₦airaland Forum

Aigbofa: Isn't there any clause in their agreement about defaults? They claim to make billions everyday and they can't pay their rents?
And they have the effrontery to challenge the appointment of a babaloja!
This must be a joke.

Somebody is not telling the truth here. From all indications, LG leased to Paramo to construct the shops, they cudnt and had to lease it to Igbos who can. Now I think the problem lies here: what was the agreement btw Paramo and shop owners (igbos). Bcuz from all indications the shop owners hv nothing to do with the LG aside paying their tax. The terms of agreement shud settle this.

kcjazz: So because he said the truth, now he is evil? My people and their moving standards smh

The reason the young man gave is ridiculous. He said 14 were from Anambra whilst 72 was brought.Cant he tell his friend Fash y he had t dump non Anambrarians in his state. Oh i 4got they r both ACN. He said both states agreed; agreed for exchange by 3 am ? He said hez being directed, like wtf. Soo without being pushed he cant defend his people ? Cry me a river dude.

When you think it will get better for Ngige it turns South again. He just shot himself on the foot by endorsing this inhuman act of Fashola simply bcuz u are frm same party. Dumb move IMO.

'Deportation' of Igbos from Lagos: Senator Ngige speaks


Former Governor of Anambra State and Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige has addressed the media on the alleged deportation of ndi Igbo from Lagos State. Senator Ngige stated this in a letter to Aka Ikenga a socio cultural group which had requested that he take up the matter with the Governor of Lagos State. Below are

the contents of his letter and attached annexes( communication between Lagos State and Anambra governments)

Greetings,

I write in respect of the above subject matter, which Aka Ikenga at its 28th July, 2013 general meeting which I was privileged to attend as Special Guest of Honour, requested me to take up with the Lagos State Government. I am glad to inform you that I was received in audience the day after, by His Excellency; Governor Raji Babatunde Fashola( SAN) the Governor of Lagos State and the issue was discussed exhaustively.

At the meeting, the Lagos State Governor disclosed that contrary to claims, the issue in question has nothing to do with deportation, but a Social Welfare Intervention, involving several homeless destitutes and other psychiatric cases roaming the streets and some living under the bridges in Lagos. These people were taken in and treated and cared for by the Lagos State Government free of charge and thereafter needed to be reintegrated with their families.

After this rehabilitation the affected people disclosed their true identities and the disclosure revealed that 14 of them were from Anambra State. For the purpose of reintegration with their kith and kin back home( most of them had nobody in Lagos) and for further social support and care, Lagos State Government communicated the Anambra State Government as well as other affected state governments to come forward and identify and take over their people. (see letter as annex 1)

On receipt of this communication, Anambra State Government requested for the identities of those claiming to be from the state( see letter as annex 2). The list was promptly supplied to them by Lagos State for immediate and urgent action( see letter as annex 3).

With further contact and pressure Anambra State Government preferred that the handing over be done at bridge head and Lagos State obliged but found no Anambra State Government Representative on arrival at the agreed date and was hence forced to leave the people at a government office they found at the Niger Bridgehead.

The Lagos State Government further explained that this kind of exchange of destitutes occur between states, as she recently went to Akwa Ibom State to take back two of her rehabilitated citizens.( see letter as annex 4).

You will recall Mr. President of Aka Ikenga, that I had assured the Aka Ikenga members that the Lagos State Government that I am familiar with will not go out of its way to cause hardship to our people and this is evident in its disposition as the first Government of Lagos State to appoint an Igbo as a commissioner and many others into other cabinet positions.

For promotion and maintenance of the good relationship that exists between the Igbos who form about 25% of the population of Lagos State and their Lagos host, I have secured an appointment for you, the President and Executive members of Aka Ikenga to further discuss this matter and other sundry issues affecting Ndi Igbo in Lagos State, with the Lagos State Governor on a date that will be mutually agreed by both parties.

As a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria ( ACN), which is the party in power in Lagos State, I wish to further reassure you and Aka Ikenga in particular and Ndi Igbo in general, that the government of Lagos State, that I am familiar with does not and will not harbour any anti Igbo agenda, as being, insinuated in some certain quarters.

Accept as usual the assurances of my highest regards.

Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, MD, OON, KSJ

Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District

( Former Governor Anambra State, 2003-2006 )

http://elombah.com/index.php/articles-mainmenu/16894-deportation-of-igbos-from-lagos-senator-ngige-speaks

I thought Jega said they will consider it on thursday. Anyway no nwam. We dey wait 4 dem.

Drum it on their earz bro J.

Wow. I give to u this dude. Statistics dont lie. This is a better way of engaging in discussion. Big up man.

Sincerely GEJ has a hand in Al-Mustapha release. A very strategic political move at that. I wonder if this trait is Reterdeenic. I hv told guyz that care to listen that GEJ is a very sharp badt guy. Call him retardeen at ur own peril. When so many of these Anti GEJ Northern governors realise that the game is up, they will fall in line leaving Amaechi on his own.After all u can't leave ur houz on fire and beging to pursue rat. He who has ears listen.

Goshhhh this man's stupidity baffles me . U dont castigate the president openly especially in a country with weak institution like ours. Believe me Amaechi, GEJ has not looked ur way. When and if he does, Ghana wont contain u.

This is hw I want politics to be played. Political parties irrespective of their divides coming together to make things work. Not some dimwits sabotaging everything in order to use it during campaign.

I blame those senators that showed indifference while the bill was being debated n passed.

Really ? By the way NGF is dead and so is Northern Gov Forum. Soo that decision of removing Mbu is urs n ur frnds alike.

And so.

This is from experience, Gov Amaechi. Plz for Goodness sake, beat a retreat. Swallow ur pride and make things right. Orji has had personal experience with Obj, Sylver and Alamiesiya have told you their personal experiences too. Beat it plz. The people fueling this is not GEJ but those that want to be in good books of the president for their personal gain. You are the messiah as far as you control the rivers fund.How many of those shouting and castigating GEJ when Timiprey Sylver was governor trying to get second term are still with him now that he lost in the game.Be wise plz.

The more reason I don't support state police.

Walahi GEJ is the most attacked president Nigeria has ever produced. Boko haram inubu and Buhari no gree d man rest. And now this clown ikwere man Amaechi is adding salt to injury. nawaoo

seunfly: Where were u when 16 people claim to have elected leader against 19 people?
I guess ds is d new tactics of Jona rule.

NGF is not recognized by law. That is why it has to be registered with CAC. Any decision they take concerns them.

Jonathan will never allow that else he will declear state of emergency. House of rep guyz hv always been anti-Jonathan.

I will like the learned and most informed chaps to x-ray this issue bcuz d way it is going, with the backing of secury operative, the 5 lawmakers might just hv their way.

The confussion here is this : the 5 members first suspended 16 members thus making their number 5 enough to form a quorum.A quorum can be formed by 1/3 of d house. From the number present( 5 ) is it constitutional to say they are enough to impeach d speaker. Some one shud shed a light on this as regards what the constitution stipulate about impeachment and suspension.

bloggernaija: Possibly.but I think this is PDP faction of boko haram.
Now that they have lost control of the domain.
Na amnesty money ba him dey town.
Maybe they will be given military barracks security contract or airport contract.
Expect every leper,aro. Ganga smoker to line up for amnesty .

This has nothing to do with party. Some APC guyz( Moudu sherif and the ANPP chairman) have been accused as the cause of the crisis if you are to follow that line of argument.

For the record I think this is a faction of BH. Abubaka Shakau is still very much in the struggle IMO, else he wud av posted a youtube video to that effect just as he did when FG asked them to lay down their arms and be granted amnesty. Be that as it may, it is a welcome development. Atleast that weakens the center. FG shud on no account thinker with the JTF formation bcuz of this seemingly cosmetic gesture.What is the rank of this Imam Muhammadu Marwana sef.Neva heard of him.Thought their spokesperson's name normally start with "Abu".Abu Qaka, Abu Dada .

At last somebody is putting his brain to use. Jagaban and Lai Mohamed most definitely will not like this.

http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/en/component/k2/item/16273-jonathan-has-no-hand-in-ngf-crisis-%E2%80%94fayemi-%E2%80%A2says-insecurity-may-threaten-2015-elections.html


Jonathan has no hand in NGF crisis —Fayemi •Says insecurity may threaten 2015 elections

Written by Taiwo Adisa - Abuja
Tuesday, 09 July 2013 00:00


EKITI State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has declared that the spate of insecurity in the land is a threat to the 2015 general elections.

He also said President Goodluck Jonathan’s name should not be dragged into the politics or crisis in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Governor Fayemi, in an interview with newsmen declared that if the security challenges currently rocking the nation were not adequately and scientifically addressed, the next general election in 2015 could be at risk.

He stated that while Nigeria was not the first country in the world to be so afflicted, it appears that the country has not “paid attention to intelligence as much as we should.

“Up till now, Police Intelligence Unit is still virtually zero while military intelligence is not as impressive as it should be,” the governor said, adding that the scenario leaves only the State Security Service (SSS), with a “semblance of it.”

According to him, the nation is thus saddled with enormous challenges that is drawing it closer to the prediction of the USA’s National Intelligence Agency as 2015 approaches.

“We need to make a clarion call to the leadership and to all of us to begin to respond to the situation,” the governor stated, adding: “It is Marshal plan that we need, even if it will mean that we should put half of our resources that we have in the country at the disposal of the afflicted states. We cannot have 10.5 million children out of school and not see the correlation between violence and poverty. Poverty and violence are related. And we must do certain things to break them.”

He also urged those involved in the controversy rocking the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), to keep President Goodluck Jonathan’s name out of the mess, as according to him, “it diminishes the presidency.”

He stated that occupiers of the seat of president should not be diminished or their names dragged in the mud.

“No good Nigerian should do anything that can tarnish the image of the occupier or diminish the office,” he said.

He told newsmen further that the embarrassing nature of the NGF crisis has made some of the governors to be vociferous in calling for a meeting with Mr President.

“Mr President is not a candidate of the NGF and as such has no special interest in its matter,” Fayemi said.

He, however, declared that what transpired at the NGF election was sad and a dangerous omen to 2015.

“It is worrisome. And what is more worrisome there is their reaction that they are the president’s men. We are all president’s men. We are president’s governors. He was once a governor and he would not do anything that would tarnish the image of the Forum,” Fayemi stated.

He added that President Jonathan “must find a way to exercise his moral authority on this issue,” adding that “we (governors) must also find a way to meet the president in supporting him to exercise his moral authority on the matter, because it doesn’t augur well for some people to hide somewhere to create an impression that they are the president’s men.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/boko-haram-begs-for-forgiveness-signs-ceasefire-deal/



Boko Haram begs for forgiveness, signs ceasefire deal

on July 09, 2013 / in Headlines 12:05 am / Comments

BY OUR REPORTERS
LAGOS — “WE are seeking forgiveness from the people over the number of people killed in the country.

I appeal to those who lost their loved ones to our activities to forgive us and on our side we have forgiven all those who committed atrocities against us. I want to state clearly that we have no hands in the unfortunate attack on the secondary school (Government Secondary School, Mamudo, Yobe State).”

With these words, Imam Muhammadu Marwana, an influential member of the Abubakar Shekau-led Boko Haram sect, yesterday, confirmed a ceasefire agreement with the Federal Government to end their deadly activities across most states of Northern Nigeria, which have claimed about 4,000 lives and destroyed properties worth billions of Naira since 2009.
Shekau and Jonathan

Abubakar Shekau and President Jonathan

The agreement came exactly 82 days after the Federal Government raised a 25-man committee to work out modalities for granting the amnesty to the sect.

Indeed, the Federal Government, yesterday, said that it had signed a ceasefire agreement with the militant group. Minister of Special Duties and Chairman of the Peace and Dialogue Committee in the North, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki announced the ceasefire agreement on the Hausa service of Radio France International monitored in Kano

The announcement came on the eve of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan expected to commence today throughout the world and also coincided with a vehement denial by the insurgents that they had no hands in the murder of 30 boarding students of a secondary school in Yobe weekend.

Although details of the peace deal were scanty, Turaki who spoke in Hausa further said that the Boko Haram insurgents had agreed to lay down their arms.

“We have sat down and agreed that Jama’atu Ahlul Sunnah Lidda’awati wal Jihad, known as Boko Haram will lay down their arms as part of the agreement so as to end the insurgency. Government agreed with ceasefire and will look into ways to ensure that the troops relax their activities till the final take off of the ceasefire,” Turaki told his interviewers.

Confirming the truce, Imam Muhammadu Marwana said: “This ceasefire, in sha’Allahu, from the time I am talking to you (Radio France Hausa Service) we have ceasefire because of the discussion held so as to have peace over this struggle.”

The Boko Haram stalwart added that “we are seeking forgiveness from the people over the number of people killed in the country.

Sounding apologetic during the Radio news, Imam Marwana declared that “I appeal to those who lost their loved ones to our activities to forgive us and on our side we have forgiven all those who committed atrocities against us”

He added that “I want to state clearly that we have no hands in the unfortunate attack on the secondary school.”

How the agreement was reached

A member of the presidential committee, which President Godluck Jonathan gave 90 days to hammer out a solution to the problem told Vanguard how the agreement was brokered. He said “Shekau’s leadership came out through several fronts and set traps for us. The government gave them confidence, the confidence led to trust and they said they will call their men to cease-fire and they have done so.”

Mixed reactions trail move

Meanwhile, Nigerians have received news of the truce with cautious optimism

A step in the right direction—Gani Adams

National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams said it was a step in the right direction. Iin a telephone chat with Vanguard, he said: “It is a step in the right direction and I think from there, they will create room to dialogue with the Federal Government and state their position.

They cannot continue to waste lives just like that. I don’t know what they stand for but no matter what they stand for, their approach is wrong and deadly. Nobody in the world will support their struggle. But calling for a ceasefire will afford Nigerians the opportunity to know exactly what they want.”

Identity of the group should be ascertained — Afenifere

Also, Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere was of the view that the identity of the group calling for ceasefire should be ascertained. Speaking with Vanguard on phone, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin said “We should be sure which of the Boko Haram sect is calling for a ceasefire. Is it a strategy to rule or what is it all about?

The identity of the group should be ascertained and its genuineness should be known before the Federal Government is taken off guard. Since emergency was declared in those three states (Yobe, Adamawa and Borno), the incidence of bombings has gone down but killings continue here and there. So, we must know how genuine the call is and the identity of the group calling for the ceasefire. Was it not Boko Haram that said it was the Federal Government that needed amnesty?”.

Govt should reciprocate —Balarabe Musa

In his reaction, former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa expressed optimism that the ceasefire will resolve the insurgency.

“We hope that the Federal Government will respond favourably and effectively to the ceasefire,” he said.

Committee should not concede unnecessarily—Frederick Fasehun

“Nigeria has been on the issue of amnesty for long and if they have agreed on a ceasefire, that is commendable. I see it as a roadmap to peace. I hope the committee does the follow-up to this very well. But the committee should go on with their negotiations and should not concede unnecessarily.”


Committee should go on with its mandate—Abubakar Tsav

Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, on his part said: “The development is very encouraging. I am happy about it and I commend the committee for doing a good job. The committee should go on with its mandate in order to achieve a lasting peace. The committee should be encouraged the more at this stage to conclude its job.”

FG must rise to the occasion—Arewa Youths

Commenting on the development, President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shetima said in spite of the ceasefire, the Federal Government must address the issues that led to the insurgency.

Shetima said: “Whether they cease fire or not, the truth of the matter is that Nigerians must rise to the occasion. Last year, it was the same story we heard when they called for a ceasefire and still, they unleashed a lot of mayhem in Northern Nigeria.

Also, we must appreciate the fact that the whole of Northern Nigeria has been bastardised because everybody is now a member of Boko Haram. If they call for a ceasefire, what about the remaining factions? This does not mean that the Federal Government must go to sleep, the insurgency must be condemned totally.”

How sect’s activities assumed deadly dimension

THE Jama’atu Allus Sunnah Lilda wati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, (Western education is sin), came into existence in the 1960s but survived through the decades under various names.

However, it started drawing attention to itself in 2002, when Mohammed Yusuf became its leader. In 2004, it moved to Kanamma, Yobe State, where it set up a base called ‘Afghanistan’ from where it attacked nearby police stations, killing police officers.

In July 2009, the Nigeria Police started investigating Boko Haram, following reports that the group was arming itself. Yusuf, the leader and others, were arrested and on July 30, 2009 allegations were made that Yusuf was extra-judicially killed by Nigerian security forces after being taken into custody.

The development invigorated deadly clashes with Nigerian security forces and attacks on churches, public institutions and military facilities, among others, which have led to the death of about 3,500 people.

Litany of attacks Before the clashes, many Muslim leaders, and at least one military official, had warned the authorities about Boko Haram. Those warnings were reportedly ignored.

According to Human Rights Watch, between July and December 2010, at least 85 people were killed in some 35 separate attacks in four states in northern and central Nigeria, as well as in Abuja, the nation’s capital. Attacks attributed to Boko Haram in 2011 left at least 550 people dead in 115 separate incidents.

Between January and December 2012, Boko Haram-related attacks occurred in 14 of the country‘s 36 states, including all the 12 states that have already adopted Sharia Islamic law, Plateau State and in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Violence blamed on Boko Haram, which said it wants to create an Islamic state in Nigeria, has killed more than 900 people in 2012, in about 290 separate attacks in 12 north-eastern and central states, and Abuja, making 2012 the deadliest year since the group began its attacks in 2009. And in 2013, about 250 people have been killed in Boko Haram-related attacks and incidents.

The litany of attacks include those of the United Nations Office, Abuja, Police Headquarters, Abuja, the building housing ThisDay Newspapers, Sun Newspapers and Daily Trust in Abuja, St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, Deeper Life Bible Church, Okene; Military Cantonment, Jaji, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) office and other numerous security facilities, especially police stations.

The security agencies also went on counter-offensive arresting, detaining and in many instances, killing Boko Haram members and leaders.

Disturbed by the escalating violence many northern leaders and groups, including the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, urged government to dialogue with the group to end the killings.

A picture taken from a video distributed to journalists in recent days through intermediaries and obtained by AFP on March 5, 2013 reportedly shows Abubakar Shekau, the suspected leader of Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, flanked by six armed and hooded fighters at an undisclosed place.

Last November, the group gave the government conditions for ending the hostilities. Acclaimed spokesman of the group, Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulazeez, in a tele-conference with journalists in Maiduguri, stated that if the state and the Federal Government wanted the group to cease-fire completely, then former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, must be arrested and prosecuted according to the laws of the land. He also said that the government should compensate the group and rebuild their places of worship which were destroyed during the 2009 uprising.

He pointed out that for dialogue to take place, it must be through the following elders: Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno; former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari; former Yobe State governor, Bukar Abba Ibrahim; Ambassador Gaji Galtimari and Barr Aisha Alkali Wakil and her husband, Barr Alkali Wakil, insisting that the dialogue must take place in Saudi Arabia.

Abu Abdulazeez also said that the group had mandated five members who are to mediate on their behalf; they include himself (Abu Mohammed Abdulazeez), Abu Abbas, Sheikh Ibrahim Yusuf, Sheikh Sani Kontagora and Mamman Nur.

Buhari later distanced himself from the group and the Federal Government said it could not negotiate with pre-conditions, thus the crisis festered. With the latest decision of the group to sheathe its swords, it is hoped that all stakeholders will play their required roles for normalcy to return to the country.

Porous ceasefire

However, a peace deal was brokered on January 28, 2013 after a marathon meeting between some leaders of the group, which has been terrorizing some states in the North, particularly Borno State, since July 2009, and the Borno State Government, led by Governor Kashim Shettima with other top government officials and religious leaders from the state in attendance.

The cease-fire came after a 42-month multi-pronged attack unleashed on the polity by the sect.

Briefing newsmen after the marathon meeting in Maiduguri, Sheikh Abu Mohammad Abdulazeez Ibn Idris, a commander of Boko Haram in-charge of North and Central Borno, said after due consultation with the leader of the sect, Shiekh Abubakar Shekau, as well as intervention and pleadings from respected individuals and groups in the state, we ‘’have all come to terms and agreed to lay down our arms.”

The Boko Haram Commander, however, insisted that government should immediately release all their members from custody unconditionally, re-build their places of worship and compensate them, among other demands.

Sheikh Abdulazeez said that, the sect observed that during the lingering insurgency, many Muslim women and children had suffered untold hardship, adding that, they also decided to lay down their arms for peace to reign in Borno State and the country at large.

“I am appealing and calling on all our members through this medium to lay down their arms henceforth, till further notice,” Abdulazeez stated.

However, a few hours after the cease-fire, a faction of the sect distanced itself from the peace-deal and accelerated its deadly attacks, which have claimed about 250 lives since then.

The search for peace took President Goodluck Jonathan to Borno and Yobe states last month. The series of parleys during the two-day visit did not yield amnesty as President Jonathan insisted that the Federal Government could not grant amnesty to ghosts. He urged leaders of Boko Haram to come out of their hiding and dialogue with government as was done in the Niger Delta before amnesty could be granted.

The matter was on the front burner this week following the exchange of brick-bat between Buhari and the Presidency. While Buhari accused the Presidency of being responsible for ‘political Boko Haram’ and should take responsibility for the escalating mayhem, the Presidency countered that Buhari was responsible because he threatened to make the country ungovernable if he lost the 2011 polls.

The government asked Buhari to act like a patriot and get Boko Haram leaders to embrace dialogue. Buhari refused and advised the government to carry its cross.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/boko-haram-begs-for-forgiveness-signs-ceasefire-deal/#sthash.S82hMoKZ.dpuf

awodman: Is Opeyemi Bamidele a PDP member?

Then what's PDP concern about CAN.Walahi I thought d guy is a PDP man as to warant d attack frm d spokesman. Case closed

I don't anything wronge in what tinubu has said. That is a political statement which PDP is used to even. Tinubu is mainly saying d PDP guy doesn't stand a chance and thus shudnt bother contesting. I hate Tinubu with a passion though.

Hw much will Camry 2007, 2008 XLE full option cost inclusive of d custom and clearing fees.
Oshtronic@yahoo.com

KINGwax: a party is an institution that is governed by her own by laws and regulations. And the rules of INEC doesn't mandate it as a compulsion to do primaries.

If parties can reach an agreement, it does not concern even jonathan. They dnt jes pick a candidate, they agree on it.

And dnt try to sound like u're holy than d others by asking them to practice democracy!

Institutions are governed by their own laws, and unless if in contradiction with the satutes of INEC, they are fine by it!

All u people who claim to be intelligent actually sound dumb! Especially when clouded with the fogs of ur unnecessary hatred!

What of those that holds contrary opinion within same party. Won't that be usurping their fundamental right of to be heard ? What should such individual do at this point.

What is NIMASA and other maritime agencies created for. It wwill save us a lot more to disband these agencies since their work have been taken over by ex militants.

So this Premium Times wants to go global in its rubish journalism. Be warned PT Rawlings is nt GEJ that just stomachs all kinds insults and fabrications without raising a finger. Rubish Boko haram newspaper.