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Another Military Helicopter Crashes In Yola A third helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Airforce has crashed in the Damare neighborhood of the Federal University of Technology in Yola, Adamawa State. BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORKNOV 21, 2014 [color=#770077][/color] This is the third crash of military helicopters in the Yola metropolis. |
No Discrepancies in Osun Election Result – PDP Expert Witness –Says, ‘I’m Not a Registered Statistician’ The expert witness of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the August 9 election in Osun State, Mr Samuel Oduntan has confirmed to the state Election Petition Tribunal that there was no any discrepancies in the results of the election he analysed for his principal. The witness who had claimed to be a statistician early in his witness statement also made a u-turn while giving oral evidence before the Elizabeth Ikpejime-led tribunal on Thursday and confessed that he was not a registered statistician. He said he used Certified True Copies (CTCs) and duplicates of the results forms of the election which had earlier been tendered by the petitioners and he found no discrepancies in the course of his analysis . Omisore and the PDP are challenging the August 9 re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the All Progressive Congress (APC), while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was joined as a party. The witness who had stated in his written deposition that no voting point was created in the polling units being challenged by the petitioner, was confronted with the result forms of some of the units and he quickly made a u-turn that voting points were created, but not based on 300 voters per voting points. Being drilled by the INEC counsel, Mr Ayotunde Ogunleye, the expert said, “I am not a registered statistician. In this kind of two analysis I have done in the past, those who employed me did not win the case. “I did a similar analysis in the case of Kogi State and submitted the report, but it was not tendered for the case. “I am not from Osun, neither did I monitor the election, but I was employed by the petitioners to do the analysis of the election materials”, he confimed. Also answering question from the APC counsel, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Oduntan said “in his comparison of the duplicates result forms given to the petitioners and the CTC of the forms, I found no discrepancies. I didn’t say I found any discrepancies. The witness who had also claimed in his statement that the result forms he analysed were not stamped nor signed, confirmed to the tribunal that he did not see the original copies of the documents to ascertain whether they were signed or not. Osinbajo subsequently confronted the witness with the fact that there were a lot of errors in his report of the purported analysis, which he denied. While also being cross-examined by Aregbesola counsel, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), the expert witness confirmed that inspite of the fact that not all the polling units and wards in the 17 local governments in contention are being challenged, he based his analysis on all the wards and units of the 17 councils. Earlier, the INEC counsel had objected to the admissibility of the report of the purported analysis of the expert, saying the document is inadmissible under section 84 (2 and 4) of the Evidence Act. He argued that the document was a computer-generated evidence. Before it can be admitted, it must be accompanied by certificate of identification of the device through which it was made. The tribunal reserved ruling on the admissibility of the documents, but marked it as exhibit. Other witnesses who testfied after the expert witness were Adebisi Gbolagade who was the PDP Collation Agent for Ifelodun Local Government and Wasiu Olaitan, the PDP supervisor for Ward 4 of the local government. Gbolagade said his party did not have party agents in many of the 105 polling units in the local government, inspite the facts that the agents signed the result forms. He also confirmed to the court that all the PDP agents in all the wards submitted the result forms to him. Olaitan also said he was not the one that signed the result form tendered by the petitioners’ counsel as the ward 4 collation agent, even though the document was signed. Short URL: http://www.osundefender.org/?p=195790 |
19 Ekiti lawmakers write Okonjo-Iweala, others, against dealing with Fayose’s “fake” Commissioners November 21, 2014Festus Owete The authentic Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adewale Omirin, and his deputy, Adetunji Orislalde, have said their purported ‘impeachment’ by seven of their colleagues on Thursday cannot stand. The described their removal as “unconstitutional” and vowed to resume duties on Monday. They spoke in Lagos where they were joined by 17 other All Progressives Congress, APC, members of the House to address a press conference. The 19 lawmakers APC also said they had written three federal ministers asking them not to have any dealings with the three commissioners purportedly approved on Monday by their seven colleagues, who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The lawmakers also dispatched another letter to the state governor, Ayo Fayose, faulting the approval of the appointment of the commissioners by seven of their PDP colleagues. The letters were signed by all the 19 lawmakers. Copies of the letters were sent to relevant heads of department and agencies under the Federal Government as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The commissioner-nominees, whose appointment was ratified by the seven PDP lawmakers, are Owoseni Ajayi (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice), Toyin Ojo (Finance) and Kayode Oso (Works and Transport). The nominees had served in those capacities between 2003 and 2006 when Mr. Fayose presided over the state. Amid tight security provided by the police on Monday, the PDP lawmakers reconvened the House in the absence of the Speaker and the deputy, both APC members, and approved the appointments of the nominees. They also confirmed the appointments of 12 advisers to Mr. Fayose and reconstituted the caretaker committees of the 16 Local Government Areas in the state. But in separate letters to the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and their Works counterpart, Mike Onolememem, the 19 APC lawmakers, told the ministers that the Assembly had not confirmed the three commissioner-nominees, in compliance with the provision of Section 192 (2) of the 1999 Constitution and that they are not recognised as commissioners in the state. They said the House received a letter from Mr. Fayose seeking confirmation of the nominees, which was read of the floor on November 11 and it therefore considered the letter and deffered further consideration until a future date when issues relating to the manner of presentation and content of the request would be satisfactorily resolved. They said this was the situation until November 17 when seven members of the House with the force of the state mobile police detachment and armed thugs invaded the House and purportedly held a session that screened the nominees. The lawmakers told the ministers that they had drawn the attention of the governor to the several constitutional breaches committed by their seven colleagues. They listed them as Sections 96 (1), which deals with the quorum for sitting in plenary and 192 (2), which deals with the appointment of commissioners. “We have advised the Governor that the consideration, screening and confirmation of…..that purportedly took place in the House of Assembly on November 17, 2014 is extra constitutional, illegal, criminal in nature and therefore ultra vires. “Take notice that the Ekiti State House of Assembly is yet to confirm …..in compliance with the provision of sections 192 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The House therefore does not recognize…. as a Commissioner in Ekiti State.” In the letter to Mr. Fayose, the 19 lawmakers reminded the governor that the House could not consider his request for the confirmation of the commissioner-nominees when it received his letter and therefore deferred it “until a future date when issues relating to the manner of presentation and content of your request to the House were satisfactorily discussed.” They said that was the situation until seven members, under the governor’s directive, sat last Monday to confirm the nominees’ appointments. They noted in particular the presence of armed thugs with instruction from the governor to inflict bodily harm on the members and parliamentary staff who resisted the invasion. .“We are constrained to bring to your attention that the said confirmation process by the seven members including three non-members (who were recruited to shore up the number of members in an attempt to form a quorum) is unconstitutional, illegal, and may have elements of criminality.” The lawmakers also said that Order 13 of the House rules explicitly states the process of summoning the plenary session while Order 27, under which the illegal sitting of the seven legislators took place, only envisages a situation where the Speaker and the deputy were not around and not where they were unlawfully excluded. They also drew the attention of the governor to Section 96 (1) and 192 (2) of the Constitution. “The cumulative effects of these provisions is that the consideration, screening and confirmation of your nominees that purportedly took place on November 17, 2014, is extra constitutional, criminal in nature and therefore ultra vires,” the lawmakers said. |
Patient, make we settle rented crowd of saTAN first. In the meanwhile, Gridluck to you |
[color=#000099][/color] ayukdaboss:You actually dissected it. |
I dont see this being true, However take the following advice; If you are so angry to see a baby you 'caused' to happen. wait till 9th month, get the doctor ready- deliver the baby and before you open your eyes to see 'it', poison yourself. I will be glad to nurture that creation of God into greatness. Advanced SHEKAU! |
[color=#000099][/color] Justcash:Kindly point the few or one that are not part of the most of the foreign countries mentioned. |
[color=#000099][/color] tempex88: |
Don’t Join Me In Your Gangsterism, Oshiomhole Tells Fayose The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Thursday urged his Ekiti State counterpart, Governor Ayodele Fayose, not to drag his (Oshiomhole) name into the “political gangsterism that has become peculiar with the Ekiti State Governor.” Oshiomhole spoke in reaction to a statement credited to the Ekiti Governor that he (Oshiomhole) shut down the Edo State House of Assembly and relocated sitting to the Government House. The Edo Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, said that there was no crisis in state assembly, adding that 15 of the 24-member Assembly were members of the All Progressives Congress, while the other nine were of the Peoples Democratic Party. He explained that of the nine PDP members, three were on suspension while the seat of another member had been declared vacant, which he said reduced the number of PDP lawmakers in the house. While noting that decorum, respect and responsibility were elements of governance, Oshiomhole urged his Ekiti counterpart to “stop dropping the name of Governor Adams Oshiomhole to shore up his jaded image.” Oshiomhole said, “We find it utterly laughable and as the height of political childishness for the Ekiti State Governor to hide behind his media aides and seek to drag the name of the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, into his crude gangster tactics which he has re-introduced into Ekiti politics, less than two months after assuming office. [b]“If the Ekiti Governor is too lazy to read and too politically illiterate to know what is happening in Edo State House of Assembly, we expected his psychedelic media aides to simply shut their loud mouths rather than behave like capering [/b]neophytes. “Even a kindergarten knows that 15 is greater than 5. So if five PDP members decide to sit with three suspended members and another, whose seat was declared vacant in a chamber which is undergoing renovation, then we can at best regard that as the height of crass legislative irresponsibility. “It is ridiculous to even contemplate that the Ekiti Governor and his media aides do not know that 15 is greater than five! For sure, they seem engrossed with their stomach infrastructure mantra, such a dubious contraption which can only be contrived by an ideologically clueless and gluttonous administration. “But for the kind of democracy we practice in Nigeria, where the PDP promotes and condones all manners of illegalities, inanities and shenanigans which have become the second nature of that party, Ayodele Fayose would have been cooling off his heels in gaol rather than brandishing the appellation of being a Governor. “We are thoroughly ashamed that Ekiti, hitherto known as the fountain of knowledge, is being reduced to a mindless bubble by a man running her affairs without a discernible direction like a drowning man clutching desperately at flotsam. “If Ekiti people, with all their avowed sophistication and intellectuality, have elected to present a political rascal as their number one citizen, so be it; but they must understand that there is a huge difference between character and infamy.” Source: Punch |
Jonathan, PDP, defend police blockade of National Assembly November 20, 2014Premium Times President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, praised the nation’s police force Thursday after an attempt to force the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, out of the National Assembly plunged the complex into chaos. Speaking through a spokesperson, the president said the police were merely enforcing their “constitutional duty” to keep the peace, and that they acted independently. The PDP lambasted Mr. Ta[color=#770077][/color]mbuwal and other lawmakers who forced their way through a police cordon, wondering what would have happened in the absence of security operatives. “The whole scenario as we witnessed it is rather unfortunate,” Doyin Okupe, a presidential spokesperson, told reporters Thursday afternoon, hours after the siege. “We wish that at all times national interest should supersede all other interests including personal and political interests,” he said. Mr. Okupe defended the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, saying the police chief was doing his job by deploying scores of officers to the assembly. Police raided the National Assembly early Thursday ahead of a crucial sitting at the House of Representatives. The House had planned a session to discuss a request by Mr. Jonathan for an extension of the emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States- all three hit by a virulent insurgency by Boko Haram. Officers mounted a blockade at the assembly, refusing to allow the speaker, Mr. Tambuwal, in, a move the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, said was aimed at unseating the speaker as punishment for defecting from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Police fired teargas after defiant lawmakers forced their way through three barricades and helped escort Mr. Tambuwal into the central building called the White House. In an earlier statement, police denied any wrongdoing and said they acted on an “intelligence report” regarding a threat that could have undermined the security of the National Assembly. The APC and the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, have called for sanctions against the police Inspector General, Suleiman Abba. But the presidential spokesperson, Mr. Okupe, said the IGP did nothing wrong. He also denied that the police acted on the orders of the president. “Once there is infraction in the law, the police has to come in and the IGP does not need to take permission from the presidency first. He acted in the discharge of his duty. The IGP did not invade the National Assembly,” Mr. Okupe said. He said the government hopes the House of Representatives, which has adjourned, will sort out all outstanding issues and return to lawmaking. “From government perspective,” Mr. Okupe said, “the overriding concern today is the issue of insurgency which necessitated the request by Mr. President that the National Assembly considers an extension of the State of Emergency to give the Security forces the needed legal framework and space for a successful prosecution of the war against Boko Haram terrorists. “It is our hope that the Honourable members of the House of Representatives will use the period of adjournment to resolve all matters so that they can resume to deliberate and act on issues of national importance.” After a brief session Thursday, the lawmakers rejected the request to extend the emergency rule in the northeast. Separately, the PDP described as “embarrassing” the violence that broke out at the National Assembly, and blamed the lawmakers for it. The party denied having a role in the police action. It also absolved the presidency of blame. The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said in a statement that lawmakers “are responsible adults elected by their constituencies and wondered what would have happened if the law enforcement agencies were not there to maintain law and order”. The PDP described the incident as unfortunate and cautioned that the legislature, being the nucleus of democracy, its members should be above board as Nigerians expect the best of behaviour from them. |
[color=#006600][/color] desgiezd: |
[/color] donphilopus:Explain Why They Invaded National Assembly Today". Their behaviour should be likened to that of a group of thugs! |
Where is the MOTLEY crowd? Or what does 'motley' mean? |
PDP/GEJ, ever act before thinking. Withdrawal of so-called security no enof? Some 1000 soldiers needed in North East are deployed to crush armless govt officials. Is this part of the AUSTERITY MEASURE (I mean conserving our scarce resources)? |
[color=#000099][/color] Olaolufred: |
Nigerian Troops Prevent Speaker Aminu Tambuwal From Entering The National Assembly BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORKNOV 20, 2014 Some 1000 soldiers and policemen have sealed the entrance of the National Assembly in Abuja and physically prevented the Speaker of the House from entering. Sahara Reporters Media[color=#550000][/color] The Speaker of the House, Aminu Tambuwal arrived the National Assembly today with a view to preside over the sitting of the House but fierce looking troops posted the stopped him at the gate. A melee has ensued as a result. Mr. Tambuwal, President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling People’s Democratic Party are at loggerheads over the Speaker’s decision to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC) a few weeks ago. Immediately he joined the APC his personal security guards were withdrawn on the orders of the President |
[color=#550000][/color] tit: |
Senators Reject Emergency Rule Extension In Adamawa, Others | Punch BY SAHARA REPORTERSNOV 18, 2014 A cross section of Senators on Tuesday disagreed with the fresh request by President Goodluck Jonathan to extend the emergency rule in the three North – Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, over the insurgency situation in the region. The senate dissolved into a closed – door session to consider Jonathan’s letter seeking the extension of the proclamation, for another period of six months, following a motion by the Senate leader, Victor Ndoma – Egba, who cited order 40 (2) of the Senate standing rule. The senators reconvened after a two and half hours extensive brainstorming over the issue and announced that the discussion on it would be Wednesday. Senate President, David Mark, at the resumption of plenary, said, “The Senate in a closed session met and discussed the letter from Mr President on the extension of a state of emergency. “We had a very extensive debate on it. And we will continue with the debate Wednesday. The Jonathan letter reads in part, “Extension of the period for the proclamation of a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. “May I respectfully draw your attention to the state of emergency proclamation 2013 in respect of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States which was approved by the National Assembly and extended for a further period of six months by the National Assembly as conveyed by the Clerk of the National Assembly dated 21st of May, 2014. “By virtue of provisions of Sections 305, (6) C of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the proclamation afore mentioned will elapse after a period of six months from the date of approval of the National Assembly except the period is extended by the National Assembly. “It is important to state that despite concerted efforts by this administration to stem the tide of terrorism and insurgency in the affected states, the security challenges that necessitated the proclamation are yet to abate. “Consequently, it has become imperative to request the approval of the senate for extension of the period for the state of emergency for a further period of six months. “In view of the foregoing, I most respectfully request distinguished senators to consider and approve by resolution the extension of the proclamation of the state of emergency by a further period of six months from the date of expiration of the current period. “I look forward distinguished Senate President to the usual kind expeditious consideration of the above request by the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Bello Tukur (PDP, Adamawa Central), who briefed journalists after the senate had adjourned, did not give details of what transpired at the closed-door session. |
Fulanis Suspend Leader For Endorsing Jonathan BY PM NEWS, LAGOSNOV 19, 2014 The umbrella body of all Fulanis in Nigeria, the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has suspended its national chairman, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, over his alleged involvement in politics. In a communique signed by Alhaji Wakili Ali Babangida, and issued at the end of a meeting of the body in Kano, conveyed Bodejo’s suspension. Bello Bodejo PM News State chairmen, secretaries as well as members from 30 states of the federation attended the meeting. The association flayed the national leadership of the association under Alhaji Bodejo for failing to organize election, four years after registration of the association. It noted that the action was against the provisions of its constitution, which stipulates that elections should be held after every three years. The group also condemned the involvement of its national chairman in partisan politics; the recent being his endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition. The association said the action caused it and indeed all Fulanis across the nation serious embarrassment. A five-man committee was also set up under the chairmanship of Alhaji Lawal Ali Mai Mamman to investigate the accusations against Bodejo. The committee was given one month to submit its report and recommendations. Interim national caretaker executives under the leadership of Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi was constituted to manage the affairs of the association pending the outcome of the committee’s investigation. |
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Boko Haram Shoots Nigerian Army Brigade Commander Boko Haram militants have shot and injured the acting Brigade commander of 23rd Brigade in Yola. [color=#770077][/color] Colonel Popoola was shot in the shoulder three days ago in the thick of a battle to regain control of Hong and Gombi in Adamawa state from the Islamist militant sect. An army source in Abuja told SaharaReporters that the senior army officer has been evacuated to UCH Ibadan where he is expected to receive better and further treatment in the coming days. Premium Times Several soldiers were reported to have died in the battle. The military source also told SaharaReporters that at least 300 Boko Haram militants have died in the battle. Colonel Popoola reportedly led a new crop of soldiers drafted from Jos into battle against the insurgents in a renewed battle to retake several towns from Boko Haram. The troop was able to recover two armored tanks from the militants after the battle was over. The military claimed to have regained control of towns today in a short tweet. SaharaReporters could not independently verify the claim. Meanwhile, four commanders have been arrested for deserting their troops during the Monday fight that earned Colonel Popoola a bullet to his shoulder. The arrested soldiers include one Lieutenant Mohammed, the QRG commander of 234 battalion; 2nd Lieutenant UC Uche, Platoon commander of Bravo Company of the 234 battalion; Captain Lawal; and Lieutenant Buraji who is Mararaba platoon commander. The four and one other Captain Lawan were led away in handcuffs yesterday and locked up inside the military police guardroom at the 23rd Brigade in Yola Adamawa state. SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK BREAKING NEWSNEWS |
[color=#990000][/color] adeoladrg:By what? I pray it's not by fire. |
'Fresh air' in the air! That will be realised after 2015. Meanwhile do not forget we gave minority governors' captain and that's cool with us |
omenka:[color=#770077][/color] From the day one, I knew it's just to test the pulse of saTANically minded goons. |
[color=#000099][/color] lalasticlala:[b]There are many girls who are really not the victims because they are wise, morally sound, focused HOWEVER This is always the tales of woes for Chidera or Folake or Anita who was practically living with Chukwuma or Mutiu or Kelvin (and getting "used" on a daily basis) to secure his heart, to make ends meet and to find a place to et her head. She must have been cooking more than a mother who has 6 children. She has turned herself to 'washer-man' washing anything unimaginable. She has been told that she has to be pregnant before they could visit parent or perform marital rites. Alas, almost 36 months, no pregnancy and therefore must be ejected by the 'landlord' for being unproductive. {Meanwhile the 'landlord' has been happy all the while that there is free, cheap. ever-available 'bike' to ride at will WHENEVER he desires. (And the aunty has no option because she thinks giving her 'landlord' more than 2ce on a daily basis could guarantee her stay, or proves her love for him....) Above all, She is worse than Shekau (though look elegant and angelic) in that a couple of innocent, sinless, fresh creatures of God have been VIOLENTLY KILLED (aborted) in order to please the uncle. I pity the live-in-'lovers'/na my bloda{sister} 'lovers'. If the issue of premarital sex{I don't crave your support if you dont agree}, is removed the feeling of 'being used and dumped' will be heavily reduced. MANY girls don suffer[/b] |
To tighten our belt? What happen to; 1. $20b 2.NBillions spent on saTANists 3.NTrillions of subsidy scams 4. NBillions of our Pension fund 5. NBillions spent on INEC .... We have tighten belt enough, it is time for us too to have a better pair of shoes. HOW COME MR SHOELESS is wasting our money, When it was said that Economy was not alright by APC, Can somebody quote the responses of the following; 1.Madam moribund economiss (Iweala) 2. Olisa Methuselah 3 A-bat 4.Attack dog 5. other e-blind supporters (home and abroad) IT IS NOT UP TO 6 MONTH O |
Jakeattah:[color=#006600][/color] It's obvious. Spoiling their Game-plan: Winning 2015 even if it takes a race to be wiped out! |
mogentle:This is saTANism in action! Where are worse off than Military junta Now. |
THIS IS A COMMENT FROM A NAIRALANDER, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE? APC comment on the new Austerity measures: The All Progressives Congress, through its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, described the proposed austerity measures as a reflection of the massive corruption inherent in the Jonathan-led Peoples Democratic Party government . It argued that it was unfair for the Federal Government to subject Nigerians to austerity measures after frittering away the “petrodollars accruable to the country in the last 15 years.” The APC said, “This country enjoyed high crude oil prices in the last 15 years. What has the PDP-led Federal Government done with the money in the last 15 years? They simply frittered the money away in massive corruption and misgovernment. “They now want Nigerians to pay for their corruption and misdirection. Are Nigerians not already under austerity measure? They only want to impoverish us the more. Their ultimate aim is to devalue the naira; that’s their ultimate destination and this is very unfair. “To make Nigerians, who did not participate in corruption, to suffer is not fair. What provisions have they made for the rainy days?” |
[color=#006600][/color] Blaqsmith:You would have turned out good if you could address the issue I raised. Why do you ONLY see the negatives in that response. Stop being a SAD-u-Cee! |
Senators, Reps team up with First Lady against Dickson •Gov: We’re a peaceful, united family SENATORS and members of the House of Representatives from Bayelsa State may have joined forces with the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, against Governor Seriake Dickson. The federal lawmakers were said to have formed a formidable force to upturn moves by Dickson and his camp to deny them reelection in 2015 by zoning them out of reckoning. The angry lawmakers were said to have aligned with the moves by the first lady to replace Dickson with her loyalist in 2016. It was gathered that some of the senators held separate meetings with President Jonathan and his wife to fine-tune strategies of outsmarting the governor to clinch their party tickets for 2015 elections. Dickson has been in a running battle with the lawmakers following their ambitions to return to the National Assembly for second and third terms. The camp of the governor had through stakeholder meetings reached decisions to zone the National Assembly seats in the state in the interest of equity, unity and peace. The agitation for zoning had unsettled the state chapter of the PDP and compelled the lawmakers to hold parallel congresses to counter the moves of the governor’s loyalists. With the development, the governor was said to be fighting the alleged plots by the first lady to remove him from office and insistence of the federal lawmakers to have their way. It was learnt that the federal lawmakers seized last Thursday’s visit of Dame Patience to make a bold statement to the Dickson’s camp. Senators Emmanuel Paulker (Central), Clever Ikisikpo (East) and Heineken Lokpobiri (West) including all the members of the House of Representatives from the state attended the programme while Dickson was absent. The first lady, who was apparently elated at the solidarity shown her by the lawmakers, informed the crowd that the senators held a meeting with the president at the eve of the event. She said, shortly after the meeting, the senators promised they would attend the programme on a chartered flight. She thanked them for making good their promise. A source, who pleaded for anonymity, said the absence of the governor at the occasion was an indication of a widening crack between the presidency and Dickson. The source recalled that President Jonathan refused to attend the Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day, which held recently at the Cultural Centre, Yenagoa. “Jonathan was in the state but instead of identifying with the event, he chose to go back to Abuja after giving some excuses. “Jonathan has been going to other states including Akwa Ibom State to commission projects but he has refused entreaties from the governor to visit Bayelsa and inaugurate some of his projects. All is not well. “The governor was not present at Dame Patience’s event but all the senators and members of the House of Representatives were there. “They are passing a strong message to Dickson. None of them attended the Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day. But they were with madam. The battle has just started,” he said. But Dickson, in a statement yesterday, described the PDP in the state as one peaceful, united and focused family under the leadership of the president and the governor. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the governor said the party was working collectively and rallying the needed support for President Goodluck Jonathan in the next elections. He cautioned party faithful, especially person seeking elective positions and their supporters, to be mindful of their utterances and actions. He feared that unguarded utterances could be used by the opposition to paint a wrong or misleading picture of the state of affairs in the state. Dickson reaffirmed the state’s unflinching support for President Jonathan’s re-election bid and called on the political class and the entire people of the state to rally round him at all times. |
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