₦airaland Forum

Sile12:
2. Jing leed (Grasshoppers), Thailand/Africa.

So, yes, this is a big old grasshopper seasoned with salt, pepper power and chilli and fried in a big wok. Tastes a little like hollow popcorn skin… except a little juice squirts out when you bite into it… nice.

Isn't this crickets? If yes, then it's a good one. It's widely consumed in Benue.

Sile12:
2. Jing leed (Grasshoppers), Thailand/Africa.

So, yes, this is a big old grasshopper seasoned with salt, pepper power and chilli and fried in a big wok. Tastes a little like hollow popcorn skin… except a little juice squirts out when you bite into it… nice.

isn't this crickets? If yes, then it's a good one. It's widely consumed in Benue.

MzOnajin1:
Lol, she will be good on d bed ooooo, c position

See where ur mind go.

TrishaP:
Aww so cute. Reminds me of my little sister. She is trying to withdraw na op. That is not a teenager op.

Modified. Tnx

April07:
Did you mean toddler?

You right. Modifying....

Can someone please tell me what this baby is up to?

Dedoo:
Lol, Ka or wam ga Oo!

Hahaha, de m se.

tanyogo@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION
It’s exactly one month since Dr Samuel Ortom
was sworn in as Governor of Benue State and it
all seems like it’s been a year. There’s been so
much activities, intrigues and arguments within
this short period that I can only attempt to put
into perspective in this review.
Dr Samuel Ortom became Governor out of a
keenly contested election which began initially
with 26 candidates, the highest number in the
country. Also the election drew the most
interest from the electorate with a strong
conscientisation and mobilisation on social
media, such as never seen before. The
conversations, arguments, intrigues and
opinions are therefore not surprising, in fact,
the governor must have realised by now that
he will have to stir the affairs of the state
under the radar, under the watchful eyes of the
masses as everyone is ready to follow up their
votes to fruition.
Even though his predecessor, former Governor
Gabriel Suswam ran the government into the
ground, serving him a tasteless salad of an
unprecedented debt profile and unpaid salaries
mixed with strike actions for breakfast, the
people still expect Ortom to perform, afterall
“government is a continuum”, they say.
In a spirited acceptance speech on May 29,
2015, a freshly inaugurated Governor Samuel
Ioraer Ortom said the major policy thrust of his
administration will rests on five major pillars,
namely: Good governance and revenue security;
Agricultural-Driven Industrialization; Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics
(STEAM)-Based Education and Health Services;
Investment in critical infrastructure; and
Promoting gender equality and empowering
women, youth, sports, and persons with
disabilities.
These will be the yardstick upon which he’ll be
lifted up in celebration or crucifixion.

APPOINTMENTS
Governor Samuel Ortom was the first to
commit himself to fairness and equity. Quoting
from his inauguration speech, he said, “We will
constitute a participatory government where
citizens will have their say and way. We will
work to allay the fear of marginalisation of the
minority ethnic groups in the state be you
Akweya, Etulo, Nyifon, Ufia, Agatu, Jukun, or
Hausa, you will enjoy the rights and privileges
of the other better known Tiv, Idoma and
Igede.”
Predictably, it was the sharing of appointments
among the better known Tiv, Idoma and Igede
that became the first bone of contention. In the
first series of appointments, the governor
announced Targema Takema as the Secretary
to the State Government (SSG), Iwanta
Adaikwu as Head of Service, Terwase Orbunde
as Chief of Staff and Tahav Agerzua, as Media
Adviser.
Whilst Tiv had the majority and Igede were
contented with getting the Head of service, it
was the first time the Idoma of Benue south
senatorial zone will fail to produce the SSG in
sixteen years and that drew it’s fair share of
criticism but after a few weeks, the Governor
has somewhat vindicated himself and silenced
his critics, albeit temporarily.
Last week, the Governor revealed his list of
thirteen commissioner nominees, four went to
Benue north-east, four to the north-west and
surprisingly, five to the south, thereby
balancing the equation with a promise for more
twist and turns.
The governor has consistently promised to
consider proficiency over prominence in his
political appointments but for some who are
still aggrieved, it’s a waiting game to see how
things unfold.

DECISIONS
No sooner had Governor Ortom settled into
office, than he started the reversal of some of
his predecessors last minute decisions. Even
as Governor-elect, he had warned the then
outgoing Governor, Gabriel Suswam to desist
from such treacherous moves citing the
perilous financial condition of the state, but to
no avail.
First was the cancellation of all last minute
recruitments into the state civil service, and
then a directive to the Tiv Traditional Council to
suspend forthwith, the process of conferring
first class chiefs among which was Suswam’s
elder brother, Dr Terkura Suswam.
Ortom also reinstated Chief Abomtse, a
monarch who was infamously deposed by
Suswam following allegations of gross
misconduct, embezzlement of subordinates
salaries, unauthorised press releases and
complacency during the Fulani crisis.
A committee set up by the governor found the
chief not guilty and recommended
reinstatement to his position as the substantive
Ter Nagi with all benefits.
The Governor went further to approve the
dissolution of the 23 local government
caretaker committees, all boards of parastatals,
non statutory commissions and governing
councils of all tertiary institutions in the state
with immediate effect, but the one that raised
the most dust was the cancellation of the
report of the visitation panel to the Benue
State University.
Ortom argued that an accurate assessment of
work done for five years could not be made in
one week thereby rejecting the report, but that
didn’t go down well with the members of the
panel whose Chairman, Professor Daniel Saror
led the barrage of resignations that followed.

DEBT PROFILE, UNPAID SALARIES AND
STRIKING UNIONS
Governor Ortom received a state grounded on
all fronts. As mentioned earlier, his
predecessor, Gabriel Suswam “emptied” the
treasury and fled to the UK on the day of his
coronation. Suswam claimed he left a debt of
N9.3 billion but another look into the books will
reveal the true depths of the holes Suswam
had created in the state’s pockets.
Governor Ortom, a few weeks into office
revealed a debt burden of N90 billion; N50
billion for ongoing contracts, N18 billion for
certified ones, N12 billion for salary arrears and
about N10 billion for bonds and bank loans.
Saddled with a load of inherited debts, unpaid
salaries and pressure from striking unions,
Governor Ortom has himself, decided to borrow
N10 billion which according to him will offset
workers salaries to a tune of two months in two
instalments on either side of a comprehensive
staff audit. Also will tackle other challenges
such as accreditation of programmes at the
College of Health Sciences of the Benue State
University, BSU, Makurdi and take off of the
State House of Assembly as well as other
pressing government business.
Striking unions which include Academic Staff
Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic
Staff Union (NASU) and Association of Resident
Doctors (ARD) all of Benue State University,
however, are insisting on a down payment of at
least three months wages before they return to
work. How the Governor intends to bring these
contrasting ends together is only a matter of
time as he has always been optimistic.
“I’m aware of the backlog of arrears of salaries
and pensions, I’m aware of strikes especially
that of the Benue State University, we shall
consult with them and find a way to resolve the
matter so that they will resume,” He said on his
first day in office.
The Governor has also discussed a bailout from
debt burden, arrears of salaries, allowances and
retirement benefits amongst other issues, with
President Buhari during their trip to South
Africa for the African Union Summit, which
hopefully will help to alleviate some of these
challenges the state is facing.

EARLY STRIDES AND PROMISES
Governor Ortom’s desire is unquestionable, so
much that he embarked on a one week hunt for
investors in far away China, even before his
inauguration.
Within this short period, the state government
has signed memoranda of understanding with
two Chinese firms. Firstly, China Railway Airport
Construction, CRAC, for the provision of critical
infrastructure in several areas including roads,
power generation, and agriculture, and then
another group of companies called CGC
Alliance, for industrial and commercial
revitalization of the state which include coal
power plant, potable water and irrigation,
renovation of agriculture service centers,
construction of Makurdi-Guma road, reticulation
of water in Makurdi, Otukpo and Katsina-Ala,
airport and industrial park construction, sugar
cane plantation and refineries.
If Governor Ortom’s early sprint is anything to
go by, Benue State have got themselves a
leader in the likeness of Aper Aku – the gold
standard of leadership in Benue State.
Rightly so, the Governor has visited some of
Aper Aku’s abandoned legacies, pledging to
break the jinx of moribund industries in the
state. They include Taraku Mills, Otukpo Burnt
Bricks Company and Igumale Cement Company.
Others he has promised to revive include the
Tomato processing company at Anunne, the
Agricultural Centre, Mbatie in Buruku LGA and
Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev.
Just barely 24 hours after the inauguration, the
deputy governor, Engr Benson Abounu visited
the water works in Otukpo and Katsina-Ala. He
carried out a thorough inspection and promised
that water will run within two weeks and true to
his words, it did. Such is the partnership upon
us.
Governor Ortom in line with his commitment to
the security of lives and property in the state,
has declared amnesty for possessors of illegal
arms who surrender them willingly and vowed
to put a machinery in place to track and
apprehend those who shun the offer.
This move is laudable as it would purge the
state of thugs armed by nefarious politicians
during the elections.
Another impressive feat was Governor Ortom’s
show of bravery during a commercial
motorcycle “Okada” riders protest which quickly
degenerated into a full fledged riot and was
heading for the worse but for his intervention.
The governor made an unsolicited appearance
on the streets to calm the situation. By so
doing, he underlined the commitment of a
governor who owes his election victory largely
to the thumbs of “ordinary” people.
Apart from the above mentioned, it’s been
pretty much plans and promises, and more
promises! Here are a few:
1. That he will intensify dialogue to resolve the
protracted crisis between Benue farmers and
Fulani herdsmen. This he has already started
by meeting with the leadership of Miyyetti Allah
Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria just last
week.
2. That he will partner with the private sector
to identify and exploit areas in which the state
has comparative and competitive advantage.
3. That he will create a conducive environment
for the sector to tap and invest to boost its
economy when officials of AFRIASIA
TRANSATLANTIC services Nigeria paid him a
courtesy call.
4. That he will organize an investors’ forum in
Makurdi, the state capital when he hosted the
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gu Xiaojie.
5. That he will establish an information and
communication technology development agency
when he paid a courtesy call on the Director
General and management staff of the National
Information Technology Development Agency,
NITDA.
6. That he would soon convene a youth summit
to get their inputs into the youth empowerment
program of his administration.
7. That his administration would always pay its
counterpart funding for execution of various
United Nation’s programmes in Benue State.

VERDICT
Phew! It’s still early days and looks promising
however the issues of unpaid salaries and
uncompromising striking unions need careful
handling. The outcome of those will go a long
way in making or marring the credentials of the
new administration to deliver on its promises.

SOURCE : Governor Samuel Ortom’s First Month Scorecard: So Far, So Good | Benue.com.ng - http://benue.com.ng/governor-samuel-ortoms-first-month-scorecard-so-far-so-good/

Where u drop that of Benue State. You should have placed Benue beside Rivers State.

In summary, Patrick is saying -"tee tee hemba ayem " He all advised Nigerians to" na Buhari shie, sha ciu ka or u dedoo "

Senator Buruji Kashamu has filed a suit in the
US in a bid to halt extradition plans against him.
In the suit, Kashamu is urging the United States
District Court to stop all attempts to abduct him
from Nigeria or any other country, according to
Premium Times.
The Senator also claimed that failure to grant
his request would lead to him abducted and
possibly killed or injured.
“The threatened abduction violates the treaty
between the United States and Nigeria and due
process under the Fifth Amendment to the United
States Constitution,” Mr. Kashamu said through
his lawyers, Robert Cohen and Scott Frankel .
Defendants in the suit are US Attorney General,
Eric Holder , the US Department of Justice,
Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), James Comey and the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security among others.
Kashamu is facing extradition from Nigeria to
face charges of drug dealing levelled against
him in Chicago in 1998.
The Senator has made two earlier attempts to
get the charges dropped by courts in the US but
was unsuccessful.


Kashamu: Senator sues US Attorney General, others to stop extradition - http://pulse.ng/3886931?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

Fastest fingers first ryt? Waiting for update.

This must be from a real TIV girl from Benue.

An 11-year-old boy, Adolphus Akua, has been
reportedly killed by an explosive device
suspected to be a grenade at Nyor Igyungu
village, near the new Makurdi International
Market.
Sunday Vanguard gathered from a source in the
neighbourhood that the deceased was a
primary four pupil.
According to him, the deceased only recently
lost his father, Akua Mjoko, who, until his
death, was an Assistant Superintendent of
Police, ASP, from Mbapupur Gaambe Ushin in
Gwer West local government area.
“The boy’s father, who died few months back,
was an ASP. After the father’s death, his
children have also been dying. In this particular
case, we learned that the boy was clearing up
their living home few days ago when he found a
grenade in one of the bags in the room”, the
source said.
“Unaware of what the substance was, the boy
took it outside and used it as toy with children
within the compound and neighbourhood.
“In the cause of toying with the substance, he
pulled off the pin on the grenade and the
devise went off, killing him instantly while a
younger girl, Torkase Anza, who was with him
at the time, sustained serious injury.”
He said the injured girl was receiving treatment
at a public hospital in the town while the
remains of the boy were buried almost
immediately “because the explosive mutilated
his body.”
When contacted, Benue State Police Public
Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy
Superintendent, DSP, Austin Ezeani, who
confirmed the incident, said the Police Bomb
Squad had combed the area and the home of
the deceased police officer to evacuate
explosives materials that were not returned to
the command before the death of the officer
who, he said, served at the Guma Area
Command before his death.
He said before the officer died, he apparently
did not return the canisters assigned to him
while on duty, and his family members probably
did also not know that the devices were in
possession of the late officer hence did not
return them.
Ezeani stated that to forestall re-occurrence of
the incident, “the Benue State Commissioner of
Police, Mr. Hyacinth Dagala, has directed that
no officer in the command should for whatever
reason be allowed to take explosive devices to
their residence and private homes.”

Source: http://benue.com.ng/tragedy-11-year-old-boy-blasted-by-late-fathers-grenade-in-makurdi/

AMEACHI! AMEACHI!! AMEACHI!!! How many times did I call you?
Na so trouble de take start. I am warning you now before it's too late, before you start saying every one hates you.
This is exactly what you did that made GEJ to start pushing u around and denied u NGF chairman. U were......Mama Peace (PEJ). now u have started the same thing with Aisha. U will loss that SGF bid. Stop what you are doing!

Cavemannn:
With your unapologetic post its easy to assume to work at a filling station probably a cleaner and you lie at home that you work in a petroleum company....amarite?

Tnk God, I didn't see your post.

[b][/b] C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S .

I had not less than 10 carry overs with an extra semester during my 5 years degree programme, but was still issued Honours. So what are we saying here.

Tunami:
hmmmm i dont trust the NA atall

Seriously, that was the same thing they said in 2001 but later killed alot of civilians in that same location.

The military has said there would be no reprisal
killing in Zaki Biam, Benue State, following the
killing of a soldier and policemen by an armed
gang in the area.
It therefore asked the people to return to their
homes, stressing that no civilian would be
harmed as rumored in some quarters, adding
that efforts are on to track down the gang that
had been operating in the area before the
incident.
A statement by the Director, Defence
Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, in Abuja
on Wednesday, stated that the troops were for
the community protection.
An armed gang, identified as Gana, which have
been operating along Zaki-biam/Katsina Ala
road, had attacked the troops on patrol as they
were on their way to respond to a distress call
from civilians in the town on Tuesday.
The gang, which had reportedly been terrorising
the community for some time, also made away
with a number of items.
The military said normalcy had been restored in
the area as soldiers and police patrols
continued in the community.


Source : http://benue.com.ng/there-will-be-no-reprisals-military-assures-zaki-biam-residents/ via Benue.com.ng

shamelly:
The policemen didn't tell the man the crime scene,so him knowing the crime scene without being told means he commits the murder

Understanding and obeying instructions gains u some marks. You were told to comment "got it" without explaining "How"

A police officer and an Army Lance Corporal
were, yesterday, ambushed and killed by
gunmen near Zaki Biam in Ukum Local
Government Area of Benue State.
Vanguard learned that they were members of
Benue State Special Anti-Robbery Squad code-
named Operation Zenda, who were on routine
assignment in the area.
According to sources, the deceased were killed
while on their way to a crime scene after
receiving a distress call, but were ambushed by
a gang of armed men, who opened fire on their
vehicle.
Confirming their deaths, Police Public Relations
Officer, Austine Ezeani, said: “The police
Sergeant was attached to 13 Mopol Unit,
Makurdi, while the soldier was from the 72
Special Battalion, Makurdi.
“They were killed around 6a.m. On Wednesday at Alibiam
village in Ukum council in an ambush by
suspected robbers, while on routine duty.
“They were part of the team that responded to
a distress call by robbery victims in the area.”
Ezeani said Police were already on the trail of
the armed men, assuring that the masterminds
of the killing would be apprehended.



Source : http://benue.com.ng/gunmen-ambush-kill-policeman-soldier-in-benue/ via Benue.com.ng

With regards to the promises made by APC during campaign process, one was expecting to see something on ground as soon as possible.

Instead, shortly after the elections, APC started withdrawing some statements which includes "Nigeria should not expect miracles" and so on. The inability of PMB to make key appointments like SGF and Chief of Staff....

I was in my work place shortly after receiving the news of the emergence of Saraki and Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy respectively and trying to look into the issue critically, a colleague made a statement that have made me wondering.

Her words "APC WAS BUSY PLANING ON HOW TO ATTACK GEJ AND NIGERIA SUPPOSING PDP WON THE ELECTION, AS SUCH THEY FORGOT TO PLAN FOR THEIR ADMINISTRATION AND THERE FOR HAS NO PLANS FOR THE COUNTRY AS AT NOW"

with the statement been attributed to Lai Mohamed saying "with Saraki as Senate President APC will not deliver her promises" what then can one say.

Are they really prepared?

WHY I SUPPORT THE GOVERNORSHIP
TRIBUNAL CASE IN BENUE STATE.
BY IYORWUESE HAGHER.
After the April 11, governorship election in Benue
state, it seemed as if political heat and steam
had cooled down and the winner would be left
off the hook and not be dragged to the election
tribunal. The former Governor of Benue state Dr.
Suswam canvassed this position and went out to
embrace the APC leadership in the state. He
granted several press conferences that the party
would not take Governor Ortom to court. He then
took off to Abuja to rekindle his broken
friendship with his political mentor Senator
Akume, the Senate minority leader. He actively
canvassed for Akume to become the Senate
President. Suswam himself let off Senator
Barnabas Gemade from the clutches of the
tribunal sitting in Makurdi before he took off to
an undisclosed destination at the end of his
mandate.
But Tarzoor the PDP Governorship candidate at
the election dragged Ortom to the tribunal. I
supported this action and so did a number of
Benue elders within the PDP. These elders and
myself were quickly labeled by a section of the
APC social media as “foolish old people.” Some
of my associates, friends, family members and
former students either called or wrote to me
advising me to withdraw my support. Many knew
the fact that for over twenty years Samuel Ortom
and I had worked together in the same political
parties. They even knew that I was one of his
principal promoters for the governorship race in
Benue state before he “crossed over” to the
APC. My most persuasive family member
reminded me of the indignities I had received
from the Benue political class of today, in spite
of the fact that I was politically senior to all of
them in political age and variegated experience.
He pleaded that I was a father and should allow
sleeping dogs be. He said I had sufficiently paid
my dues and should not expose myself to more
personal insults and risk to my life. My former
trusted aide who had joined the APC with my
knowledge and approval argued in the same vein.
She said I had fought for the masses all my life.
It seemed the masses in Benue voted for change
and Ortom is bringing that change by the popular
acclamation of his reversals of Suswam’s
appointments and policies going on at the
moment. She thought that it was selfish interest
that I was supporting Tarzoor since I did not
want it to be on my record that I had failed to
deliver on my promise to make Tarzoor governor.
More advises, attacks and pleas have buffeted
me from all sides. This article is a response to
all those who cared, and still care to know why I
support the petition of Tarzoor at the Tribunal.
In considering whether to support the petition or
not I was tempted by several high-ranking
politicians, including some former governors.
They said the justice system in Nigeria was a
cash and carry affair. They said that the
government at the centre would shove and push
and have the tribunal give a verdict in support of
Ortom inspite of whatever evidence to the
contrary. Then they asked me where Tarzoor
would get the stupendous sums to pay the SANS
for their services and those to grease the palms
of the judges to write the verdicts. Simply put,
they warned me that the whole exercise was a
nullity and futility. In their minds the tribunal
would be an empty ritual of a well-choreographed
farce.
It takes me a long time to make up my mind. But
once it is made on a point of principle I brook no
compromise with my conscience. I support the
case at the tribunal because I believe in Nigeria
and believe that a wind of change has truly taken
place. I support the case at the tribunal because
my life is built on the struggle for social justice
for all. In this case, I am face to face with a well
delineated problem; namely of the petitioner
exercising his fundamental right as citizen and
candidate to ask the tribunal to determine from
the records before it, if the man who contested
election with him was a qualified candidate as
contained in the qualifications for candidature as
prescribed by the Nigerian Constitution and the
Electoral Act of 2010 as amended? Now, why
would any reasonable person refuse a citizen this
right just because of cynicism about the Nigerian
legal system? I am aware that the PDP had
earlier on instituted a similar case at the Makurdi
High court challenging Ortom’s qualification on
the basis that he did not take part in any Primary
that produced him as APC candidate. I am also
aware that several members of the APC have
instituted cases against Ortom challenging his
emergence as APC flag bearer in the last
election. I have decided for the sake of all
concerned people to state here clearly why I
support Tarzoor’s petition and indeed Barrister
Jime and Senator Waku who have also
challenged the emergence of Ortom as the APC
flag bearer who won the election. In doing so I
hope the reader will understand the thinking
process from where my support is distilled.
Reasons why I support Tarzoors petition.
1. The petition will give legitimacy to Ortom’s
government once the judiciary gives the process
that made him governor a clean bill of health.
Now as it is in the minds of Benue people and
Nigerians, it is nearly impossible for one man to
be in two parties at the same time and emerge
on the same day as a member of the PDP and
APC and then after loses in the PDP Primary
against Tarzoor goes on to emerge as the flag
bearer of another party in the same governorship
elections. How could Ortom have had a waiver on
the same day to join the APC and also to forgo
the mandatory screening? How could he have
gone back into the past to give INEC needed 21
days notice of his aspiration on the same day he
magically became a super candidate? Was
Ortom’s candidature through a process of any
primary election? The tribunal will be making
legal history to rule on these questions in the
public mind.
2. The tribunal should dig and unveil if indeed
the candidature of Ortom was the machination of
one powerful man in the APC or the party. Could
we all have been hoodwinked by an evil and
corrupt system that has hijacked the prerogative
of the people to exercise power to nominate and
elect their leaders by a cabal’s disregard for the
laws of the land? Let the tribunal establish if this
was not the case. It could also establish that the
matter of candidature was beyond it, and is an
exclusive right of the party!!!
3. By supporting the tribunal I believe I am
helping to deepen democracy. I believe that
Tarzoor has gone to the tribunal to expose the
existence of a clandestine power operating at
the hierarchy of the political class determined to
war against democracy. His petition is made to
challenge the instincts in the Nigerian politicians
that lead to rapaciousness, destructiveness and
accumulation of power in some political leaders
who become oblivious of their followers and plot
the destructions of others.
4. In supporting Tarzoor’s petition I believe I am
fighting against political corruption, which is the
bedrock of virulent corruption that is sapping
away Nigeria’s energies thus making nation
building impossible. If Ortom did not emerge as a
qualified candidate, and was not there at the
beginning of the electoral process, but smuggled
through the window to emerge the winner of the
contest in which he had started in the PDP, then
his election should be considered an act of
political corruption. I compare this to an athlete
running a one hundred meters race in which he
was defeated, and just at the point of his defeat
he sees another group of athletes tired and worn
out about to end their race of four hundred
meters. He quickly changes lanes and finishes
ahead of the others in that race. Can he be
declared validly as winner of the four hundred
meter’s race? Let the tribunal establish the true
winner of the April Governorship election. The
candidate or the phantom candidate?
5. In supporting Tarzoor’s petition I believe that
the time for real change has come, as
exemplified by our new President Buhari who
himself kept going to the election tribunals. As
an intellectual I would be dishonest to my calling
if I do not challenge the rot in our system that
allows injustice to fester. The history of the
world is the journey of ideas that challenged the
status quo and defined reality. The change we
want should not only be found in Aso Rock but in
all the state capitals. Democracy cannot operate
where autocracy dominates. Autocracy kills
freedom, creativity and dignity. If the Ortom
Governorship is built on the foundation of a
corrupt political cabal in Benue state…. If he
himself is now controlled by a triumphalist,
power drunk and corrupt cabal…. then.. There is
no hope for the common man. But it is left for
the tribunal to unravel this. I could be wrong!
6. In going to the tribunal and not recourse to
violence Tarzoor is promoting good political
ethics. He is creating a social transformation
and mind revolution that any aggrieved citizen
can challenge impunity and expect to be heard.
He is striking at the core source of power of
oppression in society.
7. I support the petition because I have
confidence in the tribunal’s proper conduct, until
it proves itself otherwise. There is no alternative
course to civilized justice. The tribunal is
expected to be the technology by which the real
truth surrounding the qualification of Ortom to
participate in that election can be established.
8. In my struggle against social injustice I know
that reason and fact should interrogate, a taken-
for-granted- exercise of power, if that power
degenerates to toxic levels as the Benue power
cohorts in the last sixteen years have done.
9. To liberate Benue state from surrogate
governorship and puppet governance.
10. I hope that the tribunal will burst open the
myth of triumphalist victory, invisibility and sham
posturing parading itself in Benue today by
releasing the most precious and elusive of
political narratives…. The truth. We the political
class in Benue has failed to negotiate our
differences and share our woes and
opportunities. Illusions punctuate our lives,
blinding us to our own inconsistencies and
repeated moral failings. Nowhere are these
illusions compounded more than during elections
when all facts are altered and lies and posturing
made to appear as truth.
11. By supporting the case at the tribunal I hope
that the public will become more aware of the
need to abandon the drive to cut corners to
selfishly acquire power, prestige, and material
gain. These selfish power mongers devise
creative ways to skirt the law and the
constitution so that the word WRONG loses its
bite.
12. INEC had asked people that lost at the
elections to go to the tribunal if they were
aggrieved. INEC is aware of its limited power to
prevail on a political party to drop a candidate.
This has given the impression that whosoever
the party fields become non-challengeable. But
the electoral law spells the ground where a
candidate’s qualifications as stated in the
constitution can be challenged. I agree with
Tarzoor that he has a strong case. I support his
case.
13. I support the tribunal because without going
to the tribunal reconciliation and peace are
impossible. The tribunal is expected to deliver a
verdict based on justice which is the pre-
condition for lasting peace and reconciliation.
14. I support the tribunal as my legacy to the
younger generation. It is my belief that any elder
that walks by and observes something wrong in
his community, without trying to correct the
wrong, has established that wrong, as the new
standard of behavior. Leaders that tiptoe around
injustice do more harm than good in a political
community.
15. Finally I support the case at the tribunal
because it enhances the rule of law. If we desire
the rule of law then we must abide by the law of
rules. Let the tribunal interpret the case before it
from the evidence before it. In this case they
have the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral
Act 2010 as amended. We the people are waiting
the verdict.
We the Benue politicians in all the political
parties have failed our generation, the younger
generations, and the masses. We have all
condoned corruption even when we were
excluded or we excluded ourselves from it. Our
masses live lives of degrading poverty. Our
politics has derailed from responsible collective
decision making to autocracy. Now it is in the
hands of power mongers, criminals and mediocre
politicians whose eyes and fingers are
permanently in the treasuries. We have polluted
the entire political atmosphere with evil
clandestine power, easy money and pleasure.
This is the wrong path to good leadership. It is
the path to perdition. We fight over corruption
spoils like street dogs. We invent tiny specks to
argue over so that political identities become
rigidified, and anger stoked so that these petty
fights can endlessly go on.
Until we can have a common vocabulary and a
shared historical memory we cannot have peace
in our polity. We will remain disjointed cabals
who have surrendered our political leadership to
criminal gangsters, militias, and other vested
interests in the traditional authority and churches
that we are trying to infect with our corruption.
We change political platforms at whim to
demonstrate our lack of ideological conviction.
We are consumed with a self-righteous ethos,
which we confuse with religion. We abhor
honesty, humility and industry. After the PDP lost
in the last election, the pathetic true colors of
the Benue politicians showed. The so-called
leaders were trading self-esteem for soft
landings, money, phantom positions in
governments and all. Can someone tell me what
we stand for? People who stand on principles
stick to principles. Those who stand for nothing
fall for anything.
I wish to address those of my colleagues on the
social media. The last election showed we have
so many social media gurus and spin-doctors.
Like me we are all public intellectuals. The
power we hold in our hands is formidable. But as
in all power we can use it for liberation or
oppression. Support the case at the tribunal too
so that together we can establish the true value
of what was, what is and what will be politically
beneficial to our people. I invite you to help our
people to navigate their way through dimly lit
corridors of the political disaster waiting to
happen to them through the myths you have
spun around your icons. These are the Emperors
I see dancing naked in the market squares. Get
up and go to that tribunal and puncture your
myths and liberate the people. Show them the
unclothedness I see, and save them from their
illusions, fanaticisms and exaltations.
Now that I have made my position known to you
my, friends, associates, family and the general
reader I return to ask for your support for the
petition at the tribunal. Let those called as
witnesses swear on their sacred objects and tell
us where they stand. My own stand is
unambiguous. I am in the pit with the people. My
political memory, principles and praxis have been
clearly defined in a copious body of literature
comprising hundreds of poems, fifteen plays, five
books, and several articles, papers and
speeches. The political class of my age and
many of the younger age are afraid of the
insults, petty gossips and threat to life that trail a
leader who is open and is himself seeking for
better ways to be effective. I have all my life,
tried to act in a sensitive and responsible
manner. In all the stations I have served my
country I have given my best, and the grateful
nation has also commended all my labor. My
refusal to condone corruption, compromise my
integrity and instead stand for the truth at all
times is not popular! I take a lot of flak,
demeaning slanders, and am often a victim of
baseless vicious petty gossips. A few times, my
life was in danger from those who could not take
criticism (even in private sessions) but all will
continue to be well. I take consolation from my
favorite philosopher Michel Foucault, who said:
“ The intellectual was rejected and persecuted at
the precise moment when the facts became
incontrovertible, when it was forbidden to say
that the emperor has no clothes!”
Iyorwuese Hagher
(Dayton Ohio.) June 9, 15.
Source : Why I Support The Governorship Tribunal Case In Benue – Prof Hagher | Benue.com.ng - http://benue.com.ng/why-i-support-the-governorship-tribunal-case-in-benue/

instinct57vm:
can u pls forward the message to my number bro.
08039774911
Wana come try my luck for gatecrashing. thanks.
concerning wat too expect it's just normal Gmat, if u need Gmat softcopy send ur mail lemme forward to you.

Can u please send the Gmat soft copy to me as well. Tnx tanyogo@gmail.com

barcanista:
When Saraki was campaigning with Buhari and Tinubu he wasn't corrupt, it is time to fight for SP he has suddenly become corrupt. APC and Hypocrisy. Saraki for Senate President

[img]http://www.ilorin.info/images/saraki_buhari.jpg[/img]
Buhari and Saraki at Campaign Rally in Ilorin

Politics for you! Use whoever and what ever you can to get what ever you want.

Politics - Senate Presidency: Saraki-led APC Lawmakers Endorse David Mark for 3rd Term- SR | Nigerian Bulletin - http://www.nigerianbulletin.com/threads/senate-presidency-saraki-led-apc-lawmakers-endorse-david-mark-for-3rd-term-sr.112806/

Faced with a looming crisis in securing the selection of its favored candidates for leadership posts at the Senate and House of Representatives, officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are weighing measures to force the incoming class of National Assembly members to postpone their convening beyond Wednesday. According to a senior party source, the postponement “is to enable President
[Muhammadu] Buhari [to] rein in rebellious
lawmakers within the ranks of our party.”
Mr. Buhari is expected back in Abuja on
Thursday night after attending the ongoing G7
meeting in Germany.
Some APC lawmakers led by for former
Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State have
reportedly reached an alliance with People’s
Democratic Party lawmakers overnight to
present a PDP candidate as President of the
Senate. Immediate past Senate President, David
Mark, was named as the likely beneficiary of
Mr. Saraki’s revolt.
Former Governor Saraki is reportedly irate that
he was schemed out of the APC’s nomination
for the Senate Presidency. Last Saturday, the
party bypassed the former governor amid
concerns that he could not be totally relied upon
to lead an effective and cooperative Senate that
would give President Buhari reliable legislative
backing. Instead, the APC adopted Senator
Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan from Nigeria’s northeast
state of Yobe as its candidate for the Senate
Presidency.
SaharaReporters learnt that President Buhari
had expressed serious concerns to some
associates that a Nigerian Senate led by Mr.
Saraki would not lend him the necessary
legislative backing to wage a major war against
corruption.
Mr. Saraki carries a lot of corruption baggage,
dating back to his days as an executive of the
defunct Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria, and
continuing with his tenure as Kwara State
governor.
SaharaReporters also learned that another group
of lawmakers in the House of Representatives
were also upset with the APC’s choice of Lagos
legislator, Femi Gbajabiamila, as the party’s
sole candidate for Speaker. Yakubu Dogara, an
aspirant for the speakership who hails from
Bauchi State, leads the disaffected legislators
opposed to Mr. Gbajabiamila.
An APC executive told SaharaReporters that
some party leaders consider Mr. Saraki as the
wrecking ball who must be subdued to ensure
that the party does not lose the leadership of
the Senate.
In the midst of the internal squabble within the
APC, SaharaReporters learnt that former Senate
President David Mark has been mobilizing
disgruntled APC senators to back him for a third
term in the premier post at the Senate. Another
source disclosed that several PDP senators
were demanding outrageous sums of money
from APC leaders in exchange for casting their
votes for candidates favored by the party.

Politics - Senate Presidency: Saraki-led APC Lawmakers Endorse David Mark for 3rd Term- SR | Nigerian Bulletin - http://www.nigerianbulletin.com/threads/senate-presidency-saraki-led-apc-lawmakers-endorse-david-mark-for-3rd-term-sr.112806/

This must be rice offal in these bags. Or at most saw dust.

Baba must hear and see this. With this I think we can effectively defeat Boko Haram.

fharmah:
#10 recharge card ? so dis kinda tin dea na wa oooo wetin u wan use am do send 3 text message

10 naira airtime can only send 2 and half text messages.