Reps Speaker: ‘Igbo, not Yoruba deserve the first shot’
By Chioma Gabriel, Assistant Editor
Posted to the Web: Saturday, May 19, 2007



THE on-going debate over which zone clinches the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other principal seats in the forthcoming National Assembly, has continued to rouse ethnic passion as well as attract comments from especially the South-East and South-West geo-political zones.

The issue of where the Senate presidency should go is almost a settled matter with no other zone contesting it with North-Central. Rather, the competition is among which state and person from the zone should take the first shot.

However, it is not the same thing in the case of the Speaker of the House of Reps. Both the South-East and South-West are laying claim to this number four position in the land. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also been quiet on where it would zone the seat, thereby heightening the scramble.
The Igbos, nonetheless, are making moral argument, pleading with their Yoruba counterparts to concede the position to them after having President Olusegun Obasanjo from the same zone rule for eight years.

According to Chief Cletus Idoko, a prominent PDP member in Enugu North senatorial district, the Yorubas should allow the Igbos to have the first shot at the speakership.

Said he: “I think our brothers from South-West should allow us (Igbos) to produce the next Speaker. Chief Obasanjo who is from the zone is just about finishing eight years as the number one citizen. So, if the Igbos who only occupied the number three slot cannot get positions one, two or three, it is only rational that they should get the number four position.

“Mr. President shall become the chairman of the Board of Trustees after May 29 just as the South-East may get the chairman of the party. So, let our brothers concede that slot to us in the interest of justice and fairness.”

Though he believes that the South-East will get its fair share after the zoning of offices, Nze Fidelis Ozichikwu, the national vice-chairman of PDP (South-East) told Saturday Vanguard that he does not understand the desperation and agitation about who becomes the next Speaker of the federal House of Representatives since it is not the only position available for grabs.

“Why are people particular about who produces the next Speaker of the House of Representatives? What about the position of the Senate President? I don’t think the Igbos are going to lose out in anything that is due to them because the PDP has not shared anything.”

Ozichukwu said that in 1999, everything was anchored on rotation and zoning and that was why President Obasanjo on emerging the presidential candidate of the PDP chose Atiku Abubakar from the North.

“He did so,” said Ozichukwu, “based on his vision and knowledge that the East, the West and the North should continue to remain a family and therefore, each should have a representation in Nigeria’s government.

“It will be good and fair to have the Igbos incorporated because PDP is one big family and we are our brother’s keeper. Then in 1999, (Dr. Alex) Ekwueme was meant to be the Senate President but it didn’t work out the way we wanted it then. That was how Enwerem emerged and from him to Okadigbgo, Anyim, Wabara and now Nnamani.

“But PDP will not lose sight of the fact that there will be an all-inclusive government where everybody will have a sense of belonging. So, I believe the Igbos will get what is due to them. It is either they retain the position of the Senate President or have the Speaker of the House of Reps. I believe we will have a good team especially with the wisdom of the present President. I believe there will be equity in PDP’s decision.”

Maxi Okwu, the presidential candidate of Citizens Popular Party described the whole process as unfortunate. “The truth is that Ndigbo have lost out in the power configuration. We are at present occupying the number three position but now, we are agitating to get the number four. That’s what PDP did to the Igbos. We are going down. because we didn’t get our focus right. We didn’t get a part in the power calculus of the PDP.”

However, Chief Supo Shoribare, the chairman of Democratic Peoples Alliance in Lagos state says that the scramble for the number four seat between the two zones is misplaced.

“We are talking of a fraudulently-conducted election and how the issue should be tackled once and for all. We cannot be talking of a Speaker out of such a massively-rigged poll.”

Also, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, Second Republic Speaker of House of Reps would not be dragged into the debate because, “it is a stupid thing to be talking about who occupies the position of Speaker when my party, the ANPP is fighting for a bigger thing. I’m not interested in what is going on in PDP house.”
But Senator Ugochukwu Uba (PDP, Anambra) told this paper that he cannot speak authoritatively on the issue because it is the party that will tackle the zoning formula matter.

But Clem Ezenna opines that “no matter what happens at the end of the day, we (Igbos) should get nothing less than number four. I don’t think we should be struggling with the South-West because their son is only about completing two terms as president.”

GNature:
Wrong !

Obasanjo is not making sure it 'stays that way'. The 13% oil derivation and the NDDC came about under Obasanjo's administration. The northen states even sued OBJ's govt at one point regarding the 13% derivation.

Get your facts, some Yoruba states also joined the northern states in the anti 13 % derivation lawsuit. Again, please get your facts or risk being accused of deliberate misinformation bothering on tribalism .