Falae advises Jonathan not to contest 2011 election
By Ayodeji Moradeyo and Alex Emeje
May 7, 2010 10:05AM



Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Olu Falae, has urged our president, Goodluck Jonathan, not to contest for the presidency in the 2011 general elections.

Mr. Falae ,while speaking with reporters on the death of Mr. Yar’Adua, said Mr. Jonathan should rather concentrate on how to conduct a credible election for the nation in 2011. “If Jonathan does not contest in the presidential election, it will enable him to organise a credible, free and fair election for the country,” he said. “If he, however, decides to run for presidency, he should be careful and choose his running mate from the North, to maintain a balance in the nation’s political equation.”

The former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate described the death of Mr. Yar’Adua as unfortunate and a great loss to Nigeria.

“Yar’Adua’s death is unfortunate; it is highly painful that some people played politics with his protracted ill-health,” he said. “He meant well for Nigeria but his ill-health prevented him from leaving a good legacy for the country. But I think I am happy for him now that he is dead, for he will rest having passed through what he experienced,” Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau said. Nigeria has lost a great leader in late Mr. Yar’Adua, whose contributions and sacrifice to the nation will for long be remembered. He described late Mr. Yar’Adua’s input to the democratic dispensation in Nigeria as immense, adding that his stance on the rule of law was outstanding.

To the new president, Goodluck Jonathan, he expressed the hope that God will guide him to continue with the good work where his predecessor has stopped.

The Action Congress (AC) on Thursday hailed the smooth succession in the presidency, following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, saying it shows Nigeria is now on a sound democratic footing and that it is ready to join the comity of free nations.

In a statement issued in Katsina Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party also paid glowing tributes to the late president, describing him as a man of integrity and uncommon humility.

Maturing democracy

It said the swearing in of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan as President, without any hitch, shows there is always a silver lining in every cloud, and has proven that Nigerian can rise above any challenge when it matters most, by upholding the constitution and the rule of law.

“A few months ago, there were speculations all over the place that certain parts of the country will not allow Jonathan to be sworn in as president, if necessary. But today, those speculations have been put to rest,” he said. “In a way, the smooth transition is a tribute to the late president, whose administration made transparency and the rule of law its mantra. It is also a fallout of the robust discourse that took place during the long absence of the late president, and a great credit to the Nigerian military, which has now subjected itself to constitutionality and the rule of law,” the AC said.

The party said Mr. Yar‘Adua will also be remembered for the amnesty he granted the militants in the Niger Delta, which has been widely acknowledged as a success even though his illness truncated its smooth implementation,

The party also hailed the late president for his moral transparency, in becoming the first Nigerian leader to publicly declare his assets.

“The best tribute that can be paid to Yar’Adua is for President Jonathan to bequeath to the nation an electoral reform that will guarantee a free and fair election in 2011, and continue with the implementation of the amnesty programme to restore lasting peace to the Niger Delta,” the AC said.

Also yesterday, a chairman of the All-Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA), Chekwas Okorie, described Mr. Yar’ Adua’s death as not only painful but a great loss to the nation. Okorie, in a telephone interview, said the late Yar’Adua would remain in the hearts of Nigerians as one president to have admitted the fraud in the process that brought him to office.

“The only legacy President Goodluck Jonathan owes Yar’Adua is to ensure that the 2011 elections are carried out smoothly, without any form of rigging, thuggery or arsonists,” he said.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5565110-147/falae_advises_jonathan_not_to_contest.csp

Probe of Fashola: True Face of Lagos accuses Assembly of bias
May 5, 2010
By admin
Written by Adewale Ajayi

The True Face of Lagos, a group which levelled allegations of financial impropiety against Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has accused the probe panel constituted by the state House of Assembly of being biased in its investigation.

This was contained in a letter signed by the chairman of the group, Mr Adebayo Adeshina, addressed to the chairman of the panel, Honourable Ajibayo Adeyeye, on Tuesday .

According to the letter, the group stated that a statement credited to one of the members of the committee, Honourable Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, that the inability of the group to produce proofs on the allegations made her have some reservations on the allegations, showed that the committee would be biased in its finding .

The letter reads: “We draw your attention to media comment made by a member of your committee, Honourable Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, immediately after your sitting of Tuesday, April 27, 2010 in which we had the privilege to be present in respect of your invitation.

“Honourable Tejousho was widely quoted in both electronic and print media to have said she had reservation about our ability to provide proofs on allegations when we had appeared before the panel only once.”

Source: www.tribune.com.ng

http://www.ifeyinka.com/2010/05/probe-of-fashola-true-face-of-lagos-accuses-assembly-of-bias/

Questions begging for answers!!!.

Fashola: Group submits letter to probe panel
By Gbenga Adeniji, Published: Wednesday, 5 May 2010

A group, the True Face of Lagos, on Tuesday, forwarded a letter to the Ad-hoc committee of the state House of Assembly probing the allegations of financial impropriety it levelled against Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration.

A member of the group, Mr. Ishola Adesina, who brought the letter to the panel, said it was to caution the panel on its comment that the group was not forthcoming with evidence in substantiating its claims, saying that such development could preempt its findings.

Adesina, who represented the president of the group, Mr. Adeshina Adebayo, stated that security fears prevented Adebayo from appearing before the panel to present the letter.

But when prodded further, he disclosed that he (Adebayo) had received threats on his mobile phone, including a text message.

In his reaction, the chairman of the committee, who also doubles as the Deputy Majority Leader of the Assembly, Mr. Ajibayo Adeyeye (Kosofe II), said that the House cherished its integrity and would ensure that it did what was right in its desire to probe the allegations.

He revealed that the group forwarded the text message on the alleged threat to him, saying that the House was not biased and would not shirk its responsibilities.

He said, “We must be seen to be doing what is right and I assure you that we will leave no stone unturned in our desire to look into the allegations.”

But another member of the panel, Mr. Rotimi Olowo (Somolu I), stated that the committee was not a law court but would ensure fairness in its investigation.

One of the members of the panel, Mr. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu), noted that the committee was not bothered about the misgivings of the group on its activities, but about the truth.

He said, ‘‘When we started the investigation, people came to the House to say the governor should not be investigated. The True Face of Lagos may feel somehow; we are not bothered.

“We are only bothered about the truth, so that men of the future would read it and say those who sat on the panel did a good job.”

Another member of the committee, Mr. Dayo Fafunmi (Ifako-Ijaiye), assured the group that nobody would be treated as a sacred cow in its investigation.

But Adeyeye told members of the group that if there was the need to invite them, the panel would not hesitate to do so.







Comments from the site:

THE TRUE FACE OF LAGOS MEMBERS ARE ALL ACTING A SCRIPT FROM OUTSIDERS WHO NEVER THOUGTH LAGOS WILL WITNESS MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT HAVING TO PROSRATE AT ABJ FOR FUNDS.LAGOSIANS ARE NOW ENJOYING THE FRUIT OF VOTING RIGHT. THIS IS A WAKE UP CALL FOR OTHER STATES.
Posted by: adde , on Wednesday, May 05, 2010

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mr,john onodoh i really like ur statement or coment. just leave mr yomi faji alone and others like him because ten people said that this person is good and only one person says that his bad and both home and abroad fashola is collecting awards.fashola keep moving, thanks.oshara
Posted by: oshara , on Wednesday, May 05, 2010

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If this group came safely to submit their petition without security risks, why are they not submitting their evidence without fear.They are greedy elements against good governance and genuine progress and should not be taken seriously. All their collaborators will soon be exposed to their deserved ridicule. If what Fashola is doing in Lagos is the way to be corrupt, then let all our Governors become "corrupt".
Posted by: John Onodoh , on Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Report this comment

Is wrong to ask our governor at what cost did he do what he did? We need to sign for accountability and if some people alledge that corruption is happenning in the running of Lagos state let the House help us to find out not for us to call the patrotism of the True face of Lagos names. Voters in Nigeria are too partisan pls let us be VOTERS not quasi/politician. Let us know if BOI building was DEMOLISHED at the cost of 1.5 billion naira– 6million pound sterling! We are waiting.
Posted by: yomi faji , on Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Report this comment

Abuse of Freedom of Speech, who are those that are behind Fashola Probe? The Man has really distinguished himself from our conventional Politicians. Can you Compare Fashola with Akala who Governs his state as if he is governing a Beer Parlour. Fashola is a serious minded Man, I voted for him and I will vote for him again if the opportunity resurface.I am yet to see any Governor who can competite with Gov. Fashola interm of achievement.Though it good to have critics anyway.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100505427851

Patience Jonathan: Nigeria’s Most Powerful Woman
October 28, 2007 ·


By Sonala Olumhense.

ON September 11, 2006, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seized $13.5 million dollars (US) from Mrs. Patience Jonathan, the wife of then Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan.



The International Herald Tribune quoted the EFCC spokesman, Mr. Osita Nwajah, as saying that the seizure was made after Mrs. Jonathan had allegedly laundered the money through an associate.




It was the second time in one month Mrs. Jonathan was hitting the scandal headlines. In August, the EFCC had obtained a court order to temporarily freeze N104 million she had allegedly tried to launder through one Mrs. Nancy Ebere Nwosu. The EFCC said it had reason to believe the seized funds belonged to the public. In a sworn statement, Mrs. Nwosu implicated Patience Jonathan, the EFCC said.




But remember, her husband was the Bayelsa State Governor at the time. And Mr. Jonathan’s government dashed to the defence of the First Lady of Bayelsa, alleging that the reports were part of a “plot to destabilize” the state. Government spokesmen were falling over each other to speak for Mrs. Jonathan. The Governor’s spokesman, Dennis Sami, described the allegations as a “charade,” the target of which was the Governor.




“We are aware that the said Nancy Ebere Nwosu is a very remote relation of Her Excellency who has lived abroad for several years,” Mr. Sami said. “She is a successful businesswoman of no little means whose business concerns do not involve Mrs. Jonathan.”




Mrs. Jonathan’s spokesman, Kenneth Ekpelu, fired an e-mail to Vanguard newspaper in which she spoke of “her husband’s opponents who strangely perceive her as the soft spot in his political armour and won’t stop hammering away at her until their decisions to oust him from office are met.”




It is funny how these canned money-laundering defenses sound alike. Didn’t former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s United States lawyer, Mr. Kunle Fagbenle, say last November that Andy Uba – who used part of some funds laundered by means of the executive jet (allegedly without Obasanjo’s permission) to shop for Obasanjo’s farms – could not be accused of money-laundering because Mr. Uba was “already a rich man”? And did not Obasanjo say the Uba scandal was only a “calculated attempt” to ruin his name?




Anyhow, despite the massive protestations of Governor Jonathan, the EFCC pressed ahead. On August 22, 2006, Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja authorized the freezing of the N104 million “pending the conclusion of the investigation of the activities of the said persons in connection with their involvement in the acts of money laundering and other economic and financial crimes related offences.”




And then, barely three weeks later, Mrs. Jonathan was in the news again, reportedly being separated from an astounding $13.5 million in US dollars. She must have been one angry woman. But all that was one year ago.




Since then, the Jonathans have moved up in the world. They have left the relative squalor and poverty of a mere state governorship for the Vice-President’s estate. They have left the petty limitations of Bayelsa for the limitless expanse of Abuja. Only one man now speaks before Mr. Jonathan does.




Yes, Mr. Jonathan is the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the second most powerful man in the country. He is also the man President Yar’Adua is trusting with the challenge of the Niger Delta, where billions of dollars are expected to be spent over the next few years.




He has also been talking about democracy, corruption, the rule of law, and development. Just over a week ago, at the All-Delta Peoples Conference in the United States, Mr. Jonathan disclosed that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had authorised the release of all funds due the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). In addition, “Special funds will be provided for special projects in line with the master plan,” he said.




And Mrs. Jonathan has been speaking, too, telling Nigerian women how they can become more fulfilled citizens. Up in the rarefied air of federal authority, you can preach any sermon, even while you have around your neck diamonds and jewels of $13.5 million, and gold bracelets of N104 million.



This is all quite ironic. The Jonathans are living in a dream state. They moved into the governorship in Bayelsa when Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was consumed in a corruption blaze, and into the vice-presidency when the PDP sought someone to balance Umaru Yar’Adua on the PDP presidential ticket.




But they take quite a few scandals with them. Mr. Jonathan left Bayelsa State in a thick cloud of suspicion. Many Bayelsans believed his government had fleeced the treasury. While Mr. Jonathan said upon assumption of office he had inherited a state treasury N25 billion thick, he refused to say what was left there as he vacated office. Bayelsans alleged he had swept the commonwealth clean, and that most public projects were left uncompleted.




Two months after he assumed the vice-presidency, Mr. Jonathan came under severe national pressure to follow the lead of his boss and make his assets declaration public. It took several nerve-wracking weeks of trying to dodge the responsibility, but he finally released the document, which showed the former university lecturer was worth an absolutely unbelievable N295 million. He had only been the Governor for 17 months, and this means he had been growing richer at the rate of close to N17 million per month. Naturally, wink-wink, he did not include his wife in his declaration.



Meanwhile, Mrs. Jonathan…


In its report of last April’s election, the New York based Council on Foreign Relations observed that Patience Jonathan was generally regarded as the “greediest person in Bayelsa State” and a woman of great cruelty. Last June, the Niger Development Monitoring and Corporate Watch (NIDDEMCOW), a local non-governmental organization, asked the EFCC to publish its report on Mrs. Jonathan.




The EFCC has not. This is not particularly strange; the Commission is not in the habit of issuing such reports. But nothing has been heard from the Commission since the flurry of activities of August and September last year. That coincides with the period before Mr. Jonathan emerged Yar’Adua’s running mate.




Apparently, even scandals of that magnitude are no obstacle in Nigeria. Mr. Jonathan got the vice-presidency, and the only man he is answerable to is about to put into his hands, theoretically for the Niger Delta, all the diamonds and gold a man could want.




And his wife? Patience Jonathan apparently hates that kind of snail-pace to fortune. Indicted by the EFCC in only eight months as First Lady on a charge of laundering a few Naira bills, she moved to dollar bills in the millions the following month. That same month, the EFCC report to the Senate called her by name.



Again, this does not seem to matter in Nigeria: weeks later, in October, the Owu Kingdom, President Obasanjo’s people, honoured the Jonathans with chieftaincy titles. In that culture, Obasanjo is the Balogun of Owu; Mr. Jonathan became the Obateru.




If Mrs. Jonathan was thrilled on that day, she must be over the moon today. An EFCC indictment, and yet she can get on any of our presidential jets at any time and drink champagne at State functions.




And how much taller she must be, these days as she stands on the authority of the vice-presidency! From such heights, not only do you dwarf an EFCC, but you also are invincible. What a country!




What I really fail to understand is: If Mrs. Jonathan can so effectively laugh at the so-called war on corruption, does that not make her the First Lady? On what basis does she perform her functions – the recommendations of the EFCC? Why has Mrs. Jonathan assumed the status of untouchable, or is she truly the nation’s most powerful woman?



sonala.olumhense@gmail.com


Culled from the Nigerian Guardian Sunday 28th October 2007.


http://aderinola./2007/10/28/patience-jonathan-nigerias-most-powerful-woman/

For-Real:

Even with all the noise from Pro-Fashola, it is when the airport is built, that is when I will believe. I am neither for the airport, or against the airport.

The guy really wants to build the airport, and he means business.

tpia.:

who is this for-real of a person?

Otobroto:

I was not hawking my opinion, but all the same, you can drop your email, so that I can remind you, when the traits are becoming glaring!.

Na wah oh!. The way some people reason, it is disheartening!. Which Nigerian leader can one trust? Yes, some are more active than some, but does it change the status quo? No matter the praises they enjoy from some quarters, they always soil their hands, at the end of the day, talkless of a leader that have refused to clear the air on allegation charges on his wife. Nigerians will remain the architect of their own problem. Now that it is still fresh, why not shout it out, so that he will know we are watching him?.

@labiyemmy:


Realy?

That is just another contribution!!!!!!!.

tpia.:

are these types of threads for real?

I tire oh!. The problem is, the bad ones will never let anyone know of any with good intention.

Our-turn:

The irate beggars, some of who were on wheel chairs and clutches overpowered the task force and smashed the windscreen, as well as side glasses of the Hiace bus with registration No Kano XA491MDB that conveyed the task force to the National Mosque for the exercise.

It should have been titled, "Beggars Union, National Mosque Chapter Defeat Taskforce and Even Smached Their Windscreen". Shior!. Wonders shall never seize.

In deed Fashola has good intention, but some of hid policies are not masses friendly.

Americans know what they are looking for. I hope Jonathan does not fall Mugu!.

Babangida will not be president – Abiola family
By CHARLES ABAH and AKINWALE ABORISADE, Published: Sunday, 2 May 2010


Late Chief MKO Abiola

The criticism trailing the planned presidential ambition of former military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda, swelled on Saturday as the family members of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief MKO Abiola, roundly condemned the move.

Babaginda, who ruled the country from 1985 to 1993, the family said, was not reliable and thus could not be trusted.

The deputy head of the family and younger brother of the late business mogul, Muritala, made the assertion on behalf of the Abiolas in an exclusive interview with SUNDAY PUNCH.

He also spoke on the debt the Federal Government owed his brother, the deceased’s relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, among other issues in the polity.

Babaginda, the former military president, Muritala insisted, was the least of persons that should ever be allowed to rule the country again.

He said, “By God‘s grace, Babangida will not be president again. He has nothing to offer Nigerians. If he has any advice, he should sell it to the people in government.”

Babaginda has declared his intention to contest the 2011 presidential poll on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, a move that has elicited heated criticisms among many interest groups and public commentators.

The former dictator was the head of the junta that annulled the June 12, 1993 election believed to have been won by Abiola.

Muritala explained that it would be wrong for Babangida, whom he described as an antagonist of democracy, to reap where he did not sow, adding that “Babangida does not deserve to be voted as president.”

According to him, Babaginda‘s renewed bid for the presidency was a calculated attempt to frustrate the true essence of the nation‘s democracy.

He said, “It will be very unfortunate and that will mean that Nigeria is still very backward. If we have our way we will prosecute Babangida.

“There are facts and figures to frustrate IBB‘s ambition of becoming president. Some people say they only want to take his money. There is no need to take his money. Let him know that he is a bad man. He is not acceptable.

”Again, we are not ready to have anything to do with any government that will not have the people‘s feelings and who will not immortalise MKO.

“But if Nigerians so desire that Babangida should come again so be it. But the country will have to bear the consequences of the mistake. We, as a family, are still grappling with the consequence of our brother‘s death.”

He added, ”Even our ancestor will not pray for a Babangida’s presidency. MKO was a symbol of unity. He was accepted by all; Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

“He was made the Yoruba generalissimo, Aare Ona Kakanfo. Akintola, who was the Aare Ona Kakanfo was killed by government, just as MKO was killed.”

Reacting to calls by some groups that the former dictator should apologise to Nigerians on the annulment, Muritala insisted that it was too late.

Adding that the call was a gimmick sponsored by Babangida, Muritala said, “We are saying that we cannot take Babangida’s plea and that Nigeria should not have anything to do with him. We can forgive him if need be but we cannot support his presidency.”

Muritala, who described the annulment and killing of his elder brother as the height of betrayal, recalled that the businessman was a close ally of Babaginda and many other army generals.

Muritala said, “Babangida, former president Olusegun Obasanjo and the military caucus supported MKO initially. The problem began with the question of who becomes the vice-president.

“The army caucus wanted former president of Nigeria Labour Congress, Pascal Bafyau to be vice-president, while the party leaders preferred Babagana Kingibe. MKO‘s hands were tied because as the party‘s flagbearer he could not object to their decision to drop Bafyau.”

He explained further that the decision caused disaffection between his brother and the top military echelon even as it strained the relationship between MKO and Obasanjo.

He debunked the allegation that some members of the Abiola family were romancing the ruling PDP and Babangida.

Muritala said, “I am just hearing this. If I knew this we would have called a meeting. We are trying to make the whole world know today that apart from what comes from the authentic Abiola family any other thing is false.”


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201005021215678

I am not surprised, because I knew all these witch-hunting will soon give birth, to someone's ambition. Greed, will never die in this country!.

2011:Jonathan’s ambition tears PDP apart
HeadlinesMay 2, 2010
*ACF cautions against move
By Jide Ajani, Deputy Editor


Even after its no-victor-no-vanquished national executive committee, NEC , meeting of last Tuesday, the leadership of the ruling PDP remains divided down the line over the widely speculated presidential ambition of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
Already the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has sent word to the Acting President to ensure that “the virtues of peace, fairness, equity and justice are the guiding principles of his administration”.

Acting President Jonathan
The ACF, Sunday Vanguard can also reveal, is insisting that the zoning arrangement of the PDP is a sure panacea for the evolution of equity in the country.
A source in the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT, told Sunday Vanguard that “what we are hearing is that the Acting President wants to contest the presidential election of next year and it is dividing the party.
“Although I have not heard it from him, that is the general story.
“The only problem is that when the National Assembly made its proclamation making him Acting President, we had thought that he would just focus on solving the immediate problems in the country which is power supply and security.
“But we are still waiting to see what happens because things are not very clear now; may be in a couple of weeks we would be sure of what is happening and at that time we can speak better.
“The other problem is that the north has made its position clear about the matter and they are not lying low. They say they still want the issue of zoning which, to be fair, is their right”
Asked about the role of Obasanjo in the plot about Jonathan’s ambition, the source said, “we are watching events and if we discover that the Acting President will refuse to be his own man, then we will have to leave him to his fate”.
North Kicks
Sunday Vanguard gathered that the ACF in making its position on the issue of zoning known to the Acting President, last week, was very clear: it must remain.
Already, three northerners, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd); National Security Adviser, NSA, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau (rtd) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are in the race for the presidency next year – although Gusau and Atiku have not made their ambition public.
The numerical superiority of Northern PDP in any election is what the ACF is said to be banking on in its insistence that any attempt to disorganize the zoning arrangement would not be taken lightly.
Jonathan’s Base
Meanwhile, there are indications that the acting president may not have an easy ride in his reported presidential ambition in his South-South base.
Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States are not known to swing in the way of Jonathan in the emerging political re-configuration for next year’s presidential election.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State is a member of the Action Congress, AC, and, may therefore, remain indifferent; a large segment of the political leadership in Delta State does not share the Gestapo-style approach of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in its pursuit of the case against former governor James Onanefe Ibori of the state; and there is the challenge from his home Bayelsa State where the state governor, Timpreye Silva is at loggerheads with the Acting President.
Added to this is the concern in some quarters that Jonathan had never really mounted the rostrum to campaign in an election for himself and, therefore, may not have the political wherewithal to mobilize for himself.
For Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom State, it would only be a matter of time for their hands to be played out.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/05/02/2011jonathan%E2%80%99s-ambition-tears-pdp-apart/

Kobojunkie:

The governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is considered by most Lagosians to be an honest striver who aims to improve the city. (The city and the state of Lagos are basically one and the same, such is the expansiveness of the urban sprawl.) I have heard Fashola speak on several occasions; each time, I came away impressed but just as convinced that his lofty and admirable goals would not succeed.

“Most places do planning before development,” said Moses Ogun of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners. “Here they do development and building before they’ve done the planning. I call it disjointed incrementalism.”

The architects of the 1998 city master plan promised to develop 28 new districts in Lagos and ease congestion, but they didn’t follow through, according to Ogun. Only 15 percent of the 1985 master plan was implemented.

“There is no one guiding the growth,” Ogun said. “The governor needs to wake up.”

I don’t think wakefulness is the governor’s problem. Disentangling himself from rich patrons and the corruption long endemic to Nigeria may be.

There are huge amounts of money to be made in Lagos, particularly in the housing industry. Demand is high, and so are rents. A two-bedroom apartment in Ikoyi, Lekki, or Victoria Island (where Eko Atlantic City will be constructed), the wealthier areas of Lagos, can cost $6,000 a month.

Developers have been quick to pounce on this housing bubble, and they are very keen to build additional properties on the islands. The city’s plan to reclaim land from the ocean is music to their ears.

The poorer neighborhoods of Lagos invariably get neglected.

Mabel Samuel lives in a shanty village enclosed on all sides by multistory homes and businesses catering to wealthy Lagos residents. The people here work as servants, cleaners, and drivers for the more affluent folks who surround them. They pack themselves and their entire families into tiny rented rooms because they cannot afford the cost of commuting daily from other, more affordable neighborhoods. Mabel, her husband, and their three children live in a room that is about 6 feet by 8 feet.


http://www.blackpower.com/business/lagos-africas-mega-city/

That is sure the problem of Fashola. He is not spreading this development, lessen congestion.

Hardtalk:



The hope of Ibrahim Babangida, former Nigerian military ruler, or any other military general, to get the support of former president Olusegun Obasanjo for the 2011 presidential elections was dashed in far away United States of America last Thursday, April 29th in Washington DC.

All of us who fought for the stability and unity of the country must now give the next generation a chance to take over the leadership of Nigeria," Mr. Obasanjo stated.As part of his campaign to seek support for his presidential ambition, Mr. Babangida, who ruled Nigeria between 1985 and 1993, had visited Mr. Obasanjo at his residence in Ogun State on April 1, to seek the latter's support.

Other presidential candidates that Mr. Obasanjo's statement refers are Muhammad Buhari, former military head of state; and Aliyu Gusau, the current National Security Adviser.

Mr. Obasanjo also used the opportunity to condemn the statement credited to Mr. Babangida that Nigerian youth were not ready for political leadership."It is wrong for my generation to say the youth are not ready to take over the leadership of the country," said Mr. Obasanjo.

Not all Nigerians are corrupt

This man sure have something up his sleeves!.

Don't contest for President, Obasanjo tells IBB and Buhari
By Musikilu Mojeed and Idris Akinbajo
May 2, 2010 12:24AM


The hope of Ibrahim Babangida, former Nigerian military ruler, or any other military general, to get the support of former president Olusegun Obasanjo for the 2011 presidential elections was dashed in far away United States of America last Thursday, April 29th in Washington DC.

The salvo was fired by Mr. Obasanjo himself at the ‘Dialogue on Nigeria' forum hosted by the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation' where he declared that it is now time for the younger generation to take charge of the leadership of the country."The generation before mine fought for and got independence for Nigeria. My own generation fought for unity and stability to keep Nigeria one. It is now left for generation after ours to move the country forward.


All of us who fought for the stability and unity of the country must now give the next generation a chance to take over the leadership of Nigeria," Mr. Obasanjo stated.As part of his campaign to seek support for his presidential ambition, Mr. Babangida, who ruled Nigeria between 1985 and 1993, had visited Mr. Obasanjo at his residence in Ogun State on April 1, to seek the latter's support.

Other presidential candidates that Mr. Obasanjo's statement refers are Muhammad Buhari, former military head of state; and Aliyu Gusau, the current National Security Adviser.

Mr. Obasanjo also used the opportunity to condemn the statement credited to Mr. Babangida that Nigerian youth were not ready for political leadership."It is wrong for my generation to say the youth are not ready to take over the leadership of the country," said Mr. Obasanjo.

Not all Nigerians are corrupt

While speaking on corruption, Mr. Obasanjo, who is alleged to be a major beneficiary of the $180million Halliburton bribe stated that "people are saying that the Nigerian police is corrupt but it is the same police force that produced (former anti corruption czar) Nuhu Ribadu.

So it is a challenge for us to always find the right people among us and thrust them with the leadership of our country."The former President, who appointed Maurice Iwu, the man who conducted the 2007 general elections widely believed to be the worst in Nigerian history, also spoke on electoral reforms."What is most important for electoral reform is for politicians to reform themselves," he said. "But in Nigeria, even if Jesus comes to conduct election, it would still be condemned."

Other prominent speakers at the event included Mr. Ribadu and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, managing director of the World Bank, and former finance minister.Johnny Carson, the US assistant secretary of state for Africa stated at the event that "Nigeria is very important for the US and the world and that is why it is one of the three countries we have bi-national commissions. We are serious about partnering Nigeria and maintaining cordial relations."

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5562828-146/dont_contest_for_president_obasanjo_tells.csp

These decay are evident everywhere and every sector of the economy. Judge for yourself, do we really need a second airport (at least at this time and with all the above), in Lagos?