₦airaland Forum

More revelations. Live.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ_NgbRM5po

wonlasewonimi:
dont be silly, I was watching this live stream last night (3hrs long) and couldnt finish cos it was too much expose Today, it has been removed by Youtube cos bros Sule complained.

Apostle indeed!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJthyyI6vRI

victorazy:
Don't destroy your destiny with your mouth.

The era of perpetuating fear is over.

Learn more about the wonderful apostle..
https://m.youtube.com/c/MaureenbadejosblogTV/videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1XuZ_yD-zc

J12:
Jega thinks this election is child's play. I doubt if this man is mentally sound, he doesn't understand that this year's elections are pivotal to our democratic and social progress.

His PVC distribution and collection plan is useless and stupid. I went to INEC office in Area 10 to collect my PVC this morning only to be told I can't collect it because I registered in Enugu. I can't imagine how many nigerians are like me, who registered in a different state in 2010/2011 and left their area of registration permanently thereafter but can't vote in the upcoming elections because Jega can't use his brains properly even though he is a professor.

Jega must go after 2015.


INEC has the sole responsibility of sensitizing and informing eligible voters of the status of the TVC's and PVS. Technology has made it extremely easy to achieve this.

So if I registered as a voter in lets say, in an insurgency infested area like Baga in 2010/2011 and left, you expect me to go back to Baga and collect my PVC?

Or what if registered in lagos in 2011 and I no longer live in lagos and I am now disabled because I have an accident? That means i'm disenfranchised.

Why can't INEC have a centralised and publicly accessible database where users can check the status of their cards. INEC is not the NPC or NIMC, their activities are continuous and important.

Let's assume you didn't register in Baja but Benue. But you now live in Bauchi. Will you expect INEC to bring your PVC to Bauchi assuming you are unable to afford travel to Benue? If they don't, have you been disenfranchised?
INEC is not responsible for security in the country. As insecurity still persists after 3 state of emergency acts, it is obvious who to blame.
Ultimately, there was enough to time for people to collect the PVCs. You have no one but yourself to blame if you leave collection till too late. INEC cannot force collection.

For starters, only INEC not Jonathan determines when the election will hold or where it is safe to hold. Jonathan cannot usurp INEC's power.
Also, the LGAs which elections may not hold constitute less than 2% of the population. Because much of this population is displaced in other areas, the voting population affected will be closer to 1%. This exclusion will only be a problem if the winning margin is less than 1% which is unlikely. This means even if elections hold in these LGAs, the outcom of the election will be not be different to if elections hadn't held.
Finally, there are 2 sets of elections next week. National Assembly and Presidential. How does the security situation in Bags affect the elections for Lagos West Senatorial district, for example? How does it affect Sokoto Central?

At the heart of this matter is an attempt to short circuit the wish of the people. Thanksfully, INEC has shown the courage of conviction and has asserted its independence. If people don't collect their PVCs, how is that INEC' fault. In any case, voter turnout is usually 50%. If collection if PVCs is 10-15% higher than this level, INEC is good to go.

Justbright:
The Presidency on Friday listed some of the reasons it feels that going ahead with the February dates for the general elections as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission can “throw the country into turmoil and confusion.”

It however said President Goodluck Jonathan would not engage in any form of subterfuge to pressurise INEC to change the dates of the elections.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, stated these in Abuja at a press conference called to clarify the outcome of the Council of State meeting held on Thursday.

Okupe said there was no time during the meeting held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when the chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, insisted on the February dates as quoted by some media reports.

He listed the level of preparedness of the electoral body and security situation in some parts of the country as some of the reasons why it will be wise to revisit the February dates.

On preparation, Okupe said in all INEC’s submissions at the meeting, the only process that was 100% concluded was the preparation and availability of the voters register.

He claimed that all other processes including provision, distribution and collection of PVCs, printing of ballot papers, distribution of verification machines and other non –sensitive materials, recruitment and training of ad hoc staff are all “work in progress.”

He added that Jega himself admitted that given a little more time, INEC would be in a better position to perfect the processes and its readiness for the elections.

He said, “Also in his presentations to the Council, the INEC Chairman, stated clearly that for the electoral process to be free, fair, and credible,  there are other matters which were not under the control of INEC, principal among which is the issue of provision and guarantee of security of lives and properties.

“The Security Chiefs were unanimous in their advice to the Council that it will be impossible for now for them to guarantee security of electoral materials, INEC Staff, and the voting population in the areas currently engulfed by the war against insurgency.”

Okupe said while some opinions were proffered that elections could be allowed to hold on February 14 in 32 states not affected by insurgency, Jonathan made it clear that he would not allow an election where some people will be excluded for no fault of theirs.

He quoted the President as further saying that endorsing such would tend to confirm the falsehood already being propagated in some parts of the country that he was encouraging the war in the North East to ensure that voters in the APC states were not allowed to vote in the 2015 elections.

He added, “For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerians are hereby re-assured that there has never been, and never shall be any plan to cancel the 2015 elections, for any reasons whatsoever. It will not happen, and the May 29th date for the swearing-in is sacrosanct. All talks about interim government arrangement is pure fiction.

“The consideration behind the possibility of change of date is to allow those who may be disfranchised from voting on the 14th February to have an opportunity to exercise their lawful rights to vote and participate in the general elections.

“The new wave of successes being recorded by the Military in the War against insurgency, especially with the arrival of new effective combatant equipment and machinery, plus the newly revamped cross border co-operation with Niger, Chad and Cameroonian Military, offer a very genuine hope that in a very short while, the situation in the affected states will be brought under such reasonable control that will guarantee safety of the electoral process and electorate in the war front region of the North–East at a no distant future.

“We repeat that the only set of people who stand to benefit from a shift in election dates are Nigerians who desire to vote and have not been able to collect their Permanent Voters Cards and other innocent citizens living in the war zone who may not be able to vote on the 14th February.

“We also wish to recollect that in 2003, 2007, and 2011 the elections were held in April, and the hand over date was not affected.

“We therefore challenge the opposition to tell Nigerians in clear terms, what dangers the change of date from February 14th portends to the electoral process or to the Nigerian electorate. It will also be good if the opposition tells us who stands to benefit or be disadvantaged from any shifting of date and how.”

Okupe, while saying that INEC was not fully ready for the elections, dared the commission to direct its Resident Electoral Commissioners to swear to an affidavit to prove their readiness for the polls.

“It will be very re-assuring if the INEC can get its RECs to attach their state of readiness to a sworn affidavit and show it to Nigerians.

“The interest of this government is to ensure that we do not have a rancorous and poorly conducted general elections that will throw the country into turmoil and confusion with the likelihood of an unnecessary internal and external rejection and condemnation,” he said.

Okupe claimed that in Sokoto State, nine local government areas are yet to receive PVC for the continuous voters registration, barely nine days to the election.

He also claimed that the majority of the 960,000 ad hoc staff needed by the commission are yet to be recruited and trained especially on the operations of card readers that are yet to be made available.

He added that Lagos State is yet to receive a balance of about 12,000 card readers for elections


Presidency lists grouse with February polls date
Via Top 20 News Websites.
http://www.punchng.com/news/presidency-lists-grouse-with-february-po

OPEN LETTER TO MY FRIENDS

Dear friends,
It's that time of the year to take stock of our Democracy; To look at the State of our Nation and to assess progress.

The 'established' myth suggests the Jonathan Presidency to be 2 years old. The truth is, in January 2014, i.e. in 8 months, Pres Jonathan will have been Acting (with full powers) or substantive President for 4 years. His Govt will and should be assessed against this backdrop.

While Ghana has grown its effective power generating capacity by 60% Nigeria's has only managed 40%. Today, Ghanaians enjoy on average 100W per person, Nigerians, on the other hand, make do with less than 40W. By 2015, Ghana is on course to more than triple its pre-2010 capacity, while the most optimistic forecast is for Nigeria to double it output.* Not only does Ghana have a higher output per capita, it is growing it faster than Nigeria. Ghana does not have a "transformation agenda", it simply has visionary leaders and good governance!

To assess the Govt, let's look at what they said last year

1. Zungeru
President Jonathan said "We are also building about 4000km of transmission lines and hundreds of substations. We have completed the design for the construction of both Mambilla and Zungeru Hydro power plants which will add about 3,000 MW to the national grid".
Leaving aside the question of "where are promised the transmission lines and why did it take so long for Manitoba to commence?". Nigerians are intrigued as to why the Govt waited to the last possible day, today, to perform the sod turning ceremony on Zungeru. Why has it taken over a year to go from completed design to even laying the first stone. Is it a cynical attempt to showcase progress, any progress!?$!tomorrow? Is this a case of extreme slow motion? Nigerians will be elated If this dam functions as efficiently as the dam which prevents the flow and implementation of genuine poverty reducing ideas from this govt. *

2. Corruption
"I want to reassure all Nigerians that this administration remains committed to waging a sustained battle against the menace of corruption.".
To the contrary, corruption continues to strive. The sustained battle has been provide immunity from justice for indicted individuals. Today, not a single conviction has been reached with the multi-billion dollar fuel subsidy scam likewise the pension fund fraud. In November 2012, this govt asked a committee (made up of ministers) to produce a white-paper, in 2 weeks, on the Ribadu Report (Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force). This report is 26-weeks late.
To Jonathan, fighting corruption means focusing on granting pardons to a corruption ex-convict who has a case to answer in the UK.* This is further betrayal of the Nigerian people from he stole. Jonathan's undisguised disdain for the anti-corruption fight is all to obvious as seen by the silence and lack of reaction to the conviction of ex-Gov Ibori and subsequent 13-year sentence for corruption which took place in Nigeria.

3. Democracy/Free and fair elections
"..with a promise that under my watch, the elections would be free, fair and credible."
Not only does the ruling party, which Jonathan leads, condone electoral malpractice, it has chosen a self-confessed "rigger" to head one of its forum. Obviously, rigging is not an anti-party activity. Today, ruling party spares no effort to turn democracy and the principle of majority rule on its head as evidenced by the recent NGF elections. He leads a govt that is increasingly criticism and legitimate dissent. A party which comes up with trumped-up charges against elected officials. A patronage party!
The narrative of this govt is the narrative of "Jack and Jill". This govt is only interested in the narrative Jack and Jill went up the hill but gets incensed when it is reminded there as a fall, a broken crown and tumbling after, which perfectly describes this Govt.
This govt has also been intolerant of free speech. A notable reference is the mudsling at Mrs Ezekwesili for simply demanding accountability. Till date, Govt has refused her debate challenge.

4. Economy,
Tomorrow, various economic figures and indices will be quoted. We will hear the "economy is growing", "this agency approves of us...". What will not be said is "...you, Mr average Nigerian is growing and life's getting better". You will not hear "you pay less for food now than last year, paid less for fuel, rent, school fees, and medical fees". Jonathan won't even say cassava bread is cheaper. He will talk about the foreign reserve, lower inflation etc. But he will not talk about you!!!
So why is Nigeria's economy growing and not yours? Simple. Because the economies of this govt's cronies and corruption are growing and they simply happen to be in Nigeria. It is like the case of Musa whose salary increased from N10k to N100k/month, but whose family's living stipend didn't change from the occasional N2K. Musa's (and his new mistresses') economy has no doubt grown but not his wife and kids. When will this govt dump its corruption 'mistress' and start focus on improving its citizens?
Tomorrow, GEJ will not ask this question "Are you better today than you were 4 years ago?", because he doesn't care to know. Instead he will want to answer it for you, .

5. Jobs
"We have also launched the Public Works Women and Youth Empowerment Programme, which is designed to employ 370,000 youths per annum"
How many of these jobs have been created? Every year, our population grows by 3.5 million. This is a govt whose priority is spending $40million to snoop on its citizens, so it is no surprise it hasn't paid more attention to creating needed infrastructure, security, land/property reforms and the environment that encourages entrepreneurship and private sector led job creation. Rather than work with states to combat unprecedented rural-urban migration, its agents use state institutions to harass democratically elected Governors and their forum!

6. Security.
Not since the Biafran war has there been so much shedding of innocent blood in the country. Unprecedented in our recent history is the recent declaration of a state of emergency in 3 states! It begs the question "what was the President doing in the intervening 11 months, since June 2012, when his promise to end insurgent activities didn't materialise?". Like his visit to Maiduguri in April, it took the intervention of the Opposition for the President to act. These days, it appears the opposition leads while Jonathan follows!

7. International community
Under this Govt, the perception of our influence in the committee of nations has diminished. Our influence seems to be waning as well. At the weekend, our President was unable to address the AU at his allotted time, for undisclosed reason (despite the rumours at Mama Ejiros). It appears when it comes to looking for important partner-leaders, the search-light turns to Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, South Africa etc.

8. Power sector
Jonathan promised 6000MW by the end of 2010. He is yet to achieve this. He has promised stable power next year. He will on track NOT achieve it. More promises, less delivery. Again, he will ask for more time. We will hear how the electricity and generation companies have been privatised. Truth is, they haven't. Bid winners have only paid 25% of the transaction costs. Receiving 25% of one's salary isn't the same as getting "paid". However, a significant milestone will be reached once full payment (without significant alternation to original purchase agreement) is received.

9 Education
Those who began under-graduate studies when Jonathan ascended the President in 2010 will be graduating soon, unlike some of their friends in the under-funded public sector. Sadly, both face an uncertain job-market that is either not creating jobs or not fast enough for the tens/hundreds of thousands who graduate every year. The 'stampede' for jobs has even birthed a new scam!
Last year's speech included a promise to establish the Institute of Democratic Studies and Governance at the University of Lagos. Was it fulfilled?

10. Health
Remember, the white-paper committee on #RibaduReport? There is a twist to this story. Ctizens Nosa and Amina got excited about the committee's work last November and acted on this excitment. In December, Amina discovered she was pregnant. Fantastic!! However, a few days ago, she went into labour. Though pre-term, Amina had a girl (if only this govt delivered as well)!! Ngozi was born. Unfortunately, the Federal Medical Centre, despite the best efforts of the doctors and nurse, lacked most of the neonatal equipment she needed. Fortunately for Nosa, he could afford to evacuate using an air ambulance. Amina and Ngozi are doing well in a hospital aboard, like most of the elites. Please remember the other couple, Kasali and Doorshima, in your prayers. She needs a full term, no complications and a safe delivery because like many Nigerians who have no access to affordable quality health.

So while the speech tomorrow will be directed at you and I, it won't be about us. Let's hope It won't be a continuation of the narrative on protecting narrow interest and about t the desire to rule not lead. Otherwise, he difference this time is "we've heard it all before". But then, we live in hope!

Happy Democracy Day (in advance)!

Yours truly,
Average Nigerian


E&OE

Full text of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Democracy Day 2012 speech — The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper

Today, the legislature must talk directly to the people. It should acknowledge that like Nigeria, most of its members are not immune to corruption. However, it must state in very clear terms that it is its arm of government that has done more to tackle corruption in its midst. It has impeached numerous speakers, removed committee chairmen and dissolved committees simply on the allegation of corruption (it doesn't even wait for them to be found guilty). On the other hand, the executive seem to always provide 'immunity' for corrupts persons. It should ask the people, how many ministers and head of govt agencies have been removed or stood down on the basis of alleged corruption or incompetence? It should ask "how many bribery scandals have been prosecuted even when the counter-parties have been found guilty in foreign countries? It should ask why the executive is so quick to remove a judge based on the recommendations of the NJC but so hesitant to reinstate him when found 'not guilty'.

Today, the problem is not the legislature. Today, the problem is not so much the "One-Party State". The problem is the "One Arm of Govt State" (as alluded to recently by GEJ when he accused the NASS of 'working by the constitution". It is this danger of a single arm of govt (apologies Chimamanda) that we should focus on. The desire of the executive to 'discredit' the legislature and the judiciary to fulfil vested interests.

Today, the House should defend the report (the N2T fraud is a theft of N6M from each and everyone of us) and insist on the prosecution of the indicted and the acceptance of its recommendations. It should open a new investigation to re-examine all the parties cleared by the Lawan committee. Restate its commitment to fight corruption among its members. It should restate its commitment to hold the executive accountable.

PS,
A man's house is burgled in his absence. An 'eye-witness' tells the he saw 6 people burgle the house and named them. Later he retracts two of the names. Later it has found out he had been 'bribed' by the two people. If you were the house owner, would you ask the police to drop the investigation? Or would you insist that all 4 (presumably 6) be tried?

lagerwhenindoubt: we all keep missing the point - we are all victims of the propagated myth of cultural and ethnic disunity - only the poor and blissfully ignorant (and painfully intelligent) fall for this every time, GEJ is simply the most convenient figure to blame. The Foundation of the Presidency lies on other parts of Government. It is like asking one riot policeman to hold back a massive crowd of rioters. he will always be swayed to and fro. Unfortunately the most powerful factor (The Masses) are the ones doing the pushing/pulling, name-calling and insults. Someone mentioned how quick we are to insult when we do not agree. It is sad that this Myth has now become reality and continues to fuel the flames of backwardness and stagnation in this once-great country. GEJ may as well be a convenient victim of a hopeless situation. How would you act if you were in his shoes .. I forget he has no shoes

Would people consider this govt incompetent if they saw a purposeful, well-thought out plan to make a difference? No. In what area have we seen any form of leadership from the President? The situation isn't hopeless it's the effort!. The criticism of this govt is in most cases sincere and not a function of ethnicity. Come to think of it, this is a President from a minority ethnic group who won a national election. Obviously, he didn't win because only his minority group voted for him. This govt has shown lack of direction, there is motion but no movement. Perhaps because it's going round in circles. Unfortunately, the wheels of incompetence rolls on.

amosy007: Because he z d father of d nation...

Yea! Yea! His minister, Madam de Madam blamed Yar'Adua for the problems in his ministry. Like the original Madam D Madam she should have known that 'Dead men don't bite'. This government consistently fails to take present itself as a competent on. It continues to roll out the wheels of incompetence on an axle of denial on an engine of mediocrity and fueled by (indifference to) corruption.

#Basi&CompanyGovt

glowithdan: It is gradually becoming a way of life here in Nigeria with the way we insult our president.

Not taking away the freedom of expression, I personally think it's high time we stopped this disrespectful act, and rather seek everything little ways we can, in contributing to the growth of our nation!!

My candid opinion.

It's not an issue of insulting GEJ. People are rightly fed up with the incompetence of his government. Long on promises short on delivery. Reminds me of Mr B in Basi and Company.

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