₦airaland Forum

Shey PDP or FFK don buy Nairaland moderators during this election period ni?

21 billions is really working here!

Azo:
@mod pls fp. Abeg before we start to tweet how boas una be o.

They won't respond

NAIRALAND moderators are very bias in terms of topics making front page. They prefer topics supporting GEJ and PDP OR attacking GMB and APC over topics revealing the secret, the desperation and the true pictures of GEJ and PDP.

A topic like "BUHARI’S CERTIFICATE:HOW FANI-KAYODE “FORGED” MY FRIEND’S EMAIL,BY SURAJ OYEWALE" should have made the front page even this trash!

https://www.nairaland.com/2114112/buharis-certificate-how-fani-kayode-forged#2114112.23"

No wonder, I logged into NAIRALAND but only to find out that the first six or seven topics on the FRONT PAGE from the politics section were topics attacking the personality of GMB and some unconfirmed reports attacking APC.
People dey abuse sahara reporters, una own pass sahara reporters.

#NAIRAPDP
#PDPLAND

Statement in response to Nigerian Presidential election enquiries

23 January 2015

[size=16pt]The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), now known as Cambridge Assessment, in response to requests to authenticate a candidate’s exam certificate, today said: “We can only confirm or verify results at the direct request of or with the permission of a candidate.”

“This is in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.”

The organisation also confirmed that according to the Regulations for 1961, African Language papers, including those for Hausa were set for the West[/size]

SOURCE: http://cambridgeassessment.org.uk/news/statement-in-response-to-nigerian-presidential-election-enquiries/

OgologoDimkpa:
Una still dey for this Buhari certificate matter?
I thought we've rested on it and the whole world have already know that Buhari did not
have a school cert.

CASE CLOSE!!!

It is obvious that you did not read above report!

OPINION: This topic needs to get to the FRONT PAGE so that people will know more of FFK and the desperation of PDP.......... Hmmm!

I was on my way to work on the morning of Monday, January 26, when my friend, Sodiq Alabi, sent me a Facebook message asking me how to contact THISDAY newspapers since I am more familiar with newspaper houses as a regular contributor to issues in national dailies.

Sodiq included in the message a web link to an article in THISDAY newspaper with the title, “Cambridge University: Hausa Language Not Offered in 1961 Exams”. I opened the article to see these lines:

“The controversy over the secondary school results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, continues as the University of Cambridge has said that Hausa Language, which is one of the subjects listed by Buhari, was not offered in its examinations in 1961.

“The disclosure was contained in a statement from the office of the Director of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation claiming it came through an e-mail dated Thursday, January 22, 2015 from the institution’s Archives Delivery Service Officer, Jacky Emerson, to one SODIQ ALABI who requested for confirmation if the examination body offered Hausa Language in the 1961 West African Certificate Examination it organised.

“Emerson, in his one-sentence reply, said: “According to the Regulations for 1961, African Language papers, including those for Hausa, WERE NOT included for West African School Certificate.”

“This development may have further cast doubts on the certificate which is purported to be General Buhari’s. He is yet to react to the assertion by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation that the document (the published certificate) was forged and illegally procured.” (Capitalizations mine)

Sodiq was shocked such falsehood was attributed to him by Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode and wanted to contact the Editor of THISDAY for such wicked misrepresentation. Sodiq Alabi (sodiqalabi@hotmail.com) had written an email to Cambridge Assessment, the brand name of University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicates, on January 22, 2015, 13.31 hours, to confirm whether Hausa was truly offered by it in 1961 examinations. By 4.10pm same day, Jacky Emerson (archives@cambridgeassessment.org.uk), Archive Services Delivery officer of Cambridge Assessment, replied thus: “Dear Sodiq Alabi, According to the Regulations of 1961, African Language papers, WERE SET for West Africa School Certificate.”

A screenshot of this email exchange was shared with us on Facebook by Sodiq and it went viral on the internet. The email triggered other Nigerians to send emails to Cambridge Assessment for independent confirmation and the school came out with a release on its website the next day. In the release titled, “Statement in response to Nigerian Presidential election enquiries”, the school stated, “The organisation also confirmed that according to the Regulations for 1961, African Language papers, including those for Hausa WERE SET for the West African School Certificate.” Here is the link to the Cambridge Assessment website where this confirmation was published: http://cambridgeassessment.org.uk/news/statement-in-response-to-nigerian-presidential-election-enquiries/.

It is however surprising that Femi Fani-Kayode went ahead to alter the content of Sodiq’s email in his press statement to, “According to the Regulations for 1961, African Language papers, including those for Hausa, WERE NOT included for West African School Certificate.”, and still quoted the email as the source.

[size=16pt]It is very unfortunate that this is the man speaking for the President’s re-election campaign. How do we believe every other “fact” he has quoted has not been altered as well? It is a shame.[/size]

It is also very unfortunate that our newspapers have gone to sleep and investigative journalism is at its lowest ebb in Nigeria. How will Femi Fani-Kayode not be feeding newspaper reporters with lies when he knows how lazy some of our journalists have become? This is not an advertorial that does not require independent confirmation. All THISDAY and Daily Post that reported this Fani-Kayode’s glaring lie needed to do is to seek out Sodiq or confirm from Cambridge – which had posted a confirmation statement on conduct of Hausa language in 1961 WASC on its website since January 23, two days before Fani-Kayode came up with this lie – and ask for their side of the story.

It is particularly curious that I had, in an earlier article sent to THISDAY, which was published in its January 25 edition, attached a screenshot of the email from Sodiq to buttress some other arguments, so THISDAY editors, at least their OP-ED editor, could not have claimed not to have seen the original content of Sodiq’s email before Fani-Kayode’s alteration.

This is not the first time President Jonathan’s men are forging or altering documents to demonize anyone perceived as the President’s “enemy”. His New Media Assistant, Reno Omokri, was also busted in February last year, when he hid under a pseudonym, Wendel Simlin, to send false but damaging reports to newspapers to demonize the then just suspended Governor Lamido Sanusi of Central Bank. A dig into the source of the computer used in typing the document showed it was a certain Reno Omokri that authored it!

How lowly can people get?

Oyewale, a chartered accountant and blogger, lives in Ajah, Lagos. He can be reached at oyewalesuraj@gmail.com

SOURCE: http://blogs.premiumtimesng.com/?p=166629

[b]Top security officials just confirmed to SaharaReporters that Islamist fighters today overwhelmed the 243 battalion of the Nigerian Army stationed at Monguno Barracks. The insurgents killed an undetermined number of soldiers and wounded the brigade commander of the barracks.

Our sources said soldiers who put up resistance to the invading insurgents were killed, adding that many soldiers then ran in different directions. They disclosed that 1,400 soldiers were stationed at the barracks at the time of the attack, adding that military authorities were not aware of their exact whereabouts or how many of them had been killed. “We still don’t know what has happened to them [soldiers], but we know that Boko Haram now controls the barracks and Monguno town,” one officer based in Abuja confirmed.

Despite the losses, Nigerian Defense Headquarters said the military was conducting air raids around the besieged barracks, adding that soldiers had to tactically withdraw from the town due to injuries sustained by the brigade commander and others.

Contrary to our earlier report that Nigerian troops had repelled attacks on the barracks, our sources said the military facility had fallen to the Islamist terrorists. “They [Boko Haram] have gained full control of the barracks, together with all the weapons there,” one senior military source told us over the phone.

The source echoed a statement by another military source in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, that the Islamist fighters had killed many soldiers and a huge number of civilians in Monguno.

Monguno town, home of the overrun barracks, is 85 miles from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

Boko Haram began attacking Monguno and Maiduguri simultaneously since last night, but Nigerian troops succeeded in repelling them from Maiduguri. After an intense battle in the state capital that lasted several hours, Nigerian troops were able to repel the insurgent attack. Nigerian troops said they had killed more than 100 Islamist fighters in the Maiduguri offensive. [/b]

SOURCE: http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/25/boko-haram-sacks-monguno-barracks-fate-1400-soldiers-unknown

ShakurM:
It is well, spiritual!

spiritual?

Kenyan pastor Rev. Njohi has raised not only a few eyebrows but red flags with his unorthodox suggestion of having his female congregants remove their bras and underwear before coming to church, so that Christ can freely enter their bodies with his spirit, according to The Kenyan Daily Post.

Njohi, who is the pastor of the Lord’s Propeller Redemption Church in Kenya, reportedly refers to undergarments as “ungodly.” The bible-toting minister called together a meeting with church officials and allegedly discussed banning the under garments because people “need to be free in body and spirit in order to receive Christ.”
After warning his female congregants about the evils of skivvies, the God-fearing pastor spoke of the damnation they will suffer if they dare not to go bare underneath.
In true fashion, the church’s female population reportedly did come to church sans their undies, the Post reports, in order to prepare for their spiritual taking.
This [b]SICK Pastor [/b]probably wanted to lay hands on these unsuspecting women folk!

http://newsone.com/2939386/rev-njohi-female-undergarments/

Somebody Tell GEJ That Refusal To Jail Looters Is An Impeachable Offence! By Ilesanmi Omabomi

They say the first thing you do when you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging. But not GEJ. Like most of his other absurdities GEJ does not seem to get this simple logic. His entire campaign has been nothing but a production line for absurdities.

GEJ has been struggling to cope with the politically asphyxiating effects of his opponent Mohamadu Buhari’s anti-corruption driven campaign. GEJ has been under the hammer for running a corruption ridden government. In an attempt to defend himself he comes up with the most absurd argument possible. He tells the very voters he is soliciting their votes that he has failed to fight corruption because he does not believe in sending people to jail. This was obviously intended to be a shot aimed at his opponent GMB who jailed several corrupt politicians when he first led the country in the eighties. Given the anti-corruption atmosphere currently pervading the country, a competent campaign manager will be convulsing upon hearing his candidate commit this political hara-kiri. But not GEJ and his campaign team. As if he has been told that his response was well received, he runs around the country like a headless Christmas chicken dishing out the same repugnant explanation to voters who are hell mad about corruption and its debilitating effects of their lives.

In his first sojourn as the head of state of this country from 1983-1985, Mohamadu Buhari launched the equivalent of a blitzkrieg against corruption. Politicians and their private sector collaborators were thrown into jail for stealing public funds. Given the excesses of the Shehu Shagari government and the greed of politicians like Umaru Dikko and custom-champagne drinking Adisa Akinloye, Nigerians wanted these corrupt politicians in jail and those who were unable to escape like the duo mentioned above were duly tried and sent to jail. The convicted politicians and their collaborators never denied stealing public funds. In fact many of them apologized and begged for leniency during their sentencing. The real owners of this country, the voters had no problem having these politicians in jail. But it looks like GEJ did. Not that it really matters now that he is facing his ultimate political humiliation in the hands of angry voters.

GEJ’s supporters will be quick to, as always, blindly argue that the thieves were tried by special tribunals and as such the trials were invalid. The hypocrisy of their argument lie in the fact that the GEJ led government is currently trying hundreds of military officers through special military tribunals, and the tribunals have already sentenced tens of them to death. Despite members of the bar refusing to appear before GMB’s special tribunals one man whose patriotism, love for and loyalty to this country has been confirmed by even his jailers did. The late legal luminary Gani Fawehinmi represented an accused before one of these tribunals as a way of showing his revulsion for corruption.

Corruption is prohibited by countless laws in our criminal and civil laws and it is the constitutional responsibility of the President to enforce the laws of the country and the obligation is not discretionary. What GEJ has publicly confessed to is a deliberate refusal to enforce the laws of Nigeria despite his oath of office “…to uphold and defends the laws of the country.” You will expect his Attorney General to properly advise GEJ except that Adoke himself is too busy collecting oil block related bribes. The same GEJ who does not believe in jailing his friends for looting public funds does not have a problem when petty thieves and 419’ers are hounded down by EFCC and thrown in jail. Do not get me wrong. Every thief’s reward should be imprisonment, including petty thieves and 419’ers. But what is apparent from the dichotomy in enforcement of laws is that the real reason GEJ is refusing to enforce the laws is that his friends are the thieves. A refusal to send thieves to jail that is grounded in genuine philosophical belief should also operate to the benefit of petty thieves and 419’ers.

In an ideal country, the National Assembly will commence impeachment proceedings against the president for his refusal to send looters to jail and use his public statements to that effect as conclusive evidence. But not Nigeria. It is either because half of those in the National Assembly do not know why they are there beyond the opportunity to steal or their reasoning is so warped that they believe the president has the right to enforce the laws of this country. They will fail to see the implications of his oath of office.

In a presidential campaign in which in which accusations of corruption against thGEJ and his government has assumed the constancy of the Northern star, he chooses to appoint Femi Fani-Kayode, a man facing trial for the theft of billions of Naira of public funds as his Media and Publicity person. How daft does anyone have to be to know that appointing Fani-Kayode to that position just shows how myopic and disrespectful to voters GEJ and his campaign advisers have become. This man does not really believe that stealing is corruption but Nigerians do. And GEJ will find out harshly and shamefully on February 14, 2015. On a day set aside for the demonstration and reaffirmation of human love, the frustrated, cheated, defiled, disrespected and angry voters of this potentially great country will hopefully demonstrate their love for this country by voting President Goodluck Jonathan out of Aso Rock. And the process of reinvigorating this country economically, politically, culturally and socially can then commence in earnest under the able and exemplary leadership of General Mohamadu Buhari.

SOURCE: http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/23/somebody-tell-gej-refusal-jail-looters-impeachable-offence-ilesanmi-omabomi

[size=16pt]Beware, PDP Calling For Military Take-Over If Buhari Wins February Elections-APC Alert Nigerians[/size]

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organization has alerted Nigerians over a statement posted on Facebook by an official of the Presidency which said that the government (of PDP) will rather hand over power to the military rather than to General Muhammadu Buhari in the event that the APC candidate wins the February 14 election.
“The Blackberry Messenger (BBM)
statement by Deji Adeyanju, an official in the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe said “Buhari can never be President of Nigeria. Quote me any day any time. Instead of Buhari to become President of Nigeria, Nigeria would rather break. A military coup will even be allowed than for Buhari to become the president of a democratic Nigeria quote me any day, any time.”
Presidential campaign spokesman, Mallam Garan Shehu said in Abuja that the statement by the official who handles Dr. Doyin Okupe’s Twitter handle has not been denied or retracted, saying that unless it is convincingly rebutted, the statement above, by the ruling party appears to clearly be uninterested in free, fair and conclusive elections, but rather to engender crisis and chaos if it happens that the APC candidate, General Buhari wins the elections.
“This revelation in a public statement via the BBM would appear to support the PDP’s avowed determination to rule for 60 years, a boast echoed repeatedly by some former national chairmen of the party. The boast however did not reckon with the emergence of the All Progressives Congress and the determination with which the party mobilized and stuck together to confront the PDP that over time had prided itself with invisibility.
“We of the APC hereby call on all Nigerians to be vigilant and ensure that no one is allowed to truncate the 2015 elections. It is also important that all Nigerians allow peace to reign and insist on free and fair polls to assist the process of peaceful and democratic transition.
“Similarly, our party, the APC is confident that the men and women of our patriotic Armed Forces and the Police, including other security agencies would discharge their obligations without fear or favour and ensure that the 2015 polls is not only free and fair but also credible leading to the installation of a popular-elected government that will improve the well-being of Nigerians.”

SOURCE: http://www.greenbreporters.com/home/national/beware-pdp-calling-military-take-loses-february-elections-apc-alerts-nigerians.html

OR http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/sunday/index.php/news/19374-apc-worried-over-plans-to-deny-buhari-his-mandate-if-he-wins

[b]Pressured by various group who are jostling to promote the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan the Bayelsa state governor, Seriake Dickson has banned the activities of the leadership of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN and other groups in the state.
In a statement endorsed by Daniel Iwariso-Markson, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, he claimed that the groups were only brewing crisis in Bayelsa.
“Those claiming to be campaigning for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, but are instead engaged in promoting subversive activities and inciting crisis and division within the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, to move their activities elsewhere.”
Dickson gave the advice at a meeting with the PDP flag bearers for next month’s general elections, at the party’s secretariat in Yenagoa. In attendance were prominent personalities such as former governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
Describing the PDP in the state as the only recognized political platform and structure saddled with the responsibility of leading the president’s campaign in the state, Dickson noted with serious dismay, the activities of TAN, which do not seem to serve the purpose for which it was created in the state.
The governor, who enjoined all groups and individuals to queue behind him, as the leader of the party in the state, pointing out that, TAN and some members of its top hierarchy have become tools of subversion, creating needless rancour, acrimony and division. He said the state government will no longer tolerate their actions.
“The activities of TAN and the other groups, if not checked, could be counter-productive, especially with the presidential and other elections, only a few weeks away, adding that, he has the mandate of Bayelsans to protect the stability, peace and security of the state.”
The governor, who announced the planned visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state, remarked that, he would use the opportunity of the visit on the 5th of February, to express appreciation to Nigerians for their unwavering support and solidarity to the transformation agenda.
He also noted that, the state is ready and the people were fully mobilized to accord the president a rousing reception for the mega rally that would be organized in honour of President Jonathan as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party at the national level.
The governor emphasized that, Bayelsa is a stronghold of the PDP and a strong support base for Jonathan, whom he noted, does not need to campaign in his home state.
Predicting victory for the party at all levels in next month’s general elections, Dickson dubbed the campaign for next month’s elections as ‘Operation Deliver PDP All The Way,’ and urged party leaders to work assiduously to win the elections.
“The agenda of this government is operation deliver PDP all the way as all the candidates of the party are my candidates, and I urge everyone to work round the clock to win the February 2015 elections.
While urging the party’s aspirants to remain loyal to the PDP and contribute their quota to the success of the party, he equally enjoined those, who lost in the primaries to be steadfast as they are still stakeholders of the PDP.
He also advised Bayelsans not to allow themselves to be misled by mischief makers and those who do not mean well for them and called on all contestants to conduct issue-based campaigns.
The governor, who attributed the peaceful conduct of the All Progressive Congress rally in the state some few days ago to his leadership style of political tolerance and maturity, described his administration as a pacesetter in issues of leadership.
“We are setting the pace for everything, including leadership, political tolerance and maturity. You saw what we did when we directed the security agencies to protect them at the Sports Complex. We do not want anybody to say it was when they came to the president’s home base that something bad happened to anybody.”
In his remarks, the state’s PDP Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba said flags would be presented to all candidates of the party during the flag off of the party’s campaign on Saturday, this week in Yenagoa.[/b]

SOURCE: http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/01/16/2015-election-governor-dickson-bans-tan-activities-in-bayelsa/

South African politician, Malema, attacks Jonathan, says President “irresponsible” over silence on Baga (with VIDEO)

[b]South Africa’s eccentric youth leader and federal lawmaker, Julius Malema, has launched a blistering attack on President Goodluck Jonathan over his handling of the massacre in Baga, Borno State, describing the Nigerian president as “irresponsible” and suggesting South African intervention against the extremist Boko Haram sect.
Mr. Malema, who leads the Economic Freedom Fighters Party, criticised Mr. Jonathan for rushing out public condemnations of the terrorist attack on a newspaper in France when he has remained silent until date on the bloodbath in Baga, a troubled town in his own country.
The youth leader said the South African National Assembly will consider a motion on a possible intervention in the bloody campaign by Boko Haram that has claimed thousands of lives and has worsened in the last weeks.
Boko Haram seized Baga, a fishing community on the northern tip of Borno State by Lake Chad, sacking the military base there and killing soldiers and hundreds of civilians.
Rights group, Amnesty International, said at least 2,000 people were killed in the attack, and said the carnage is the worst attack since Boko Haram began a bloody campaign targeting civilians and government officials in 2009.
On Tuesday, after over a week of silence, the Nigerian military said about 150 people died in the attack, including Boko Haram militants, rejecting the figure provided by Amnesty International.
The call by the military came barely 24 hours after a spokesperson said the casualty figures could not be “credibly determined”.
Mr. Jonathan, who has been on the campaign trail ahead of the February 14 presidential elections, has yet to comment on the attack till date.
But the president was one of the first world leaders to issue a statement condemning the killing of 12 journalists and police officers in Paris, by Al Qaeda-linked terrorists.
While the president has not condemned the Baga attack, his cabinet members too have not commented on the incident.
Yet, like the president, Finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, also tweeted messages of solidarity with the French people, condemning the attack on Charlie Hebdo.
Mr. Malema, who had previously served as the president of African National Congress Youth League, said the action of the Nigerian president had demonstrated “irresponsible leadership”.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mr. Malema mocked Mr. Jonathan using his first name, Goodluck.
“Eh Goodlook, or Goodluck or whatever his name is or badluck I don’t know …He is quick to release statement about the killing in Paris; but don’t (doesn’t) say anything about the killings in his own country. That’s an irresponsible leadership,” Mr. Malema said.
“We are really saddened by what is happening in Nigeria. It is highly disturbing.”
“And we need South African Government to intervene and we will be raising the matter in the Parliament.
“We will make the Parliament to debate it as an urgent matter and pass the resolution for South African intervention in Nigeria,” he said.
Watch video of Mr. Malema attacking President Jonathan below.[/b]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dyGxQzwZ80


SOURCE: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/174924-south-african-politician-malema-attacks-jonathan-says-president-irresponsible-over-silence-on-baga.html

[b]The electoral chances of the All Progressives Congress,APC Presidential candidate,General Muhammed Buhari and his running mate, Yemi Osinbajo got a boost Friday as the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief Mrs Hannah Awolowo endorsed them.
She called on Nigerians to vote for APC at the 14 February,2015 Presidential election, as they set out to challenge President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to the top job.
Mama Awolowo made the declaration on Friday when the vice Presidential candidate, Yemi Osinbajo, who also hails from Ikenne paid her a courtesy visit at her Ikenne home.
She expressed her gratitude to God over the choice of Mr. Osinbajo as the running mate of General Muhammed Buhari and sought the support of the people of Ikenne, Ogun State in particular and Nigerians in general to make the dream comes to fulfilment.
According to her, “I am very grateful this morning to see that Yemi Osinbajo is going to higher ground and it is my prayer that he will get there. I urge you all to support his aspiration. God will take you there,” she pleaded.
Mr. Osinbajo eulogised the virtues of the late leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo for his contributions to the development of the country, assuring that, his party would not derail in carrying on with the good policies and programmes of the late sage.
“My choice as the Vice-Presidential candidate of our party is a rare opportunity for Remoland, Ogun State and Nigeria. It is God’s divine. Awolowo came out of Remoland to become the Premier of the defunct western region and he did excellently well. It is my utmost believe and prayer that we will do more than him,” Osinbajo vowed.
He said he was in Ikenne, his homestead, to receive blessings from the nonagenarian for a successful outcome at the polls, come 14 Feburary,2015.
He attributed high level of insecurity, unemployment, failure in the power sector and other socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria to bad leadership, promising that, his party would bring about the desired change in all ramifications.
In Osinbajo’s entourage to the Awolowo’s house were his wife, Dolapo, his brother, Akin Osinbajo, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ogun State, the Iyaloja General of Remoland, Mercy Owolana, and Senator Olorunimbe Mamora.
Osinbajo also paid a courtesy call on both the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II and the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo.
Mamora, who was part of the entourage appealed to indigenes and residents of the town to explore the capacity for rational decision by voting for APC in the forthcoming elections.
Earlier in the day, the Vice Presidential hopeful of APC had visited homes of notable sons of the town which include Mr. Adeleke Adesina, who is the Co-ordinator of Ikenne’s Peoples Forum and Mr Idowu Sofola, a renowned lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria.
In his remark, at a town hall meeting held at the Ikenne Town Hall, Adesina called for support of sons and daughters of the town by voting for Buhari/Osinbajo in the elections.
The Co-ordinator told the gathering which had in attendance members of different political parties that the forum was established to drum their unflinching support for their own, whom he said is an indigene of the town.
He said, “This is our project. The very day his name was announced as the running mate of Buhari was the very day we formed the Ikenne Peoples Forum, so that we can chart a common front by supporting our son, Professor Osinbajo.
“The forum is not partisan. It consists of people from different political parties. Our goal is to vote for our son in becoming the number two citizen of this great country. He is God’s appointee and we must all support him. We must support him with our votes and that is why we are starting the campaign from home,” Adesina said.

SOURCE: http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/01/03/osinbajo-endorsed-by-hannah-awolowo-awujale/[/b]

[b]Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that he bears no personal grudge against President Goodluck Jonathan as insinuated in some quarters as he called on Nigerians to vote against bad candidatesin the next month general election, adding that good governance is what he is after and it starts from voting to select credible leaders.
He said that with his experience as a former Head of State as a military man and as a former President as a civilian, he believes he has enough experience to advice any politician in this country, emphasizing that whoever turns deaf ears will have his or herself to blame.
Obasanjo spoke Monday morning while playing host to women leaders from across the southwestern states of Nigeria at his Presidential Hilltop mansion, Abeokuta, the
Ogun State capital.
He said that his critique about happenings in the country was borne out of his desire to see that things were done in the right way.
According to him, “I know that God did not create Nigeria not to be rich or great. Is that the people he created in Nigeria are not knowledgeable enough or not intelligent enough? Or is that they don’t know their rights? Our problems in Nigeria, let’s look at the foundation of our leadership. In the profession I know very well, the military, what we normally say is that there are no bad soldiers but bad officers. If you see a situation where the soldiers are not doing well, we need to examine the officers in charge. So it is in the family, the community, the town and the country.
“Now, you said this year is an election year, I have no apprehension over these coming elections. I have no fears over the forthcoming elections. I was reading it in one paper today where they said why they became jittery when they heard you were coming to visit me, is that I and Jonathan are not in good terms, there is nothing as such.
“I have no grudges against Jonathan and I think Jonathan equally has no grudges against me. I’m not quarreling with Jonathan but all I know is that whatever is good for Nigeria, that I’m ready to die for. I emphasize that, whatever is good for Nigeria, is what I’m ready to defend with my life. Whoever, I emphasize, whoever says he would not do anything good to Nigeria, even, if he says he is ready to go ‘koko
bellow’, I’m ready to square it up with such a person. I say again, whoever that person may be; I want you to get that correctly. If this country is going to change for the better, it would start from the top and if it’s going to be otherwise, it would start from the top too,” Obasanjo maintained.
The former President continued, “I have had some little experience about this country. I was a military Head of State and I was also a civilian president, so what is left? So, if I talk, I know what I’m saying. Whoever wants, should listen to me and whoever feels otherwise, may turn a deaf ear. But when I’m talking, I’m talking with my understanding and intellect. I’m drawing from my experience and from what I’ve learnt with others and from other countries and fellow eminent citizens of the world that I relate with, he affirmed.
Obasanjo however charged Nigerians to cast their votes during the coming elections for a credible and good people who have the love of the nation at heart, wondering what has happened to all the monies he left behind in the excess crude purse before leaving office in 2007.
He said the nation’s inability to have foreign reserve has brought the nation into this economic quagmire, calling on the people to shine their eyes this time around.
“Good governance comes from voting, from selection of leaders. It is now left to you to decide who you cast your vote for because if you throw away your votes and tomorrow you are saying good governance, once you throw away your votes you have lost out. That is one. Find out the track records of achievements of those you want to vote for.
“What have they achieved in the past and not what they have said? If our economy is not good, it would affect those of you in the market everywhere. It takes us back to what we said earlier that if the head is rotten, it will affect the entire body because if there is no good governance, it would affect the economy. Our economy should not have been this bad. When I was leaving office about eight years ago, left a very huge reserve after we had paid all our debts. Almost 25billion dollars were kept in what they called excess crude. The excess from the budget we were saving as reserve for the rainy days.
“When we left in May 2007, the reserve was said to have been raised to 35billion dollars. But today, that reserve has been depleted! Today, that reserve has been depleted. The reserve we left when we finished paying all our debts, our debts that was about 40billion dollars, that is including debt forgiveness, the remaining debt was not more than 3billion dollars. Our reserve after we had paid off this debt was
about 45billion dollars. As I said, they continued till the end of 2007, I heard that the reserve increased to almost 67billion dollars before the end of the year.
“Our reserve now, learnt is left with around only 30billion dollars. That is why the Naira has been falling against the dollar. What would now happen, I learnt if you want to buy a dollar now, it’s about N192 or N195. What it means is this, what you have been buying at N150 to a dollar, now you need N192 or N195 to buy it.
“That is the real situation. Is there any remedy? There is but it does not come overnight because it means we have to give up all the bad things we have been doing. Truly, the price of crude has fallen, but anyone who is wise enough should know that since we depend on just one resource and since we have no control over its pricing, we should be planning for this type of situation and the way out of it. Our
inability to have reserve has brought us into this economic quagmire,” Obasanjo submitted
In her speech, the Iyalode of Egbaland who also doubles as the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson thanked the former President for the audience given to them, saying he has demonstrated what a good father should always be doing.
The Proprietress of the popular Lawson Group of Schools, Abeokuta raised number of problems besetting women in the country, which according to her includes: corruption, poor economy inadequate girl child education, women empowerment and how women can get involve in positions of authority in the country.
She further stated that the percentage of Nigerians yet to collect their permanent voter’s card in the country was too much, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commissioner, INEC to ensure that all eligible voters collect their cards, if the Commission is serious about conducting free and fair election.
The women group however asked the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, whom they described as ‘father of the nation’, to show direction out of the present predicament in the nation.
Responding to the women pleas, Obasanjo advised that women should hold their destinies in their hands, stressing that all the issues raised in the paper presented were issues for the generality of Nigerian and not South West.
The two term President told the women that bad economy affects women more because they look after the family as traders, saying the, “devaluation of naira for instance, has automatically affected purchasing power in the country.”
Obasanjo later went spiritual as he quoted from Biblical verses and told a story of how God called Samuel to anoint Saul as King of Israel, saying “it was the same God that called the same Prophet to anoint David as the next king when Saul misbehaved.”
He said only God gives power to whoever He wishes and takes it at anytime He wishes.
He therefore called on those politicians who lost out during the primaries from their various political parties to take it in good faith.
Obasanjo also reminded his visitors that he remains an active member of PDP at
the ward level.
” I restricted myself to ward politics because of the prevailing situation and some people in the party,” he said.
Obasanjo, however promised the women groups that he will send a copy of the speech presented by their leader to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega for prompt action on it, as he underlined the portion relating to the PVC issue.[/b]


http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/01/06/obasanjo-denying-grudge-slams-jonathan-for-wasting-money/

[b]ABUJA—Nine serving Senators of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, defected to All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Labour Party, LP.
While some of the Senators left PDP after they lost at the primaries, the opposition parties had willingly accepted them and gave them the ticket to run. One of them is Senator Atiku Bagudu Abubakar, representing Kebbi Central, who joined APC and was given the party ticket to contest the governorship election.
Another PDP Senator, Prince Bassey Otu, who lost the party ticket for Cross River South Senatorial District to Chief Geshom Bassey, Chairman of the State Water Board, defected to LP, where he has become the party’s candidate.
It was also the same case with the erstwhile National Chairman of PDP, Senator Banabas Gemade, who had a long battle with Governor Gabriel Suswan of Benue State on who flies the flag of the party for Benue North-East Senatorial District.
Senator Gemade defected to APC to seek re-election for a second tenure in the Senate.
Senator Mohammed Magoro, representing Kebbi South on the platform of PDP, also joined his colleague, Senator Bagudu in APC, while Senator Ita Enang, Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business and one of the staunch members of PDP, also joined APC.
Senator Ita Enang, Akwa Ibom North-East, told Vanguard: “I am working for APC to ensure that it wins governorship election and any other position. I will only work for Jonathan for presidency.”
It was also expected that Senator Helen Eseune, who was one of the aggrieved 22 governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom State that rejected the outcome of the primaries that handed the governorship party ticket to Emmanuel Udom, would also join APC.
Before the defection of 11 PDP senators, after the crisis that gave birth to the defunct new-PDP, the ruling party had 72 senators, while APC had 33; LP, three; All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, one.
Senator Nurudeen Usman, Kogi Central, has picked the ticket from Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA; while Senator Saidu Alkalirep, Gombe North, has also dumped PDP for APC.
Senator Ahmad Zana from Borno Central, has finally joined the main opposition party and had been given the APC ticket for re-election to the Senate.

Power balance
After the defection, APC had 44; PDP, 61. But with the registration of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, three APC senators from Ogun State defected to SDP.
The only APGA Senator, Chris Anyanwu, later joined PDP alongside Senator Ehigie Uzamere from the then Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; Joshua Dariye, from Plateau Central and Solomon Ewuga.
However, after the December party primaries, the number of APC senators rose to 44, with PDP having 61; SDP, three; Accord Party one, and PPA one.
The defections have made no difference on the floor of the Senate as the sitting arrangement remains the same.

See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/pdp-loses-nine-senators-opposition/[/b]

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has suffered a heavy loss as 22 aggrieved governorship aspirants, otherwise known as G22, have reportedly dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The 22 governorship aspirants of the PDP in the controversial December 8, 2014 primary in the state decided to defect to the APC on Wednesday, December 7.

Speaking with Punch on Thursday, one of the aspirants who pleaded anonymity said they left the PDP because of the way the party in the state treated them.

He explained that after President Goodluck Jonathan scheduled to meet with them, he declined later.

He added that Jonathan could not find a lasting solution to the crisis.

The aspirant said: “The President’s last minute decision was said to have been masterminded by a fifth columnist.

“It could be recalled that the (members of) the G22 have been in Abuja since December 9, 2014. Both the party leadership and the President are playing games with them without finding a political solution to the issues and without using the party’s mechanism to redress their complaints.

“This inhuman treatment is only meted out to G22. How could the President, who had met with individuals like Senator (Musiliu) Obanikoro and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume not meet 22 aspirants of the party? Is the President saying that they do not count? Then let us see how the party will win in Akwa Ibom State.”

The G22 will be meeting with the presidential candidate of the APC, Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, January 12, 2015.

It would be recalled that the aggrieved aspirants had December 8, 2014 protested against the governorship primaries in the state.

They said the exercise lacked transparency, accusing the party of using a fake delegates’ list.

SOURCE: http://www.naij.com/357966-22-governorship-aspirants-defect-from-pdp-to-apc.html

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has warned Lagosians not to vote for the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party next month.

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has warned Lagosians not to vote for the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party next month as

The Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said, “Agbaje would embark on mass sacking just like the Ekiti State Governor.

“Agbaje would embark on mass sacking just like the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who sacked over 300 employees of the Ekiti State Traffic Management Authority which is the equivalent of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.”


He said that “Just as the Fayose administration embarked on the mass sacking of over 800 members of the Peace Corps and other employees of the state, Agbaje would go after employees of all state parastatals.”

“Employees of the Kick Against Indiscipline task force, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Lagos State Waste Management Agency and over 60 other agencies would be sent into the labour market if the PDP took over.”

The party recalled that a month after Fayose became governor of the state; he slashed the salaries of Ekiti street sweepers from N10, 000 to N5, 000.

“The Fayose government also slashed the salary of the 700 sweepers employed under the Ministry of Environment (the Ekiti equivalent of LAWMA) from N10, 000 to N5,000

“At a time when the rate of unemployment in the country is high, workers on the payroll of the Lagos State Government cannot risk losing their means of livelihood by voting for a party that is on a revenge mission having been rejected by the people of Lagos in four different elections.”

The Party also urged the civil servants not to forget that while many states and the Federal Government had failed to pay the December salaries, the Lagos State Government did not only pay on time but also added a 15 per cent salary bonus.

It would be recalled that the Fayose administration sacked about 800 Peace Corps members and over 300 employees of the Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency (The Ekiti equivalent of LASTMA) shortly after Fayose’s inauguration.


SOURCE: http://www.naij.com/358908-agbaje-will-sack-civil-servants-like-fayose.html

[size=16pt]I Can't Send Offenders to Prison for Sake of Stopping Corruption - President Goodluck Jonathan[/size]

Here's a major highlights of statements by President Goodluck Jonathan attacking his opponent, General Muhammadu Buhari, during the Lagos PDP campaign in Lagos.

HERE IS THE VIDEO FROM SAHARA REPORTERS


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFHRHz_2cho