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 Politics › Jonathan Demands N2trn Election Funds Refund, Audit by silami(op): 4:15am On Apr 19, 2015 |
Following the defeat suffered by President Goodluck Jonathan and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, during the March 28 and April 11 elections, the President has asked the party and government officials who handled campaign funds to refund monies not spent, or those not judiciously expended, SUNDAY PUNCH can authoritatively report. Jonathan, credible sources said, has also set up a committee of five to get those with the funds to return them. Sources within the party and government told our correspondents that President Jonathan was disturbed that despite giving campaign coordinators, ministers, special advisers, close aides and friends, support groups and traditional rulers over N2trn in cash, most of them could not deliver their polling booths and local governments. The President was said to have been further irked by the results of an investigation he ordered. The probe showed that some coordinators used campaign funds to buy very expensive properties, especially in Abuja, and luxury cars. Some of the funds have also been traced to the bank accounts of senior party and government officials who were charged with the disbursement of funds to voters and groups. A reliable source within the Presidency told our correspondents that one of the President, who recently admitted to a few close aides that it would be difficult to retrieve all the funds, was bent on getting senior party and government officials who received funds to account for all monies collected. The source who is a close associate of the president said monies given to traditional rulers in different parts of the country, for example, would not be demanded for. But the source was quick to add that the President was determined to get his ministers, close aides and special advisers to make refunds. He said, “Some ministers did not get less than N20bn each. None of them can deny it because this fact isn’t hidden within government circles. The only problem with such monies is that there is no receipt to show that they collected money. The sad part is that almost all of them performed woefully. Even in the states where the PDP won, some ministers could not deliver 100,000 votes. They could not mobilise their people to come out. The President is not happy. They all went property and car shopping. This was the most expensive election in the history of this country, yet there was no result. “The sad part was that even after the President lost on March 28, more money was given to all of them to make up for the dismal outing by winning their states during the April 11 elections. But that turned out to be a bad decision because apart from losing the governorship election, we didn’t perform well at the National Assembly and House of Representatives polls. “They must give an account of the money since they didn’t use it for the election. The President is not particular about the funds spent on genuine campaign needs like the hiring of jets, advertisements and the rest that also cost billions of naira. His focus is on the individuals that collected billions to deliver their states but couldn’t even win their polling booths.” Our correspondents gathered that apart from the N20bn given to some key ministers and senior special advisers, especially in states where the PDP hoped to capture from the opposition All Progressives Congress, some pro-Jonathan support groups received about N16bn. A former legislator who was to print five million recharge cards, T-shirts and base ball caps has also come under pressure to account for the billions she received because only a few people got the items she was paid to produce. Also, a top female politician in Lagos who got a contract to produce and supply thousands of mobile phones with pro-Jonathan messages was said to have produced just a few and pocketed most of the funds. It was learnt that the funds Jonathan released were disbursed in three phases. Some were released before the March 28 elections, others on the day of the presidential election and more before the April 11 governorship polls. Already, the committee of five has started asking some of the campaign coordinators and ministers who received a minimum of N20bn each to give an account and also refund residual funds where applicable. However, our correspondents learnt that most of the people who received the funds had not cooperated with the committee. While some have not been forthcoming, others have simply ignored the committee. Jonathan is said to be particularly focusing on the South-West and northern states. In Lagos, a popular PDP chieftain who lost in his polling booth reportedly received $50m in cash a few days before the governorship elections. A senior PDP party member who spoke to one of our correspondents in Lagos over the weekend confirmed the cash splurge in Lagos. The source said, “Lagos was a show of shame. A few days to the governorship poll, about $150m was received in cash by about five top campaign coordinators. But they failed again, even more than we did in the presidential poll because we lost some areas we won on March 28 to the APC on April 11. They were to share this money to the local governments and the masses. “Please understand me, I am saying that the sum of $150m was just for the governorship election in Lagos. We are not talking about the sums they got for the presidential election. Only one out of the five people that shared the money gave some of it to local government chairmen. This person disbursed about N2bn. The rest of them sat on the money. “The coordinator that collected the sum of $50m later went to a Federal Government agency and complained of not having enough funds for the election and got an additional $20m. The story is the same in almost all the South-West especially Oyo, Osun, and the northern states. A female minister from the North, who got the highest amount of funds for that region, lost her state in a shameful manner.” Confirming that campaign directors in different parts of the country had been asked for an audit, the PDP Campaign Director in Akwa Ibom, Mr. Idongesit Nkanga, said the instruction was not new. He stated that the PDP’s campaign organisation in the state had concluded its audit. “It is the normal thing. It is the right thing to do for transparency’s sake,” he said. Nkanga said he would not be able to comment on the refund because he did not collect money from anyone. According to him, the PDP’s campaign organisation in Akwa Ibom State received a letter for an audit from the PDP campaign headquarters. He explained that “because the letter emanated from the national headquarters of the party, they were under obligation to submit the audit report about the campaign’s expenditure to them.” He maintained that at the campaign headquarters, some of the information was available, adding that he would not be able to give SUNDAY PUNCH accurate details offhand to avoid possible conflict in the figures. Asked what sanctions would be meted out to defaulters, Nkanga said they might be prosecuted. However, our correspondent reports that prosecution, while not impossible, may be difficult as most of the monies disbursed were not receipted. Contacted, the national leadership of the ruling PDP said it did not know anything about the money spent on its presidential campaign. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Olisa Metuh, stated this in an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja on Saturday. Metuh said only those put in charge of the funds were in a position to account for the monies. He said, “The national leadership of the PDP is not aware of any campaign fund. We were not part of it and therefore we can’t be asked to account for what we didn’t know anything about. “There was a campaign committee and only the committee is in the position to account for any fund.” Efforts made to speak with the Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Sen. Ahmadu Ali were unsuccessful. Ali, a former national chairman of the party, did not pick his call and also failed to respond to a text message sent to him. Similarly, efforts to get the Presidency’s reaction did not yield any result as calls made to the telephone line of the presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, as at 10.30pm did not connect.http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-demands-n2trn-election-funds-refund-audit/ 7 Likes 5 Shares |
| Politics › Re: APC Zones Senate Presidency To N'central, Speaker To N'east by silami(op): 7:22am On Apr 18, 2015 |
chukwudi44:guy, you no understand english ne I've been to every state in the north except Adamawa, plateau and taraba. I also been every SE and SW states and about 3 SS. I saw poverty and illiteracy everywhere. 5 Likes |
| Politics › Re: APC Zones Senate Presidency To N'central, Speaker To N'east by silami(op): 6:51am On Apr 18, 2015 |
chukwudi44:I think is very myopic to think poverty and illiteracy is synonymous to north. Having lived in all the 6 geopolitical zones, I know, I saw poverty and illiteracy evenly spread. ofcourse north has more landmass and population is therefore expected to have more, as they do have more billionaires as well! 13 Likes 2 Shares |
| Politics › Re: APC Zones Senate Presidency To N'central, Speaker To N'east by silami(op): 6:22am On Apr 18, 2015 |
BTT:your point? 1 Like |
| Politics › APC Zones Senate Presidency To N'central, Speaker To N'east by silami(op): 5:20am On Apr 18, 2015 |
Arising from a meeting in Abuja Thursday night, the national leaders and national caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have officially zoned the office of the Senate President in the 8th Senate to the North central geo-political zone, while the Speaker of the House of Representatives was zoned to the North-east geo-political zone.http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/apc-zones-senate-presidency-to-ncentral-speaker-to-neast/207122/ 10 Likes 2 Shares |
| Politics › Re: Can Igbos Ever Be United? by silami(op): 6:06am On Apr 12, 2015 |
after 4 years of this topic, I think.we.should revisit this topic again! CAN IGBOS EVER BE UNITED POLITICALLY? |
| Politics › Re: Wamakko Accuses NSA Of Plot To Rig Polls In Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara by silami(op): 7:02am On Apr 05, 2015 |
calebo101:how market now? |
| Politics › Jonathan Has Fulfilled God’s Assignment — Deeper Life Church by silami(op): 1:56am On Apr 05, 2015 |
The Deeper Christian Life Ministry has congratulated Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) on his victory at the recent presidential election and praised incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat. Buhari of the All Progressives Congress defeated Jonathan, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, at the polls. The Church Secretary, Pastor Jerry Asemota, during a media conference at the camp grounds of the church in Ogun State, said Jonathan had accomplished his divine purpose for which he was elected in 2011. Asemota said, “No doubt, President Jonathan had an assignment God wanted him to fulfill. I believe he has fulfilled that assignment and the President-elect also has a specific assignment from God. The prayer of the church is that he too will know the responsibilities God has given to him for Nigeria without any distraction. “We wish him well and look forward to him getting things done in order to lift this nation beyond the level where we are now. The nation has been plagued by so many difficulties and problems, but we have been praying. That is the responsibility of the church, and God has been answering our prayers. “We also pray for the President-elect for God to grant him wisdom and understanding to handle the affairs of this nation from May 29.” The church secretary noted that past elections were conducted with a high level of desperation. He, therefore, described Jonathan’s swift acceptance of defeat as a significant leap for the nation. According to him, the transition from one democratic dispensation to another will be smooth because there is no acrimony or infighting in the nation. “The peace in the nation is occasioned by the sacrifice by an individual who decided that he would not go to the tribunal because he considered it unnecessary. That act cleared all the anxieties and anticipation of party members who were worried about what to do next. “We thank God for that sacrifice and love for the nation. It is something that we expect the President-elect to also imbibe. For any leader who will lead a nation, sacrifice and love are very important,” Asemota said. He added that the church would encourage Buhari in his self-declared war on corruption and security reforms, by praying for him. He noted, however, that the desired improvement would not happen overnight. http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-has-fulfilled-gods-assignment-deeper-life/ 31 Likes 1 Share |
| Travel › Re: Some Reasons Why Nigerians Abroad Are Not Coming Home by silami(m): 7:46pm On Apr 01, 2015 |
agarawu23:And how did you arrive at this percentage or you just woke up high, and decided to create your own statistics. Probably those are your experience, but majority stay away cos of security reasons and other challenges. Others are just too busy making there lives better and that of their families. 2 Likes |
| Politics › Re: More Pics Of GEJ & GMB, With Abdulsalami Abubakar In Abuja Today by silami(m): 11:44pm On Mar 26, 2015 |
Wuuworld:idiocity, is when you use the rest of your data to write this rubbish and asked mummy to buy you more data. |
| Politics › Re: More Pics Of GEJ & GMB, With Abdulsalami Abubakar In Abuja Today by silami(m): 11:41pm On Mar 26, 2015 |
chymystique:mumu have you been listening to BBC Hausa and is not that? You just want to spew whatever your dead brain cook. |
| Politics › Re: [photo] CNN Election Monitoring Team Spotted In Ikeja This Morning by silami(m): 12:31pm On Mar 26, 2015 |
Christian Purefoy does not work for CNN! 1 Like |
| Politics › Re: 10 Most Influencial Politicians In Nigeria by silami(m): 5:38pm On Mar 21, 2015 |
lafex:@ op Kwankwaso name no bi Ibrahim I beg RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO. |
| Romance › Re: How Many Guys Can Say #amen To This Prayer???? by silami(m): 2:24am On Mar 20, 2015 |
Amen!!! 1 Like |
| Politics › Wamakko Accuses NSA Of Plot To Rig Polls In Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara by silami(op): 5:22am On Mar 13, 2015 |
Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, on Thursday said he had uncovered plots by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) in connivance with former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, to induce some university dons who would serve as returning officers to rig the March 28 presidential poll in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also likened President Goodluck Jonathan to former President of Cote d’Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo, who was bent on remaining in power at all costs. Wamakko made the allegation while receiving members of the Savannah Centre Council of the Wise led by its Coordinator, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, at the Government House, Sokoto. He alleged that the NSA held a secret meeting with the university dons few days ago in the three states in a bid to induce them so that they would announce the results of the presidential poll even before the conclusion of the election. Wamakko alleged that Dasuki’s sinister plots for the three states was to justify the position he occupies and the money collected from the presidency. “Let me tell you frankly that just last few days, the NSA came to Sokoto and he was in Kebbi because he is trying to justify that he is working for Jonathan. “He went extra mile to consult with some university lecturers who are going to serve as returning officers in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States that when the election is going on, they should go ahead and announce the result and they will be given military and police protection. “And whatever happens, he does not care. So, I want this council and Nigerians to be aware that whatever that will happen in these three states, Dasuki should be held responsible. “He came personally and made these plans in connivance with Bafarawa and a former minister so that results are going to be announced even before the election is finished. They are people who do not wish this country well,” he said. He stated that the wanton killings in the North-east was enough to warrant the resignation of all the service chiefs including the NSA. Wamakko accused Jonathan of desperation to remain in power at all cost and likened him to former Ivorien President, Gbagbo. “I have to say this before you that there is a grand design by the PDP because they know that they are going to be voted out. But we are having another Mugabe and Gbagbo in Nigeria who want to remain in power no matter who will die or who will live.http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/wamakko-accuses-nsa-of-plot-to-rig-polls-in-sokoto-kebbi-zamfara/203988/ |
| Christianity Etc › Nigerians, Take Your Destiny In Your Hands —kumuyi by silami(op): 2:23am On Mar 06, 2015 |
The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has asked Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands. He said people in the country should stop worrying about the challenges in Nigeria, but put their trust in God and change their perception about themselves. Kumuyi said this during a two-day ministerial visit and campus crusade organised by the Campus Christian Mobilisation Committee of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State. While ministering to thousands of people at the new religious ground of the the OAU, the cleric said, “Nigerians should take their destiny in their hands. People should not be discouraged by whatever problems they are facing now, either as individuals or as a nation.” He gave a description of the different kinds of people in the world, saying while some saw themselves as “grasshoppers”, others saw themselves as “conquerors”. He said, “There is need to be like the biblical Caleb, who never allowed the towering, scary figure of the giants they saw to dissuade him from entering the land of Canaan. Caleb gave a positive account of what he saw and encouraged others to be optimistic. You are what you think you are.” He prayed for God’s wisdom for members of the university in the discharge of their responsibilities. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Bamitale Omole, said the administration placed premium on giving God His rightful place as the true foundation of the institution. The VC commended Kumuyi for accepting the invitation to minister on the campus. He said Kumuyi “is indeed one of the few remaining exemplars of the ideal Christian faith today.” http://www.punchng.com/news/nigerians-take-your-destiny-in-your-hands-kumuyi/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter |
| Politics › Nigeria Stalls Chad, Aims To Beat Boko Haram Before Election by silami(op): 5:30am On Mar 04, 2015 |
When battle-hardened Chadian troops overran a Boko Haram camp in northern Nigeria last week, they wanted to press deep into territory controlled by the Islamist group but Nigeria refused to let them. Having defeated al-Qaeda in Mali two years ago, Chad’s military believes it could finish off Boko Haram insurgents alone. It has notched up victories that have pushed the Nigerian militants back from the Cameroonian border. But with presidential election this month, Nigeria is keen to press ahead with its own military campaign against Boko Haram insurgents aiming to push it out of major towns before the March 28 election. In a country proud to be a major African power, it would be an embarrassment to President Goodluck Jonathan as he seeks reelection for a smaller nation to tackle Nigeria’s security problems, diplomats said. In their forward base in the town of Gambaru on the Nigeria-Cameroun border, Chadian soldiers displayed dozens of guns seized from the insurgent and a burnt-out armoured vehicle painted with black and white Arabic script. “We turned back because Nigeria did not authorise us to go any further,” army spokesman Colonel Azem Bermandoa said. Nigeria’s spokesman for operations in the North-east, Mike Omeri, said cooperation between Chadian and Nigerian forces has brought some major military successes and any issues would be resolved via existing command structures. But the Chadians say there have been no joint operations between the two forces. Chad’s offer to join a Nigerian offensive to capture Baga, site of one of Boko Haram’s worst atrocities in January, was rebuffed, Bermandoa said. Officials from Chad, Niger and Cameroun say lack of cooperation from Nigeria has for months hampered efforts to put together a regional taskforce against Boko Haram. Chad was compelled to take unilateral action in January, under a deal that allows it to pursue terrorists into Nigeria, after Boko Haram violence started to choke off imports to its economy. With Niger and Cameroun deploying thousands of troops on their borders, blocking escape routes for Boko Haram, the tide may be turning. In what Nigeria has branded a sign of desperation, the Islamist group has carried out wave of suicide attacks and threatened to disrupt the election. Francois Conradie, analyst with South African-based NKC Research, said if the current offensive can be sustained, Boko Haram insurgent could quickly be driven out of the remaining towns it holds. It would, however, remain a deadly rural guerrilla force. “All of this is good news for stability and will probably be to Jonathan’s electoral advantage,” he said. Many in Nigeria ask why it took so long to act. Boko Haram sect killed thousands last year and kidnapped many more in its six-year campaign for an Islamist calpharte in Africa’s largest oil producer. Niger, Cameroun and Chad said Nigeria neglected the uprising in its economically backward North-east, an opposition stronghold. Borno State is home to two percent of Nigeria’s 170 million people. But in recent months, Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler, who is running as the presidential candidate for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), has gained popularity with voters desperate for tough policies both on corruption and Boko Haram insurgency. Amid pressure from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s electoral commission announced a six week postponement to the February 14 election, to allow the army tackle the security situation in the Northeast so voting could go ahead there. Ernst Hogendoorn, Crisis Group’s Africa Deputy Program Director, said the government appeared to have engineered the delay in the hope the APC would slip up or the military could boost Jonathan by defeating Boko Haram sect. “Boko Haram has certainly suffered a strategic setback ... Clearly this improves Jonathan’s chances somewhat. “The question is do any of these forces have the ability to maintain this tempo, particularly the Chadians and to a lesser degree the Nigerians?” Hogerdoom said. With Chad already squeezed by a slump in the price of oil, its main export, the government said it could only sustain the offensive in Nigeria for a short time, diplomats said. Buhari, however, has already criticised Jonathan for relying on Chad to push back Boko Haram, saying his government would tackle the problem alone. Many in the military and the government are keen to limit foreign involvement on Nigerian soil, diplomats said When Chadian forces last month entered the town of Dikwa, they were told to leave by Nigerian military, which said it was planning air strikes, Bermondoa said. After Nigeria’s army retook Baga last month, Army Chief, Lt-General Kenneth Minimah, said his soldiers would recapture a handful of remaining towns before the elections, listing Dikwa as one of them. “The war is almost ended,” he said. Boko Haram was long regarded by neighbouring countries as an internal Nigerian problem, but attacks in Cameroun and Niger last year prompted the regional response. Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Benin and Cameroun agreed in May to join forces against the militants. Since then, however, distrust and misunderstandings have stymied preparations for the force, due to take effect by the end of this month. Nigeria initially sent low-level representatives to planning meetings, angering its allies. Cooperation between Cameroun and Nigeria has been dogged by long-running border tensions, while Niger accused Nigerian troops of cowardice. “Nigeria must get involved and honor its promise of providing between 2,500 and 3,000 to the multinational force,” said Cameroun’s defense spokesman Colonel Didier Badjeck. Cameroun has stepped up its activities since July, when Boko Haram attacked Kolotafa, the hometown of its deputy prime minister, killing dozens and kidnapping his wife. The government has boosted its security forces in northern Cameroun from 700 to around 7,000. “We have to do whatever it takes to make sure the sect does not occupy any town in Cameroun,” said Colonel Joseph Nouma, in charge of Operation Alpha, the mission against Boko Haram. However, Nouma said he has orders not to enter Nigeria, and Cameroun has denied Nigerian troops the right to pursue insurgents into Cameroun. Along its 400 km (250 miles) border with Nigeria, Cameroun has created 14 new bases, with heavy artillery batteries. It has also deployed surveillance drones, a senior intelligence officer said. Another senior Cameroun military figure said they were attempting to choke off Boko Haram’s revenues, including the trade in fuel with Cameroun, Chad and Niger. “All of this looks to be paying off,” the officer said, with no incursions since mid-February. http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigeria-stalls-chad-aims-to-beat-boko-haram-before-election/203269/ |
| Politics › Police Arrest FCT Minister’s Nephew, Three Others For Kidnapping by silami(op): 5:02am On Mar 04, 2015 |
The police in Bauchi have arrested one Salisu Salmanu, a nephew to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, who was alleged to have connived with his friends to kidnap his three-year-old younger brother at Kofar Idi in Bauchi and demanded a ransom of N10 million from his father.http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/police-arrest-fct-minister-s-nephew-three-others-for-kidnapping/203256/ |
| Politics › Fani-kayode Left Us Because There Was No Room For Him –tinubu by silami(op): 4:18am On Mar 02, 2015 |
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has said that former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, left the party because there was no room for him. He also said the APC could not shield him from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which at a time was investigating him for alleged fraud. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Sunday Dare, Tinubu stated that Fani- Kayode’s attacks on the APC did not come as a surprise, because the party did not give him room for his ‘games’. The statement read in part: “If Fani Kayode cannot recognise that Tinubu is a talent seeker, man of vision, one who creates opportunities for the best minds to thrive and serve the public, then he deserves our pity. Tinubu’s hand is writ large in the brand of good governance pervading the South West and other parts of Nigeria. Fani-Kayode tried before to be part of the party but left when he found out there was no room for his games. Because APC could not help to free him from EFCC and aviation alleged fraud, he ran away to the party that blocked the EFCC on his behalf. “On record are Tinubu’s efforts and his contributions to rebuilding the nation and ensuring its democracy. They are his patriotic obligations. People like FFK will never understand this. Patriotism is not part of their personal constitution. Everything they do has a private beginning and personal end. They do nothing regarding the public purpose except lie about it. This latest episode shows that Fani-Kayode’s hallucinations are now uncontrollable. “Again, unable to make headway against Buhari and Osinbajo, he now wants to run against Tinubu. This plot will not work. Tinubu is not scheming to become president through the back door. He, just like any qualified Nigerian, has the right to walk in through the front door if he so desires. But he is not on the ticket.”http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=107198 40 Likes 2 Shares |
| Politics › Ribadu: You Don't Change A C-in-c In The Middle Of War by silami(op): 4:44am On Mar 01, 2015 |
By Daji Sani in Yola Citing the latest successes recorded by the military in the ongoing campaign against terrorists and the recapture of territories previously occupied by Boko Haram insurgents, Anti-corruption czar and former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Saturday warned that changing the Commander-in-Chief in the middle of war would be inimical to the consolidation of the victories achieved so far. Ribadu, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police and gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Adamawa State, therefore urged Nigerians to re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan in this month’s election so as to sustain the tempo of the ongoing onslaught against Boko Haram, a deadly group that has killed about 13,000 people, captured territories in the Northeast and displaced over one million people in the past six years. But in a major turnaround after months of gains by Boko Haram, Nigerian troops have retaken several towns in recent weeks that had been in extremist hands for months, and are on the verge of liberating the last enclaves of the militant sects. Nigerians will however be going to the poll on March 28 to cast their votes in a closely contested election in which President Jonathan is seeking re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, while his main challenger, former Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) is vying on the platform of the All Progressive Congress. “You don’t change a commander-in-Chief in time of war”, said Ribadu in Mubi during his visit to three of the liberated local government areas of Adamawa State to commiserate with the people affected by the insurgents’ occupation of their towns. Buttressing his argument, Ribadu said, “Political stability is key to peace and security, more so at a time of instability like what we are witnessing today. We cannot afford to disrupt this operation midstream. This tide should be allowed to continue.” Faulting criticisms that government waited for so long before effectively responding to the rampaging deadly sect, Ribadu said: “The President never wanted to have large number of collateral damage. He is a careful leader who quietly took this very measured strategy without grandstanding. Today, we see the result of this matured way of handling this difficult war, which has pushed out the terrorist with minimal civilian casualty. “The President took his time to build this strong coalition of bringing together our neighbouring countries. The result is for everyone to see. We have seen that the table is now turned against the terrorists, and they are on the run.” “Now, it is about consolidation of this success, on how to restore life in these affected communities and bring about stability. The President has already established the Victims Support Fund and he has a marshal plan on how to consolidate on this military successes”, the retired AIG said to further buttress his argument. Drawing from his personal experience, he said, “I have worked in many crisis zones, including Afghanistan, I know what insurgency is all about. It is unfortunate that at a time the country should unite for action against the insurgents we were busy apportioning blame. That is why I refrained from any comment about this all this while.” He said terrorism is a global phenomenon which is difficult to purge, adding that “No country has succeeded in eliminating terrorism altogether and within a short time. The victory may not be total and immediate. It is a gradual process.” Thanking those he called the real heroes of the war against insurgency, Ribadu commended the Nigerian military, the police and the allied forces of other nations for the successes recorded against Boko Haram, adding that the federal government and the military deserve votes of confidence from Nigerians for what they had been able to do in reclaiming territories previously occupied by the insurgents. “The military and our gallant members of the vigilante who sacrificed a lot and even lost their lives, I am proud to associate myself with you. “Our security agencies are doing extremely great work and we should unite in applauding them. They have operated in the most difficult situations but they are winning even though the world refused to help us.” He however decried the politicization of the anti-terror war saying, “It is sad that politics is brought into this issue of insurgency. Those making such comments do not know that they are hurting us, we that are living in the epicenter of this insurgency. Our people have suffered for too long, those hauling words from their comfort zones should please shut up and give us chance to confront what directly affects us,” he said. Speaking further, Ribadu said, “President Goodluck Jonathan is a very compassionate and kind-hearted person but it is being misunderstood to mean something else. But to me, it is an attribute of a good leader. We have seen the President demonstrating compassion in a number of ways. Our lives have been turned upside down here. He has visited us, he has assured us of his commitment to restore back our lives. And I believe he will live up to those promises.” He also noted that the Adamawa State Governor Bala James Ngillari had demonstrated strong leadership in the fight against insurgency by cooperating with the security agencies and pioneering strategic civilian involvement in tackling the activities of the terrorists. http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ribadu-you-dont-change-a-c-in-c-in-the-middle-of-war/202991/ |
| Politics › Re: PDP Councilor Nabbed Buying Pvcs by silami(op): 6:36am On Feb 28, 2015 |
Taylor86:its expected coming from mumu 20 Likes |
| Politics › Re: PDP Councilor Nabbed Buying Pvcs by silami(op): 6:25am On Feb 28, 2015 |
Taylor86:another mumu on the leash 22 Likes |
| Politics › Re: PDP Councilor Nabbed Buying Pvcs by silami(op): 6:22am On Feb 28, 2015 |
BeeBeeOoh:you mean picture of your coconut brain? Google it. 28 Likes 1 Share |
| Politics › PDP Councilor Nabbed Buying Pvcs by silami(op): 5:58am On Feb 28, 2015 |
— Feb 28, 2015 | 0 Comments The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councilor representing Dunkun-Agala ward of Baure local government area of Katsina State, Ahmadu Narayya, was yesterday apprehended for allegedly purchasing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Findings revealed that no fewer than 21 cards were recovered from the councilor. A source said most of the PVCs were owned by women in the area, just as it was learnt that each card was bought for between N15, 000 to N20, 0000. It was further gathered that some APC youths in the area raised the alarm when they spotted the councilor trying to make copies of the PVCs at a business center. The APC members reportedly accosted him and handed him to the police, who then took him to the state command for questioning. However, a new twist was added to the arrest of the said PDP councilor when members of opposition political parties accused the police of “summarily releasing the suspect a few hours after he was arrested.” Addressing newsmen, chairman of the Katsina State chapter of the Labour Party, Shafiu Salmanu, said officials of other opposition political parties had approached the police over the matter. Salmanu stated that the parties were disappointed to find out that the suspect was released a few hours after his arrest by the police “suggesting that we can’t have confidence in the police to safeguard law and order.” Flanked by officials of other political parties in the state, including APC and NCP, Salmanu urged the police to investigate the matter and prosecute all those involved so as to ensure security of the electoral process. When contacted, the police spokesman, Aminu Sadiq said the police was yet to ascertain the true identity of the person, adding that investigation into the matter has since commenced. http://leadership.ng/news/414388/katsina-pdp-councilor-nabbed-buying-pvcs |
| Politics › Re: Jonathan Postponed Elections To Frustrate Buhari – NY Times by silami(op): 6:28am On Feb 17, 2015 |
jeffizy:May God bless your sense.... 1 Like |
| Politics › Jonathan Postponed Elections To Frustrate Buhari – NY Times by silami(op): 5:38am On Feb 17, 2015 |
The United States-based New York Times says the postponement of the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission was orchestrated by President Goodluck Jonathan to frustrate Maj. Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) of the All Progressives Congress. The newspaper, which has won 114 Pulitzer Prizes, further stated that Jonathan appeared to be afraid of the increasing popularity of Buhari, who most Nigerians would likely vote for. It said this in the editorial of its Monday edition titled, “Nigeria’s Miserable Choices”. The publication said, “Any argument to delay the vote might be more credible if President Goodluck Jonathan’s government had not spent much of the past year playing down the threat posed by the militants and if there were a reasonable expectation that the country’s weak military has the ability to improve security in a matter of weeks. “It appears more likely that Mr. Jonathan grew alarmed by the surging appeal of Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler who has vowed to crack down on Boko Haram. By dragging out the race, Jonathan stands to deplete his rival’s campaign coffers while he continues to use state funds and institutions to bankroll his own.” It said INEC’s excuse that elections were postponed because security forces wanted to fight insecurity would have been taken in good faith if Jonathan had been tackling insecurity effectively since he took office. The 164-year-old newspaper said that Jonathan had become so unpopular that Nigerians were not afraid of the idea of a former military dictator returning as President. It however said that Jonathan had become worried about the rising insecurity and was willing to accept help from western powers. The newspaper warned that election postponement might increase the level of insecurity rather than reduce it and that Nigeria’s democracy would not survive an electoral crisis. It said, “Beyond security matters, entrenched corruption and the government’s inability to diversify its economy as the price of oil, the country’s financial bedrock, has fallen and has also caused Nigerians to look for new leadership. “Nigeria, the most populous African nation, and a relatively young democracy, cannot afford an electoral crisis. That would only set back the faltering efforts to reassert government control in districts where Boko Haram is sowing terror. “The security forces may not be able to safeguard many districts on Election Day. But postponement is very likely to make the security threat worse.” http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-postponed-elections-to-frustrate-buhari-ny-times/ 1 Like |
| Politics › Re: Buhari Passed Cambridge/ WASC Examination In 1961, General Aliyu Gusau by silami(op): 4:52pm On Feb 09, 2015 |
Tundeiab:am certainly not a small boy either by age or by maturity. And you should know real adults.earn their respect. |
| Foreign Affairs › Buhari Meets John Kerry, US Secretary Of State(pic) by silami(op): 4:18pm On Jan 25, 2015 |
[img][/img]Currently Buhari is meeting John Kerry with Bola Tinubu, Amaechi and Oyegun. 1 Like
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| Politics › Re: Buhari Passed Cambridge/ WASC Examination In 1961, General Aliyu Gusau by silami(op): 9:24am On Jan 25, 2015 |
AlfaSeltzer:and how do you know he is lying? 3 years junior means he was still in the school, when buhari graduated. 1 Like 1 Share |
| Politics › Re: Buhari Passed Cambridge/ WASC Examination In 1961, General Aliyu Gusau by silami(op): 8:44am On Jan 25, 2015 |
AlfaSeltzer:are you so dumb that you don't know to read. I am sorry for the people that wasted their money on educating you. “You know that I’m not a politician but the truth needs to be told that I know Buhari since 1960. He passed through the school that I also attended. [b]He sat for his Cambridge/ WASC examination and came out with Division 2. [/b]He then joined the Army, rose to become Major General and Head of State.” 1 Like |
