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PoliticsHave A Laugh - Ghananians Vs Nigerian With White Lady (bus Arguement) In London by DrKnow1(op): 7:27pm On Jan 08, 2010
The man in the orange jacket hit the Dreadlockd mans girlfriend in the head by accident and never said sorry Then it resulted to this! (We all know the man with the dreads is really nigerian, try,

[flash=535,325]http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/5Qa4yLubz4o[/flash]
PoliticsWe Don’t Know When Yar’adua Will Return – Pdp Govs by DrKnow1(op): 9:02pm On Jan 07, 2010
• Hold Solidarity Meeting With Jonathan


• NASS Has Obligation To Replace President, Says Okupe

On Wednesday in Abuja, Governors who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a “solidarity” meeting with Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, after which they declared that they do not know when President Umaru Yar’Adua would return from Saudi Arabia.


Yar’Adua has been hospitalised in Jeddah since November 23 last year.


Jonathan has been holding brief for the President, who is recuperating from a heart ailment, but facing calls to relinquish the position to his Deputy, on account of poor health.


The parley started at about 9 a.m at Jonathan’s official residence, Aguda House, and slightly delayed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which he later chaired.


The Governors, led by Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, had met on Tuesday night in Abuja and resolved to brief Jonathan on their deliberations.


Asked on Wednesday to comment on Yar’Adua’s state of health and the possibility of his returning home soon, Saraki said: “These are two different issues. (His) health is different from the time that he will come back, and we are happy to see a great improvement in (his) health.


“Prior to now, a lot of anti-democratic individuals had been spreading rumours that (he) cannot talk or converse, and that he is in a coma. It is good that (Yar’Adua) said his health is improving.”


Daily Independent gathered that the PDP Governors went as representatives of the Governors’ Forum.


It was also learnt that they raised the issue of internal security in what a source called “the prevailing perception of vacuum in the absence of the President.


“They wanted (Jonathan) to step up to the bill.


“They also discussed the U.S. policy pronouncement over the failed attempt by Farouk Umar Abdulmutallab to down an American plane on December 25, and other pronouncements of former U.S. Ambassador, particularly during the recent Chinua Achebe Colloquium in America.


“They urged (Jonathan) to summon the U.S. Ambassador to raise the issues.”


The source also disclosed that the Governors expressed their solidarity with Jonathan and reassured him of their support and co-operation in the face of political and legal battles buffeting the administration since the absence of Yar’Adua.


Information and Communications Minister, Dora Akunyili, told reporters later that Jonathan informed the FEC about his telephone conversation with Yar’Adua at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday, which was reported by Daily Independent on Wednesday.


She did not provide details.


At the meeting on Tuesday, the Governors also discussed the attempted bombing of an American plane by Abdulmutallab, promising to reconvene next Monday to discuss the issue at a larger forum.


“It is an issue that requires entire Governors to meet and deliberate on. It’s a national issue and as such we are recommending that at the next national meeting, it should be the main item on the agenda. We have brought the next meeting forward to Monday to address this matter,” Saraki said on Wednesday.


Still on Yar’Adua, former Presidential Spokesman, Doyin Okupe, urged lawmakers to declare him unfit to govern and invoke Constitutional provisions for Jonathan to take charge.


Okupe, who served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, urged Nigerians, high and low and across political divides, to prevail on the National Assembly (NASS) to jettison partisanship, consider the larger interest of the country, and uphold the Constitution which mandates the President to hand over to his Deputy when incapacitated.


Okupe told a press conference in Lagos that, “It is clear that this President, by reason of his continued indisposition, is no longer capable of discharging his responsibilities as President.


“One of the most devastating consequences of this inability to function is the failure of the government to give appropriate diplomatic response to the issue of the Nigerian-born terrorist, which has now led to the unfortunate classification of Nigeria as a terrorist state along with such rogue nations as Yemen, Afghanistan, and Somalia.”


Okupe reiterated that he is a member of the PDP, but insisted that the issue at stake transcends party loyalty or ethnic colouration, and borders on national good.


Okupe, a medical doctor, said he remains a friend of Yar’Adua.


However, he added, “It is painful, it is sad, it is unfortunate but it is right to ask (him) now and today to step down and sign the required letter for (Jonathan) to at least be sworn in as acting President.


“It is a quintessential fact of ignoble impunity for any group of persons to attempt to convince us to the contrary.”


“Those who foolishly went abroad to sign the 2009 supplementary budget have done a great disservice to the President. For they have succeeded in presenting the President as a desperate and an unpatriotic leader who even on his sick bed would rather prefer to be seen as being active at the detriment of the wellbeing of the nation and respect for Constitutional provision.”


Okupe said it is impractical to expect the Federal Executive Council (FEC), overriding members of which are appointees of Yar’Adua, to declare him unfit to continue in office.


“But the Nvational Assembly does not share this burden. As a body, they are the primary custodian of the Constitution. They cannot and should not present themselves as being helpless in these circumstances and neither should they be seen as abdicating their responsibility.”

SOURCE: http://odili.net/news/source/2010/jan/7/412.html



Nasarawa State Governor, Akwe Doma (left); Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki; Kaduna State Governor, Namadi Sambo; and Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke; after a meeting with Vice President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja , on Wednesday.

PoliticsRe: Nigeria In The Top 15 Of List Of Failed States Index by DrKnow1(op): 4:51pm On Jan 07, 2010
This video should have been a good analysis of the Nigerian state except for its tribalistic undertones.

[flash=535,325]http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/droxy2YgJYs[/flash]
PoliticsRe: Nigeria In The Top 15 Of List Of Failed States Index by DrKnow1(op): 4:22pm On Jan 07, 2010
This is sad, Malawi better than Nigeria?
PoliticsNigeria In The Top 15 Of List Of Failed States Index by DrKnow1(op): 3:39pm On Jan 07, 2010
Nigeria is four position deeper in the list of countries perceived as failed state.  According to Wikipedia, a failed state is defined as:

' A failed state has several attributes. Common indicators include a state whose central government is so weak or ineffective that it has little practical control over much of its territory; non-provision of public services; widespread corruption and criminality; refugees and involuntary movement of populations; sharp economic decline.ates'





Source: http://www.fundforpeace.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=99&Itemid=323
PoliticsPdp And 2011 by DrKnow1(op): 3:26pm On Jan 07, 2010
Do you think PDP can win the next presidential election? considering the level of trauma to which they have subjected the citizens of this country; the blatant violation of the constitution; the level of illegalities; the failure in their promises etc. etc. I know there is a possibility they would win again because of our fraudulent electoral system. What can we do to prevent them from assuming office again in other to pu an end to our misery?
PoliticsRe: Terror Blacklist: Us Calls Nigeria’s Bluff by DrKnow1(m): 2:43pm On Jan 07, 2010
I think America is right. The level of corruption in Nigeria is a threat to our national security and  all other aspects of life. Where people can easily be bought, everything is possible including breding of terror groups. Can you imagine the current problem in our presidency happening in any ideal society where there is no corruption. There is a thin line between corruption and insecurity. Do you think America will trust a nation where some elements are brave enough to forge the president's signature and seal?
PoliticsRe: Rotational Presidency: Fraud To Hold Unto Power By Northern Power Elite by DrKnow1(m): 11:25am On Jan 06, 2010
Rotational presidency is an unconstitutional device invented by the PDP and it is a monster that will devour them. It is only in Nigeria that a political party could be so sure of winning elections by imposing its own idea of unconstitutional power sharing on the generality of the population. Rotational presidency is a way of imposing a candidate from certain part of the country and preventing the candidature of other equally qualified people from other parts of the country; to me that cannot be said to be a democratic way of electing the president. That is selection and not election.
PoliticsRe: At Last! Yaradua Talked To Nigerians! by DrKnow1(m): 11:04am On Jan 06, 2010
They will try every trick in the book. The same Kitchen Cabinet again, who are they fooling? It's rather too late now, talking after 44 days of absence without informing the country as provided in the constitution. That in itself amounts to contempt of the people which should be an impeachable offence.
PoliticsRe: Unbelievable: Ex Nigerian Presidents Gets Pay Raise From N250m To N2bn Annually by DrKnow1(m): 11:51am On Jan 05, 2010
That is N300 Million per annum each
That is N25 Million per month each
That is N1 Million per day each minus Sunday
If working 24 hours a day = N41,667 per hour
If working 8 hours a day = N125,000 per hour

But they don't even actively work for the nation. So they attend Council of State Meetings, but they are paid N500,000 allowance each for each session. All these on top is also welfare provisions, cars, police escorts etc. etc.
PoliticsRe: Dele Momodu Quits Column Writing by DrKnow1(m): 9:21am On Jan 05, 2010
Oga Ghana must go; Kajiko grin grin
PoliticsRe: If You Become Naija's President What Will You Do To Ensure Nigeria's Development by DrKnow1(m): 9:15am On Jan 05, 2010
I will introduce a scheme whereby if you report any corrupt official or shady dealers or any form of embezzlement, you get rewarded for a successful conviction. Infact as a whistle blower, you get 10% of the money recovered.
PoliticsRe: Unbelievable: Ex Nigerian Presidents Gets Pay Raise From N250m To N2bn Annually by DrKnow1(m): 8:52am On Jan 05, 2010
Mr. Adeseun, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State said the former leaders deserved better treatment because of the[b] services they rendered to the country[/b]
Services they rendered to the country? After looting the treasury systematically to the tune of 400 billion dollars over four decades with impunity. They are all currently billionaires, this is absolutely scandalous. Just when you think you've seen it all, Na wah ooo angry angry angry angry
PoliticsRe: Nigeria Classified Amongst 14 Terrorist Nations - CNN by DrKnow1(m): 11:58am On Jan 04, 2010
Somebody is not doing her public relations job by telling them what we are not, at least. Where is Madam Rebranding just when we need her?
PoliticsRe: Nigerians, Are You Dead? by DrKnow1(m): 9:23am On Jan 04, 2010
These are some of the people holding Nigeria to ransome. We know them, but we all cowards and too scare to challenge them. They are the ones doing everything to truncate the constitutional process of replacing UMYA.

Turai Yar’Adua
For obvious reasons, she is one of those still keeping the ailing president in power. She appears gentle in appearance but in the eyes of political watchers, the First Lady is a strategist when it comes to power play and consolidation. Of course, she is not new to the corridors of power having been a First Lady in Katsina State when his husband was governor of the state. Feelers among sources to Sunday Sun indicate that she is adamant to her husband resigning his position. She is reportedly in control of the situation and still oversees what transpires in government through core loyalists of Yar’Adua’s administration. Sunday Sun learnt that as governor, when his husband was away for six months on a similar medical trip, she literally filled the vacuum in Katsina and feels that she could repeat the same feat in the present circumstance. Critical observers argue that for Turai, it is even more honourable for her husband to die as a president in case of the worst happening.

Before the last cabinet reshuffle, the media was awash with reports of how ministers desperate to retain their portfolios lobbied Turai to achieve their aim.
Many believe that the First Lady remained her husband’s confidant and influenced many of the decisions being taken even before he went for the latest medical treatment. It was gathered that Turai had become so influential in the Presidency to the extent that ministers and other top government appointees strive to be in her good books.
Political watchers argue that it is her love for power that made her give her daughter in marriage to prominent politicians. Yar’adua’s first daughter, Maryam, is married to Mr. Badamasi Kabir, a member of the House of Representatives representing Katsina Central while her daughter Zainab, is married to Kebbi State Governor, Usman Saidu Dakingari and another Nafisat, now married to Governor Isah Yuguda of Bauchi State.

Abba Sayyadi Ruma
The Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr. Abba Sayyadi Ruma is a known acolyte of the president. Born on March 13, 1962, he served as minister of state in the Federal Ministry of Education in 2005 under Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili and briefly as Minister of Education in 2007 when Ezekwesili left to take up a World Bank job.
President Yar’Adua appointed him minister of agriculture and water resources. Ruma, a kinsman of the president, is clearly one of the most powerful men in the villa. He uses his power and connection to the fullest.

When government, following a resolution of the Federal Executive Council, de-merged the ministries which the Obasanjo administration lobbed together in the restructuring exercise it carried out, Abba’s ministry could not be touched. That is why the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources remains not only key, but one of the largest ministries today.

He is believed to be one of the few men who could sway Yar’Adua’s opinion on any issue. His influence in the administration could be measured by the way his fellow ministers strive to secure his attention and support whenever they have any issue or memorandum requiring the president’s approval. All the changes made in the Yar’Adua administration were carried out with Ruma’s input and some of his colleagues owe their appointments to him.
Whenever any sensitive issue is to be thrashed out, it is the powerful click to which he belongs that handles it. Ruma does not feel perturbed in the face of several allegations of wrongdoings against him.

Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi
He is one of the president’s confidants. He was the director-general of Yar’Adua’s presidential campaign. Before his present post of chief economic adviser to the president, he had been the managing director and chief executive officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and deputy chief of staff to the president.
Tanimu served as secretary to Katsina State government under Yar’Adua as governor. His influence in the administration and villa is not in doubt. At Federal Executive Council meetings, his contributions to issues are said to be highly respected by the president. A member of the council once said no issue can truly be said to have been thrashed out if Kurfi does not say so.
He is a member of the powerful click in the villa who influences key policy issues and the stand of government. The chief economic adviser and his kinsman Ruma are prominent among those whose consent must be secured as a prelude to the president’s approval of any given issue.

James Ibori
The former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori is clearly the most visible friend of the president in the villa. Believed to be the biggest financier of Yar’Adua’s election in 2007, he appears to have a firm grip on the president. Apart from his role in the president’s election, Ibori is said to be quite close to Hajia Turai Yar’Adua, the First Lady. It is said that there is hardly anything he cannot push through in the administration so long as Turai is in agreement.
In the early days of the administration, Ibori tried to keep a distance. He perhaps felt that decision was not in his interest and even with the court cases, he made his hold on the president a public issue. He has since become a regular feature in the seat of power. Ministers interested in keeping their jobs defer to him.

He is not assigned any particular portfolio, at least officially, yet the former Delta governor is often seen in the villa clutching files bearing documents. Many of the key appointments in the administration are believed to have received his input and approval. One of such is the Principal Private Secretary to the President. Mr. David Edebvie, who occupies that office was Ibori’s commissioner of finance between 1999 and 2004. Whatever power Edebvie is said to wield in the villa is largely derived from Ibori.

Sani Bagiwa
Alhaji Sani Bagiwa is the special adviser on special duties to the president. A very quiet and humble man, he and the president have maintained close affinity since their childhood. The president ensures that Bagiwa is present at most crucial meetings.
His opinions and stand on issues are said to matter a lot to the president. He is one man who is reputed to have the power to get the president change his mind or decision on any issue. Example is the $55.3 million debt quarrel between the NNPC and the offshore company, Lutin Investment Limited which the president had ruled should be resolved.
Almost two weeks after he had given approval for debt owed by the NNPC be paid on the strong advice of the Minister of Petroleum and the Attorney General of the Federation, Batiwa asked the president to rescind the decision.

Yayale Ahmed
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed is very well rooted in the Yar’Adua administration. He is not just the SGF, he is a close confidant of the president. He took over from the Ambassador Babagana Kingibe who was fired for being too ambitious and disloyal to the president. Before his appointment, Ahmed was the Minister of Defence. He is a trusted ally of the president. Given his position, there is hardly any key decision of government that does not receive his input. President Yar’Adua so trusts him that he is said to be blameless before him (the president). He welds so much influence in the seat of power that many see as the de facto second in command.

Michael Aondoakaa
Attorney General and Minster of Justice
From inception of this administration, there was no gainsaying that the Benue born Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) did not hide his unflinching support and loyalty for Yar’Adua. Even at the risk of going against the constitution, he has remained committed to the former Katsina governor. He is certainly among the crop of people still keeping Yar’Adua in office.

Defending Yar’Adua’s absence, he was once quoted as arguing that the president could exercise his powers anywhere and in whatever condition.
“Under the presidential system of government, the powers of the president are embedded in the person elected as the president. Wherever he is, he can exercise his powers as the president. If he is sick and that sickness does not affect his ability to exercise his powers, he can so exercise his powers on any issue affecting his country.
“The president can exercise his powers through his deputy and his cabinet ministers. I challenge any one to come out and say President Yar’Adua has not been exercising his powers” he said. Based on his support to Yar’Adua, he has remained influential in the administration.

Mohammed Abba-Aji.
Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters
From a less consequential position, he has imposed his influence on the administration especially since Yar’Adua left the country. Among political watchers, he is definitely one of those protecting the former Katsina governor from throwing in the towel. The calculation is that he is using the president’s absence to consolidate his relevance in the present administration.

Since Yar’Adua’s absence, Abba-Aji has appropriated the duty of the presidential spokesman and has always talked confidently on the president’s illness.
Talking once on the president’s health, he said,“What most people don’t know is that Yar’Adua will come back. When he was governor (in Katsina State) he was away for six months…and he did not only return to continue as governor, he went on to have a second term…and to contest the presidency of this country and win.

Source:  http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/powergame/2010/jan/03/powergame-03-01-2010-001.htm
PoliticsRe: Power Game - Inside Yar’adua’s Kitchen Cabinet by DrKnow1(op): 8:06pm On Jan 03, 2010
So these are the movers and shakers of this shameful acts of illegalities going on in Nigeria.
PoliticsPower Game - Inside Yar’adua’s Kitchen Cabinet by DrKnow1(op): 7:42pm On Jan 03, 2010
By WILLY EYA, Lagos & Lucky Nwankwere, Abuja
Sunday, January 3, 2

“President Umaru Yar’Adua has written the National Assembly authorising his vice, Goodluck Jonathan to take over but the letter has been hijacked by a powerful member of his kitchen cabinet. Yar’Adua wants to handover but his wife, Turai being power hungry would have none of that”.

The above speculations and more, literally capture what has transpired in Nigeria in the last 41 days that President Umaru Yar’Adua has been away attending to his lingering health crisis in Saudi Arabia. Since the former Katsina State governor was ferried to King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah, the nation without exaggeration, has become like a rudderless ship. As it is, virtually everybody claims some level of authority in analyzing the situation.

Among the cacophony of voices, there is no gainsaying that Yar’Adua initially enjoyed the sympathy of the majority. Nigerians wanted early recovery of the former lecturer so that he could settle down in the onerous job of piloting the ship of state.

But it seems the support for Yar’Adua is waning by the day. Many believe that the future of the nation should not be sacrificed on the altar of the president’s ailing health.
The consensus among critical observers is that the president should as a matter of urgency and based on the constitution handover to his vice until he fully recovers, all things being equal. But what many fail to acknowledge is that handing over to his vice is not a tea party.

According to a great thinker, Edmund Burke “Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never can willingly abandon it. They may be distressed in the midst of all their power; but they will never look to anything but power for their relief”.

For John Kenneth Galbraith, power is not something that can be assumed or discarded at will like underwear.
Since Yar’Adua left the country, the question on the lips of many is: Why has it been difficult if not nearly impossible for Yar’Adua to handover to Goodluck Jonathan? Section 145 of the constitution states clearly that, “Whenever the president transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such functions shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President”.

Recently, political hawks reportedly convinced Yar’Adua to endorse the Supplementary budget to be operated till March next year. He was also said to have been worked on not to sign any document that would allow Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to act in his stead. But who are those that are still keeping Yar’Adua in power?
According to sources, apart from President Umaru Yar’Adua’s security staff and of course his wife, Hajia Turai, there are not many men who truly can be said to be powerful in the country’s seat of power, the Presidential Villa, popularly called Aso Rock. If the emphasis is on people who are not only close to the president, but also have the ability to influence his decisions and thinking, then there are arguably not many of them.

Turai Yar’Adua
For obvious reasons, she is one of those still keeping the ailing president in power. She appears gentle in appearance but in the eyes of political watchers, the First Lady is a strategist when it comes to power play and consolidation. Of course, she is not new to the corridors of power having been a First Lady in Katsina State when his husband was governor of the state. Feelers among sources to Sunday Sun indicate that she is adamant to her husband resigning his position. She is reportedly in control of the situation and still oversees what transpires in government through core loyalists of Yar’Adua’s administration. Sunday Sun learnt that as governor, when his husband was away for six months on a similar medical trip, she literally filled the vacuum in Katsina and feels that she could repeat the same feat in the present circumstance. Critical observers argue that for Turai, it is even more honourable for her husband to die as a president in case of the worst happening.

Before the last cabinet reshuffle, the media was awash with reports of how ministers desperate to retain their portfolios lobbied Turai to achieve their aim.
Many believe that the First Lady remained her husband’s confidant and influenced many of the decisions being taken even before he went for the latest medical treatment. It was gathered that Turai had become so influential in the Presidency to the extent that ministers and other top government appointees strive to be in her good books.
Political watchers argue that it is her love for power that made her give her daughter in marriage to prominent politicians. Yar’adua’s first daughter, Maryam, is married to Mr. Badamasi Kabir, a member of the House of Representatives representing Katsina Central while her daughter Zainab, is married to Kebbi State Governor, Usman Saidu Dakingari and another Nafisat, now married to Governor Isah Yuguda of Bauchi State.

Abba Sayyadi Ruma
The Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr. Abba Sayyadi Ruma is a known acolyte of the president. Born on March 13, 1962, he served as minister of state in the Federal Ministry of Education in 2005 under Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili and briefly as Minister of Education in 2007 when Ezekwesili left to take up a World Bank job.
President Yar’Adua appointed him minister of agriculture and water resources. Ruma, a kinsman of the president, is clearly one of the most powerful men in the villa. He uses his power and connection to the fullest.

When government, following a resolution of the Federal Executive Council, de-merged the ministries which the Obasanjo administration lobbed together in the restructuring exercise it carried out, Abba’s ministry could not be touched. That is why the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources remains not only key, but one of the largest ministries today.

He is believed to be one of the few men who could sway Yar’Adua’s opinion on any issue. His influence in the administration could be measured by the way his fellow ministers strive to secure his attention and support whenever they have any issue or memorandum requiring the president’s approval. All the changes made in the Yar’Adua administration were carried out with Ruma’s input and some of his colleagues owe their appointments to him.
Whenever any sensitive issue is to be thrashed out, it is the powerful click to which he belongs that handles it. Ruma does not feel perturbed in the face of several allegations of wrongdoings against him.

Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi
He is one of the president’s confidants. He was the director-general of Yar’Adua’s presidential campaign. Before his present post of chief economic adviser to the president, he had been the managing director and chief executive officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and deputy chief of staff to the president.
Tanimu served as secretary to Katsina State government under Yar’Adua as governor. His influence in the administration and villa is not in doubt. At Federal Executive Council meetings, his contributions to issues are said to be highly respected by the president. A member of the council once said no issue can truly be said to have been thrashed out if Kurfi does not say so.
He is a member of the powerful click in the villa who influences key policy issues and the stand of government. The chief economic adviser and his kinsman Ruma are prominent among those whose consent must be secured as a prelude to the president’s approval of any given issue.

James Ibori
The former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori is clearly the most visible friend of the president in the villa. Believed to be the biggest financier of Yar’Adua’s election in 2007, he appears to have a firm grip on the president. Apart from his role in the president’s election, Ibori is said to be quite close to Hajia Turai Yar’Adua, the First Lady. It is said that there is hardly anything he cannot push through in the administration so long as Turai is in agreement.
In the early days of the administration, Ibori tried to keep a distance. He perhaps felt that decision was not in his interest and even with the court cases, he made his hold on the president a public issue. He has since become a regular feature in the seat of power. Ministers interested in keeping their jobs defer to him.

He is not assigned any particular portfolio, at least officially, yet the former Delta governor is often seen in the villa clutching files bearing documents. Many of the key appointments in the administration are believed to have received his input and approval. One of such is the Principal Private Secretary to the President. Mr. David Edebvie, who occupies that office was Ibori’s commissioner of finance between 1999 and 2004. Whatever power Edebvie is said to wield in the villa is largely derived from Ibori.

Sani Bagiwa
Alhaji Sani Bagiwa is the special adviser on special duties to the president. A very quiet and humble man, he and the president have maintained close affinity since their childhood. The president ensures that Bagiwa is present at most crucial meetings.
His opinions and stand on issues are said to matter a lot to the president. He is one man who is reputed to have the power to get the president change his mind or decision on any issue. Example is the $55.3 million debt quarrel between the NNPC and the offshore company, Lutin Investment Limited which the president had ruled should be resolved.
Almost two weeks after he had given approval for debt owed by the NNPC be paid on the strong advice of the Minister of Petroleum and the Attorney General of the Federation, Batiwa asked the president to rescind the decision.

Yayale Ahmed
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed is very well rooted in the Yar’Adua administration. He is not just the SGF, he is a close confidant of the president. He took over from the Ambassador Babagana Kingibe who was fired for being too ambitious and disloyal to the president. Before his appointment, Ahmed was the Minister of Defence. He is a trusted ally of the president. Given his position, there is hardly any key decision of government that does not receive his input. President Yar’Adua so trusts him that he is said to be blameless before him (the president). He welds so much influence in the seat of power that many see as the de facto second in command.

Michael Aondoakaa
Attorney General and Minster of Justice
From inception of this administration, there was no gainsaying that the Benue born Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) did not hide his unflinching support and loyalty for Yar’Adua. Even at the risk of going against the constitution, he has remained committed to the former Katsina governor. He is certainly among the crop of people still keeping Yar’Adua in office.

Defending Yar’Adua’s absence, he was once quoted as arguing that the president could exercise his powers anywhere and in whatever condition.
“Under the presidential system of government, the powers of the president are embedded in the person elected as the president. Wherever he is, he can exercise his powers as the president. If he is sick and that sickness does not affect his ability to exercise his powers, he can so exercise his powers on any issue affecting his country.
“The president can exercise his powers through his deputy and his cabinet ministers. I challenge any one to come out and say President Yar’Adua has not been exercising his powers” he said. Based on his support to Yar’Adua, he has remained influential in the administration.

Mohammed Abba-Aji.
Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters
From a less consequential position, he has imposed his influence on the administration especially since Yar’Adua left the country. Among political watchers, he is definitely one of those protecting the former Katsina governor from throwing in the towel. The calculation is that he is using the president’s absence to consolidate his relevance in the present administration.

Since Yar’Adua’s absence, Abba-Aji has appropriated the duty of the presidential spokesman and has always talked confidently on the president’s illness.
Talking once on the president’s health, he said,“What most people don’t know is that Yar’Adua will come back. When he was governor (in Katsina State) he was away for six months…and he did not only return to continue as governor, he went on to have a second term…and to contest the presidency of this country and win.

Source:  http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/powergame/2010/jan/03/powergame-03-01-2010-001.htm
PoliticsRe: Amaechis Port Harcourt! by DrKnow1(m): 12:57am On Jan 03, 2010
Are these pigeon houses or what?
PoliticsRe: Dele Momodu Quits Column Writing by DrKnow1(m): 12:07am On Jan 03, 2010
We won't miss him.
PoliticsObama’s Telephone Conversation With Nigeria’s Presidency by DrKnow1(op): 11:09pm On Jan 02, 2010
Aso Rock Operator: Good day, this is the Nigerian Presidency ASO Rock, Abuja, how may I help you. Obama: Good Morning and compliments of the seasons. This is the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama from The White House please can I speak to His Excellency the President of Nigeria, Umarua Ya’rdua


Aso Rock Operator: Hold on please

Aso Rock Operator: (after a long wait). I am sorry Mr. President; His Excellency is not on seat right now.

Obama: In that case, please can I speak to his deputy
Aso Rock Operator: That will be His Excellency, Jonathan Goodluck, the Vice President. I will put you through.
Obama: Thank you

Goodluck Jonathan: Good Morning, Mr. President. I am sorry we kept you waiting. How may we be of assistance?
Obama: Good Morning your Excellency and compliments of the season to you. I hope you had a good holiday and that you are looking forward to the near year.

Goodluck: Yes, thank you we had a good holiday, baring a few hiccups here and there. I hope you, Michelle and the girls had a wonderful time in Hawaii. I am sure it must have been like going home for you as I understand you grew up in Hawaii.

Obama: Your Excellency, I am sorry I have not called you much earlier, considering the unfortunate incident of 25 December.

Goodluck: Not to worry, I am sure you have been very busy
Obama: As soon as I was informed of the incident, I interrupted my holiday to hold an emergency meeting with my security advisers. I asked for a preliminary security report on the incident to be on my table within 24 hours. I thought it would be best if I spoke to you when I have seen that document. I also ordered an immediate review of all airport security. And I have addressed the nation three times, one in a live press conference, the other by a recorded message and the other in my weekly television and radio address to the American people. I assured the American people that we as The United States of America will not relent in our effort to bring all those responsible for this evil act to book. I assured the American people, that their safety was our main priority and even though we advised people to go about their festive businesses as usual, we advised them to be cautious and report all suspicious behaviours to the law enforcement agents. At no time, must Americans take the law into their own hands or put themselves at risk.

Goodluck: Thank you for all your effort Mr. President. You see, as soon as the report of the alleged incident came in, I ordered an investigation. Unfortunately, unlike you, I did not give the security agents a time limit within which to have the report on my table. In Nigeria, things do not work like that. Most of the security chiefs are away to the respective country homes, in various parts of the country for the holidays. I was not able to reach them because there are no dedicated secure land lines where I can call them, the mobile networks is erratic at best and we hardly ever get signals to complete a decent telephone conversation. I did try to speak to one or two of the ministers, but their telephone batteries were dead because of power failure. You see, we were not able to meet the 6000 Mega Watts target we set for ourselves by December 2009. I have apologised to the Nigeria people, so they understand. Deadline and priority means nothing to us in Nigeria. I have not even bothered to address the nation or to tell the Nigerian people what we are doing to ensure that this incident does not occur again or to assure them that their security is our priority. Our information Minister has spoken in a press conference saying initially that the alleged bomber ‘sneaked’ into Nigeria before boarding the KLM flight out of Nigeria. It has later emerged that he arrived from Ghana that morning, spending only about 30 minutes in Nigeria and boarded the KLM Flight. She has since clarified this to the Nigerian people but gave no explanation for the initial comment. We have not held any emergency federal executive meetings on the current situation. I have not even seen the security advisers to the nation. I have not been able to speak to the Inspector General of Police and I do not even know if he is in the country or not. But Mr. President please do not blame me, I am only the deputy and His Excellency President Yar'adua is currently in hospital in Saudi Arabia, he has been there since late November. You see, he did not hand over to me before he travelled so there is a really a limit to what I can do. He did not hand over to me because there are a few individuals who believe that power should stay with the North and that the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land should not be followed. Even though our regime swore to uphold the rule of law. They believe that if I were to act as president, come 2011, they will not get power back. They behave as if power and governance is something you give and take at will. In the mean time, the business of government grinds to a halt and we continue to make a fool of ourselves at the international stage. You see I do not even command the respect of members of the government. I recently ordered that no minister is to travel out of Nigeria during the holidays, I understand that one minister defied that order and travelled to attend to some ‘urgent personal problems’. I am constantly kept in the dark about the state of play in the country and I read most things on the pages of newspapers like everyone else. Because there has been no hand over, I do not have the constitutional powers to do any of the things you would expect of me especially in a very serious situation like the alleged attempted bombing of the airliner. If America or any other country were to attack Nigeria now, this country does not have a Commander in Chief who will give the orders. You see, in Nigeria we do not trust each other and we treat the business of government as our personal property. But please let me not wash our dirty linen in the street since we are currently undergoing a re-branding exercise which is intended to showcase the positive side of things in Nigeria.

Obama: Your Excellency, I hear what you say. I guess that most of those problems are internal domestic issues for Nigeria, and as you know, the United States of America will not interfere in the internal domestic issues of a sovereign nation. But surely, you should be able to approve additional capital expenditure so that at last security at your airports could be reviewed and additional equipment like full body scanner purchased.

Goodluck: That is a very good idea. The problem is that we have not been able to get the supplementary budget signed off by His Excellency President Yardua because he has been in hospital so all capital expenditure that would have been covered in the supplementary budget will have to wait. Hold on a minute

Goodluck: I am sorry for the slight wait, my Special Assistance was just telling me that it has been reported that His Excellency President Yar'adua has signed the supplementary budget on his hospital bed in Saudi. This is the first time I am hearing about this development. To God be the glory, it shows that our president is getting better and that our prayers for his quick recover are working. You know we are a praying nation and a few days after the president took ill, the Senate President asked Nigerians to pray for the president. After that, we ordered 7 days of prayers. God is able!
Obama: I can see you have a lot of difficulties. I do not know if you are aware, since you have not received your security report, that the young man spent some time in Yemen. As a result, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called an international conference in the UK at the end of January 2010 to discuss the continued growth of fundamentalism in Yemen. I hope you will be able to make it; we can have a private meeting on some other important issues which we cannot discuss over the telephone. You know I was supposed to have a private meeting with President Yar'adua at the last UN General Assembly, but I understand he went to Saudi Arabia to open a university.

Goodluck: Mr. President, I would love to attend. It would be a great pleasure to also have a private meeting with you. At least, that will also be an opportunity for me to represent Nigeria on the international arena. I am not sure if you have noticed that in the entire international platform where Nigeria is represented, it is usually our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ojo Maduekwe, would attends on behalf of Nigeria. I will give you a few examples, the recent Common Wealth Heads of Government conference in Trinidad and Tobago, the recent UN General Assembly that you refer to or even the recent climate change conference in Copenhagen. His Excellency President Yardua is usually not disposed to attend because of his failing health and I have never been authorised to attend. I think the so called power brokers are also worried that I would start getting international exposure, which might give some legitimacy to the agitation for the president to hand over to me in an acting capacity.
Obama: So I take it that Mr. Ojo Maduekwe would be attending on behalf of Nigeria.

Goodluck: Mr. President, it is not that easy. There has been some problems recently with the travel expenses of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria. I am told that Mr. Maduekwe was recently told off by the Nigerian Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs because the total travel costs for his ministry came to about 2.7 Billion Naira. They have therefore refused to approve any more money for his travels. Mr. President, you see, 2.7 Billion Naira is about 18, 000,000 USD and that is for international travel alone. I understand that Mr. Maduekwe in response to the Committee said that these figures were justified because Nigeria needed to be visible in the international arena. I am sure you have noticed that visibility. I am not sure what the costs of travel for the State Department is in your country, but I think this figure is very monumental. But again, this is Nigeria and anything is possible. Bearing in mind this budget cut, I am sorry that I cannot even guarantee that Nigeria will be represented at the Conference in London in January.

Obama: Before we go, please can you give me a quick update on the Niger Delta peace process. I must say that it is very commendable that President Yardua has made this a priority despite the challenges. I understand you are from the Niger Delta so you must be thrilled that the peace process is working.

Goodluck: Well, you see, it is commendable that there has been a peace process in the Niger Delta. You see, common sense would have detected that since I am from the Niger Delta, my office should have been involved in the whole process, but no, not in Nigeria. Since the president travelled for medical treatment, everything has ground to a halt. The militants are once again agitating, saying that the Nigerian government have not kept their own part of the bargain. You see Mr. President, the problem is that in this country, everything is personalised so that when the figure-head is not around, everything collapses. That might be the story of the Niger Delta peace process.

Obama: One last thing, I know this call has taken quite some time. If it is found that there were some collaborators in Nigeria, who assisted the alleged bomber, I trust they will be brought to justice.
Goodluck: You have my word on that. But there is another problem; we do not have a Chief Justice of the Federation, who will drive that process. You see, the previous chief justice of the country retired on 31st December. The new one was supposed to be sworn in by the president, but since the president is not around, this could not happen. This being Nigeria, we came up with a solution; we got the retiring Chief Justice to swear in the in-coming one. After all, the Attorney General of Nigeria has advised us that under the constitution, the president of Nigeria can rule from any part of the world. I am afraid, that the new Chief Justice may be occupying the seat illegally.

Obama: It sounds to me as if the situation is very serious. You do not have a head of the executive arm of government and now do you do not have a head of the judiciary. I am very worried.

Goodluck: This is Nigeria; Mr. President there is nothing to worry about
Obama: Thank you for your time and best wishes for the New Year.
http://www.saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4712:obamas-telephone-conversation-with-nigerias-presidency&catid=81:external-contrib&Itemid=300
PoliticsRe: Abuja, Nigeria's Biggest Cocaine Hot-spot - 238 Arrested, 103 Convicted In 2009 by DrKnow1(m): 3:30pm On Jan 02, 2010
This ship called Nigeria is sinking fast.
RomanceRe: Ladies Which Is Better: Money Or Love by DrKnow1(m): 3:27pm On Jan 02, 2010
The true test of love is money, without money you are nobody Mr Loverboy. With money bags, love will flow; fact.
RomanceRe: comon by DrKnow1(m): 3:16pm On Jan 02, 2010
I think you must be suffering from what is known as commitment phobia. According to Paul Douglass MIAH Acc. D.Hyp Adv. - Anxiety specialist specialising in pure Hypnoanalysis in London, England, Commitment Phobia is where someone has a fear of committing to relationships, this may happen at the very start of the relationship (or even before), or may develop once the relationship is established

Commitment phobia symptoms often appear as a sudden feeling of uncertainty, and sometimes the feeling of being trapped in the relationship.

In this situation (where the commitment phobic feels the emotional feelings of fear and entrapment), it is often as the result of the partner in the relationship saying that they want to progress the relationship to the next level… “Let’s move in together”, “let’s get engaged”, “why don’t we try for a baby?”

As already mentioned, there are many, many different ways that commitment phobia can manifest itself, so when we talk about symptoms of commitment phobia, do bear in mind that these are only an indication of the most typical symptoms.

Someone with commitment phobia may exhibit behavior very similar to that of someone with ‘social phobia’, and appear scared to be noticed.

This can mean that the person doesn’t go out much, avoids social situations, avoids eye contact, or simply appears ‘shy’.

The unconscious motivation behind this of course, is that if the person doesn’t meet many people, and then doesn’t ‘engage’ with the people that they do meet, then they are much less likely to fall into the dreaded ‘relationship’ scenario.

If approached, the person with commitment phobia will often just reject the advances of the other person, so that any potential relationship never really has much of a chance to get going in the first place.

They just protect themselves from others getting too close.
RomanceRe: I Will Never Marry A Slim Woman! by DrKnow1(m): 2:53pm On Jan 02, 2010
Oh blimey shocked What a bleeding motherfu?king sonofab#tch. How old are you? You wanna die young?
TravelRe: Abuja City - Videos and Photos by DrKnow1(m): 2:41pm On Jan 02, 2010
Nice thread, keep posting
FamilyNigerian Girl Brags About Mother Killed - Video by DrKnow1(op): 2:13pm On Jan 02, 2010
She accuses her mother of being a witch and brags about killing her

[flash=535,325]http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/lnLLp24NEA8[/flash]

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