₦airaland Forum

Buhari steals show at Yuguda’s rally
By Armstrong Bakam
March 16, 2011 05:18AM
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The presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, Muhammadu Buhari stole the show at the official flag-off campaign of the Bauchi State governor, Isa Yuguda on Monday.

Shortly after his declaration, Mr. Yuguda had told thousands of his supporters who gathered at the campaign rally in Jama’are area to vote for President GoodLuck Jonathan in the general elections, but the entire crowd chanted, “We will vote for Buhari.”

According to Mr. Yuguda, who is the North East Zonal Campaign coordinator, GoodLuck/Sambo Campaign Organization, “The South has never failed to support us in the North in various elections. The North owes the South because for the past 50 years they have supported us which led to Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa becoming the First Prime Minister in Nigeria.’’ He continued, ‘’it was this support that also led to the emergence of Shehu Shagari as President of Nigeria. If they have supported us in these ways, why cant we give them this opportunity to also serve? President Goodluck has promised to serve for only one term as president’’ In a bid to convince the crowd to support his cause, he said further that ‘’the President has also promised to build Almajiri schools for the over 9.5 million Almajiris that we have in northern Nigeria as well as other developmental projects and programmes that we will enjoy in the north’’

No to Jonathan

But despite his attempts, the people, who were mainly PDP members, chanted, “we don’t want Jonathan, all we want is Baba Buhari. He is the candidate of our choice and we will vote for him alone’’.

Speaking earlier on his agenda for the state, Mr. Yuguda said his priority areas in the last four years included education and health said he will not relent in his efforts to deliver dividends of democracy to the people if reelected. He said he will provide more jobs, construct more roads, provide electricity.

In his remark, the PDP Deputy National Secretary, Musa Babayo reiterated the support of the national body of the party for Mr. Yuguda’s re-election bid: ‘’I won’t be wrong if I say PDP has already won the coming elections in Bauchi and throughout the country,” he said. “PDP is a party that stands for justice and fairness. That is why we want you to vote for PDP candidates so that they can deliver the dividends of democracy to you,” he added.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5683500-146/story.csp

Traditional ruler dies in auto crash

By Bamigbola Gbolagunte

March 16, 2011 02:49AM

The traditional ruler of Orile-Owu in Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Adesoji Afelele, yesterday died in an auto crash which occurred on Osogbo-Gbongan road in the early hours of the day.

Mr Afelele, aged 75, was said to have died with his wife in the crash.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler and his wife were on their way to Ode-Omu, also in Osun State, when the accident occurred.

The crash

Sources told our correspondent that an 18 seater hummer bus belonging to AIT rammed into the vehicle killing Mr Afelele and his wife instantly.

The sources also said that four other people apart from the traditional ruler were seriously injured in the crash and have been taken to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife for treatment while the corpses have been deposited at the mutuary of the hospital.

Mr Afelele was said to have ascended the throne in 1981 and was preparing for the 30th coronation anniversary celebration.

Mr Afelele was until his death a permanent member of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers and a prominent traditional ruler in Yoruba land.

Before ascending the throne in 1981, he was a teacher and chief examiner for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

Son’s reaction

Reacting to the death of his father and stepmother, Muyiwa Adejobi, who is the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident. “We have also contacted my siblings and other family members, and I’m on my way to our town for the family meeting to discuss the burial arrangement which will be made available soon,” he explained

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5683551-146/story.csp

Osakpanwa vs Oba’s Palace: 4 shot in Benin

HeadlinesMar 15, 2011

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN CITY – TENSION heightened in Benin City, Tuesday, after four persons including a Benin Prince, were shot along Lagos Street, when armed men stormed the residence of the Arala of Benin Kingdom, Chief SD Omalayan Osula.
Two of the victims, Rapheal Oke and Osamuyi Obaze, died on the spot while Prince Ebo Eweka, grandson of Princess Eweka of Benin Kingdom and one other yet to be identified person, are in critical conditions at the hospital.
Chief Arala Osula, alleged that the incident occurred when the suspended Chairman of the Task Force Committee on the Protection of Pipeline Vandalization, Mr Osakpanwan Eriyo stormed his residence with armed men, asking him to urge his children to stay away from the problem he had with the palace.
But another account of the incident stated that the shooting occurred when Eriyo allegedly defied the government’s suspension order on revenue collection and asked his boys to go and collect levy from the market in Lagos Street. But it was said that the attempt by his boys to collect levies from the traders was resisted by Ogbe boys who were in solidarity with the palace over the assault on the Prince.
It was learnt that the two groups engaged in a gun battle which eventually led to the loss of lives.
The Oba of Benin had Monday, placed a curse on Eriyo, after the latter allegedly assaulted the Oba’s son and Caretaker Committee Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council, Prince Ekpen Erediauwa.

Youths protesting the alleged assault on the Oba of Benin's son, Monday in Benin City.
Following the incident, the Edo state government also suspended Mr Eriyo as chairman of the committee and barred him from collection of levies in the council.
Meanwhile, the Benin Political Coalition, led by the former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), led by its chairman, Comrade Agbons Uyigue, condemned the alleged assault on Prince Erediauwa and urged the police to investigate the matter and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
However, Chief Osula who narrated the incident that led to the killing, said that “the terrorist group decided to carry the fight to my house; Osakpanwa came this morning. He said he came to me to protest that my children went to join Prince Ekpen to fight him. But before we knew what was happening, his boys started shooting and two people were killed on the spot.
“This is terrorism in practice in Edo. We are waiting for the Governor to come and talk to us before we know what to do. I have just called my sister who is in the Action Congress to tell her what their youth leader is doing. As I am talking to you, another Prince was shot and is in the hospital now. This is unacceptable to us he must pay for his sins” he declared.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Edo state, ASP Peter Ogboi, confirmed the incident, asserting that ” some persons have been identified as the people who shot the victims. He also said that the CID had been directed to apprehend any person involved in the shooting.
As at press time, unconfirmed reports indicated that Osakpanwa has been whisked to the Police headquarters Abuja.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/03/osakpanwa-vs-obas-palace-4-shot-in-benin/

MEND Issues Fresh Warning About Imminent Attacks

Posted: March 15, 2011 - 17:52

By Jomo Gbomo

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) wishes to strongly advise the general public and all oil companies to disregard all attempts by the Nigerian government and security services in dismissing our latest threat.

In light of these attempts by the Nigerian security services, we may resort to carry out all bomb blasts without prior notification and then issue a statement of claim afterwards.

Anyone caught up in these blasts due to their ignorance would only have themselves and the government to blame. The same government that would abandon the casualties in an unequipped teaching hospital while their family members travel abroad for medical treatment.

We gather that some agents from the United States are training some members of the Nigerian police force in bomb detection, detonation and making improvised bombs. We find this very laughable coming from a country that cannot guarantee its own citizen’s security with their overwhelmed prison system coupled with a useless and corrupt Nigerian police and security force that will end up selling this knowledge.

The government of Goodluck Jonathan has formed a habit of blaming its political opponents in other bomb attacks so when we start to strike, we will sit back and watch how the blame game will continue to be played out by the government after our statements of claims has being issued.

We finally reiterate our desire to avoid any civilian casualties and again strongly warn the general public to stay clear of any political gathering or meeting of any sort as we know our targets.



Jomo Gbomo


http://saharareporters.com/news-page/mend-issues-fresh-warning-about-imminent-attacks

Jonathan ‘Scared’ Of Independent Television Debates, Ribadu Campaign Says

Posted: March 15, 2011 - 17:02

The Nuhu Ribadu presidential campaign has challenged the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket of Goodluck Jonathan and Namadi Sambo to submit itself to public election debates without preconditions.

Observing that the PDP presidential ticket has expressed a preference only for televised debates under the aegis of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), the ACN campaign said in a statement that the PDP approach “simply shows that either the duo have nothing concrete to sell to Nigerians or are afraid they cannot defend their actions in office for the past ten months.”

Said the ACN campaign, “It is common knowledge that the BON is mostly populated by government employees, and as such the presidency will find a way of running the entire debate from the back door.”

In the statement, signed by Ibrahim Modibbo, the Director of Media and Communications of the Nuhu Ribadu Campaign Organisation, the campaign castigated the attitude of the PDP presidential candidate.  “Anyone that is ready to offer honest service should not be scared of facing his opponents or indeed his people in a fair and open manner,” it said.  “That is not too much to ask of a man who is asking to lead the largest collection of black people with a population of 150 million people.”


http://saharareporters.com/news-page/jonathan-%E2%80%98scared%E2%80%99-independent-television-debates-ribadu-campaign-says

The Youth: Can Presidential Candidates Afford To Ignore The New Political Force In Town

Posted: March 14, 2011 - 02:32

whataboutusnigeria.org

Last year Ngozi Okonjo Iweala uttered a fact that sent a shudder through the youth population of Nigeria. She let the youth know that they comprised a whopping 70% of Nigeria's population. Seventy percent?? How could this be? The schools were dilapidated, the youth unemployed, and none of the leaders looked like they'd been a youth in decades.

This fact sent a ripple through the Nigerian Youth community, forcing them to ask themselves how could a majority so vast have been impoverished for so long, and how had this strong majority allowed this to happen? The youth had been clearly underrepresented,  but one glaring question rose up, how many of them had actually gone out to vote?

This year the youth were determined to change that, coming out in droves, with estimated 65% of the electorate said to be between the ages of 18 and 35. This election wouldn't pass them by without them casting their vote. Then there was another dilemma. Who would they cast their vote for? Nigerian politicians have historically spewed vague rhetoric, never really saying what their plans were to fix Nigeria. It only made sense that the unseen change matched the unheard platform details, making every politician seemingly the same as the next. What did it really matter, the elections were rigged anyways.

For this reason Vote or Quench, Sleeves Up,  Enough is Enough, Stand Up Naija, and various other youth led organizations came up with one phase of a solution in educating the youth electorate on the candidates, in the form of "What About Us?" the first Youth centered Presidential debate taking place on the 25th of March in Abuja.

The concept of the debate is to give the young electorate and the candidates an opportunity to engage in a direct conversation, with questions gathered from Nigerian youth at home and in the diaspora. The candidates were chosen by the Nigerian youth in a poll that ran for two weeks, along with the subjects to be addressed.

Anyone will tell you the process of arranging a debate is not an easy one, certainly when it comes to getting candidates to attend. Understandably so, with the schedules and campaigning, but I would like to examine what risks candidates risk  take by shunning the youth debates.

I will have to repeat the estimate that 65% of the electorate is estimated to be between the ages of 18-35 years of age, a demographic that What About Us has  directly engaged with. A demographic that trusts the information divulged by the coalition as all groups involved are those that serve as sources for news, and have worked to push for youth empowerment.

When four of the six candidates publicly accepted the invitation to debate of various social media outlets an immediate spike in their fans was detected. A level of mutual respect was felt, with the candidates understanding the value of the youth, and the youth understanding that these candidates actually cared about them, and wanted them to know that. Not by holding a rally, or giving them bags of rice, but by agreeing to come on a trusted youth created and managed transparent platform.

With this being said, for a candidate who the youth have selected to hear speak in a debate to not show up, may be seen as a slap in the face, especially with the promises of wanting to engage the youth on a social media platform, but shying away from doing so in real life.  With the debate reaching millions of young Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, absentee candidates would be donating the youth vote to the present candidates, as they will be able to speak sincerely to the youth, from a platform that the youth look to for information.

You didn't have to watch the NN24 Vice Presidential Debate in order to hear about the empty podium where our current Vice President should have been standing.

This defining act could be what will separate the new brigade of politicians from the old. The new politicians with the conviction and confidence to address the youth unprepared. The new politicians that are forward thinking enough that they realize the power in what used to be a silent majority. The new politicians who genuinely care to address the concerns of the youth.

So the only question left to ask those candidates with pending invitations: Do you think it is in your best interest  to ignore the devastatingly large and powerful youth electorate that is loudly screaming "What About Us?"

Some food for thought.

Please check out www.WhatAboutUsNigeria.org for more information.

http://saharareporters.com/article/youth-can-presidential-candidates-afford-ignore-new-political-force-town

Governor Shema Of Katsina in Ghastly Auto Accident

Posted: March 15, 2011 - 12:56


Governor of Katsina state, Ibrahim Shema, was in serious auto accident today in Katsina as his convoy traveled to meet president Goodluck Jonathan to campaign in the state.

The aide-de-camp to the governor died in the accident while the governor sustained bruises on his arm.

It unclear if other fatal casualties occured but a source told SaharaReporters that other aides of the governor, injured in the auto accident, were taken to the hospital in the state.

The governor was then at the airport to receive the president. He will be campaigning in Daura the home town of his rival, retired general, Muhammad Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

Shema has come under fire for supporting Jonathan for re-election as president.

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/governor-shema-katsina-ghastly-auto-accident

Amaechi squandered N989bn in 3 years –Sekibo

By SAM OTTI

Tuesday, March 15, 2011


Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr Abike Sekibo, has bemoaned the poor utilization of federal allocation by the present leadership of the state. He said the Chibuike Amaechi-led government received a record sum of N989billion from the Federation account within the last three years, yet, it went ahead to borrow N130 billion within the period.

Addressing journalists on Monday in Lagos, Sekibo, who was the former minister of Transport, alleged that the resources of the state had been depleted through over-inflated contracts awarded to cronies of the state government. According to him, school projects and health services, which fell under the functions of local government authority were hijacked by the state, from where billions of naira got sunk in over-inflated contract sums.

The former minister said the state government initiated a mega-hospital project, from where it paid N6 billion.
According to him, the project was later abandoned by the state government on the excuse that the result of the sand test conducted on the proposed site did not pass a 17-storey building plan.
“What has happened to the N6billion already paid to the contractor. That money went down the drain,” he lamented.

Sekibo said the government introduced the 130 ultra-modern schools across the states, which consisted of 12-classroom blocks and awarded the sum of N120million each to the contractor. He accused the state of deceiving the people, while explaining that similar blocks, with the same facilities and design, constructed by Shell company, as part of its community intervention projects, were done at N9million each.

The governorship candidate said the state government came up with health project, involving the construction of 130 health centres across the state. The contract, according to him, was awarded at N150 million per block. He argued also that similar construction done by Shell Petroleum Development Company for the communities cost barely N35million per block.

He said the Okirika Ring Road, a project initiated by the Odili administration, was awarded for N400million and the work was almost 70 per cent completed when the former governor left office. But he said the Amaechi-led government re-awarded the contract to the same contractor for N4.6billion. He said a mild drama played out in the state when the Senate President, David Mark was lured to the state to commission the uncompleted project.
Sekibo said about 70 per cent of all the projects initiated by the Amaechi administration in the state had not been completed after three years of its commencement, in spite of huge sums of money allotted to them by the government.

Sekibo, who was also the former Secretary to Rivers State Government, during the tenure of Peter Odili, explained that the Odili administration received less than N900billion throughout the eight years he spent in office, yet, he left enduring legacy for the people of the state.
The ACN governorship candidate said the ACN would defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a free and fair election and ruled off the fear of executive might. He said the state governor had lost his goodwill among the people in the state, due to his poor performance for the last three years. He described the power of incumbency as a mere license to rig elections, while insisting that political sovereignty rested on the people to choose the leader they desired.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/mar/15/national-15-03-2011-06.htm

PDP, Jonathan in fresh plot for North-West, South-West

TUESDAY, 15 MARCH 2011 00:00 FROM JOHN-ABBA OGBODO AND NKECHI ONYEDIKA (ABUJA) NEWS - NATIONAL 

AFTER the conclusion of its first round of campaigns in the North-West and South-West geo-political zones, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Goodluck Jonathan, seem not convinced that they have won the confidence of the electorate in the regions.

In a post-campaign appraisal, the PDP’s leadership and the President, according to sources, are disturbed by some issues that cropped during their rallies in the two zones, which they feared might affect their chances at the April polls.

One of them is alleged misrepresentation of the President describing the South-West leaders as “rascals” and the ugly incident in Kaduna, which led to the PDP supporters leaving the venue of the rally before Jonathan addressed the crowd.

The Guardian learnt that as part of the plans to get the block votes from the regions, the President and the PDP have agreed to embark on another leg of campaigns in the zones using political organisations to sway support for the PDP and Jonathan.

The President’s men have reportedly embarked on personal and group’s efforts to create platforms for Jonathan to clear his comments and position on certain national issues and those credited to his aides that have attracted the wrath of the public.

It was also learned that special campaign materials including traditional wears have been prepared for the fresh rallies that would be held in selected places in the South-West and North-West after the end of the ongoing exercise, which ends in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

Jonathan is expected to use the Northern Economic Summit organised by Northern Political Summit Group in Kaduna on Thursday to kick-start the special campaign.

A PDP official said yesterday that this campaign will make up for the mix-ups at the zonal rally in Kaduna last February 11 where some members of the crowd left in droves before the President made his speech.

But at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of the Northern Political Summit Group, also known as the G-20, Prof. Jerry Gana, said the summit was not at the behest of the President. He explained that when the maiden meeting of the group was held last year, it was agreed that they should organise both economic and social parleys with a view to addressing the socio-economic problems of the North.

‘’When we held the maiden meeting of the group sometime last year, we agreed that as part of the efforts to develop the region, we would organise an economic summit to address the situation in the North. After the economic summit, we are still going to hold the social summit later. These are some of the plans that we have to develop the North. The summit will address several aspects of the economic problems in the North because we have arranged for experts to deliver lectures, which will be put together to be used as a road map,’’ he said.

Asked whether the forum was a designed to check the influence of the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) led by former Minister of Finance, Adamu Ciroma, Gana said his group was concerned with the development of the North and had no other agenda.

He added that the letters of invitation to the summit were extended to all northerners of note, including presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN’s), Nuhu Ribadu, and Ibrahim Shekerau of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

Speaking further on the summit with the theme: ‘’Agenda for economic and social transformation of Northern Nigeria,’’ Gana, who was accompanied by Senator Jonathan Zwingina and some members of the planning committee to the conference, said it would ‘’develop an well articulated blueprint for restoring and placing the North on the path of rapid and sustainable socio-economic  development.”

Gana further said the summit would produce an integrated socio-economic charter that could be implemented by northern states and also serve as a viable instrument for policy making at the federal level.

Gana confirmed that Jonathan had been invited to the summit as a special guest of honour.

Party sources hinted that PDP is worried about the North-West, which has seven states and a huge population of voters.

According to them, the presidential candidates of the ACN and CPC are from the zone and any slip could be disastrous for PDP.

In the South-West, the party is losing sleep over the growing influence of the ACN.

These are some of the issues the PDP plans to use the special campaigns to address.

The North-West zone has seven states:  Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa and Kano. Others are Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states while the South-West has Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti states with Lagos having the largest number of registered voters in Nigeria.

And as the general elections approaches, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in collaboration with local election partners have set up a National Election Incident Centre (NEIC) to electronically monitor and gather reports from the polling stations across the country and transmit the results to the stakeholders.

At the presentation of the centre yesterday in Abuja, Country Director of NDI, Mr. Carlo Binda, said the plan is to use cell phones and text messaging to transmit observed data for analysis and presentation to the public, so as to facilitate impartial, accurate and timely reports.

He explained that NEIC would be used in  identifying flashpoints for serious violations of the voting and counting process, including election related violence, disappearance of materials, ballot box stuffing and intimidation of voters, among others.

Former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Peace Obiajulu, said NEIC would act as a watchdog for political parties, which plan to commit electoral malpractice.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41664:pdp-jonathan-in-fresh-plot-for-north-west-south-west&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: Akala shuts out Buhari

Headlines, NewsMar 15, 2011

By OLA AJAYI

IBADAN – GOVERNOR Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State, yesterday, made good his threat as the State Government locked out the Presidential Candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Pastor Tunde Bakare during the party’s campaign to the South West zone of the country.
Governor Akala had said through his Special Adviser on Public Communication, Prince Dotun Oyelade, that his office was not carried along when the CPC changed the earlier date both parties had agreed upon.
He added that the government had earlier given clearance for the venue to the PDP yesterday and Tuesday – today to prepare podium and tomorrow for the actual event.
He explained that the rally would not be allowed to hold at the venue because of the visit of the wife of the President, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan today.
But, CPC insisted that it would use the venue having paid all the necessary fees charged for the hall.
On getting to the venue, yesterday, all the gates leading to the ancient Mapo Hall were firmly locked so that nobody could access the place. However, some daring supporters of the party jumped over the fence and entered the premises as the space in front of the hall was too small for the crowd at the rally.
Loyalists of the former military ruler had been waiting at the venue of the rally – Mapo Hall, Ibadan since 10.00 a.m , but the presidential candidate and his entourage did not come until 5.30pm .
When Buhari and his entourage arrived, some people who had earlier left the venue in frustration returnedto catch a glimpse of the former Nigerian leader.
Pastor Bakare who spoke at the rally said the party had brought light and darkness had to give way. His words: “For the past 12 years, we allowed a cat to watch over our meat. PDP, like a venomous snake has suffered us, corrupted the system, given us oppression. Instead of rejoicing, we are now gnashing our teeth in hunger.
Suppression and tyranny
“We have seen you want to say no to suppression and tyranny, that is why you have been waiting for us since morning.
Sorry, we went to Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Alake of Egbaland, Osile and the Olubadan of Ibadan. We have come to bring a change to your lives and lives of your children.
“On the election day, just look for our symbol which is pen. We want to use that pen to transform your lives. They have spoilt the name of this country. But Buhari has come to give good education to your children. Yorubas are tired of suffering and the only person who can give equal treatment to you is Buhari. That is why federalism is the first in our manifestoes.
“Buhari just urged the people to vote and stand by their votes from the polling booths to the collation centres where the votes would be counted and announced. I assure you that this time around, we won’t allow rigging.”
Buhari then presented the flags to all the governorship candidates of the party in the zone.
Governorship candidate of the party in Oyo State, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, spoke last saying the party would not form alliance with any other political party.
Akala reacts
Meanwhile, Governor Akala has given reasons why the government shut down the Mapo Hall.
A statement signed by the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Oyelade, said: “The CPC booked the Mapo Hall saying they will use it on Friday. Apparently, their Presidential flag bearers were not ready so they cancelled Friday and wanted Monday.
“The people who earlier gave their clearance had already given the PDP yesterday and Tuesday – today to prepare podium and tomorrow for the actual event.
“After all ACN, ANPP, Accord Party and one or two others had stagged their rallies there.
The CPC is not a threat to us in any manner so we wouldn’t have contemplated stopping them from using Mapo Hall which belongs to everybody.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/03/presidential-campaign-akala-shuts-out-buhari/

Mapo Hall: Akala Lied!

By Yinka Odumakin

The attempt to deny the Congress for Progressive Change(CPC) the use of Mapo Hall for the launch of its South West Presidential Campaign in Ibadan on Monday has again exposed the ruling PDP and its leaders as a gang of cheats,liars and integrity deficient outfit.

The CPC validly booked the venue for Monday the 14th of March with receipt obtained and the police adequately informed and approval given.
It was to our consternation that the management of the facility rudely informed our officials who went to prepare the venue 48 hours to the d-day that we could no longer use the place because the wife of the President,Patience Jonathan will be holding an event at the same venue 24 hours after our rally.

The Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala added a ridiculous dimension to the whole saga when he lied that the hiccup was because we changed our date.The attached receipt which showed the date that we booked nullifies the low quality lie.

The Buhari/Bakare campaign sees this development as a continuation of the abuse of incumbency by the Jonathan administration which has buried "the rule of law" mantra with the remains of his predecessor.

We want Nigerians to help us ask if Patience Jonathan will ask somebody not to hold a wedding ceremony at an event centre because she intends using the place the following day if she were a private citizen.

By the grace of God and having complied with all regulations known to the laws of the land,our rally shall hold as scheduled at Mapo Hall on Monday.We shall not submit ourselves to the intimidation of the lawless society called the PDP.They have denied us venues in Niger,Imo and Adamawa states.There comes a time when "Enough is Enough".

We ask president Jonathan to hold the leash on his attack dogs as it smacks of hypocrisy for him to be pretending to be calling peace parleys with other presidential candidates while his agents are working against peace.
We wish to sound it loud and clear again that all these shenanigans will not stop the Buhari/Bakare hurricane that is blowing away the umbrella of deception all over Nigeria.

http://saharareporters.com/press-release/mapo-hall-akala-lied

Ibadan comes alive for Buhari

By Jide Jegede

March 15, 2011 05:43AM

The presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Muhammadu Buhari, was on Monday barred from using Mapo Hall for the southwest launch of his campaign rally in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. But that did not stop the former head of state, who was greeted by a jubilant crowd which had waited hours for the event to start. The rally had been scheduled to begin at 1pm, but kicked off around 5.20pm. Mr. Buhari, on his way to Ibadan, had stopped to visit some traditional rulers in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, and the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye. There had been a disagreement between the CPC and the Oyo State government over the use of the colonial-style city hall perched on top of Mapo Hill, Ibadan, over the weekend. While the CPC claimed it had paid in advance for Mapo Hall, the state government said it had allocated the hall to a team that would be hosting the nation’s first lady, Patience Jonathan, today. The rally held on the grounds in front of Mapo Hall.

‘Liars and cheats’

According to Yinka Odumakin, the spokesperson for Mr. Buhari, the state government’s decision to deny the CPC the use of Mapo Hall again exposed the ruling PDP and its leaders as a gang of cheats, liars and an integrity-deficient outfit. Mr. Odumakin attached a receipt, given to the party after it booked the hall, to a statement he issued. He said that the police had been informed of the date and venue of the rally, and approval had been given.

“It was to our consternation that the management of the facility rudely informed our officials, who went to prepare the venue 48 hours to the D-Day, that we could no longer use the place because the wife of the president, Patience Jonathan, would be holding an event at the same venue 24 hours after our rally.” Mr. Odumakin said.

He also spoke harshly about the governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, describing him as a liar for adding “a ridiculous dimension to the whole saga when he lied that the hiccup was because we changed our rally date”.

“The attached receipts from Ibadan Local Governments Properties Co. Limited, the official managers of Mapo Hall, showed the date CPC booked Mapo Hall and the subsequent official acceptance of CPC’s use of Mapo Hall on the new rally date, 14th March 2011,” he said. “This contradicts the false account of the Oyo State government.”

Presidential promises

Speaking to the crowd of supporters, Mr. Buhari gave his assurance that rigging would be impossible in the next election, saying “there is no more culture of rigging in Nigeria”.

The former head of state urged the people to take the elections seriously and ensure that they did not only vote, but also protect their votes by following them up to the collation centres.

“We will make sure that every penny in the treasury belongs to the people and is spent on them,” he said. “All the CPC candidates will be completely accountable to the people who entrust them with power when they get to power.”

Reeling out his agenda, the CPC candidate said the party planned to provide jobs, good roads, potable water and security across the country. Speaking earlier, Tunde Bakare, vice presidential candidate of the CPC and pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, urged Nigerians to vote for his party, saying they would rewrite the history of the country and bring back its lost glory. Mr. Bakare said that the party was taking the issue of education seriously as well as planning to return the country to true federal status.

Party matters

Mr. Buhari presented the party’s flag to Adebayo Shittu as the Oyo State governorship candidate, a move which settled the controversy over who would fly the party’s gubernatorial flag. The national leadership of the CPC had formally endorsed the candidacy of Mr. Shittu as flagbearer, but the crisis still persisted. Mr. Shittu and another candidate, Taiwo Ibrahim, had emerged from parallel governorship primaries held in the state.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5683315-146/story.csp

El-Rufai dares EFCC: Come, investigate me

NewsMar 14, 2011

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

ABUJA - FORMER Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Monday dared the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to come and investigate him, saying he had nothing to hide.
The former minister, who urged the EFCC to stop what he described as innuendos, stressed that he had no apology for declining to align his political preferences to the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, even as he vowed to resist any attempt to foist the toga of a guilty man on him the way he did during late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Apparently reacting to moves by the EFCC to launch fresh probes into his alleged ownership of some companies, the former minister, who noted that he was not one of those people that could be whipped into line with threat of EFCC, said ‘’those who wish to investigate are welcome to it, but they should desist from careless whispers and dissemination of libel while hiding behind official cloaks.’’
In a statement yesterday by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, and made available to Vanguard, Mallam El Rufai said he had no multi-billion naira assets in any telecommunications company or in real estate anywhere.
The statement read in part: “Amidst the avalanche of news items about another EFCC investigation of his assets, Mallam Nasir El Rufai wishes to notify the public that the EFCC is up to its usual pastime of dealing in innuendo and falsehood.
“He was a successful professional, recognised as a leader in his specialty as a Quantity Surveyor and able in that capacity to earn reasonable income.
‘’Mallam El Rufai was a dollar millionaire in his 20’s, and he did not come into public service as a hungry, desperate pauper looking for loot to facilitate social climbing. He is justifiably proud of his professional accomplishments, and the assets and lifestyle he established before he accepted any public office.
‘’The EFCC claimed back in December 2008 that it had declared Mallam El Rufai wanted over a purported missing N32 billion proceeds from the sale of federal government houses in Abuja. It publicised this falsehood at every opportunity, but it has been unable to file charges because the N32 billion claim is useful only for the purposes of besmirching the character and record of an exemplary public servant.”
‘’Despite the admission by the government that it had withdrawn N46 billion from the banks in which El Rufai’s successor as FCT minister had placed them, the EFCC did not relent in its efforts to make a false accusation look true in the public eye. But when the EFCC went to court, it was to file charges about land matters, and these charges were quashed and dismissed by the Federal High Court. The EFCC has refiled the matter in the Abuja High Court, but that is expected to suffer the same fate.
‘’Mallam El Rufai has nothing to hide. Those who wish to investigate are welcome to it, but they should desist from careless whispers and dissemination of libel while hiding behind official cloaks. “He is not one of those people that can be whipped into line by threatened EFCC activity.
Mallam El Rufai has no apology for declining to align his political preferences to the current government. He resisted the Yar’Adua government’s efforts to abridge his liberty, and he would similarly resist any effort to foist the toga of a guilty man on him.’’

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/03/el-rufai-to-efcc-come-and-investigate-me/

Does Jonathan Deserve Nigerians’ Votes?

Tunde Fagbenle

March 14, 2011

As I read the excerpts of the interview with Oronto Douglas, the Senior Special Assistant to Mr President on Strategy and Documentation published in The Nation newspaper of Sunday March 6, I could not but feel sorry for my brother and friend, lawyer and activist Oronto. What a damn hard job he has selling a damn hard product!

The interview was headlined “Why Jonathan Deserves Nigerians’ Votes” but at the end, it read like “Why Jonathan Does NOT Deserve Nigerians’ Votes. Entirely out of no fault of Oronto, I must say. He had a job to do and “a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do”. I’m not sure I could’ve done any better if that sad lot had fallen on my shoulders.

For completely different reasons, the job of selling Jonathan is akin to that of selling Obasanjo, and I remember expressing the same feeling of pity for my friends who were hitting their heads against the brick wall for President Obasanjo, the man with a cruel knack of immediately jumping into muddy pond the moment he’s been dressed in white garment and made to look “new and improved”!

Obasanjo made nonsense of democracy and more nonsense of federalism. He altered passed budgets in his bedroom, inserted strange clauses into bills already signed into law, undermined the National Assembly exploiting their greed and spinelessness to change the leadership at will, disregarded court judgments not in his favour, unilaterally withheld state allocations, called anyone not in his favour a thief even as his own hands are deep in the till – his aide caught with a plane load of dollars flying into America, his presidential library and third-term projects gulping billions without batting an eyelid, added the ministry of petroleum to his own portfolio of non-accountability, etc. But as excuses were being given by his image handlers for one abuse or another, Obasanjo pushes the limit even further – OBJ, the ultimate image-maker’s nightmare!

But this is not about Obasanjo.

Jonathan has not made life easy for his handlers and image-makers. The picture he cuts is one of cluelessness and guile at once. Our president brandishes a PhD yet sounds every moment mediocre, even simple. He’s not the sort of President you can show off, knowing he can stand his own in any circumstance or occasion with eloquence and brilliance – unsalutary aspect that makes the avoidance of a political debate on national TV a wise counsel indeed.

But yet Mr President evokes sympathy with his ordinariness, and, lately, believability in his preachment. And after so much effort and a lot of words, those are the two selling points for President Jonathan that Oronto could come up with as far as I can see: ordinariness and believability.

“The president rose from a humble background to this position…he never had opportunity of wearing shoes to school…he had to trek several kilometres,” says Oronto Douglas of his boss, as if it’s some badge of honour.

Well, I have news for my friend: the “Poor Parentage Association” already has a ‘chairman’, OBJ. I have it on authority that OBJ did not know where his next meal would come from when he was growing up such that even MKO in his own penury had enough to show mercy on his destitute classmate! But with what OBJ turned out to be, I doubt if coming from a poor background makes a great selling point after all.

There were a few other things that Oronto said about GEJ in the struggle to sell him:

“Nigeria needs a man they can give the country to and go to sleep; a man that will not sell the country.”

Really? Somehow late President Umaru Yar’Adua didn’t think so of his vice or he wouldn’t have turned the country unto Yayale Ahmed, the Secretary to the Government, rather than GEJ, when he was ill. Umaru may have his own, probably unholy, fears but whether we can “go to sleep” with Nigeria in GEJ’s hands happens to be one of my many worries; his story so far, those he is beholden to, is not comforting.

“Wonderful achievements” of Jonathan since he assumed full powers as president on May 6, 2010 which Oronto could point to include: banishing of fuel queues; uniform fuel prices all over the country; appointments of credible persons to sensitive positions, like Prof. Jega as INEC chair, Gen. Iherika as Army chief (first Igbo in donkey years), Prof. Afolabi as Head of Service (first Yoruba in monkey years).

Beyond that, my brother Oronto could only remind us of “the three Es” which the president launched when he assumed full powers, namely: Electoral Reform, Electricity, and Energy Security. We are also told that a fourth ‘E’ for Education has just been added, and proof of that is the sudden creation of 12 federal universities in one fell swoop to add to the existing, albeit poorly funded and ailing, ones.

We must grant that Mr President has made effort, even if halfway, to persuade us of his sincerity on “Electoral Reform” and having a violence-free and fair election. At least he mouths it at every opportunity even if he has been unable to persuade his handlers to adopt fully the Justice Uwais recommendation on meaningful electoral reforms.

We must also give credit to Jonathan for throwing money at electricity and education more than ever before.

But that is precisely the point: a lot of money is being thrown around, pretty much haphazardly and without sound logicality. Hence, the pace of change in those fundamental aspects is pitifully slow.

And there is money in Nigeria!

In the last month or so of the upheavals in the Middle-East, not only has the price of oil more than doubled our budget benchmark, our production level has risen far above the 2 million bpd mark. What that means is that the country has earned stupendous surplus running into hundreds of million dollars, enough to make any sane country meet existing challenges faster.

Not so in Nigeria, a country of huge blessings turned into huge opportunities for profligacy and plunder; sans accountability, sans sanctions.

There is one thing going for Ebele, he is from Bayelsa in the South-south, an area that produces the bulk of the nations oil revenue but yet suffers (until lately) the most neglect. If GEJ fails to get it, in all probability, giving the geopolitical structure of the country, no one from his area would be president for another 50 or more years.

On the South-south basis alone and in a country where anything goes and the desire for progress as a nation isn’t uniformly given, Ebele qualifies for our votes and four more uncertain years!

What a life!





Nigeria’s Romoke now ranks No. 1 in Africa!

Whao!

Since last year when I happened upon that young tennis prodigy, Sarah Romoke Adegoke, in her Ibadan base I have kept apace with the quarterly ranking on the African tennis circuit as published on the Confederation of African Tennis official web site.

I have news for my readers and the many Nigerians home and abroad who have also been keen to know of Romoke’s progress: Sarah Romoke Adegoke is now No. 1 (14 & under) in Africa!

In the latest ranking of 28 February 2011, Osun State origin Romoke leads the pack with 477.5 points, ahead of Nicole Dzenga of Zimbabwe on 473.75 and Ghana’s Elizabeth Kapari on 457.5. The ranking lists the top 135 in Africa.

A committee to help organise funding to get Romoke into a full-time tennis Academy in America was put together after my column exposed her last year, whilst a number of my readers wrote in to pledge donations when and if a box is opened for contributions in her aid.

The estimated cost for Romoke to attend the GABE International Tennis Academy (one of the best in the world that have turned out world champions) and meet other expenses is $90,000 per year. Romoke would have three years in it before moving into college on a full scholarship and/or turning Professional.

We implore banks, corporate bodies or individuals to help Nigeria get her probable first tennis world champion.

I may be reached on my email: tundefagbenle@aol.com; or Mr. Dapo Adegoke on 08034155858

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/tunde-fagbenle/does-jonathan-deserve-nigerians-votes.html

Akala’s bid to stop Buhari’s rally fails

14/03/2011 01:13:00


Today’s rally of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at Mapo Hall in Ibadan will go on, the police said yesterday.

The CPC and the Oyo State government were yesterday engaged in a war of words over the rally

"They (the CPC) have applied and we will give them security," Oyo State Police Commissioner Adisa Bolanta told our reporter.

He added: "The command is prepared for the rally. Other parties have held their own rallies and we provided security. This one will not be an exception."

But the Oyo State government said: "We are shocked that the CPC is roping in the Oyo State government in a straight forward administrative muddle it created for itself.

"We are even bemused that Pastor Tunde Bakare is threatening that his party must hold its rally at Mapo Hall tomorrow (today), when the same party booked for last Friday only to change its mind that the rally will now hold on Monday when Ibadan Holding Company in charge of the Hall had already allocated that date to another client planning to host the President’s wife on Tuesday.

"We chose to believe that the man of God must have been misquoted."

The statement was signed by Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala’s Special Adviser on communications Prince Dotun Oyelade.

Buhari’s spokesman Yinka Odumakin, in a statement in Ibadan yesterday, said: "Having complied with all regulations known to the laws of the land, the rally would hold at the planned venue. As far as our party is concerned,　we would not submit to the intimidation of the ruling PDP in the state.

"They (the PDP) have denied us venues in Niger and Adamawa states. There comes a time when ‘enough is enough’. We ask President Jonathan to hold the leash on his attack dogs as it smacks of hypocrisy for him to be pretending to be calling peace parleys with other presidential candidates while his agents are working against peace."

Odumakin added: "We wish to sound it loud and clear again that all these shenanigans will not stop the Buhari/Bakare hurricane that is blowing away the umbrella of deception all over Nigeria. Our party sees the development as a continuation of the abuse of incumbency by the Jonathan administration, which he (Jonathan) claimed has buried ‘the rule of law’ mantra with the remains of his predecessor.

"We want Nigerians to help us ask if Mrs. Jonathan will ask somebody not to hold a wedding ceremony at an event centre because she intends using the place the following day if she were a private citizen."

Faulting the claim by the Akala administration that the CPC caused the problem by changing the date of its political rally, Odumakin made available receipts to show that the CPC validly booked the venue for today.

"Governor Alao-Akala added a ridiculous dimension to the whole saga when he lied that the hiccup was because we changed our rally date," he said.

"The attached receipts from Ibadan Local Governments Properties Co. Limited, the official managers of Mapo Hall, showed the date CPC booked Mapo Hall and the subsequent official acceptance of CPC use of Mapo Hall on the new rally date as 14th March 2011.　　 This contradicts the false account of the Oyo State government," he added.

Bakare gave an insight into the political strategy of his party to harvest votes from the Southwest when he refuted suggestions that the zone is only open to the ACN. He said the zone, being highly enlightened, is open to all and it would depend on strategies adopted by the parties hoping to access the huge votes available. He said his party would not rely on conventional methods of rallies for its campaign in the zone, but would devise other means of addressing smaller groups and emphasising the change element in its programme.

On the allegation that CPC promotes violence, especially in the North, Bakare said the PDP was merely chasing shadows and attempting to defend itself.

He said: "Is the CPC responsible for the violence in Bayelsa? Was CPC responsible for the stampede in Port-Harcourt where a lot of people died as a result of the overzealousness of security agents? God helped them that they have not come face-to-face with the revenge and revolt of the poor.

"I am an eye witness to history. The governor of Borno State withdrew all the buses that were meant to welcome us. The people trekked, they ran, they came on okada. From the airport, it took us four hours to get to the palace of the Shehu of Borno. These people they call violent did not cause any disturbance at the palace, but they cannot stop anything called PDP. As far as we are concerned, we are preaching peace, but the people are exhibiting against PDP."

Bakare also dismissed permutations that suggest that there could be a run-off which will make an alliance of opposition parties possible. He said: "Some already are thinking of a runoff, but we think and we are optimistic that we will win in the first ballot. Where we don’t win, we have assurances from appropriate quarters that they will support our bidding and we have built that across the different parties and I can assure you I don’t want to go further because I don’t want to deny what I have said."

Speaking in his church yesterday in Lagos, Bakare, who reiterated that the Ibadan campaign would go on as planned, said: "By the magnitude of the crowd that turned up at the rallies, it appears to me that the North has already chosen its president. Will you choose him also?" he asked his church members.

Bakare described President Jonathan’s campaign as "extravagant" and a "farewell party".

"Jonathan is having a farewell party; farewell sightseeing. If they try to rig this election, I challenge them that they dare not," he said

Bakare said the alliance talks between CPC and ACN was alive. He insisted that "the talks are still on (but) everybody wants to do it his own way".

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/30718.html

Mimiko warns election riggers as 10,000 PDP members decamp to LP

NewsMar 13, 2011
   
BY DAYO JOHNSON

AKURE – GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, weekend,  read the riot act to politicians preparing the ground for rigging of the polls and fanning the embers of violence, to desist from such unlawful acts or face the penalty.
Mimiko said this while receiving no fewer than 10,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, including Mr. Yele Akinya, the Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Special Assistant to ex-Deputy Governor under former governor, Dr Olusegun Agagu in Okitipupa.
He declared that “never again would election riggers have a field day in the State.”
The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Kolawole Olabisi,  admonished those who wish to contest to play the game according to the rule, eschew violence, promote peace in the overall interest of democracy in the country or face the full wrath of the law, saying “We were all aware how election was rigged in this State in 2007. How they snatched ballot boxes and other materials at gunpoint and falsify results.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/03/mimiko-warns-election-riggers-as-10000-pdp-members-decamp-to-lp/

Our Cattle Are Registered PDP Members, Say Fulani Nomads

SUNDAY, 13 MARCH 2011 03:16 AHMED TUKUR, LAFIA

Fulani nomads in Farin Ruwa development area of Nasarawa state have said that their cattle are registered Peoples Democratic Party, PDP members.

Speaking during the campaign rally of the PDP candidates in the area, Mohammed Maude, who assured the PDP of bulk vote said all their belongings, including their cows are registered members of the party.

Maude, who ignored the crowd as they burst into laughter as he continued with his address, said that their cows have felt the impact of PDP government in the area as they have been enjoying free grazing without disturbances.

He said Farin Ruwa is among the few areas in the north where Fulani Nomads enjoy grazing travelling far south for greener pasture during dry season.

Maude added that their decision to vote the PDP is because of the state government’s involvement of Fulani Nomads in its activities in the state, saying that the state governor, Alh. Aliyu Akwe Doma has achieved a lot in the last 3 years.

He then appealed to the state government to construct a school, and bore hole in their area so as to assist their families with portable drinking water.

In his remarks, Doma expressed happiness with the peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic groups in the area while assuring them of government’s assistance in all spheres of human endeavour.

Doma also disclosed that the state government had engaged expatriates in the development of the Farin Ruwa resort at the cost of over N35 million so as to encourage foreign investors.

http://www.leadershipeditors.com/ns/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26816:our-cattle-are-registered-pdp-members-say-fulani-nomads&catid=51:cover-stories&Itemid=101

Ogun crisis: Isiaka, others reject Obasanjo/Daniel truce

By Francis Falola

Sunday, 13 Mar 2011

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Former Group Managing Director, Gateway Holdings Limited, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka
The Peoples Party of Nigeria in Ogun State led by a former Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, Gboyega Isiaka, on Saturday vowed to resist any move to return to the Peoples Democratic Party.


Indeed, the state governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, supported Isiaka, who contested the PDP governorship primary and lost out to the faction loyal to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo.


Following many horse-trading and litigation to reverse the decision, Isiaka and his supporters, had in protest, defected to PPN to contest the forthcoming poll on the platform of the new party.


Isiaka, a former Group Managing Director of Gateway Holdings, lost the PDP governorship ticket to the former ECOMOG Commander and Military governor of Oyo State, Gen. Adetunji Olurin.


Daniel on Friday, following the intervention by the legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), reconciled with Obasanjo and promised that the defectors as part of the reconciliation process would move back to the PDP.


However, speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Saturday, Isiaka vowed to remain in PPN, while describing the reconciliation between Daniel and Obasanjo as a PDP affair that had no effect on PPN.


He said, “Whatever happened between Obasanjo and Daniel is a PDP affair. It doesn’t concern us as PPN. Our party is a party that within the short time of its existence had swept the entire parts of the state.


“We are in PPN and in PPN we are going to achieve our mandates, so we will be contesting on the platform of the PPN. Nobody has invited us for any dialogue and nobody can call us for dialogue in PDP since we are not members of the party.


“To us PDP is dead in Ogun State, PDP is a party that is undemocratic, full of manipulations and deceits. There is nothing like internal democracy in the party, so we have moved and we have moved for good.”


Isiaka who spoke through his Media Assistant, Bolaji Adeniji, restated the move by the PPN to support the ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan for President at the forthcoming poll.


He, however, gave reason why the members of the party in the state failed to receive Jonathan during the flag off of his presidential campaign in the state.


According to him, members of the PPN could not go to receive the President in order to avert frictions with “the remnants in PDP.”


He said, “While we welcome President Jonathan as our presidential candidate, we were unable to be around to receive him to avert clash with the remnants in PDP. We welcomed him as our man and that is why we put our billboards to welcome him.


“You can see that the state had been painted yellow with our flags and billboards welcoming the President. The PDP as a party has not got these billboards. This is an indication of who is on ground in the state. We will win all polls in the state and give our votes to Jonathan.”

http://punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201103131144253

How we fought vested interest in power sector reforms — Sanusi

By Agency reporter

Sunday, 13 Mar 2011

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Central Bank Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi
Central Bank Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, has revealed how government fought vested interests in the power and energy industry to sustain its reform in those sectors, Empowered Newswire reports.


Speaking at an investors’ forum on Nigeria’s power sector in Washinton DC on Friday, he said government had to confront these anti-reform elements with determination to change the negative way things were done.


“There are vested interests indeed, those in diesel and generator businesses, we fought a big battle that is the only reason we are here,” Sanusi declared at the event where United States and international investors interacted on the reforms in the Nigeria’s power sector.


The forum was organised by the Nigerian Embassy in the US and the American-based Corporate Council for Africa.


Sanusi added, “There are people who will put obstacles in the way, vested interests. Our job (as public officials) is to assume that there are people who will try to shut-down the reform process and we are to shoot them down before they shoot down the process.”


He was the Guest Speaker at the forum attended by top Nigerian government officials among them the Foreign Affairs Minister, Odein Ajumogobia; Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye; Presidential Adviser on Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji and the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa.


Sanusi recalled two encounters he had with both the officials of BPE and Nnaji on the issue of moving the power sector reforms forward by confronting the “vested interests.”


In the encounter between him and Nnaji, Sanusi said at a time when the power sector reforms seemed to have stalled, he advised the Special Adviser to go and resign if government was not ready to proceed on the reform.


He said this was after former President Umaru Yar’Adua’s death. “Nnaji came to my office and we both agreed that there are anti-reform elements. I asked him to go and tell the president that the only reason I took the job is that there will be reforms and I will resign if the reforms don’t happen.”


Sanusi said though he was not certain if Nnaji actually took the advice, he sent him an invitation to a press conference to announce the continuation of the reforms, an indication that the then stalled power sector reform was getting back on stream.


The other meeting, he said, was between the CBN and BPE officials who came to the bank to discuss how it can help the Bureau.


Sanusi said, “I told them the CBN will not give a kobo as long as the reform of the sector is not going forward.”


He recalled that many in the BPE delegation, during what was meant to be a courtesy visit, were disappointed and left with tears because of the blunt declaration. However he added that the fact that CBN eventually supported the BPE showed that the reforms had progressed


Addressing the centrality of power to the growth ambitions of the Nigerian economy, Sanusi observed that the Nigerian economy had been growing at about 7 per cent growth rate second only to China and India, in spite of the lack of power, declaring that if the power sector was fixed the Nigerian economy would grow in double digits in short order.


He said there was a value- chain problem in Nigeria and the CBN was committed to fixing that problem.


Giving an example, he said, “Though Nigeria produces gas, we burn it. We export crude oil but import refined fuel, we are the number one producer of Cassava and yet we import starch, we produce cotton but import fabric!”


Sanusi noted that if the power sector reforms continued it would help to fix the value chain problem.


“There are great potential for the economy if we take care of the value chain. Imagine what will happen when we start to refine oil, export gas and leather?”


Lamenting that other sectors like agriculture and manufacturing are suffering in the country, he said it was only after the power sector was fixed that those areas would also be fixed. He noted that manufacturing was only 4% of the country’s GDP currently saying the growth in the economy was in agriculture, oil and services.


He explained that banks in the country had only been putting all their resources in financing, which led to the banking crisis, “because manufacturing and agriculture have not been made viable. So that is the basis of our interest in power.”


Disclosing that the CBN and the bankers agreed at the end of 2009 at a retreat in Enugu that the long term solution to the banking crisis would be achieved when banks could lend to the real economic sectors as opposed to speculations.


“I am tired of bankers saying I can’t lend to manufacturing and agriculture because there is no power,” he said.


Adefuye said the forum was organised to build partnerships between American and Nigerian companies to increase electricity power generation in Nigeria by creating awareness in the US about investment opportunities in Nigeria’s power industry.


Other speakers at the forum were Ambassador Boladei Igali, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. John Schuster, Vice President of US EXIM Bank, Mr. Aig-Imokhuede, the Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, Shell’s Country Chairman in Nigeria and Mr. Gboyega A. Festus of the UBA New York office among others.

http://punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2011031311404731

Bode George: What became of honour? –2

Frankly SpeakingMar 13, 2011

By Dele Sobowale

“As from today, you are expected to represent Christ. You are an ambassador of Christ. Never again will the name of God be soiled through you.” — Venerable Tayo Aduloju, talking to Bode George, February 26, 2011, at the Christ Church Cathedral, Lagos.
The poor Venerable might as well be talking to a wall because those to whom he spoke were hearing without real ears and seeing without eyes. Shortly after the church service, it was business as usual. Said George to his admirers, “There is a job at hand for us to do and now is the time to win Lagos State.” Not a word of remorse from the new “ambassador of Christ.” Just win Lagos – even if you have to do it the way NPA was run down.
The case against Bode and others was brought to the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) – an agent of the Federal Government of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). And, the case was prosecuted to its logical conclusion during the tenure of the Yar’Adua/Jonathan government – at a time when Jonathan was still pretending that he also endorsed zero-tolerance for corruption. We know now where he stands, don’t we? What with an Attorney-General whose brief apparently is to get crooks off the hook and now sending a delegation to give a hero’s welcome to someone his government jailed, this President is really a breath of fresh air. And, therein lies the madness.
How could Obasanjo who passed the law, and during whose tenure the case started; Jonathan whose government prosecuted the case and sent the man to jail, join others who obviously have taken leave of something important, to welcome a man they collectively turned into a convict? If that is not madness, I want to know the definition of the word?
As for the crowd of party members and freeloaders, the whole scene reminds me of that line I read in the 1970s in a book by Saul Bellow in HUMBOLDT’S GIFT, “By a damn peculiar arrangement, lunatics always have energies to burn.” I laughed then; I am not laughing now because this thing could become infectious in Nigeria.
A former President was in the congregation; nothing new about that. He, as everybody knows, would always be there for anything reprehensible. President Jonathan was ably represented by a minister – undoubtedly to demonstrate that the breath of fresh air promised has not started to blow. Meanwhile, the nation was treated to another whiff of the old foul air for which PDP had become globally famous (Alams, Dariye, Ibori, Igbinedon etc). A retired General, Chief of General Staff (rtd) was there. A sitting governor was also there – broadly smiling as if attending a coronation. In fact, the entire gang of people who disgraced Nigeria with the 419 election of 2007 was there — all sharing solidarity with Bode and reaffirming their eagerness to repeat the feat of 2007 for Jonathan. Breath of fresh air? Forget it.
The only person who deserve my kudos was the Reverend conducting the service. He is certainly several years younger than Bode, OBJ and Diya – to mention a few. But, he had the honour and privilege to lash the “hero” of this ridiculous show with words that others will long remember. Again, where is honour?
In the old Lagos, where Bode and I grew up, it was considered an immeasurable disgrace for an elder brother to conduct himself in a manner that would invite insult from his juniors. But, here was one of us, dragging himself, and a gang of like-minded fellows in tow to the Christ Church Cathedral to receive a well-deserved slap in the face.
And, to show that he meant every word, it was announced that the donations from “the august” visitors will not be accepted by the church – they will be donated to charity. God and mammon should not mix. So, all those who wanted to dazzle the church with their shady dollars will find them in the hands of lepers. Thank God, we still have people like that in some of our churches; unlike the “prosperity churches” which accept donations of jets from Executive bank robbers.
Once upon a time, in our Lagos, an ex-convict does not return to the old neighbourhood if he could find somewhere else to go – for shame. And, if he could not, he would sneak in at night and hide from view. PDP wants us to clap and dance for someone they themselves convicted of heinous crimes. That shows what sort of political party they are – Jonathan included. I know the President’s inept spin doctors will soon find a laughable excuse for this moral lapse. We might even be told that the minister attended in his own private capacity. They should say that to the marines. They forget that Nigerians are wiser now. No minister attends such an event without clearance from the President. At any rate, we, at UniJankara, don’t fall for such nonsense. That is the kind of rubbish members consume at the PDP headquarters. Unfortunately for Bode, this show of shame can never be erased from memory. As Omar Khayyam, 1123 A.D, had written about a thousand years ago:
“The moving finger writes; And having writ moves on; Nor all your piety or wit; Shall lure it back to cancel half a line; Nor all your tears wash out a word of it.”
For as long as Nigerians exist on earth, this stupid stunt by PDP will carry Bode’s name attached to it each time people recollect it. What a way to make history!!!
NITEL: JONATHAN MUST READ THIS
“0705-598-1830”
Sir, kindly help us publicise our problem to the President. I’m a staff of NITEL after sign all the voucher no money in our various banks. Pls tell the world and president.
President Jonathan, somebody is keeping NITEL staff money in a fixed deposit account. Please, sir, order it released.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/03/bode-george-what-became-of-honour-%E2%80%932/

Buhari Pledges To Recover Stolen Money

SUNDAY, 13 MARCH 2011 03:44 UMARU MOHAMMED, BIRNIN-KEBBI

The presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, said that he will ensure that all monies stolen by government officials are refunded if he is elected into office. Buhari disclosed this during the flag-off of his presidential campaign and that of the state governor at the IBB Square, Bauchi on Saturday.

According to Buhari,” I advice those who work for the government to be cautious with the public funds entrusted to them, because they will be forced to refund it”.

He said the days when government officials drive around in luxurious cars, leaving the masses in poverty are gone, stressing that if voted into power in April, his government will ensure availability of medicines in hospitals for the consumption of the masses and ensure the provision of adequate security, so that Nigerian citizens can sleep with both eyes closed.

http://www.leadershipeditors.com/ns/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26836:buhari-pledges-to-recover-stolen-money&catid=16:headline-news&Itemid=102

America humiliates Waziri

By Idris Akinbajo

March 13, 2011 10:32AM

On March 14, 2009, Ojo Maduekwe, former minister of foreign affairs, placed a call to Robin Sanders, former United States ambassador to Nigeria. Mr. Maduekwe asked to have a lunch meeting with Ms. Sanders in his private residence in the posh district of Maitama, in Abuja, popularly called Ministers Hill.

The agenda, the minister said, was the African Union Mission in Somalia. As detailed in a US diplomatic cable made available to NEXT, Ms. Sanders hurried to the minister's home. But on arrival, she realized that Mr. Maduekwe had lied to her about the essence of the meeting. The minister had set up another meeting for the US ambassador, and the agenda was far from being about AMISOM, as the Somali peacekeeping mission was known.

After exchanging pleasantries with the ambassador, Mr. Maduekwe told her that there was someone he wanted her to meet and that he had "at the last minute" invited the person for the lunch meeting. Ms. Sanders was surprised that the minister could set up a meeting with a third party without giving her advance notice. Her shock at this "unprofessional behaviour" of the minister was further worsened when the identity of the invitee was made known.

"Once the dark glasses were off, the visitor was revealed to be Farida Waziri, chairwoman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission," Ms. Sanders said in a report she sent to her bosses in Washington soon after the meeting.

Avoiding Waziri like a leper

Mr. Maduekwe's decision to trick the US ambassador into meeting with Mrs. Waziri was part of desperate efforts by the Nigerian government to persuade the American government to reconsider its opposition to the EFCC and rescind its decision not to have anything to do with the organisation's chairperson and her agency until there was visible progress in the anti-corruption war.

Several diplomatic exchanges between US government officials serving in Nigeria and their superiors in Washington over a two-year period, between December 2007 and September 2009, demonstrated the fierce diplomatic row between the US and Nigeria over the EFCC.

The cables catalogue how, within six months of Umaru Yar'Adua's presidency, the US had become increasingly disillusioned with the new administration's stance on fighting corruption. The US government had grown progressively alarmed that Mrs. Waziri, allied with the attorney general, Michael Aondoakaa, the disgraced former Delta governor James Ibori, and even President Yar'Adua, had joined forces to truncate high profile corruption cases and weaken the anti-graft war.

The cables detailed conversations that US embassy staff had with Mrs. Waziri; former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Babagana Kingibe; current SGF, Yayale Ahmed; Mr. Maduekwe; Mr. Aondoakaa and other relevant government officials. Taken together, the cables offer a rare insight into the politics of fighting corruption, the dysfunctional nature of the Yar'Adua government, and the unwillingness of the enfeebled president to maintain even the appearance of sustaining, in some form, the anti-corruption war waged under his predecessor.

As far as the US government was concerned at the time, the Nigerian government had mishandled the anti-graft fight, following the removal of the founding chairman of the EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu, four years after the commission started its groundbreaking work in the fight against corruption. Angered by the situation, the US withdrew its support for the EFCC and cut off communication with the leadership of the agency.

Waziri ordered out of lunch meeting

On that March afternoon, as she sat stewing in Mr. Maduekwe's living room on Ministers Hill, a livid Ms. Sanders was quick to reprimand the foreign minister for deceiving her. She told Mr. Maduekwe that "she was under instructions not to have any contact with Mrs. Waziri," and demanded that Mrs. Waziri be asked to leave. Mr. Maduekwe, who appeared "stunned", told the ambassador that "he understood there was a big impasse between our two nations over the EFCC, but did not interpret this as a direct instruction from Washington."

At Ms. Sanders' insistence, Mr. Maduekwe was compelled to ask Mrs. Waziri to leave and had his wife escort the EFCC boss out of their house before proceeding with his meeting with the ambassador.

Before Mrs. Waziri's exit however, the ambassador had a few words for the EFCC chairperson. Ms. Sanders reiterated the position of the US government that "there would be no meetings with her; that she would not be received by United States government officials if she visited the US, though she certainly was not barred from travelling to the US for personal reasons; and that constantly seeking a meeting with or inviting the ambassador to her events only put the ambassador in the position of being rude in not being able to respond".

The ambassador, who said she had informed the EFCC boss of her country's decision in an earlier telephone conversation, used the opportunity to restate the reason for her country's actions.

"The USG wanted to see progress on cases like that of ex-Delta Governor Ibori and others; that there was no confidence that Waziri had any political independence, and indeed that we thought she was being manipulated by Ibori and others; and that there was still a fair amount of consternation over the redeployment of previously USG-trained EFCC officials." Ms. Sanders told the EFCC boss.

Nevertheless, an embarrassed Mrs. Waziri was excused from the meeting.

Maduekwe the "rascal"

After Mrs. Waziri left, the American ambassador descended on Mr. Maduekwe, telling him that "blindsiding her was not the way to proceed, particularly since she was sure the FonMin (foreign minister) knew that if he had told her Mrs. Waziri was to be at lunch, the ambassador would not have come."

Ms. Sanders also added a mild threat to her dissatisfaction at Mr. Maduekwe whom she accused of "little play," when she told the minister that "she would be sharing what happened with the Department [of State], and was not sure of their reaction, particularly coming on the eve of the minister's Washington trip."

Understanding the implication of the threat, Mr. Maduekwe, according to the cable, wilted. He told the ambassador that he "was willing to take the full blame for being a ‘rascal'."

Repeated attempts to contact Mr. Maduekwe, who was dropped from the cabinet after Vice President Goodluck Jonathan rose to the presidency a year ago, were unsuccessful. The former minister did not respond to phone calls or text messages.

Why Maduekwe intervened

Seven months before Mr. Maduekwe set up the failed meeting, American embassy officials met separately with Mr. Aondoakaa and Mr. Kingibe on August 7, 2008 to deliver a petition on the EFCC. In the petition, the ambassador complained about the redeployment of a high number of US-trained investigators from the EFCC, about the lull in the prosecution of high profile cases, and about the growing influence of indicted ex-governors and their cronies in the federal government.

According to a cable sent to Washington on August 8, 2008, after listening to a point-by-point defence of the petition by an embassy official, Mr. Aondoakaa "launched into a lengthy, rambling response." The former attorney general - in his bid to defend Mrs. Waziri and cast aspersions on the former EFCC boss, Mr. Ribadu - lied to the US embassy staff and avoided answering any direct questions about Mr. Ibori.

Mr. Aondoakaa also lied when he told the US officials that he was unaware that President Yar'Adua had just appointed David Edevbie as his principal private secretary. Mr. Edevbie, Mr. Ibori's commissioner of finance during his tenure as governor, was one of those accused by British authorities of aiding the plundering of the state's resources.

Mr. Kingibe, on his part, appealed for caution from the United States government and asked that the US take a less confrontational approach on the issues raised.

When contacted on Friday, Mr. Aondoakaa denied meeting with Ms. Sanders or any embassy official on Aug 7, 2008 to discuss any petition.

"If she did submit any report, I'm not aware of it," he said. "I did not meet with her or anybody over any oral or written complaint. It looks like somebody wanted to damage my reputation before the American government. If the president has appointed someone as his private secretary, is it necessary for the president to inform me before he appoints a private secretary? Why should I know about that?"

He also denied claims that he took over the case of Mr. Ibori and other "politically sensitive" cases from the EFCC. "That is not true," he said. "He was being prosecuted in Asaba. How could I have taken over when he was being prosecuted by the EFCC in Asaba? It was handled by the EFCC, not me. After that, they also took the case of Bode George to court, then other governors - Saminu Turaki, the Nasarawa man. I did not interfere in their work."

Things fall apart

Controversy trailed the appointment of Mrs. Waziri as EFCC boss in May 2008. Her alleged relationship with indicted former governors like George Akume of Benue State and Mr. Ibori, as well as Mr. Aondoakaa, was a major concern.

Furthermore, the exit of her predecessor, Nuhu Ribadu, in controversial circumstances, also raised questions about Mrs. Waziri's appointment and her competence. Ms. Sanders was the new EFCC chairperson's first official visitor. On June 11, 2008, Ms. Sanders sent a cable to Washington, expressing her government's intentions to continue to partner with the EFCC on the condition that the commission would "continue to pursue its investigations and fight corruption with the same vigour and commitment it has shown in the past."

After the meeting, where the EFCC boss expressed her readiness to fight corruption, Ms. Sanders wrote to Washington that "the true test of Waziri's commitment to fighting corruption will be the extent to which she proceeds with EFCC cases against Ibori, the Saraki family, Akume, and other big fish currently under investigation." Ms. Sanders noted to her superiors that "one month is too short a period to make a sound judgment on Waziri and her ultimate intentions."

Re-deploying EFCC staff

But as Ms. Sanders was writing to her principals in Washington, Mrs. Waziri was "restructuring" the EFCC, moving several key American-trained officials out of duty posts. Although Mrs. Waziri would later claim that only about 10 US-trained employees had been redeployed by the EFCC, multiple sources within the anti-graft agency told American embassy officials that between 40 and 60 EFCC personnel were redeployed.

In a cable dated July 11, 2008, the American ambassador commented that "the redeployments may just be an attempt to gut the institution's operational capacity, given the concerns that were raised over Waziri's close ties to some governors, political ‘godfathers' and others who were the subjects of ongoing investigations in the EFCC."

Ten days later, in a meeting with the American ambassador, Mrs. Waziri, who didn't deny the redeployments, explained to Ms. Sanders that "the redeployments were meant to remove those she felt leaked information to the press, were disloyal to the EFCC as an institution, or were disloyal to her personally."

Waziri is embarrassed

Four days after the US officials made their grouse with the EFCC known, Mrs. Waziri, in a response dated August 11, 2008, and signed by her as Chief (Mrs.) Farida Waziri, AIG (RTD), said she felt "personally embarrassed" when she received the petition.

The EFCC boss claimed to have achieved a lot in her short time in office. She professed ignorance of corrupt former officials with considerable influence within the Nigerian government, and also claimed that only five officials of the EFCC who had been trained by the US government were redeployed.

In reviewing Mrs. Waziri's response, the American embassy stated that it "found two of Waziri's claims particularly questionable." In a cable dated August 21, 2010, and classified by an official, Walter Pflaumer, the American embassy noted that "Waziri's letter may be more for Yar'Adua's consumption than ours, perhaps an attempt by some of those around him to suggest that we are overreacting to what is happening at the EFCC, and that he should therefore push back." "Alternatively," the cable stated, "others think Yar'Adua is perfectly aware of what is happening to the commission and supports it, whatever line he may take with us."

EFCC chairperson reacts

When contacted, Mrs. Waziri's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said that there were contradictions in Ms. Sanders' narratives. "That is baseless and fiction," he said. "If somebody is claiming that the EFCC chairman was walked out of a meeting, it's not true. I'm sure you are aware that Mrs. Waziri has been to the US severally. That contradicts whatever you may have."

On the US petition on the EFCC, Mr. Babafemi, who said his commission has a fantastic relationship with the US government, said: "Yes, there was a letter that was unsigned. It was not only written to Mrs. Waziri. But the aspect that concerned Mrs. Waziri, she responded to the ambassador accordingly."

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5682708-146/story.csp

PDP’s Sambo Ducks Debate Of Vice Presidential Candidates -NigeriaPoliticsOnline

Posted: March 12, 2011 - 14:31

By Daniel Fayemi

Vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Namadi Sambo failed to show up at the presidential debate between the major vice –presidential candidates in the April general elections.

The debate was scheduled to hold between Sambo of the PDP, Tunde Bakare of the Congress for Progressive Change, John Odigie-Oyegun of the All Nigeria Peoples Party and Mr. Fola Adeola of the Action Congress of Nigeria.

However, the PDP representative absconded from the debate while the three others went ahead with the debate even as they condemned Sambo’s absence.

"PDP's absence is arrogance of impunity" said Bakare. He added that Nigerians will not tolerate those with arrogance of incumbency and culture of impunity any longer.”

Members of the audience were also disappointed that Sambo did not attend the debate as one of them in a chat with the Nigeria Politics Online wondered if President Goodluck Jonathan will toe the footstep of his vice by not showing up for the presidential debate scheduled for next week.

“I hope Jonathan will not also disregard us like this man (Sambo) has done. I don’t know why they are afraid of debates.”

Adeola said the PDP could not absolve itself completely from the recent airplane accident he suffered in Bauchi since it was the ruling party.

Bakare said the PDP government style shows they see themselves as rulers and not servant leaders.

"They see themselves as rulers and not as servant leaders. I am not at all offended by PDP's campaign fanfare. PDP is having a farewell party across Nigeria." He said.

Meanwhile, the CPC through the official Buhari fan page has declared its vice – presidential candidate, Tunde Bakare the winner of the debate.




It arrived at the conclusion after Bakare’s closing statement.

“In conclusion, Pastor Bakare declared, ‘Gen. Buhari has a proven track record of saying and doing. That's why he's called 'Mai Gaskiya' - Man of Integrity’
“The VP debate is all over, WE WON!” The CPC concluded.

TEAM RIBADU KICKS, NN24 DEBATE : WE SUSPECT SABOTAGE

The Nuhu Ribadu campaign organization says it suspects that the reason given for the inability of Nigerians to see the vice presidential debate  live may be less than truthful. The debate,  organized by NN24, was not aired live allegedly because of satellite problems.

The campaign organization’s Director, Media and Communications, Ibrahim Modibbo, said they suspect the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, pressured the TV station not to air the programme, because their vice presidential candidate, Mohammad Namadi  Sambo, refused to attend.

“All the major parties were invited and we all turned up, except for  PDP’s,” Moddibbo said. “They won’t come because they can’t defend their position to Nigerians and  don’t even have a plan for moving forward. That is why , we suspect , they (PDP) put tremendous pressure on NN24 so much, that they couldn’t air the live debate.

“It is unfortunate that the ruling party is using state funds and institutions to intimidate the opposition and media organizations. What are they afraid of? Why won’t they come on air and tell Nigerians what they have to offer apart from good luck?”

He further added that he would be disappointed in NN24 if his suspicion is ever confirmed. He said journalism is for the fearless and no organization should give in to financial or government pressure, no matter what.

“However, hope is not lost,” he continued. “Since the opportunity of a live broadcast is lost, we demand that an unedited video of the debate be aired. We know that our Vice presidential candidate, Fola Adeola, outshone the others like a billion stars and it would be great  injustice to deny Nigerians a chance to see their next VP in action. NN24 must correct their error by showing this debate. Nigerians must be allowed to make their choices based on antecedents, plans and strategy, not on sentiments or religious bigotry. They must see that we deserve far better  than the poisoned chalice the PDP is offering them.”

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/pdp%E2%80%99s-sambo-ducks-debate-vice-presidential-candidates-nigeriapoliticsonline

Youth group wants Oyo residents to shun Alao–Akala rally

By Olalekan Adetayo, Ibadan

Saturday, 12 Feb 2011

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A group, the Oyo Youth Forum, has asked the residents of Oyo town to remain indoors as Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala continues his re-election campaign in the town on Saturday (today).


Alao-Akala is expected to visit the four local government areas in the town today.


According to a statement made available to our correspondent by the group’s spokesman, Mr. Ade Olaoye, the call on the people to remain indoors during the campaign was made in order to avert bloodletting.


“A trail of deaths, which has been following the campaign train of the PDP governorship candidate in the state, informed the decision,” the statement read.


The group wondered why the governor was returning to the town when it was in the same town he began his re-election campaign some days ago.


The statement added that commercial drivers, market women, artisans and other people of the town, including school children, had been told to keep away from the venue of the campaign “as was the case in Iseyin and Kisi, where residents kept away when the PDP campaign team visited the towns.”


The group posited that a situation where innocent blood was spilled for political reasons was condemnable by all right-thinking citizens of the state.


It described the Oyo people as peace-loving and urged them “to stay away from do-or-die politicians, who are living in the past, thinking that they can rig their way back to offices as was the case in 2007.”


Meanwhile, ahead of Alao-Akala’s campaign in Oyo, one of the wives of the Alaafin of Oyo, Alhaja Kafaya Adeyemi, and her daughter, Wemimo, were reportedly attacked by suspected thugs in Aguo area of the town on Friday for allegedly resisting the attempt by some persons to paste the governor’s campaign posters on their residence.


Alaafin’s spokesman, Mr. Azeez Fehintola, said the victims were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.


http://punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20110212212934

April polls: INEC plans special security for Ogun, Katsina, others

By Fidelis Soriwei and John Alechenu, Abuja

Saturday, 12 Feb 2011


Disturbed by the growing political tension in some of the states of the federation, the Independent National Electoral Commission has taken precautionary measures by making state-specific security arrangements for next month’s general elections.


SATURDAY PUNCH investigations showed that Ogun, Katsina, Oyo, Abia, Enugu, Borno and Niger states were leading the number of states that had been pencilled down for special security attention in the elections.


It was gathered that those in charge of security for the elections were engrossed in mapping out strategies to deal with states that had recurrent security challenges not necessarily related to the elections, and the others, which have become turbulent because of the irreconcilable differences and desperation of the key political figures.


Plateau, Bauchi, and others are said to be under this category with such ethno-religious crisis, while Ogun, Katsina, Oyo, Abia, Enugu, Niger fall under the category of states expected to be problematic because of the serious political disagreements between the key political actors there.


It was learnt that the likelihood of an appreciable military presence in the peace process during the elections in the affected states would be on the high side to ensure that the desire of INEC to create an atmosphere conducive to credible elections was realised.


An INEC official told SATURDAY PUNCH on Friday in Abuja that the chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, was utilising the opportunity of an inter-agency security committee put in place by the commission to ensure an effective coordination of security operatives on electoral duties in April.


The Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, which came into being after an INEC workshop entitled, Security Challenges of Election Management, in October 2010, was designed to create a platform to deal with the recurrent issue of insecurity during the polls.


The committee include the representatives of the three services of the Nigeria Armed Forces – the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Air Force, the office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps.


However, the commission is silent on the manner of military involvement and how they would be deployed during the elections.


The Chief Press Secretary to the chairman of INEC, Mr. Kayode Idowu, did not make specific comments on the security arrangements in place to check anarchy in April.


He said that the military, who are a part of the ICCESS, were expected to work alongside other security agencies to keep the peace during the elections.


He said, “You are asking a leading question, because you want me to, as I said, the military is part of it. That much is known, the military is part of ICCESS: the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, the Customs, the Immigration, all of them are part of ICCESS.


“And so, as I said, they are playing complementary roles. But for me to tell you the military will be deployed in Ogun etc, I won’t say that. If you are expecting me to say that, I won’t say that. But I can assure you that ICCESS has taken care of that.”


It was learnt that as part of the efforts to address the issue of insecurity during the elections, Jega and those in charge of security would adopt a new approach to tackle election-related security issues.


Idowu said that all the identified flashpoints would be dealt with in line with the security issues identified with each state.


According to him, ICCESS was established at the federal and state levels to make a clean break from the tradition of the past, when uniform security plans were made for the entire country at the national level without any special attention to the security issues identified with specific communities.


He said that ICCESS was put in place to coordinate the operations of the various military and paramilitary bodies and come up with specific plans for the various areas with due emphasis on the prevailing security issues.


He said, “The whole purpose of the inter-agency consultative committee is to harmonise the operational plan by all the military and paramilitary agencies and to customise operational plans for respective states.


“For instance, the initiators of ICCESS require the local committee, because there is ICCESS at the national level, there is ICCESS at the state, there is ICCESS at the local government level.


“But instead of the practice in the past, where plans were just made at the national level and passed down to the local level, the ICCESS initiative is to get the people on the ground to give a scenario of the situation there and propose plans on that basis, which will now be adopted and factored into the general operations at the national level.


“What that means is that for flashpoints that you have mentioned, there are customised operational plans for them. There are customised operational plans drawn up by people on the ground who know what it takes. And it is on that basis that operational plans have been drawn up for the elections.


“What that means is that the operational plans for Lagos will certainly be different from the operational plans for Plateau or for Borno or for Bauchi because each plan has taken cognisance of the locality.”


He said that with the new plan under ICCESS, all the military and paramilitary bodies that would be drafted for election duties would be more effective with their roles well harmonised.


Idowu explained that the police, military and para-military outfits had been assigned specific roles, which they had all agreed to. This, he added, would reduce areas of duplication, conflict and cost.


He said that while the security situation preceding the elections could not be said to be out of control, the commission was worried about the attitude of the politicians involved in the contest for political offices. Idowu said that the activities of the politicians indicated that the right lessons had not been learnt from the errors of the past by some players.


He said that the attitude of the politicians was largely responsible for the decision of the commission to adopt a fresh angle to security during the April elections.

http://punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20110212274337

Looters must vomit loot under CPC govt. – Buhari

NewsMar 12, 2011

The CPC presidential candidate, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has said that any public office holder who loots public fund under his administration will be made to “vomit the loot”.
Speaking at a CPC rally in Yola on Friday, Buhari said “public fund is a trust and CPC government will do everything possible to protect the people’s trust.
“Whoever dares loot public fund under CPC government will be made to vomit the loot,’’ Buhari warned.
He also said that CPC government would improve security, power supply and revitalise the nation’s railway system.
“We will equip the army, police and other security agencies as well as improve on their welfare to boost security. Robbers, kidnappers and other dangerous criminals will be dealt with by the grace of God,’’ Buhari said.
The Adamawa CPC governorship candidate, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, extolled the qualities of Buhari and said that if elected governor, he would emulate Buhari.
“We are going to offer true dedicated service based on tested and trusted leadership, honesty, hard work, sincerity and commitment and above all, the fear of God Service will be for the people purely, with no sentiments,’’ Marwa said.
The state CPC Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri, urged the electorate not to sale their votes but use them to bring change to their lives by voting the party at all levels.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/03/looters-must-vomit-loot-under-cpc-govt-buhari/

Amosu attacked at Ilaro

NewsMar 12, 2011

ACTION Congress governorship candidate in Ogun State; Senator Ibikunle Amosun yesterday alleged premeditated attack on his campaign train by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] adding that some of the hoodlums attacked his team on Thursday in Ilaro and Ajilete in Ogun State.
Senator Amosun told newsmen in Abeokuta that some people fired gunshots at his convoy in Ilaro while some also attacked him in Ajilete with stones which led to his receiving injuries on the forehead. He received stiches on his head.
Amosun said “there is no campaign that we have had that they did not attempt to attack us. We felt that since it was the Olurin camp that we would face, we did not see them as violent as Daniel, but we have found out otherwise. PDP represents violence.
The ACN candidate said the campaign team was first attacked in Ilaro where several gun shots were fired, he said the campaign train moved on to Oke_Odan before proceeding to Ajilete at about 8.45 pm where another round of attack took place.
He said “we had to hurriedly leave the place. We were scheduled to sleep in Ilaro but we could not because we did not want the thing to escalate. We just want to plead with them not to turn Ogun State into a bloody state
But in a swift reaction, the Olurin Campaign Organization denied having any hand in the attack saying “It is disturbing that anyone could attempt to link the PDP governorship candidate or his supporters with the attack”.
The Chairman of the campaign Organization Mr. Lai Labode in the release said “to be sure, everyone knows that our candidate is a gentleman. He has always conducted himself in a non_violent manner. Indeed, recent events leading to where we are at the moment attest to this. We are surprised that anyone could link our candidate and his supporters with this despicable act.
“On that fateful day, Chief Olurin and most of our supporters were in Abeokuta, meeting and fine_tuning plans for the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/03/amosu-attacked-at-ilaro/

Gbenga Daniel bows to Obasanjo

Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji

March 11, 2011 09:14PM

The Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, finally bowed to former president, Olusegun Obasanjo’s political supremacy, as he passionately begged for forgiveness and also admitted that Tunji Olurin is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for the forthcoming elections.

The meeting which took place at the Hilltop Private Residence of Mr Obasanjo in Abeokuta on Friday was facilitated by prominent lawyer, Afe Babalola, and lasted for over three hours. In attendance were: Adebutu Kensington, Kenny Martins, Olubara of Ibara, and Jacob Omolade (a traditional ruler), among others.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Mr Daniel said, “Well in all things we have to give thanks to God. And I think what has happened today is a manifestation of work of God and I want to seize this opportunity to thank the elders and to also thank Baba for the opportunity of the meeting.” When asked if he begged the former president for forgiveness, the governor said “Let me say this, to you, I am a true Yoruba son, and in Yorubaland it doesn’t matter who is right or who is wrong. It is the younger that will beg the older person, so I have begged Baba and I will continue to beg him.” Mr Daniel, who also admitted that Mr Olurin is the authentic governorship candidate of the ruling PDP in the state added, “Of course, Olurin is the governorship candidate of PDP. I don’t have any doubt in my mind that we can work things out.

Re-uniting the party

“What we have started to do today is a manifestation of better things to come. As you have always been aware, it is true that a large number of our supporters feel disenchanted and I think even if we have to sit down and begin to find a lasting solution, that is what we have started today,” Mr Daniel stated.

“I have no doubt in my mind that we will talk to ourselves. PDP still remains a very strong and united party. And you know that there was never a time that I left. The people who left felt very aggrieved. And we are starting the process of reconciliation.” In his own reaction, Mr Obasanjo said he has forgiven Mr Daniel, adding “Well you know one thing, if you are a true Christian your prayer would be our father who hath in Heaven, and you will end up with forgive us our trespasses and those who trespass against us whether knowingly or unknowingly.” “Of course as long as I pray to God to forgive me my sins, I forgive people who sin against me, particularly those who ask for forgiveness. Then I ask God to deliver me from evil and deliver those who sin against me.” Similarly, arrowhead of the peace meeting, Mr Babalola, spoke with journalists and said, “We are happy to say we have settled the rift in PDP and it has been properly resolved today, and Governor Daniel will be at the airport tomorrow as PDP Governor with PDP members to receive His Excellency the President. We are happy that all problems are amicably resolved.” It is believed that the sudden turnaround on the part of the governor must have been fast-tracked by the planned visit of President, Goodluck Jonathan, to the state tomorrow, March 12, 2011 in continuation of his presidential campaign tour across the country.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5682737-146/story.csp

Jonathan’s convoy pelted in Gombe

Friday, 11 March 2011 00:00 Mohammed S. Shehu, Muhammad Abubakar & Aliyu M. Hamagam, Gombe

President Goodluck Jonathan(left) with Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and his counterpart from Bauchi State, Governor Isa Yuguda at the PDP rally in Yola, Adamawa State ,yesterday.
Restive youngsters armed with stones and other objects yesterday pelted President Goodluck Jonathan’s convoy at three different places in Gombe, where he had gone to address a presidential campaign rally. The youths also set bonfires in Bolari and Jekadafari areas of the state capital. Clashes later broke out between the anti-PDP youths and some Yan Kalare gangs known to support the PDP-led state government. The president’s convoy was stoned at the Central Roundabout, along the Emir’s Drive and near the emir’s palace.


According to one youth who refused to disclose his name, they pelted the PDP presidential convoy in order to express their anger at his disregarding the zoning arrangement his party entered into with Northern Nigeria.

President Jonathan had arrived in Gombe in the afternoon from neighbouring Adamawa State, as part of his campaign tour of the North Eastern states.

Yesterday’s altercations in Gombe were the second in as many days. On Wednesday, when Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari visited the state and addressed a rally, alleged CPC supporters vandalised Jonathan/Sambo campaign billboards all the way from the airport to the centre of town. They also ripped away PDP campaign posters. When General Buhari paid a courtesy call on state governor Muhammadu Danjuma Goje, the governor complained about the behaviour of the CPC supporters, and Buhari roundly apologised for their action. He made a similar apology when he visited the emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Usman Abubakar.

Public Relations Officer of the state police command ASP Ahmed Doma confirmed yesterday’s incident, saying it was only bonfires that were set along Bolari area, near the Water Board, but that the president’s convoy was not stoned.

He added that no arrest was made and police were on top of the situation as normalcy had since been restored.

Reacting to yesterday’s events, acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Bello Haliru Mohamed challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prove its worth by sanctioning the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and loyalists of the party’s presidential candidate retired General Muhammadu Buhari over alleged vandalisation of Goodluck/Sambo Campaign office in Gombe.

Mohamed stated this yesterday after President Goodluck Jonathan had inspected the Goodluck/Sambo Campaign office in Gombe. A statement by presidential spokesman Ima Niboro yesterday said the office was “vandalised by supporters of CPC loyal to General Buhari.”

Jonathan inspected the office in company of Haliru, Gombe State Governor Muhammed Danjuma Goje, his Bauchi counterpart Malam Isa Yuguda and other aides.

Niboro said the President inspected the entire premises “which was littered with broken glass from shattered windows as well as damaged railings, billboards and flagpoles.”

The party chairman described the action as “provocative and unacceptable” and called on INEC to investigate the matter and sanction the CPC. He said, “This is provocative and totally unacceptable, a complete deviation from the pact we just signed as political parties towards peaceful and fair conduct of the April general elections. As a law-abiding party we have reported the matter to the authorities and we challenge INEC to prove that it is a fair arbiter by sanctioning the opposition party immediately.”

http://www.dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13874:jonathans-convoy-pelted-in-gombe&catid=2:lead-stories&Itemid=8

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Pic of thug politician -

Police arrest Enugu teachers for protesting at PDP rally

NewsMar 11, 2011

By Tony Edike

ENUGU-SOME primary school teachers in Enugu North council area of Enugu State were yesterday arrested by the police for staging a protest over non-payment of their salaries during the campaign rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state capital and attended by Governor Sullivan Chime.
The teachers used the opportunity of the rally held at the Enugu North local government secretariat to draw the attention of the governor to their plight over the said unpaid salaries but unknown to them the environment was not conducive for such protest.
State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Job Doma, however, said when contacted on telephone yesterday that he would tell the DPO to release them “while we continue with our investigation into what would have made them take their protest to the campaign rally”.
Doma who said he was yet to be briefed by press time, stated that it was improper for the teachers to take their protest to the political event because the party holding the function would easily think they were sent by their opponents.
It was learnt that Governor Chime and members of his campaign team were soliciting for votes at the venue of the rally about 2.pm when over 50 teachers who brandished placards, suddenly entered the venue and chanting “pay us our money, pay us our money”.
Some of the placards read: “Your Excellency, save us from hunger,” “Your Excellency we are dying,” “We Want our money,” “Pay us our salary,” “Our children are dying of starvation,” “We don’t deserve this,” among others.
The policemen on duty at the campaign ground were said to have immediately gone into action, arresting the teachers who they bundled into waiting patrol vans.
The teachers were taken to Central Police Station, CPS, Enugu, where some of them are detained at the Human Rights Department.
A few of them later secured their freedom when their influential relations came to bail them but as at 6pm yesterday respite had not come for majority of them.
One of them who was bailed by her husband who is a lawyer identified herself as Mrs Ogbonna.
It was gathered that the teachers had to take to the protest because they have made several frantic efforts to get official attention over these unpaid salaries to no avail.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/03/police-arrest-enugu-teachers-for-protesting-at-pdp-rally/