₦airaland Forum

FORMER military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) yesterday at his Minna residence said that the nation was in safe hands under President Goodluck Jonathan.

Meanwhile, Special Adviser to the President on Intra-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi has expressed concern over the growing cases of attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign trail, warning that such acts portend danger if not stopped.

He warned that under no circumstances should the President be harmed in any part of the country.

Granting audience to Jonathan who was in Minna in continuation of his re-election campaign, Babangida thanked him for finding time to pay him a visit despite his busy schedule, noting that they shared the same passion which he said was the genuine zeal to transform Nigeria.

“You have made a very good decision to visit Minna during your presidential campaign because Minna is known for producing presidents, beginning from your namesake President Azikiwe, who was born in Zungeru. And since then most of the Presidents of Nigeria have one thing or the other, they come here to ask for blessing and I will offer this blessing to you Mr. President.

“Jonathan and I share a common passion which is Nigeria remains strong, united and indivisible. I wish you well. Nigeria under Jonathan is in safe hands.”

Earlier, Jonathan said, “I have come to present myself and Sambo, you are a leader of our party. You are a stabilising factor of our country and party and have been encouraging the young ones to grow. We sincerely thank you for this reception. We pray for long life for you to continue to mentor us.”

In his address, National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Muazu said Jonathan and his entourage came to visit Babangida because “his leadership has motivated and encourage a lot of us to what we do.”

Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, Obi noted that the incessant cases of attacks on the president’s campaign train is condemnable, adding that only an unpatriotic citizen will not condemn such acts.”

He said, “It calls for outright condemnation, it calls for serious caution, because it is really a dangerous trend.”



http://ngrguardiannews.com/news/national-news/196581-nigeria-safe-under-jonathan-says-ibb

The same way GEJ promised to create million of jobs, i wonder what this guys take nigerians for...Making unrealistic promises

PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has pledged to create three million jobs yearly for the nation’s unemployed youths if voted to power.

The former head of state equally promised to revive hundreds of moribund industries and textile companies, most of which died naturally due to epileptic power supply and poor economy.

“Steady supply of power is just necessary. If voted into office, we will try within our capacity to revive textile industry, reinvigorate the solid minerals sector and make sure that state governments work with the Federal Government to make Northern Nigeria a food basket of Africa, where agriculture will be encouraged among our farmers,” Buhari assured.

Of Boko Haram, he said: “Boko Haram issue is nothing but fraud. Yes, it is a fraud, because there is no religion that encourages people to go and kill innocent souls. They go to churches and mosques slaughtering people just like that and chanting Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest). It is either they don’t know what they are saying or they don’t believe in what they are saying.”

When asked about the Chibok girls, Buhari said the issue showed the gross incompetence of leadership in the country, adding that the government and security agencies were telling lies upon lies.

“I still wonder seeing Chadian and Camerounian troops coming to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram for us! This is serious! This tells you how insensitive and careless the leadership is.”

Buhari, who gave the assurances yesterday while addressing a town hall meeting in Kano as part of its presidential campaign strategy, expressed worries at the growing poverty level and employment, blaming the present administration for poor handling of the nation’s economy.

Citing opportunities in agriculture and trade, the APC presidential candidate reminded the business community of the party’s policy thrust on economic growth and social justice, adding that when voted to power, he would restore hope and build up Kano’s economic viability.

While pledging the party’s support to the independent power plant established by Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso’s administration, Buhari hinted that his government would also tap into natural resources and boost the nation’s refineries.

“We are aware that Kano is the economic nerve centre and financial gateway in the north and even North Africa,” he said. “We also know that Kano is home of textile in Nigeria. If these areas were properly managed, the country wouldn’t have recorded this huge economic crisis and unemployment.

“If given the opportunity, we will work to sustain effective economic growth and social justice for the good of the people.

“I want to applaud Kwankwaso’s administration for the establishment of independent power plant and other developmental projects. We will revive infrastructures and increase import duty to discourage local manufacturing.”

However, the former president of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria, Bashir Borodo, urged APC government, if voted to power, to check cases of insecurity in the country.


http://ngrguardiannews.com/news/national-news/196585-apc-will-create-three-million-jobs-yearly-says-buhari

Can you imagine if the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, is still a member of Peoples Democratic Party? Imagine that he and his colleagues are supporting President Goodluck Jonathan in the forthcoming election? Imagine that the political disagreements between the wife of the President and later the President with Amaechi did not happen. Can you imagine that the failed attempt to forcefully overthrow the governor by five House of Assembly members did not happen? Can you imagine if the oil wells in Soku were not ceded in an artificial boundary dispute? Can you imagine that the election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum was upheld and the factionalisation avoided? Can you imagine that the suspension of the five PDP governors was reversed after a while and the genuine reconciliation process initiated? Can you imagine that the spilt in the PDP was avoided through a more inclusive leadership? Can you imagine that a then serving minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, was cautioned when he started hauling insults at Amaechi as if he was the only one who knew how to defend the President? Imagine if the President prevented these matters from worsening?

These questions were going on like a whirlwind in my mind as I watched President Jonathan’s rally in Port Harcourt the other day. It was a well-attended one. Many of the President’s supporters from Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom were mobilised because many political leaders in Rivers State were attending another political rally in Khana, the headquarters of Ogoniland. I listened to the President’s speech. He was not himself. He was struggling, almost gasping for air. He first wiped his face then removed his spectacles as if he was preparing for a tough fight. Yet, he could not say much. He attempted to respond to the questions raised by Governor Amaechi about the lack of federal projects in the state throughout the six years of Jonathan’s Presidency. Instead of providing answers on what he has done for the people of Rivers and Bayelsa states, the President went ahead to admit that he did not do much in the region because he is a transparent man who considers other people first. He later promised to develop the South-South zone if re-elected. Really? Does that mean he had no answer to the questions continuously raised by the governor over the years? Has Amaechi then been vindicated?

In my amazement, I momentarily took myself on a mental excursion down memory lane of how all this started. There was an indescribable feeling inside of me. One part of pity and the other side of it-serves-you right. As you keep following the campaigns of President Jonathan and his dwindling popularity nationwide, evident from the several opinion polls including the ones organised by his supporters, you will only have to shrug helplessly. How come he did not see all these coming? Do not get me wrong, the President still has supporters in both Rivers and Bayelsa states. The son-of-the-soil syndrome is still alive. However, one can say without doubt that he will not score anywhere near the 1,817, 762 votes that he scored in 2011. Out of the 1,253,603 eligible voters who have collected their permanent voter cards in Rivers State, the President will be very lucky to get 800,000 which will, in any case, be below half of what he scored in 2011. A chunk of his votes in 2011 will go to his rival Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress. The same thing could happen in Edo, Imo and his home Bayelsa which were his strongest support bases in the last election.

When you look at the political climate prevailing in this country today, you will notice that many of the events above are related. It was a sort of a chain reaction that led from one level to the other. The trigger at least in the eye of the public being the confrontation between the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan with the Rivers State governor during her visit to Okrika. When that incident took place, many sections of the media widely condemned the action of the First Lady.

However, many politicians did not, including the President – at least officially. The First Lady continued to meddle in the affairs of the state until matters got to a point of no return. The unpleasant exchanges continued until things degenerated to a level that it became difficult to control. It is not my intention to interrogate many things that happened in- between especially some that remain beneath public glare. My concern is that if political leaders from the zone including the President were courageous enough to caution the First Lady, some of the other issues might have been avoided. The First Lady might have been stopped in her tracks. Now, what can she do to save her husband from the political storm that is clearly lying ahead?

I will not comment on the failed attempt to forcefully overthrow the governor using the minority of the state House of Assembly members. For me, it was the highest attempt to caricature our democracy. Neither will I bother to say a word about the orchestrated crisis in the NGF. Some people will say that some behind-the-scene efforts were made at reconciliation but these glaring examples portrayed the President as lacking in tact.

Today, what many associates of the President believe to be a simple matter has now become a hydra-headed political monster. I remember how attempts were made to brand Amaechi a betrayer and summarily take care of him. The NGF matter later spiralled out of proportion and resulted into the loss of two very important states, Rivers and Kano by the PDP. What was supposed to be a plan to deal with Amaechi at all costs splashed on four other governors who had to quit the party.

Since their departure, despite all the pretences, the PDP has never remained the same. If you look at the main opposition party, the APC, you will see that the momentum it got started from when these governors joined them. No one can play down on the role of state governors in contemporary Nigerian politics. In 2003, the governors were with Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and President Olusegun Obasanjo allegedly had to beseech him for support. After Obasanjo’s victory, who prevailed?

Some people argue that Amaechi himself should have managed to desist from making public statements on the matter so that internal resolution mechanisms could be explored. However many politicians from the northern part of Nigeria have shown the President that they may not support him in the forthcoming election. His best bet, if any, will be to sweep his home base as he did in 2011. If the presidential election takes place today, that will hardly be the case and one of the reasons will be the avoidable political conflict between the President and his “younger brother”, Amaechi. Things have really got out of hand. Maybe, irredeemably, according to some analysts. The battle line might have been drawn. A majority of voters have made up their minds. I keep imagining the kind of difference it would have made politically if Amaechi and President Jonathan were on the same side at this time.


http://www.punchng.com/opinion/what-if-amaechi-is-still-with-president-jonathan/

eighTHREAD:
After witnessing the low turnouts at his rallies, he is now convinced that he will lose, that's why he wants poll shift.

Low turn out at rallies, is not the same thing as people that will be disenfranchised, though i would not support the postponement of the elections coming from GEJ led government.

One thing is clear though, even if the election is postponed, it won't stop those that would vote for their preferred candidate, those that will vote for GMB/APC will vote for him and those that will vote for GEJ/PDP will vote for him...

INEC has not lived up to expectation, and if the elections will be postponed it should be coming from INEC itself and not the fg since INEC is tasked with anything election in the country...IMO

NgeneUkwenu:
16 inconsequential parties!

Jonathan/PDP playing their last card to see if they can illegally disqualify Buhari from Running!


SayNoToPostponement! Jonathan must go back to outoke!

INEC said they had distributed 45 million Cards! Why the lobbying for postponement??

Did GEJ/PDP tell the 16 parties to make the statement they made Or how is GEJ connected to the 16 parties

Not everything should be pinned on the GEJ/PDP, the issue here is INEC/JEGA failed in their responsibilities and that's what we should focus on and not all this finger pointing and stone throwing...

Elections will not be postponed, the worst that would happen is INEC will continue distributing the PVC till 2 days to election, to increase the number of already distributed PVC...IMO

edogirl2:
Hold your breadth...he will name them after the elections.

I assume he does not want to 'heat up the polity' at this point.

Did bother to read what you just posted If the said pastors had endorsed GMB/APC will amaechi come out and say this trash Does he have proof of how the so called 6billion naira was shared

Well since he know there are alot of gullible soul out there that would believe this crap, he wouldn't mind throwing stone at any perceived pastor not supporting GMB/APC...

Ameachi should be sued, if he can not provide proof of his above claims...SMH

iamodenigbo1:
what do they drink in that APC that makes them forget their name

Maybe he dreamt about ribadu becoming the next governor of adamawa...

samilo88:
What do you expect from APC
A-Amnesia
P-Patients
C-Congregation

Una no go kill person for NL...

jamace:
Meanwhile Amaechi is busy dancing shoki all over the places in the name of APC for change. Change indeed.

From not being owed salaries and pension to being owed salaries and pension is "CHANGE"...SMH

We blame the politicians all the time for this, whereas its those useless so called youth that made themselves to be a tool of destruction that we need to curse as a nation...

If you die fighting for a politician, you are on your own...But sadly this useless thugs don't learn

baffah96:
Our kaduna youths have attacked our pdp governor while conducting his rally now. About 7 of their campaign vehicles were vandalised. Our people are tired of this cluesless pdp and we are going to vote her out come Febuhari by the grace of god

What kind of reasoning is this Is violence the answer Because the governor is PDP he has no right to campaign

What saddens me is when some other f0ols endorses news like, by saying all sought of crap instead of discouraging violence, we really have a long a way to go with this kind of animalistic reasoning on display...SMH

Any PDP campaign pictures, that is not from coeva is not authentic, because it seems he is the one with the true pictures...

BTW...the crowd in that picture has given the word massive another meaning...

Kudos to the writer, this how election analysis is done...Not some people bringing out bogus number and shouting someone will win with landslide and what not...

This election is going to be very tight, and winner the could come from APC or PDP...Nothing is certain until the final vote is counted and the results announced...IMO

Samchelsea:
seriously if they are elected(not possible) he would be the one running the affairs of the country alongside Tinubu cos he is more learned than Buhari

Are trying to say GMB will be figure head president While osinbajo will the man running things, since GMB is not that sound...una no go kill person for NL...

Back to the topic, the "spare tyre" of a thing happens everywhere and not nigeria alone, from local government level to presidential level, all those holding the vice position are just spare tyres that's all...

dridowu:
APC will WIN Kaduna but i doubt if Bayelsa will APC will fall in APC hand but if Sylva can play his game very well he can get over 30% for APC.

No matter what sylva does, the highest APC can get in bayelsa is 10% and the same thing goes for PDP in a state like sokoto...

Everywhere they go they see crowd The same crowd political parties pay to attend rallies They have secured 20 million votes how

I might want to agree with him, with regards to sambo, because sambo has showed he has no political value in kaduna. Hence APC might beat him even at his ward, but to come out and say they will take bayelsa from GEJ is like building castles in the air...

No matter what happens APC can never and will never win in bayelsa and the same thing goes for PDP, no matter what happens PDP will never and can never win in sokoto...

Why wish death on GMB You don't need to support him but you shouldn't wish him death whether he wins or loses...SMH

I hope none of the candidates abscond from the debate...

I would like to see GMB tackle GEJ on "stealing is not corruption"

I would also like to see GEJ tackle GMB on "how he intends to stabilise global oil price"

Watching in HD

This sylva guy must be high on cheap drugs, GEJ will struggle to get 25% is he kidding or something

Is just like saying GMB will struggle to get 25% in sokoto...Sylva needs to wake up from his day dreaming...

jayonpoint:
N who told u dat HID spew all dese trash? I ws among a presidential train ho visited mama. She didn't only bless dem she also wish dem luch in forthcoming elections. Ode!

Satire: The use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule or the like, in exposing, denouncing or deride vice, folly etc

This shouldn't come as a surprise, his body language and his utterances was just an indication of what he was about to do...

I hope he his not betting on a wrong horse though, because if he does that would be the end of his political career, with lamido moving to APC GEJ would know those that are truly with him atleast untill after feb 14...

Have always said it, those that GEJ surrounds himself with are his true enemies not even the opposition...

Another set of rag heads are going home this night...BH getting pounded from all angle, they are gradually been surrounded...

Kudos to our gallant soldiers, we are solidly behind you..

Thank you for putting your lives on the line, for the rest of us to be comfortable...

#killthemall
#Nomercyforterrorists
#Godblessnigerianarmedforces
#Godblessnigeria

500 hundred virgin hunters sent home, its not bad for a days job, BH is really getting pounded from all sides...

Time to step up the attacks on this rag head, if the armed forces keep sending this virgin hunters home at this rate in no time BH will be history...

Condolences to the collateral damages, I hope our armed forces continue to ensure that collateral damages recorded is very minimal...


#killthemall
#Nomercyforterrorists
#Godblessnigerianarmedforces
#Godblessnigeria

GARRIx7:
You should know by now that the atmosphere is charged. Jonadunce' goons like Asari, Reno etc have insulted Northerners calling them parasites and illiterates. It's expected that they transfer that anger to a Niger Deltan they lay their hands on.

My younger brother is in Kaduna and he told me he dresses like them and speaks hausa at every given opportunity in fact they've been calling him Nasir. I'd suggest you do the same.

Warn your Niger delta brothers to desist from insulting Northerners else the repercussions will befall you who lives in the North.

Did you just read what you posted Are you going to blame GEJ for this The various crisis in the north before GEJ got to power, was he also the cause

You even stated, happily that your brother dresses like them, speaks their language and even allow them to call him another name, because of the fear of been attacked...

Yet we scream one nigeria, and the northerners don't get the same treatment here down south, now I see that the born to rule mentality is not only a northern elite problem but a northern problem...

Why would they attack the OP for dressing like an ND guy I just pray for those southern guys that would still be in the north for elections, that God will protect them...

That good, atleast more people will be able to get their PVC...I wonder why it took so long before they started distributing...

Well better late than never...

They should keep their cobra helicopter, after months of frustrating the administration in getting the required arms in fighting BH...

I wonder what the motives of this guys are...SMH

If this news is indeed true, then GEJ/Sambo beans don done...

Chai sambo has no political value, I can't imagine this happening in some opposition states...

NgeneUkwenu:
Giving false information is not the best way to support our troops! Those areas are still in the hands of Boko Haram!

Please if you have contrary information, to the above news why not post it here...So nigerians without authentic information will know the exact status in those location...

Hoping to get the contrary info from you soonest, so we call all be informed...