₦airaland Forum

Abagworo: I have a feeling this might be the beginning of the end for PDP. I foresee several nationwide strikes in a few days and a demand for Jonathan's resignation by many groups.

Well, Soyinka is "cordially" inviting the press and democracy, civic and human rights organizations to Freedom Park tomorrow over “A PRESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY: A PEOPLE UNDER SIEGE!”. Let us keep observing because the impunity we are seeing now requires good men like Soyinka to speak so their conscience is clear if this current Government leads the worst to happen.


http://saharareporters.com/news-page/people-nigeria-under-siege-nobel-laureate-wole-soyinka-convenes-civic-exchange

People Of Nigeria Under Siege: Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka Convenes Civic Exchange
Posted: July 10, 2013 - 14:33

https://saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/news-page-images-480-wide/page_images/news/2013/Wole_Soyinka_SR.jpg
Wole Soyinka
By SaharaReporters, New York
Nobel Prize winner, Professor Wole Soyinka, has invited the press and democracy, civic and human rights organizations to a civic exchange on “A PRESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY: A PEOPLE UNDER SIEGE!”.

The event is scheduled for FREEDOM PARK, Broad Street, Lagos, tomorrow, July 11, at 12.30 pm.

“Wole Soyinka cordially invites you to a Civic Exchange on the above subject,” the terse notice said.

Afam4eva: ACN/APC is the only party that does not conduct primaries and they keep shouting democracy but their actions are at variance with the term.

A lot of people have been protesting over what can be termed by over personalization of ACN. tell me why Tinubu's family members will always be given one position or the other in ACN even though there are people in that same party that are more experienced than them.

The support APC has given bokoharam leaves a lot to be desired by this party that a lot of people consider to be the savior party. This is particular what dazes me about APC. They support and reject just about everything just to be at variance with PDP. That's not how opposition works.

There are many of those examples that gives me the impression that ACN may not be different afterall

Sometimes, your ignorant arguments are really nauseating. To make matters worse, you seem to enjoy basking in ignorance publicly as well and then , worst of all, indicting others based on your own scant knowledge !!!! How does not conducting Primaries mean a Party is not democratic for someone enlightened enough regarding the workings of a Political Party? You do not even know that political Parties are not compelled to use the Primaries method.

To put the matter to bed, it is perfectly legitimate and democratic to use other methods, aside Primaries, to appoint candidates for a Party.

Many things come into play to determine the method used - including the method stakeholders themselves settle on as preferred choice.

It is pointless, because of functional illiteracy and ignorance, for outsiders to label a Party "undemocratic" because said Party is not hosting Primaries whereas the stakeholder themselves, i.e Party members, may have all happily settled on, for example, caucus system or nomination. If you want to be commenting to indict others negatively, at least make yourself aware of the facts that matter before insinuating others have done something wrong. Even the PDP can do away with Primaries legitimately in so far as members and stakeholders themselves agree unanimously and as long as it is not a way to get an unpopular candidate over the line.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_election

Primary election

A primary election is an election that narrows the field of candidates before an election for office. Primary elections are one means by which a political party or a political alliance nominates candidates for an upcoming general election or by-election.
Primaries are common in the United States, where their origins are traced to the progressive movement to take the power of candidate nomination from party leaders to the people.[1]
Other methods of selecting candidates include caucuses, conventions, and nomination meetings. Historically, Canadian political parties chose their candidates through nominating conventions held by constituency riding associations. Canadian party leaders are elected at leadership conventions, although some parties have abandoned this practice in favor of one member, one vote systems.

Why did Soyinka and/or Saharareporters not give a longer notice period for the "Nigeria under siege" meeting at Freedom Park?


http://saharareporters.com/news-page/people-nigeria-under-siege-nobel-laureate-wole-soyinka-convenes-civic-exchange

People Of Nigeria Under Siege: Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka Convenes Civic Exchange
Posted: July 10, 2013 - 14:33


https://saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/news-page-images-480-wide/page_images/news/2013/Wole_Soyinka_SR.jpg
Wole Soyinka
By SaharaReporters, New York
Nobel Prize winner, Professor Wole Soyinka, has invited the press and democracy, civic and human rights organizations to a civic exchange on “A PRESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY: A PEOPLE UNDER SIEGE!”.

The event is scheduled for FREEDOM PARK, Broad Street, Lagos, tomorrow, July 11, at 12.30 pm.

“Wole Soyinka cordially invites you to a Civic Exchange on the above subject,” the terse notice said.

seunfly: I have always wondered y people call Saharareporters liar, when many of their reports have ended to be true. May be majority here have short memory or dy delibratlly ignore d truth of d past and say their own usual bias opinion.

Note those who call saharareporters "liar" here and you will see what unites them.

Pukkah: I guess it's now clear who is/was dumb.





All the above statements are enough for principled men to commit harakiri or abscond from this forum. Unfortunately, men of honour , to be found amongst supporters of GEJ, are as scarce hen's teeth.

https://www.nairaland.com/1352559/rivers-speaker-impeached-amaechi-storms

Fixed buddy

Katsumoto: How many of those you mentioned have had their administration profiled positively by leading global publications such as Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, The Economist? I don't care for the monkey awards that are given by African institutions. Duke did alright but has too many white elephant projects; Akpabio only has good road projects. Being a governor entails more than that. I am not sure about Chime, what are his successes?

You are wasting you time with this dude. He is one of the most personally dishonest posters on this forum. He has made this irritatingly vacuous defence of the PDP, totally bereft of logic, revolving around mentioning a few names, before. Yet it has explicitly being explained to him, by myself and others, that his thinking and argument would embarrass a 3 year old child.

Once again, Issues are not about taking about 5 out of 23 Governors to support the notion the PDP is not what people say it is. It is even confirmation of every argument levelled against the "nest of killers" that a ruling Party with so much control and so many representatives is only able to brag of a handful of performers that would constitute around 22% of the total number of Governors the PDP control i.e 23 out of the 36 in Nigeria !!!!! Bear in mind that every Governor Afam4eva mention has been in power for a minimum of 6 years or longer.

Look at the ACN on the other hand. Six States. Lagos,Edo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti. Only Fashola has been in power for 6 years. with most of the others serving over 4 years (Oshiomhole) and less (everyone else). Yet, only an unrepentant bigot, and Afam often write as if he is one with his denial of the obvious, would say any of those Governor has/is not performing far better than those they replaced!!! In short 100% of the Governors the APC host are performing.

We then discern what is obvious. I.e 100% ratio (ACN) compared to around 22% (PDP) means Afam4eva really is not someone to take seriously with how he goes around saying he does not see the difference between the ACN and PDP. I would not want to conclude the guy is a bigot but what else could be responsible for a sane person taking such flights of fantasy? The funny thing is that posters will see him go on to deliver this same "Akpabio-is-performing-and PDP-is-not-all-bad" argument elsewhere despite being shown the poor logic behind that inane talk.

tsalam: is it a coincident that the brilliant Nigerian politicians and nairalanders are in the same political party or share almost the same political ideology. while the dullhead Nigerian politicians and nairalanders are in the same assemblage of mediocrity, clannish and ineptitude and all that business. just musing sha.

My brother, no coincidence at all and I have already noted similar earlier to conclude that "Birds of a feather flock together". It will be terribly easy, post APC formal registration, to quickly establish the camp on Nairaland that is progressive, knowledgeable, idea-based and about solution provision because it is only ever one group that pledged its supports blindly, automatically and clannishly along ethnic, religious and sectional lines without a thought for looking at the actions, history and political efficacy of those they support.

Even their Party at large does this with how Maku, Okupe, Abati et al spend their time reacting to every utterance of Fashola, El Rufai, Tinubu et al. We have all seen this in real life and know the characters who put the saying below in perspective same as this twerp is shouting Gbawe, Jarus , Katsumoto et al. Rather than simply going to do his own idea-based thing to convince others the messiah he worships is best, all he is capable of doing is sitting here pettily and undemocratically attempting cheap character assassination against others who have the freedom to support whoever they want and associate as they want. We know this agbero thing , indicative of lack of class and finesse, is also the style of the PDP at large. Like leader like supporter.

Pukkah: Please don't go there. Corruption under Jonathan has been unprecedented! What's Jonathan personal doctrine and creed about corruption especially with regards to assets declaration? Obviously, he doesn't 'give a damn'!

I don't even feel like remembering the subsidy scam of over N1 trillion, the militants, Diezani, Etete, etc. How many of the former governors have been docked? What's happening to Bankole's case? What's happening to the Police especially the Commissioner who aided the escape of the 2011 Christmas Bombing from custody?

Let's not even talk about Alamieyeseigha's pardon or Patience's brush with the EFCC.

Even Jonathan himself has blamed the poor anti-corruption drive on the judiciary as if previous governments had a different judiciary.

You cannot blame GEJ fans. They are rather 'thick' to begin with. The clannish and sectional support for a mediocre administrator, to the extent they blind themselves to what is obvious, does not help either.

Otherwise, why is it only the fans of GEJ who remain unable to grasp the concept that no one is saying corruption did not exist under GEJ. Rather the arguments is that that actions/inactions of GEJ cannot even leave a 5 year old in doubt that he is a very corrupt leader totally dedicated to abetting corruption and its promoters who queued behind him in an endorsement 0rgy before the election.

Let us take a few examples to put thing in concept as per how issue are not about corruption being non-existent before GEJ but about how GEJ abets it openly and in a "don't give a damn" manner.

The Ribadu petroleum task force stated implicitly that we are the only major exporter selling our crude endowment through traders. The task force said this must stop immediately as the practice abets theft, loss of income and lack of itransparency against Nigeria. GEJ has the power to stop this practice overnight yet it is approaching a year now since he has done absolutely nothing!!! How much has Nigeria lost in that time because of the inaction of GEJ? Is that the behaviour of a President seeking solutions or a cynically corrupt character who just wants to steal "his own share" as OBJ et al have done before him?

Even more tragic and embarrassing for Nigeria was how the entire world saw GEJ and Allison-Madueke openly compromising Ribadu via drafting two of his committee members into the board of the NNPC that was one of the body under investigation !!! They have then gone on, since then and through Okupe et al, to instigate a character assassination and mudslinging war against Ribadu. Who will say that is not the antics of a very corrupt President protection his own stealing and that of his buddies? From doing nothing about the advise given to fighting Ribadu, the message is of "corruption fighting back" as Ribadu once stated will always happen when one fights corruption.

Femi Otedola, a diesel baron and member of GEJ's own Presidential economic team said that Nigeria can stop fuel subsidy scamming in its track by putting marketers out of business through Nigeria negotiating directly with foreign refineries to handle our excess need for refined fuel that current domestic capacity cannot meet. Has anyone seen GEJ do as Otedola asked or are we still using marketers thus keeping obvious avenues of graft open?

How about the fact that it is only the FG, under GEJ, and the NNPC, under Allison-Madueke, who are the only authorities able to issue fuel marketers licences in Nigeria? What are we to make of the fact that these licenses ended up literally in the hands of road side mechanics without the capacity, experience or physical/financial asset to operate as fuel importers? Is it that the FG and NNPC are so bad at screening that marketers license were just issued negligently to obvious scammers? Or is it more plausible that GEJ and Allison-Madueke just cynically abused their powers to abet the scamming of Nigeria through their cronies? Nairalanders, take your pick.

I could go on all day to give many examples that will show any honest person that GEJ is a poster child of corruption. When folks are in a cult-like trance induced by ethnocentric and sectional devotion to GEJ, then you can never expect them to see let alone admit the obvious truth about the man that now sees him disdained and mocked openly by world leaders when this never used to be the case. Things like the Otedola and Farouk saga, between a member of Mr.President's economic team and a Nigerian legislator, has shown the world that GEJ is not only corrupt but happy to initiate drama totalling unbecoming of any half serious leader. Nigeria has become a total joke, as per corruption, under GEJ.

ilugunboy: I know there will be shouts...desperate shouts from the PDP goons on NL, but this is not a journey for the fainthearted.

We will trudge on....we won't start a fight..but we wont shy away from retaliating a fight. We won't insult...but we will return the favor in several folds.

On this Party...we will give everything to achieve success.

APC...The Nigerian Party.

Ilugunboy, it is not going to be difficult to put these characters where they belong if one ignores their insult to remain focused on ideas. This is something they cannot do because they are not and have never been about ideas. They are clannish and small-minded individuals who, 100 times out of 100, will always be defeated by superior logic that does not require insult, lies, prejudice, religious/ethnic intolerance or fabrication as supporting elements.

The few classy politicians in the PDP have even come out to praise the birth of the APC because of what that development portends for the strengthening of Nigeria's democracy vis-a-vis the powerful checks and balance against misrule the two equally matched opponent automatically become to each other.

You can see, as I said earlier, that you are dealing with unsophisticated cretins and clannish feudalists with how not a single one has demonstrated they have the innate finesse to discern that very important concept sophisticated enemies of the APC and observers worldwide have conceded. I.e the fact that all genuine lover of democracy, mindful of the concept of political leadership remaining inspired because of the presence of a powerful opposition, have praise the formation of the APC. This is despite their political and sectional affiliations.

Some can remain resolute in their support of a Party that has been abysmal for 14 years and a President who has taken Nigeria backward in 3 years but to speak as if such Party and such a President is not in need of competition is the biggest sign you are dealing with unexposed and intellectually challenged elements. I personally urge all APC supporters to help us keep discussions issue-based here. Doing that consistently will naturally and easily blow others out of the water since they are not predisposed to doing same. Defeating them with ideas and superior reasoning is very,very easy to do because beyond insults, messianic worship of mediocrity and zeal for clannish support, these people have nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Pataki: When I read such comments like this from you, it keeps re-affirming that you are not entirely a smart man. What makes a party enough to oust PDP? You hope PDP is ousted, but not by APC? When 2019? or 2023? Your comments are simply playing to the gallery. You are neither here nor there.

He is like that all the time. No enduring conviction whatsoever and no understanding of using the best available today to deliver better tomorrow.

APC on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Progressives-Congress/330451937055685

Another saharareporters "lie" has come to pass. I dey laff.

@OP.

Read what is written below since you are here trying to whip up sentiments against Lloyd. I think it is clear the those antagonising Amaeachi are not operating with dutch courage alone.

http://www.thescoopng.com/what-happened-in-rivers-state-assembly-today-a-blow-by-blow-account/

RIVERS FRACAS: 8 Lawmakers vs 27; A blow by blow accounts
It was an unpleasant spectacle at the Rivers state House of Assembly on Monday as some of the tension which had been simmering beneath the surface came into the open when the pro-Amaechi and anti-Amaechi legislators openly confronted themselves and traded blows with each other.
The Rivers assembly has 32 members and before Monday’s sitting, 27 had declared loyalty for Gov. Chibuike Amaechi, while 5 had been strongly opposed. Today’s sitting was convened to receive presentation by the state governor on amendments to the 2013 budget. The House was also reportedly supposed to pass a vote of no confidence on the state commissioner of police, Mbu Joseph.
Eight members of the House were present earlier in the day, including Otelemaba Amachree, the speaker; and Chidi Lloyd, the House leader. The five lawmakers opposed to the governor were also present.
During the exchange of pleasantries, trouble started when Michael Chinda went close to Chidi Lloyd and the two lawmakers reportedly exchanged words leading to Chinda punching Lloyd. Cameras in the assembly which beamed to the offices showed that Chidi Lloyd was repeatedly punched by Evans and the tripod used to mount a camera was also used freely on him, but he did not retaliate, at least initially.

When the three pro-Amaechi lawmakers, saw that they were overpowered in the House, they fled the premises. Meanwhile some thugs came into the chambers and were reportedly asking, “Where is the speaker? Where is the speaker?” By then the speaker, as well as Lloyd (who sustained some injuries) and the third pro-Amaechi lawmaker Azubuike Njoku, had left the chambers.
Lloyd told journalists reportedly from a sick bed that “Hon Evans Bipi came to me in full glare and rained punches on me. As his leader, I didn’t respond. Then he reached for the tripod and used it freely on me together with Hon. Chinda.”
Shortly afterwards, Kelechi Wogu brought out a mace (not the usual House mace, said an eyewitness) and Evans Bipi was made speaker pro tempore to superintend over the sitting. Immediately the sitting began, Hon. Martins Amaehule moved a motion for the impeachment of the speaker for ineptitude. It was carried by the five members allegedly present.
Shortly afterwards, Hon. Michael Chinda nominated Evans Bipi as speaker. His motion was carried by the five present and they immediately addressed the press, with Bipi thanking Rivers people for their solidarity and assuring them that henceforth there will be robust representation by the assembly.
But that was not the end of the matter.

The three lawmakers had gone to regroup and came back to the assembly together with other members of the assembly loyal to the governor. The governor also came along with them. At this time, the governor had called for protection from soldiers, even though Hon. Chidi Lloyd had written through the clerk of the House to the police commissioner for the intervention of the police. The police headquarters is situated just opposite the state assembly complex in Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
The commissioner of police, Mbu Joseph, addressed the press this afternoon and confirmed that Hon. Lloyd had indeed requested the intervention of the police, and wondered why people were accusing the police of giving protection to the anti-Amaechi group when it was Lloyd who called for the police.

Mbu however said that when his men arrived, the assembly complex had been cordoned off by soldiers. He said, “Then the governor called me and said he was coming to the assembly and he complained that there was no police cover in the complex. Then I told him ‘but you have filled everywhere with security men from other places.’ Shortly after I heard a convoy approaching and saw the governor entering the complex through my window. Later I was told he was there while serious fighting was going on in the complex, and later he came out.”

The serious fighting which the commissioner spoke about, occurred when the governor arrived and there was a free for all between legislators loyal to both the pro and the anti Amaechi legislators as well as thugs in the complex. Assembly staff were ordered to vacate. One of the workers who spoke with The Scoop said, “We had to run for our lives. Thugs have taken over.”

Inside the complex, there was serious fighting. Chidi Lloyd who was earlier the victim, turned to an aggressor. He was caught on camera hitting Kelechi Wogu with the mace and chasing him through the hallowed chambers. The complex was a mess as computers, microphones and other items were vandalised by the legislators, soldiers and thugs.

After the fight, the 27 lawmakers loyal to the governor sat and the deputy governor, Tele Ikuru, of the state came and presented an amendment to the state’s 2013 budget, after which the House adjourned indefinitely. By this time, the governor had left the assembly. The deputy governor claimed in a statement that as he left the complex, thugs attacked and vandalised vehicles in his convoy. The Scoop cannot verify this.

Meanwhile, Evans Bipi, who was elected as speaker by his faction, has claimed that 15 members of the assembly voted for the impeachment of the speaker. Now, by law, 11 members must be present before a quorum can be formed for a sitting. Some eyewitnesses told The Scoop that only 8 members were present, which decreased to 5 after the first clash. However Bipi claimed that there were 25 members present, out of which 15 voted for the impeachment of the speaker.

Even if the claims of Bipi are accepted, Section 92, subsection 2(c) of the constitution says that, “The speaker or deputy speaker of the House of Assembly shall vacate his office if he is removed from office by a resolution of House of Assembly by votes of not less than two-third majority of members of the House.”
Since the Rivers assembly comprises of 32 members, it means that the impeachment of Otelemaba Dan Amachree as speaker could have only been possible with the support of 22 members, which is two-third. Bipi claimed that he got 15, which falls short of 22 by 7 members.

Meanwhile the Rivers state executive of the PDP led by Obuah has congratulated Evans Bipi over his emergence as speaker; while a faction led by the ousted chairman, G. U Ake has debunked news that Bipi is the new speaker, insisting that Amachree remains speaker.

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this piece described Evans Bipi as a brother of the first lady. It has now been corrected. Bipi is a townsman but is not related to the first lady.

Reference: My view of this is simple. If ACN does this. It cannot 'OPPOSE' other parties that do similar.

Does what exactly? Did you read the article?

blink182: these days, Nigerians are too smart for propaganda. Chidi never hit any lawmaker rather it was a thug that sneaked in he was beating. Jonathan should continue sowing these seeds and he will definitely reap the harvest in 2015.

Not surprised at this at all. Indeed history has shown us this is perfectly all in order for GEJ. A man ready to visit chaos and misery on many to get his own ways.

Did we not see GEJ make Gbenga Daniel his SW campaign coordinator at a time when Daniel did this very same thing? I.e used a minority in the house to impeach the speaker so he could get a N100 billion retirement severance loot bond when he was in the last months of his day as Governor? Many, including Wole Soyinka,GEJ begged GEJ to do the right thing and stop the legislative gangterism of Daniel from being legitimised. GEJ simply turned the other way and even arrogantly made Daniel his election campaign boss for the SW right in the middle of that saga !!!! That was a crude display of how Mr. President supported legislative gansterism and theft against Nigeria so far as he got his ways. He was happy to help gangsterism pocket N100 billion and leave unborn Ogun children in debt when the speaker had already said no to Daniel on behalf of the legislators.

We also remember Ringim(former IGP) working in tandem with AGF Adoke-Bello to acquit Teslim Folarin of a murder charge and whisk him to Abuja, courtesy of GEJ, so the man could deliver Oyo delegates GEJ needed to defeat Atiku.

There is a long list of GEJ doing desperate and immoral things to get his way. Nigerians just remain too clannish and partisan to note so. Those who have not begun following politics yesterday know what GEJ is to understand he is a 'throwback' cut from the cloth of OBJ's/Anenih/George et al. Albeit with a more humble appearance that is a facade. His wife is a very vengeful lady too and she has never hidden her dislike of Ameachi. I will advise Amaechi to prepare himself for more troubles ahead. No one would attempt this impeachment on Ameachi's turf unless they know constant support from above is assured same as Gbenga Daniel was emboldened to act back then because he knew 'oga at the top' was on his side.

plaindealer: Sadly, you PDP supporters can not function beyond all the lame talk and disgruntled talk just like your post, it's like you people are incapable of articulating your political views and ideas without the trash talk that ammounts to nothing but mental weakness and dullness.


You've had your PDP for ages and you are yet to orgernize and articulate meaningful thoughts and ideas to move Nigeria forward, all you do is run after other people with lame, mundane and pety talk, you yell and cry Tinubu all over the place as if Tinubu is your ideology and belief system as a political party.

You people are nothing but a sad refelction of the same lame people in power/PDP.

One thing crystal clear about all of them is that they can never lead with their thoughts and actions. All they are capable of doing is speaking after others and generally 'shadowing' the thought and actions of others even when the Party they support is the ruling Party. That in itself is enough of a sign the PDP is a failed project with failed leaders and failed supporters.

It is the inferiority complex, that stems from how some do not deserve what they have with their supporters knowing this, that leaves them all looking over their shoulder at what others are doing/saying. That is why they talk about Tinubu and Buhari to the extent a non-Nigerian may be forgiven for thinking those men are the formal leaders of Nigeria. This is why, on Nairaland, their modus operandi is limited to attacking the messengers always and focusing on fellow forumers instead of the real issues.

Even their Party at large does this with how Maku, Okupe, Abati et al spend their time reacting to every utterance of Fashola, El Rufai, Tinubu et al. We have all seen this in real life and know the characters who put the saying below in perspective same as this twerp is shouting Gbawe, Jarus , Katsumoto et al. Rather than simply going to do his own idea-based thing to convince others the messiah he worships is best, all he is capable of doing is sitting here pettily and undemocratically attempting cheap character assassination against others who have the freedom to support whoever they want and associate as they want. We know this agbero thing , indicative of lack of class and finesse, is also the style of the PDP at large. Like leader like supporter. Why not leave people be? Abi na by force?

https://i.brainyquote.com/photos/e/eleanorroosevelt385439.jpg

LFJ: So Jarus is confused because he exercise his fundamental human right. Must everybody follow Jonathan? I think you are the one that is confuse here by not minding your business.

Simple as that. Very immature and childish character. APC appears newly registered and Jarus already wants to organise a formal structure here. When have we seen all these charlatans who follow GEJ clannishly ever attempted such here? You will never see it because these clannish dullards are not about anything progressive or developmental. Not a single one of them, from how they speak here, supports the PDP out of ideological belief that the Party is best for Nigeria.

All you will see them do, from now on, is what they are doing now i.e not minding their business and disturbing others with their petty market women behaviour. they say "nobody can defeat GEJ PDP" and that "APC is dead on arrival" so why are they on this thread commenting ? Why not simply go home and sleep till after the 2015 election and leave others to support whoever they want and associate as they want?

nwabobo: Oga Gbawe, with all due respect even if you guys bring back Aisha2 (although I know she's here with a different moniker), this project shall go the way of others before it.

APC us dead in arrival. Water and oil don't mix

Your own opinion and you are welcomed to it. The classy thing to do would be to leave others to exercise their right to freedom of association without you hanging around as a prophet of doom. You have said what you think. No need to remain here repeating the same thing like a broken record.

What I know is that APC supporters are miles ahead of the PDP supporters here in terms of unity, intelligence, passion for their cause, detribalized mien and organisational ability. The good thing is that a gathering of APC supporters on NL automatically excludes the biggest irritants, most clannish twerps, dullest minds and most irredeemably bigoted and prejudiced characters here. That is a good start I am personally thankful for.

Supporters are like their political Parties and I know PDP supporters here will never get organised as APC supporters can because most of them simply follow individuals/ethnic groups/religion and not the fundamental idea of getting behind a team of Nigerian 'good guys' who, regardless of their ethnic/religious background, can occupy the most influential offices and make them work together to take Nigeria where she needs to go.

I will certainly help out Jarus anyway I can because I know the support of the PDP here is largely clannish, ethnocentric and not ideologically/intellectually driven. I can bet, if Seun has no objections, it will be the Jarus APC effort that will see Nairaland progressively hosting Ribadu, El Rufai, Aregbesola et al here and doing ground-breaking things while PDP/GEJ fans will only engage in politic of rancour, insults and pettiness. Guy, you say "dead on arrival", I say let us all "enjoy the ride".

tsalam: for sake of nation spread of our dear party. you gat the post but be wary of opposition from desola, obiagelli and ileke sha lol.

I don't know the political stance of all the ladies you mentioned but I know that Berem has been unwavering in her open support of Buhari and APC here. There has been no fence-sitting or ambivalent quality to her vocal belief that the merging coalition presents a better option for Nigeria. I have noticed that distinctly about her and Edogirl. Ladies are especially welcomed.

With the influence of social networking and blogging today, as opinion-shaping mediums, Jarus could do something really effective with this. I think he is rather well connected and may actually be able to even host interviews, on behalf of NL, of prominent APC members, policy makers, spokesmen et al. I personally would encourage NL ladies to get involved as much as possible with what Jarus presents.

proudlysports: Hello Jarus and Gbawe,

It would be nice if this NL APC isn't just a 'jamboree'. If the originators of the 'group' can come up with concrete steps party supporters can take to make it stand out from other parties. The NL group MAY not have a say in party issues for now, however, this could change in future and all depends on the plans of the originators of the group.

My suggestions going forward

- a formal registration individual NL APC supporters (this could be simply by sending an email to a designated person)
- organizing regular 'strategic' offline meetings in various zones (this would depend on geographic locations of supporters. Please do not restrict to Nigeria)
- organizing online debates (in the mold of other NL debates) amongst APC intellectuals. Topics could include what each person thinks is the priority for the APC government, etc
- organizing offline debates. Same as above but offline
- organizing a NL Q&A (if not NL, any online forum). That is getting one of the 'chieftains' of APC answer questions online here on NL or anywhere else.

These are my suggestions for now.

Thanks
proudly9ja

Some great points. Thanks for the effort. Watch what Jarus is doing as your input will be needed going forward because you have some good ideas. I too would want whatever Jarus puts together to be informative educational and , as much as possible, rancour free. Nairaland readership is not to be underestimated so whatever is done here can be effective in its own way.

berem: Oga Gbawe, i don't mind being the woman leader of APC, nairaland chapter. Abi how you take see am?

My dear Lady, I am sure Jarus is taking note. Dude can organise issues very well. Definitely check what he is doing regularly.

[quote author=se.xkilza.phull]Just watch and question where the critics come from! Not the people with even an open mind (50/50) but those who already decided the future of the party today! Soon, they will say Nigerians should "GIVE" them the presidency while working against every step and atom of progress! If you don't like the APC, then form your own party! No one can question Tinubu and Buhari at all for at least, they DID SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM! What have you done? AD was compromised. AC was formed. Then, ACN was formed winning more votes than ever. ANPP was coming up until Buhari's running mate in 2007, Ezeoke, compromised and sold out to Yaradua even before the judgement of the Supreme Court on the 2007 elections! Undeterred, he formed CPC again, he tried even more! Now, Tinubu and his advisers and lieutenants have led and brokered the formation of an even larger party but critics here are still unable to register even a one man company or get a decent job that pays their bills without stealing or cutting corners doing contracts. I dey laff ooo [/quote]Great post. I think Nairalanders who support the APC should join up to genuinely promote awareness of what the Party is about but the proviso is that it must be a group effort. Everyone should make the effort to get informed. No one is information Minister for anyone else here. We are all adults who can read and write.

Jarus is a good organiser and I expect him to come up with a good structure for APC on NL. It is important to separate mischief-makers from APC supporters and genuine 50-50 folks otherwise every discussion thread related to APC issues will be bogged down in idiocy. To start with, people should chill with the questions. Now that the Party is formally registered, there will be plenty of information available soon so genuine 50-50 posters should have the grace to wait a bit before they start putting APC supporters on the spot.

pokur: There's a lot of work to be done,hope y'all know that.

My good man, the achievements worth celebrating in life rarely come without hard work. The journey of a thousand miles begin with the first step taken.

Afam4eva: PDP must not be allowed to tow the path of ACN. The traditional of conducting primaries must be maintained.

And who will stop them? People like you who do not join any Party or get involved only to say you are PDP today, APC tomorrow and APGA Saturday or whichever way the wind blows you? Is it fence-sitters who tell us daily "they are all the same" yet want the right to comment on the internal conducts of Parties they don't even believe in joining that will stop Anenih? No. It is fellow PDP stakeholders who can stop Anenih if they want.

At intra-Party level, the general public has no choice but to butt out. It is for Anenih and his camp to try it and for others to resist them or agree with them. As long as the 'vanquished' and disenfranchised in the "nest of killers" don't turn their murdering rage on Nigeria, then this issues remain a PDP internal affair ultimately.

People like you saying the PDP "must" conduct Primaries do not know what you are talking about. You are ignorant if you think Parties do anything wrong not hosting Primaries. I would advise you to familiarise yourself with the different legitimate ways with which stakeholders can choose their own representatives. It may be appealing to see Primaries but it is not illegal not to have them.

Looking at issues dispassionately, Anenih can utilise this legitimate loophole, even if Primaries were the way in the past, if he can get enough people on board and if those opposed to his plan are cowered effectively. I suspect this won't be the case so I will personally enjoy the show.

Jarus, you obviously know it is a given you have to count me in. Operation A nnihilate P DP C ompletely (APC)

RedReact: To be honest, BRF's effort and success as governor has not achieved any success at all unless his successor succeeds; thus it is not the case of imposition but looking inwards to bring out the "better than the best" person. looking at the profile of this man (Hamzat), no doubt that he will do wonders.
just praying that we get the class of "Fashola" leaders in every region in Nigeria where service to humanity ad nation will be the watchword, and the people will be enlightened to see the need to vote based on competence and not sentiment.

Another intelligent person. The ALUU lot here are not even making any sense at all because they are just expending superfluously hot air, against the Tinubu name, with utterances and ignorant righteous indignation that shows they clearly did not read the article.

There is nothing in the article to support any of their accusations of "imposition" , Tinubu stooge", "lack of democracy" et al. All issues boil down to is that some people have very poor comprehension skills and carry around bad belle for others induced by unobjective sectional biases/affiliations. A combination of these is what is responsible for the vacuous and inane noise most are making here that is long on lynch mob zeal but bereft of factual balance or logic. Anyone can read the article again to see it is crystal clear Hamzat, for solid reasons, appeal to the upper echelon of the Party, i,e the stakeholders, to include Fashola himself.

It is clear Hamzat has not been imposed on anyone. It is also clear the article puts him as "frontrunner" in a race that is not concluded. It is obvious, and naturally so, that many in the ACN, who are the actual and legitimately empowered stakeholders and not the noise-makers here or the Nigerian public, are taken with what the candidacy of Hamzat represent. At the end of the day, some Nigerians are just ALUU-like troublemakers who can start a fight in an empty bar and over their own ignorance, bad belle, poor comprehension and penchant for mischief.

He stands a high chance of carrying the flag of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2015 governorship election. Daily Independent exclusively gathered that Hamzat is highly favoured

A source close to the top echelons of the ACN told Daily Independent that Hamzat is a favourite to step into Fashola’s shoes and that he implicitly has the nod of his boss, Fashola.

The source said: “Dr. Hamzat is highly favoured by both Fashola and our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; he is the best bet among others eyeing the seat of power in Lagos and this is because he has worked with Fashola in the last six years and knows the terrain very well.”
Hamzat was former Commissioner for Science and Technology during the tenure of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor for four years and retained the position during the first term of Fashola’s tenure.

Hamzat’s chances, the source said, are buoyed by the fact that, “Like Fashola he (Hamzat) is not much of a politician, neither does he engage in group alliance of any sort that could be a distraction.

take dat: I am not disputing that, Imposition is imposition and I agree that Dictatorship and imposition of undemocratic ideals is a threat to our democracy. But there is a huge difference between imposing a competent candidate(Fashola) as against imposing a charlatan(Dickson).lol!

Bayelsans are smug and content with moronarchy misgovernment system!

Bruv, you are a clever dude so don't let some mischief-makers, not even Lagosians and with nothing positive to contribute, take you in a direction totally unrelated to the thread. The word "imposition" has no place on the thread neither does the name Tinubu. Hamzat is not an illiterate meat seller cousin of Tinubu who was brought in yesterday from Ukraine to come and be Lagos governor. He is an immensely qualified person who is already in the employment of Lagos in a very important position as commissioner of works and infrastructure. His professional and educational competence is also very impressive.

I therefore don't see why you should mention Tinubu or "imposition" here so that some charlatans who spend their time worshipping GEJ and attacking Lagos/Tinubu/Fashola and the ACN can have something to talk about on a topic where, ordinarily, they should not even be commenting since there is nothing for them here. Did you see any of them commend the CV of Hamzat or even acknowledge that perhaps the ACN is a Party exemplary in its dedication to using talented technocrats? Point is that you should not let these folks who have nothing to celebrate, because they have chosen to worship mediocrity, drag you down to their level.

[quote author=Akanbi_edu]This is my reasoning too but I am planning to change it. I think by now we should start speaking up against bad people and be ready to get even more dirty than them. The reason is not primarily the person we are up against but those majority onlookers/crowd who are prone to side with whatever side is loudest, even if the side is wrong.

"Evil will prevail when good people do nothing".[/quote]Thank you. That is precisely why I speak here. The fact is that it is evil folks who tend to be most vocal and vociferous. They have no morals and naturally don't care who/what they damage with their cynical antics.

In this case for example, are we ALUU animals not to even be able to accord Hamzat the minimum courtesy of viewing his qualifications on its own merit? Some posters deliberately, with the Tinubu name, bait gullible forumers into a frenzy that will then give an ALUU flavour to a thread so that the important message is lost. That message in this case is that Hamzat is simply, by all accounts, one of the best possible successors for Fashola. The Lagos Governor himself is known to be a fan of Hamzat.

You will be surprised many of these guys know what they are doing when they deliberately steer the unthinking "majority onlookers" away from what matters and towards mindless e-lynching and e-persecution of those who are amongst the good guys we need more of.

abu12: BUHARI/FASH or BUHARI/OSHOBABA 2015

Your're likely correct.

akpomeme: Of course, don't you read the papers where your northern reps and senators says that the pib is not in the interest of the north because they lack knowledge of the full meaning of host communities in the draft bill? Was it not until a senator from the south south pointed out that oil blocks in Nigeria are apparently owned by northerners and that he is moving a motion to review the application of federal character laws in the distribution of our common wealth did northern member allow the bill to pass second reading. Where have you been?

When it comes down to it, everyone will argue for what they believe is best for them but we must still deal with facts, statistics, real numbers and reality. David Mark and his deputy Ekweremadu should push for a vote and put issues to the test of statistical popularity so we see exactly how the North alone can prevent the passage of the PIB if this is indeed what everyone wants because what you and others do is present half of the picture when you say "the North is against the PIB".

Let us bear in mind that the Northerners against the PIB are not rejecting the bill in its entirety. They are against the inordinate power being conferred on the petroleum Minister. They also reject a section of it giving more money (10% equity advantage) to oil producing communities, on top of 13% derivation and other financial appendage help accruing to these communities.

My take is that they should all sit down and iron out their differences. I think oil-producing communities need optimal support but I don't think every money allocated to them should be above question from others simply because of the whole "victim and oppressor" picture which may actually be manipulated so that roles become reversed such as is the case with false utterances claiming the North own 80% of oil blocs which Femi Falana came out to debunk.

Let them all sit down and thrash out issues satisfactorily so that the bill can be passed as a result of negotiation. It is not good enough to just hold up the North as the convenient scapegoat becuase it suits our culture of blaming others.

If, as you suggest, the North is unyielding then why has Mark and Ekweremadu not led a situation , to break the impasse, where issues are put to the vote so that we see exactly who is voting for and against the PIB? Is it sensible for a Nation of Nigeria's size and importance to be confessing it is hampered passing a bill because of the oral objection of some lawmakers from the North? Why not let us all agitate for a decisive vote to determine a majority position? How will you tell , with 100% certainty, who will win a football match if the game is not actually played? It is not just to deem the North to be the enemy and hold them as such perpetually. Every case still has to be inspected on its own merit.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201304200159.html

Nigeria: Babangida Aliyu - Why the North Is Against PIB
BY YEMI ADEBOWALE, 20 APRIL 2013


Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State is uncomfortable with the Petroleum Industry Bill before the National Assembly because if passed into law, "oil producing states will be collecting over 40 per cent" of the federation account's earning at the expense of other states "and that is not a nice way to do public policy, public accounting and public economy".

The governor who apparently reflected the position of the North in an exclusive interview with THISDAY in Minna last Sunday said [b]it would be better for those clamouring for an extra 10 per cent for oil producing communities in the PIB to come out and re-negotiate the 13 per cent set out for derivation in the constitution with the rest of the country instead of trying to increase it through the back door.

Aliyu said: "You said that there should be 10 per cent for the communities. Now, you have not taken the 13 per cent derivation that is there. By derivation, meaning because we get it from that place you have 13 per cent and this 13 per cent is taken out before the sharing; so if we have a N100, N13 is going to that place. Then you say 'no, no, no, give another N10 to the communities.' So, by the time you add the N13 to the N10, you already have N23.

"Then NDDC has been on the ground; take the budget of NDDC and what they are doing and add to this money; take the budget of Niger Delta Ministry and add to this money; take the budget of amnesty office and add to this money because it is not coming from derivation; derivation goes to the states. By the time you add up all these monies, we are already coming to 40-something per cent of the federation account. If you are arguing that 13 per cent is not enough given the devastation, then come out clear. What do you want? No, we want 50 per cent; no you can't have 50 per cent. We can give you 25 per cent. You get what I am saying?"

The governor said it would have been better if the promoters of the 10 per cent allocation to oil producing communities had argued publicly that "look the money that is given for derivation is not enough," and not coming through the PIB.
[/b]



Governor Aliyu is hoping that Nigerians will come out and debate the PIB during its public hearing without emotions: "Lucky enough, at the Senate, it has gone through the second reading and they have given it to the committee. The same thing in the House of Representatives; between 22 and 23rd of this month, the House of Representatives is having a public hearing in all the zones. The House of Representatives is an aggregate of Nigeria's interest or the National Assembly as an aggregate of Nigeria's interest would be able to look at these issues and be able to balance it up properly."

The governor also cautioned those speculating about the likely break up of Nigeria, warning that they really don't have a good idea of how a break-up will affect them.

"They (those talking about break up) don't know that Nigeria cannot break up that easily. Let me give you an example. In the South East and South South, many people will think that they have a common interest. By the time of a break up, you will see that that interest is no more. Each group will want to go on its own. In the north, many people see us a monolithic, fine, but by the time you are talking of breaking up, you are not sure how the break up will affect us. I still remember the Orkah coup, and nobody has been able to explain to me why Orkah will excise some parts of Nigeria and say until they do this before they come back to Nigeria. That gives you an impression of something."

akpomeme: Who is the chief security officer of a state?

Look, stop the pedantism and critically look at what others are telling you instead of continuing to craft argument to suit how you are obsessed with sectional/ethnic blame game. Everyone knows the "Chief security officers" tag of Governors is another ceremonial title paying homage to Nigeria's love of glorified titles. Is it governors who direct the actions of the NPF? Are they constitutionally in charge of paying, training and equiping the NPF? Please, forget your redundant argument.

The FG is entirely responsible for making the NPF an effective crime fighting body or otherwise. It is as simple as that. Nigeria will never develop when many of her citizens cannot even rise above affiliations and sectional affinity to ascribe blame fairly. What yo are saying here is only designed to assist your need to blame Fashola for the security woes of Lagos so as to avoid the real culprit you may be sectionally affiliated with.

Honest folks know that it it the FG, headed by GEJ, directly responsible for the failure of our centralised police force that takes its orders from the Inspector General of Police who is directly under our C-in-C i.e Jonathan. You cannot begin creating a phantom argument of the real roles of administrators to suit your leanings. If sincere, ask GEJ to stop saying "Nigeria not ripe for state police". Let the likes of Fashola have their own police force they can train,equip, motiviate and modernise to resemble what obtains in even our neigbhouring African Countries. If issues remain bad after that, then blame Fashola. For now, you cannot blame him for something he has no control over while you conveniently ignore those who have made the police force worthless and will not allow others to have their own State police models.

http://www.punchng.com/news/governors-not-chief-security-officers-aregbesola/

Governors not chief security officers – Aregbesola

OCTOBER 17, 2012 BY TUNDE ODESOLA


Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Argbesola, has said state governors are not chief security officers of their respective states.

Aregbesola, who spoke on Tuesday, in Osogbo said governors were not chief security officers in the true sense of the word, stressing that “no commissioner of police will listen to the directive or instruction of any governor.”

Aregbesola also made a case for the need to establish state police in the country, saying the idea remained the panacea for ensuring effective security nationwide.

A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said Aregbesola made the call when he signed state Security Trust Fund Law at the Governor’s Office, Abere.

He said, “The bogus appellation given to the governors as Chief Security Officers of their respective states is a mere expression.

“Those who say Nigeria is not ripe for state police are not sincere. I don’t know where they get their own reasoning from. Even school campuses have their own police to ensure that criminal activities are curbed in their institutions.”

SLIDE waxie: u surprise me jare. U dnt av to answer all foolishness.

Yes you are right but sometimes I speak because , as El Rufai put it, one must talk occasionally before an outright lie is accepted as reality because it is uttered repeatedly as bombardment against a politically unsophisticated polity.

This is how some ALUU-minded charlatans, baying for Tinubu's blood, will begin making poisonous, empty and deceitful noise against a man who must be, on merit, one of the best candidate to replace Fashola and ensure seamless continuation of all that is going on currently.

When Hamzat then wins the ACN ticket they will beginning shouting "Tinubu stooge" and "imposition" because no one took them on, when they made same noise earlier, to show that Hamzat always qualified to gain the Ticket on his own merit as one of the best and most talented administrators working with Fashola. Lagos is my State and I will speak up against anyone trying to malign an administrator who is qualified on every single front to keep the State moving forward.