Pepper Dickson well.
Ofuruma Pepe https://twitter.com/iamlyondavid/status/1197229294218567686?s=21

Inside life. See Sylva who GEJ removed �. Nigerian politics is weird.
Sylva showed more respect than the stooge Dickson who they fought for and removed Sylva for.

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa, said they visited former President Goodluck Jonathan after Saturday’s governorship elections in recognition of his position as the father and leader of the state.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, led APC leaders including governor-elect David Lyon, to visit the former president’s home on Monday.

Sylva noted that as a former president and leader of the state, Jonathan deserved to be respected and honoured by all Bayelsa people, irrespective of their party leanings.

“Being a former president of the country and a past governor of the State, Jonathan remains an asset to the state and his inputs will always be needed to advance the course of governance in the Bayelsa. As such, it was important for us to introduce the governor-elect to him and seek his support and guidance in building a better Bayelsa,” he said.

Responding, Jonathan tasked Lyon to put the welfare and interest of the Bayelsa people above every other Issue.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/11/18/i-am-a-father-to-all-bayelsans-jonathan-says-during-apc-leaders-visit/amp/

voltron14:


The result isn't a shocker but it was obvious Dickson had lost popularity amongst the Bayelsans.

It was obvious PDP was walking on eggshells, and even more obvious, was that the PDP candidate was a lightweight without any real bite.

Alaibe would have won hands down. And everyone wanted him. The lack of internal democracy in Nigeria’s two leading parties means that the governors have their way. If PDP was a serious party, why won’t Alaibe not be the candidate. He was the consensus choice of the elders in the state, but no Secondus collected dollars and allowed Dickson manipulate primaries to impose his light weight cousin. PdP will remain in the doldrums till they get sense and get a proper national leadership

Every single member of Jonathan’s political group had to leave for the APC since Dickson’s Restoration group took over the PDP structure with the help of Secondus. What kind of serious opposition party relegates it’s last serving president in his home state for a underperforming Governor.
Goodluck was even polite. Patience openly campaigned and supported Lyon and financed his campaign and aligned with Sylva. Jonathan chose to remain outwardly neutral while his wife and his boys ensured Dickson was humbled.
Everybody apart from the Restoration Group idiots in Bayelsa are very happy with this result.
Lyon was the tool to humble Dickson.

voltron14:
Jonathan more powerful than the voters abi?

The voters obviously didn’t want Dickson but the reality of the Nigerian political space is that the people vote how their leaders dictate, Brass will always vote how Sylva tells them, just like Ogbia people didn’t need GEJ to expressly tell them before they reacted to the perceived disrespect of GEJ by Dickson. If you’re from Bayelsa or had been following the buildup, the result would not have been a shocker.

Here’s Jonathan’s community and mother endorsing Lyon some weeks back.

The people of Otuoke, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s community in Ogbia Local Government Area have declared their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, David lyon.
The acting paramount ruler, HRH Moses Otazi who made the resolution of the people known when the APC governorship campaign team led by lyon campaigned in the community, said there is an upsurge of political revolution in Bayelsa and the people of Otuoke are not neutral.
He said though most of the people are PDP, they have unanimously resolved to vote for the APC because of what he called widespread defiance of the PDP-led administration.
Speaking at the palace, lyon accused Governor Seriake Dickson of disrespecting traditional institution by abandoning the welfare of traditional rulers.
Before leaving Otuoke, lyon paid a visit to Jonathan’s mother, Mrs Madam Eunice Ayi Ebele Jonathan who gave her blessings to him and his running mate, Senator Biobarakuma Degi- Eremienyo.
Speaking at the palace of HRH, Sopana Amakiri Agala(ADDI X111) Obenema of Anyama, lyon lamented the deplorable state of communities in Ogbia Local Government Area.
He assured the people that his government would end their sufferings in the hands of the PDP-led government, noting that Bayelsans have suffered from bad leadership and mismanagement of state resources too long .
While sympathizing with the people of the community over the risk of extinction in the face of devastating erosion, he disclosed that his decision to run for the governorship seat was informed by the continued hardship the people have faced over the years.
The monarch in his response traced the lineage of lyon family from Olugbobiri community to Anyama clan and appealed to him to save the endangered communities from ravaging erosion when he becomes governor.
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/why-jonathans-communityll-vote-for-apc-candidate-otuoke-monarch/&sa=U&ved

For those who didn’t follow the buildup to the Bayelsa elections. Dickson disrespected GEJ and the Bayelsa elders. They had settled on Alaibe as a consensus candidate to replace Dickson.
Dickson who Jonathan brought out of obscure House of Reps and made Governor disrespected GEJ and PEJ and bribed Secondus to have his way in the primary and impose his cousin Diri on the party.

Not only that he disparaged Bayelsa East- Jonathan’s people (Ogbia, Nembe and Brass) as non core Ijaw and traitors. Whole thing has been building from senatorial elections which was why APC won GEJ’s Senatorial district in the 2019 polls with his support.

All GEJ’s allies and boys moved to APC and David Lyon is a godson of Patience. Jonathan did not campaign for the APC candidate like his wife and mother out of self respect but his kinsmen ensured Dickson was taught a lesson without saying a word.

Jonathan’s polling unit, ward and senatorial district all delivered for Lyon. Wike and Jonathan and their allies all worked for Lyon. Irony of it is Dickson refused o reconcile and make any concessions saying he could win on his own. He was thoroughly defeated.

All politics is local.

In 2012 GEJ used Dickson to remove Sylva. In 2019, GEJ and PEJ worked with Sylva to remove Dickson.

The PDP national leadership is an embarrassment. Why would you let the interests of an underperforming governor who wanted to impose a stooge supersede that of the former president and party elders in a state who has shelved their interests to back the strongest candidate in the party Alaibe.

Jonathan could have insisted on any of his loyalists like Igali being the candidate but he settled on Alaibe who was formidable and had the support of all. Obasanjo even joined Jonathan to beg Dickson and Secondus to let Alaibe get the ticket. But Dickson wanted his cousin.

Bayelsa people hated Dickson particularly Bayelsa East(Jonathan’s people) who Dickson called non core Ijaw. Core Ijaws are apparently according to Dickson the Sagbama/Ekeremor/Southern Ijaws of Bayelsa and the Bomadi/Burutu/Patani of Delta and as such only them should be in charge of the only Izon state

Seems Delta is back on top of the oil producing state column ahead of Akwa Ibom.
Meanwhile lalasticlala, this should be on fp

SenseiVoyles:
Careers in Africa held interviews in London yesterday and today for some roles for overseas applicants.

FWIW though, they also held interviews in Nigeria for all positions.

This begs the question. Which state is the largest oil producing state in Nigeria at the moment? Prior to 2007 it was Delta, then it was Rivers before Akwa Ibom overtook. Seems Delta is now the largest oil producing state in the country. Any data to that effect?

CNN will go mad.
Trump always wins

PDP pres candidate in waiting. Lalasticlala fp

You can question their methods but you can’t dispute their effectiveness. In a complex state like Delta with multiple ethnic groups(Delta Igbos, Urhobo,Ijaw,Isoko and Itshekiri) and political interests, Ibori has managed a system that has accommodated the various tribes in Delta and has largely delivered a semi efficient system of government.
While other Niger Delta states face political violence, Delta politics remain comparatively tame and all the main interests in the state are sufficiently accommodated.
Under no illusion that it’s perfect and that some of the individuals are flawed but Nigerian politics is not a gentleman’s game.

Official Statement from The Governor’s office and it’s distasteful that Nairaland would push fake news to the front page. After delivering a strong performance for the PDP in the presidential polls, the very best performance of the PDP in the core north. Why would he need anyone’s support to win re-election?

seborrhic:
Buhari won the 2015 elections due to the landslides from Kano,Katsina,Bauchi and Kaduna because of his existing aura and the hate against Gej.
In 2019,there is no GEJ to hate coupled with the fact that the era of those kinds of landslides are effectively over.The one place Buhari will have a large margin in the Northwest is Katsina state.
No matter what anyone thinks,Buhari cannot defeat an Atiku in 2019 with substantial margins of up to 500,000 -1m as he did against Gej. At best in those States it maybe 200,000-300,000 because several thousands that voted for him just because they hated GEJ,won't be so inclined.Atiku is a fellow Northern,Fulani Muslim so why would they vote Buhari because of hate against his opponent.
Ditto,Rivers,Akwa Ibom,Delta cannot produce similar margins for PDP against APC because the dynamics have changed.
The North Central and how well the PDP can get out the Southeasterners to come out and vote,maybe the deciding factor on who wins eventually.
Buhari and APC in their heart of hearts would have sincerely wished it was any other candidate than Atiku facing him because they know they got a battle on their hands and for the first time realise a defeat is now possible.

This 100%. It's a very fluid and open race now.

Cc lalasticlala mynd_44

Seen a lot of people claim Buhari is invincible.
Here's a breakdown of 2015 results at the peak of his popularity and when the dynamics favoured him. Even then he just barely eked out a victory. Under no illusions that he can't win but Buhari is very vulnerable and Atiku is the strongest candidate the PDP could have put forward.
Additionally, rigging as seen in the Osun Bye-Election and vote buying in Ekiti is more difficult to implement on the national scale than in a one-off localized election.
Just looking at these figures one can chart a realistic path to victory for Atiku. The Middle Belt would swing back to PDP certainly and PDP would do better in the NE states of Adamawa and Gombe. Bauchi and to a lesser extent Borno would still deliver for Buhari albeit with a lesser margin. Plateau won't be as close as it was and Benue would return to PDP for apparent reasons. Nasarawa has been won by PDP back to back and they would retain it. The NW would be won by Buhari but Atiku won't repeat Jonathan's abysmal performance there and Buhari's margin would be eroded there.
For all the talk of Tinubu's invincibility, the APC only got 600k more votes than PDP in 2015. Atiku would get at least 50% here if he can effectively mobilize and reconcile the warring PDP factions here.
The SE is PDPs strongest base and they can be sure of 80% at least. The issue they have is to drive out turnout there as SE turned out poorly for Jonathan in 2015. A SE VP like Peter Obi would be a strong motivator to boost turnout.
The SS is the last region and a PDP stronghold. But APC has made some inroads and is well funded. PDP would win obviously but Buhari through well funded lieutenants like Akpabio, Amaechi, Oshiomole at al should secure 30% of SS votes.
That said PDP would still win and I believe the path is there for Atiku to eke put a victory.
2019 should be interesting.
My two cents though

2018 Fiscal Index: Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa lead ranking

Many Nigerian states will have to rev up their internally generated income and slow down on borrowing, a new Fiscal Sustainability Index published by BudgIT Nigeria, a budget transparency advocacy group has said.


The “2018 State of States’’ report, launched on Tuesday in Abuja by BudgiT, was sponsored by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The report ranked the 36 states in terms of fiscal stability and ability to cover recurrent expenditure without borrowings, with Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa taking the lead.

Meanwhile, Cross River, Osun and Ekiti emerged at the bottom of the ranking, meaning they lacked healthy financial profile, in terms of ability to cover recurrent expenditure without borrowing.

The Principal Lead, BudgIT, Gabriel Okeowo at the report launch, said their analysis showed that increase in statutory allocations, mainly guided by oil revenues had impacted on the finances of the states in 2018.


“One major highlight of this report is the Fiscal Sustainability Index, which saw a state like Rivers maintaining its top position due to its robust revenue profile and manageable recurrent expenditure obligation.

“Lagos dropped from 2nd to 4th place notwithstanding the state’s fiscal advantage, but owning to its unusually high overhead costs and increasing debts.

“We are extremely concerned about the poor fiscal management thinking in Cross River with its bogus budget plan for 2018 of N1.3 trillion, which weighed it down.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/284300-2018-fiscal-index-rivers-delta-bayelsa-lead-ranking.html

Lalasticlala This is front page worthy

Donald Trump will welcome Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta to the White House on Monday for what will be only the second one-on-one meeting the US president has held with an African leader since he took office last year.

The first meeting, with Nigeria’s ailing 75-year-old Muhammadu Buhari in April, ended with the US president telling aides he never wanted to meet someone so lifeless again, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Advocates of closer US-Africa ties hope his encounter with the younger, more urbane Mr Kenyatta, 56, will breathe fresh life into a relationship with a region that Washington is seen to have neglected as other countries, notably China, develop ever-closer trade and investment ties with the continent.


Under Emmanuel Macron, France is also trying to reset its relationship with its former colonies in Africa and deepen commercial ties with bigger economies in the Anglo sphere, such as Nigeria and South Africa.

“Trump likes chemistry,” said a person in touch both with senior US administration officials and the Kenya delegation preparing for Monday’s meeting. “Africa has never been high on his radar but if the big guy likes you he’ll find a way to make things work.”

Source: https://www.ft.com/content/2795662c-a8aa-11e8-94bd-cba20d67390c

SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Twitter, Inc. (NYSE: TWTR) today announced the appointments of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Robert Zoellick to Twitter's Board of Directors (the "Board"wink as new independent directors, effective immediately. Marjorie Scardino will be stepping down from the Board for personal reasons at the end of the year.

"Ngozi and Bob are distinguished leaders with unparalleled global perspective and policy expertise," said Omid Kordestani, Executive Chairman of Twitter. "We are confident they will be incredible assets to Twitter as we continue to focus on driving transparency and making Twitter a safer, healthier place for everyone who uses our service."

Mr. Kordestani added, "On behalf of the Twitter Board, I want to thank Marjorie for her service on the Twitter Board over the past five years. Marjorie joined the Board in 2013 and has been a strong voice on our board as our Lead Independent Director. Marjorie's insights and contributions have been invaluable, and all of us at Twitter wish her the best and look forward to her contributions through the end of the year."

"Twitter is a powerful platform that continues to be used as a strong connector for the global community, and I'm thrilled to be a part of the team," said Dr. Okonjo-Iweala. "As we strive to build a better world for tomorrow, Twitter can amplify messages and drive critical conversations around today's most important issues. I look forward to partnering with Twitter's talented directors and leadership team as we work to leverage the power of Twitter for good."

"I'm honored to join a company as purposeful as Twitter," added Mr. Zoellick. "Twitter has made meaningful progress in expanding and encouraging global dialogue and creativity on its platform, and I'm privileged to work with Jack, Omid and the rest of the Board to continue the strong momentum underway."

Additional details regarding the appointments can be found in a Form 8-K filed by Twitter with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has served as a Senior Advisor to Lazard, Ltd., a global financial advisory and asset management firm, since September 2015. Prior to joining Lazard, she served as the Minister of Finance of Nigeria from July 2003 until June 2006 and as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy of Nigeria from August 2011 until May 2015. From 1982 until 2003 and then from December 2007 until August 2011, she held several positions at the World Bank, most recently as Managing Director from December 2007 until August 2011. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of Standard Chartered plc, a multinational banking and financial services company, since November 2017. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has served as the Board Chair of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) since January 2016. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala holds a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an A.B. from Harvard University.

About Robert Zoellick

Mr. Zoellick has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of AllianceBernstein Holding L.P., a global investment management firm, since April 2017. Mr. Zoellick has also served as a board member of Temasek Holdings (Private) Ltd., a Singaporean corporation principally engaged in the business of investment holding, since August 2013. He has served as a Senior Counselor to the Brunswick Group, a global public affairs and communications firms, since May 2017. Since July 2012, he has also been a Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. From October 2013 until September 2016, he served as Chairman of the Board of International Advisors at the Goldman Sachs Group. From July 2007 until June 2012, Mr. Zoellick served as President of the World Bank Group. From 2006 to 2007, Mr. Zoellick served as Vice Chairman, International and a Managing Director of Goldman Sachs. Mr. Zoellick served as the Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of State from 2005 until 2006 and as the U.S. Trade Representative from 2001 to 2005. From 1985 to 1993, Mr. Zoellick held various posts in the U.S. government, including Counselor to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Under Secretary of State, and Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House. Mr. Zoellick holds a J.D. from the Harvard Law School, an M.P.P. from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and a B.A. from Swarthmore College.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/twitter-appoints-ngozi-okonjo-iweala-and-robert-zoellick-to-board-of-directors-300684015.html
C.f.

grandstar:


This may be a shadow of what to expect.

I very much doubt Buhari is a shoo in. What he has on his side is the incumbency factor.

If Jonathan could lose because he was perceived as incompetent , then why not Buhari?

Exactly. A lot rides on which candidate the PDP selects

oshe11:
Thats if they do not find a way to manipulate it...


Why is it that the places that were inconclusive all have PDP's leading?

That's true sha. If they try to manipulate it, southern Kaduna people won't take it lying down.

oshe11:
Lolz....


If there was no manipulations, PDP shud have gotten atleast 11 LGs

They are leading in the inconclusive 5 local govts. That should bring them up to 10 LGAs

Obinwenite:
2019 is going to be very interesting. I just pity those that are already writing off PDP.

Exactly PDP is actually leading in those 5 LGAs declared inconclusive. If that result holds, that's 10 LGAs for the PDP. These are states Buhari normally routs totally but if PDP can reduce his margins here as this results show they can. 2019 would be very interesting

APC-12 LGAs
PDP-5 LGAs
The remaining inconclusive 5 LGAs are all in Southern Kaduna, PDP's stronghold. Not a bad showing at all.
Kudos to El Rufai too for allowing relatively fair LGA elections.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/268482-kaduna-lg-polls-apc-wins-12-pdp-five-local-govts.html/amp#click=https:///xNMoS7ySVr
Cc lalasticlala

The Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM), on Monday declared the local government elections results for Chikun as inconclusive, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The SIECOM returning officer for Chikun local government, Samuel Ndams, who made announcement, said only results from seven wards out of the 12 wards of the area were submitted.

Mr Ndams said that results from five wards had not been submitted at the collation center, “therefore after due consultation with the SIECOM headquarters we decided to declare the LG polls in Chikun local government inclusive.“

Meanwhile, official results declared by returning officers indicate that the ruling APC maintains it lead in 12 local government areas, while the PDP won in five local government areas, even as results from three LGs are still pending, making a total of 21 LGs.

Election did not hold in Jaba and Kaura Local Government Areas.

In Kubau, Muhammed Tukur Bashir, the returning office, declared Sabo Aminu of the APC who scored 46,535 votes as winner of the polls, beating Alhaji Umar Abdullahi of the PDP who scored 13,398 votes.

In Giwa, Abu Shehu Lawal Giwa of the APC won with 57,005 votes defeating Bello Shehu Kago of the PDP who got 2,673 votes as declared by Muhammed Sani, the LG returning officer.

The SIECOM Returning officer of Kauru local government, Musa Yusuf, also declared PDP’s Shuaibu Goma, who scored 24,393 votes as winner against Bashir Tanko of the APC with 21,564 votes.

Also, John Mallam Lugards, the returning officer for Ikara LG has announced Ibrahim Salihu sadiq of the APC with 42,312 votes as winner for Ikara polls defeating his PDP counterpart Abdullahi Aliyu who scored 9,248 votes.

In Lere, the Returning officer, Aminu Ahmed Muhammed has declared Abubakar Buba of the APC who scored 92,854 as winner beating Jumare Tanimu Magaji of PDP with 16,231 votes.

The returning officer for Sabon Gari local government, Micah Victor, announced Mohammed Ibrahim Usman of the APC as winner after scoring 20, 576 votes against PDP’s Suleiman Ibrahim Gambo with 9,580 votes.

Similarly, Ahmed Kofa, returning officer for Igabi local government announced Jabir Khamis of the APC who scored 47,630 as duly elected chairman of the local government against Abubakar Abubakar of the PDP with 2,449 votes.

In Sanga, Samuel Shamaki of the PDP emerged winner of the chairmanship contest with 20,843 votes, beating Charles Danladi of the APC, who got 19,757 votes.

Similarly, Nuhu Garba, SIECOM’s returning officer has announced PDP’s Peter Agite as winner in the Kachia local government chairmanship contest with 42,242 votes to beat his APC counterpart, Peter Dan-Baki, who got 33, 817 votes.

Returning officer, Kaduna North LG, Umar Hayatu announced APC’s Saleh Shuaibu, who scored 168,572 votes as winner, beating Muhammad Sabo Babayaro of the PDP who got 12,467 votes, while the PRP candidate had. 4,956 votes.

In Zangon Kataf local government area, Elias Maza won with 55,643 votes, against the APC candidate, John Hassan with 31,514 votes.

In Jema’a local government, Arnaold Makeri, the Returning officer, announced Peter Averik of the PDP winner with 45,361 votes to beat Mrs Cecelia Musa of the APC who got 25, 973 votes.

Lawal Abdullahi-Tukur, returning officer for Kudan LG also announced APC’s Shu’aibu Bawa-Jaja with 72,021 votes as winner in the chairmanship contest beating PDP’s Kabiru Isiaku who got 3,394 votes

Aliyu Umar, returning officer Soba LG also announced that Mohammed Mahmud Aliyu of the APC who scored 40,903 votes as the elected chairman against the PDP candidate Muhammad Surajo Tukur who got 13,835 votes.

In Zaria LG, Aliyu Idris Ibrahim of the APC won with 42,859 votes to beat PDP’s Yusuf Namadi with 16,033 votes

Similarly, Musa Abdullahi Mahdi, returning officer for Makarfi LG said APC’s Kabiru Musa Mayere won with 25,199 votes against Ibrahim Isyaku of the PDP who scored 13,088 votes.

NAN reports that the SIECOM has announced APC as winner of Birnin Gwari local government area but results not yet obtained.

NAN is yet to obtain the official results for Kagarko and Kajuru LGs, while that of Kaduna South is still being awaited.

While the APC and the state government have commended the results so far released as reflecting the wish of the people, the PDP has cried fouls saying most of the results were fabricated
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/268482-kaduna-lg-polls-apc-wins-12-pdp-five-local-govts.html/amp?__twitter_impression=true

Lalasticlala mynd_44