₦airaland Forum

From all indications, the battle line is drawn for the political soul of Zamfara State in 2011 between Governor Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi and his predecessor, Alhaji Ahmed Sani Yerima, now a senator. Ironically, the duo had maintained a buoyant relationship between 1999 and 2007 when Yerima piloted the affairs of the state as governor with Shinkafi as his deputy. They were elected on the platform of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)

Whereas most of the deputy governors had a running battle with their principals, sometimes resulting in impeachments, Yerima’s relationship with Shinkafi was a sweet- heart affair. Whereas many of Shinkafi colleagues cried of marginalization, having been reduced to ‘spare tyres’ by their bosses, he was given the added responsibility of running the Ministry of Agriculture as commissioner.

Yerima eventually anointed Shinkafi as successor and deployed the awesome incumbency machinery to his favour. So, Shinkafi’s electoral success could not have been otherwise. And with the victory, he became the first deputy governor in the country under this political dispensation to succeed his principal without rancour. This made President Goodluck Jonathan to describe Shinkafi as the luckiest deputy governor in the Fourth Republic.

However, the tale began to twist shortly after Shinkafi began to steer the affairs of the state. It began as a rumour that the romance was over between the godfather and his godson. Initially, both camps pretended as if all was well. But eventually, the matter spilled out of control, spiraling into a dirty public spat. It was like attempting to cover a pregnancy with the hand. Soon, blistering attacks began to fly from all sides.

While the supporters of one savaged the other for his actions or inactions in government, those on the opposite side smeared the other, spreading all kinds of bile about him. All has not been the same ever since, and it is doubtful if Zamfara State will ever regain its political equilibrum. Source disclose that the ‘war’ broke out because of Yerima’s intention to remain in the driving seat even after Shinkafi had taken over as governor.

Short of calling Yerima a ‘control freak’, Ahmed Ahmed, a public affairs analyst said: “There is no doubt that Yerima facilitated Shinkafi’s election; one can even refer to the governor as his protégé. But the problem was that he did not know where to draw a line or he failed to realise that power had shifted to his former deputy. So, he was acting as if he was still in charge. Naturally, Shinkafi wanted to be his own man.

Though he appeared pliable, which made for wrongful judgment of his character, the truth of the matter is that he felt that he could not afford to remain under Yerima’s shadows. In a nutshell, Shinkafi’s attempt to assert himself was interpreted as an act of betrayal of trust or confidence. One thing led to another and the once chummy relationship broke down, perhaps irretrievably”.

It was gathered that the conflict degenerated further when Shinkafi sacked the Yerima ‘boys’ in his government. The governor took the decision as a way of consolidating his hold on power. He replaced the sacked Yerima boys with his own people, people whose loyalty he could trust. Further still, Shinkafi reportedly revoked some contracts awarded by his predecessor to show him where power truly resides at the moment. It was also learnt that Shinkafi could have taken more damaging measures against his former boss but for the fact that the latter allegedly made him to sign major contracts exceeding N50 million during the former dispensation.

Apart from Shinkafi’s defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an action that threw the Yerima camp into raging fury and confusion, another action of the governor, which took the crisis to a crescendo was that he shoved Yerima’s brother, Bello Mohammed Sani, off his emirship stool. Until his removal recently, Bello, an erstwhile director with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was the emir of Bakura.

Similarly, Shinkafi is believed to be behind the recent furore over Yerima’s baby bride. Sources maintained that he was behind the sustained media bashing of his former boss. The intention was to diminish the former governor in the eyes of the public. It was mission accomplished. Even as the bridge of their relationship burns, Yerima insisted that he is not to blame. Hear him: “We served together for eight years. In those times, I condoned lots of his excesses not because I didn’t want to take action against him, but because in life one has to learn to accommodate different views, different people and different opinions.

I believe the governor (Shinkafi) is being misled by some of his aides who stand to benefit from the situation. Some of the people want contracts, others want to get political patronage by being members of House of Representatives or Senate and others simply feel that they can only be relevant if Yerima and Shinkafi continue to quarrel. That is why they keep misadvising the governor. So, it all boils down to what some people will gain”.

Shinkafi offered different perspectives to the feud saying: “I don’t think I have any problem with him (Yerima). Since my election, I have heard and read various things said and written about my relationship with him. I consider him an important part of my household. Everybody knows how we started this journey together. As far as I know, I have no problem with him, and I think he knows that. Since the so-called crises began, never have I issued any statement condemning him or saying uncharitable things about him.

As a Muslim, I always wish all my brothers well. In fact, Prophet Mohammed (SAW) said no one is a true believer until he loves unto his brother what he loves unto himself. So, I always wish him well. But from his public utterances, we can conclude that his views are quite different from mine. The funny thing about Zamfara is that whatever one does, it becomes a public knowledge. If I hold a meeting with my cabinet or people, I know it gets back to him and the same applies to him. All the things he does or says privately regarding our administration somehow finds their way back to us.

“Last year, countless petitions were written to EFCC alleging financial impropriety by the government, it all came to pass and just recently, another petition was sent to ICPC alleging that about 10 of my commissioners mismanaged state funds. The source of that petition, unfortunately, is linked to him. So putting all these issues together, we came to conclusion that perhaps it is the work we are doing for the people of the state that is being challenged. But no one will distract us and we remain firm in our determination to move our state forward.” All efforts by notable personalities, including the Emir of Zamfara, Dr Attahiru Ahmad Mohammed, Emir of Zauzau, Dr Shehu Idris and Dr Ahmad Mahmud Gummi to make the duo seek the path of reconciliation has achieved no meaningful result.

And as the duo flex muscles, their supporters sometimes engage in violent confrontations in Gusau, the state capital and other towns. As the 2011 elections draw closer, the gladiators are scheming and aligning forces with a view to proving who is the bigger masquerade. And it promises to be a tough battle, one where the winner takes all. Both camps are already boasting of victory. According to Yerima, “Shinkafi is on his own in this matter and I am assuring you that we are going to regain our mandate fully by Allah’s grace. Governor Shinkafi has come to the end of his political career because of his decision to join a party that would finish him and dump him. He will surely regret”. To buttress his position, Yerima said that Zamfara people have demonstrated over the years that they love ANPP, adding that they will show that love again in 2011.

On the other hand, the secretary of PDP in Zamfara, Alhaji Musa Zubairu, remains optimistic that his party will retain the control of the state come 2011.Insisting that there is no vacancy in Government House, Gusau, Zubairu maintained that Hon Abdulaziz Yari, who the ANPP is presenting as its gubernatorial candidate is not a match for Shinkafi.

Zubairu said: “We do not feel threatened. Instead, we will go home and sleep. I don’t think he is the messiah the ANPP needs to salvage the party. In fact, ANPP has no credible candidate to contest with Gov Shinkafi”.
Interestingly, Shinkafi and Yari are in-laws. So, it will be a battle of in-laws. An old political warhorse, Yari is a long time associate of Yerima. He was, at various times, the Zamfara state secretary and chairman of ANPP.
Yari, who represents Anka/Talata Mafara Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is already feeling the heat of the battle to come. Not long ago, he was indicted by the state House of Assembly over alleged failure to execute certain contracts awarded to him by the state government under Yerima’s leadership.

Yari, however, denied that he shortchanged the government, averring: “From their conduct, I think the conclusion reached by the committee was biased and aimed at tarnishing our reputation. So the entire exercise was mischievous, misguided and full of lies. As politicians, we all know where this thing is headed”.
Of course, more sparks will fly in the days ahead.

Factors that will shape 2011
The persona of the gladiators will count in the governorship contest in Zamfara State. To be sure, Yerima commands large following in the Farming is our Pride state. Whenever he is in town, people troop out, singing his praises. The former governor’s popularity derives mainly from his philanthropic disposition. He is said to render help to the needy in a manner that endears him to the public.

For instance, when he read about a journalist with Daily Trust newspapers, who needed about N3 million for kidney transplant, he quickly dispatched one of his commissioners to the patient with the amount required for the treatment. Indeed, on the streets of Gusau and elsewhere, the ordinary folks say sweet things about him and his people-oriented programmes while in office.

On the other hand, a source said, “Shinkafi has been busy consolidating his seemingly fragile position by reaching out to relevant stakeholders, including the state and local government party executives, party members in the National and the state House of Assembly as well as party elders.”

It is, indeed, a credit to his power of persuasion that he was able to convert the ANPP dominated House of Assembly to PDP members. Again, Shinkafi has proved that he is not battle shy. Since the ‘war’ broke out between him and Yerima, he has acquitted himself pretty well, delivering powerful punches occasionally. He is said to be a strategist who is always ahead of his opponents in terms of shrewdness, resources and man management.
There are other factors that would determine where the pendulum would swing in 2011:

Inter and intra party issues
It will be a straight fight between the PDP and the ANPP because other parties in the state can be described as paperweights. Prior to Shinkafi’s defection to the PDP, it was running way behind the ANPP. But the political equation in the state has changed.

With the realignment of offices coupled with the power of incumbency, the PDP is now standing firmly. However, the party can hardly be described as a united family. Even before the coming of Shinkafi and his men, the PDP was factionalized. His arrival compounded the problem as various entrenched interests contended for the soul of the party. To calm frayed nerves and open the window of reconciliation, Shinkafi appointed top members of the two factions into his cabinet.

Yet, the PDP leaking umbrella has refused to patch up. The two major factions are led by Shinkafi, and former National Security Adviser (NSA) and PDP presidential aspirant, Maj Gen Mohammed Aliyu Gusau (retd). Shinkafi is said to be in the bad books of Gusau because the governor is supporting the presidential aspiration of his father in-law, former military president, Gen Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) rather than his brother.

To show that he is sold on the IBB presidency project, Shinkafi was present at the Eagle Square Abuja, when IBB formally declared his ambition. Ironically, Shinkafi was said to have earlier assured President Goodluck Jonathan that he would support his presidential bid. So, all things considered, the intrigues in Zamfara PDP will heighten in the days ahead.

For the ANPP, the defection of Shinkafi and a host of its members nearly left it prostrate. Acknowledging the effect of the defection, a chieftain of the ANPP, Hon Bello Muhammad Mutawalle, said: “I have to admit that the calibre of politicians that defected with the governor has no doubt left the ANPP depleted and some of you analysts are of the opinion that the party may take some time before it will recover. It is a fact that many of our colleagues joined the PDP, but what you have to realise is that the people are still with us. Our core supporters are still in ANPP and that gives us lots of joy.

Because all government functionaries followed the governor into his new party does not mean we have gone into extinction. I am confident our party will reclaim Zamfara. The love and affection shown to the party by the people of the state are pointers to where the pendulum will swing come 2011.”
Again, some elders of ANPP are not favourably disposed to what they term the dictatorial tendencies of the leadership. They faulted Yerima’s leadership style, which they claim contributed to the departure of Shinkafi and his associates. As the two leading parties perfect their strategies, other smaller ones such as the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) are making in-roads in the Zamfara political landscape. Either of them may spring surprises in 2011 but the chances are extremely remote.
Religion

Religion interfaces with politics in Zamfara State, hence one cannot be mentioned without the other. Taking cognizance of this, the ANPP has made an issue out of the way and manner the PDP government has been implementing the sharia legal system introduced by Yerima. According to the party, the incumbent is lethargic in the implementation of the Islamic legal code.

The position of the party was expressed by the former Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, who repeatedly said: “What have they done to move sharia forward since they came to power in 2007? It is unfortunate that the government that came into power promising to uplift the people through religiously–inspired programmes has abandoned such promises for some things else. In the ANPP, we strongly believe in ‘our religion, our people’ slogan and we will sell it to our people at any given opportunity.”

Investigation revealed that in the past, ANPP blended politics with religion so successfully that it convinced rural folks to believe that political affiliation is synonymous with religious leaning. Members of the PDP, which opposed the introduction of sharia by Yerima were branded infidels.

However, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for justice, Barrister Armiya’u Bukkuyum, said that the implementation of sharia has not been compromised in any way by the present administration. He said: “I strongly deny claims that we are failing (in sharia implementation) in the state. The sharia was established by law, and since we came, no section of that law has been repealed or modified. Rather, we have provided more funds and logistics support to all agencies implementing the code in the state.” Maintaining that God is their witness and that Zamfara people are aware of government’s efforts to protect their faith, Bukkuyum surmised that, on the contrary, the operational agencies of the legal code had been expanded even as funding increased.

Performance
The people of Zamfara may likely compare the performance of the Yerima administration with the incumbent in choosing who gets their votes in 2011. Such being the case, the Shinkafi government could be vulnerable because it is accused of initiating grandiose projects without completing them.

Both camps are, however, claiming to have performed better in office. All things considered, the 2011election in Zamfara will be keenly contested.

•Next Week: The Sokoto tug of war

http://64.182.81.172/webpages/features/roadtogvthouse/oct/24/roadtogvt-24-10-2010-001.htm

Serial killers in Borno
•Why Boko Haram onslaught persists
•We want amnesty – Sect


Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, has been in the news since last year, not for its rich cultural heritage or its unpredictable weather condition, but for the notoriety of a religious sect. For sure, the Boko Haram men finally made their second coming a reality as they set a police station ablaze on Tuesday night, leaving three policemen wounded.

Sources said the men who were armed with machetes and other dangerous weapons stormed the Gamboru Police Station few metres away from their demolished enclave at about 8.30 p.m. and had attempted to force their way inside. “The men numbering about 20 started throwing locally-made bombs into the police station when it was difficult for them to gain entrance immediately they got there due to the iron gate,” a police source told Sunday Sun.

Residents in the area said they were awake throughout the night following heavy gunshots from the scene of the incident. “We couldn’t sleep last night because of sporadic gunshots. We heard the sect members engaged the police in a shootout for about 30 minutes. We just hope we are not in trouble again, because that was how the incident started last year July”, Adebayo, one of the residents, told this reporter.

The police, through its then spokesman, Mai Mamman, an assistant superintendent of police, who confirmed the incident, said an inspector who sustained gunshot injuries in his legs during the attack as well as two other colleagues who had serious burns were being treated at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
Before then, residents had been living in fear following serial killings of security personnel and traditional titleholders, but by Saturday morning, a new dimension was introduced.

Armed men suspected to be of the Boko Haram fold mowed down an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Bashir Mustapha. The cleric was killed in his house at Layin Gidan Hajiya Mai Tuwon Yasin in Gwange ward of Maiduguri along with one of his pupils, Alhaji Modu Sunoma. It was believed that Sheikh Bashir was killed because of his remarks perceived to be against the doctrine of the sect.

The cleric and his student, Sunoma, it was gathered, were attacked at about 10.30 a.m. by two assailants who walked into his house, pretending to be visitors. “The two men rode on a motorcycle and stopped in front of the house. The one who wore kaftan entered the house and then called the other one outside, a cyclist, on his mobile phone. Shortly after the cyclist entered, we heard gunshots,” a neighbour to the slain sheikh disclosed.

Sheikh Bashir was not the only casualty that week, one Mamman Zannah, an official of Bama Local Government, had on Thursday been shot by four gunmen who rode to his residence on two motorcycles shortly after the evening prayers. They were said to have arrived the man’s house at about 8.25 p.m. while he was in company of his friends and neighbours. The gunmen reportedly shot the council boss severally and reportedly confirmed he was dead before they disappeared into the dark streets of Bama.

A demand for amnesty
With the government pledging its determination to bring those behind the attacks to book, the Islamic fundamentalists, have however, demanded amnesty from the authorities. They made the demand in an interview with the BBC and the Voice of America Hausa Service on Wednesday night through their anonymous spokesman. They also asked for freedom to practise their form of Islam, the unconditional release of their seized mosques by government forces and “justice and equity” in local government affairs, among others.

“We are law-abiding citizens, even though we do not subscribe with (sic) the unjust government of the Western orientation that is being used to govern us here in Borno and Nigeria,” the spokesman said. The sect, however, took responsibility for the recent bomb attack on a police station as well as the targeted killings of police personnel and others by motorcycle-riding assassins. The spokesman said the government brought the attacks on itself after the summary killing of their leader, Mohammed Yusuf in July 2009 in the wake of the first armed insurgence. No fewer than 600 persons died in the crisis.

The sect’s demand for amnesty seems unpopular among Borno residents though.
Abba, a post-graduate student at the University of Maiduguri, tags the demand “absurd, bizarre and nonsense”.
He queries: “How do you justify the heinous crimes committed by these people with what happened in the Niger Delta? Or, what about the souls that have been lost to their mindless killings and weird doctrine?”
Army deploys troops

The ease with which the fundamentalists have so far operated proves one strong point–the police cannot match their sophistication. In recognition of this fact, the army authorities have deployed soldiers to the state reportedly at the request of the state governor. Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, who donated 40 Hilux vehicles to the soldiers for surveillance, also asked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Onyeabo Azubike Ihejirika for additional troops. But the army boss insisted the security situation must be studied before such request could be granted.

“We have identified the black spots where the armed sect members attacked innocent citizens and policemen. And this helped us in strategising and adopting means on how to deal with the insurgents and guerrilla warfare of the Boko Haram armed sect. Deployment of more troops to Borno as requested by the governor would, however, depend on current security situation,” he declared.

Already, combat helicopters known in military parlance as gunship have commenced air patrol of the city, but the Boko Haram onslaught is far from abated. Barely 24 hours after the handing over of 40 Hilux vehicles to the COAS and launching of a special security outfit codenamed -Operation Mesa by the state government, gunmen reacted by killing another policeman, Inspector Kashim Bukar, at his residence located at Ummarari, Jajeri in Maiduguri. By Thursday, another police officer was shot. Many believe the deployment of troops to the state may not address the problem of insecurity.

A retired police chief who preferred anonymity said government should have rather adopted the technique of warfare. “To me, this approach is wrong. The gunmen who are perpetrating the crime live in the midst of the people and their operations are like guerilla warfare and as such, we need a network of intelligence operations to tackle the problem. The killings are not done on major highways but in areas that are mostly inaccessible,” he argued.
He also expressed the view that motorcycles would be needed for patrol of the streets rather Hilux vehicles which cannot access most settlements in the state capital.

Many also insist that the Boko Haram insurgence in the state has exposed the weakness of the Nigeria Police as lacking in the initiative to tackle contemporary insecurity and crimes such as the one that has so far stretched Borno and other neighbouring Northern states. The police have recorded the highest casualties since the serial killings started, yet the state police command has continually adopted conventional ways of fighting crime.
Sources said the serial killers have a network of informants and spies who trail their targets until their mission is accomplished.

“They are scattered everywhere: in the markets, mosques, social gatherings and other rendezvour in the state. So it is difficult to trail them except with close-knit intelligence work, not the stop-and-search exercises currently going on,” said another source. It was also gathered that the assailants often take different clothing for their operations so as to change their appearance one completion of each attack. Many residents believe the onslaught may not abate until a proactive approach is adopted on the matter.

First executive governor of the state, Alhaji Goni Mohammed, told Sunday Sun in an interview that “the insecurity cannot be disconnected from the unemployment situation in the state,” noting that the deployment of soldiers may not quell the insurgence.

Fear in the air
With the state of things in the state, residents now daily live in fear as no one is sure when the next wave of attacks begin. Many police personnel who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity expressed their willingness to quit the job if the authorities fail to do something drastic to tackle the insurgents. Economic activities have also nosedived. The hustle and bustle of the El-Kanemi city has given way to uneasy calm. The metropolis is usually deserted by residents from 7 p.m. for fear of being caught in the crossfire of the serial killers. William, a member of staff of one of the popular Internet cafés in town, said business has been very bad for them since last week.

“Our patronage,” he says, “has been very poor these days. People don’t want to come to the café in the evening again because of the restriction on the movement of motorcycles. It is a very bad situation.” The fresh wave of attacks has also hit the state commissioner of police below the belt. The police boss has been recalled to the force headquarters by his superiors, while a new man has been posted to man the command in his stead.

Sunday Sun gathered that the transfer of Abdul was not unconnected with his dissatisfactory handling of the security situation in the state, particularly the way the police have been losing its personnel. “He appears very helpless and probably incompetent to handle the situation properly,” a top police officer told our reporter.
His predecessor, Chris Dega, and a few police chiefs, it would be recalled, were hurriedly transferred last year shortly after the July 2009 attack. Police authorities claimed it was “a routine exercise and normal for anybody in the service.”

Governor Sheriff, who is apparently troubled over the worsening insecurity in the state, has also announced a cash reward of N500, 000 or $3,333 for any person that provides information leading to the arrest of more suspected Boko Haram fighters.
But then, the Islamic sect issued a five-point demand on Thursday asking the government to release its members arrested and held in various prisons in the state. Reports also indicated that the sect has issued a notice warning people to desist from getting close to the police, ostensibly to avoid being caught in the web of attacks targeted at security operatives. In the notice, the fundamentalists also warned people not to give out information on the group because of the N500, 000 the state government offered as reward to anybody who provides information on their activities. They ordered residents to steer clear of the police, as anybody who ignores the warning would be dealt with.

Meanwhile, the police through its Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abdullahi Lawal, an ASP, urged the people to disregard notices posted in some public places in the state capital by members of the outlawed Boko Haram warning of trouble. He described the notices as seditious publications which should be shunned and disregarded by members of the public. He also urged the people not to panic but go about their lawful businesses, saying the command has put adequate security measures on place to protect lives and property.

But whether or not the assurances of security by the police should by relied upon by the people would by determined by events henceforth. Sure, the people are waiting and watching to see how government would make the mindless killings and persistent attacks in the “Home of Peace” a matter of the past.

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A fresh crisis is brewing in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following protest by some of its highly-placed members against the plan to repeat congresses for the election of the party’s State Executive Committees in eight states. There are also indications that three governors from the South East are resisting the party’s attempt to conduct fresh congresses.

Some of those who are who are opposed to the plan have taken their case to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega. They dragged PDP National Chairman Dr. Okwezilieze Nwodo, and the party’s National Working Committee before INEC over the issue.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that the aggrieved group met Jega and all his National Commissioners behind closed doors on Friday for about one hour. Those who met Jega and his top aides were Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu; Governors Sullivan Chime, Jonah Jang and Ibrahim Idris of Enugu , Plateau and Kogi States; the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Plateau State; the National Organizing Secretary of the PDP, Chief Uche Secondus; the National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Chief Olusola Oke, the Enugu State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Vita Abba.

A reliable source said the governors presented documentary evidence and video clips to show that valid congresses were conducted in their states in 2008. They also insisted that the tenure of the present State Executive Committees ought to end in 2012 and not abruptly, as being proposed by Nwodo and his team.

The source added: “The governors explained that contrary to the claim of the PDP National leadership, there are no parallel State Executive Committees in Enugu , Plateau and Kogi States.

“They alleged plans by some vested interests to use the opportunity of fresh congresses ordered by INEC to hijack party structures in the affected states because of 2011 poll.

“For instance, they cited the case of Enugu State where the PDP National Chairman is insisting on harmonization of the State Executive Committee when it was obvious to Nwodo’s NWC that the 2008 congress in the state was legally conducted.

“Party leaders are already worried that we are back to the era of garrison politics.

“They asked INEC management to avert anarchy and a spate of litigations over alleged moves by Nwodo to install their stooges.

“They were really not happy with Nwodo at all from their submissions.”

In making his case, it was learnt that Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime presented a copy of a March 3, 2008 report of INEC which attested to the validity of the 2008 congresses in Enugu State .

According to the report signed by the then Resident Electoral commissioner, Dr. Abdu Bulama, and obtained by The Nation: “Reports received indicate that PDP Ward, Local Government and State Congresses were held on Thursday, 21st February 2008, and Monday, 26th February 2008 and February 28, 2008 respectively in all the 17 Local Government Areas and 260 Electoral Wards. There were reported cases of congresses starting late. This was blamed on late arrival of party officials and materials. This notwithstanding, congresses were held under peaceful atmosphere. The mode of elections adopted in all the congresses was by consensus and affirmation.”

Another document also showed that INEC sent a nine-man Monitoring Team to the State Congress of the PDP in Enugu on February 28, 2008.

The document by REC Bulama added: “It is our view that within the context of organization, security arrangements and adherence to party guidelines and constitution, the State Congress and those of the Ward and Local Government Areas were conducted in substantial compliance with laid down guidelines.”

On his part, Governor Jonah Jang, through his Attorney-General tendered documents to justify that the State Executive Committee of the PDP was validly elected.

Another source added: “Rulings and pronouncements by various courts were also tabled before INEC by the Plateau State Governor. Although Governor Ibrahim Idris came late to the meeting, he nonetheless made his point that “there is no crisis over congresses in Kogi PDP, not to talk of a parallel State Executive Committee. He said there is no basis for fresh congresses in the state.”According to the source: “The Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, who had earlier in the day met with Jega and his team also testified to the validity of the congresses in Enugu State and took time to explain why repeat congresses are unnecessary.”

It was learnt that some of the revelations made by the governors, including evidence of satisfactory supervision of the congresses by INEC, were shocking to Jega and some of his commissioners.

It was also learnt that some vital reports which would have guided Jega and his commissioners on state congresses had been removed from relevant files.

The source said: “At the end of the day, Jega promised to look into all the complaints as soon as they are formally channeled to the Electoral Commission through the PDP leadership.”

A highly-placed PDP source said some South-East governors are not happy with the National Chairman of the party, saying, “If things continue in this manner, the likelihood of Jonathan gaining the control of the South-East is slim.

“The PDP leadership is seeking repeat congresses in Enugu , Imo and Anambra States in an election year because some party stalwarts are desperate to install their stooges as governors or National Assembly members in 2011. This is a political miscalculation for the party.

“Some of the party leaders in the South-East have drawn the attention of Jonathan to this danger but he is yet to address this.

“The governors and some party leaders are really poised for a cold war with Nwodo and his NWC members.”

INEC had ordered fresh congresses in eight states following alleged non-conclusive nature of the exercise. The states are Oyo, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu , Imo, Kogi, Anambra and Plateau States

In deference to INEC, the PDP in a letter to Jega on September 30, 2010 by its National Secretary, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, said it was ready to repeat the congresses in the eight states.

The letter, obtained from a party source, said: “We refer to your letter dated 27th of September, 2010.

“In compliance with Section 85(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act and the commission’s observations in the correspondence attached, we write to notify you of the repeat state chapter congresses in Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Oyo and Plateau states.

“The congresses in the eight states are scheduled to hold as follows: Ward (October 21); LGA (October 23) and State (October 25). Your support and cooperation are needed.”

However, this position has caused anxiety among some of the governors and PDP leaders. With the latest development, six governors out of the eight affected states (with the exception of Anambra and Kogi) are locked in a fresh battle to retain loyal State Executive Committees that could guarantee them second-term tickets in the forthcoming primaries.

As at press time, it was learnt that the PDP had shifted the repeat congresses to November, although no dates have been fixed yet.

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The Ward Head of Bauchi (Kandahar) in Bauchi Metropolis, Mohammed Tukur, was assassinated late Friday by unknown gunmen suspected to belong to the violent Boko Haram sect.

Tukur’s assassination has brought to four the number of persons killed in the state in recent times. Three policemen had been assassinated in a similar manner earlier this month. The killings led the state government to impose restrictions on the movement of motorcycles within the town.

An eyewitness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the residence of late Tukur that the deceased was assassinated about 8pm immediately after the night prayers.

The source, who claimed to be at the scene of the incident, disclosed that late Tukur, who had led the night congregational prayers, met his untimely death while relaxing with his subjects in front of his residence.

It said that the unknown gunmen in plain clothes and on foot spread several bullets on the deceased.
The source further said he along with others who were in the company of the deceased took to their heels, but came back later to discover the dead body of the ward head on the ground.

It said that the body was taken away by a team of policemen who were called to the scene. Efforts by NAN to obtain comments from the state police command proved abortive, as the DPO, PPRO and the ommissioner of the command were very elusive to comment on the matter. The state government had earlier in a statement confirmed the killing of the three policemen but was yet to comment on that of Tukur.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/24/national-24-10-2010-003.htm

As the clock ticks toward another general election, Nigerians are getting increasingly scared of activities and threats from sundry terrorist groups in the country.

Despite beefing up of security by the Federal Government, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and Boko Haram, a Muslim sect against Western education, continue to drive fear into the people. For a country that has literally been under siege from the menace of daredevil kidnappers, the development is like adding pepper to an injury.

A former minister and elder statesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said because of tension usually associated with past elections in Nigeria, people expectedly should be worried over threats from the two militant groups.

He expressed fear that some power brokers in Nigeria may cash in on the vulnerability of the groups to cause crisis in the country ahead of the general election. “Everybody who is conversant with elections in Nigeria should be worried about threats from these terrorist groups, considering the tension the issue of zoning has generated.
“I can tell you that people, including those who are highly placed, are living in fear because you cannot predict the actions of these terrorist groups.

“As it is, the threats would definitely affect political campaigns because just as MEND has said, you cannot guarantee the safety of people who would be at rallies,” he said. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday raised alarm over receipt of text messages from unknown people threatening to bomb its headquarters on November 6. It said it was already probing some clues and also on the trail of those behind the threats.

According to EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Babafemi, “shortly before noon on Wednesday, October 20, a shadow group sent text messages out to the telephone numbers of some media executives warning of imminent bomb attack on the EFCC and its top officials in a manner reminiscent of the October 1 bomb blast in Abuja. “In one of the messages, the group threatened to bomb the EFCC on November 6 while they accused the commission of disorganizing banks, firms, companies, REA (Rural Electrification Agency) and blocked their accounts since 2008.”

Continuing, he said the text message added: “FCT will (on November 6) smoke, big and small will run and vacate.”
On Tuesday, MEND’s spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, in an electronic mail to the media, warned Abuja residents to steer clear of all political rallies being organized by President Goodluck Jonathan. The group stated: “We hereby repeat our warnings to the residents of Abuja, the heart of the country and to all persons who will be interested in attending the political presidential campaign organised by President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Gbomo threatened that the militant group would carry out bombings over the arrest of MEND’s alleged leader, Henry Okah, in South Africa. Okah was arrested On October 2 in Johannesburg, a day after twin car bombings in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, killed no fewer than 12 persons. Okah has denied any involvement in the car bombings, according to his lawyers.

Meanwhile, a Muslim sect suspected of a series of targeted killings and orchestrating jail breaks, has issued fresh threats in northern Nigeria, this time invoking al-Qaeda’s North Africa branch. Posters by the Boko Haram sect appeared at key intersections in the city of Maiduguri during the week, bearing the name of Imam Abubakar Shekau, the group’s de facto leader. The two top corners of the posters bore a symbol of an opened Quran, flanked on each side by Kalashnikov assault rifles and a flag in the middle.

The message warned the public against assisting the police or going near soldiers guarding the town at night. The message also acknowledged a recent reward offered for information leading to the arrest of suspected sect members.
“Any Muslim that goes against the establishment of Sharia (law) will be attacked and killed,” the message read.
Boko Haram, which means “Western education is sacrilege” in the local Hausa language, has campaigned for the implementation of strict Sharia law.

According to reports, police officers began removing the signs late Wednesday.
“These publications and messages on Boko Haram activities are seditious and could jeopardize our investigation into the four-month serial attacks and killings in the state,” Borno State police commissioner Mohammed Abubakar said Thursday.

Boko Haram sect members rioted and attacked police stations and private homes in July 2009, sparking a violent police and military crackdown. In total, 700 people died. The sect largely went underground after the attack but there are rumours of regrouping for more attacks. In September, authorities say the members engineered an attack on a federal prison in Bauchi that freed about 750 inmates, including imprisoned sect followers.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/24/national-24-10-2010-001.htm

Pastor William Kumuyi

Eighteen months after he lost his wife, the superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has found love again.

The wedding, which happened outside the spotlight, was reported to have taken place in the UK, last Wednesday. However, the bride, who sources identified as Esther, is said to be a member of his church. But not much else is known about her, or about their courtship. Details of the wedding ceremony, including venue and attendance, officiating priests, protocols, were closely guarded.

Responding to a question whether he would remarry after his late wife, Biodun, passed away, the man of God told reporters that it was too early to think of a replacement. It was a highly emotional moment for him, as the bad news came to him while he was delivering a sermon during the church’s Easter retreat last year.

Mrs. Kumuyi who died at 57 in the early hours of Saturday, April 11, 2009 at her residence in the International Bible Training Centre, Ayobo, Ipaja, Lagos, following a brief illness, was the National Woman Co-ordinator of the church. She was also International Co-ordinator of the women ministry in Africa and other continents where the church has branches, and was Editor-in-Chief of the well-circulated Women Mirror magazine published by the church.

Pastor Kumuyi, 71, was introduced to the Apostolic Faith Church, and became born again on Sunday, April 5, 1964. He started the Deeper Life Bible Church, which now has over one million members in more than sixty countries around the world, as a 15-member Bible Study group in Kumuyi’s official quarters (Flat 2) at the University of Lagos in August, 1973. Kumuyi was at the time a Mathematics lecturer in the university.

Kumuyi is the latest entrant to the fold of pastors who have new wives: Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of the Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Chris Okotie of the Household of God, and Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of the Trinity House. Only Odukoya, like Kumuyi, remarried after losing his wife, Bimbo.

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/16867.html

Pastor William Kumuyi

Eighteen months after he lost his wife, the superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has found love again.

The wedding, which happened outside the spotlight, was reported to have taken place in the UK, last Wednesday. However, the bride, who sources identified as Esther, is said to be a member of his church. But not much else is known about her, or about their courtship. Details of the wedding ceremony, including venue and attendance, officiating priests, protocols, were closely guarded.

Responding to a question whether he would remarry after his late wife, Biodun, passed away, the man of God told reporters that it was too early to think of a replacement. It was a highly emotional moment for him, as the bad news came to him while he was delivering a sermon during the church’s Easter retreat last year.

Mrs. Kumuyi who died at 57 in the early hours of Saturday, April 11, 2009 at her residence in the International Bible Training Centre, Ayobo, Ipaja, Lagos, following a brief illness, was the National Woman Co-ordinator of the church. She was also International Co-ordinator of the women ministry in Africa and other continents where the church has branches, and was Editor-in-Chief of the well-circulated Women Mirror magazine published by the church.

Pastor Kumuyi, 71, was introduced to the Apostolic Faith Church, and became born again on Sunday, April 5, 1964. He started the Deeper Life Bible Church, which now has over one million members in more than sixty countries around the world, as a 15-member Bible Study group in Kumuyi’s official quarters (Flat 2) at the University of Lagos in August, 1973. Kumuyi was at the time a Mathematics lecturer in the university.

Kumuyi is the latest entrant to the fold of pastors who have new wives: Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of the Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Chris Okotie of the Household of God, and Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of the Trinity House. Only Odukoya, like Kumuyi, remarried after losing his wife, Bimbo.

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/16867.html

A family of seven travelling in a Mitsubishi car which was damagedbeyond recognition were among the over 25 persons who died in a ghastly motor accident that occurred at Onyeama hills on the outskirts of Enugu on Wednesday .

Although the identities were yet to be ascertained as at the time of this report, sources confirmed that the seven occupants of the red Mitsubishi car with Enugu registration No. BD 371 UWN, were members of a family amongst them a man, his wife and five persons believed to be their children.

The accident, which involved multiple vehicles including two trailers also claimed the lives of all the occupants of an 18-seater commuter bus.
Eye witness account reported that the accident was caused by a trailer being towed by another lorry and which lost control when the rope with which the trailer was tied to the towing vehicle cut.

The trailer, which hit other vehicles in the process ended up in a valley while the other vehicles involved ended up in a valley. The Onyeama hills, which is near the Onyeama Mines has become a nightmare for drivers and travellers as it has recorded accidents in which lives were lost.

As at Thursday morning when our reporter visited the scene of the accident ,bodies of some victims that were trapped were still being removed. While sympathizers wept uncontrollably at the scene of the accident ,so many lamented the government’s insensitivity to the condition of roads in the South -east, expressing fears of similar incidents during the christmas period .

UNIZIK students on rampage in Awka
• Hold city hostage over detention of SUG president, 20 others

Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University yesterday held Awka, the Anambra State capital, hostage as they protest the arrest, detention and manhandling of about 20 of their colleagues including the Students’ Union Government President, Comrade Nelson Omenugha.
The SUG president was said to have been detained at the Central Police Station (CPS), Awka with some other students when they went to secure the release of some of their students that were arrested Thursday’s night on their way home from a popular club house in Awka.

Between the hours of 11a.m. and 2.30p.m, the students, numbering over 200 barricaded the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, at Aroma Junction, Awka and made human and vehicular movements impossible.

Speaking to newsmen, the SUG Secretary, Comrade Okonkwo Israel, said that their president and students were manhandled and beaten up by the police and were still being held, hence their protest and demand for their immediate release.
He said: “Some of our students were beaten up yesterday and from what I gathered when we came to rescue them, we were manhandled and that is why we are protesting to ensure that they are released from the Central Police Station (CPS) Awka.”

Corroborating him, a student who said he witnessed what happened, Emmanuel Nwaibe, said: “We went there with the SUG president and as we were there one policeman pushed our president and slapped him and when we demanded for the release of our students, they started beating all of us.
“They dragged everybody into the cell and collected their GSM phones at the CPS Awka. They even locked up one of our security chief and we are not happy, our students’ union president is in the police custody now. Since then they have continued to beat them, especially our president.”

Also speaking, the SUG Director of Sport, Comrade Okorie Ikechukwu noted: “I was there when it happened; we entered there at CPS and the gate was locked and the SARS men started beating everybody, calling us kidnappers, between 15 and 20 students have been arrested so far and they have been dealing with them.”
The alleged police brutality was also extended to a female journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Miss Joy Mbachi, who was said to have been attacked on getting to the police station to inquire what was happening.

Mbachi, who narrated her ordeal said: “They said I should bring my camera and I said you cannot take my camera; it is my instrument for work, so the DPO asked them to call me and he now explained some issues to me, which is for my own consumption.
“There is a small vehicle that they used and if you see the way they were pushing these students into the vehicle and beating them up, I wonder what has happened to rule of law and our fundamental human right.”

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka (ASP), said the command was investigating the incident, with a bid to have a quick settlement of the matter.
He added that the police have a legitimate and social responsibility of protecting the citizens, adding that Nigerian students are leaders of tomorrow that should be given adequate protection.

http://64.182.81.172/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/23/national-23-10-2010-0019.htm

Fresh facts emerged yesterday on the disagreement between the Federal Government and the Director-General of the IBB Campaign Organisation, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, over non-payment of N3.04billion debt incurred by DAAR Communications on 2009 Under-17 World Cup.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that Dokpesi, who supported the actualisation of Jonathan as acting President early in the year, had been mounting pressure on the government right from the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s era, to pay the bill.

The memo, obtained by The Nation, reads: “In a letter dated October 30, 2009 to His Excellency, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the chairman of DAAR Communications made a passionate plea to Mr. President to save DAAR Communications from imminent collapse, which he blamed on the refusal of Local Organising committee of FIFA Under- 17 World Cup, Nigeria 2009, to pay “ the sum of Three Billion, Four Hundred and five Million Nine Hundred and Ninety six Thousand Two Hundred and fifty Naira (N3,405,996,250) agreed with the Negotiation/ Harmonisation Committee set up by the Honourable Minister of Sports as payments due to Daar Communication Plc.”

The President, it was learnt, subjected the claim of Dokpesi and DAAR Communications to bureaucratic process and was not convinced about the bill.

According to findings, a November 11, 2009 memo by a former Minister of Sports, Engr. S.M. Ndanusa, to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua had put the debt owed Dokpesi at N100million instead of N3.04billion, being claimed by the latter.

Following the non-payment, Dokpesi sent a distress memo, dated January 26, 2010 to President Goodluck Jonathan (who was then the Vice-President) to save his business from collapse.
Dokpesi wrote: “The vice president is cordially invited to note:

i. The imminent collapse of DAAR communications Plc as a result of the refusal of the Local Organising Committee of Nigeria 2009 to pay the sum to Daar Communications PLC.

ii. Daar’s role was borne out of patriotic and nationalistic zeal to save the country from embarrassment and ensure that its image is projected in the international community.

iii. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the National Sports Commission have not paid the negotiated sum of N3,405,996,250 ( Three Billion, Four Hundred, and fifty naira) only to DAAR Communications PLC for services rendered during the FIFA U17 Championship Nigeria 2009 till date.
“Apart from MTN and INTELSAT, we have had to appeal and stretch other creditors beyond the limit, appealing for time and understanding. This we cannot continue to do indefinitely. There is an urgent need for us to defray our bills in respect of services rendered during the FIFA U-17 championship Nigeria 2009.

“Your Excellency sir, we urge you to intervene and save DAAR communications PLC from collapse by prevailing on the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and National Sports Commission in the payment of the negotiated sum of N3,405,996,250 (Three Billion, four Hundred ,and five million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira) only to DAAR Communications PLC.”

A panel raised by President Jonathan, in a memo with Ref. SH/AP/79 of March 12, 2010, however, came up with different findings.

“Following the above, the Honourable Minister of Sports/ Chairman, National Sports Commission was instructed to respond to Daar Communications’ submission. In his response, the Hon. Minister of Sports pointed out the following:

a. The highlights of the Harmonisation Committee meeting jointly endorsed by the members in attendance including Daar Communication Plc chairman, Chief Dokpesi “ contain no mention of cost elements;

b. A technical sub- committee of the Harmonisation Committee which was subsequently set up to negotiate with Daar Communication on its demand for N5,685,000,000.00 recommended that “only 30% of Daar Communication’s request may be considered” with a proviso that “ the CEO LOC could further negotiate since he is privy to all the documents and exposure with DAAR”.

c. That the claims by DAAR Communications Plc that an agreement was reached by the Harmonisation Committee for the payment was reached by the sum of N3,4.5,996,250.00 to DAAR was a misrepresentation as there is no document that effect.

d. There is no document tendered by DAAR Communication to show that LOC entered into any contractual form of agreement with the company in this respect.
“The minister therefore concluded that ‘Chief Dokpesi’s strategy to down load his financial investment on the Federal Government without due process is uncharitable …” adding that, ‘The Harmonisation Committee has reviewed Chief Dokpesi’s approach and arrived at a process of leasing, as opposed to investment in infrastructure. .

“Relying on the submission of the technical subcommsation Committee, the minister invited Mr. President to note that, “the recommendations to offset the DAAR Communications’ expenses is only for the leasing of the IBCC towards U-17 World Cup competition to the tune of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira only).

“Meanwhile, the Chairman of DAAR Communications PLC, Dr. Dokpesi insists that DAAR Communications incurred expenditure to the tune of N12, 348,484,790 to provide essential facilities for the coverage of the U-17 tournament in order to avoid national embarrassment and that it only requested for a refund of N5, 685,000,000.00 to cover just facilities required to make the broadcast of the event a huge success.

“Dokpesi said that DAAR accepted a downward review of negotiated sum of N3, 405,996,250 in the national interest and that DAAR faces the danger of imminent collapse and being shut down by its creditors should LOC refuse to pay its claims for services rendered to the LOC of U-17 World Cup, Nigeria 2009.

“From all indications, negotiations have broken down between the LOC and DAAR Communications PLC. Considering the wide gap between the current claim of DAAR Communications, N3,405,996,250.00 and the sum of N100,000,000 that the U-17 LOC and the Hon. Minister/Chairman, NSC appears ready to consider for payment, there are differences between the two parties that can only be resolved by the intervention of a third party.

“It is common knowledge that DAAR Communications PLC was a major factor in persuading government to host the tournament and that without its encouragement and support, the global football audience might not have enjoyed the impressive media coverage; that it did not require or use most of the telecommunication facilities provided by DAAR Communications in partnership with MTN and that its LOC’s FIFA partner shunned same.

“Despite its valid claim of helping to save Nigeria from embarrassment by providing the facilities that encourage FIFA to confirm Nigeria” hosting right, it is obvious that DAAR Communications stands on a shaky legal ground as it appears to have no valid contract or memorandum of understanding with either LOC or FIFA.

“In addition, apart from its own version of minutes of meetings held with LOC and Sports Commission officials, DAAR has no document to support the figure (the sum of N3, 405,996,250.00) which it claimed to have secured from the Harmonisation/Negotiation Committee.

(iv) “It is however not fair or in Nigeria’s national interest for LOC to take advantage of its standing on superior legal ground to refuse to negotiate a fair deal with DAAR Communication. As a national broadcasting outfit that rallied around the LOC and resuscitated Nigeria’s hosting right, DAAR Communications deserves better understanding and cooperation than it is getting from the LOC.

“I recommend that His Excellency, the Acting President, should empanel a ministerial committee comprising the Minister of Finance, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Minister of Information and Communication, Minister of sports, Minister of Labour, and Minister of Youths Development to ascertain the actual services rendered by DAAR Communications to the LOC/FIFA with a view to recommending a fair payment for DAAR Communication PLC.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/16791.html

Angry youths yesterday showed their displeasure with Bayelsa State governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, when they booed him while he was reading a welcome address during the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state. Also, they pelted the governor with stones, drink cans and sachet water.

Trouble started when Sylva mounted the stage to address the gathering. No sooner had he started talking than the crowd began chanting: “You must go, You must go.”

The youths, who were wearing T-shirts with pictures of President Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Sylva and his deputy, Mr. Werinipre Seibarugu fully embossed on them rained stones, empty soft drink cans, sachet water and empty bottles of water at Sylva.

The mood of the youths, who had danced excitedly when Jonathan arrived the stadium, venue of the event, changed immediately the Master of Ceremonies invited Sylva to the podium to make his speech.
Hardly had Sylva started his speech when shouts of ‘Sylva Go’ drowned his voice.

Security agents tried to calm the youths but they were more incensed by this. Efforts by Minister of Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe, Inspector- General of Police, Hafiz Ringim and the Commander of the Joint Military Task Force, General Charles Osa Omoriege, to contain them proved futile, as they became wild in their protests.

Undeterred by their noise, Sylva continued with his speech, an action, which irked the youths, the more. They, therefore, resorted to hurling stones, sachet water and shoes at the governor, in an effort to force him out of the podium.
Sylva’s security aides had formed a ring around him, as he continued to make his speech. After he finished his speech, he was escorted back to the VIP, where President Jonathan embraced him.

Reacting to this, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said it was a pointer that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed the people of the state.
Chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Miriki Ebikibina, who described the incident as sad and unfortunate, explained that the reaction of the people was borne out of the fact that they have been impoverished by the PDP government in the state.

Commissioner for Information, Mr. Nathan Egba, on his part, accused enemies of the Sylva government of being the masterminds of the youths’ action.
Egba said politicians, who are no longer comfortable with the rising profile of Sylva, perfected the plans to ridicule Bayelsa State during the president’s visit.
According to him, the government was aware of plans by some unnamed people to disrupt the president visit because they had vowed to destroy the government of Sylva.

Egba said Nigerians should be aware that the behaviour displayed by the youths is not associated with the Ijaw, as the people are noted for their calm conduct anywhere they find themselves.
Among those present at the stadium were wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, governors of Cross Rivers, Delta, Rivers, Abia, and Imo states, ministers, National Assembly members, traditional rulers and eminent Ijaw citizens.

http://64.182.81.172/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2010/oct/23/newsbreak-23-10-2010-001.htm

Former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Henry Okah’s bid to extricate himself from links with the October 1 bombings in Abuja suffered a major set back yesterday.

The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court hearing his case refused to allow him view evidence being used by the prosecution against him.

Hearing on his bail application has also been fixed for November 4.
Magistrate Hein Louw, in her ruling, merely granted Okah’s defence team access to the hard drives of computers and handsets seized from his home during an October 2, raid.

In Louw’s words: “I order that a mirror copy image of computer hard drives, cellphone hard drives and memories be made available to the applicant in no later than three working days. In due course, the defence will have opportunity to access such information.”

The prosecution had told the court on Thursday that Okah had been in contact with the people who coordinated the Abuja bombings in which 12 people were killed and 36 injured.

Reading from an affidavit compiled by investigating officer, Lieutenant Colonel Graeme Zeeman, State prosecutor, Shaun Abrahams, had told the court that Okah, while in South Africa, had instructed his co-conspirators to drive the cars to where the attacks would be launched.

But in a responding affidavit, Okah denied his involvement in the attacks and asked the court to grant him permission to view the evidence. “Put your money where your mouth is. Show us the evidence,” Okah’s lawyer, Rudi Krause, demanded before the ruling by Louw.

Abrahams,however, argued that granting Okah access to the information would put the defence in a position to influence Zeeman’s investigation. “If he has access to people we have here, he can find out who they have been contacting,”.

He pointed out that if Okah could phone cable television station, Al Jazeera while he was in a Johannesburg prison, he could contact anyone.

While offering to give Okah access to information found on his hard drive and a copy of records from his cellphone, he maintained that the police investigation was only 22 days old and that letting Okah’s lawyers “peek over the shoulders of investigating authorities” would prejudice their case.

Okah faces charges of engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to do so, and delivering, placing and detonating an explosive device. Okah denied all the charges as well as being a senior member of the MEND.
Also yesterday, Okah’s wife was docked for contempt of court because her phone rang during the hearing of the bail application of her husband.

However, in Abuja, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday kicked against the trial of the October 1 bombing suspects by the State Security Service (SSS) before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Abuja.
NBA president, Joseph Daudu (SAN), said the security agency “cannot act as policemen or prosecutors in a criminal trial”.

Daudu spoke at the inauguration of three committees of the NBA which also coincided with the submission of the interim report of its electoral justice reform committee, chaired by Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), in Abuja.

He said: “There is, according to the constitution, one police force. The SSS cannot and is not a police force. In saner societies, an SSS officer would lose his job once his identity is disclosed.

“It is supposed to be a secret service which operates secretly. The action of the SSS is hereby confounded; we hope that there will be no repeat of this ludicrous incident.”

Daudu berated the agency for shrouding the arraignment of the suspects in secrecy by barring lawyers and journalists from covering the court sitting.

“The implication of the conduct of these overzealous or misguided operatives is manifold.

“Firstly, denial of right to counsel is a grave breach of the fundamental right of the accused as well as an assault on the due process of law. It is a monumental embarrassment to the trial procedure in Nigeria that our officials can, by such misbehavior, taint a bonafide criminal proceeding irretrievably. By this conduct, you may have sealed the fate of criminal trial with this beginning.

“Secondly, the exclusion of journalists from criminal proceedings, no matter how serious, deprives Nigerians of their right to freedom of information.

“Thirdly, the Magistrate ought not to have engaged in judicial proceedings where it was apparent that the court had been barricaded and counsel excluded. What the Magistrate has unwittingly acceded to, is to render the entire proceedings a force devoid of the minimum standards of a criminal trial”, he said,
Also yesterday, The Nation gathered that five persons arrested with Charles Okah for alleged complicity in the bombings may have regained their freedom.

They are Boloebi (Charles Okah’s son); Sola Ladoja, a friend to Boloebi; Felix Kufre, a security man to Okah; Michael Williams and Larry Fafi.

Confirming the report, Ugochukwu Ezekiel and Oghenovo Otemu, who are counsel to the suspects, said they were released yesterday’s morning at the Lagos office of the SSS.
But phone calls to the SSS Director of Media, Marilyn Ogar, were not picked and a text message requesting her to confirm the story was never replied.

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/16790.html

Even as political parties are awaiting the amended timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the battle for the control of the soul of various states in the country promises to be interesting and intriguing. Indeed, as the 2011 elections draw closer, the incumbent governors are strategising and scheming to maintain their hold on power while forces aiming to unseat them are building alliances and mobilising for that purpose.

Apart from the governors who are constitutionally barred from continuing in office, having spent two terms of eight years, some of those serving their first term of four years may not return in 2011. Even some of the governors, whose term will expire next year but are angling to enthrone their protégé, may not succeed in their plans.
Saturday Sun investigations revealed that the shock, which will trail the exercise, will reverberate in all the geo-political zones in the country and across parties.

Babatunde Fashola
In Lagos State, Governor Babatunde Fashola’s fate hangs in the balance. This is despite the fact that he has towered above most of his colleagues in terms of performance. Indeed, since he came into office in 2007 on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), he has demystified governance, by what he has been able to accomplish. He has transformed the Centre of Excellence in the area of infrastructural development.
However, Fashola’s fate appears sealed by the forces desperately determined to deny him the ticket of the ACN and, therefore, deny him the platform to pursue his re-election aspiration. Ordinarily, Fashola could have moved to another party to seek his political salvation, should the ACN deny him the opportunity of re-contesting on its platform in 2011, but he does not seem to have the political structure to actualize such ambition.

Moreover, the forces against him are so entrenched in the politics of Lagos and do not want to have anything to do with him again. It was gathered that the forces, which are in the party and House of Assembly, have foreclosed the option of impeaching him, which was earlier considered. However, they want to make sure that the governor does not get a re-election ticket.

Since opposition appears dead in Lagos, those against Fashola’s comeback bid are confident that if ACN denies him ticket, that would be his end politically.
Sources revealed that those, who do not want Fashola to return, have compiled a dossier on him, which they intend to present to the caucus that would decide who would be the standard bearer of ACN. With such dossier, it was gathered that the group would ask Fashola to honourably decline from seeking re-election.
However, it was learnt that the governor is making efforts to appease the godfathers of ACN, particularly former governor of the state, Senator Bola Tinubu. Sources revealed that he has solicited the assistance of Oba of Lagos, Oba Akiolu 11, to plead on his behalf. Three weeks ago, Oba Akiolu invited Tinubu and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Ikuforiji, in this regard.

Theodore Orji
Although the Abia State governor, Theodore Orji was received into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by President Goodluck Jonathan and all the big names in the party, it would take a miracle for him to remain as governor after the 2011 election. Since he came into office in 2007, Abia has tottered on the brink. Apart from his government’s inability to deliver verifiable dividend of democracy to the people of Abia State, the security concerns in the state have put him on the spot. For a while, Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state, has been a lawless city, where kidnappers, robbers and sundry criminals run riot unchallenged. The situation is such that doctors, banks, market associations and schools have had to close shop for weeks because venturing out at Aba could be one big risk.

Again, Orji’s naivety in political strategy appears obvious, as demonstrated by his penchant for jumping from one political party to another. Elected on the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), he had defected to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the PDP within three and half years. In PDP, it is doubtful if he would get the ticket to contest the 2011 governorship election. PDP members, like the former deputy governor of the state and now serving senator, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Chief Henry Ikoh and Chief Onyema Ugochukwu are believed to be interested in the seat. To make matters worse, the governor has parted ways with his godfather, former governor Orji Uzor Kalu, who single-handed installed him in his present position. The PPA is also fielding a candidate in the governorship election.

Aliyu Shinkafi
Alhaji Aliyu Shinkafi is not likely to return as governor of Zamfara State in 2011 because of a number of factors. To start with, he is engaged in an endless battle of wits with his predecessor, Senator Yerima. The conflict between the two former allies has reached a point where reconciliation is no longer feasible. The 2011 election presents Yerima the opportunity to attempt to get his pound of flesh. Considering the fact that Yerima is a grassroots politician, with a large, cult-like followership in Zamfara State, he may easily teach Shinkafi the political lesson of his life.

Furthermore, the fact that Shinkafi is supporting the presidential ambition of his father-in-law, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd) on the platform of the PDP makes it even more difficult for him. There is doubt that the PDP would make him its standard bearer in next year’s election because of the President Goodluck Jonathan factor. Sources said that this is why he, recently, started praising Jonathan, as a way of appeasing him.

Another factor that will work against Shinkafi is that he is in the bad book of former National Security Adviser, Gen Aliyu Gusau, a prominent indigene of the state, who is also nursing a presidential ambition on the platform of the PDP. The conflict between both men has polarised the PDP in the state. Still, indigenes of the state are peeved that Shinkafi is backing Babangida rather than Gusau.

Alhaji Ahmed Ahmed, a public affairs analyst, summed up the mood in Zamfara State thus: “Governor Shinkafi has disappointed the people of Zamfara State by not supporting our son and brother, Gen Aliyu Gusau, in his quest to be president. We are disappointed that he is supporting another person because of a woman. But we will express our feelings at the polls. In fact, if Shinkafi is nursing the ambition of remaining our governor in 2011, he should forget it. We will teach him a lesson with our votes.”

Sullivan Chime
To say the least, the 2011 governorship election in Enugu State will be total war. And it will be fought on three fronts or between three camps. The battle will be among the Governor Sullivan Chime camp, the Ebeano dynasty headed by Senator Chimaroke Nnamani and the Nwodo clan. While Chime has indicated his desire to continue in office, his predecessor, Nnamani, is not pretending about his desire to shove him aside. At the same time, the Nwodos, led by the PDP national chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, want to install their own man as governor.

Indeed, it promises to be mother of all battles for a number of reasons. On Chime’s part, he will maximise the incumbency factor; Nnamani will try to teach his former protégé the political lesson of his life. The Nwodos will leave no stone unturned to assert themselves, as the most visible political family in the state. First, the battle will be fought in PDP, where a new congress would hold.

The Nwodos and Nnamani want a new party leadership in PDP in the state. This is where Chime’s problem would start, as the Nwodos are bent on taking over the party echelon. Nnamani seems to be working ahead of the rest, as he had registered a political party, Peoples for Democratic Change (PDC), with which he wants to unseat Chime. What makes Chime’s case bad is that Nnamani and Nwodos have common goal: They want to install somebody from the Nsukka zone of the state as governor.

Instructively, the odds do not seem to favour Chime. First, he was said not to have been favourably disposed to the installation of Jonathan as acting president when the late President Musa Yar’Adua was undergoing medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. Second, he is currently having issues with such political leaders in the state as former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo and former Senate president, Chief Ken Nnamani.

Aliyu Wamakko
Analysts contend that but for the curious manner the legal team representing the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and Alhaji Mohammed Dingyadi in the ongoing court case regarding the 2007 governorship election of Sokoto State, Governor Wamakko would have been kicked out of office before now. But if at the end of the day Wamakko remains in office till next year, he would find it difficult to return because of the array of forces against him. His former principal, Senator Attahiru Bafarawa remains resolute in his desire to stop Wamakko. A grassroots politician with immense goodwill, Bafarawa has the capacity to ensure electoral woes for Wamakko.

Ikedi Ohakim
Governor Ikedi Ohakim has a big task to retain his position as governor. One of the things some people have against him is that his government has been trailed by many controversies. For instance, he was in the news not long ago following allegation that he flogged a public affairs commentator, Mr. Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha. Recently, his security details also flogged, detained and humiliated a Catholic priest over a minor traffic incident. Although he has publicly apologised to the priest for the dehumanising treatment, the Catholic community in the state, which constitutes a large percentage of the population of voters, is believed to be waiting for the election to pay him back.

Besides, such political bigwigs in the state as Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and ex-governor, Chief Achike Udenwa are bent on stopping Ohakim. He is also accused of performing below expectation but engaging in media hype to over-blow his achievements.
Ohakim’s defection from PPA, on whose platform he became governor, is also a minus for him in PDP; some people see him as an outsider.

Rotimi Amaechi
The recent court’s pronouncement that there will be election in Rivers State next year puts Governor Rotimi Amaechi on the high jump. This is so because there are many forces against his continuation in office for the second term. On one hand, the problem which Amaechi has with his erstwhile godfather, Dr. Peter Odili is still there. Also, President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience, is believed to have something against him. During the First Lady’s visit, as was widely reported, she publicly upbraided the governor.
Political watchers contend that the first lady’s action in the public clearly shows that all is not well between Jonathan and Amaechi. And considering that the president is the leader of the PDP, he might not be favourably disposed toward the governor being the party’s standard bearer in 2011.

Timipriye Sylva
Despite the show exhibited during President Jonathan’s visit to Bayelsa State this week, it is an open secret that he and Governor Timipriye Sylva do not enjoy a chummy relationship. Their frosty relationship began before the 2007 election when Jonathan, after being picked as running mate to the late Yar’Adua, rooted for Timi Alaibe to take over from him as governor. Eventually, Sylva secured the PDP ticket and was returned governor by the INEC.

While Jonathan was vice president, Sylva was said not to have deferred to him much. Sylva was believed not to have supported the idea of making Jonathan the acting president when the late Yar’Adua was evacuated to Saudi Arabia for medical reasons. It is difficult to believe that Jonathan has not forgotten the incident. The president is also equally working with Alaibe, who is his special adviser. Sylva’s second term ambition, therefore, cannot be guaranteed, except if there is a general deal among governors and Jonathan.

http://64.182.81.172/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/23/national-23-10-2010-001.htm

HENRY Okah’s brother Charles and some other suspects of the October 1 bombings yesterday met face-to-face in custody.

Okah, former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), is standing trial in a South African court over the explosions in which 12 people died. His brother, Charles, is one of the suspects being held in Abuja.

It was also learnt that 30 houses were searched in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, for about five hours before the suspected bomber could be arrested on Monday.
The State Security Service (SSS) has denied the exoneration of the Director-General of IBB Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, of alleged involvement in the explosions.

The Nation learnt that there was a tinge of drama when Okah met with other suspects in custody.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Those in custody are the owners of the house in which the bomb vehicles were wired; those who drove the cars to Abuja; and one of those who set off the bombs.


“Also, we have succeeded in establishing relationship or partnership between Charles Okah and some key suspects earlier arrested.
“In fact, Charles Okah was shocked when he was brought before the other suspects in custody. He never knew that we had gone to the extent of arresting these suspects.

“They are all members of a ring which had been working together all along. They were all shocked how we succeeded in picking up each member of the syndicate.”
Asked if any foreign security agency was involved in the covert operation that led to the arrest of the suspects, the source said: “No foreign involvement.”
The source said investigation was still ongoing to determine the extent of the involvement of each of the suspects.

“All I can tell you is that all the suspects, including Charles Okah, have made useful statements.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “No date has been fixed for the arraignment of all the suspects.”
He said: “We are still investigating a few clues and looking for some suspects too. The truth is that we had to search 30 houses in Port Harcourt before we could arrest the man who set off the bomb.

“He was almost sneaking out when our operatives swooped on him.”
On Okah’s fate, a source in the Presidency said: “The outcome of the trial in South Africa will determine the position of the Federal Government – whether to extradite him or not.
“But left to the government, if he is found guilty in South Africa, he should serve his jail terms there.”

The SSS denied exonerating Dokpesi.
Dokpesi was arrested by the SSS on October 4, 2010 in connection with the twin-bomb explosions.
The Assistant Director, Public Relations of the SSS, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, made the clarification in a statement in Abuja.

The statement said: “The attention of the Service has been drawn to the misrepresentation of its recent briefing by segments of the media.
“We wish to categorically state that the Chairman of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi (Chief), was arrested in connection with information disclosed about him by the suspects in custody.

“The fact of his subsequent release does not in any form amount to his exoneration since investigations are still ongoing.
“The Service restates its call on everyone to avoid the politicisation of an issue of serious public safety.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/16542.html

The bail application of suspected Abuja bombing mastermind, Henry Okah took a dramatic twist yesterday when the State failed to produce substantial evidence linking him to the twin car bombings that killed 12 people in Abuja. Magistrate Hein Louw told the State that it had not brought forward evidence directly linking Okah to the crime.
“The State’s evidence is vague,” he said.

Okah’s defence lawyer also dared the State to produce any phone call, or e-mail which linked his client to the bombings.
State prosecutor Shaun Abrahams said the State had intentionally withheld this information as its investigation was in its infancy.

“You are damned if you do, you are damned if you don’t,” Louw told Abrahams. “I do understand your predicament,” he added.
Louw put an ultimatum to the State, saying that it should either reopen its case or allow him to pass judgment in the bail application. Abrahams then told the court that the State would apply for its case to be reopened.

“I will grant the State (permission) to reopen its case, but I will deal with this matter tomorrow morning. Should the State not be able to lead new evidence, I will deem it closed,” said Louw.
The matter was postponed to today. Okah faces charges of engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activity, and delivering, placing and detonating an explosive device.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2010/oct/21/newsbreak-21-10-2010-001.htm

What appears to be Nigerians first social security initiative has been introduced by the Federal Government. It is called the Conditional Cash transfer (COPE).

This programme was designed by National Poverty Eradication Programme, (NAPEP) for the poor in the country.

As with the COPE, the welfare programme provides cash transfers to qualified individuals or households on the condition that they change their behaviour in favour of a common good to the society.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, disclosed this during the commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) in Abuja, stating that Vision 20:2020 effective synergy is being built across various government institutions and the private sector to achieve a much higher level of living for Nigerians, and the poor are not left out.

He said:“The COPE conditions are tied to primary school attendance and utilisation of basic health care facilities. For extremely poor families, the cash provided by COPE provides emergency assistance, while the conditionality’s promote longer-term investment in human capital for breaking the inter-generational transfer of poverty.

“COPE targets poor female headed households, headed by special disadvantaged groups. Specifically, these households must have children of basic school age.
“Today, in our poor otherwise unreached communities, NAPEP has been able through COPE to keep well over 100,000 in schools. These extremely poor kids before COPE had to farm and hawk on the street for their families’ survival.

“Fighting poverty is not just a NAPEP responsibility. It is a call not only as highlighted by the United Nations General Assembly. It is a duty that God and nature demand from us. It is a duty we owe the poor. Unless and until, we discharge it, it remains a burden we would always bear,” he stressed.

Speaking, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, maintained that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) decent work involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the work place and social protection for the families. It also involves better prospects for personal development and social integration.

Therefore, to bridge the gap between poverty and decent work, the Federal Government has in line with the ILO provision made conscious efforts at creating decent jobs for its citizenry.
The Secretary of NAPEP, Mr. Dan Mou, laments that the 2010 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty comes at a time when people living in poverty and informal sector workers are even more uncertain about employment, stability, work conditions, training opportunities and the availability of social protection.

According to the International Labour Organisation, (ILO),  the share of workers in vulnerable employment worldwide is estimated to reach more than 1.5 billion, equivalent to over half 50.6 per cent of the world’s working population.

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/business/16555.html

With an overwhelming majority voice vote, the Senate, on Wednesday rejected President Goodluck Jonathan’s bill seeking for an Amendment to the Electoral Act, 2010.

The rejection of the Bill, which was reminiscent to what took place during the rejection of the 3rd Term project of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006 was to prevent what the Senators described as an attempt to revise the gains of democracy achieved by the country.

The rejection of the Bill by the Senators was in spite of efforts by the leadership of the upper chamber of the National Assembly to persuade the legislators to allow for the reading of the Bill for the second time to allow it to be committed to the Committee on Constitution review to finetune the details of the bill.
The Senators were however not prepared to be dragged into any debate on the Bill and thus refused to accept the plea of their leadership led by the Senate President, David Mark, his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and the Senate Majority Leader, Teslim Folarin that were desirous of ensuring that the baby is not thrown away with the bathwater.

As soon as the Senate Majority Leader, Teslim Folarin read the lead debate during which he called attention to the relevant provisions being sought by virtue of the proposed bill in which he said Section 25 of the Principal Act should be amended by replacing the section with a new one to provide for elections at both the Federal and state levels in order to hold onto dates and in a sequence to be determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Senator Folarin further said that Section 25(3) of the Bill equally provided for a new sub-section for the elections in the case of 2011 to be held not later than April 30, 2011, adding that the proposed Bill from President Goodluck Jonathan also seeks to amend Section 25 (1) of the Electoral Act.

According to Senator Folarin; “The amendment Bill also sought to delete Section 87( of the Principal Act, which, if amended, would grant leave to political appointees to the President and Governors to vote during the primaries or convention of political parties.
“Section 134 of the Principal Act is to be deleted because it was already taken care of in Section 29 of the Constitution (First Alteration) 2010 and it deals with issues of the establishment of Election Tribunals and timelines for the filing of election petitions as well as delivery of judgment.”

As soon as the Senate Leader finished reading the lead debate, Senator Kabiru Gaya (ANPP Kano) immediately stood up calling on the Senate to throw out the bill outrightly, saying, it was a bad and selfish one, which concentrated only on the interest of the Presidency without an iota of consideration for the collective interest of Nigerians and growth of democracy.
According to Gaya; “we have worked tirelessly on this bill and Nigerians commended the National Assembly, particularly the Senate for a job well done for bringing the desired process when we amended the Electoral Act. The proposed Bill is attempting to kill all the work we have done for years. The problem in the past years is that we did not have internal democracies in the parties and that is why we had to go through all these. The late president set up an Electoral Reform Committee headed by Justice Uwais and they came up with recommendations. For us to consider this bill is entirely bringing the whole process backwards.”

Senator Gaya who is the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, therefore, urged the Senate not waste its valuable time on the bill but should just throw it out.
In his own contribution, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Kanti Bello noted that the National Assembly was empowered by Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution to make laws, adding, however, that some sections of the proposed bill negated such powers adding that if the Senate was to pass a Bill, it should be based on the outcome of public hearings, discussions and meetings to promote internal democracy in the parties.
In the words of Senator Bello: “Some of the provisions in the Bill as pointed out are already contained in the amendment Bill of the constitution. So, I feel this should not be accepted and I appeal to my colleagues to just throw away this Bill, it has virus. With due respect to my leader, I am sorry you are bringing something that is dead on arrival.”

Also contributing, Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba noted that the bill contained provisions that were totally different from what the Senate Committee on Constitution Review was working on.He added that those of them on the Constitutional Amendment Committee were surprised at some of the proposals, stressing that; “What we are doing in the committee appears to be different from what is being proposed.”
Senator Ndoma-Egba, therefore, urged that the Bill be referred to the Committee on Constitutional Review to collapse it into other similar bills currently before the Senate.

Ndoma-Egba’s suggestion was however greeted with uproar by Senators who called on the President of the Senate to put the question in line with the rules of the upper house on whether the bill be read for the second time.
In his contribution, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said throwing out the entire bill might affect preparations for elections, which might suffer another postponement of about two weeks even as he explained that the proposed law was an executive Bill but not a proposal from his Committee on Constitution Review.
In the words of Senator Ekweremadu; “we all agree that there are a lot of inconsistencies and unconstitutional provisions in this Bill, because the Constitution has given us powers to determine the sequence of elections and we cannot alter it by this Bill. This Bill is already gazetted. We have powers under the constitution and under our rules to receive a Bill and in the course of consideration, disagree with provisions and replace them with new ones.
“We owe Nigerians the responsibility to amend the Electoral Act pursuant to the alteration we are already doing to the constitution. The reason is this, because of the amendment we are doing is necessary that we do the consequential amendment to the Electoral Act and we believe that we can reject the content of this Bill and still build upon it and if we reject this bill, it is going to set us back by two weeks.

While putting the question, the Senate President, David Mark, tried to persuade the Senators to consider looking at the unacceptable provisions with a view to removing all the offensive aspects, saying, the Senate had a couple of alternatives by either forgetting the bill completely or going ahead. He addied, however, that the Senate was going to amend the constitution in the areas that the bill has suggested.
In the words of Mark; “Don’t forget that timeliness is one of them. One of the areas being suggested here is the timeliness. So, it is not the whole Bill as it was that would be thrown away. We have to be careful so that we don’t throw away the baby and the bathtub. Let us be a little bit careful. Let us not see the Bill holistically as it is now and say that it is just a matter of changing day and dates or time and procedure of the order and precedence of the elections. I think the Bill contains much more than that.”

Another attempt by the Senate Leader to further appeal to his colleagues to spare the Bill for further legislative work equally fell on deaf ears. He stated that even though he has the chance to withdraw the Bill, he would, however, not do so and thus called on the Senate President to put the question.
Later at a press conference, Spokesman of the Senate, Senator Ayogu Eze appealed to Nigerians not to worry about the rejection of the Executive Bill, saying that the alteration of the Constitution would take care of the preparations for the 2011 elections.
In the words of Senator Eze; “I just want to speak on the Executive Bill in the Senate today to say that Nigerians should not be very anxious of whether we will meet the time frame to make up the necessary amendment; within the Constitution and the Electoral Act, we have enough time. I want to assure Nigerians that it will be delivered timely and you know that any law that is not consistent with the Constitution to the extent of that inconsistency shall have no biding effect.”

He further said; “So what is important is to keep our eyes on the ball and moreover even inside the committee we have already been working ahead on the Electoral Act to make sure that we purify the Electoral Act to conform with the changes that are being made in the Constitution.”

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/21/national-21-10-2010-001.htm

The presidential aspiration of homeboy, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babanida yesterday, in Minna, suffered a severe setback as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his home state, Niger threw its weight behind the presidential ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Abdulrahman Enagi during a meeting with the campaign co-ordinators of the Jonathan Campaign Organization, in Minna said the president had won the hearts of the people with the signing of the bill on the Hydro-Electric Power Producing Area Development Commission (HYPPADEC) into law.
Amidst shouts of ‘Nigeria sai Jonathan,’ Enagi assured that the party in Niger State would support the Jonathan/Sambo ticket in the PDP primaries.   

Earlier during a courtesy call, the Niger State Governor Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu who was represented by his Deputy, Ahmed Musa Ibeto said the state was not rigid in its support for any presidential aspirant. He pointed out that the party, in Niger State will give its support to anybody ready to support the developmental aspiration of the state.

According to Ibeto, anybody who could dualise the Abuja-Minna Road, rehabilitate the federal roads in the state and solve the problem of electricity would have the support of the party. He thanked the Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organization for the courtesy call bearing in mind that the state had a candidate and that it was not a do-or-die affair.

Ibeto added that any aspirant who eventually emerged would need the general cooperation of others for the general elections and after the election for the development of the country and to lead a united country.
The Deputy Governor said he prayed the Peoples democratic Party would come out more united than it was after the primaries, adding that the challenges before the country were too enormous.

The Director General of President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organization, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida stated that it was payback time for the people of the North to reciprocate the kind gesture of the people of the South-south. He added that in the past, the people of the South - south had always supported the North to achieve their political ambitions.

“People will wonder why we are supporting President Goodluck Jonathan despite that he is not from the North. But for me, I think it is pay back for the South-south people who have always supported the North to achieve its political ambitions which in many cases was not able to meet up with the required majority.”
“The people of the South-South have always supported us even before they ever dreamt that they will ever come looking for any position. So, I think this is the time to show them that we have been grateful for what they have done for us in the past,” Dalhatu said.

The Director General of the Goodluck/Sambo campaign organization who made this known yesterday in Minna when they paid a courtesy visit to the Niger state Governor Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu wondered what is in four years in the history of Nigeria ’s history that the North cannot give to Jonathan to make Nigeria better.

“This man who has been climbing the ladder gently and God has given him the opportunity said he wants to come back and make Nigeria better for just four years. What is even four years in the political history of Nigeria that the North cannot give to Goodluck to make Nigeria better”?
Dalhatu who accepted that the campaign organization is aware that Former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida who is an indigene of the state said they respect and admire the way the Former president ran the country but added that President Goodluck will make a good president if given the next four years.

“We are aware that you also have an aspirant for the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria here whom we respect “so much as our leader and we will pay him a courtesy visit now if he is in the town and is he is willing to receive us because as much as possible we want to ensure that we practice politics without bitterness”.
“Goodluck will make a good president, though there might be little bit of problems here and there,  just watch him and see what he will do in the next four years”.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/20/national-20-10-2010-002.htm

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to charge three former ministers over the Siemens 17.5m euro bribery scam.

The charges against the ex-ministers have been approved by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The EFCC’s prosecution team might be led by Godwin Obla, it was learnt yesterday.

The charges against the ex-Ministers might be filed on or before Friday.

A top source in the anti-graft agency, who spoke in confidence, said: “The three ex-ministers will be in the next set of suspects to be charged to court.

“Two of the three ex-Ministers have written to admit that they collected bribe from Siemens to offset medical bills. In fact, one of them owned up to collecting 5,000 euro.

“A former Minister, who collected cash, is still proving difficult in admitting his share. But we are awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment of a Munich court where the bribe given to him is stated; the day, the time and who delivered it.

“Besides the ex-ministers, we believe from our investigation that there were more officials that benefited from the largesse that are being shielded.

“So, the EFCC chairman has directed that a comprehensive list of all manifests of flights between Nigeria and Germany be reviewed.

“The manifests being audited are those from 2001 to 2008. We want to uncover more officials that benefited from the bribe.

“From the revelations of some of the suspects, more officials of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Power and Steel, PHCN, NITEL and M-Tel have been implicated.

“It was a sort of bazaar, from which many government officials and their children benefited.”

But, as at press time, the list of the ex-ministers that will face trial was yet to be made public.

Of the over 25 suspects indicted by the EFCC on the bribery scam, five are ex-Ministers. One of them is dead.

The remaining four ex-ministers interacted with are the Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Mohammed Haliru Bello (a former Minister of Communications); Chief Cornelius Adebayo and Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju (ex-ministers of Communication); and a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Prof. Jibril Aminu.

Both Bello and Aminu maintained their innocence.

Siemens, a German firm, was involved in about 1.3b euro suspicious bribery payments in some countries between 2001 and 2004.

But of the 1.3b euro suspicious payments, 17.5m euro was given as bribe to some Nigerian ministers and government officials during the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Based on the admission of guilt, Siemens was fined 201m euros ($248m) by a Munich court on October 4, 2007.

Also on April 21, 2010, a Munich court found two former Siemens managers guilty of breach of trust and abetting bribery for their roles in Nigeria.

While Michael Kutschenreuter, a former financial head of its telecoms unit, was placed on probation for two years and fined 160,000 euros ($215,300, a second defendant, the former head of accounting at Siemens’ telecoms unit, was placed on probation for 1-1/2 years and fined 40,000 euro.

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/16503.html

Suspects arrested in connection with the October 1 twin bomb blasts in Abuja have revealed to security agents, how the dastardly act was plotted and executed. According to findings, the vehicles used for the bombing were planted with explosive devices in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in the South-south region and driven to Abuja.

Already, five persons, including Charles Tombra Okah, younger brother of Henry Okah, the acclaimed leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) have been apprehended by security operatives.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the State Security Service (SSS) said it has been able to establish the identities of the persons that drove and coordinated the vehicles. Also established by security operatides was the identity of the person who directly coordinated the bombings with Henry Okah and from where they took off in Port Harcourt for Abuja as well as the one who confirmed to his accomplice that he had completed the job immediately after the bombings.
“We wish to inform you that the following have been established.

The person that drove and coordinated the vehicles brought into Abuja for the bombings; the one who directly coordinated the bombings with Henry Okah; the individual at whose residence in Port Harcourt, the vehicles were wired for detonation and from where they took off for Abuja; and the one that confirmed to his accomplice that he had completed the job, immediately after the bombings.

Consequently, Charles Tombra Okah, one of the known users of the name, ‘Jomo Gbomo’ and four other suspects would be charged to court accordingly,” Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, the SSS Assistant Director in charge of Public Relations said.
Having gathered sufficient evidence on the role played by the five persons, the agency said it had concluded plans to take them to court very soon.

Although she did not say when the suspects would be taken to court, sources told Daily Sun in confidence that the five persons might appear in court tomorrow.
The decision to take the five suspects to court tomorrow, it was learnt, was taken at a marathon meeting by the top echelon of the agency in Abuja yesterday.
“We have assembled all the facts after thorough investigation, and the Service is convinced that all the suspects were directly involved in the bomb blasts. It is now left with the judiciary to determine the culpability or otherwise of the suspects,” she said.

It was learnt that SSS might prefer treasonable charges against the suspects for what the source said was a war against Nigeria.
However, pressed to name those against whom prima facie evidence had been established besides Okah, Ogar said the issue bordered on national security.
“Nigerians have been invited, the Service will not be pushed to publish the names of those who have been invited except it has been confirmed that they have direct dealings with the incidents under investigation,” she said.

However, the SSS spokesperson declined to answer questions in respect of the Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi who was earlier invited by the agency in connection with the blasts.
Ogar who said her agency would not want the issues surrounding the bomb explosion to be politicized, insisted she was not aware that Dokpesi’s invitiation was in anyway connected to the bombings.

“When we briefed you the other time, you had asked us to name the suspects and those connected to them. The only person mentioned then was Henry Okah because it was established that he was behind the bombings.
“If the MD of Daar Communications said he was invited, it was not to my knowledge that he was invited in connection with the bomb blasts…
“The Service will only let you know the issues that will not undermine national security. And for that reason, you will excuse me, I will not answer this question. Like I told you, those that have been found to be directly connected to the incident will be charged to court shortly.

On measures being put in place by the SSS to forestall future blasts, Ogar said the issues were purely operational “and the Service will not run its operations on the pages of newspapers or in the media,” Ogar said.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/20/national-20-10-2010-001.htm

EAGLE Square, the nation’s prime event centre in the vicinity of which two bombs went off on October 1, killing at least a dozen people, has hosted yet another mammoth crowd.

The occasion was the launch of First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan’s pet project Women for Change Initiative. The event was hitch-free and Eagle Square has regained its pride that was shattered by the explosions on Independence Day.

But the event also took its toll on the nation’s capital city. With the recent blasts in mind, security operatives sealed off many routes. This threw thousands of motorists into confusion, as they searched for alternate roads to their various destinations.

Many people were caught unawares by the closure of major roads leading to the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat and other major government offices.

Scores of people who had to park their car at great distances and trek to their offices including workers of the National Assembly were heard grumbling aloud and hurling invectives at the government.
There was confusion as various intersections of the only available roads were gridlocked.

Many residents said the day should have been declared a public holiday as the Federal Secretariat and some other offices could not open for work at all on the day.

The Women for Change Initiative event which was the first to take place in the Eagle Square after the October 1, 2010 twin bomb blasts in the city was organised amidst tight security.

Police officers, men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as well as the Peace Corps manned various intersections in the city to maintain law and order. the Peace Corps manned various intersections in the city to maintain law and order.

Civil servants, residents and students had a hectic time getting to their various destinations and were frisked by security agents before being allowed into the cordoned arrears.

All these were put in place in order to prevent a repeat of the October 1 bomb attack in which 12 people died and scores were injured.

The First Lady described the bombing as wicked and unfortunate while calling on women to be vigilant and to report all suspicious movements.

She expressed the hope that the political fortunes of women would improve in the forthcoming 2011 elections.

She called on women to offer themselves for elective positions. She also advised them against taking the backseat in government just as she urged ladies not to antagonise those aspiring for political positions.

FCT Minister Senator Bala Mohammed, in his goodwill message urged women not to allow anybody to deceive them ahead of the 2011 elections with ethnic or regional card. He admonished them to work for a new Nigeria by casting their votes for detribalised and selfless leaders, adding that this is a new era devoid of divide-and-rule tactics.

Mohammed said Nigerian women have a great role to play by being in the vanguard for the emergence of a new Nigeria. According to him, "for Nigeria to fulfil her vast potentials and take her rightful leadership position in the comity of nations, we need serious attitudinal change through re-orientation."

He called on political leaders and actors to free themselves from all stunting primordial sentiments, disunity and politics of bitterness that had negatively characterised the nation’s politics for 50 years since independent in 1960.

He further charged the women, saying: "As the nation moves closer to the next round of elections, our women leaders and patriots have a lot to do in sensitizing and mobilizing the people to exercise their franchise by voting for peaceful, credible and detribalised leaders. As pacesetters that you are, I urge you to shine your eyes and fasten your wrappers to ensure that our nation does not relapse into another orgy of corruption and wild goose chase through insincere and corrupt or recycled leadership".

He further enjoined them not to allow anybody or group to cajole them into throwing away the gains recorded in the past eleven years of the nation’s nascent democracy since her liberation from the jackboot of military dictatorship.

The Minister stated that already, the country under the dynamic and benevolent leadership of Jonathan is making steady progress on the country’s path to self-rediscovery and sustainable development. "What is now required on our part as patriotic Nigerians is to rally round Mr. President whom God has chosen to lead Nigeria to greatness," he added.

In her speech, the wife of the FCT Minister, Hajia Aishatu Bala Mohammed regretted that Nigerian women still face daunting challenges which make them to bear a disproportionate burden of the country’s poverty.

According to her, women’s ability to have decent life is hampered by deep-rooted societal practices.

She added: "In conflict situations, women are more vulnerable to exploitation and such violent acts as rape, torture, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution and mutilation".

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/newsextra/16466.html