GEJ THREATENS TO SLAP OBAMA
WHILE we count barely seven days to the legendary polls between APC and PDP and most of the campaign smears of apc against the pdp isare falling like scales off the veils of Nigerian ranging from the false claims of missing funds far and above the nation’s annual budget which made Nigerian wondering how the FG managed to pay run concurrent expenditures if such monies were missing, to the insurgency blackmail which fortunately is being taken care of by the Nigerian armed forces in collaboration with some neighbouring republics after some America and some of her allies have refused and stall to help in the war, while the corruption allegations is turned against the opposition who brand the most corrupt politicians ever in their team. One question lurks. Where are the chibok girls? Though the insurgents exponential decimation of the insurgents and recovery of their captured territories is yet to reveal the whereabout of those girls. The much we know is that those girls were allegedly abducted during the waec examination period. But it is gathered that the waec authorities had notified the state government of their fears in administering the exams and did proposed a secured venue but the state government assured them of security. That same state government was advised by the federal government upon security intelligence available to the presidency not to allow the exams to hold in that area but paid deaf ears to the security intelligence. Then on the day the bandits struck there was neither light nor security in the school and guess what. Wards of the principal staff of the school who were also supposed to write the exams were not abducted. In all over 200 girls were taken into thin air and every effort to find them is yet to produce result. Infact the first lady’s move to meet the parents and exam oficials was not only shunned but laughed at when the woman broke into tears. That episode became a trend on social media but those who impersonated to be mothers of the missing girls did not trend like dame’s melancholy. Now, bring back our girls seem to be the main point of the opposition. But American president when asked for advice told the president not to negotiate with the acclaimed abductors who then were dangling a swap proposal only for the america’s first lady to jump into the bringbackourgirls campaign train. And one is wondering if this is not another of america’s machinations. This whole even does has a look alike in history.
This shares some similitude with the 52 American diplomats and citizens who were purported to have been taken hostage in American Embassy in Tehran, Iran by Iranian students belonging to the Muslim Student Followers of the Imam’s Line on November 4, 1979 — exactly a year to President Jimmy Carter of Democratic Party was seeking a reelection slated for November 4, 1980 while Ronald Reagan wanted at all costs to unseat him. During the 444 days, from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981 Jimmy Carter was so humiliated and frustrated that his campaign spent more time on how to free these Americans than how to win against his opponent. Paradoxically and coincidentally the hostage saga ended the on January 20, the same day Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th President of the US. It was later revealed through confessions by some Iranians involved in the hostage scheme, that it was orchestrated by George Bush, the former CIA Director, who was running with Reagan. But while I earnestly hope this semblance to be no more than that it is imperative to evaluate america’s relationship with our great federation. Recall that Nigeria and Iran helped the US overcome the Arab oil embargo imposed on the US and some European countries for their support to Israel in the October 1973 Yom Kippur War between Arabs and Israel. A war Henry Kissinger and his Bilderberg colleagues plotted to raise oil prices by 400 per cent in an effort to save the collapsing dollar as de facto reserve currency since then uncle’s sam’s solemnization with africa’s giant has been a commensal matrimony consummated with oil. To keep this love wooed America must always have or hire a cesario in which case has always been our very smart and good looking baba iyabo- betrothed in 1974 during His senior officers’ training in Britain after which he was elevated him to the position of Chief of Staff and second-in-command to Gen Murtala Mohammed upon the coup of July 29, 1975 and subsequently the head of state following the assassination of Gen Murtala Mohammed on February 13, 1976 in a coup said to be covertly organized by the CIA and MI6 to stop him from going ahead with his planned oil industry nationalization agenda from thence Washington covertly supervised a long regime of military dictatorship and economic mismanagement toppling every democracy that threatens the spoils first shagari truncated reign, then MKO Abiola’s aborted mandate as the author of that animal called man is lurks on standby to benefit from the wiles of washington’s to become the fort republic president in 1999 who ran U.S errands especially as de facto petroleum minister but his botched third term agenda forced a hurried handover to Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who despite his sickness stopped Washington from calling the oil shots.

upon his replacement with Goodluck Jonathan it was hoped that the closed easy access to Nigeria’s oil would be reopened.





Unfortunately, they were oblivious of the unassuming astucious nationalist Jonathan is made of. To make matters worse he hemmed himself with like minds determined to fight western oil vultures.

In retaliation, the Obama upon emergence as president shunned visiting Nigeria till date claiming that we are corrupt. Probably there is zero corruption in the U.S or the countries he visits in Africa and otter continents. Then he stops buying our oil while he trades with the likes of north lorea through Sweden. Why because we are suddenly looking into self-sufficiency which corollary denies the U.S some pleasures over us. Instead of looking for how to encourage the positive strides and focus of our nation and probably device some ingenious way of benefiting therefrom through partnership the chose to rather destroy our tower of babel by planting seeds of instability and insurgency in our once peaceful nation on the one hand while they sponsor a volatile opposition through AKPD Media and Messages co-founded by David Axelrod a close confidant of president Obama. Now, while Isaac Baker, AKPD spokesman, admitted to the Washington Times last year that the firm started working with the APC from December 2013 he however claims that they were not in Nigeria during the Chibok Girls Abduction. So the question is who asked them about where they were during the abduction? Besides, why were they not in Nigeria then? Was it their plan or is it just a coincidence? My fear is not with the foreign consultants but in the American meddling. Has Uncle Sam ever given any gift nobler than the Greek’s? But our politicians don’t ask these questions. They either do not see the picture or are just a comfortable part of it like the Shah of Iran- Mohammed Reza Pahlavi who was put in power in a military coup of 1953 as America’s trusted friend in a Washington-London sponsored coup that overthrew the democratically elected nationalist prime minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh whose only offense was for daring nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil (BP) assets in 1951.
But in recent history Uncle Sam has received some slaps. In South Africa ANC, protesting US open support of Thambo Mbeki gave Jacob Zuma a landslide victory as the party’s leader, especially because South Africans are never in a hurry to forgive Washington for its support of Apartheid regime in South Africa.

Similarly, despite the use of International Criminal Court as an instrument of political blackmail, Uhuru Kenyatta, went ahead to humiliate America’s preferred presidential opponent, Raila Odinga in Kenyan 2013 presidential election.

In Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro defeated his American supported counterpart, Henrique in Venezuelan presidential election in April 2013.

Despite America’s fierce opposition of his candidacy as prime minister in last year’s election, Narendra Modi, India’s staunch nationalist, still led his Bharattiya Janata Party to a historic landslide victory.

Just few days ago Obama received his greatest stun. His much opposed Netanyahu emerged victorious again as prime Minister of Israel.
Going by the recent trend of Nigerians kicking against America’s meddling in our politics, plus the recent political reconciliations and endorsements in favour of PDP, and the victory over insurgency counting against U.S hypocritical anti-terrorism crusade to mention a few Obama stands threatened come march 28, 2015 when Nigerians will be matching to kick-out all the many shades of Obama from Nigeria. And by the time GEJ is declared winner Obama would have received another slap in a space of two weeks.

KATSINA STATE: GOOD WITH YAR'ADUA, VERY GOOD WITH SHEMA & BETTER WITH NASHUNI

The plague of leadership challenges in quality and in quantity has been the bane of under-development of the African state and Nigeria over time as a nation qualifies as a very good field example except for some people who have fared exceptionally finding themselves in leadership positions at certain times and clines. The state of Katsina very much fall within this exceptional field. This is because right from the transition into the present democratic dispensation in Nigeria if there is anything the people of Katsina lack more than anywhere else in the country it is the misfortune of leadership challenges. This is evident right from the administration of Alh. Umaru Musa Yar'adua as the State Governor from 1999 to 2007 who embarked on laying the foundational for the creation and development of the Modern Katsina State ranging from areas of road construction, rural electrification, rehabilitation of existing roundabouts, development of Katsina town master Plan, construction of secondary schools across the 24 local government areas in the state, the ultra-modern state secretariat, the neem processing plant, the establishment of school of administration in Funtua, the establishment of state university, construction of airport, the general overhaul of streets in the metropolis and other physical projects. In fact, the man (Alhaji Yar'adua) was at that time said to be one of the few Governors in Nigeria that deserve some respect, because of his sterling performance regarding executed projects in the state. This indeed was probably what levitated him to the presidency.
Now, with the state donating her prestigious son to the nation as president the vacuum he left was dully filled by his successor Barr. Ibrahim Shema who took the baton and ran the development race with a supersonic speed and dogged commitment evidenced in his completion of the projects commenced by his predecessor which is a very good example of continuity in governance - one rare attribute amongst leaders in our land and clime. In continuing with building the modern Katsina project he ensured rapid developments in the areas of Free education, Free Healthcare for Children under five years, Pregnant Women And the Aged, Massive developments in the agricultural sector through Songhai initiative, Establishment of organic fertilizer blinding plants producing 4,000 metric tons of organic and chemical fertilizer, Prompt Payment of Salaries, Granting monetary allowance to parents who send the girl-child to school and also to the Almajiris – child-beggars – to encourage them to stay in school.
In addition to the fore going is the Construction of Roads of international standards, Construction of Housing Estates (with about 2, 404 houses), over 68 additional primary health care facilities, Construction of Ultra-Modern 250 bed Orthopaedic Hospital, Construction of Ultra-Modern Government House, development of The Youth crafts Village to empower thousands of Katsina youths and very importantly while the previous government tried to save some funds for the state Barr. Shema's Government went further to not only increase the treasuries of the state but also Freed Katsina State From foreign and Domestic Debts by paying all debts.
Today, as the good people of Katsina prepare to thank Shema for a job well done they look forward again to a better future after Shema and that future is guaranteed in the candidacy of a first class mining engineer in the person of Engr. Musa Nashuni who has until now carved a niche for himself in the mining industry where he plies his trade as well as in corporate and public service that he has served. This man who has been the Area Manager in Amalgamated Tin Mines of Nigeria Ltd, Bukuru also rose from Assistant Project Manager to the exalted position of Executive Director of the Nigerian Mining Corporation before becoming Special Adviser to Executive Governor of Katsina State on Resource development Between 2007 and 2010. Thereafter, he was made the Honorable Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Katsina State between 2010 and 2011 and finally, Honorable Commissioner for Resource Development, Katsina State from 2011 to 2014. In all of these positions Nashuni maintained a record of sterling performance which whets the appetence of the people of Katsina state that they are in for another robust season of industrialization and economic development that will take the state to a whole new level hence actualising the Katsina Dream. This is premised on the fact that the state is endowed with enormous deposits of very valuable solid minerals such as Kaolin also called china clay which is used in making of paper, rubber, paint, porcelain and many other products. It also has much deposits of manganese used for iron and steel production, power etc. salts as well as marble which is a very lucrative demand for building and construction are other solid materials in commercial quantity in the state to mention a few.
Going by this trend, the good people of the home of hospitality are enthusiastically confident of rapid development only possible by the continuity that PDP brings in Engr. Nashuni Musa.

OKPO EWA EDMUND ESQ.
LAWYER, ARBITRATOR & LITERATI

“You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others....”
― Gordon B. Hinckley

Youths are said to be the mirror of every nation’s or state’s development indicator; a well catered for, well planned for youths signifies a positively promising future. For eight years youths in Katsina state have witnessed one of the tremendous achievements in the history of Katsina as a state. The youth will not stop in thanking Katsina state government for a job well done. However, no matter how big our dreams are, sometimes it's just that we are saddled with the responsibility of deciding for ourselves what is best; which means the youths sometimes need to look inside for motivation and inspiration or they can find personal inspiration from someone who has been there, done that and done it well.

For eight years we have experienced a very articulate government under the stewardship of Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema whom we can all vividly recall his statement when he said “You don’t have to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for your child to enjoy free education in Katsina State. You don’t have to lobby anybody for your child to be sent abroad to study medicine, pharmacy, nursing or environmental engineering, or indeed get free medicare for yourself and family in government hospitals”.

Similarly, during his inauguration for a second term in office Governor Shema reaffirmed that government services shall not be dispensed on the basis of whether you belong to the ruling PDP in the state or the opposition. These unique attributes exhibited by Governor Shema has made him stand tall among his peers and counterparts and has accorded him the zeal to succeed in positively transforming Katsina state to what it is today.

Some of his achievements are –

- Giving monetary allowance to parents who send the girl-child to school. Many girls’ schools have been built across the 34 local government areas of Katsina to make this a reality.

- The Almajiris – child-beggars – are also being educated and they get monetary allowance to encourage them to stay in school.

- Shema’s investment in primary and secondary education is said to have shot up school enrolment at the primary school level from about one million in 2005 to close to 2million in 2014– about 100 percent increase.

- He gave out more than N1bilion (including land, school buildings and hostels) to the new federal university in Dutsinma, as part of State government’s contribution to its successful take off.

- In the health sector. Shema constructed a multi-million Naira 250-bed orthopedic hospital, rehabilitation of general hospitals across the state and construction of six comprehensive health centres in addition to the renovation and upgrading of nine healthcare centers to comprehensive health centers among others.

No matter how the youths of Katsina state hate to admit the fact that nothing lasts forever, the Youths in Katsina state believe that what they want is someone who will inspire them to be what they hope to be and know they could be. To them, the greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one who gets the people to do the greatest things for themselves, and that need on the part of Katsina youths has triggered an intense search for a worthy successor to Governor Shema who will continue with the good works initiated by his government.

Thus, when the name Engr. Musa Nashuni - a notable Mining Engineer was announced as the successor to Governor Shema, the youths of Katsina state felt that they have never had it so good like this time around.
They have realized that, It will not be an exaggeration, judging from the fact that Nashuni’s carrier has indicated that he is an achiever right from 1980 when he rose from the position of Assistant Project Manager, Mining Processing in charge of all mineral processing aspects of the Corporation to the exalted position of Executive Director of the Nigerian Mining Corporation 1991 to 1999.

It is also on record that at this meaningful Position, Engr. Musa Nashuni was responsible for the supervision of all the mining Corporations Companies under the Nigerian Mining Corporation, and indeed this position is only reserved by the Federal Government of Nigeria to people with exceptional integrity, honesty, sincerity and professionalism these are some of the salient attributes of Nashuni that has made him more suitable for the assignment of a successor to Governor Shema of Katsina state in 2015.

Immediately, the youths of Katsina threw in their support in total acceptance to the choice of Nashuni, within no time the campaign slogan in Katsina state has changed to ‘Nashuni Ba Matsala’. The people of Katsina have given their all in submission to a well thought for choice. His popularity stems from what he believes and what he terms as politics without bitterness. Gradually it became pronounced to all that Nashuni believes in the saying “Power isn’t control at all — power is strength, and giving that strength to others. A leader isn’t someone who forces others to make him stronger; a leader is someone willing to give his strength to others that they may have the strength to stand on their own,”

Hence, we have seen the light at the end of the tunnel, we have agreed to support continuity and we have agreed to uphold the brighter future of Katsina state. We have seen a leader in Nashuni a man that will lead us to prosperous Katsina state as his predecessor did. We have seen a miner whose ability to live a single stone unturned has endeared him to all Katsina people.

Comrade Adamu Kabir Matazu
Coordinator, Nashuni Students Network

BUHARI GOES TO UK
BUHARI; Yhello, who iz this?
EWA: This is Ewa calling on behalf of OUGAGRAPHA NETWORKS to confirm your trip to the UK and…
BUHARI : look here, my prend, I am in zhe U.K and I am here to eh, eh, to eh.. er… see ma prend zha porma frime minister of zhe UK… er… er… Mr. Toyin…. Toyin… Bulair
EWA: You mean, Mr. Tony Blair?
BUHARI : Yoowaa!
EWA: But why Sir?
BUHARI: Zhe Bulair iz ma pwren, so what?
EWA: But we hear Tony isn’t in London presently.
BUHARI: Who told you zhat? Look, I was in his house
EWA: Which house?
BUHARI: Whichz house do you know?
EWA: Sorry sir, will that be the London house at 35 weymouth street London, W1G, 8BJT with phone number +44 (0) 20 7935 7700
BUHARI: Pery correct.
EWA: But Sir, is Tony Blair now using the house as a private hospital?
BUHARI: Is tony za doctor how can u ask zhat kind of question?
EWA: Because I called the number and they confirmed it is a hospital at 35 weymouth street London, W1G, 8BJT
BUHARI: Look here, didn’t you see all zhe fictures?
EWA: Sir, you mean the ones you took in 2013?
BUHARI: Yes, no, no no! you mean you hap not seen zhe one I even zook wiz tony and prends
EWA: Sir, is it the one you and some others were wearing the winter jacket?
BUHARI: No… no… I dressed tradizionally.
EWA: Okay, I see the one you are wearing the long babariga,
BUHARI: Ixactly, pery pery carrect!
EWA: But sir, London is presently about 9 Degrees Celsius so are you not freezing?
BUHARI: Kai, Zahra! Zoh na! zhis feefull wantz to disgrace us
EWA: Hello, hello… General are you there?
BUHARI: Flease answer that monkey por me
ONE OF THE DAUGHTERS TAKES OVER
ZAHRA BUHARI: Hello please can I help you?
EWA: Yes, please can I speak with the General
ZAHRA BUHARI: No you can’t speak with him
EWA: ahha, why? Who are you please?
ZAHRA BUHARI: I’m his daughter Zahra and He is busy
EWA: oh Zarha, are you the one on make up or the one before the make up?
ZAHRA BUHARI: what?
EWA: I’m sorry it’s just that I see different appearance on the different images on the internet.
ZAHRA BUHARI: did you call to insult me or what?
EWA: no, to speak with the General.
ZAHRA BUHARI: and I’ve told you yoy can’t speak with him
EWA: I can’t speak with him?
ZAHRA BUHARI: yes,
EWA: do you meanto say he can’t speak with me because I think I can and I’m ready to speak with him if he’s available.
ZAHRA BUHARI: okay, he is not available?
EWA: why? Is he on drip?
ZAHRA BUHARI: No he is not on drip haven’t you seen the pictures of him on kemi’s interview does he look like a convalescent?
EWA: Which kemi are you talking about is it the Kemi B Fadojutimi?
ZAHRA BUHARI: Yes, thank God you know this one
EWA: Where was the interview done please?
ZAHRA BUHARI: Here of course, in her headquarters here in London
EWA: Wow, when did she moved her headquarters from the US to London?
ZAHRA BUHARI: What?!
EWA: Well I saw the pictures of the two of them but those pictures are old pictures
ZAHRA BUHARI: Why would you say such a thing do you know that you are attempting to spoil my father’s image and that of that honourable journalist. This is a crime against patriotism and women.. you .. you,
EWA: I’m very sorry please.
ZAHRA BUHARI: You have to be.
EWA: It’s just that same Kemi once presented an award to some APC leaders in the past like Gov. Rauf Aragbesola of osun state…
ZAHRA BUHARI: Meaning ?
EWA: She’s an ally of your father’s party and wouldn’t deny any publicity that would help the party especially in times of trouble.
ZAHRA BUHARI: Haba, Menini Wana? what evidence do you have? You people just like to talk any how…do you know that madam Kemi can sue you?
EWA: No, not me. I have evidence that the Kemi interview pictures are not true because that interview actually took place in Transcorp Hilton.
ZAHRA BUHARI: What? Is that what you think?
EWA: No, it’s what I know
ZAHRA BUHARI: And how would you know that? So because you have passed through the hotel you think you know everything about it?
EWA: No, asides from knowing the carpet, wall arts and interiors of the Transcorp Hilton Hotels And Suite in Abuja. I think it’s because I’ve drunk enough Nigerian table waters.
ZAHRA BUHARI: So, what has that got to do with the interview?
EWA: The bottle water on the table in the interview picture.
ZAHRA BUHARI: So?
EWA: AQUAFINA TABLE WATER is a Nigerian table water you can find in Transcorp not in London
ZAHRA BUHARI: Kai, Look, I’d have hunged up on you but I just don’t want you to go and cause another scandal
EWA: You mean like you closed your twitter account?
ZAHRA BUHARI: And so? If I closed my twitter account how is it you people’s biz?
EWA: So you actually closed your twitter handle?
ZAHRA BUHARI: Look here if you don’t have any other meaningful question I’ll advice you go elsewhere or call any other person like Tinubu or Amaechi or Rochas and leave my poor family alone
EWA: Are you people really poor?
ZAHRA BUHARI: I don’t mean poor as in poor! We are not poor please and we will never be poor didn’t you hear about my mother’s donation to IDPs?!
EWA: Yes, that’s true. But how did she get that kind of money
ZAHRA BUHARI: can’t a woman have her own money again?
EWA: Why not? But if she’s actually richer than her husband why didn’t she borrow your dad money to buy his form instead of allowing him borrow from bank which is against your religion.
ZAHRA BUHARI: Excuse me! What do you know about my religion?
EWA: Nothing.
ZAHRA BUHARI: So have a nice day please.
EWA: Please, please, one more question please.
ZAHRA BUHARI: What, I hope it’s is not about my father’s certificate?
EWA: No, it’s about your mother’s certificate.
ZAHRA BUHARI: Jesus! me ya paru…
EWA: NUC say it’s fake too
ZAHRA BUHARI: kai, Walahi, What have we done to this people?! It is your own mother’s certificate that is fake!
EWA: I just…. (ping…ping…ping…ping…ping…)
CALL ENDS…
N.B: THIS IS A PARODY PHONE CONVERSATION.

BUHARI GOES TO UK
BUHARI; Yhello, who iz this?
EWA: This is Ewa calling on behalf of OUGAGRAPHA NETWORKS to confirm your trip to the UK and…
BUHARI : look here, my prend, I am in zhe U.K and I am here to eh, eh, to eh.. er… see ma prend zha porma frime minister of zhe UK… er… er… Mr. Toyin…. Toyin… Bulair
EWA: You mean, Mr. Tony Blair?
BUHARI : Yoowaa!
EWA: But why Sir?
BUHARI: Zhe Bulair iz ma pwren, so what?
EWA: But we hear Tony isn’t in London presently.
BUHARI: Who told you zhat? Look, I was in his house
EWA: Which house?
BUHARI: Whichz house do you know?
EWA: Sorry sir, will that be the London house at 35 weymouth street London, W1G, 8BJT with phone number +44 (0) 20 7935 7700
BUHARI: Pery correct.
EWA: But Sir, is Tony Blair now using the house as a private hospital?
BUHARI: Is tony za doctor how can u ask zhat kind of question?
EWA: Because I called the number and they confirmed it is a hospital at 35 weymouth street London, W1G, 8BJT
BUHARI: Look here, didn’t you see all zhe fictures?
EWA: Sir, you mean the ones you took in 2013?
BUHARI: Yes, no, no no! you mean you hap not seen zhe one I even zook wiz tony and prends
EWA: Sir, is it the one you and some others were wearing the winter jacket?
BUHARI: No… no… I dressed tradizionally.
EWA: Okay, I see the one you are wearing the long babariga,
BUHARI: Ixactly, pery pery carrect!
EWA: But sir, London is presently about 9 Degrees Celsius so are you not freezing?
BUHARI: Kai, Zahra! Zoh na! zhis feefull wantz to disgrace us
EWA: Hello, hello… General are you there?
BUHARI: Flease answer that monkey por me
ONE OF THE DAUGHTERS TAKES OVER
ZAHRA BUHARI: Hello please can I help you?
EWA: Yes, please can I speak with the General
ZAHRA BUHARI: No you can’t speak with him
EWA: ahha, why? Who are you please?
ZAHRA BUHARI: I’m his daughter Zahra and He is busy
EWA: oh Zarha, are you the one on make up or the one before the make up?
ZAHRA BUHARI: what?
EWA: I’m sorry it’s just that I see different appearance on the different images on the internet.
ZAHRA BUHARI: did you call to insult me or what?
EWA: no, to speak with the General.
ZAHRA BUHARI: and I’ve told you yoy can’t speak with him
EWA: I can’t speak with him?
ZAHRA BUHARI: yes,
EWA: do you meanto say he can’t speak with me because I think I can and I’m ready to speak with him if he’s available.
ZAHRA BUHARI: okay, he is not available?
EWA: why? Is he on drip?
ZAHRA BUHARI: No he is not on drip haven’t you seen the pictures of him on kemi’s interview does he look like a convalescent?
EWA: Which kemi are you talking about is it the Kemi B Fadojutimi?
ZAHRA BUHARI: Yes, thank God you know this one
EWA: Where was the interview done please?
ZAHRA BUHARI: Here of course, in her headquarters here in London
EWA: Wow, when did she moved her headquarters from the US to London?
ZAHRA BUHARI: What?!
EWA: Well I saw the pictures of the two of them but those pictures are old pictures
ZAHRA BUHARI: Why would you say such a thing do you know that you are attempting to spoil my father’s image and that of that honourable journalist. This is a crime against patriotism and women.. you .. you,
EWA: I’m very sorry please.
ZAHRA BUHARI: You have to be.
EWA: It’s just that same Kemi once presented an award to some APC leaders in the past like Gov. Rauf Aragbesola of osun state…
ZAHRA BUHARI: Meaning ?
EWA: She’s an ally of your father’s party and wouldn’t deny any publicity that would help the party especially in times of trouble.
ZAHRA BUHARI: Haba, Menini Wana? what evidence do you have? You people just like to talk any how…do you know that madam Kemi can sue you?
EWA: No, not me. I have evidence that the Kemi interview pictures are not true because that interview actually took place in Transcorp Hilton.
ZAHRA BUHARI: What? Is that what you think?
EWA: No, it’s what I know
ZAHRA BUHARI: And how would you know that? So because you have passed through the hotel you think you know everything about it?
EWA: No, asides from knowing the carpet, wall arts and interiors of the Transcorp Hilton Hotels And Suite in Abuja. I think it’s because I’ve drunk enough Nigerian table waters.
ZAHRA BUHARI: So, what has that got to do with the interview?
EWA: The bottle water on the table in the interview picture.
ZAHRA BUHARI: So?
EWA: AQUAFINA TABLE WATER is a Nigerian table water you can find in Transcorp not in London
ZAHRA BUHARI: Kai, Look, I’d have hunged up on you but I just don’t want you to go and cause another scandal
EWA: You mean like you closed your twitter account?
ZAHRA BUHARI: And so? If I closed my twitter account how is it you people’s biz?
EWA: So you actually closed your twitter handle?
ZAHRA BUHARI: Look here if you don’t have any other meaningful question I’ll advice you go elsewhere or call any other person like Tinubu or Amaechi or Rochas and leave my poor family alone
EWA: Are you people really poor?
ZAHRA BUHARI: I don’t mean poor as in poor! We are not poor please and we will never be poor didn’t you hear about my mother’s donation to IDPs?!
EWA: Yes, that’s true. But how did she get that kind of money
ZAHRA BUHARI: can’t a woman have her own money again?
EWA: Why not? But if she’s actually richer than her husband why didn’t she borrow your dad money to buy his form instead of allowing him borrow from bank which is against your religion.
ZAHRA BUHARI: Excuse me! What do you know about my religion?
EWA: Nothing.
ZAHRA BUHARI: So have a nice day please.
EWA: Please, please, one more question please.
ZAHRA BUHARI: What, I hope it’s is not about my father’s certificate?
EWA: No, it’s about your mother’s certificate.
ZAHRA BUHARI: Jesus! me ya paru…
EWA: NUC say it’s fake too
ZAHRA BUHARI: kai, Walahi, What have we done to this people?! It is your own mother’s certificate that is fake!
EWA: I just…. (ping…ping…ping…ping…ping…)
CALL ENDS…
N.B: THIS IS A PARODY PHONE CONVERSATION.

20 – 4 = EBONYI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

I was slightly beside myself this Monday morning listening to Mr. Gbenga Aruleba the presenter of the African Independent Television (AIT) news programme “Focus Nigeria” on the recent political drama in Ebonyi State where the State House of Assembly, had on Wednesday, passed a resolution declaring the seats of four members of the House vacant, following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party (LP).
The Speaker of the House, Honourable Chukwuma Nwazunku while reading the resolutions, said that the affected members violated section 109 sub-section 1G of the 1999 Constitution as amended, by defecting to another political party without stipulated party guidelines.
The affected members included Honourable Uduma-Chima (PDP-Afikpo South-West), Mr Sam Nwali (PDP-Ikwo North), Mrs Helen-Nwaobashi (PDP-Abakaliki South) and Mrs Mabel Aleke (PDP-Ohaukwu South).
And Mr. Gbenga on Focus Nigeria alluded to Section 90 – 91 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) as (amended) which provides that:
 
90. There shall be a House of Assembly for each of the States of the Federation.
 
91. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a House of Assembly of a State shall consist of three or four times the number of seats which that State has in the House of Representatives divided in a way to reflect, as far as possible nearly equal population:
Provided that a House of Assembly of a State shall consist of not less than twenty-four and not more than forty members.
Then he proceeded to present the fact that the Ebonyi State House of Assembly which originally comprised exactly twenty-four (24) members presently had just twenty (20) members only and suggested this to imply that the state legislature by virtue of that loss of four active legitimate membership may be want of legitimacy to convene sessions except and until the composition of the house is completed through a bye election to be conducted by the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) but that going by the recent loads of work and pressure on the electoral umpire such election cannot be held pronto. And sarcastically, he refers us to notorious episodes of dramatic political shenanigans in a country where 16 is more than 19 (i.e. the Nigerian Governors’ Forum election and much more). Trust Nigerians to react. The reactions have already been a media crucifixion of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly Speaker should he proceed to hold sessions. I however beg to disagree with this position albeit logically, legally and judicially.
First, one cannot reasonably expect the absence of four out of twenty four members of a house of assembly to hold the entire state to ransom. It would be denying the masses their right to democratic representation especially when the representation can be effected by the remaining twenty for the general benefit of the entire people of the state regardless of constituency. The state as a matter of fact is one constituency. Nobody is voted a law maker by his constituents to make laws for them only but for the collective benefit of the whole comity of constituencies.
Having stated the fact and logic it is only pertinent that we also examine the legal perspective on this issue especially where as a lawyer it is more honourable to argue the law incorrectly than to preach facts and sentiments. Hence, I present the law.
The proviso in Section 91 of the 1999 CFRN states that
“Provided that a House of Assembly of a State shall consist of not less than twenty-four and not more than forty members.”
It must be noted that this proviso and the whole section itself refers to the composition of the state legislature regarding creation of constituencies of a state and does not refer to convening of legislative sessions. These are indeed two different phenomena. To further buttress this position one must take into cognizance the provisions of section 96 of the constitution on matters of session which provides as follows
96(1). The quorum of a House of Assembly shall be One-Third of all the members of the House.
Now, the very familiar and popular canon of interpretation of provisions of the Constitution is .  "expressio unius personae vel rei, est exclusio alterius." A Latin Maxim meaning “the express mention of one thing is the exclusion of another." Put in another way: “Where there is express mention of certain things, then anything not mentioned is excluded." Again the Latin Maxim here is: “expressio facit cessare tactitum" see the English case of  Stephens v. Army & Navy Stores (1914) 2 CH 526.
 
The application of the foregoing to the extant case is that the mention of one-third of the 24 members and not the whole 24 members means that the former is sine quo non for holding legislative sessions. Put differently, The House of Assembly of 20 members out of 24 members can legitimately hold sessions provided they have the constitutional quorum of one-third which in this case is Eight (. Now, while one may be want to dismiss this submission as mere contraptions of legal technicalities it is also imperative to register here that the law is a recherché phenomenon. A phenomenal character indeed. It is not always what we want it to be but always what we need it to be. It is what I term “the mischief of a social instrument.” Section 102 of the constitution is a worthy proof to this. It provides thus :
 
 
 
A House of Assembly may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership, and the presence or participation of any person not entitled to be present at or to participate in the proceedings of the House shall not invalidate such proceedings. 
 
Hence, the vacancy of any member or members of a house of assembly cannot invalidate the holding of sessions where there is quorum. This therefore distinguishes the “doctrine of composition” from the “doctrine of quorum.” Whereas the former refers to the creation of the legitimate constituencies that make up the legislature the latter refers to the legitimacy of sessions held by the legislature. While section 90-91 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria creates the State House of Assembly Sections 96 and 102 operate the State House of assembly.  
Be that as it may, it is imperative to noted here that such legitimacy should not be stretched beyond the constitutional limits being that where a particular number or percentile of members is constitutionally required to conduct any business in a session such requirement must be complied with. The ability to hold session with the required quorum is not a fiat to conduct legislative businesses with any less compliance with the constitution. This submission has the jurisprudential baptism of the authority of  Hon. Michael Dapianlong & 5 Ors  v  Chief (Dr) Joshua Chibi Dariye & 2 Ors (SC. 39/2007). In this case, Plateau State, like any other State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having a House of Assembly established under section 20 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 incidentally constituted of 24 members. But between 25th and 26th July, 2006, fourteen (14) out of the twenty-four (24) members of the Plateau State House of Assembly including the Speaker and Deputy Speaker thereof defected from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the platform on which they were elected to the House in 2003 to Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), a registered political party, as a result of which the said 14 members vacated their seats by operation of law leaving only 10 members of that House. Then, on the 5th day of October 2006 the 1st respondent was allegedly served with notice of allegations of gross misconduct thereby initiating a process of impeachment by the remaining 10 members of that House. The notice of allegations of gross misconduct was signed by Eight ( out of the Ten existing members. Throughout the processes and proceedings leading to and including the impeachment of the 1st respondent, the Plateau State House of Assembly had only Ten members, Eight ( of who supported and voted in favour of the removal of the 1st respondent under section 188 of the 1999 Constitution. The Court of Appeal holden at Jos in Appeal No. CA/J/302/2006 nullified the removal of the 1st respondent, Chief Joshua Chibi Dariye by the Plateau State House of Assembly on Monday the 13th day of November 2006 and ordered the reinstatement of the 1st respondent to the office of Governor of Plateau State.This judgement was appealed against but the Supreme Court in dismissing the appeal stated per Mahmud Mohammed, J.S.C as follows:  
 
“It must be stressed that although the remaining 10 members of the Plateau State House of Assembly might have convened and conducted valid proceedings of the House by virtue of having formed a quorum under 96(1) of the 1999 constitution which required only one-third of all the members of the House, this is only for the purpose of conducting ordinary proceedings of the House. Where the consideration of special or extra ordinary matters requiring two-thirds majority of all members of the House is in hand, the Appellants as members of the House who do not constitute at least two-thirds of all the members of the House, remained incompetent and not qualified to initiate and conduct valid proceedings in such special or extra ordinary matters in the House. The argument of the learned senior counsel for the Appellants that the number of the remaining 10 members of the House of Assembly must be used in the determination of the required two-thirds majority of members by virtue of Section 102 of the 1999 constitution, may lead to absurdity if accepted. This is because by this rather curious submission of the learned senior counsel that the House of Assembly may act not withstanding any vacancy in its membership, the proceedings of the House consisting of only one member could be regarded as valid under Section 102 of the 1999 constitution. Certainly, this was not the intention of the framers of the Constitution. The correct position of course in this respect is that the provisions of Section 102 must be read along with Section 96 of the 1999 constitution which prescribes a minimum number of members namely, one third of all the members of the House that can validly sit and conduct the business of the House of Assembly…”




The import and purport of the foregoing is that the ebonyi state house of assembly having been reduced from its constitutional constituencies of Twenty-Four (24) to Twenty (20) still possesses the quorum required for holding session which is eight pursuant to Section 96(1) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) and interestingly unlike the case of Plateau State above still possess the required number for special or extra ordinary businesses which is two-third being sixteen (16) members. Of course, twenty members do have 16 amongst them except and unless sixteen will be declared to be too many for twenty and in the Nigeria of our time such theatrics is not an impossibility. But methinks the leadership of the Ebonyi State house of Assembly is well advised on this matter because investigations reveal that the same law makers sought to commence an impeachment proceedings against the Executive governor of the state Mr. elechi Martins but had to shelve the plan as they did not have the required two-third (sixteen members) present at the last session because only fourteen members of the twenty were present thereof.
Nevertheless, the matter arising from this episode which the Focus Nigeria presenter should have equally brought before viewers is the question whether the house had the right to declare the seats vacant when in fact the matter is already before the Federal High Court holden in Abakaliki between Rt. Hon. Blaise Orji and others V Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku and others with suit number FHC/AI/CS/49/2014. But of course it is my educated guess that Mr. Gbenga being a perspicacious stormy petrel may have found it less interesting due to the fact that reckless disregard for rule of law is no longer a credible news line in our nation regardless of the effort of the Federal Government to enforce the observance thereof.
Another issue worthy of concern is the fact that the four members whose seat has been declared vacant are just a fraction of the total number of about ten (10) members who actually defected- Nine from Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to Labour Party (LP) while one defected from Peoples’ Democratic Party to All Progressives Congress (APC) in the person of Hon. Joseph Nwobasi (Ezza North East). This apparently is selective discrepancy and a political institution like the legislature which ought to respect the laws it makes and lead by example must not only be heard to so act but should also be seen. And as Maj. Gen. T. Y Danjuma had posited in the internuncial why and wherefore for declaring Mr. Goodluck Jonathan acting president of Nigeria in 2010 that “we are living in desperate times and this calls for desperate actions” one begin into wonder whether every season of polls in Nigeria calls for desperate actors always?

OKPO EWA EDMUND ESQ.
HUMANITY CHAMBER,
ABUJA, FCT OFFICE,
@okpoewa
www.okpoewa.org

“IS GMB TRULY LIKE MANDELA, REAGAN, EISENHOWER AND DE GAULLE AS TINUBU CLAIMS?”
Today, I came across an interesting tweet by Mr. Aye Dee (@MrAyeDee) saying “Only a Tinubu supporter will buy the nonsense he sold at the Lagos rally yesterday about Reagan, Mandela, Eisenhower and De Gaulle…” Truly, when I heard Tinubu’s line to woo the Lagos people to play his presidential card over the stereo my first reaction was a spontaneous soliloquy: “How could this man say this? How could he dare compare Buhari to these men? Does he take Nigerians or at least this generation for fools? How uninformed does he think us to be. I was in a taxi heading home from the office that evening with some co-passengers. One of them asked me why I said that and after explaining my reasons to him the other passengers and the driver who were listening without invitation agreed that that was a lame thing for Tinubu to do. An insult on the intelligence of the electorate and betrayal of trust. Two of the passengers were even pissed than I was. By the end of the journey everyone agreed with me that the whole change thing was a sham by an amalgamation of corrupt don’s for the singular purpose of hijacking power without a blue print for the nation. A native pot calling kettle black. I didn’t think it necessary to react on that comparison until I found a co-thinker in Mr. Aye Dee. Now let’s test the validity of Oga Bola’s comparison.
First, Ronald Reagan was the 40th president of American at the age of 70 in 1981 and since then America has never made the mistake of voting anyone his age till date chief reason being because of his numerous policy gaffes which many have credited to the diminishing returns in his quotient capacity and senility which are composites of evening age. Till date, Reagan is rated America’s worst president ever. Of course those who witnessed the Biafra war will attest to how he dragged his feet for the length of the war as Gen. Buhari did in picking common Vice President after emerging as presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress and indeed how he has been doing in producing his certificate and appearing for the presidential debate.
Mandela on the other part was an educated man (something which Gen. Buhari is yet to confince his supporters about) A lawyer and a welfarist and political activist definitely this man cannot obviously be on the same rating with the general. The only similarity he shares with Gen. Buhari is the age thing which really took a toll on him during his presidency as records reveal that as at December 1997 Mandela had admitted that Mbeki his deputy had become the "de facto President of the country".
Meanwhile, Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower as the 34th President of the United States at the age of 63 otherwise left most political activity to his Vice President, Richard Nixon. Amidst his failures are the following top five.
He Failed to Improve the Plight of the American Farmer- making the nation starve, He Failed to Moderate the Republican Party synonymous then for fundamentalist political proclivities, He Failed to Provide Leadership in Civil Rights, He Failed to Denounce Senator Joseph McCarthy to the scandal of the American nation and also He Failed to Defuse the Cold War. http://www.nps.gov/features/eise/jrranger/5accomp2X.htm
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle on the other hand was founder of the Fifth Republic who was elected as the 18th President of France at the age of 60 which is a dozen ages younger than our proposed excellency a fact which Tinubu failed to explain to the people.
From the foregoing, I think it is obvious that Tinubu ended up crystallising the unworthiness of his candidate age wise let alone the pedigree of patent terror.

u people are just looking for how u'll finish the little shreds of honour left in the poor general

WHY BUHARI WILL NOT DEBATE
I have read with kin interest the recently published press release by the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the reason behind their resolve to boycott the presidential debate chiefly of which they state to be that the processes is marred with compromise claiming that those organising it are Pro-Goodluck Jonathan. According to them the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) organising the debate is run actively by its most powerful members - NTA and AIT, who have clearly been partisan over the past one year Of course, “likelihood of bias” is a serious point in court of law but out of court one needs more that the “hear-say of likelihood of bias” to make any meaningful sense. This is the court of the masses where any staged prejudice can always be brought to a nullity no matter how perfectly orchestrated. The masses are like the wind that cannot be held still.

Be that as it may, one must also note here that just as they ingeniously posit that “it would be political malpractice to know beforehand what the AIT and NTA plans to do and yet to participate in this simply because of our desire to have a debate.” sic. They should know that one cannot also shift the goal post after the match has started. This debate craze was initiated by the very people who are today crying wolf to shy away. This is simple exam fever!

The recently conducted Lagos State Governorship Debate was organised by the Alhaji Remi Pro- APC Lagos Chamber of Commerce And Industry and the PDP Governorship Candidate “Old-Cargo” Jimi Agbaji despite hints of compromise in the system braced up to the challenge and floored the APC candidate twice on his own ground. A result which sent tension down the spines of the party. Ordinarily one would expect the APC to reciprocate Jimi Agbaje’s generosity in proportional aggression nay transferred aggression by also allowing their candidate to go to the stand despite the hearsays of compromise even if they were true.

Also, if as strong and enlightened as Akinwunmi Ambode is claimed to be he was held down in his own game by Jimi Agbaje how much more a frail presidential candidate who will not be able to last the drill. Already it has become a trending issue why the APC Presidential Candidate is always missing in the APC campaign public until it is time for him to address the crowd where he usually speaks for barely one and half minutes which seems to make people wonder whether it is due to lack of strength or what to say.

Another factor credited to the boycott is that the recent hues and cries over the academic credentials of the APC candidate has raised enough concerns that could work hardship at the showdown should anyone choose to make it an issue. But it seems the most threatening of all is the recently uprooted archives on the human right violations of His Emeritus Excellency as a Military President. Nobody needs a prophet to say what effect this could have on the Change General’s image should it be made an issue at the debate.

More so, we have watched some of the interviews of the APC candidate one of which was recently conducted by Funmi Iyanda of Silver Bird Television where the fine general exuded some quotient challenges so much so that the entire interview according to a face book post was practically “subtitled in english” and fraught with unusually excessive commercial breaks.

Now, one would think that with all the integrity and change braggadocio of the APC, taking the game to the opponent’s home shouldn’t bestir a storm in their tea cup. In politics, going to the opponent’s strong hold is a stunt that cannot be played down on. Failure to do so worked great hardship for Gen. Buhari in his last outing in 2011 where he concentrated his campaigns in the northern part of Nigeria only. An act he has so far been seen to be repentant of. For now, all the talks of compromise can only be seen as a flimsy excuse to run away from a feared lost battle and the only way to prove its verisimilitude is by actually attending the debate. Nigeria has really upgraded in mass awareness quotient that such things need not be interpreted to the masses. Assuming without conceding that the debate process has been compromised methinks it would rather work to the benefit of the prejudiced. The masses are always want to identify with the robbed party. Sympathy endorsement is a very strong factor anywhere. And that is one horse the APC and PDP have always ridden through the hearts of the masses in the past and present. So, why is the latter suddenly demurring in mounting a golden horse at the behest of the former except and only if there is something it seeks to hide. They should know that people have many questions they’d love President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to answer and the presence of the opposition is supposed to be a demister to such instances where they come with fogs.

But, come to think of it is there any question that Gen. Buhari or APC cannot answer? Even if the PDP hire all the noble laureates of mischief in the world to set up the debate against APC what is it that they cannot sincerely answer. A clear conscience they say fears no evil.

GEN. BUHARI TO SACK GOV. AMAECHI
Suddenly, all is not well within the camp of the All Progressives Congress as blocs within the party are calling for the head of Gov. Amaechi. According to source Gen. Buhari is recently considering the option of dropping Gov. Amaechi to replace him with the Comrade Governor – Adams Oshiomole. This is due to the fact that before now so many forces have been agitating that the Rivers Governor does not have what it takes to woo the support of people in Rivers State let alone his region and the nation at large. Incidentally, the Goodluck Jonathan/Nyesom Wike Campaign Rally which took place in Port Harcourt today Wednesday 16th January 2015 seem to work demister on the political fogs as the mammoth crowd that greeted the event confirmed the fact that Gov. Amaechi does not have grip of the state. This has been used by Ameachi’s detractors to mount pressure on the party leadership to drop him coupled with the fact that his initial declaration that the 40,000 capacity Adokiye Amiesiemeka Stadium, located in the New Port Harcourt City, Igwuirita-Ali, would not be open for use by the president for campaign despite due application for the campaign was only efficient in attracting negative publicity for the GMB team when partisan violence is discouraged. However, it is also rumoured that Gov. Amaechi was not just appointed director general of buhari’s campaign because of the believe that he wields the support of south south people but because of the strategic political point it scores to smear the presidency that his own brother leads the vanguard against him plus the whooping pecuniary investment he has contributed and is still willing to contribute to the course. Meanwhile efforts to get the response of the APC leadership on this issue has been elusive.

PASTOR TUNDE BAKARE EXPOSES GEN. BUHARI & OTHERS
I have been hearing people say that Buhari is this, Buhari is not that, Buhari is not this and so on and I wonder why they cannot even use their head. The gen. Buhari I know is a very well wired military operative. He is an effective operation hand in everything that the elite “Militarianism” represents and of course a contemporary representation of the concept of “Generalismo” of the ancient “Militarianism”. This is how he has been able to keep his head above water level so far. These skills of his were effectively used in 2011 to almost sweep the entire nation to his favour. First, one must know that the General may be clueless about many things but not entirely so about how to come about want he wants. You will understand what I mean by this as we progress. You see, in the build up to the general elections in 2011 when President Jonathan was the acting president. Obviously, everybody new that it was going to be a bit difficult to defeat Goodluck Jonathan at the polls but the fear was whether the Northern Nigeria which boasts of over fifty per cent of the voting power of the entire citizenry of the nation would permit so and what role the ever controversial southwest would tow. Thus, to achieve success over Jonathan the General came up with the idea of a North/Southwest political union to crush the intruding South-South candidacy. But since most of the political elements in the southwest were either graft celebrities as far as the masses were concerned or incompatible characters nay suitors as far as the northern region was concerned he decided to consulted his thinking caps who to come up with someone of impeccable character that the masses would easily identify with and one who was not or less a politician so that they wouldn’t have political problems in running the campaign and administration should they emerge victorious. And the first class candidate for this was no one else other than Pastor Tunde Bakare. It was believed that as a pastor and famous Christian figure so many Christians would happily identify with the team especially for his then frequent pro mass cries. In order to do so scouts had to investigate the person of the people’s pastor, what he likes, what he distastes and so on. After gathering these information about him the general’s camp quickly arranged dramatis personae, plots and settings woo the pastor’s heart. Some of his close confidants were very helpful in this arrangement setting up meetings and calls to achieve the feat. Some of those players are in PDP today and some in APC either contesting for one position or campaigning for another and some have chosen recess. Now, you will agree with me that there’s nothing that men of God appreciate more than respect for them and piousness. To this effect, the General and everyone around him put up the strong cleric veneration air around them. On one of those days, knowing that the pastor would want to gather side impressions of the labelled “Tzar” for himself as they go by the general deliberately arranged for his driver to have a quiet session with the man of God by making him drive the man of God to Mallam Nasir El-rufai’s house during one of their visits to Kaduna at which the driver stole a moment to request Pastor Bakare to pray for him. In response, the man of God sincerely informed him that he couldn’t pray Islamic prayer because he was a Muslim but now a Pastor and enquired of him if he wanted him to pray for him in the name of Jesus and the man replied “Sir, I’m a Christian and I’ve been driving General Buhari for 10 years.” The man of God was enamoured. However, question arising from here would be “why did the pastor conclude that the man was a Muslim, could it have been his general presumption or could it be because of the man’s mien?” If so, it would mean that the General’s Islamic disposition very likely may have achieved that. Secondly, “how come pastor failed to observe that the question he asked the man didn’t require him tendering his working experience with the general except unless his entreaty for prayers was a controlled script.” Remember, this happened before he’d accepted to be the General’s running mate. The next episode was the one that happened after the cleric had been successfully wooed to accept the call to be Buhari’s running mate. The pastor on one of his Youtube interviews reveals that he went to see the General at his hotel suite at Transcorp Hotels and Suites according to him as soon as he got there the door was open for him and the two private guards that were there said to him “Daddy, you’re welcome”. Thrilled that only Christians would greet a Pastor like that he enquired and he was told that they called him Daddy because he was their pastor’s spiritual father. Oh Lord!, the Pastor’s mind was blown beyond proportion at the non-fundamentalist nature of his party flag bearer. Alas! he failed to notice the blunder. Was it coincidence that the two guards were of one congregation? If my guess is right they couldn’t have been members of very big congregations like The Redeemed Christian Church Of Good, Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), DeeperLife Bible Church, Mountain Of Fire, Christ Embassy, Synagogue Church Of All Nations as well as any Catholic or Orthodox congregation because none of these can ordinarily be his son. Come to think of it, how many guards chat with guests? Guarding a General cum presidential candidate is a very serious business! Then came the London visit Act when the pastor went to see the General who decided to pull some ruse by telling him they had three things in common being that they were both the last child of their fathers, they were one of the only surviving two children of their fathers and that their fathers had a multitude of children. Instead of the pastor taking clue of the fact that he’d been well researched he rather perceived it with all sincerity as a more reasonable ground to see the General in a saintly impression. To him the General picked him because he was looking for someone with absolute integrity who believed in one Nigeria and was of younger generation. These and more have been viral on the internet in writings and videos with the intension to show that Pastor Tunde Bakare endorses Buhari on principles of political purity et al but on close look one will see that the cleric has rather helped reveal how he was wooed by political orchestrations into the web of scoffers which he himself admits to label him as ambitious for which reason he chose not to be active this season unbeknownst to him it is rather the belief of the new reich that his iconoclastic socio-religious celebrity status is no longer as viable a political tool as pulling a cleric from the most populated Pentecostal congregation in Nigeria if not africa whom apart from being a very dear son to the head pastor is also a political son of the political leader of the southwest whom for obvious reasons betrayed them last time by allowing his own bloc of the opposition split votes.
Now, while the pastor demurs calling them as they are he however proverbially regrets
“…When I decided to go to CPC, I looked at the integrity of General Buhari. And I still believe, up to this moment, that Buhari is a man of honour, virtue and integrity. And I have wished he could be an independent candidate, but he has to function in a political party…
I just pray that there will be no hangers-on that will begin to tamper with his integrity, because, after all, one tree does not make a forest.
If you are not planting the seed and watering it, in no time, the rod of the wicked could come upon the righteous and the righteous will have no choice but to put their hands into iniquity. God forbid, I pray that does not happen to him.
It is better for him to stand tall and stand erect for the rest of his life than get compromised by men of easy virtue.
I wish he could contest as independent candidate in the 2015 general election. Apparently, there is no room for it either in the constitution or our electoral act.”


But, the truth being that these lots can always do anything and pretend to be anything in their desperation for power shift which they have for the woo of the unsuspecting masses christened “change”
@OKPOEWA

@barcanista: but u borthered to change every letter the way apc intends to change nigeria with stains... but arrived late like u did here!

GEN. BUHARI TO STEP DOWN FOR GOV. KWANKWASO

It appears things are falling apart in the All Progressives Congress resulting to which the centre can no longer hold for the change camp. This was revealed during the flag off campaign of the Party in Kano State when Gen. Muhammadu Buhari publicly refused to present the party’s flag to Alhaji Umar Ganduje during his campaign rally at the Kano Township stadium recently.  Ganduje who is the incumbent Deputy Governor of Kano State and candidate of the All Progressives Party for the gubernatorial polls is alleged to have been single-handedly selected by Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso against the wish of other stakeholders of the party in Kano thereby provoking the disapproval of Gen. Buhari and fractionalizing the party. This clear show of the general’s refusal to recognize Gov. Kwankwaso’s anointed only fuelled the extant frosty relation between Gen. Buhari and Gov. Kwankwaso forcing the General’s camp to also accuse Gov. Kwankwaso of being a mole in the APC, working steadily for the PDP. According to them, Kwankwaso masterminded the certificate scandal now threatening to tear down whatever is left of the General’s integrity. Insiders to the blossoming Kano crisis suggest that Kwankwaso may have exposed Buhari as part of a wider plot to seek his replacement. The plot, according to insiders, is that Kwankwaso is angling for Buhari to step down on account of the scandal so that he would take over as the presidential candidate having placed second in the primary election of the party.

Meanwhile, Gen. Buhari is said to be very uncomfortable, and irate, with the deafening noise of the Kwankwasiyya movement, which members are said to be already over stretching as though he has been replaced by their principal, Kwankwaso. In fact it is revealed that the crowd that graced the APC rally had actually massed in anticipation that Buhari would announce his withdrawal from the race and replacement with Kwankwaso only to be disappointed which provoked the irate youths to charge at the General’s campaign train. In the process the men of the DSS attached to the campaign train successfully chased the youths away but not without some people however suffering injuries as well as some of security personnel. In fact, a vehicle carrying the DSS officials had its windshield smashed with tones causing bodily harm on the occupants. Six of the occupants were rushed to a nearby hospital. Four of them who sustained minor injuries were treated and discharged immediately. Another two, a lady and a man, who had deep cuts on their heads, were however admitted for further care and it was yet to be confirmed that the minor cases have left the hospital as at the time of filing this report. But the seriously wounded officers are to be flown back to Abuja for further treatment as soon as possible.

Be that as it may, Efforts being made to resolve the crisis have been greeted by a brick wall with the rigid position of Buhari who believes that without him the APC is only an empty shell while Gov. Kwankwanso on his part believes that without his followers in Kano State the Buhari presidential ambition is as good as dead. Ominously, observers smell deja vu as Party leaders are afraid that the tragedy that befell Buhari’s former party, the defunct CPC, will become the fate of APC due to Buhari’s highhandedness. It would be recalled that even as Mohammed Abacha was the popular candidate for Kano governorship race under CPC Buhari opted for Jafaar Isa, a retired soldier like himself. In the end, the party lost the 2011 election woefully. Buhari has even threatened to go it all alone and damn what he termed as “the sabotage of fifth columnists”.

Nevertheless, the party’s leader, Bola Tinubu, has commendably used his control of the media to paper over the cracks and keep the crisis out of press light though it is not sure for how long this may hold. More so, the Kwankwasiyya adherents are also mindful of Buhari’s health and are apprehensive of the toll a strenuous campaign schedule is taking on him. In response, Buhari’s loyalists are also blaming Kwankwaso and his group for insights into Buhari’s health. But spokesman of the Buhari Campaign Organization, Malam Shehu Garba, has posited that the situation was not as it is painted stating on a telephone chat that the crowd at the stadium may have hindered Ganduje’s approach to the podium to collect the flag.  In his words, the crowd was so much that the party leaders had to hurriedly end the programme to avoid casualties. Though he confirmed that no less than 40 persons fainted at the stadium and had to be stretchered out, he however said the party members are 100 per cent behind Buhari. “Nothing takes the support away from him. The party is 100 per cent behind Buhari. Our leaders showed rare courage to have come out to be with him on that day. The crowd was massive that movement was difficult. So, it is not impossible that the candidate was hindered from reaching the podium by the crowd”, he said.

On the other hand, The  National Coordinator of Concerned APC Stakeholders, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed, Confirming the schism while addressing newsmen on Thursday 22nd January 2015 in Abuja said the crisis which has already polarised the party along loyalty lines is as a result of the high handedness, viciousness and undemocratic posture of the presidential candidate. He alleged that Gen. Buhari has refused to recognize any other power bloc within the party especially the Kwankwasiya movement which is acclaimed to be one of the biggest blocs in the party nationwide and thereby forcing other members of the party to scamper for greener pasture elsewhere. Mohammed said: “Political watchers have attributed his refusal to handover the party’s flag to the state governorship aspirant, Alhaji Umar Ganduje during the just concluded presidential rally, as a fall out of this feud as he was not disposed to Ganduje ‘ s emergence owing to the latter’s membership of the Kwankwasiya.” This rivalry many believe has been in existence since the founding of the APC where legacy members of the party were not comfortable with the newcomers whom they claimed had come to take their place. It has also been gathered that the lack of trust between Kwankwaso and Buhari may also stem from the latter’s comments in 2010 when he called the General “A Serial Coupist”.  According to Mohammed, Buhari’s behaviour has brought about irreconcilable divisions within the party. He said Buhari had refused to recognise Ganduje because he was not the retired general’s choice for the ticket and warned he has once again used his hands to destroy whatever votes he was counting on Kano APC to deliver to him as many have gone their ways.

While reminding the four time presidential aspirant of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), experience “where he forced one of his loyalists Col. Ja’faar on the people even as Mohammed Abacha was the preferred candidate, which cost him the elections”, Mohammed further explained that the attempt by Buhari to always reward those who helped him in plotting coup in the army with every given opportunity is not acceptable to anybody in the Kwankwasiya movement in particular and Nigeria in general.” Speaking further the party stalwart added that the divisions within the party caused by the ‘Buhariyyas’ as they are fondly termed in the first place should have been avoidable but for the General’s insistence on unpopular issues in a democracy which proves to the whole world that he is not yet ready for the job of governing Nigeria under a rigid constitution and rule of law.

He also blamed the crisis on rumour mongers who begun accusing Kwankwaso of instigating the recent certificate scandal to ensure Buhari is substituted for another northerner which most likely would have been him. He said detractors of the party had already credited Kwankwaso’s usual nocturnal meetings to scheming geared at unseating or eventually betraying Gen. Buhari. He lamented that every attempt to get the national secretariat of the party to intervene has failed which has forced members to believe that the cult-like leadership of the party at Abuja is deceiving Nigerians with change as a slogan and may be up to something terrible at the end of the day. He therefore told Buhari to forget the cooperation of Kano people at the poll as the people have already gone their separate ways except Buhari is substituted with any other candidate before the election proper. It is on this note that some commentators believe that the election postponement proposal can be traced to the APC who tacitly spread it widely through rumors of security risks that have only stirred the natural reaction of fear in the PDP enough for the National Security Adviser to buy into it suggesting the shift. Albeit, as the day comes the intrigue increases and so far one can only hope for nothing but a denouement in favour of the mass.
OKPO EWA ESQ.
LAWYER, ARBITRATOR, LITERATI.
FCT. ABUJA
N.B: Contributions from THE UNION.

supermann come to umuahia, go to calabar and uyo u will switch off ur fridge because of too much light
what did obasanjo leave in power have u forgotten that d first thing yar'adua did upon swearing in was that he declared state of emergency in power sector? and gej has built up from there.

@damelza : only a nobody calls somebody a nobody... especially on fronts like this. please sheat ur insults before the prayer of southwestngr will come upon u!

use his broom to sweep off his footprints

WOLE SPEAKS
...talking to you, talking with you!

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE APC PRESIDENTIAL FLAGBEARER, MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMMADU BUHARI.

Dear Sir,
Compliments of the season to you sir. How is the presidential campaign going?
Sir, I commend your tenacity and undying commitment to serving your people. Such display of courage and determination is born of stuffs of legends and brings readily to mind the erstwhile president of the United States of America famed to have lost eight elections before he emerged as the president eventually. I am sure his named has already crept into your thoughts sir but for avoidance of doubt, he is no other than Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of America. His persistence knew no bounds. But sir, you cannot but agree with me that you do not have enough years left to break his record. Furthermore sir, between you and me, it is really nothing worthy of emulation. It is usually better to bow out when the ovation is loudest. But then who am I to dare suggest you were trying to emulate him?
Major General sir, you have served this country of ours in more ways than one over the course of time. You were the 7th Head of State, Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Governor of North Eastern State… At your age sir, I am inclined to believe you are better suited to spending your time being consulted over state issues while spending the bulk of your time with your grand-children and imparting the needed knowledge and wisdom that old-age is famed for imparting and I do not for a minute doubt that you are both old and wise. This is why I have a question for you sir, must you become president? You once ruled as a Head of State and this should have satiated any thirst or hunger for leadership at the federal or national level. I am of the informed view that you are too old for the position of the president of this great country. You are an elder statesman, please sir retain that position.
There is a saying sir that ‘those who live in glass houses should not throw stones’. I am reminding you of this saying sir because Governor Fashola of Lagos State, one of the golden boy or should I say man of APC stated on record that Jimi Agbaje, a gubernatorial aspirant contesting on the platform of PDP was too old to be the governor of Lagos State at 57 years of age. He cited reasons behind his assertion and of course that is expected of him after all he is a lawyer. At first sir, I argued with myself that Governor Fashola could not have uttered those statements. Why? Because the man who holds the Presidential ticket for his beloved APC is a very young 72 year old man who is older than my father, some of my uncles and my aunts who have been deemed too old to be in active civil service and as such had to retire or be retired. One of the institutions with the highest retirement age in Nigeria is the judiciary and even at that, only Supreme Court Justices are allowed to get to the ripe old age of 70 before being retired. Justices of other courts do not enjoy such luxury. As such sir, I could not but wonder if he had forgotten your age when he made that statement? Or perhaps such age limits apply to only contestants on platforms of political parties other than APC. I had to console myself that no matter his laudable achievements in the development and advancement of Lagos State, he remains a politician given to twisting their words per occasion although it is a tad disheartening that a product of APC could throw pebbles while cocooned in his glass house.
I also read somewhere that you promised Nigerians while vying for this same office in 2011 that it was going to be your last attempt at contesting for the post of the president. The writer of the article was quite vituperative and labeled you all sorts of things including a liar. Permit me sir to inform you that I was not taken in by his vilification of your good self. I am sure you have your reasons. Meanwhile it is not inhuman to lie nor is it uncommon of Nigerian politicians to twist their facts. In my experience, they do not possess the ability to lie, they merely twist facts.
I was not born when you ruled Nigeria as a military Head of State sir but I have heard and read enough of your good actions. Some books said you sponsored draconian decrees and assassinated sorry, executed some drug-peddling youth for offences which were yet to carry death penalty at the time of commission. I am also sure you have your reasons too. In fact sir, there is a list compiled of your activities as a military ruler with accompanying claim that you were high-handed and almost if not totally autocratic. In my opinions sir, you have your reasons too. Such cannot but be expected of military rule or dictatorship. Military men are renowned for their abilities and trainings for fighting wars not leadership or diplomacy. As such sir, it is not in my place to fault your actions as a military man.
However sir, I share in their concern that you may still be a military man at heart and not yet given to the finesse of civilian or democratic rule. The disdain with which you and some other military men greeted the fact finding commission of the Oputa Panel still rings a bell sir. It is undoubtedly a pointer to your convictions sir.
May I at this juncture state for the record that I am not a member of any political party. I have refused to be taken in by the chameleonic disposition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). One is not really different from the other. In my reckoning sir, PDP AND APC/CAN/AC/AD/ANPP are like bed-bug and mosquito respectively. They are both insects, annoying pests, blood-sucking vermin and harbinger of ill-health. I had to state the above sir so you do not see this letter as a cheap attempt at politicking by the opposition party. Both parties are like the proverbial child adept at dangling carrot before the unsuspecting lamb. I am therefore proudly partially apolitical as I still carry out my civic obligations by casting my vote during election period.
I have not been impressed with you or most of the other Northern leaders over the debacle of insurgency bedeviling our country at the moment. I am convinced that a lot is left to be desired from your conducts sir. I shall explain my meaning sir. At the moment, Boko Haram is located in the northern axis of Nigeria particularly the north-eastern parts. This presupposed that the impacts of their activities are felt more at this region than any other part of Nigeria. I have often had the course to wonder why the elder statesmen and governors in northern Nigeria could not take it upon themselves to visit this troubled region and hold discussions with the insurgents so that Nigeria can have more peace than it has now. I recall readily that when the Niger-Delta boys were at their destructive peak, the governors and elder statesmen of this region took it upon themselves to visit the creeks and hold deliberations with the militants. The peace the region experiences at the moment is a bye product of the decision made and step taken by leaders of the region. This is a step worthy of emulation sir. The fight against the scourge should not be left to the presidency alone because should he act too decisively, it can readily be tagged as an attack on the ‘north’ and I am sure nobody wants such or we will be on our way to another war in this country. This is one of the ways some of us expect you to serve this country sir as against your unrepentant drive to occupy aso-rock.
There is a rumour going round town spread I am sure by the opposition bordering on the presence or absence of a Secondary School Certificate in your name. I can see the maneuver for exactly what it is sir. It is nothing but a cheap attempt by your detractors at tampering with your good image because I find it incredulous at best that someone of your pedigree, experience and exposure found it difficult to pass all your promotional exams. In this sir, you have my sympathy. I have also heard that should the votes align in your favour come February 14, 2015, you may end up Islamising the whole country. However, it is also my take that such statement is just unconcealed politicking. You sir are made of finer materials to lure yourself into such indiscretion.
Furthermore sir, the ‘change’ your party peddles and drums down our throat is an overused expression. For someone of your pedigree one would think Nigerians would be regaled with something innovative. Change has been the same thing everybody preaches when seeking for office. Some of them have been lucky to earn the mandate upon such promise only for the change they promised to create to end up as mere lip service. It is not uncommon for politicians to promise building of bridges where no rivers exist. So sir, if change is all you promise, you may well be on your way to loosing again because I have had enough taste of the kind of change every Nigerian government has been dishing to us since 1999. Sir I want something better than change and I am yet to be convinced you the one who can deliver it.
Should it be that in spite of the reservations against your candidacy that many of us have, you were voted into power. I would like to implore you sir that you should not jail me as you may be wont to doing. Military rule is now over sir, I have been some years into our enjoyment of the dividends of democracy and I assure you sir, I am not done yet. However sir, I would be in your debt sir if you can prove me wrong in a good way. I know you love this country and I am open to proof in a good way.
Major General sir, please be advised that the immense followership you have incurred on all the social media may not necessarily transcend into votes. This is Nigeria, some things just do not work that way here yet sir.
Sir, in the name of everything and everyone that you hold dear to you, may I plead that you keep your supporters and your support force in check in all the events leading up to and during the elections. By the day sir, we are receiving increasingly swelling reports of how members of party A or party B are burning houses, schools, killing themselves all because of your ambition. Elections will come and go sir, and I wish that you do all that is in your power to ensure that it goes without bloodshed. We have had too much of this recently in this country.
I am but one of the over 120million Nigerians but I know sir that a lot of Nigerians share my sentiments.

LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!!!

Oluwole.
http://wolespeaks..com/2015/01/an-open-letter-to-apc-presidential.html

bar man give everybody one bottle of origin for PDP and APC head!

CORRUPTION vs GEJ
Officially, corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. In Nigeria corruption has been the bane of our socio-economic existence with both private sectors and public offices alike competing and collaborating in the act. With the global acknowledged status as "Giant of Africa", due to our large population with approximately 174 million inhabitants, enormous deposit of natural resources and vast economy Nigeria has found itself grappling with the possibilities of living up to the expectations of her exalted status due to one single factor- corruption! Everything in Nigeria seems to be connected with the cord of corruption making it a desperate need for a leadership that will treat this infirmity. This has been a great responsibility on the shoulders of the leadership of the nation with all hopes hanging on, prayers rising and fingers pointing to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Hence, the imperative question here is “what has Mr President done to solve the problem of corruption in Nigeria or has he done anything at all to solve this problem or is he also like every government before him contributing to the boom of corruption?”
The answer to this lies reasonably in the 2014 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index released December 3rd 2014 which ranked Nigeria the 136th most corrupt country in the world and the 3rd most corrupt country in West Africa after Guinea and Guinea Bissau. The group said it ranked 174 countries it surveyed based on how corrupt their public sector is presumed to be.The measurement is based on a scale of 0 to 100 with a score of 0 perceived as “highly corrupt” and 100 “very clean”. Nigeria was ranked 136th with an index score of 27.
Incidentally, Nigeria was ranked 143rd in 2011, 139th in 2012, 144th in 2013, and 136th in 2014 showing a trend of fluctuation. Though, the present is an improvement over the previous two things are obvious here.
One: The president is making effort in curbing corruption.
Two: The president’s actions are being opposed by some betraying elements within the system.
Truth be told, the corruption in Nigeria is a very well organised and deeply rooted syndicate that requires more than good intentions to address. It is a growth that has taken almost half a decade to mature that cannot be terminated with a magic wand. To this end, it becomes very difficult for ordinary Nigerians to easily see any work done in the fight against corruption. Whereas, Goodluck Jonathan is not the police man on the roads or in the station or other officer in the military and para-military forces in various stations and posts, he is not the civil servants in government employs, he is not the directors and staff in banks and various private sectors, he is not the lecturer, teacher or students in public and private schools, he is not the petrol attendant in the filling station, he is not the one in every nook and cranny of the Nigerian socio-economic sector where corruption thrives. He is only the superintendent who demands that we should join him in doing the right thing to eradicate corruption. This therefore requires that we should be “Goodluck Ebele Jonathan” fighting corruption everywhere we go. Already the president has taken the lead with his anti-corruption actions and policies like :
1. Granting the EFCC independence from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to prosecute suspects of corruption practices in the public sector without interference. No wonder Festus Keyamo even became a private prosecutor for EFCC in some cases.
2. With the employment of the enterprise and ingenuity of the youth generation he introduced the e-wallet smart policy for local farmers to obtain fertilizers and other facilities without the go between of middle men thus decimating almost 4 decades of fertilizer subsidy fraud, saving N50bn in a single year.
3. He revived the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) to eliminate a major avenue of corruption in the public sector. This has resulted in the elimination of 50,000 ghost workers and achieved N139bn in savings.
4. He implemented Project Aquila to track the movement of petroleum products around Nigeria with technology thereby helping to reduce up to 20 million litters a day in PMS subsidy fraud.
5. He allows the judiciary to operate without executive interference while ensuring that no judicial misconduct is condoned. e.g approved the sack of a judge that upheld the results of a fraudulent election in Osun State even though the Judge’s decision had benefitted his own party, PDP and equally approved the suspension of a judge that had sentenced a man, convicted of stealing pension funds, to a paltry fine instead of prison
In all of these it is therefore our duty to prevent those enemies of anti-corruption from sabotaging our winning strides by representing the chief anti-corruption warrior Goodluck Ebele Jonathan where ever we are even as we vote him as our val come 14 February, 2015. To this end I AM GEJ! WE ARE GEJ!
“JE SUIS GEJ”

even lai mohammed approves of GEJ achievements in power sector see:
APC Commends Jonathan On Achievements In Power Sector
www.nairaland.com/.../apc-commends-jonathan-achievements-power

gej has been working hard in the power sector remember how he sacked a minister of power over complicity?

Buhari's daughter was in law sch with me some time ago and trust me there was nothing modest about where she was coming from. Also buhari did not recommend Dora to obj remember that until just recently, obj and buhari have had a very sore relationship since buhari ousted the civil govt (shagari) whom he transited to

RAYPOWER/AIT AWARD TU-FACE, MICHAEL JACKSON, FASHOLA, AKPABIO & OTHERS AT 21

As the year 2014 winds up families, organizations and governments have not hesitated in unwind with events and glamours and High Chief Raymond Dokpesi the path finder in Nigeria's entertainment industry who always has his ways of blazing the trail did not demure on Monday the 15th of December 2014 in seizing this season for a no nobler reason than celebrating the 21st anniversary of Daar Communications - the holding corporation of the first private radio and television stations in Nigeria : Raypower 100.5 FM and Africa Independent Television (AIT) respectively with an Awards and Concert event for its supporters, partners and other worthy personalities in Government and Private Sector in Nigeria and beyond. The following are the categories of awards issued and the winners:
1. First advert on Raypower : Star Beer
2. First agency to place advert on Raypower/AIT : Lintas
3. First & Longest running sponsored programme on Raypower : Milo World of Sport by Nestlé Foods
4. Most consistent client/ sponsor on AIT : Nigeria Breweries
5. Outstanding Corporate Support (Business Relationship Award)
6. Outstanding Adverting Agency: media Perspective Ltd, Mediaa Reach OMD Ltd, Starcomm Media Ltd &
7. Remarkable Patronage Award : Wale Adenuga
8. First Media Planner Raypower/AIT : Robert Canis
9. First Sponsor of a Programme of AIT : Wema Bank Plc. (AIT News Hour)
10. Outstanding Independent Producer Award: Masters Sports, Bisi Olatilo Show, Prime Time Africa, Amaka Igwe (Post Humous)
11. Technical Support Awards : Z.Mirage, Arch. Ayo Oluwarenu
12. Outstanding Personality : Prof. Ralf Akinfeleye
13. Humanitarian Award for Sacrificing Life for the Battle of Ebola: Dr. Stella Adedevor
14. First Promoter: Lafiz
15. First Int'l Event Sponsorship : Guinness Nigeria (Grammy Awards)
16. First Nigerian Song on Raypower : Lagbaja (Omo Penu Oluwa)
17. Artist with the highest number of rotation within 24 hours : King Sunny Ade (24 Hours non stop)
18. Outstanding Nigerian with The Highest Number of Songs : Tuface Idibia
19. Premiere Outstanding Nigerian Hip Hop Song: Shakomo (Remedies)
20. Best Concert Award: Fela & Femi Kuti (Father & Son Concert).
21. Special Int'l Recognition Award: Michael Jackson ((he Jackson Family)
22. Outstanding Performance Awards: Gov. Babatunde Fashola (Infrastructural Facilities) Lagos state
Gov. Uduaghan - Delta State
Gov. Sule Lamido (Urnan & Rural Development)- Jigawa State.
Gov. Adams Oshiomole (Voters Education)- Edo State
Gov. Ibrahim D. (Youth Empowerment) Gombe State
Gov. Godswil Akpabio (Infrastructural Development) Akwa Ibom State
Gov. Olusegun Mimiko (Health Care Delivery)- Ondo State
Gov. Rochas Okorocha (Education) - Imo State
Gov. Jonah Jang - Plateau State
Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso (Women Empowerment)
The climax of the evening however was in the recognition of some of the pioneer staff of the establishment in the likes of Mr. Olusesan Ekinshola, Mr. Kenny Ogungbe, Mrs Yemi Adenuga, Oluwanusola Fayega, Mr. Segun Shilong, Dennis The Menice, Tonye Ikegie, Ambrose, Engr And Tony Uya.
this section also features a tear provoking reminiscence of the labours and sacrifices of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi and his family of pioneer directors and staff including those already deceased.
In addition to this was the recognition of the Pioneer Board Of Directors which include: Otunba Doyin Ogungbe, Chief Mrs Moji Dokpesi, Otunba Folu Oru, Mr. Olusesan Ekinsola, Mrs. Julie Ndam, Mallam Inua Elams, Alh. T. R. Bello,Mrs Funmilayo Dokpesi and High Chief Raymond Dokpesi. Also awarded were the members of the present Board Of Directors some of which are Prince Barr. Akpologo J.B, Princess Toro Ophili (J.P), Prof. Ralph Adefeleye, Alh. Gambo Lawal, Chief Raymond Dokpesi Jnr., Barr. Charles Iyizoba and Mr. C. Obo
To grace the occasion were the breath taking performances from star acts like Daddy Showkey, Omowunmi, Abiodun Oya (First Nigerian Opera to perform twice for the President of America), Oritse Femi, Joe El, Tu face and most memorably, the thrilling performances of Remedies (for the first time in ten years) and the collaboration of Lagbaja and King Sony Ade to close the event with open dance floor!
Meanwhile the Group Managing Director in benediction announced that the event as well as the carol nite will become yearly celebrations even as they proceed with an in house arrangement to present awards to others whom the evening was too short to accommodate.

Okpo Ewa Edmund.
Live from Lagos

COURT STALLS GOV. AKPABIO'S SUCCESSION MOVES

The Governor of Akwa ibom state Obong Godswil Obot Akpabio seem to have run into a brick wall with his anointed candidate Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel whom he had succeeded in arranging the party ticket for during the People's Democratic Party governorship primaries on Monday 9th december 2014. Though the whole primaries was aired live on Channels T.V and AIT to show a totally free and fair exercise which produced a landslide victory for the governor's candidate the other 22 aspirant may have successfully challenged the authenticity of the primaries at least for the interim through their prayers before a Federal High Court sitting at Abuja. They have challenged among other things the authenticity of the delegates that voted at the primaries contending that the State Party Chairman refused to show them the list of delegates and the ballot papers to be used for the election despite repeated demands and reminders for him to do so before the commencement of voting as enshrined in section 19(1) of the PDP guidelines.
According to source the alleged delegates list was leaked to the local media before the primaries but the leadership of the party through Obong Paul Ekpo the State Party Chairman denied that that was the intended list only for them to proceed to use the very same list which had a majority of non party members and faux delegates.
Flowing the foregoing the Federal High Court has granted injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting and recognizing the candidacy of Mr. Udom Emmanuel Gabriel. Now while the court adjourned to monday the 5th of January 2015 for further proceeding the ultimatum for submission of the party flag bearer to INEC is 16th January 2015. At such, it is unclear whether the governor will be able to untangle his candidate from this legal web. Meanwhile, it seems the aggrieved aspirants on the other have also finally earned the attention, concern and sympathy of the presidency and national leadership of the party which has been hitherto insulated from their entreaties courtesy of powers unknown though accusing fingers point to the Chairman People's Democratic Party (PDP) Governor's Forum.
Accordingly, there is only one of four possible outcomes to this conundrum which are:
1. That the PDP in Akwa Ibom State may not field a candidate for the 2015 gubernatorial elections if the suit proceeds beyond the ultimatum and the parties concerned fail to reconcile their interest before then or

2. That the court may vacate the injunction and rule in favour of His Excellency and his heir apparent where they are able to tip the balance of probability to their favour in their representation before the court or where the aggrieved fail to prove their case. Or
3. The court may upon the representation of the aggrieved party nullify the alleged primaries and order a fresh one to be conducted and if they are able to comply before the INEC deadline God bless them or
4. Both His Excellency and the aggrieved parties sheath their sword and come to a compromise on the vexed matter and this may probably work if the alleged winner of the primaries is dropped or if the presidency and party leadership find their way into the hearts of 22 aggrieved aspirant.
Be that as it may, all is not well for the party especially considering the fact that they have a strong opposition on ground to fight all ready in the person of Obong Umana Okon Umana the former Secretary to the State Government whom the Governor sacked to accommodate the noww anointed candidate but is now flying the flag of All Progressives Congress. Interestingly, this opposition structure gave the ruling PDP a very stiff fight in 2011 polls and it took the political gallantry and con of the said Umana Umana and some of these aggrieved aspirants and other protesting party chieftains and soldiers to wade through. Hence, PDP cannot afford to lose more of its gladiators and foot soldiers to the already formidable opposition. And indeed these aggrieved aspirant cannot be shoved easily bearing in mind that they have at different levels held great sway in the party and still do till now. Some of them are Obong Opkolupm Etteh (Majority Leader Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly), Amb. Assam Assam SAN (former Attorney General Akwa Ibom State and former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia), Barr. Ekpeyong Ntekim (former Commissioner for Justice of the state), Obong Nsima Ekere (former Deputy Gov of the state), Obong Patrick Ekpo Otu (former Deputy Gov to Gov. Akpabio), Sen. Helen Esuene (serving senator of the Federal Republic), Barr. Effiong Abia (former commissioner for Local Govt & Chieftaincy Matters and former Comm. For rural development), Barr. Okpo Asuquo (Legal Practitioner and Oil Mogul) and Benjamin Okoko to mention a few.

Okpo Ewa Edmund Esq.
Solicitor, Arbitrator & Literati.
Humanity Chambers,
Uyo, AKS.

"APC ROBS IMO TO PAY ROCHAS"

While Nigerians who hunger for change have been hoping that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan would effect that change and in event of his hesitation in rapid activation of the much desired change had hoped that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would actually effect the much desired change owing to their heavily publicized gospel of change the All Progressives Congress may have dimmed these hopes by their recent machinations. Thus, these hopes seem to be truncated by recent developments in the APC following the sudden giving of the party's governorship ticket to Governor Owelle Rochas after losing woefully to General Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential primaries. The preponderance of speculations before now has been that Gen. Buhari in fear of losing to Alh. Atiku Abubarkar had in concert with Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu arranged for Gov. Rochas, Gov. Kwankwaso and Mr sam nda isaiah to join the race in other to foil Atiku's chances of gathering votes from their respective constituencies especially where delegates from those constituencies would ordinarily choose Atiku over Gen. Buhari. And this may not be too far from the truth as it has been revealed that the APC has collected its governorship ticket in Imo state which it initially issued to Gov Owelle Rochas' son in law and former Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development - Chief Uche Nwosu to hold in trust for his father in law. This was done in order to deny other eligible and neutral aspirants from getting it while Gov. Rochas ran Buhari's errand. Now, while the presidential primaries was going on Gov. Rochas arranged for the Governorship form to be filled in his name (that is if it was not filled long before now) and barely hours after Gen. Buhari was declared winner of the APC's presidential primaries the Imo state chapter of the party declared Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha the new flag bearer of the party for the gubernatorial election stating that it has the powers to exchange names and/or persons who they want to bear the party's ticket. As a result of this, many Nigerians are beginning to lose interest in the much acclaimed change and transparent democracy of the All Progressives Congress. It would be recalled that as much as the APC vilifies and criticizes the ruling Peoples' Democratic Party for not being democratic and transparent in its activities and leadership the APC itself has been faulted on this same grounds regarding its state primaries this year and those conducted under the auspices of ACN, CPC and ANPP in the past. Even the statements by APC members today commending the just concluded third convention of the party as the first and only free and fair primaries ever in Nigeria seem to discredit their previous primaries and convention in the same breath.
However, it appears that the most alarming of all is the shenanigans surrounding the sudden "seize and award" pattern used in collecting the ticket from the first candidate to give to Gov Rochas at his behest and capriciously so thereby raising questions as to whether there was no closing date for sales and return of forms as well as screening which the governor did not attend because the fact that he attended the screening for presidential primaries does not automatically qualify him for governorship being that the panels are ordinarily two different panels. This is indeed a travesty of the very democratic ideals that the APC claim to promote. As a result of this many Imo state voters are beginning to see their governor as a desperate if not confused politician who would do anything to remain in the corridors of power and have on that note resolved not to vote him into power again for abandoning the state to seek personal interest. To some it is a shame that APC had reduced the Governorship of the state to a family property which a father in law would give to his son in law to hold in trust for him while he goes hunting only to return to collect it back after the hunt. This of course does not go without ripples as some of them have equally resolved not to vote APC in the 2015 polls because they fear the party may just be hypocritical all this while and that if it could pull such ruse with Imo state who knows what I could do with Nigeria as a whole?
OKPO EWA EDMUND ESQ.
HUMANITY CHAMBERS
260 IDORO ROAD, UYO AKS HQR
ABUJA OFFICE:SUITE 4. BRICKCITY KUBWA. FCT.
@okpoewa

BARR. EFFIONG ABIA FIGHTS FOR ORO NATION

As Akwa Ibom state celebrated its 27th anniversary as a state on 23rd September this year some could boldly assert that the state has never had such performance in governance like they have in Governor Akpabio's administration but critics are rather of the view that never before has the state had so much in flow of finance from allocation and internally generated revenue with so little to show. Meanwhile, the people of Oro nation (one of the three major tribes in the state) have a very different view to this. According to them never before has any tribe been so neglected, marginalized and discriminated against in the comity of nations like they have been subjected to since the creation of the state climaxing in the present administration. To remedy these wrongs the Oro people have demanded to equally take their turn at the Hiltop Mansion as other two tribes (Ibibio and Anang) have. Incidentally these three tribes are found in the three senatorial districts of the state with other minority tribes - one dominating each respectively: The Ibibio dominating the Akwa Ibom North East/ Uyo Senatorial District, the Anang dominating the Akwa Ibom North West/ Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and Oro dominating the Akwa Ibom South/Eket Senatorial District.
But it took so much arm twisting for Gov. Akpabio to accommodate the Eket Senatorial District in his succession plot which unfortunately is not an Oro son. The arguments for this seem to revolve on two phoney dibs - first being that the Oro people with five local government areas do not have the population to produce the governor but they produce more than the required natural resources to sustain and enrich those with the population. Second, that the Oro people betrayed Godswil by fielding a candidate against him in 2007 primaries that he Akpabio emerged victories through all the supports of the then State Party Chairman Chief Ita Toyo a.k.a "Total Chair" and chief Edet Mpkubre the National Vice Chairman (South South) of the party both Oro fathers.
However, while the Oro people are "fighting" their fate it is equally pertinent to note that the number of "Judas" in their fold are alarming. This is more so considering the fact that they are especially of the older generation that should bequeath better things for their children. Thus, while the general population are clamoring for the Governorship of the state these men and women are surreptitiously admitting pots of porridge. For instance, one of them after raising so much dust against His Excellency has been settled with the party ticket for the senate, while another elderly rabble raiser has been quieted with a N200m largesse together with a former commissioner and some have been buried with promises of "golden carrots."
But in the midst of all these one man stands out noble and undaunted : Barr. Effiong Abia. He is still very much in the race for his people and there is no sight of his reneging. It must be noted that this amiable gentle man has served the state as a civil servant and public servant without blemish and his good nature has won him so much goodwill that even the current State party Chairman Obong Paul Ekpo affirmed during his official declaration that he is the only aspirant who hasn't stepped on anybody's toe or hurt anyone with his aspiration since the beginning of the race to the Hiltop Mansion 2015.
Today the Oro people in alliance with the good people of Akwa Ibom who believe in justice, equity and fairness are all closing ranks with the fine gentleman to narrow the contest to Gov. Godswil Obot Akpabio and his anointed right hand Mr. Udom Emmanuel Gabriel and their band of lots on the one side against Barr. Effiong Abia with the good people of Akwa Ibom on the other side. And the battle may either end or begin today. But whatever may be the result in the end the people of Oro Nation as humans may forgive and forget the acts of those who chose to desert them over porridges in a time like this but posterity may not forgive them and history will never forget such but to those whose good conscience has been to soak their grains in the field of truth the Oro people will forever remain indebted to even as we all pray that in the end "let they that laugh laugh in Oro lest we bid ourselves "goodnight Akwa Ibom" on a morn like this.
Okpo Ewa Edmund Esq.
Solicitor, Arbitrator, Literati.
Humanity Chambers,
260, Idoro Road, Uyo ,
Akwa Ibom State.

GOV. AKPABIO PICKS SENATE TICKET WITH TWO FRESHERS

Finally, the National Assembly primaries for the Peoples' Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom state has been concluded with the senate primaries this evening where 3 Senatorial District Candidates emerged after today's PDP primaries conducted in the three zones.

1. Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District:
‎*Godswill Obot Akpabio - 423 (Winner)
(Serving Governor of Akwa Ibom State)‎
‎*Inibehe Okorie - 0
*Ekperikpe Ekpo - 0

‎
2. Akwa Ibom North-East (Uyo) Senatorial District:
*Bassey Albert Akpan - 363‎ (Winner)
(Former Finance Commissioner)
*Ita Enang - 3‎
*Usenobong Akpabio - 5
*‎Daniel Jack 1
*Ekpe James 1
*Nsikak Okon 0‎

3. Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District
Nelson Effiong‎ - 275 (Winner)
(One-time Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly)‎
*Emmanuel Ekuwem - 75‎
*Victor Akan - 35‎‎

The result above is as collated on ground duly supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission and not the official release from the State Chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP)‎.
From the foregoing it confirms the speculations earlier that the Governor intends to be the leader of the upper chambers law makers by ensuring that no present serving law maker returns. Another tinge to the whole development is the emergence of Rt. Hon. Nelson Effiong as the flag bearer for Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District as a move to truncate the agenda of the Oro nation for the governorship ticket. Never the less the struggle goes on, the intrigue increases and the suspense continues.
Okpo Ewa Edmund Esq.
Solicitor, Arbitrator & Literati.
Humanity Chambers,
Uyo, AKS.

The Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State has concluded its primaries for the House of Representatives primaries though the party is yet to release the result officially. Below is the list of winners as conducted and witnessed under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission :

1. Eket Federal Constituency – Mrs. Owoidighe Ekpoattai

2. Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency – Francis Uduyok

3. Uyo Federal Constituency – Michael Enyong

4. Ikono/Ini – Engr Iboro Ekanem

5. Etinan Federal Constituency – Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon

6. Oron Federal Constituency – Nse Ekpenyong

7. Abak Federal Constituency – Emmanuel Ekon

8. Ukanafun Federal Constituency – Emmanuel Ukoette

9. Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency – Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Akpan

10. Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency – Dr. Henry Archibong
From this result two currently serving members will be returning for second term being number 7 and 8 above who incidentally are from the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial district where the the governor himself hails from and reactions from this are that it is a concerted effort by his excellency to make sure that the leadership of the akwa ibom law makers in the lower chamber are his kins men while himself will lead those in the upper chamber provided the distinguished Senator Ita Enang does not get the party ticket to represent the Akwa Ibom North East district for the second time am rumoured. This will be decided today while the Governorship primaries takes place tomorrow monday.

Okpo Ewa Edmund Esq.
Solicitor, Arbitrator & Literati.
Humanity Chambers,
Uyo, AKS.

AKWA IBOM STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PDP PRIMARIES UPDATE
So far so good all is neither very well nor not well with Gov. Godswil Obot Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State as the results trickling in from the various centers for the house of assembly primaries seem to be in favour of the Governor's candidates and some seem not to be in his favour which portends that all may not be so easy for him as he plans to make the senate ticket his gratuity and installing his successor for pension. So far, while Ibiono Ibom which is the most populated local government in the state succeeded in returning the current serving Legislator Hon. Barr. Ime Okon against the countless exhausted efforts of his excellency to destabilize the structure in that constituency which was under the control of Mr. Bassey Albert the commissioner of finance which his excellency sacked for eyeing his office but who now harkening to the party's zoning arrangement guns for the senate seat presently occupied by the state's only truly representing senator Barr Ita Enang. Another area of concern is the Nsit Ubium State Constituency presently occupied by the governor's politically adopted son Hon Barr Onofiok Akpan Luke whom the governor's younger brother and de facto special assistant a year four student of law in the University of Uyo, Prince Akpabio personally sponsored one of his lecturers and fledging lawyer Barr Solomon Ekokoi as government house candidate against Onofiok who has held various offices from students structure to personal aid to the governor as punishment for the sin of refusing o take the locally administered oath (known as mbiam) to support whoever the his excellency brings as successor – an oath he never took to support the governor the two times he ran for the office of the governor he has occupied for the past seven years and counting.
Meanwhile Obong Umana Okon Umana the estwhile secretary to state government who happens to be the most threatening governorship aspirant against Mr. Udom Emmanuel the governor’s anointed candidate hails from that local government which makes the emergence of Onofiok Luke ever more strategically significant.
On the other hand, the infamous Prince Akpabio seen to have been too busy sponsoring government and family stooges that he even lost out in his own biddings for the house of assembly ticket of his state constituency Essien Udim where the state chairman of all local government chairmen Mr. Nse Ntuen emerged.
And in abak state constituency the governors right hand boy and commissioner for information Mr. Aniekan Umana cowered out of the race for another trump who lost to Hon. Elder Friday Iwok the present serving law maker in that constituency amidst all the noise that he had been rejected by the Abak people. This also is another inauspicious development for the governor’s senatorial ambition being that the Abak five are strongly contending that it is their turn to take the senate. Thus, will the elder lead his people to the senate or will he submit his people for his governor?
Meanwhile it seems all of the five state constituencies of the oron nation are returning fresh candidates indicating that they will not be occupying any of the principal offices in the next government which is usually not available for first timers. The implication of the foregoing is either of two: one, it could be that the Oron Nation have been totally out played by the governor’s orchestra team to deny them any reasonable hold in the next government. or two, it could be that the Oro people are closing ranks and harnessing all their strengths and interest for one purpose which the seat of the governor come 2015 and for that purpose do not want to have anybody in any situation that could be used to blackmail them
Thus, here are the results that have been announced so far:

Uruan State Constituency
Aniekan Etim Bassey winner
Nsit Ubium Constituency
Onofiok Luke winner
Ikot Ekpene /Obot Akara Constituency
Idongesit Ntekpere Winner
Essien Udim State Constituency
Nse Ntuen -Winner
Ibiono State Constituency
Hon (Barr.) Ime Okon winner
Nsit Ibom State Constituency
Mfon Ekong Winner
Oruk Anam State Constituency
Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan Winner
Ukanafun State Constituency
Otobong Sampson Akpan Winner
Etinan State Constituency
Barr Dennis Akpan winner
Abak State Constituency
Elder Friday Iwok winner
Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency
Aniekan Uko Winner
Itu State Constituency
Prince Idongesit Ituen winner
Onna State Constituency
Otuekong Nse Essien (Indo) winner
Okobo State Constituency
Felicia Bassey Winner
Mkpat Enin State Constituency
Otobong Ndem Winner
Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo State Constituency
Uduak Udo Udo winner
Urue Ofong State Constituency
Okon Tom Osung winner
Mbo State Constituency
Asuquo Samuel Ufo winner
Oron/Udunguko State Constituency
Effiong Okon Bassey winner
Eket state constituency
David Lawrence Udofa winner
Esit Eket/Ibeno Steta constituency
Dr. Usoro Essien Akpanusoh winner
Uyo State Constituency
Hon Maureen winner




Okpo Ewa Edmund Esq.
Solicitor, Arbitrator, Literati.
Humanity Chambers,
260, Idoro Road, Uyo ,
Akwa Ibom State.

GOV. SHEMA IS RIGHT!

The voice of the people is the voice of god…
When Governor Ibrahim Shema referred to his political opponents as political cockroaches right before the good people of Katsina State either of two possible reactions was imminent: “Approval” or “Disapproval.” We have seen people employ the latter against their leaders in this country by very many ways some of which even led to the demise of such leaders where they failed to manage the disapproval properly. But in this case the people of Katsina State did not disapprove of the statement rather they proceeded to deliver their judgement as follows
Gov. Shema: “The PDP administration in Katsina State has impacted on your life and that of your family.
You must take your sick child to the hospital for free treatment.
You have to use the good roads built by the PDP to go to your house.
Your child has not paid a kobo for his education since I became governor. He is not paying for examinations. [Someone from the audience said WAEC and NECO free]
From 2007 to date, there is no father that is paying a kobo for his child to go to primary or secondary school, or for WAEC, NECO or NABTEB.
Therefore, we must be grateful to Allah.
If you take a look at some states – I don’t have to mention them; but they are many – they have had PDP and other parties at different times. But Katsina has been under the control of the PDP since the return of democracy.
And don’t worry about political cockroaches. Cockroaches are found in the toilet even at home. The moment you see a cockroach, what do you do?”


The People: “You kill it.” [The audience responded]. He repeated the question before then added “Crush them.” And proceeded continued.
Gov. Shema: “And I tell you, if anyone touches you, you must retaliate.
The politics we played in the past, where PDP members are disrespected, humiliated and molested, but we asked them to be patient, now whoever wrongs you, you must retaliate, I said it.”

It would seem therefore from the foregoing that Gov. Shema has with the numerous "masses oriented projects" some of which he enumerated in the transcript above have captured the heart of his people and earned their ally to which end they are willing to flush out anybody rising to truncate their many dividends.
Also, it is very important to note that our amiable governor did not directly call anybody “cockroach” but referred to them in a descriptive allusion as “POLITICAL COCKROACHES.” This means that he was only referring to their political character.
But while the Katsina people are yet to react negatively to the misconstrued statement some of the elites with political interest seem to have taken up the duty of over stretching the truth of the statement from fact to fallacy alleging that it has incited the people against them being the opposition- the same opposition that Shema weathered to emerge Governor in 2007 and floored in 2011 to return to office without need or use of violence. According to some of the opposition leaders in the state like Mustapha Inuwa, The Katsina State Chairman of The All Progressive Congress (APC) the statement was targeted at their party and the members due to their growing acceptability and popularity in the state. He also noted that the party would petition the Inspector General of police and the State Security Services to investigate such utterance as they could not fold their arms to be threatened with violence by the governor.
But, one striking question that comes to mind following some of the insinuations above is that "if truly these opposition parties are acquiring popular acceptance in Katsina State why then are they afraid ?" "Who then will be at the beck and call of Shema to attack them the 'emerging popular majority?”' Ordinarily, if such allegations were true we the people of Katsina would have rather opted to join the popular opposition to shun Shema but the truth is that the opposition in Katsina, if I may justify the allusion of Gov. Shema, are like pests to the positive developments in Katsina State. Scientifically, there are about 4,600 species of cockroaches in the world 30 of which are identified with human habitat; typically spreading bacteria, allergies and are potentially dangerous to human living. In this light, much as one appreciates the role of vibrant opposition as one of the “performance catalyst” in government be it democratic or not it must be noted here that the acclaimed opposition is not the idle paradigm. Rather these are the same people who have over the years branded Shema “Stingy Governor” simply because he chose to invest the state funds in “masses oriented projects” instead of sharing it with them in the name of political structures and stakeholders
Another question that comes to mind here is whether this is the first time such sarcasm is used. The answer is definitely no! I am no party person but truth be told, we are all witnesses to the inciting statements against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate in 2011 by one of our well respected leaders and just recently the Governor of a South-South State openly declared operation civil disobedience. These are people who have always been blunt with their words and crude in their actions but it is Shema’s sarcasm that is now a thunder storm.
One would think that with the same proportion they are criticising the pest sarcasm they would equally deny every other fact stated in that statement. Governor Shema listed things he has been able to achieve for us in Katsina and they could not deny it. He stated how the same opposition has been humiliating and attacking people of Katsina State for the past seven years and they did not disclaim it. But when he alludes to their negative politics as “political cockroach” they decide to use that to attack his person forgetting that he has a sterling clear record when it comes to violence. Our governor is a lawyer, a politician, a leader and a devout Muslim. A man of this capacity cannot use words carelessly. Like poets have poetic licence Shema used the word in its Political Sarcasm and in that same meaning we the people of Katsina State understood him. That is why hours and days after he made the statement none of us has gone out to attack anybody in the bid to crush the “cockroaches”. Most of them are our family and friends operating deviously like cockroaches and when the time comes we shall crush them like “political cockroaches” with our “votes”!

Zainab Gambo.