₦airaland Forum

. In fact, the strategy of South-East Amalgamation for Goodluck Jonathan centres on grassroots appeal. We are however reaching out to other Igbo outside the hinterland through the media and social network. We are talking to Igbo establishments in Lagos, Abuja and America, for the South West, North and Diaspora respectively. We have functional offices and coordinators there. We want to use the 2015 elections to restore the confidence between the people of the South-East and South-South. We want to use the election to tell our enemies that they can no longer divide us. Today we have the South-South, South-East traditional rulers council and also that of the governors. We shall consolidate on that. So, we are working very hard to renew our ties and unity with the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015. President Jonathan has reinvented and re-branded the PDP for electoral victories through his transformation agenda.

http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/07/okorocha-betrayed-ndigbo-agukwe/

Nze Elvis Agukwe, former commissioner for information and Strategy, Imo State, is a firm supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan. A former national director in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he has been deeply involved in the campaign to re-elect Jonathan. In this interview withASSISTANT EDITOR, Joe Nwankwo,he speaks on what he considers political deviations Rochas Okorocha, and makes a case for Jonathan’s reelection.

Are you saying that Jonathan’s chances in the South-East are very bright?

Nze Elvis Agukwe If in 2011, President Jonathan secured 80 percent of the votes cast by the people of the South East, this time around, he will garner between 90 and 99 percent. The people have seen with their own eyes what the President has done in Igboland in the last three and half years. The traders from Aba and Onitsha now go to Enugu to board International flight to Dubai. Before Jonathan there was no international flight from any part of Igboland for 43years after the war. The people of the South East know of appointments given to Igbo citizens in Jonathan’s time. Have we been Chief of Army Staff before Jonathan?. Our roads are no longer death traps. He has restored our confidence in Nigeria. Which President would have given Ojukwu a state burial and still attend in person? Jonathan did that and he also honoured our illustrious son, Prof Chinua Achebe, by being present at his burial. Jonathan has given the Igbo a real sense of belonging and it will be difficult for any Igbo man or woman not to vote for Jonathan in 2015.

What about APC which claims it is making an inroad into Igboland?

Do you know what our visits to the hinterland have opened our eyes to? We are having almost a refugee problem in Igboland. People are returning from Maiduguri, from Mubi, from Kano,from Bauchi, and other Northern States because of the activities of Boko Haram. And do you know what they told us? That Boko Haram and APC are one and the same? They believe that sponsors and supporters of Boko Haram arein APC. They have not also forgotten that the leaders of APC are still the same people who threatened to make the country ungovernable if Jonathan won the 2011 elections. They also know that APC does not have the interest of Ndigbo at heart. That is why they rejected their most beloved son, Dr Chris Ngige, during the last governorship election in Anambra, because he joined the APC. So, the remnants of APC as represented by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State will soon receive the Fayemi treatment. We are happy that wise Igbo sons like Senator Annie Okonkwo are deserting the party. Very soon, APC will not be populated by any true son or daughter of Igboland.

But somebody like Governor Okorocha is highly popular and may have the capacity to ruin the chances of President Jonathan in 2015?

That is false. Governor Okorocha is not in the good books of Ndigbo because he has desecrated all the values the Igbo hold dear. He was elected under APGA, which is the symbol of Igbo strength. What did he do? He betrayed APGA and abandoned the party. He dethroned a whole Chairman of South-East traditional rulers, Eze Ilomuaya, and the next day, he went to Kano to bow to an Emir-elect. You know that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has publicly disowned Rochas and stripped him of all chieftainancy titles? He does not have respect for Igbo elders. He does not have respect for the Igbo intelligentsia. Rochas cannot represent the interest of Ndigbo. Currently he is at a crossroads. He is a drowning man.The message from Ekiti is already haunting him. Imo people cannot wait till 2015 to pay him back for the treachery and betrayals. Did you not hear how he was disgraced at late Justice Oputa’s funeral? He is an accidental governor on his way out.

Coming back to Jonathan’s chances in 2015, do you think he should make it with all this insecurity and fear in the land?

First of all, the insecurity we have today is purely politically motivated. Boko Haram is a tool by Jonathan’s opponents to cripple his government. It is a manifestation of their threats in 2011. But I am here today assuring you that whether insecurity or not, Jonathan will still be re-elected. Nigerians are looking beyond the terrorists and their sponsors. We shall over come them. In spite of the insecurity with all the distractions, the President is still performing. Anybody who carries out an objective survey in Nigeria will tell you that Jonathan has done betterthan all his predecessors. For the first time, Nigeria’s economy has overtaken that of South Africa. In spite of the insecurity, Nigeria remains investors’ preferred destination in Africa. During the recently concluded world Economic Forum, it was agreed that the country’s economy is on the steady growth. Secondly, terrorism is a global phenomenon which is not restricted to Nigeria. Syria, Iraq, Israel, Sudan, Kenya and other countries plagued by terrorism still run their countries, conducting elections and catering for the welfare of the people. So, Nigeria cannot shut down becauseof terror. While the Federal Government and Nigerian troops are gallantly combating the terrorists, our democracy should also be growing. I am happy that Prof. Jega and INEC have assured us that the 2015 elections will be conducted across the country. So, we urge President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately declare publicly his intention to seek re-election. Now is the time. We know that every time that the nation makes any gain in governance, the terrorists will start bombing places to take the shine off government’s achievements. President Jonathan should ignore them and make Nigerians happy by seeking re-election.

But are you not worried over the negative perception of Jonathan’s government, both locally and internationally?

That is the handwork of a tiny cabal manipulating the media to achieve the pre-determined objective of tarnishing the image of government. They are people who populate the opposition APC, who lack the temperament to govern a complex nation like Nigeria. Such a warped perception is the product of elite conspiracy. It happened to President Obama and some had doubts about his re-election. But because he was working for the people, rebuilding the economy which the Republicans damaged in the first place, Obama’s re-election was with a wider margin. President Khatami of Iran had the same experience and he still triumphed. So, I am assuring you that President Jonathan will win in 2015 because the masses appreciate the transformation he has brought in the country.

What do you think of the Ekiti election which PDP surprisingly won with a large margin?

To me and many Nigerians, the Ekiti election is the beginning of a new order. It is also the beginningof the revolution we have embarked upon in the South East.Some notable chieftains of PDP in the South West like Kashamu Buruji and Olabode George went underground to challenge the impunity and hegemony of Obasanjo and his cohorts who thought that they will upstage President Goodluck Jonathan in the South West. So, the people of the South West demonstrated in Ekiti that they don’t believe in APC. They rejected the pseudo-democrats who have been operating in the South West, especially their emperor, Bola Tinubu. So APC lost 16/16 becausewe saw a people’s movement in Ekiti. I salute Kasamu Buruji, BodeGeorge, and the lion himself, Ayo Fayose, for leading Ekiti people to victory. Remember that APC also lost in Ondo where it came a distant third. It also means that they will lose Osun.

Do you see what happened in Ekiti happening in the South-East?

Sure, sure. What happened in Ekiti will be a child’s play compared to what is going to happen in the South East. Those fake leaders without organic leadership will be politically wiped out. Our campaign is not political party-based. It involves Igbo globally, that is why we have concluded plans for the launch of the South-East Amalgamation for Jonathan/Sambo 2015 in Houston,Texas, this week. We intend to mobilize the Igbo globally. That is why we are urging our people to move to the grassroots and ensure that we capture the hearts of the people.

ISpiksDaTroof: Ibos hate APC because they claim it has Muslims in it but they run to Dubai just like they run to Northern and Western Nigeria (places with huge Muslim populations) to eke out a living. What irony...

We hate APC, not because of Muslims but because of terrorists in the party.

Get that into your empty skull.

ISpiksDaTroof: APC just got formed about a year ago...

Just saying.

Yes o o, All the APC members was all born last year. So, ACN, ANPP and CPC that formed APC was formed last year abi?

lakhadimar: Going by your logic, Borno state is also not an APC state, right?

Tinubu ruled all his eight years as AD governor, the same AD is still existing and never merged with any party. APC should only take credit of fashola's achievement while Tinubu’s achievement goes to AD.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY APC LOVE TO ENJOYS CREDITS THEY DIDN'T WORK FOR. THIEVES.

lakhadimar: RIVERS STATE(apc)- is an oil producing and infact has the highest number of IOC's therein.

Shaaarraaaaap, From 1999 to 2007 - Peter Odili PDP.
May to October 2007 - Celestine Omehia - PDP. October 2007 till date Chibuike Amaechi- PDP

It's only foolish man will credit any developments in Rivers to APC.

lakhadimar: And you all are running to the APC controlled states of Lagos, Rivers and Kano in search of a better life.

Can you please tell me about what PDP has done for you in the southeast? Tell us about how the PDP government of t.a orji turned abia state into a cesspit. Tell us about how the PDP government of martin elechi turned ebonyi into and oblivious state

Mind you, rivers and Kano States are PDP states with APC governors. Apart from lagos, which other Apc state you can use as benchmark for APC good governance? You can never deceive us any longer.

Ok, on behalf of PDP I congratulate Apc for winning Kano State local government election.

Is somebody happy now.

akumada1: Adamawa is geting interesting day by day.

I can't agree less.

OLAJADON: Both parties are the same, they just want to look good in the eyes of we the citizens, either apc or pdp wins in 2015 it not concern all i jxt want is improvement

The two parties are not the same abeg, APC is irresponsible group.

The National Coordinator of the South East Amalgamation for Goodluck 2015 and former Commissioner for Information in Imo State, Nze Elvis Agukwe, has stated that the activities of the Boko Haram has turned Igbo land to a refugee camp.According to him, the sect’s activities have caused many people of South Eastern extraction to leave the North East in droves, saying this has hindered the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to win any elective position in the zone. Agukwe declared that Governor Rochas Okorocha and Chris Ngige,who are the major financiers of the APC in the zone, are finished politically, noting that they are living on borrowed time. He disclosed that arrangements have been concluded for the launch of the South East Amalgamation for Goodluck for 2015 in Dallas, Houston Texas, United States of America (USA) on July 13 to drum support of the Igbos globally for Jonathan’s re-election. Agukwe, while briefing newsmen in Abuja, said in line with the group’s decision to mobilise Igbos globally to support Jonathan in 2015, it decided to move to the USA to brief Ndigbo and formally inaugurate the Dallas chapter.His words: “Already, Dallas is agog because our coordinator in the USA, Dr. Acho Orabuchi, is being honoured by the American Government as one of the best teachers in the US. The Nigerian community will also honour Orabuchi for his rare achievementon Saturday, July 12. “President Jonathan has respected Ndigbo in the scheme of things in Nigeria, and he has demonstrated this by fully integrating Ndigbo, so we believe that he deserves our support and we shall stop at nothing to mobilise totally for his re-election in 2015,” he added.On the possibility of Jonathan winning the 2015 elections in the South East, Agukwe said: “If in 2011, President Jonathan secured 80 per cent of the votes cast by the people of the South East, this time around, he will garner between 90 and 99 per cent.“The people have seen with their own eyes what the President has done in Igbo land in the last threeand half years. The traders from Aba and Onitsha now go to Enugu to board international flight to Dubai.“Before Jonathan, there was no international flight from any part of Igbo land for 43 years after the war.”


http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/07/apc-finished-seast-due-boko-haram-activities/

cyril83: What do you call a party that has been giving pdp sleepless night, a party that controls about 16 states out of 36 states?

Did you include Ekiti, Osun and Adamawa in your so called 16 states?

citizenY: If APC is desperate for power, what do ypu call those who are determined to keep it?

DEAF!!!!!

The desperation of APC to grab power at the centre is sole cause of Nigeria security problems.

Sirdayor: we are talking about constitutional issue here bro. Political power is derive from position of law. & as such, Nigeria 1999 constitution amended till date remain supreme(sec. 1) I hope you know that? If the position of law is not taken into consideration, the anarchy set in.
However, I noticed that most of Nigerian youth are a bit daft on issues like this. That's why 'have taken my time to educate you a little bit, & I do hope you will take your time to even check those sections I refer you to for a better understanding of the issue at hand.
'AM NOT AN ADVOCATE OF ANY PARTY, BUT DEFENDER OF A CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY & GOOD GOVERNANCE!!!

I understand and respect your arguement / views , but when the agony and disappointment of those who voted for them is considered, those governors should be sledge hammered no matter the "LEGAL APIAN WAYS" you're quoting. We fought bitterly to enthrone APGA government in Imo State, unfortunately, the beneficiary of that war, Rochas Okorocha, jumped ship mid sea without any explanation. I don't expect you to feel our pains.

Ngwakwe, Ngwakwe, Ngwakwe how many times did I called you. What is my offence that made you people to tactically stop me from posting new topic. See what I'm seeing any time I attempt to post new thread.


"Please wait for a few minutes before submitting this post. Our server is overwhelmed".

I DEY VEX o o.

citizenY: A vote counts as one vote anywhere in this country so you are not making any point. A vote for, cancels a vote against. It is normal practice and all parties are desperate for votes. There is no spread that can dilute the local people......

The law prescribed that you win at least 25% of vote in two third of 36 states and Abuja. While over seven million plus votes is in the bag for him in south east, the votes of Ndigbo scattered around the country will in no small ways help him get 25% in states he may not win. Have you got what I meant.
NOW THANK ME.

citizenY: Continue deceiving yourself. 7 million votes can never elect a president whether for APC, PDP.... or APGA.... APGA ke?

This is not,local government election or town hall meeting.. Please be serious.

If Igbo vote is irrelevant, why APC is desperate to get it? Mind you Igbo votes is the most valuable because of it's spread, go and verify.

What do you mean by "UNA".

krall: dem don phock sense comot for your head??

I expect gratitude from you, but see what I'm getting from you.

Diaris Goduo.

cyril83: Gullible citizens of Ekiti had successfully buried their glory by voting for a rogue who so much believes in talking than working.

Please face topic, this is not crying and mourning thread for disappointed, embarrassed, humiliated and confused APC e-goats. Thanks.

oduastates: Until the ekitis rectify this monumental blunder and the adoption of Amala politic, No omoluabi will take them seriously.ever again.

Please face topic, this is not crying and mourning thread for disappointed, embarrassed, humiliated and confused APC e- goats. Thanks.

Simple, put it in envelope, stamp it and post.

dinachi: Stop fighting Yorubas learn from them. They are by far more regarded politically than Igbos. They have produced a president, what have you achieved? The Ijaws have produced a president what have you achieved? Only a fool argues with his teacher. LEARN FROM THE YORUBAS.

You need brain injection urgently.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has woken up from it's slumber, determined to unseat the Labor Party (LP) in Ondo State. Ayodele Fayose, the governor-elect of Ekiti State, made the assertion at a victory rally organized for him in Akure, the Ondo State capital, by the state chapter of the PDP. Mr. Fayose stated that both the Labor Party and the All Progressive Congress (APC) should brace to receive red cards come the 2016 governorship election in Ondo.He disclosed that the PDP in OndoState, which had suffered from lack of internal democracy, was now formidable and ready to win all elections in the state.The Ekiti State governor elect said the era of imposition of candidates by the PDP was now in the past, adding that his party was fully prepared for the 2015 general elections.“When popular candidates emerge through primary elections,the party [will be] sure of victory at the general polls,” Mr. Fayose said.He also said he was optimistic that the PDP would emerge victorious in the coming August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun State. He warned the APC to desist from propaganda on the pages of national newspapers. Mr. Fayose said that part of the strategy for wresting power from the incumbent Labor Party government in Ondo State was to continually hold rallies in the various local governments.“We will be holding rallies every time and I am ready to work for Ondo State to unseat the present Labor Party government. We will strengthen the party,” he said.He added: “Though I am not in a leadership tussle with anyone in the southwest, my mission is to claim the region back to the PDP and I will make myself available in all rallies of the party.”Speaking at the event, Olusola Oke, the PDP’s governorship candidate in the last general election in Ondo State, said the party was ready to unseat the Labor Party government. Mr. Oke said the era of “prostitution politics” embarked upon by Governor Olusegun Mimiko would not be tolerated anymore, adding that the ship of the LP was already sinking.“Light has come back to Ondo State, and PDP is ready to reclaim its mandate from this political prostitution.“The era where someone will be claiming [to be a] Peoples Democratic Party member in Abuja and be destroying the partyin Ondo is over,” he said.Olaiya Oni, a former state chairman of the Labor Party who has now joined the PDP, urged party supporters to join hands in condemning Mr. Mimiko’s tyrannical government.Mr. Oni described the Labor Party as a failure, adding that many of the party’s policies were unfavorable to the common man. He accused the Mimiko administration of overtaxing the people of the state.Speaking also, the PDP state chairman, Ebenezer Alabi, said the days of the Labor Party government in Ondo were numbered. Mr. Alabi added that the wind of change would soon blow across the southwest states of the country, adding that the PDP was ready to regain its lost glory from the opposition parties.“We are full of hope and expectations that the Fayose antidote that neutralized the APC poison in Ekiti will guarantee the PDP success in Osun State come August 9, 2014, victory in Ogun, Oyo and Lagos on the 28th of February 2015, as well as delivered in Ondo in 2016,” he said.The rally was attended by many prominent PDP figures, including the chairman of the southwest PDP mobilization committee, Buruji Kashamu. Hundreds of Labor Party membersin the state declared their defection to the PDP fold.


http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/07/pdp-issues-red-card-mimiko-promises-rule-south-west/

Ahuitzotl: [color=#1980BC] On the contrary "the north will deal with you in 2015" if GEJ is reelected as suscpicion is aaroused of how thieffnubu sold out/betray re-negotiated his political future.....again. [/color]

Hmmmm.

Longeria: No be small o.

Time shall tell.

Former governor of Ogun State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Aremo Segun Osoba, yesterday shocked his fellow delegates when he threatened that the South would deal with the North in 2015 if theregion failed to shift grounds on the controversial resource control and other issues. Oso‎ba, who was contributing to the Conference committee report on Devolution of Power, which has as part of its recommendations the retaining of 13 per centderivation for oil-producing states, warned that unless the “North rubs its back” now, the South will reciprocate the gesture in 2015. Many delegates, who have spoken on the controversial ‎issue of resource control, whichis apparently the ‘meat’of the Conference, are squarely divided across regional lines. South-south delegates are advocating for upward review of derivation to, at least, 25 per cent. Their South-east and South-west counterparts wantit pegged at 21.5 per cent.However, Northern delegates are firmly opposed to any upward review. Rather, they want the status quo to remain. Some are even advocating that a special trust fund should be set up to develop war-ravaged states in northern Nigeria. But Chief Osoba believes northern delegates who are insisting on maintaining the status quo are insensitive to the plight of Nigerians, who suffer the harsh realities of the effects of oil exploration and exploitation.Sensing that the South-west will be the ‘bride’ that will decide the outcome of 2015 presidential election, Osoba said those who want the status quo of 13 per cent to remain should adopt the system of “rub my backand I rub your back, otherwise we will deal with them in 2015 election.”Reacting angrily, a delegate from Benue State, Dr. Magdalene Dura, reaffirmed the position of the Northern delegates when she maintained that the 13 per cent recommended by the committee should stand. Dr. Dura maintained that 10 per cent of the existing 13 per cent should go to the oil producing states, while three per cent should be given to the areas actually producing the oil. Similarly, former governor of Oyo State, Senator Adewolu Ladoja, told the Conference that he supported the recommendations of the committee except on derivation.He noted that people should stop discriminating against one another, adding that many people were using blackmail to pursue the interest of their region and state at the Conference.While making reference to a remark by a delegate from the South-east, who complained bitterly of marginalisation, he said South-east was already part and parcel of the country and should, therefore, stop discriminating against themselves.He said: “They have deputy senate president, deputy speaker, finance minister, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, governor ofthe central bank, and so on. So, what are you talking about? What weare saying is we are all Nigerians, Igbo are already part of Nigeria and I love them.”


http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=71340

StBlack1: He's better off than Cliford Orji.

But yorubas are habitual drug addicts.

dinachi: Igbos only support the party in power. When APC wins come and see them decamping! We are not ready for leadership. Traders everywhere.

APC is not alternative bro.

simpleseyi: OPC is not under UPN, only the old phagot Fredrick Fasheun took some hungry Ondo and Ekiti areas boys to non-existing UPN with a plan to merge them with the blood 'sharing' (in Sheppopo's voice)PDP. Ganiu Adams faction which is the authentic OPC is preparing for Jonathan and his soldiers. A repeat of the North-East massacre of coward soldiers is waiting.

Let me take you back a little. The Tafawa Balewa / Nnamdi Azikiwe's dubious first republic came to an end because of the crisis we started in the Wide Wild West. The Shagari / Alex Ekweme sardonic second republic came to an end because we, the Wide Wild West refused to accept the rigged 1984 election. IBB / Abacha / Shonekan were forced out and the third republic ended also by us, the Wide Wild West. Lets see how this lugubrious fourth republic of cluelessness will end.

So you're proud of stupidity of South West people?

caseless: What a sandy permutation!!!
You see, in politics, you musn't win everything, but something little from a non-stronghold of the APC like the south-east. Remember that, any state in the SE Buhari lost to gej in 2011 election, he(buhari) got the needed 25% from there. This is what we need to build upon in the forthcoming election.
If the writer of this article thinks the outcome of ekiti gov election is gonna have any effect on the 2015 presidential election, then, he must be 'woken' up from his sleep using pestle. The people of ekiti people voted ayo fayose, and not PDP. Read that?!
Yoruba people don't vote for party, religion, tribe etc like other nigerians do. They vote for development, personality and idealogy; the greatest sense any sane voter could have anywhre in the world. This is why they're going to give pdp the run for their money in 2015. Watchout for the made in southwest humiliation gej is gonna get in 2015 from the yorubas.

Long story. We read similar long epistle before Ondo, Anambra and recently Ekiti State governorship elections. We all saw the outcome.