₦airaland Forum

I hv to talk now. Lagos is no man's land as far as am concin. If u go to the MAP of Nigeria, u will see dat Lagos is outside de map, shows dat u guys hv no were in dis country. Igbos will vote fo jk go hit transformer if u don't like it. Wat nonsense is dis? Igbos are giant of NIGERIA

We waited patiently to vote in these elections, now I want to urge all Nigerians to also wait patiently for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to collate and announce results. We must ensure that we do not get involved in acts that breach our peaceful co-existence that we patriotically demonstrated during the elections. May God bless Nigeria. GEJ.

Yesooo

Goodluck is a choosen ONE

Nigerians open your eyes for symbols!!!

The broom (APC) represents the symbol of evil for witches and wizards!

The Umbrella (PDP) is a symbol for providing shade, come rain or sunshine.

If you vote for the broom, evil shall follow you for the next four years.

If you vote for the umbrella, shelter, peace and prosperity shall be yours!

Vote wisely! Vote PDP! God bless you!

Nigerians open your eyes for symbols!!!

The broom (APC) represents the symbol of evil for witches and wizards!

The Umbrella (PDP) is a symbol for providing shade, come rain or sunshine.

If you vote for the broom, evil shall follow you for the next four years.

If you vote for the umbrella, shelter, peace and prosperity shall be yours!

Vote wisely! Vote PDP! God bless you!

Apc has been consistent in sayin that PDP has ruled Nigeria for 16 disastrous years in which corruption,


Impunity, insurgency, armed robbery and several ills of society held sway. But at a very close look at the APC,

I am seeing:

1. Rotimi Amaechi – 8 years speaker; 7 years, Governor under PDP.

2. Atiku Abubakar – 8 years Vice
president under PDP.

3. George Akume – 8 years
Governor under PDP.

4. Bukola Saraki – 8 years
Governor; 2 years, Senator under PDP.

5. Timipre Sylver – 4 years Governor under PDP.

6. Audu Ogbe – 2 years Chairmanship of the PDP.

7. Aminu Masari – 4 years as the Speaker, House of Representatives under PDP.

8. Chris Ngige – 3
years Governor under PDP.

9. Rabiu Kwankwaso –7 years Governor; 3 years Defense minister under PDP.

10. El Rufai – 4 years FCT Minister; 2 years BPE chairman under PDP.

11. And to cap it all, Obasanjo is the navigator of the APC, a man who spent 8yrs of the disastrous 16 years as the maximum ruler of Nigeria. It is now clearer that APC is a waste basket of the PDP,

where the people who created and perpetuated the 16 disastrous years are now dumped.

So where is the change coming from? Are they now saints because they joined APC? Pls be WISE & VOTE not for those seeking power by FORCE


"ASSOCIATION OF PAST
CRIMINALS (APC )." Share this for d love of ur country. Make sure u send it to anoda person

GoodMorning 1nce Again

CLEAR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PA AWOLOWO (UPN) AND TINUBU (APC)- Richard Omoko

As the elections draw near it is critical for us to clearly understand what we are getting into and as such who our so called leaders are. While the two leading parties (ie. PDP and APC) have their plus and minuses, you cannot afford to turn a blind eye to critical issues of importance at this stage.
PDP may not be the messiah that we all yearn for but as an observer I would honestly tell you that this present administration has done remarkably well to deserve continuity which is a prominent component in our leadership vocabulary as a nation. There have been great leaders in Nigeria whom have left an indelible mark in our progress as a nation. For instance such leaders as Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Anthony Enahoro amongst others are people worthy of emulation. It is appalling that the virtues that these men once exuded are lacking in our democracy of today. They were indeed nationalist and statesmen who put self interest aside and pursued what was best for the country as a whole. Some were so involved in building the nation that at the end you would sympathise with their families that took the brunt of ridicules, in that after such a massive selfless sacrifice for their country they had little or nothing of personal worth to boast of. These men were so clear cut that parents named their children after them irrespective of area of origin or nationality in the hope that their wards would grow up to become like them, even Goodluck Jonathan was named after Azikiwe.

Differences between Awolowo and Tinubu
1. Pa Awolowo earned the title 'Leader of the Yoruba race' simply from his style of leadership, contributions to the society, and developmental strides he engineered for the Yoruba people irrespective of party inclination. He was loved by all Yoruba people and even by his enemies. Tinubu has divided the Yoruba people along party lines and has constantly shown disrespect to many Yoruba elders including the revered Afenifere group.
2. Pa Awolowo in many cases has shown selflessness and statesmanship in his approach and utterances. For instances after the results of the 1979 elections were declared by NEC, he did not go about on a campaign as to cause disaffection in the populace against the regime of Shehu Shagari. He took the defeat in good faith and concentrated more efforts in developing the states that his party had won in the elections. This attribute is lacking in Tinubu as you constantly hear his venomous and incisive statements that are a huge security risk even at a time like this with boko haram and the threats to security of the nation.
3. Economic/ Project agenda planning: This is another area you would duff your hat for Pa Awolowo. He took his time to articulate his policies and party agendas, and the beautiful thing there is the manner in which he dissected the economy and tell you how he is going to make provision for every project and policy he is promoting. He was never found wanting and because of his detailed approach the Yoruba people are still benefiting from his legacies. Tinubu has never provided any detailed economic planning to gauge his empty promises like the APC social welfare campaign promises of providing free food, free education, grants and monthly allowances for jobless citizens. If he were to do this effectively be sure that the fuel subsidy would be scrapped and taxes would be increased by over 30% to make available provision for payments in excess of N5 trillion. Of course you know who would benefit from the tax increases the citizens would have to pay. Tinubu's companies would receive 20% of taxes collected like what he has fully implemented in Lagos state over the years.
4. Systemic engagement: Pa Awolowo perfected his party programmes from the grass root up and not with empty promises that lacked intelligent applications. For instance the policy of free education was systematically injected from the local governments and state levels before he promised a national implementation during the election campaigns of 1979 and 1983. Tinubu on the other hand had always made promises without systemic approach and without adequate planning and preparation. Now the promise of monthly stipends/allowance for jobless youths, feeding of school children and so on are all policies he ought to have implemented in the states under his control and better prepare for its pros and cons before promising Nigerians. If truly APC were sincere about free education. Why then the 1,000% hike in school fees of LASU from N25,000 to N250,000? If the students had not reacted you sure would have seen this cruelty come to stay.
5. Stupendous wealth: Awolowo was a rich man no doubt but his wealth came mostly through hard work and wise investments and not land grabbing of Lakowe and Ibeju Lekki and other prime areas and properties belonging to innocent citizens and the people of Lagos state as Tinubu has been perpetrating over the recent past, through ARM and other bogus companies and cronies.
6. Irresponsible god fatherism: Tinubu is the alpha and omega of APC, whether Buhari or any other individual likes it or not. He is not called the jagaban for no reason. He is a master strategist who knows how to get his way however that may seem. He constantly calls the shot on who gets what and Atiku, Kwankwaso, Amechi, Oshiomole and Okorocha unknowingly have been burnt by this. Awolowo to my knowledge has not forced any candidate on his party UPN, everybody had equal opportunity as they must test their popularity through party primaries.

Interestingly in my discussions with many of the proponents chanting change. I inquired from them what they truly wanted to change in Nigeria as a nation. The responses you would get are corruption, insecurity, jobs, infra structural development, women empowerment, youth development, education being the critical areas needing attention. When I remind them and pointed out the transformational strides of this present administration, some understand and are already in conformity while some continue with their chants. For instance, in Nigeria now this is the first government that has achieved the full diversification of the economy. The minister of agriculture not only put to rest the monumental corruption in the fertiliser business of middlemen but also ensured that fertilisers as well as improved seedlings reached the farmers directly. This singular gesture has encouraged the farmers to produce more and store enough produce in renovated and newly constructed silos provided by the government. Insecurity has seen a remarkable boost with areas after areas being reclaimed by our military men upon receiving the right type of equipment. These equipments had to be produced, shipped and soldiers trained to adequately man them. An example of a case of corruption the proponents of change are quick to point out is the Police Pension bruhaha. I am also not happy with the outcome of this case,but the fact of the matter is this as I have come to realize this government has not acted like some others in quashing and arm twisting the other arms of government into doing its bidding. In contrary, it has allowed the Judiciary and the Legislature to act their roles, now an institution of government found an individual culpable of corruption, it arrested and charged the culprit to court but the judge in interpreting the law and meting out justice gave a judgement of a fine of N250,000 to someone who had stolen well over N2 billion. Is the Executive responsible for interpreting our laws and applying justice in this matter? The dire hard is quick to forget that this same administration is responsible for fishing out over 50,000 ghost workers, perfected the parole system of civil servants in order to minimise corruption to its bearest and also put a decisive stop to ghost pensioners. Is this not fighting corruption. Women know already that this administration has been true to its promise in having adequate representation of women in its government. For the first time ever we are having over 35% women representation in our government. The full involvement of the private sector has been an instrument for job creation and ensuring capacity utilisation in companies previously run by government. This is why BPE started with communication and now moved to power sector. NITEL and PHCN have not been properly run by governments in the past. These institutions have been a source of maladministration and a conduit for corruption and as such over burdened the budget.

The hassle of this proponents of change as I have realised, is not with this administration nor with the person of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan but with the party PDP. As such I want to ask that, Is it right to throw the baby out with the bath water? Of course no. PDP may have its faults but all indications remain that this current administration has performed creditably well Inspite of the menance of boko haram and so deserve another course for continuity to prevail in our development as a nation.

Davidson Iriekpen

With three days to the presidential election, a fresh survey by an independent company has revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now enjoys a 17 per cent lead over the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), with a margin of at least 17 per cent as they head to the presidential election scheduled to hold on Saturday, March 28.

Coming against a subsisting projection that Buhari’s APC would completely capture the votes of the South-west geo-political zone, a situation that could place the APC in good stead, the new survey shows that the reality on ground revealed that Jonathan might have unlocked the pathway to even out votes in that region.

A few of the survey highlights by Chike Uchime of Forward Magazine, a research and publishing company since 1995 and Daniel Dickson-Okezie of Zevland Ventures Limited, also a leading research and security consultancy firm, indicate that President Jonathan is primed to win the elections in view of the new realities.

Using 24,000 sample sizes across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to decide through an opinion survey, who will win the presidential election, the outcome of the research exercise was based on three critical factors.

The first is the respondents’ views on the achievements or performance of the president from 2011 to date and to see how this can affect his chances in the coming election. The second factor dwelt on the correlation between the outcome of the 2011 presidential election and the likely outcome of the 2015 presidential election, while the third factor was a detailed study of the various dynamics that have taken place since 2011 and the likely impact on the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.

According to the survey, “When asked which of the TWO main political parties they preferred, 65 per cent of the respondents opted for PDP, while 31 per cent favoured the APC, one per cent went for other parties, while the remaining two per cent went for none of the parties.”

When the respondents were asked how they would rate Jonathan’s performance in ten critical areas namely: security, agriculture, power, dducation, transportation, aviation, press freedom, fight against corruption, human rights and job creation, somen empowerment, they allegedly claimed to be impressed on the average.

“When the respondents were asked if they would vote for Jonathan based on their responses to the previous questions, 62.2 per cent answered in the affirmative, and 29.7 percent in the negative, while 4.1 percent were undecided.

“On the question whether Buhari is considered more capable in addressing the critical issues in the areas listed, 30.7 per cent answered in the affirmative, while 65 per cent answered in the negative. Another 4.3 per cent of the respondents were undecided. From the foregoing, it was becoming visible the likely direction of their votes.”

The survey report highlighted the dynamics that have taken place since the 2011 election and the likely impact on the outcome of this year’s presidential election.

According to the report, “Issues addressed here include: (i)The effect of intra-party conflicts; (ii) The effect of mass decampment/cross-carpeting; (iii) The effect of endorsements by ethno-religious groups, socio-cultural groups, paramount rulers and others; and (iv)  inter-religious/ethnic conflicts since 2011

“Each of these issues will either have a positive or negative impact on the candidates. For example, the mass defection of some PDP governors and party stalwarts to the APC may affect the PDP negatively in some states. However, this likely set-back may be cancelled out by some high-profile defection to PDP such as that of Governor Mimiko of Ondo State and those of former Governors Peter Obi, Attahiru Bafarawa, Ibrahim Shekarau among others.

“Also, the effect of the conflict between the Fulani cattle rearers and indigenous farmers mainly in the North Central states and Taraba State in North-east may likely COST Buhari, who is a Fulani, some important votes in the areas concerned. Equally, the increase in bloody clashes between the Hausa Fulani and the people of Southern Kaduna might likely tilt a win in favour of Jonathan.

“The volume of endorsements by traditional rulers and ethnic nationality groups among others in the South-east, South-south and South-west has enhanced President Jonathan’s chances.
“Another critical factor examined which may work in favour of the president is the recent and aggressive deployment of the social media network which now ensures a wider reach and delivery of its programmes to the people. Hitherto, the APC was in control and more effective in the use of the social media.

“In conclusion, based on our findings as enumerated above, President  Jonathan, the presidential candidate of the PDP stands an excellent chance of winning the 2015 presidential election by at least a 17 per cent margin over his closest rival,” the report stated.
The report, in its footnote, stated: “It should be noted that the report did away with the dubious format of allocating states to the president based on some illusory expectations. The report is the outcome of extensive field research with real people.”

Facts are emerging on why prominent Yoruba leaders have vowed not to vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd.), in the March 28 presidential elections.

Prominent Yoruba leaders and groups, including the two factions of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPF), the Afenifere Renewal Group and individual Yoruba leaders have sent in a flurry of support and endorsement of the candidature of incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Sources close to the pan-Yoruba cultural group, Afenifere, have blamed the leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the woes that befell the South-West region in the present administration, especially as it concerns the loss of the Speakership of the House of Representatives.

One of the sources claimed it was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu that sponsored current Speaker, Aminu Bello Tambuwal, against the only Yoruba candidate to the post, Mrs. Mulikat Akande.

“The truth is that it was Tinubu’s backing of Tambuwal that eventually tipped the scale against the Yoruba nation. Because of that, the Yorubas are nowhere in the pecking order of this government. We are not the president, we are not the vice, we are not in the Senate and we are not in the House of Representatives. How do we support someone so selfish that he has to sell the privileges of the Yoruba nation to outsiders?” the source, who does not want to be named, said.

He went on to list other alleged sins of Tinubu and was certain that no Yoruba person worth his heritage would support anything projected by the man that is also popularly called the Jagaban.

According to the source, “The truth is that Tinubu has practically usurped the economy of Yoruba’s richest state. As we speak, the economy of Lagos is Tinubu and Tinubu is the economy of Lagos. We believe in equity and fairness and we are convinced Tinubu does not represent this.”

The source added that the position of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as vice president

Rivers state governor - Rotimi Amechi regrets his joining of APC


would have remained in PDP, if I knew my deputy would betray me--Gov. Amaechi

Following the return of the Deputy Governor of Rivers State; Engr. Tele Ikuru to PDP, governor Amaechi has urged members of the APC to remain steadfast. The governor who said that " Though I saw it coming, but I never believed it. Our movement to APC was a collective decision and Tele was even the one who seconded the motion for us to defect to the APC. So is unthinkable that he wld return to the PDP. This whole fight is about you ( APC members ). Not me! I can't be governor again. Like I keep saying, the world is aware of my fight with the President. And so many countries will grant me asylum and the President can't arrest me. So it's about you people. If I knew Tele was going to betray me and make peace with Wike, I wouldn't have left the PDP. I will encourage you to remain steadfast and expect the worst, because some commissioners will soon join him or will remain with us to sabotage our efforts. And how do you go to elections with a divided house and political moles? I'm learning people " --Gov. Amaechi
#Vote PDP at all levels

We have entered a critical week in Nigeria's political History.
The world is watching with interest as we go to the polls on Saturday.
This great Nation, sure deserves change. Change of attitude, lifestyle, thinking, etc. Not the change that will depend on one man but the change where everyone will take responsibility towards building a better country.

Some people have tried to convince me to vote for their candidate because they believe he will bring "change"
They say:
On certificate; ...just vote for him even if he presents "NEPA" bill
On public debate; ...just vote even if he shuns every opportunity to explain how he will bring change.
On Religion; ...just vote for him even if he doesn't condemn Islamic extremism
On Recycling old rulers... Just vote for him,he has changed
On Corruption...Just vote even if he's surrounded and funded by corrupt people, he would change them.
On ability to lead a modern Nigeria...they say just vote for him, we have a good team that will teach him.

I asked,why this blind faith? They said, "because the man who is in-charge now has failed, let's experiment with General....he's too old to be corrupt."
I asked,what if the experiment fails? They said, then we will change him in 4yrs time...hmmmm.

I want a better life for my family and country but I'm grateful for the progress so far made. I'm not ready to throw away what I have and follow the promises of Nigerian politicians.

President Jonathan may not have accomplished all he set to do but no one can deny the fact that his gentle nature and leadership has given us the freedom we never had. Freedom is the core essence of democracy. For the first time in our history even idiots can insult the President and sleep without worry.

On Saturday 28th March, exercise your freedom and vote who you like. I'll vote for GEJ. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,God bless and keep us all,Amen. #VoteNotFight#Peace.

For those who are conversant with the much revered Oba of Benin, it is note worthy to state that he hardly involves himself with politics. Also from history the gifts that the Oba presents to political leaders has a great effect on the lives and political inter play of the recipient's. In some cases that he had offered a particular gift to a former military despot, the interpretation was to mean that the days of the military ruler in office were numbered. And true to it this was what happened to the military ruler. Please note that the Oba does not leave his palace and you as the leader must go to him, whomever you think you are. The days of APC is numbered let them at their risk accuse the Oba of receiving bribe.

Rivers state governor - Rotimi Amechi regrets his joining of APC


would have remained in PDP, if I knew my deputy would betray me--Gov. Amaechi

Following the return of the Deputy Governor of Rivers State; Engr. Tele Ikuru to PDP, governor Amaechi has urged members of the APC to remain steadfast. The governor who said that " Though I saw it coming, but I never believed it. Our movement to APC was a collective decision and Tele was even the one who seconded the motion for us to defect to the APC. So is unthinkable that he wld return to the PDP. This whole fight is about you ( APC members ). Not me! I can't be governor again. Like I keep saying, the world is aware of my fight with the President. And so many countries will grant me asylum and the President can't arrest me. So it's about you people. If I knew Tele was going to betray me and make peace with Wike, I wouldn't have left the PDP. I will encourage you to remain steadfast and expect the worst, because some commissioners will soon join him or will remain with us to sabotage our efforts. And how do you go to elections with a divided house and political moles? I'm learning people " --Gov. Amaechi
#Vote PDP at all levels

Ikuru who has been Amaechi’s Deputy Governor since 2007 in the address said he had joined the APC out of “extreme loyalty” to Governor Amaechi.

According to Ikuru “Today, I address you out of the fullness of my heart. Recall that in December 2013 out of extreme loyalty to my boss and friend, I joined the APC along with other disillusioned Rivers people.

“Ever since, as a true nature of APC unfold, I continued to twist and turn in extreme mental and emotional agony. The more I struggle to belong, the more the Rivers in me rejects the APC.

“After carefully studying and analysing the leadership of the party, I have come to the sad conclusion that the APC is a party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists clothed in the robe of pretence and deceit.

The inspector General of the Nigerian Police, has warned Nigerians to cast their votes and leave the polling area, immediately, so that law and order can be maintained.

Professor Jega and APC are saying the opposite, encouraging people to mill around polling booths after voting, which will spark off serious disturbances, fights and complete breakdown of law and order.

This can lead to security issues, whereby the Police and security agencies will be forced to maintain law and order, immediately.

Nigerians, do not be misled by the selfish ambitions of others or be allowed to be used as their electoral thugs or even cannon fodder.

Kindly be advised to follow the security instructions of the inspector General of Police of Nigeria, abide by the laws, leave the polling booth after voting at once and do not for any reason get involved in any illegal electoral act, criminal matter or violent acts.

Complaints will be treated by the relevant agencies, electoral tribunals and the courts of law, and not by milling around polling booths to cause illegal disturbances, criminal acts of announcing parallel results or illegal acts of treason like forming a parallel Government.

Election tribunals and the courts of the land are the only institutions vested with the constitutional powers to deal with electoral issues.

Nigerians be warned, to not follow the misadvise of those who seem to want to cause electoral instability, insecurity, violence and even what may lead to treasonable acts.

God bless Nigeria!!!

EXPOSED: BUHARI, AMAECHI WERE ACTUALLY ARRESTED IN LONDON (SEE VIDEO)
March 20, 2015 · by udumakalu · Bookmark the permalink. ·

Buhahari arrives at Chatham House this morning with governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State
He arrived in a private people people carrier – see above.  Why was he leaving in a police van?  Someone nearby can be heard shouting “take the picture” and “we got him”.

Is this related to the failed attempt to kidnap Umaru Dikko from the streets of London in the 1980s and fly him back to Nigeria?

We are trying to confirm this with London’s Metropolitan Police.

It was like a joke yesterday when a video showing clips of General Buhari being conveyed to a waiting British Police Armor Criminal Carrier {ACC} to be whisked off, was shared from the Media and Publicity page of the PDPPCO on facebook. Though its source is yet unknown. In the video as attached here, General Buhari was accompanied by His Personal Lawyer, His Personal Doctor and 2 leaders (Ameachi and some other unknown leader) of the APC into the waiting van admits tight security.

Details of eye witnesses in the Chatham House events informed fact-seeking Nigerians that the General and his entourage had arrived the venue in a Limousine. Though some APC apologist had made claims that the General arrived in a London taxi which has been dispelled as the regular falsehood of the APC. On inquiries from some Nigerians in the UK on why a Nigerian former General and currently a Presidential was whisked away by the police, after the widely publicized event that was shaded in secrecy led to some revelations.

REVELATIONS WERE AS FOLLOWS
The General was actually whisked off by a British arm of the Interpol (International Police) on an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court of The Hague.

Further revelations showed that a Criminal Case against Humanity, filed in the by one Professor GORAN SLUITER, an international Law Professor of the University Amsterdam, sometime in the first week of February will be due for hearing on the second week of April. The ICC took the advantage of raising an arrest warrant to secretly arrest the General and be kept until the court hearing. Reasons was that in an unlikely event that the opposition party were to win the March 28th elections, it would be difficult to arrest the arrest the General to face his charges.

General Buhari will be standing trial for his crimes against humanity where over 800 Nigerian youths were killed during the post-election crisis in 2011, and another 65,000 persons displaced. The family of the slain have already given their evidence and are seeking justice for the death of the family members. Joint as co- plaintiffs in the case are youths that were dismembered and handicapped during the post-election crisis. Also as evidence are recordings of General Buhari publicly inciting his followers to kill all those that tried to take away their votes. In another evidence, are voice recordings of Buhari where he told some members of the press that the youths that died, deserved to die.

Findings revealed that the General was actually kept in the custody of the police in an undisclosed location for four days while members of the opposition rallied round for his bail. As we speak, some members has been held as surety for the General with some advance bonds have been made by his party.

SIDE THEORY
Part of the conspiracy revealed that the party hierarchy are not really bothered about what happens to Buhari as the Vice Presidential candidate will automatically stand in as President in an unlikely event that the APC wins the elections.

It is also revealed that as at when the Interpol arrived the venue, The APC Leaders like Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rotimi Ameachi had quietly scampered for safety in a like events that they would be asked to accompany the General. They were not sure what the offences were. Ameachi was practically forced to join them.. he was said to have told the Police to allow him walk in alone. Notice a policeman pushing him in? Tinubu was no where to be found till the departure of the Van.


More details will be coming!

Al Qaeda linked billionaires fund Buhari’s campaign – By Lloyd Ukwu
March 20, 2015

The All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Mohammadu Buhari recently returned from a visit to London. He went to London for a medical treatment. The grueling presidential campaign had taken a toll on the ailing Septuagenarian and he desperately needed medical attention. His appearance, while in London, at the Chatham House was merely a smokescreen; it dissembled the object of the visit: medical treatment. Although, the APC presented his London visit as a “working visit”, he failed to attend most of the programs organized as part of his “working visit”. His Chatham House appearance allowed the APC an opportunity to sell the Buhari presidential candidacy to the world, and especially, the United Kingdom. At the Chatham House, he presented a paper titled “Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition”.
The Chatham House hype belied the outrageous cost of that public relations outing for the APC. It cost the APC about N5 billion. The money was for the payments for the speaking engagement, numerous foreign consultants, air tickets for the huge APC delegation (including a contingent of governors), the purchase and renting of vehicles, hotel bills and other logistics. 
Unknown to many, is that the London visit also allowed Buhari the opportunity to source funds from a number of Arab donors. Despite repeated denial by General Muhammadu Buhari and the APC of being sponsored by Arab countries and businessmen, intelligent sources revealed that Mr. Buhari made contacts with at least two Saudi billionaires with links to the Al Qaeda terrorist group. He solicited and received their financial support for his presidential campaign.   
That Buhari is seeking financial help from Arab billionaires is fathomable. There are indications that some of his erstwhile financial backers are now withholding their funding from his political quest. Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, an APC stalwart, recently made it clear that he cannot continue to fund the Buhari campaign because he needs money to pay state government employees. Another major financier of the Buhari campaign, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is disenchanted with the APC. Consequently, he is hobnobbing with the ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). And once provided a soft landing, he will readily return to the PDP. He has since seized to be a financial supporter of the Buhari candidacy. 
Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State was one of the most important financiers of the APC presidential candidate. Notorious for his flippancy and reckless remarks, he repeatedly embarrassed the APC with his unguarded statements. In one of his brazen remarks, he said that Nigerian soldiers fighting the Boko Haram insurgency can justifiably disobey orders from their commanders. Legal experts considered his statement treasonable because Section 44 of the Criminal Code provides that: Any person who attempts to (a) seduce any member of the armed forces of Nigeria from his duty and allegiance; or (b) to incite any such persons to commit an act of mutiny is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for life. The party tried to rein in his glibness. Piqued by his party’s remonstration, Amaechi is sulking, and in retaliation against the party, is holding back funds from the Buhari campaign. 
With the once bloated coffers of the Buhari Presidential Campaign drying up, Buhari is in a desperate need of money. As such, he is reaching out to Arab donors for money. The sourcing of money by Buhari from Saudi businessmen with links to global terrorist groups is illegal. The Nigerian electoral act prohibits political candidates from raising foreign money and /or taking money from foreign donors. Yet, in his characteristic disdain for the constitution and national laws, Buhari went with cap in hand to London, begging money from fundamentalist Saudi Arabian billionaires with ties to both Al Qaeda and ISIS. It is important to note that Buhari, his Saudi sponsors and the leadership of both ISIS and Al Qaeda are all fundamentalist Sunni Moslems.   
Buhari’s ties to terrorist group, Boko Haram (with its enduring ties to Al Qaeda) that has lately declared its affiliation with ISIS have never been in doubt. For an earlier proposed negotiation between the terrorist group and the Nigerian government in Saudi Arabia, the Boko Haram chose him as its representative. He once proposed a general amnesty, financial rewards, jobs and political appointments for Boko Haram terrorists. Before he started feigning the image of a national, unifying figure and trustworthy presidential candidate, he was critical of the Nigerian army for killing Boko Haram members and his supporters celebrated Boko Haram attack on Nigerian soldiers.

ARTICLES, HEADLINES
Nigeria’s elections: An open letter to the international community – By Prof Nick Ezeh
March 20, 2015

– This piece is specifically directed to the international community, especially the Obama-led American government, which has exhibited a stark misunderstanding of the unique nature and challenges of the electoral process in Nigeria. I will address this issue from both the historical and contemporary perspectives, but with a special emphasis on the 2015 elections. The purpose is to flag some of what is right or wrong with the increased level of foreign interest in the 2015 elections. Below is the rest of my thesis:

One: It is noted that, like in previous elections, the pressure on INEC and Jega is just too much. But unlike 2007 for instance, Jega appears to have unwittingly stoked much of the pressures now arrayed against him. I say this because he freely allowed elements of foreign inter-meddlers who are passing off as either monitors, observers or advisers to gain too much access to the point that they now appear to be dictating policies on our elections.

By their words and actions, Jega and these foreigners are demonizing anybody or political party that dares venture a contrary opinion. The ruling party, the military, the NSA, the IGP, the SSS, and even the President are worst-hit, as they have been cast as villains and enemies to ‘credible’ elections. To Jega and these few foreign elements, credible elections means that everything they say, however so unjust, must be accepted by all and sundry. That’s very troubling, and it portends imminent danger to the elections, and to Nigeria’s wellbeing.

Two: Take the PVC for instance, and you get the the impression created by Jega and sold to these foreigners that the PVC can never go wrong. But it did and still does, in more ways than one. Up to this day, they are still in denial over the almost 20 million Nigerians who would have been disenfranchised had the elections held from February 14. It’s telling enough that, foreigners from advanced democracies, are not troubled by the skewed ‘victories’ that would have emerged from such patent anomaly.

It appears that they have come to believe that anything goes, provided it sits well with the opposition, not minding thatvdisadvantaged others. The deliberately or negligently disenfranchised Nigeria voters do not matter. Well-meaning Nigerians and foreign friends of Nigeria should please ponder this, and ensure that we don’t go into March 28 without ensuring electoral justice for all – the voter and all the parties fielding candidates.

Three: As for their opposition to the deployment of security forces on Election Day, Jega seems to have forgotten that organizing elections in the unique setting of Nigeria goes beyond INEC alone. Other pertinent national institutions like the police, the SSS, the military, and immigration, all have disparate roles to play. The police maintains civil order; the SSS acts as sleuths that detect and frustrate those operating covertly to rig or cause trouble.

The military ensures that we won’t have bloodshed as we did in 2011, and secures the areas, like Northeast, which still have pockets of terrorists intent on scuttling the elections in those locales. And the immigration secures our borders to keep away illegal aliens from coming to vote and thereby diluting the results of the elections. It is very disturbing that Jega and these foreigners see it otherwise. Is it a coincidence that the opposition also sees it the same way?

Four: Foreign funding of our elections has become too pervasive, and to the point of becoming a major factor in foreigners brazenly dictating our electoral policies. Unlike before, Jega appears to have stoked an unprecedented regime of INEC taking too much foreign funds. This is dangerous. Nigeria has come full circle to the point that we don’t have any business with asking foreign nations to help fund our elections.

If foreigners are not allowed to fund our political parties, why would we accept their strings-laden freebies to fund our electoral body? This is a national security matter which came to the fore when these foreigners demanded access to the biometrics of Nigeria’s registered voters in 2007. It was reported then that they were refused. It is not being reported now that they have not succeeded. Is Nigeria allowed free reign to fund American elections; and then run wild in America dictating to its umpire and insulting its leaders?

Five: Jega has missed two opportunities, in 2011 and 2015, to push for inclusion of the Diaspora vote. The fine idea of polling the diaspora vote developed out of the ‘Absentee Ballot’ system used in America, whereby Americans living overseas can cast their ballots at any of the American diplomatic missions closest to them. It doesn’t make sense and it is not fair that the Diaspora which remits quantum billions in forex that helps stabilize Nigerian economy are, to this day, still denied the right to vote.

In a close elections, such as we now might have in 2015, the Diaspora may be all it takes to determine who truly won the elections. Therefore, it is duplicitous that foreigners and a Jega who together tout the beauty of credible elections would ignore this fundamental angle to making elections much more credible.

Finally and most importantly, these foreigners, especially the Americans need to rethink this strange notion that elections in emerging nations are credible only when the opposition wins. That’s not true at all, as we can see from the recent reelection of Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu. In that very election, these foreign interests gave Netanyahu no chance but the Israeli voter voted otherwise but not before the foreign intermeddling has stoked an atmosphere of tension in Israel.

Here in Nigeria, the same atmosphere now exists to the point of this same people almost calling the election for the main opposition. This is reckless, and unfair to the Nigerian voter, as well as the other political parties that have been marginalized and treated like token players in the electoral process.

Jega must loose

EXPOSED: INEC Chairman, Jega, Osinbajo In A Secret Meeting In Lagos
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega and the Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Professor Yemi Osinbajo met secretly at a Lagos Hotel thursday night till early hours of Friday, an APC Source told Pointblanknews.com

Different sources confirmed that both men checked in at the Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Thursday evening and had a meeting that lasted till the wee hours of Friday.

Some unidentified chieftains of the APC were also at the meeting, according to a source who monitored the night meeting.

Sources who sighted the two men confirmed to Pointblanknews.com that whileJega checked into the Hotel Thursday evening, he checked out at about 8:20am this morning while Osinbajo who also spent the night at the hotel checked out at about 9:00am.

It is not immediately known what both men discussed during night meeting but sources told Pointblanknews.com that Jega has been highly compromised and covertly working for the APC.

Sources told pointblanknews.com that some top Northern leaders had previous meetings with Jega where he was warned against working against the Northern interest.

“This is not the first time Jega is having nocturnal meetings with APC leaders. He has had such before with some APC Northern leaders who pointedly told him not to allow kafir (infidel) win the Presidential elections,” a source who did not want to be named told Pointblanknews.com.

PDP had recently accused the Chairman of the INEC of holding secret meetings with the main opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE).

PDP also accused Jega of one-sided distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards, allegedly skewed in favour of the APC and against the stronghold of states perceived as pro-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Director, Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), Chief Femi Fani- Kayode, has raised 35 questions he would like the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari to answer within three days, failure which the PDP would conclude that he was guilty of all issues raised in the questions.

Some of Fani-Kayode’s 35 questions directed at Buhari:

“Is it true that Buhari gets massive covert funding from Hamas, ISIS, ISIL, Al Qaeda and various shady Middle Eastern interests? Is it true that he was once nominated by Boko Haram to be their spokesman in proposed talks with the Federal Government?

“What is the true health status of General Buhari? What is the situation concerning his certificate? Does he have it or does he not have it?

“Did he perjure himself and lie under oath when he swore to an affidavit that his certificate was with the military?

“What was his role in the killings on the night of July 29, 1966 when 300 Igbo officers, one yoruba officer and the former Head of State, General Aguiyi-Ironsi were killed in a military coup? Was he one of those who killed one or any of those people on that night and was he involved in the butchering of the primarily Igbo army officers?

“What was his role in the terrible and tragic events that took place in parts of northern Nigeria in 1966 when over 100,000 innocent Igbo civilians were slaughtered including women and children? Is it true that he was among those who supplied arms to those who slaughtered these Igbo civilians?

“What was his role in the massacre and genocide that took place in Asaba in 1969 after the Federal forces re-captured the town of Asaba from the Biafran forces and liberated it? This terrible incident occurred when every single young Igbo boy and elderly man that were left in the town were summoned for a role call at the town centre, were lined up in rows like lambs to the slaughter and were shot dead in cold blood. This was despite the fact that they were nothing but defenceless and innocent civilians and non-combatants. The question is this: what was Buhari’s role, if any, in that incident?

“Is it true that General Buhari personally ordered the retroactive application of military decrees which led to the death of many simply because he wanted to teach certain people from a certain part of the country a lesson during his reign as Military Head of State?

“Is it true that General Buhari applied a very selective form of administration of justice which sought to punish southerners more than anybody else when he was military Head of State?

“What was his role in the humiliation and denigration of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late and highly respected Leader of the Yoruba? Is it true that he personally ordered that the home of Chief Awolowo should be raided and ransacked and that the highly revered elder statesman be humiliated for no just cause? If this was the case does he not believe that he owes the Yoruba people an apology for that? Should he not be begging the Yoruba for forgiveness after traumatising their revered leader rather than asking them for their votes?

“What was General Buhari’s role in the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) scandal and is it true that he misappropriated the sum of N25 billion as the Haroun Adamu report, which was submitted in 2002, suggests? Is it true that 2.8 billion naira went missing under his watch when he was Minister of Petroleum in 1977?

“What was his role in the agitation for political Sharia in 2000 in northern Nigeria and does he still believe that Sharia law should be spread throughout the country, including the south? Does he still believe that Muslims should only vote for Muslims and that they should only vote for those who will protect their interest? Does he still believe that it is not the business of any Christian when Muslims cut off their limbs for crimes that violate Sharia law?

“Does he still believe that an attack on Boko Haram is an attack on the north? Does he have a secret soft spot and closet affinity for Boko Haram? What are his views about the terrorist organisations known as Al Shabab, Al Qaeda, ISIS and ISIL, all of whom are allies of Boko Haram? Does he believe that they have a point and does he approve of their violent methods? Can he guarantee that not one dollar of Al Qaeda, ISIS or ISIL money has been used to support his presidential campaign? Does he believe in a secular state?

“Does he still believe that those who oppose his candidacy should be killed as he said just before the presidential elections in 2011?

“Does he have any apology to offer or remorse to express for the slaughter of hundreds of people, including some innocent youth corpers, by his supporters in the north after the 2011 elections?

“What are General Buhari’s views about same s*x marriage and homosexuality? Is it true that, if he is elected President, he is considering scuttling the anti-gay laws in our country and is he really committed to pushing through legislation that would allow same s*x marriage as some form of compromise to the Western powers in return for their endorsement and support?

“Is it true that he supported the late General Abacha to such a point that he actually suggested to Abacha that Ken Saro-Wiwa, the famous poet and Niger Delta activist, should be executed in order for his south-south supporters to be taught a bitter lesson?

“Is it true that he has resolved to teach the de-facto leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the lesson of his life by prosecuting him and sending him to jail if he is elected as President or, in lieu of this, compelling him to return 50 percent of the money and properties that he has managed to acquire from Lagos state over the last 16 years?

“Is it true that he has a secret pathological hatred for those who do not share his faith or those who come from the southern part of Nigeria?

“Is it true that General Buhari is a hegemonist and a man who is totally remorseless?

“Is it true that he defied his Commander in Chief, former President Shehu Shagari and tried to start a war with Chad simply because he has a blood lust and an insatiable thirst for violence and war?

“Is it true that his cruel and merciless policies and actions, whilst he was Head of State, led to the premature deaths of Governors Ambrose Ali of the old Bendel state, Bisi Onabanjo of Ogun state and so many of our other past leaders?

“Is it true that he had a personal hatred for Alhaji Umaru Dikko, the late former Minister of Transport, to the point that he personally ordered his drugging, kidnapping and crating from the streets of London?

“Is it true that he has disdain for women and that he believes that women have no place in public office or at the forefront of current affairs? Is it true that he wants to scrap the office of the First Lady? Is it true that whilst he was military Head of State he jailed and tortured journalists simply for writing the truth?

“Is it true that he has no idea about how to run a 21st century country and that he has no understanding about the administration of justice and the application of the rule of law in a modern state? Is it true that he derives pleasure in just locking up and jailing people?

“Is it true that he has the intention of destroying General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and all the other former Military Heads of State and junior army officers who opposed his rule and toppled his government in a 1985 military coup? Is it true that he is vengeful and unkind?

“Is it true that he has ordered his supporters that under no circumstance should President Jonathan be allowed any peace if he wins the presidential election? Is it true that that he will make the country ungovernable if Jonathan wins and that he will make sure that the baboon and the dog are both soaked in blood?

“Is it true that General Buhari has no intention whatsoever to accept the election results if he loses and that he is poised to unleash violence throughout the country in the event of his losing? Is it true that Radio Chanji has been established with his blessing and support and for the sole purpose of inciting people to violence and causing mayhem after he loses?

“Is it true that he is terminally ill and that indeed his health status is the kind that will give Nigerians cause for alarm if it were made public? Is it true that he has refused to release a report that was put together by his foreign doctors about the true state of his health to the Nigerian Public because they would be very alarmed?

“Is it true that he is incapable of running the affairs of this country and, in the event of his winning the election, that he intends to concede the administration of the country to others?

“Is it true that he is a closet Islamic fundamentalist? Is it true that he is a secret collaborator and supporter of Boko Haram? Is it true that Boko Haram is the armed wing of his party the APC and that the APC is the political wing of Boko Haram?

“Does his party the APC still believe that Boko Harm should not have been proscribed as stated by their spokesman, Lai Mohammed sometime last year?

“Is it true that his party is Nigeria’s equivalent of the Egyptian Moslem Brotherhood or the Sudanese supporter of APC?

“Is it true that General Buhari has disdain for Christians and that his secret desire is to bury the Church?

Fani-Kayode said these are the questions that the PDP would like General Buhari to answer over the next few days before the presidential elections, so that the Nigerian people will have a clearer picture of who and what he really is.

“If he cannot answer every single one of these questions and tell us the truth then we reserve the right to assume that the answer to every single one of them is in the affirmative and that these assertions are true,” he said, adding that it would compel the PDP to conclude that Buhari is not just a menace to the Nigerian people and an enemy of the Nigerian state but also unfit to rule the country.

BUHARI STILL CLUELESS ON ECONOMIC ISSUES AFTER 32 YEARS - Richard Omoko
I watched with keen interest the APC town hall meeting of Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th March, 2015. Various questions were asked on how APC intends to tackle such matters as Security, Job creation, Power generation, women empowerment, The exchange rate amongst others issues.

In their response to the issues or questions asked, Buhari and his fellow APC stalwarts at the town hall meetings sounded like semi-illiterates when giving responses to this crucial matters of importance. Before we draw conclusions let us go back in history to how our economy used to be like before Buhari ceased power by force through a coup de ta in 1983.

As a young lad I can remember vividly that this was how Nigeria was before Buhari ceased power by force
1. When it came to exchange rate it was $1.00 exchanging for 0.60 kobo (yes if you didn't know that), the British Pound Sterling was £1.00 exchanging for N2.00.
2. We didn't require visa's to travel abroad. Now interestingly while you only needed to board a plane with your blank passport, your visa would be stamped at the point of entry in almost all nations of the world including the United Kingdom (UK). America was begging us Nigerians to come and visit (so we could spend our money there) they even offered free scholarships to most Nigerian students to study up to masters level, and when they finished their studies there were mouth watering offers of jobs and accommodation waiting for their picking should they decide to stay. Some Nigerians even had special luxury treatments given to them right from the airports at America.
3. In most shops in the UK they would close their shops to other customers once they learnt that you were a Nigerian and intend to shop there. This treatment is only now meeted out to Arab sheiks.
4. It was automatic citizenship for any Nigerian baby born in the UK, with immediate allowances for both baby and mother.
5. Our International Trade fairs used to be a big issue, with every notable company from all nations in the world fighting to ensure their participation. These companies even released their products to Nigerians with only a promise to pay.
6. The economy was bouyant and merriment was always in the air, every family had one reason to celebrate. People like Fela that were hooked on candies could afford to travel to the UK just to buy candies from his favourite shop. I could afford to buy my big dip for 50k.
7. Nigerians were driving only brand new cars. You were considered poor if you happen to drive a car that was more than 3 years old talkless of buying a 'tokubo' vehicle (ie. Second hand vehicle). The major automobile plants were working a Volkswagen beetle was N3,000, a Peugeot 504 was N7,000.
8. Prices of essential commodities were affordable, a can of liquid milk was 25k, a bottle of coca cola was 15k, a bag of rice was N15, a loaf of bread (family size) was 50k.
There are more happenings I can reel out, however this is enough for our youths to digest as they never new how Nigeria was before Buhari came in is usual manner of brute force with no economic knowledge and destroyed everything.

When Buhari ceased power in 1983.
1. Buhari immediately introduced import license when he ceased power. This policy favoured only his cronies as they were the only one who had access to import license. They only obtained the licenses and sold it for a price without importing anything. Some would use such license to import sand from Saudi Arabia, expired tires from Europe, empty containers etc. They did this just to pocket the exchange dollar. The resultant effect was the shambles this caused by increasing black maketeering, increasing smuggling, creating a scramble for foreign currency and hence devaluing the naira. For those who do not know it was in Buhari's regime that the dollar started to appreciate over the naira from what was 0.60kobo to $1.00.
2. Buhari's singular act of importing a human being in a crate (Umaru Dikko) from the UK resulted in the UK removing all those privileges that we enjoyed. From then on you can only come into the UK with a visa, and not anymore as a citizen of the common wealth. The United States also followed suit from this.
3. His regime introduced Price control. This lack of elementary understanding of Pricing and the forces of Demand and Supply caused a lot of hardship for Nigerians as you had long queues for such 'essential commodities' as bread, milk, tea, sugar etc. Of course traders hoarded their wares as you couldn't force them to sell at a loss thereby creating a sky rocketing inflation.
4. The overblown stance of corruption and Nigeria being a drug nation dealt a big blow on our image internationally as most nations started viewing Nigerians with suspicion, to them every Nigerian is either corrupt or a drug dealer. The killing of Bartholome Owho and two others without a convincing trial made other countries view us as babaric. They were no longer comfortable in having business dealings with Nigerians based purely on trust. This we are seeing Buhari repeat yet again.

Buhari's current clamour after 32 years
The chanting is yet to change after 32 years, the so called 'change' agent is still to change from his old ways.
1. On security: as usual he continues to blow it out of proportion hence scaring intended foreign investors whose Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) would having given a boost to the economy and helped in creating jobs. Agreed the current security situation is not perfect, however only until this week did he acknowledge the efforts of our gallant soldiers. His utterances in the past has caused a lot of security breeches that had costs lives and properties of Nigerians. These statements he made had helped increased both followers and symphatisers of boko haram.
2. On Economy: "I would create two million jobs in one year". Free Education, free lunch, free monthly allowances/stipends for jobless youths, he wants to build four refineries in less than four years, his claims of single handedly increasing the price of crude oil and so on just goes to show that he still is clueless on the economy and how it operates. For instance how does he intend to increase the price of crude oil when he cannot control it's demand and OPEC has limited control to its supply as a means of price increase instruments. They clamour oil theft (even though he would not tell you that it started way back in the 70's when he was Petroleum Minister). For those who care to know the US being the largest consuming nation of crude oil is using Fracking and other new technologies to explore for crude as a result demand for global oil is low and the price has to fall because supply is constantly increasing due to oil theft not only from Nigeria but from all ISIS controlled nations and Libya inclusive.
The clear difference between United Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by Awolowo and APC led by Tinubu is very simple. Awolowo would tell you that he would create jobs, industries, roads, free education and so on. Awo doesn't stop at that he would break down the economy for you and show you where and how he would raise the money to perform and fulfil all his promises. That is why the till today the western region is still living off Awo's legacies. Please someone ask Tinubu/Buhari (no pun intended as this is the ticket) to show us how they intend to raise the capital for their promises. They are only building castles in the sky.
NIGERIAN BE WISE AND DONT BE FOOLED - VOTE WISELY

YES STIL ON THe ELECTION MATTER NOW ELECTION IS NEXT WEEK NIGERIA WILL DECIDE BUT REMEMBER JONATHAN IS THE MAN WITH D ANOINTING OIL ON HIS HEAD.... Now pls take ur families home mine av gone home, becus E go hot.. If buhari and his team of cabals do rubbish they will see the fire of God slapping dia faces.....
Dis I assure Nigerians
God is fighting for us
ON THAT ELECTION DAY APC WILL CHANGE TO PDP SO IF BUHARI COME TO VOTE He will vote FR PDP.... Obasanjo won't come out becus he is a hypocrite HE IS IN BETWEEN APC AND PDP ... Lol null and void vote lolzzzz
I won't stop talking till I see peace in my country nigeriia
16 is GREATER DAN 19

UK to fall out of the world’s top 10 largest economies by 2050
Published at 00:01 AM on 10 February 2015

UK GDP to fall behind Mexico and Indonesia by 2030 – and they could push the UK and France out of the top 10 by 2050
But long-term UK growth, averaging 2.4% to 2050, could be better than other large EU economies, including Germany, France and Italy
China will clearly be the largest economy by 2030, but its growth rate is likely to revert to the global average in the long run
India could challenge US for second place by 2050
Nigeria and Vietnam set to be the fastest growing large economies over the period to 2050
The UK is predicted to drop to 11th place in the rankings of the world’s largest economies by 2050, as the global economic power shift away from the established advanced economies in North America, Western Europe and Japan continues over the next 35 years. This will happen despite a projected marked slowdown in Chinese growth after 2020, according to the latest in PwC’s series of reports on ‘The World in 2050’.
The report also finds, however, that the UK is doing well compared to its G7 peer group in terms of growth, which is projected to average around 2.4% per annum over the period to 2050. This is similar to the US and above growth rates in the major Eurozone economies, which are only projected to average around 1.5-2% per annum for the same period.
John Hawksworth, PwC’s chief economist, said:
“Emerging economies like Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico have the potential to be larger than the UK and France by 2030. Indonesia could rise as high as 4th place in the world rankings by 2050 if it can sustain growth-friendly policies.
“But despite expecting the UK to drop out of the top 10 largest economies by 2050, the projected average UK growth rate to 2050 is stronger than other large Western European economies such as Germany, Italy and Spain that face even bigger challenges than the UK from ageing populations and slowing productivity growth.”
The world economy is projected to grow at an average of around 3% per annum from 2014-50 – doubling in size by 2037 and nearly tripling by 2050. But there is likely to be a slowdown in global growth after 2020, as the rate of expansion in China and some other major emerging economies moderates to a more sustainable long-term rate, and as working age population growth slows in many large economies.
Table 1: Projected global GDP rankings in real PPP terms (at constant 2014 dollars)
 
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook database (Oct 2014) for 2014 estimates, PwC projections for 2030 and 2050
Beyond the largest economies, Nigeria, Vietnam and the Philippines are notable risers in the global GDP rankings in the long term, reflecting relatively high projected average growth rates of around 4.5-5.5% pa over the period to 2050. Malaysia is also projected to grow at around 4% pa on average in the same period, which is higher than China’s projected average growth rate of around 3.5%.
Japanese growth is projected to be the slowest of all countries covered in total terms, driven in part by a steadily declining population; as a result it’s projected to fall from 4th to 7th place in the global GDP rankings over the period to 2050.
PwC also estimates what its projections would mean for shares of global GDP at PPPs.  China’s share reaches 20% by 2030 but then levels off. The US’s share declines gradually from 16.3% now to only just over 13% by 2050, while India’s almost doubles from around 7% now to be more or less neck and neck with the US by the middle of the century in PPP terms (allowing for the uncertainty surrounding any such estimates looking that far ahead).
The EU’s overall share of world GDP is projected to decline from around 17% now to less than 12% by 2050. The UK’s share is projected to fall from 2.3% in 2014 to around 1.8% in 2050 as its growth rates, although healthy by G7 standards, cannot match those of the emerging markets.
 

John Hawksworth, PwC’s chief economist, said:
“Europe needs to up its game if it’s not to be left behind by this historic shift of global economic power, which is moving us back to the kind of Asian-led world economy last seen before the Industrial Revolution.
“The US may hold up better, provided it can remain at the global technological frontier, and the UK could also perform well by G7 standards if it remains open to trade, investment, people and ideas.”
ENDS

Independent Citizen Report By Adesuwa Owie



“We’ve been here before, it is unfortunate that we have seen Lagos state government treat us as commoners” James Zaphaniah says.

He continued, “but we know better now, they come in every four years to plead for votes but ignore our existence when they win”.

For residents of Sagbokoji Island, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, of Lagos state, nothing is particularly special about the 2015 general elections.

The forthcoming poll serves as another Charade of Campaign Promises and unachievable plans by the ruling Political party in Lagos, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“The APC government talks about change but deprive us of our rights to livelihood, I’ve stayed here all my life, ACN as we used to call it, now APC has abandoned us because we have continued to vote for the PDP,” Abi Jewel, an Ijaw settler says.

Just like the story with Makoko, a settlement on the Lagos Lagoon, forcefully demolished by the state government, which led to the deaths of many, residents express worry.

“Governor Fashola kept talking about mega city but the poor is not welcomed to such a city. Before the general election in 2011, they were in Makoko to campaign for votes but did you see what they did there? The government even called us foreigners, miscreants and thives”, Rosemary Magre, an Ilaje businesswoman in Igbologun tells me.



In the same vein, the Sagbokoji people have had to go to courts over the planned sack by the state government, having moved from Idiagbon community, another settlement sold to the rich and wealthy, says Abi Jewel.

“We are nomads’ but they come over here for votes when it’s time to woo electorates, we are waiting for the day of election so we can show those screaming ‘change’ a slogan that only protects the wealthy Lagosians but we will go all out to vote and we will see that our votes counts” Jewel maintained. “We have not forgotten and we cannot forget.”

The impoverished riverine settlers are right to consider their eviction a grave injustice. The government appears wholly disinclined to offer any housing assistance to evicted families.

Mrs Komolafe Ezikiel says “Fashola and APC do not want us but want our votes, they have moved against our means of survival by ignoring our existence and pushing for our eviction”.

“I am a trader,” she added, “all we have asked for is to be allowed to settle by the waterside to continue fishing, we do they sack us and now come for our votes,”



The micro-economy here survives mostly on fishing and the trade of basic staples, but that survival according to a fisherman Mr Deji Emerua, in Ilado, another riverine community in same Amuwo Odofin LGA, cannot be guaranteed by the APC led government.

A trip to Sankey Island, another community surrounded by wooden shacks, the riverine dwellers in strong terms vow to vote out the Fashola led government that it says has failed to provide the basic amenities for the people abandoned by the Babatunde Fashola government and successive governments since 1999. The riverine community is host to over a million settlera.



“We have seen them coming here to beg for our votes, someone has informed us reliably that Fashola asked the court to suspend the case until after elections, which means he wants our votes for Ambode and APC before sending his bulldozer to send us parking again for the wealthy to take over our Land”, the Baale, Ade Ogun, maintained.

“Can’t the poor live in Lagos”? The Baale probes further.

As I visited Igbologun, another settlement, and spoke with some of the settlers, I saw – and felt – fear and dashed hopes visibly written on the peoples’ faces.



“We have no boats for transportation, we have no healthcare facility, we’ve had to transport our heavily pregnant women to give birth in places like Apapa by paddling the boats, most have had to deliver their children on the high sea” explains Godson Abikwi, a resident said.

This revealing story represents the the accounts of close to 2 Million Riverine settlers in Lagos who are yet to witness any form of change under the APC government and see the Party’s promise as failed while insisting that Charity – must begin from home.

BUHARI STILL CLUELESS ON ECONOMIC ISSUES AFTER 32 YEARS - Richard Omoko
I watched with keen interest the APC town hall meeting of Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th March, 2015. Various questions were asked on how APC intends to tackle such matters as Security, Job creation, Power generation, women empowerment, The exchange rate amongst others issues.

In their response to the issues or questions asked, Buhari and his fellow APC stalwarts at the town hall meetings sounded like semi-illiterates when giving responses to this crucial matters of importance. Before we draw conclusions let us go back in history to how our economy used to be like before Buhari ceased power by force through a coup de ta in 1983.

As a young lad I can remember vividly that this was how Nigeria was before Buhari ceased power by force
1. When it came to exchange rate it was $1.00 exchanging for 0.60 kobo (yes if you didn't know that), the British Pound Sterling was £1.00 exchanging for N2.00.
2. We didn't require visa's to travel abroad. Now interestingly while you only needed to board a plane with your blank passport, your visa would be stamped at the point of entry in almost all nations of the world including the United Kingdom (UK). America was begging us Nigerians to come and visit (so we could spend our money there) they even offered free scholarships to most Nigerian students to study up to masters level, and when they finished their studies there were mouth watering offers of jobs and accommodation waiting for their picking should they decide to stay. Some Nigerians even had special luxury treatments given to them right from the airports at America.
3. In most shops in the UK they would close their shops to other customers once they learnt that you were a Nigerian and intend to shop there. This treatment is only now meeted out to Arab sheiks.
4. It was automatic citizenship for any Nigerian baby born in the UK, with immediate allowances for both baby and mother.
5. Our International Trade fairs used to be a big issue, with every notable company from all nations in the world fighting to ensure their participation. These companies even released their products to Nigerians with only a promise to pay.
6. The economy was bouyant and merriment was always in the air, every family had one reason to celebrate. People like Fela that were hooked on candies could afford to travel to the UK just to buy candies from his favourite shop. I could afford to buy my big dip for 50k.
7. Nigerians were driving only brand new cars. You were considered poor if you happen to drive a car that was more than 3 years old talkless of buying a 'tokubo' vehicle (ie. Second hand vehicle). The major automobile plants were working a Volkswagen beetle was N3,000, a Peugeot 504 was N7,000.
8. Prices of essential commodities were affordable, a can of liquid milk was 25k, a bottle of coca cola was 15k, a bag of rice was N15, a loaf of bread (family size) was 50k.
There are more happenings I can reel out, however this is enough for our youths to digest as they never new how Nigeria was before Buhari came in is usual manner of brute force with no economic knowledge and destroyed everything.

When Buhari ceased power in 1983.
1. Buhari immediately introduced import license when he ceased power. This policy favoured only his cronies as they were the only one who had access to import license. They only obtained the licenses and sold it for a price without importing anything. Some would use such license to import sand from Saudi Arabia, expired tires from Europe, empty containers etc. They did this just to pocket the exchange dollar. The resultant effect was the shambles this caused by increasing black maketeering, increasing smuggling, creating a scramble for foreign currency and hence devaluing the naira. For those who do not know it was in Buhari's regime that the dollar started to appreciate over the naira from what was 0.60kobo to $1.00.
2. Buhari's singular act of importing a human being in a crate (Umaru Dikko) from the UK resulted in the UK removing all those privileges that we enjoyed. From then on you can only come into the UK with a visa, and not anymore as a citizen of the common wealth. The United States also followed suit from this.
3. His regime introduced Price control. This lack of elementary understanding of Pricing and the forces of Demand and Supply caused a lot of hardship for Nigerians as you had long queues for such 'essential commodities' as bread, milk, tea, sugar etc. Of course traders hoarded their wares as you couldn't force them to sell at a loss thereby creating a sky rocketing inflation.
4. The overblown stance of corruption and Nigeria being a drug nation dealt a big blow on our image internationally as most nations started viewing Nigerians with suspicion, to them every Nigerian is either corrupt or a drug dealer. The killing of Bartholome Owho and two others without a convincing trial made other countries view us as babaric. They were no longer comfortable in having business dealings with Nigerians based purely on trust. This we are seeing Buhari repeat yet again.

Buhari's current clamour after 32 years
The chanting is yet to change after 32 years, the so called 'change' agent is still to change from his old ways.
1. On security: as usual he continues to blow it out of proportion hence scaring intended foreign investors whose Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) would having given a boost to the economy and helped in creating jobs. Agreed the current security situation is not perfect, however only until this week did he acknowledge the efforts of our gallant soldiers. His utterances in the past has caused a lot of security breeches that had costs lives and properties of Nigerians. These statements he made had helped increased both followers and symphatisers of boko haram.
2. On Economy: "I would create two million jobs in one year". Free Education, free lunch, free monthly allowances/stipends for jobless youths, he wants to build four refineries in less than four years, his claims of single handedly increasing the price of crude oil and so on just goes to show that he still is clueless on the economy and how it operates. For instance how does he intend to increase the price of crude oil when he cannot control it's demand and OPEC has limited control to its supply as a means of price increase instruments. They clamour oil theft (even though he would not tell you that it started way back in the 70's when he was Petroleum Minister). For those who care to know the US being the largest consuming nation of crude oil is using Fracking and other new technologies to explore for crude as a result demand for global oil is low and the price has to fall because supply is constantly increasing due to oil theft not only from Nigeria but from all ISIS controlled nations and Libya inclusive.
The clear difference between United Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by Awolowo and APC led by Tinubu is very simple. Awolowo would tell you that he would create jobs, industries, roads, free education and so on. Awo doesn't stop at that he would break down the economy for you and show you where and how he would raise the money to perform and fulfil all his promises. That is why the till today the western region is still living off Awo's legacies. Please someone ask Tinubu/Buhari (no pun intended as this is the ticket) to show us how they intend to raise the capital for their promises. They are only building castles in the sky.
NIGERIAN BE WISE AND DONT BE FOOLED - VOTE WISELY

President Goodluck Ebele jonathan listens to his people at alltimes, especially when ther is a disagreement.

Also, president jonathan understands the positive role of the opposition party, appreciating their role, because sometimes their reveals some fault.

President Goodluck jonathan is always willing to make a difficult compromise required to move our state forward.

As a president, he understands that serving the people is an extraordinary privilege for him and not the other way round.