₦airaland Forum

Which is more important? Attending UN meetings or protecting your hold on power! Only a fool would choose the first. If he travels to New York and a coup takes place, the UN meeting becomes entirely useless.
IBB and his pro zoning cohorts are desperate and probably planning a security breach hence it is only wise he stays back to control things.
Asides, this is the same useless saharareporters that have in the past critisized him for travelling, now that je is not travelling they are criticizing him also. Saharareporters is a useless tabloid and I have quit long visiting their site.I used 2be one of their biggest fans.

I would have taken this article seriously maybe last year. But not anymore. Reason being that we have come out of worse off political imbroglio without the country being torn in shreds. If we could survive the Yaradua Saudi palaver, then we van survive the 2011 elections anyhow it goes!

I think John Cambell has been in Nigeria long enough and it is pretty obvious from his article.

Ribadu is not contesting on ACN. AC is using Ribadu's name to beef up their party's credentials.
Ribadu has asked that the article be taken down. If you doubt it, check the link!!! The article has been taken off 234next's site.

koruji:
@Omolulu
How do you expect official thiefs to defend themselves - "EFCC is after me because of politics", that's how.

How about "I did not [size=15pt]STEAL ANY MONEY. [/size] EFCC you are welcomed. Can we get you chairs so you won't be uncomfortable looking through our books? We have work to do, but hola when you are done and [size=15pt]DON'T FIND ANYTHING[/size]. Too bad you would waste so much government time & money finding nothing,  money we could use for our projects."

See how simple that was!

It is easy for these governors to blackmail the government into emptying the Excess Crude Accounts into their laps, but when asked to show "what they have done with it" they shout blue murder.

I tire for Nigerians o!

Seconded!! Best post on the thread!!

[quote author=Akanbi_edu link=topic=509989.msg6719239#msg6719239 date=1283946850]This is a big lie created by the devilish PDP. How come PDP has suddenly become better than other parties/people nowadays?[/quote]It is the GEJ factor!!!

^^^^
Strong point!! Exactly my thought!! Might really just be a distraction. I hope they are smart enough to get on top of it!!

[quote author=Aloy+Emeka link=topic=509878.msg6712994#msg6712994 date=1283858683]He is nobody at the international scene trust me although what the Canadian immigration did to him was uncalled for.[/quote]Nonsense. OBJ is one of the most respected people in the world. Trust me on that one! Its only at home he isn't respected.
I have watched him at different international Fora where the best of the world's brains gather and he usually stands high amonsgt them!!

Gbawe:
You must think you are talking to one of the duplicitous supporters of GEJ on Nairaland who deciefully say the opposite of what they believe in.

For the avoidance of doubt I know that the PDP can be defeated . It is the Governors of Nigerian States , especially if they have a guaranteed second term , who will not want to gamble against the 'assured' victory of the PDP because they are privy to the massive rigging ability of the PDP. Not to mention the bully boy tactics, partisan control of the armed forces and abuse of executive power that almost makes a PDP victory a certainty. A Nigerian Governor will not take the gamble.

Meanwhile , if the opposition to the PDP can achieve a modicum of unity , with appealing candidates assisted by respected foot soldiers ,  to fight the PDP kobo for kobo, tactics for tactics (wherever possible) and a serious grassroot campaign of sensitizing the masses, then the PDP can be defeated. It would not be a Nigerian Governor , with an eye on a second term, that will subscribe to that difficult yet highly achievable project. That is my point. In the eyes of most Governors , the PDP will win the Presidency. That is why GEJ is desperately willing to do anything to gain the PDP ticket.

Most Nigerian Governors, elite and political leaders are disconnected with reality. How can they not be given how we Practice politics in Nigeria? Nigerians will shock them in 2011 . They are fed up of misrule . The Ekiti guber protests could have snowballed to be a real issue if other States/regions had joined the agitation . It showed us that Nigerians themselves are ready to resist the corrupt non-achievers.  In 2011 , when every region will be robbed at the same time the agitation will be simultaneous . It will be interesting to see how the PDP will deal with that. The targets of a revolution are always the last to see it coming.

What happened to you Gbawe!! You've finally become more realistic. For the first time I agree with U. However, we all wonder why the opposition cannot "achieve a modicum of unity". In the absense of a credible opposition to the rotten PDP, we shall all happily accept GEJ on their platform.

It article below says it all.  I think the only thing that can stop Jonathan in 2011 is Jonathan himself!!

Why merger talks with Buhari’s party flopped, by ACN

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday explained why its merger talks with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) headed by General Muhammadu Buhari ended in deadlock, saying demands posited by the party was not in tandem with reality on ground.
National Publicity Secretary of ACN, Lai Mohammed, who gave an insight into the merger talks during a visit to Media Trust Corporate Headquarters, said General Buhari appeared not ready to succumb to any arrangement that would tamper with the CPC arrangement.

According to him, though ACN has better structures on ground, it was however ready to concede the chairmanship as well as the presidential slots to the CPC if the merger sails through but General Buhari declined the offer.

“He (Buhari) insisted that ACN should eclipse into CPC but we feel this is not in tandem with the reality on ground because we (ACN) have better structures than CPC. We have two governors, senators and several local government chairmen and councillors. So why should we operate on CPC platform?” he said.

He said even though General Buhari would be difficult to sell in some parts of the country, the likes of  former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed  Tinubu, and the former Anambra State governor, Chris Ngige as well as the Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole among others are ready to form a coalition for Buhari had the merger succeeded.

He said talks with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could not go further as he insisted on returning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressing that there are rooms for more talks with other like minds.

He also denied reports that the party has concluded arrangement to field the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Nuhu Ribadu, as its presidential candidate, saying for now Ribadu is not a card carrying member of the party.

He said the national convention of the party would hold in the first week of November to elect its presidential candidate for the 2011 elections.

Commenting on the preparations of the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct the 2011 elections, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the choice of January may not be feasible because INEC is yet to award contract for the purchase of equipment for the review of voters’ register.

He said the commission needs at least 15 weeks to come up with a comprehensive voters’ register needed for a credible elections.

According to him, INEC needs at least 10 weeks to get supply of the 120,000 units of data capturing machine required, three weeks to conduct registration and another two weeks to integrate data for final compilation of a credible voters’ register.

He said the challenge is for INEC to ask the National Assembly to suspend the operation of the new constitution to enable it have more time to conduct free and fair elections.

He said seeking the suspension of the new constitution is necessary because the country cannot afford to invest N80 billion and have the process aborted.

Mohammed also told Daily Trust that the party is not interested in the zoning debate that has dominated political space in the country, saying that as a PDP affair, zoning or no zoning shouldn’t be a national issue.

http://www.dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2407:why-merger-talks-with-buharis-party-flopped-by-acn&catid=1:news&Itemid=2

Nah Jarus! While it might sound like a very credible ticket, I don't think it is workable for very many reasons.
You mentioned two of the strongest reasons already. But I will just add to it a little.

1)[/b]The Muslim- Muslim ticket would not work out for various reasons which include the fact that we are just coming out of three very aggravated religious disturbances.Boko Haram, Jos Massacres and Mutallab. When Abiola won with Kingibe, Nigeria was more united than it is toady.  
The Northern Christians(more than 30% of Northern Population) would be the first to reject the ticket. Funnily, the southerners might even be more accomodating.
Also, Buhari is still perceived by most Christians as an extremist. I really don 't know why he is percieved that way though.
Another very important factor is that the south west is the centre for mega pentecostal churches. The likes of Redeemed, MFM, Christ Embassy, Deeper Life, Winners etc come to mind. This group of Christians are not going to support Buhari. They wouldn't mind Ribadu, but not Buhari.
[b]So, with these on mind, Buhari-Fasola ticket loses out in the Middle Belt, Half of the south west and all of the Niger Delta and South East.

2) Buhari and Fashola have very very different ideological leanings. Infact, Fashola & Tinubu have the same ideological disposition with GEJ, OBJ, El Rufai, Soludo,Duke and the likes. They are Uber capitalist. Buhari on the other hand is a Socialist/Welfarist. Similar to that of Sanusi,Yar Adua,Oshiomole. They would surely be having problems before they  start working. In the end, Fashola would be indolent on such a ticket.


3) Money!! Buhari has no money. ACN has limited funds. All PDP needs to buy 5 million votes at N5000 each is N25 Billion. That is chicken change for PDP. The multiplier effect of 5 million votes can easily blossom into 25 million. The average Nigerian voter is still very much open to selling their votes for a price albeit sheepishly.

Truth is 2011 belongs to Jonathan!! Not only is he very popular amongst the electorate, he has incumbency power and he is on the part with the widest spread and strongest political structures.

@Mikeansy

If running a country was about public speaking, Zimbabwe would have been a much better country than Singapore.
Mugabe is a great public speaker, probably better than Lee Kuan Yew(Ok , not really). But you should hear him(Mugabe) speak.
If you think Jonathan is bad with public speaking, then look up Henry Kissinger. He was once an American Secretary of State.

You are too smart to use public speaking as a a tool in assessing potential. By implication, your position suggests that you are willing to be deceived by great public speeches.
Common sense would suggest that you select your ideal candidate by his 1)ideological leaning, 2)performance record, 3)moral disposition and 4)dexterity. More importantly, 5)your selection should align with the reality on ground.
The first four naturally would make me pick any one of Duke, El Rufai, Utomi, , Ribadu and the likes. However the reality on ground disqualifies them automatically. They cannot by any magical means become president in 2011. Truth is they don't even seem to be working hard for it.They don't seem to want it. Babangida and Atiku are  actually working harder.
Goodnews is, Jonathan fits the bill in all the 5 criteria I mentions , so he has my vote.
.Really, you are too smart to use public speaking as a criteria!

Gbawe:
My man, if I had a kobo for everytime Beaf has lied against me or attempted to decietfully discredit me , I would be a Millioniare !!! He once accused me of being a Yerima fan on a thread where I called the former Zamfara Governor a peadophile !!!!

In the end , how we for do am ? I understand Beaf now . He is like the flawed pal you remain friends with because , for all him wahala, he is still an amusing chap. Who cannot admire Beaf's unwavering dedication to defending everything to do with Jonathan as if he is Mr.President himself? Or abi Beaf na Jonathan? Beaf's dedication to Jonathan is only second to how Becomerich totally believes in his numerous maps. I hope Beaf is getting paid for his effort otherwise he is working too hard for a doomed project IMO.

No Chief. You are actually much more obsessed with Jonathan than Beaf is. The diffference however is that while Beaf's dedication is positive, your obsession is negative.

So in the same words you've used I ask, "I hope Gbawe is getting paid for his efforts(potraying his wishes as realities) otherwise he is working way too hard" against a project that has already been stamped and sealed as victorious.

My advice To IBB supporters: Gbawe, BigB1, Ferari, and whoeverelse loves IBB
Get all the money you can from IBB now!!He has only 3 weeks left in the race. This is your only opportunity to take back from him monies he has stolen from your generation!!

Yeeeaaap!!! Nice one! That would complete it for Jonathan. Hopefully, It also pretty much takes care of the Ribadu on ACN end. I doubt Ribadu would be contesting though.

[size=44pt]GOODLUCK NIGERIA[/size]

First because he is the only one amongst the good candidates that can win in 2011.
I like Donald Duke, Ribadu, El Rufai and a host of others but I have to  be realistic, they cannot win in 2011.

Second because some few things he has done in his short time as president (despite the fact this is election year) is quite impressive.

His electricity plan is excellent. He has eradicated fuel scarcity. He has repaired Nigeria's badly battered image. He understands the Niger Delta problem. He is very very pro private sector.

These few for me are good enough to at least manage GEJ for the next 4 years!!!

Obasanjo: "Jerry Rawlings ko, Jerry Gana ni. You are such a silly senator. Olodo rakpata! I'll make sure you don’t return to office after this term. silly man, [b]the correct answer is TONY BLAIR[/b]!"

The tony blair part made me laff the hardest cos I wasn't expecting! Hilarious!!

calyx:
No one? Sorry dude. I do! Improved rails

Hehe! I just had to add that for effect!! But I'm sure U get my point!!

Gbawe:
Your friend Papabrowne wrote:
As one of the more sensible die-hard fans of Jonathan , does what he says  not strike you as incredibly naive and lacking in logic to the extent that it is not even worth a response ?  A thread attracts unobjective fans of Jonathan , who will demonise even Jesus if he opposes Jonathan , and we are to take it that Ribadu is now unpopular? Some folks are so far gone in desperate thinking/blind support I cannot flatter them with a response to what they write.  If Jonathan fans feel that they must demonise a far better candidate than their idol to convince themselves that no credible candidate exists, so be it . Coming from the same guy (Papabrown ) that posits Jonathan has won the election from his facebook 'popularity' , I am not surprised. When folks like Papabrown have logically intelligent arguement I will respond appropriately. Anything else is a waste of my time.

You already responded with six solid lines!!


The article, to be fair, doesn't have any credibilty for two reasons one of which has already been pointed out by Na-so. And thats the fact that the questions asked have no bearing with current affairs.
Second reason the article lacks credibilty is the heading. Below is whence the writer gets the heading from:

Your name is being bandied as running mate to President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.

I don’t know that one. It’s not true.

If he chooses you, will you go with him?

Let it come first, I have not been chosen.

Now,Show me how this translates to "I have no deal with Jonathan".
What you are trying to do Gbawe is put words in Ribadu's mouth. Ribadu can  sue you for libel for quoting him falsely, you know.
The man said he speaks with Jonathan severally. Now that's enough for us all to know that they are in good stead!! It's only you, Gbawe who is working so hard to translate your wishes as if they are realities. Ever heard the phrase "If wishes were horses. . . . . . . ."

Anyways, most Jonathan fans love Ribadu too. And that's why I'm concerned about his ebbing popularity. It seems to be going down really fast!

Improved Electricity supply!
Improved Fuel supply!!
Improved rails!!
Improved Elections!!!
Improved Finances!!! etc etc etc etc!!

With all these, no one cares if he begs Afghanistan to borrow him 10 million dollars to buy donuts for his pet dogs!!

This is impressive!! If Jonathan can have this much impact in just 3 months, without much investment, then just imagine for a moment what he can do in 4 years!! Another very great achievement he has accomplished is the eradication of fuel scarcity!!

Jonathan has my vote and I will spend my money to get others to vote for him!!!!!!!

barnabasj:
3 Brand New Jet at a time, #15 billion Naira for a day Birthday, #400 Million for additional , party funds,,,,,,,,,spends over $14 Billions Dollars less than 100 days in office. we just less than $2 billion in excess oil accounts and also seeking additional $5 Billons  loans   well more to if he is voted in 2011.

Nigeria may go Bankrupt before the man left office

If he buys one private jet each for his kids and cousins and spends 100 billion on buying limousines for his girlfriends and at the same time fixes this lingering electricity problem, then he would be the best president Nigeria ever had!!!

What happened to Ribadu's popularity The guys popularity is hitting rock bottom!! Look at the comments on this thread. 80% are against Ribadu!!

[quote author=na_so link=topic=506787.msg6677075#msg6677075 date=1283328556][size=60pt]GOODLUCK NIGERIA[/size][/quote][size=70pt]GOODLUCK NIGERIA!!![/size] [size=40pt][/size]

Nice one!! Sometimes I wonder why these operations are so costly. The transplant cost 2 million naira. What exactly would the money be used for?? Do they have to buy machines specifically for the operation Just wondering why they cost so much!!

So I am supposed to read an article from The Nation about Jonathan Its like asking your enemy to advice you on a business proposal!!
The Nation= Tinubu, Sun= Orji Kalu, Compass= Gbenga Daniel, Daily Independent= Ibori. These are not credible sources of information in political times. Their partisanship is beyond cheap!!! Only the smartless believe their fabrications.
If I need accurate political news I would go for non partisan papers like Thisday, Guardian Vanguard, Next and a few others!!

Kai!! But sometimes those bikers can be helpful in escaping all those VI hold ups naa!! Sometimes its just right to park you car and jump on those bikes to beat traffic!!They work wonders!

oyb:
clueless man

90% of nigeria's electorate do not have access to the internet.

those that do are either out of the country or unlikely to vote

he seems to think that he can run obama's model

anyway, this may just be all a spoof so that whenhe is selected in by the do or die party, he can use his 'internet support' to claim credibility for the flawed 'selections'

Sometimes people speak so confident in their ignorance because they lack access to qualitative data.

44 Million Nigerians have access to the internet! Thats a statement from International Telecommunications Union.
[url]http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=8555
[/url]
FYI, that is almost 70% of the projected registered voters!! Lets us account for under 18s and reduce the percentage figure to 25 million voters with access to the internet.By any count, that is a massive figure and anybody that chooses to ignore the internet in his campaign strategy is doing so at his own peril.

Very accurate article!!! The guys knows so well!!

[size=15pt]Electricity: AFC, UBA, four others bid for power firms
[/size]
Six Nigerian and international firms have submitted their Expressions of Interest in 17 out of the 18 successor companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.


The companies are African Finance Corporation, CPCS Transcorp, Goldman Sachs/Stanbic IBTC, IPA Energy, Lazard/UBA and Standard Chartered Bank.


The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ms Bolanle Onagoruwa, said in a statement on Tuesday, that the six firms met the August 23 deadline set by the Bureau for the Expression of Interest in the 18 companies.


Onagoruwa also disclosed that the 18 companies would be sold before May 2011. She added that the second phase of the power sector reform would kick off what she called the “electricity market.”


The BPE chief said, “The privatisation of the 18 successor companies of the PHCN is expected to be concluded by May 2011.


“The next stage of the reform is to start an electricity market. The reform involves some level of liberalisation, as we will request investors to enter the market for the full privatisation of the PHCN.


“We have started the process of engaging consultants through the Quality Based Selection method


“A transaction advisory consortium shall be led by a financial institution that possesses an excellent global investment banking pedigree.


“Other members of the consortium shall include a Nigerian financial institution with considerable investment banking experience, a Nigerian law firm with strong transaction advisory competencies, and accounting, engineering, and other relevant technical firms.


“A consortium must have considerable experience of electricity sector project finance and privatisation, globally and in Africa.”


She explained that the Request For Proposals would be sent to the firms this week while they would be expected to respond within five weeks.


The Federal Government plans to sell 51 per cent of its stakes in 17 out of the 18 successor companies of the PHCN.


Eleven of the companies are into distribution while six are in the power generation business.


This plan is contained in the Federal Government’s roadmap to power sector reform, which was unveiled on Thursday by President Goodluck Jonathan.


The Transmission Company of Nigeria, which will not be sold by the Federal Government, will be managed by the private sector.


Jonathan, at the unveiling of the roadmap in Lagos, had said that government was preparing to leave the power sector in the hands of private operators.


He explained that the government would retain the transmission grid and regulate the operators of the generating and distribution companies.


The President also assured that power would become stable in 2012, the year that independent power producers would add 5,000 megawatts to the national grid.


Meanwhile, the Federal Government has called on electricity workers to ensure that their capacity to deliver electricity in the country was not constrained by “other considerations.”


The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Nuhu Wya, made the appeal when he paid an unscheduled inspection visit to power stations in the Lagos territory on Monday.


He told the members of staff and management of the Aja-Lekki-Alagbon Power Centre that President Jonathan directed him to undertake the visit to ascertain the immediate challenges facing the centres and to assure them of government’s sincerity in dealing with the challenges.


The minister said the Federal Government would remove budgetary constraints limiting the system from generating at full capacity.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009012493882

mikeansy:
Jonathan has victory on his hand? Well may be true if you are suggesting that it is possible that he will write any electoral result for himself no matter what obtains at the polls may be you are right.

But if you are suggesting that the numbers stack up in his favour [/b]and he has a clear path to legitimate electoral victory, [b]I will say that is not necessarily the case.

So of all the candidates mentioned as potential contestants, can you mention anyone who has the slimmest chance of clinching victory??
I like a whole lot other candidates more than I like Jonathan. Duke is actually my best candidate. El rufai is next on the list. But I've got to be realistic. They are not going to be president in 2011 except something really awkward happens before then.
All the other politicians are not even making an attempt to win the hearts and minds of people. When last was The Donald in the mediaAnd that is one reason I've come to respect IBB. Despite his unpopularity, he is bold enough to atleast try to win people over. However, Karma would never ever allow him(IBB) back into Aso Rock.

That there have been only 4 responses and 66 clicks after almost a full day of starting this thread tells a lot about Ribadu's popularity towards 2011.
I like Ribadu and I would like him to be president, but truth is it is just not yet time. First, he doesn't have the money. And secondly, he doesn't have a party. Idealism and realism are two different things. He might be the ideal candidate, but his becoming President in 2011 is way too unrealistic.

To put things in perspective, it will cost just N25 Billion to buy 5million votes at N5000 each! The ripple effects of 5 million votes can multiply 4 times and give you something like 20 million votes. Now thats one third of all the voters. IBB would spend N25-50 billion and his pocket would not be dented by an inch. By implication, even in a free and fair election, IBB would probably smash Ribadu if he's got the PDP ticket.
Ribadu is not ready for 2011. The only person to trash IBB is Jonathan!! Good thing is Jonathan is A very popular choice amongst the people.