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 Politics › Re: GEJ Achievement Tracker - 2010 - Till 2015 by johnie: 1:47pm On Jun 07, 2011 |
Danni2: mithel:  |
| Politics › Re: Pictures Ofaminu Tambuwal, New Speaker After He Was Elected In by johnie: 1:16pm On Jun 07, 2011 |
johnie:He seems to have a knack for "stepping up" in the face of scandals that allegedly involve him. He stepped up from being the Deputy Chief Whip to the Chief Whip from the Ettegate which is now clear was nothing but a mere power game. He has stepped up to the position of Speaker from Chief Whip despite being mentioned as a major actor in the N10B House scandal. I hear that he and the new deputy speaker actually slept in the House to evade arrest on Sunday night! I fear o. |
| Politics › Re: Pictures Ofaminu Tambuwal, New Speaker After He Was Elected In by johnie: 1:09pm On Jun 07, 2011 |
[quote author=tpia@ link=topic=684888.msg8470988#msg8470988 date=1307441938]Does he have family and can we learn more about them? [/quote]I am more concerned about this (from the Punch of 2007) than about his family:Aminu Tambuwal Tambuwal is the Deputy Chief Whip of the House. A lawyer by training, he represents Kebbe/Tambwal federal constituency of Sokoto State . He was an All Nigeria Peoples Party lawmaker until a few months to the April 2007 election, when he defected to the PDP. Tambuwal took over from Dr Ahmed Salik as the ANPP leader in the House in 2005 - a change the party never recognised. He dumped the ANPP for the PDP at the behest of former Governor Bafarawa of Sokoto decamping to DPP. He returned to the ANPP when DPP denied all the Sokoto lawmakers ticket during the primaries that preceded the April election. Eventually, the ANPP gave him a ticket for election, only for him to defect to the PDP when Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, the then ANPP governorship candidate, was lured out of the party with a PDP governorship ticket. He was a well-known lawmaker and a reliable opposition voice in the chamber until he changed political camps. Tambuwal came to the House in 2003. He is a progressive and sophisticated schemer. He was part of those who fought against the then ANPP leader, Ahmed Salik, during the early days of the Masari era. He is a well-informed lawyer and knows how to stay away from controversy. In the thick of Ettehgate, he withdrew from public glare and preferred to scheme from the shadows. That may have accounted for his surviving as the Deputy Chief Whip. http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2007111713175271 |
| Politics › Re: GEJ Achievement Tracker - 2010 - Till 2015 by johnie: 12:15pm On Jun 07, 2011 |
Blacksta, can you give us the updated tracker? |
| Politics › The Female Gender As A Reason For Appointment Into Positions by johnie(op): 12:10pm On Jun 07, 2011 |
Given that gender may have been one of the reasons Hon. Mulika Akande Adeola failed to clinch the speakership post yesterday, I thought this might make an interesting reading. ------------------------------------ 7 June 2011 Last updated at 09:45 GMT Does Christine Lagarde's sex qualify her to head the IMF? French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde is one of two declared candidates bidding to take over as head of the IMF. The other is a man. Lucy Kellaway of the Financial Times asks whether Ms Lagarde's gender works in her favour - and whether it should? If successful, Ms Lagarde would be the first woman to head the IMF When Christine Lagarde launched her bid to be head of the IMF she declared that she would bring to the job all her "experience as a lawyer, a minister, a manager and a woman". The first three strands of Lagarde's experience are formidable. But what did she mean by the fourth? What is her experience as a woman? And how does it make her a better candidate for the job? The most obvious thing that differentiates a woman's experience from a man's is that women bear children. On two occasions, Lagarde has spent the best part of a year with a growing lump in her abdomen, and then endured the tricky business of getting it out. For most women this is a very big deal, though it's not obvious how such experience sets anyone up for running the IMF. As children grow up, however, a mother can find herself doling out pocket money which gets instantly blown on sweets, leaving nothing to spend on a sibling's birthday present. She then faces the tricky decision of whether or not to bail the child out, and what conditions to impose on any loan extended. I can see that such an experience could well be relevant to a future head of the IMF, only the difference being one of degree - rather more countries requiring rather larger sums. Gung-ho ------------------------“ Start Quote Women are popularly supposed to be risk-averse, and therefore to make safer leaders” End Quote Lucy Kellaway Financial Times ----------------------------------- Beyond that, I am struggling to see how Lagarde's experience as a woman is going to help. What may assist her, however, is the simple fact of her gender. It would look good to have a woman running the IMF, especially given the female-unfriendly circumstances under which her predecessor crashed out of office. Beyond such PR benefits, one could argue that it is her female personality traits, rather than her experience, that may count in her favour. Women are popularly supposed to be risk-averse, and therefore to make safer leaders. To the extent to which it was Dominique Strauss-Kahn's allegedly wild appetite for risk that brought him down, a woman might seem a better bet for now. But actually there is no evidence showing that senior women are more risk-averse than men. A recent survey done on a large sample of Scandinavian directors shows the women who get to the top aren't remotely risk-averse. In fact they are more gung-ho about taking risks than their male colleagues. Teamwork There is a further piece of research from the US I came across last week that could be used to help Lagarde if she wants to play the woman card. It suggests that when it comes to working in a team, the more women that are on it, the better it is going to perform. I take this with a pinch of salt, partly because I can't think of any reason to explain it. And had the study shown the reverse - that women reduced the intelligence of groups - it would have been impossible, in this PC age, to find anyone willing to publish it. Which makes me think that maybe Lagarde's experience as a woman is something rather special after all. Such is the public desire to see women succeed, that a powerful woman with talent, connections and ambition, has probably had an easier time of climbing the ladder than her male counterparts, and may - with justification - expect that more success is coming her way. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-13680820 |
| Politics › Re: Picture Of Nigeria Police Officers Drinking Beer On Duty by johnie: 11:42am On Jun 07, 2011 |
I condemn Police officers drinking alcohol on duty. They ought to be punished for bringing the force to disrepute. I however find this part of your post ironic considering that you are the one posting the picture for "not only Nigerians but for the whole world" to see: iz2much:Those are my thoughts. |
| Politics › Re: The Nigerian Political Class And Their Foreign Counterparts by johnie(op): 10:33am On Jun 07, 2011 |
Scandals put a spotlight on France's hidden sexism, privacy laws By Catherine Clifford and Saskya Vandoorne, CNN June 3, 2011 -- Updated 1842 GMT (0242 HKT) STORY HIGHLIGHTS The Strauss-Kahn affair and the Tron incident have helped raise awareness Former Education Minister Luc Ferry says he knows of an official who abused children "I hope this will change things," a former minister's mistress says Roselyne Bachelot: "How could I not rejoice the end of impunity?" Paris (CNN) -- Fresh political sex scandals, following closely on the Dominique Strauss-Kahn affair, have France gripped by a debate on the nation's hidden culture of sexism and how its tough privacy laws, which prevent journalists from exposing sexual misbehavior, help perpetuate it. In the latest development, former French Education Minister Luc Ferry was talking to police as a witness Friday at the department for the protection of minors in Paris after suggesting on national television that a former government minister is known to have abused children in Marrakech, Morocco. The comments arose during a discussion on whether former International Monetary Fund head Strauss-Kahn's supposedly well-known sexual impulsiveness had been kept quiet because it was seen as a private matter. "All of us here probably know who I'm talking about," Ferry told the panel on the daily French political show "Le Grand Journal." Asked if he had any proof, he said, "Of course not. But I have testimony from Cabinet members at the highest level, state authorities at the highest level." He went on to say he had been informed "particularly by the prime minister." Ferry refused to name the former minister because of the privacy laws, saying, "If I let his name out now, it's me who will be charged and doubtlessly convicted, even if I know that the story is true." Since the comments were made Tuesday evening, rumors have been spreading about who Ferry was talking about, with the names of several high-profile politicians being mentioned. Ferry's comments also followed the resignation Sunday of former French Secretary of Public Affairs Georges Tron after two female colleagues accused him of sexually assaulting them while giving them foot massages. The two women told French press that the Strauss-Kahn case had inspired them to come forward. One of the women, identified only as Eloise, told French reporters, "We will not withdraw our complaint. I am determined to see it through regardless of unpleasant things that could be spread about me. " The accumulation of affairs has brought out a flurry of personal testimony in France from highly placed women politicians and officials who now feel empowered to speak out on the issue of sexual harassment by men in politics. Christine Deviers-Joncour, mistress of former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas, told CNN, "In France we don't talk about that. It never happened. I have no example. Up until now it was very difficult. "Imagine a woman who is sexually pursued by a politician, what can she do? Go to the justice and complain? Immediately they will laugh at her. So I hope this will change things." Nicole Guedj, a member of the Council of State, told CNN: "Clearly it's an issue. I started my career quite a long time ago and throughout its course I was faced with sexist behavior, but I was lucky enough to overcome those difficulties." Aurelie Filipetti, Socialist Party spokeswoman, told the French media: "In France, 80% of the political sphere is dominated by men and male political journalists. So yes, we suffer and you harden yourself to it. You have to when you hear 15 sexist jokes in a row. It is sexual harassment disguised as humor. Some can't come to work wearing a skirt." Similarly Roselyne Bachelot, current Minister of Solidarities and Social Cohesion said: "Recently something big has been taking place: a real omerta is being lifted, reinforced by a judicial system that protects privacy. I think politicians have understood that respecting privacy has its limits now. "Is this a good thing? Yes, of course. How could I not rejoice the end of impunity?" http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/06/03/france.sex.politics/index.html
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| Politics › Re: The Nigerian Political Class And Their Foreign Counterparts by johnie(op): 10:25am On Jun 07, 2011 |
Congressman Weiner apologised to his family and his constituents New York congressman Anthony Weiner has admitted sending a close-up picture of his crotch to a young woman, but says he will not resign. The Democratic representative also acknowledged "inappropriate" communications with women online. Mr Weiner had initially said his Twitter account had been hacked when a photo of a man's crotch in grey underpants was sent from it last week. On Monday he admitted this was not true, saying that he had "panicked". A tearful Mr Weiner told a news conference he was "deeply ashamed of my terrible judgement". "I'm deeply regretting what I have done and I'm not resigning," he said, apologising for any pain caused to his family, constituents, supporters and staff. 'Explicit photos' He said he had intended to send the close-up picture of himself in his underpants as a direct message on Twitter. Direct messages can only be viewed by the addressee, whereas normal Twitter messages are generally accessible. "Once I realised that I had posted to Twitter I panicked, I took it down and said that I had been hacked," Mr Weiner said. He then said he had had exchanges with women he met online both before and after he married Huma Abedin, a top aide to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, last year. "I have exchanged messages and photos of an explicit nature with about six women over the last three years." But he said he had not met the women, and had never had sex outside his marriage. His admission came on the same day a conservative blogger posted what purported to be photos of Mr Weiner without his shirt on. Andrew Breitbart said he had obtained the photos from a woman with whom Mr Weiner had flirted online. Mr Weiner, a native New Yorker and former New York City Council member, is known for his outspoken liberal views and his fiery speeches on the floor of the US House of Representatives. He was widely expected to run for New York mayor in 2013. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13676650 |
| Politics › Re: The Nigerian Political Class And Their Foreign Counterparts by johnie(op): 10:15am On Jun 07, 2011 |
Democrats turn up pressure on Weiner, rally behind ethics probe By the CNN Wire Staff June 7, 2011 -- Updated 0807 GMT (1607 HKT) Anthony Weiner ends week of lies STORY HIGHLIGHTS •House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi calls for an ethics probe into Rep. Anthony Weiner's behavior •He admits to having inappropriate relationships with women and lying about it •Other Democrats have said they welcome such a probe, as does Weiner •But a Republican calls Pelosi's move "hollow," saying she should have told him to resign (CNN) -- Democratic leaders took the initiative Monday to go after one of their own, U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, hours after he admitted to lying about posting an explicit photo on his Twitter account and carrying on inappropriate relationships with women he'd met online. Two Democratic sources said that Weiner, in a brief telephone conversation Monday with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, made it abundantly clear that he was not going to resign. At his press conference later that day, the New York Democrat said that Pelosi was "not happy" but "also told me that she loved me and wanted us to , pull through this." Pelosi, D-California, who until last January was House speaker, reacted by calling for the chamber's Ethics Commission to open an investigation into the seven-term congressman "to determine whether any official resources were used or any other violation of House rules occurred." Weiner apologizes for lying, 'terrible mistakes' Such a probe is rare, especially when called by a member of one's own party, the Democratic sources said. One question that is sure to be central to such an investigation is whether Weiner used congressional resources while sending -- as he admitted -- explicit photos and messages to "about six women" over a three-year period. The New York Democrat claimed that his BlackBerry device is not paid for by the government, and added, "I don't believe that I used any government resources" in conducting the illicit, largely electronic affairs. In a statement, Weiner said he will "welcome and will fully cooperate with an investigation by the House Ethics Committee." Other Democrats, many of whom initially rallied behind Weiner and his initial claim that his Twitter account had been hacked, backed Pelosi's call for an investigation. Rep. Steve Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, chastised his fellow New Yorker for what he called "a deep personal failure and inappropriate behavior that embarrassed himself, his family and the House." He threw his support behind the ethics probe "to remove all remaining doubt about this situation." Katie Grant, the spokeswoman for House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, told CNN that "if there have been any questions regarding ethics that have been raised in the public sphere that the Ethics Committee should look at them." But while some Democrats are touting the ethics probe as a bold and significant step, one Republican source calls it "hollow." The GOP source said it is noteworthy that Pelosi called for an investigation but did not demand Weiner step down -- as happened with former Rep. Chris Lee. The married Republican from western New York resigned in February, following a report that he had tried to meet a woman on Craigslist. http://edition.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/06/06/weiner.political.fallout/index.html?hpt=hp_p1
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| Politics › Re: The Nigerian Political Class And Their Foreign Counterparts by johnie(op): 10:01am On Jun 07, 2011 |
The French are so paranoid when it comes to defending their language against the Engligh cullture and language. Well, can we really blame them? Thank God I come from an English-speaking country! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- French TV, radio programs slapped with social media restriction By Catherine Clifford and Saskya Vandoorne, CNNJune 6, 2011 -- Updated 2342 GMT (0742 HKT) French programs can no longer urge viewers or listeners to follow them on specific sites, such as Twitter. STORY HIGHLIGHTS A decree bans "clandestine advertising": promotion outside standard publicity avenues Programs will no longer be able to ask people to follow them on Twitter or Facebook They can speak only in generalities, such as referring to "social networking sites" Paris (CNN) -- A decree from the early 1990s, reimplemented by French regulators, is putting an end to French television and radio announcers naming social networking sites on air except for news purposes. The decree banned "clandestine advertising": the promotion of a brand outside the boundaries of recognized publicity avenues. The reimplementation of the ruling by France's Superior Audiovisual Council means that French programs will no longer be able to urge their viewers or listeners to follow them on specific sites, such as Twitter, as has become the norm in worldwide broadcasting. The controversy began when an unnamed French TV channel approached the council to ask whether, under this decree, they had the right to direct viewers to social sites. Christine Kelly, spokeswoman for the council explained: "Facebook and Twitter are commercial brands like Coca-Cola or L'Oreal or any other. There are many social networking sites on many topics -- cooking, animals -- why should we mention one and not others?" From now on news anchors will be able to give only vague instructions as to where to find information online, such as "follow us on social networking sites." French bloggers have been up in arms on Twitter and some have even composed tongue-in-cheek ways to get round the ban. One suggested: "find live coverage of the trial on our thread on the platform which spreads messages of 140 characters" French commentators have been speculating on the real roots of this regulation. Matthew Fraser, a social networking expert and author of "Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom," a book looking at the online social media revolution, believes the ban could be a sign of defiance against Anglo-Saxon cultural domination. "In my mind," he said, "if it had been a French social networking site then nobody would have wanted it to be regulated, but because these sites symbolize the United States, regulation is there." This is not the first time anglicized, Internet-related vocabulary has been banned in France. In 2003 the use of the word "e-mail" was forbidden in all government literature. This was due to the Toubon law, which tries to protect the purity of the French language from anglicized words and phrases. This time, however, the Superior Audiovisual Council insists that the ban is in no way linked to language purity. "It's not at all related. It's true that we are very attached to the French language and defend it a lot, but , this is simply about reapplying existing regulations," Kelly said. The council's decision did not cause much of a debate in the French media. Fraser believes that unlike cheese or wine there were no French interests involved and the French are simply used to regulation. "It doesn't faze them because it's part of their culture," he said. Kelly emphasized the cultural differences that need to be taken in to account: "We have many, many rules which do not exist elsewhere. There is a very different context for this from one country to another. In the U.S., for example there are advertisements on TV every five minutes, whereas in France its more like every 20 minutes." She added that, similarly, in the United States product placement is commonplace, but it is forbidden in France. Many are struck by the bizarre timing of the ban as it comes on the heels of the e-G8, an internet summit in Paris at which President Nicolas Sarkozy met with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/06/06/france.tv.ban/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 |
| Politics › Zimbabwe Officer Who Used Mugabe's Toilet Awaits Word On His Fate by johnie(op): 9:50am On Jun 07, 2011 |
Harare, Zimbabwe (CNN) -- A police officer in Zimbabwe who has languished at a police detention barracks for a month for using a toilet reserved for President Robert Mugabe will learn his fate at end of this week following an appeal to his boss. Alois Mabhunu, a homicide detective was sentenced last week to 10 days after he was convicted by an internal police court for responding to a call of nature in a toilet which had been reserved for Mugabe at a trade fair in Zimbabwe's second biggest city. On Monday, a relative of Mabhunu said the officer was not represented by a lawyer at the hearing, but is hoping the police commissioner-general, Augustine Chihuri, will overturn the guilty verdict this week. He said he had heard that Chihuri will look at the appeal on Thursday or Friday.Besides serving the 10-day sentence, Mabhunu, a homicide detective, has been demoted and will no longer allowed to wear plain clothes. Contacted for comment, Wayne Bvudzijena police spokesperson on Monday said the issue of Mabhunu was an internal, purely disciplinary matter on which he couldn't comment. Bvudzijen said Mabhunu failed to obey instructions and the law had to take its course. Mabhunu was part of the security team when Mugabe attended the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair last month. He is alleged to have rushed to the VIP toilets reserved for Mugabe and Jean Louis Ekra, head of the African Export Import Bank, who was participating in the opening ceremonies. When he was stopped by other officers guarding the toilets, he obliged, but he later forced his way in. The following day he was arrested, he has been in custody since then. http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/06/06/zimbabwe.toilet.violation/index.html?hpt=hp_p1 |
| Politics › Re: Tambuwal Is The New Speaker For The 7th Assembly by johnie: 7:24pm On Jun 06, 2011 |
The profile of the two principal officers from the Punch report of 2007. (There's no guessing how the other positions will go. Status Quo remains and for a reason!): johnie: |
| Politics › Re: House Of Reps Resumes Its Madness On This 1st Day - Elections of Officers by johnie: 5:31pm On Jun 06, 2011 |
isquar3d3:Bankole is a goner. Looks like he has been used and dumped (unless he starts singing, and fast too). My focus is actually on Tambuwal. There is a reason for the overwhemling support - to protect their interest. |
| Politics › Re: House Of Reps Resumes Its Madness On This 1st Day - Elections of Officers by johnie: 5:26pm On Jun 06, 2011 |
The profile of the two principal officers from the Punch report. (There's no guessing how the other positions will go. Status Quo remains and for a reason!): johnie: |
| Politics › Re: House Of Reps Resumes Its Madness On This 1st Day - Elections of Officers by johnie: 5:18pm On Jun 06, 2011 |
mbulela: johnie:Mbulela, observers said what you said in 2007. At the end of the day, was that really the case? The commitment to the country came in the form of Jumbo pay to themselves and various other scandals that would hopefully be revealed in the next few days if the bird decides to sing. |
| Politics › Re: House Of Reps Resumes Its Madness On This 1st Day - Elections of Officers by johnie: 5:11pm On Jun 06, 2011 |
Here's how PUNCH reported the emergence of a new house leadership in 2007. The short bio on the new speaker and his actions since then are very 'interesting'. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana ----------------------- New-look House leadership By Victor Sam Saturday, 17 Nov 2007 After three months of turbulence, the House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 30, 2007, took the honourable path of sacking its former Speaker, Mrs Patricia Olubunmi Etteh; and her deputy, Alhaji Babangida Nguroje, over a N628million house renovation scandal in which they were implicated. In the same breath, the Representatives made a clean sweep of the body of principal officers, asking those affected to return to their zonal caucuses and seek a fresh mandate. Two days later, the Integrity Group bloc, which had emerged from the crisis with dominant influence in the House, elected one of its own as Speaker. The choice of 37-year-old Dimeji Bankole was in defiance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party’s explicit preference for Hon. George Jolaoye as replacement for Etteh. The Representatives also elected Alhaji Usman Nafada as the Deputy Speaker. Observers perceived in the choice of the new House helmsmen a resounding vote against the indulgent influence of the PDP leadership, which had rooted for Etteh until her final days in office, against the tide of public sentiment and overwhelming evidence of a breach of due process in the controversial contract award. The lower chamber of the National Assembly had, since the restoration of democracy in 1999, been known for its vibrancy, outspokenness and independent-mindedness. Under the Ghali Umar Na’Abba era, the House stood up to the bullish Olusegun Obasanjo presidency in pursuit of the constitutional principle of separation of powers. The Aminu Masari era, though moderate in approach to issues, was hardly different. And so with the emergence of Etteh, who happened to be Nigeria ’s first female Speaker of the House of Representatives, many had hoped for reinvigoration of the chamber’s strength of character. But the eruption of the N628m contract scandal, less than one month into the tenure, did not allow that to be. The crisis paralysed House proceedings and resulted frequently in fisticuffs, which claimed a victim with the death of one of Katsina State representatives, Alhaji Aminu Safana. The Etteh-led House could only manage to pass the 2007 Supplementary Appropriation Bill before her ouster. According to some members of the House, the choice of Dimeji Bankole as the new Speaker was a political statement to Nigerians, and particularly the PDP, that the representatives’ commitment is to the country. For instance, Hon. John Kalipa ( Rivers State ) said the choice of Bankole was to teach a lesson for political sycophants. He explained that the House had decided to align itself to the wishes of ordinary Nigerians, who wanted quality representation and accountability. That, he added, is what Bankole’s leadership will bring to the House. Another member and former ANPP leader in the House, Dr Ahmed Salik, said with the choice of the new Speaker, democracy had run its full course. He said Nigerians should expect nothing but good representation under the new House leadership. The new Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, had in his inaugural address articulated the new leadership posture in the House. He had said, “There is no gainsaying that we have been elected to the position of leadership at a most trying time: a period when there is the need to restore public confidence[b], set agenda and machinery for legislative business, evolve best practices for public procurement, unite honourable members and mobilise our energies towards the critical business of law-making and constituency representation. “I believe that my deputy and I, and indeed the Body of Principal Officers that you are also putting together, alongside your good and honourable selves, all working as one indivisible and cohesive team, will respond to these challenges and resounding success. [b] I have a vision of the House of Representatives which shall once again be fondly referred to as the House of the Nigerian people. I believe that from this hallowed chamber shall flow robust debates, exciting motions, timely bills and quality legislation that will significantly impact on the standard and quality of the lives of our expectant people.” On Wednesday, this week, newly mandated principal officers were formally announced on the floor of the House, to complement the Speaker and his deputy. Hon. Tunde Akogun was returned as House Leader, from the South-South zone; same as Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal who was returned as Deputy Chief Whip from the North-East zone. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha replaced Hon. Sam Amadi as Chief Whip from the South-East; while Hon. Baba Shehu Agaie is the Deputy Majority Leader. The minority parties in the House left both Alhaji Mohammed Ndume and Hon Femi Gbajabiamila in office as Minority Leader and Minority Whip respectively. The new leadership make-up of the House is as follows: Dimeji Bankole Bankole, the son of the famous Egba kingmaker and former acting chairman of the ANPP, Chief Alani Bankole, became the fifth Speaker of the House on Thursday, November 1, at age 37. He was elected to the House in 2003, at 34 years, to represent Abeokuta-South constituency of Ogun State . He got re-elected in April, this year, for a second term. He had served as deputy chairman, House committee on finance and appropriation; and just before being elected Speaker, he was chairman of House committee on land transport. Bankole is well read, having attended the famous Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta; Albany College, London; and University of Reading, England. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Military Technique and Strategic Studies from Oxford , and a further degree from Harvard University in United States of America . [b]He was not a very popular voice in the House before his election as Speaker, but widely seen as an intellectual of sorts. Quiet and unassuming, Bankole plays his cards close to his chest. When he took a position on the Etteh saga, he was a strong, but unnoticed member of the Integrity Group. In his position as Speaker, he has intelligence and legislative experience to count on. Usman Bayero Nafada Nafada was born in 1961. He is from Gombe State . He holds a Teachers Certificate and a degree in Accountancy from the Ahmadu Bello University , Zaria . He was elected in 1999 to the Gombe State House of Assembly, where he was Majority Leader for three months before holding office as Speaker till 2003. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2003. [b]Nafada was known to have supported the former Speaker, Mrs Etteh, until it became clear that it was a dead end. In the thick of the crisis, he played safe by remaining neutral, and members of the Integrity Group did not find it difficult accepting him to their fold. With experience as former Speaker of a state House of Assembly, and four years’ experience in the House of Representatives, Nafada should bring experience and maturity to bear on the House leadership. Tunde Akogun Tunde Akogun is the House Leader. He was also the House Leader under Etteh. A retired Army Colonel, he represents Akoko-Edo federal constituency of Edo State . He came to the House in 2003 and served as a prominent member of the House committee on the Army. His choice as House leader by Etteh was quite surprising to many House watchers. Before then, Hon. Ita Enang from Akwa Ibom State had been tipped for the position; but he was dropped at the last minute because of the party’s curious political permutations. Other lawmakers in the South – South zone ranked higher for the job than Akogun include Ediogie West-Idahosa, John Halims Agoda, Mercy Almona-Isie and Leo Ogor. Akogun was an avid supporter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and he worked tirelessly for the actualisation of the third term plot. His emergence as House Leader then, was perceived to have been a result of his closeness to former PDP Board of Trustees chairman, Chief Tony Anenih. He is widely seen as a conservative, but a moderate voice in the House chambers. Emeka Ihedioha Ihedioha is the new Chief Whip of the House. He belongs to the progressive camp, and a supporter of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. It has been a marvel how he was able to secure a return ticket from the PDP, despite his avowed support for Abubakar and opposition to the third term plot. He replaces Sam Amadi, who fell casualty to the N628m house renovation scandal. Aminu Tambuwal Tambuwal is the Deputy Chief Whip of the House. A lawyer by training, he represents Kebbe/Tambwal federal constituency of Sokoto State . He was an All Nigeria Peoples Party lawmaker until a few months to the April 2007 election, when he defected to the PDP. Tambuwal took over from Dr Ahmed Salik as the ANPP leader in the House in 2005 - a change the party never recognised. He dumped the ANPP for the PDP at the behest of former Governor Bafarawa of Sokoto decamping to DPP. He returned to the ANPP when DPP denied all the Sokoto lawmakers ticket during the primaries that preceded the April election. Eventually, the ANPP gave him a ticket for election, only for him to defect to the PDP when Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, the then ANPP governorship candidate, was lured out of the party with a PDP governorship ticket. He was a well-known lawmaker and a reliable opposition voice in the chamber until he changed political camps. Tambuwal came to the House in 2003. He is a progressive and sophisticated schemer. He was part of those who fought against the then ANPP leader, Ahmed Salik, during the early days of the Masari era. He is a well-informed lawyer and knows how to stay away from controversy. In the thick of Ettehgate, he withdrew from public glare and preferred to scheme from the shadows. That may have accounted for his surviving as the Deputy Chief Whip. Baba Shehu Agaie Agaie, the Deputy Majority Leader, is from Niger State . He was elected to the House since 1999, and has enough cognate experience in legislative matters. He is a conservative member of the House. Mohammed Ndume Ndume doubles as the Minority Leader and Leader of the ANPP in the House. He is an outspoken member of the House, and will be remembered for moving the motion that led to the setting up of the nine-man investigation committee that probed the N628m contract scam. Ndume, who came to the House in 2003, thus played a vital role in the sacking of Etteh and Nguroje. He belongs to the progressive camp. Femi Gbajabiamila Gbajabiamila is an Action Congress member from Lagos State and the Minority Whip of the House. He came to the House in 2003, and he is one of the brains behind the Integrity Group and the subsequent removal of Etteh. He fought the former Speaker at every turn, and used his position to work with other minority groups in the House to sway most of the members to dump Etteh. He is experienced in legislative matters, and is a core progressive. http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2007111713175271 |
| Politics › Re: House Of Reps Resumes Its Madness On This 1st Day - Elections of Officers by johnie: 4:35pm On Jun 06, 2011 |
isquar3d3:They don't want anyone outside the house to impose on them. What they want is someone who would take care of their 'welfare.' The same Integrity Group (led by Agoda, Lawan and Gbajabiamila) that sacked Etteh and then came back to apologie to her? The same 'Integrity' Group that installed Bankole but did not 'agitate' for his removal despite all the allegations against him? I hope Tambuwal would not end up saying what Bankole said : Amidst sobs, which made him to abadon his prepared speech, Bankole said he regretted accepting the position of the speaker and that if he had his way, again, he would have rejected the offer. He said: “When Hon. Halim Agoda called me to his house, to inform me that I was to be made speaker and prayed for me, I should have rejected the position.” http://nationalmirroronline.net/news/13446.html IMO, Mulikat should thank God. She would have also got the Etteh treatment! |
| Politics › Re: Make Tinubu The Asiwaju Of Yorubaland – Group To Ooni by johnie: 3:49pm On Jun 06, 2011 |
Wizardofoz:[quote author=alj_harem link=topic=683820.msg8465000#msg8465000 date=1307368097]^^^^^^ am loving this new monker kudos, most of this people really do not know what they are saying[/quote]I laugh in Twi! Everbody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die. |
| Politics › Re: Make Tinubu The Asiwaju Of Yorubaland – Group To Ooni by johnie: 3:45pm On Jun 06, 2011 |
DEEHASAL:Really? |
| Politics › Re: Make Tinubu The Asiwaju Of Yorubaland – Group To Ooni by johnie: 2:40pm On Jun 06, 2011 |
wales:What has 'Save the Masses and Children’s Heart' got to do with politics or culture? |
| Politics › Re: Make Tinubu The Asiwaju Of Yorubaland – Group To Ooni by johnie: 2:35pm On Jun 06, 2011 |
Jarus:That is no longer a popular title. The last two holders of that title did not bargain for what they got- the manner of their deaths. |
| Politics › Re: House Of Reps Resumes Its Madness On This 1st Day - Elections of Officers by johnie: 2:23pm On Jun 06, 2011 |
wales: johnie:I don't get it. Isn't it the same Tambuwal mentioned in the Bankole saga? |
| Politics › Re: How Reps Shared N10bn Loan —bankole ! by johnie: 9:55am On Jun 06, 2011 |
wales:And Mr. Aminu Waziri-Tambuwal is contesting for the position of Speaker today? And can somebody remind me which party Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila belongs to again. . . |
| Politics › Re: Dimeji Bankole Finally Arrested By EFCC by johnie(op): 9:38am On Jun 06, 2011 |
Sidon look. . . |
| Politics › Re: Amosun Visits Obasanjo by johnie: 9:32am On Jun 06, 2011 |
The soldiers have finished playing draft. Now its the turn of the politicians. Its all politics. I pity those who get carried away with what the politicians say 
|
| Politics › Re: Amosun Visits Obasanjo by johnie: 9:28am On Jun 06, 2011 |
johnie:I dey laff o! |
| Politics › Dimeji Bankole Finally Arrested By EFCC by johnie(op): 8:45pm On Jun 05, 2011 |
Channels TV reports that Dimeji Bankole has been arrested by the EFCC. |
| Foreign Affairs › Re: 'Virginity Tests' And The Abuse Of Egypt's Women by johnie: 7:15am On Jun 05, 2011 |
This revolution, like most, has been hijacked. |
| Politics › Re: The Nigerian Political Class And Their Foreign Counterparts by johnie(op): 5:11pm On Jun 03, 2011 |
John Edwards charged in felony indictment By MIKE BAKER and NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Mike Baker And Nedra Pickler, Associated Press – 48 mins ago RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal grand jury charged two-time presidential candidate John Edwards on Friday with soliciting and covering up the secret spending of more than $925,000 to hide his mistress and their baby during the peak of his 2008 campaign for the White House. The grand jury's indictment in the case of USA v. Johnny Reid Edwards contained six counts, including conspiracy, four counts of receiving illegal campaign contributions and one count of false statements. The indictment said the payments were a scheme to protect Edwards' White House ambitions. "A centerpiece of Edwards' candidacy was his public image as a devoted family man," the indictment said. "Edwards knew that public revelation of the affair and the pregnancy would destroy his candidacy by, among other things, undermining Edwards' presentation of himself as a family man and by forcing his campaign to divert personnel and resources away from other campaign activities to respond to criticism and media scrutiny regarding the affair and pregnancy," the indictment added. The indictment and an arrest warrant were filed in Greensboro, N.C., which is in the district where his campaign was headquartered. Edwards, 58, was scheduled to make an initial appearance Friday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick Auld in Winston-Salem, N.C. Negotiations between Edwards' attorneys and federal prosecutors to settle on a charge to which Edwards was willing to plead guilty continued through Thursday, but proved fruitless, according to people with knowledge of the negotiations. Prosecutors had insisted on a plea to a felony, which would endanger his ability to keep his license to practice law. If convicted, Edwards faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the six counts. First time white collar offenders usually don't receive prison terms in federal court, but the Justice Department typically presses for at least a short prison sentence for public officials. While Edwards was a private citizen as a candidate, he was receiving taxpayer money for his presidential campaign. Edwards did not comment directly, but his attorneys issued statements from campaign finance experts advising him. The experts argued the Mellon and Baron payments were not campaign contributions. One, former Federal Elections Commission Chairman Scott Thomas, said if the FEC had investigated it would have found the payments did not violate the law, even as a civil matter. "A criminal prosecution of a candidate on these facts would be outside anything I would expect after decades of experience with the campaign finance laws," Thomas said. The indictment is the culmination of a federal investigation begun by the FBI more than two years ago. The probe scoured virtually every corner of Edwards' political career. That included his political action committees, a nonprofit and a so-called 527 independent political group. It even examined whether he did anything improper during his time in the U.S. Senate, which ended seven years ago. But the centerpiece of the investigation has long been the hundreds of thousands of dollars privately provided by two wealthy Edwards supporters — his former campaign finance chairman Fred Baron and Rachel "Bunny" Mellon, the 100-year-old widow of banking heir Paul Mellon. That money eventually went to keep mistress Rielle Hunter and her out-of-wedlock baby in hiding in 2007 and 2008, during the apex of the Democratic nomination campaign. The indictment refers to $725,000 in payments made by Mellon and another $200,000 made by Baron. It said the money was used to pay for Hunter's living and medical expenses and for chartered airfare, luxury hotels and rental for a house in Santa Barbara, Calif., to keep her hidden from the public. Mellon sent her money through her decorator. The indictment said she listed items of furniture in the memo lines of her checks such as "chairs," "antique Charleston table," and "book case" to hide the true purpose. It accused Edwards of lying when he told the media he never knew about any payments. The indictment refers to Edwards' discussions with a former employee in summer 2009 in which they prepared a statement to the media in which he would admit he was the father of Frances Quinn Hunter. A person familiar with the investigation has identified the former employee as speechwriter Wendy Button. The indictment said Edwards told her that he was aware Baron provided money to hide Hunter from the media. "Edwards further told the employee that this was a huge issue and that for `legal and practical reasons' it should not be mentioned in the statement they were preparing," the indictment said. The statement Edwards eventually issued seven months later claiming paternity did not mention the money spent on Hunter. Former campaign staffer Andrew Young, who initially claimed paternity of Hunter's child, has said Edwards was aware of the private financial support that helped keep the mistress satisfied and secluded. Prosecutors believe the private gifts should have been considered campaign contributions since they aided his candidacy. The case opens a new front in how the federal government oversees the flow of money around political campaigns. An attorney for Edwards said last week that the government's case was "novel and untested" and argued that the government's theory was wrong on both the facts and the law. With one of Edwards' former campaign rivals now sitting in the White House, the case includes a measure of political intrigue. Greg Craig, who was previously White House counsel for President Barack Obama, emerged as a leading figure on Edwards' legal team just as Obama's Justice Department was reviewing the case that prosecutors in North Carolina had prepared. Meanwhile, with the backing of North Carolina's two senators, Republican-appointed U.S. attorney George Holding stayed on the job in the Obama administration to finish the Edwards probe. "Democracy demands that our election system be protected, and without vigorously enforced campaign finance laws, the people of this country lose their voice," said Holding. "The U.S. Attorney's Office and the Department of Justice are committed to the prosecution of individuals who abuse the very system of which they seek to become a part." Edwards and Hunter began their relationship in 2006, just as the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee was plotting a second run for the White House. She was hired to shoot behind-the-scenes video footage of the prospective candidate. Edwards' political action committee and a nonprofit affiliated with him both paid Hunter's video-production firm about $100,000 for the work. Edwards initially denied having an affair with Hunter but eventually admitted to it in the summer of 2008. He then denied being the father of her child before finally confessing last year. His wife, Elizabeth, died of cancer in December. Young has said that Edwards agreed in 2007 to solicit money directly from Mellon. And the long-time Edwards aide, now estranged from his former boss, has said he received hundreds of thousands of dollars in checks from Mellon — some hidden in boxes of chocolate. Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer, head of the Justice Department's criminal division, said, "As this indictment shows, we will not permit candidates for high office to abuse their special ability to access the coffers of their political supporters to circumvent our election laws." Mellon and Edwards are still friendly despite the glare of the federal investigation. They had lunch together at her Virginia estate last week even as the indictment appeared imminent. Baron's support was even more direct. The wealthy trial lawyer said in 2008 that he helped Young and Hunter move across the country to protect them from media scrutiny. Baron, who died a few months later, said Edwards wasn't aware of the aid, but Young has said that Edwards did know. Young, Hunter and Baron's wife were among many Edwards aides and supporters who were called to testify before a federal grand jury or have been interviewed by investigators. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_edwards_investigation |
| Politics › Re: Our Lawmakers by johnie(op): 4:33pm On Jun 03, 2011 |
johnie:What a shame! These people need to be reminded that one of their collegues died during the Ette-Integrity Group stand-off. What was all the fuss that led to the death of a member, impeachment of a speaker, instalation of a controversial speaker about if there was no basis in the accusation against Etteh. This is disgraceful and the so called Integrity Group ought to apologise to Nigerians and resign! I would like to lay my hands on the full list of the so-called Integrity Group so we know those that are deceiving Nigerians. At least we know that Lawan Farouk is a ring leader. |
| Politics › Re: Our Lawmakers by johnie(op): 4:12pm On Jun 03, 2011 |
Drama, emotions as Senators, Reps hold last sessions By John Ameh and Josiah Oluwole, Abuja Friday, 3 Jun 2011 Thursday was a day of outpouring of emotions by Senators and House of Representatives members as the curtain fell on the sixth National Assembly. As they bade one another farewell during their valedictory sessions, they recalled the joy they derived servicing the nation and the controversies that trailed their four-years in office. Many were moody, with the realisation that their tenure had ended showing on their faces. Outside the National Assembly chambers, legislators were seen parking their office equipment and other personal belongings into their vehicles. In the House of Representatives, where 260 members were not reelected, two wept during the five-hour valedictory session. One was former Speaker, Patricia Etteh, who was absolved of blame in the controversial N268m renovation scam that led to her ouster on 0ctober 30, 2007. Another was Halim Agoda, one of the two arrowheads of the Integrity Group in the House, which called for a probe of the scam. Agoda who had been in the House since 1999, lost his reelection bid in Delta State. While some wished that they had more time left, the majority sought for forgiveness from Nigerians, especially in the areas where they had disappointed the electorate. They also sought forgiveness for one another over disagreements they had in the past. Mr. Farouk Lawan, who led the Integrity Group to force Etteh out of office, for instance, said he hoped to meet with her at a different level next time. Lawan noted that it was possible that he would meet Etteh either as a minister visiting the National Assembly or “we may meet when on oversight visit to your (Etteh) ministry.” Etteh giggled when she heard Lawan’s compliment. Lawmakers like Olaka Nwogu, Chinyere Igwe, Elizabeth Ogbaga and Austin Nwachukwu tried to brighten up the mood by having many photo sessions with the colleagues they were leaving behind. Making his speech, Bankole consoled his colleagues, describing the Sixth House as the best of all the sets since 1999. He called on them to ignore whatever critics and the media were saying about them because the media attention simply meant that the legislators were “very relevant.” Anytime they stop writing about you, then, you have to stop and ask yourself why,” he added. With 187 bills to its credit, Bankole observed that the House amended the 1999 Constitution and played a “patriotic role in rescuing the nation from a serious constitutional crisis during the ill-health and subsequent death of President Umaru Yar’Adua by passing the seminal resolution on the Doctrine of Necessity…” Bankole called on Nigerians to applaud the House for recovering and returning over N1.2tn to the public treasury since 2007 and establishing the National Assembly Budget Office to allow for more scrutiny of national budgets. His deputy, Alhaji Usman Nafada, said he was shocked that “four years have come and gone like the blinking of an eye.” Nafada criticised his colleagues for not considering reports on bills passed by the House seriously. [b]He stated that the majority of them would abandon the chamber at critical moments when reports were being considered, forgetting that the Committee of the Whole was the most important segment of the legislative process. When it was his turn to speak, Agoda, a Delta State-born member of the House , cried and had to be consoled by his colleague, Mr. Abdul Ningi, who is now a Senator-elect. Agoda, who will not be returning to the House, struggled to hold flowing tears back, as he spoke. His pain was that “coming to the House has become a way of life for me since 1999.” He said, “I have been on this seat in the past 12 years. Every morning, I take my constitution and my rules book and come to the House.” Agoda, who contested a senate seat in Delta State and lost, lamented that it had now dawned on him that his 12-year journey at the National Assembly had ended. On his part, the Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, blamed the woes of the House on the media, saying that they carried stories, which compounded the ‘battered’ image of the sixth House. The Chairman of the Committee on Police Affairs, Mr. Abdul Ningi, expressed concern that the legislature was divided along religious and ethnic lines, far from the “sense of national unity” built in 1999.[/b] In the Senate, members recalled periods of excitements and challenges in the last four years. It was almost a comic session as they called one another by their nicknames and highlighted the cordial working relationship that existed among them. Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange started the round of fun when he said that it would be good to have more retired military officers in the Senate, an indirect reference to the President of the Senate, David Mark. Mark retired as a Brigadier-General. For that comment, he got one extra minute to speak. He remembered “Mana and Co,” the tag name for the group of former military officers in the Senate led by Senator Mohammed Mana. Amange’s repeated reference to Senator Grace Bent, who sat beside him in the last four years as his “first lady” elicited loud guffaws from his colleagues. While defending his action, he said that ‘Grace’ was the only name mentioned in the prayers of the Senate which goes thus: “Help us with thy grace to do all those things that ….” http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201106036343821 |
| Business › Re: What's Happening On The Lekki Axis? by johnie(op): 1:34pm On Jun 03, 2011 |
AjanleKoko:This park and ride thing is already happening in some parts of Lagos. I know, for instance, that people park at the Ikosi (old toll gate) end of the Lagos Ibadan expressway and ride the LAGBUS to Lagos Island. Other modes of transport are also coming on stream. I spoke with someone who lives at Ikorodu in the evening yesterday and he toldme he would be catching a ferry at a jetty somewhere at Ikoyi having failed to purchase a ticket at another jetty on Lagos Island. |
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