₦airaland Forum

The Leaders and their family members will be part of the protest.Buhari escaped the tear Gas at Kano that took out Okadigbo,the police should do us a favor,tear gas those enemies of progress bent on dragging us back with Polonium oxide. .

Foolish Nigerians,we are been taken for granted by politicians.They continue to distract us with events while we dance to the drum they beat.

They are busy looting.I pity for this Country.

NOW that the long-expected fusion between the G-7 rebels from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been formalised, there were analysts who believed last night that what happened Tuesday could indeed alter the 2015 game plan. Up and until Tuesday, the seven rebels that had enjoyed lavish media courage were being analysed in some quarters as “rebels without a clue” as an American newspaper recently called the Republican members of the U.S. Congress. It will be seen in the next few weeks whether they indeed have a clue to unravelling “the trouble with Nigeria” that most allies agree needs a rescue operation. Besides, it will be seen whether the new APC will now go beyond meretricious responses to sundry current affairs in their campaign strategy.

But at press time, last night, watchers of the political scene were more interested in how some leaders of the new APC who are generally believed to be strange bedfellows will now work together for the greater glory of their country. It will be interesting, for instance, how Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC’s interim spokesman, will work well with former governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki. In the same vein, it will be curious to see Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former PDP National Secretary, removed and reinstated recently by the court, work harmoniously with Governor of the State of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, that he has never agreed to work with.

It will be a very interesting ‘rapprochement’ and wonderful political reunion in Osun on the platform of the newly-reinforced APC. In Kano State too, it will be exciting to note how Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso would warmly embrace his predecessor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau. There has been no political love lost between the two big men in Kano. In Sokoto too, observers are still wondering how Governor Wamakko will campaign for political glory with former governor of the state, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa. Even in Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako has to work in harmony with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar if he decides to join the APC expanding platform. The rebellion of the G-7 was actually announced by the former Vice President during the last PDP convention in Abuja held on August 31 at the Eagle Square. The rebels had earlier at the venue of the convention greeted the President, Goodluck Jonathan and then moved on with the former Vice President to announce the split. There had been several talks of reconciliation with the estranged governors but there had been no deal reached until yesterday.

The next few days will be defining moments for the two main political parties in Nigeria as it is also decision time for the people of the seven states whether they will go genuinely with the governors or they will go their own way. Certainly, there will be declarations and counter-declarations sooner than later.

Meanwhile, the South-South Zone will be of interest to observers as Governor Rotimi Amaechi who has been one of the leaders of the new political movement and rebellion was recently quoted as saying that President Jonathan was his leader and he would have to seek his (President’s) permission should he wish to join the APC. Besides, observers would like to know whether Governor Amaechi has the capacity to move Rivers State people to APC and win election there.

G7-GOVSTHE G-7 Governors in the New-PDP that announced its merger with the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) are expected to bring into the new party their followers and bolster the chances of the APC in the next round of elections.

However, the long-drawn battle they had with the PDP leadership, and the wielding of the big stick by the government in power at the centre may have weakened the grip of the governors on the party structures in their states.

Indeed, the PDP structures in the states had been taken away from a number of them while the struggle to effect reforms in the party lasted. Returning these structures was one of the demands of the governors on the PDP leadership, headed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Thus, the governors have to start from the scratch, to erect formidable structures for the APC that could rival or surpass the ones they are leaving behind in the PDP.

So, barring volte face from any of the governors — note Governor Babangida Aliyu’s refutal of being part of the merger yesterday — what are their electoral worth or strength and relevance in the new scheme?

Sule Lamido (Jigawa)

HE is one the most valuable assets the PDP had in the North. He sees Jigawa State as a political turf that he has long captured and knew inside out.

In 2010, he supported Jonathan’s presidency when sectional and religious divides had set in against the allegation that the president was “usurping” the North’s turn in the presidency of the country.

The governor demonstrated his clout when he delivered the state completely to the PDP in both the gubernatorial and presidential elections in 2011.

Lamido’s knack in grassroots mobilisation is a factor that would make the PDP hold on tight to him. His command of respect amongst northern politicians and traditional rulers, aside from his known contacts across the country, is an asset that no party can easily wish away.

Being a second-term governor, he has been seen to have ambition in the presidential race. Lamido’s headache will be whether the APC is the perfect platform for him to run, as the complex interests in the party make it too deep a risk for him to take.

However, in the event that he finally decides not to contest for the presidency and opts to move over with his supporters to the APC, the hard fact remains that Lamido will deliver the state to the APC whether in the presidential or governorship election.

Sources say it is in recognition of this that the PDP has not tampered with its structure, largely under Lamido’s control, in Jigawa State.

With the deep connection between him and the Jigawa electorate, coupled with his ability to mobilise and galvanise support, it is believed that whichever party Lamido identifies with will seal up the state.

Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers)

AMAECHI is arguably the most troubled of the G-7 governors. Almost all the structures needed to aid a governor in his political quest in a state had been taken from him.

The recent court judgment, which upheld the chairmanship of Chief Obuah Amaechi Felix as the duly recognised chairman of Rivers State PDP, has tossed off the chances of Governor Amaechi to reclaim the party structures.

Even the state’s Commissioner of Police, Matthew Mbu, whose actions have become questionable in the state, having been accused at several fora of acting out the script of the Presidency, has made governance difficult for the incumbent governor.

Amaechi’s perceived fight with President Jonathan has taken a long personal tone with the supervising Minister for Education, Nyesom Wike, thus, dealing political blows to Amaechi with the assumed support of the Presidency and the Police.

Wike, who is said to be interested in the governorship of the state in 2015, had boasted to have structures spread across the state and he seems set for the battle ahead, especially with the Chief Obuah state party executive sympathetic to his cause.

Going against Governor Amaechi, if he does not sort out things and regain control of the political structure in his state, is the fact that most political bigwigs in the state are in the PDP, including his benefactor, Dr. Peter Odili, who has not had it rosy since Amaechi’s ascension as governor.

The influence of the PDP in the oil-rich state is so massive that it will take a miracle for the APC to make any inroads in Rivers come 2015.

Therefore, it may be considered safe to assert that Amaechi is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. The APC with Amaechi in Rivers will be difficult to fly.

Murtala Nyako (Adamawa)

IT is the speculation for many that Adamawa State would provide the perfect spectacle for a showdown in 2015, as the political fever in the state will be pitch high.

The stage is set for the “grand battle” between Nyako and the PDP national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

While the electorate on the one hand would have a major say, the Adamawa’s political gladiators, who are numerous and versatile, will have a major say also.

One thing that may aid Tukur is the federal might he would be coming into the battle with. But for Nyako, whose weakness is reportedly the disenchantment of major politicians with his administration, how well he embarks on realigning and appeasing these stakeholders may hold the key to his electoral fortune.

So, all eyes are on both the governor and Tukur to see who could push for the governorship election, as their children’s ambition was an added reason to the crisis in the PDP in Adamawa.

Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara)

WITH Governor Ahmed in agreement with his godfather and new leader of Kwara politics, Senator Bukola Saraki, it would be a smooth ride for the APC.

The Sarakis’ hold onto the politics of power in Kwara is one that permeates the state.

With the death of the elder Saraki, Dr. Olusola Saraki, the famed ‘Oloye’, and the eventual ascension to the throne by Senator Saraki, there seems to have been a transfer of power to a younger generation even with no known ideology.

There is no gainsaying that the Sarakis have gotten used to dominating the state over the years with little or no dissent in the affairs of the state, especially politically.

Governor Ahmed seems to understand this dynamics perfectly well and has effectively managed his relationship with his erstwhile boss, Senator Saraki, and thus holding firmly to power in the state.

With this union, it would be difficult to see the PDP making hay if Ahmed moves to the APC. And just as Kwara got delivered to the PDP from the APP in 2003, so will the state be easily handed over to the APC.

For Governor Ahmed, he is set to go and all sweet sailing it shall be for him, especially since he will be re-contesting come 2015.

Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano)

IN Kano, the electorate, rather than politicians, are the ones who determine the political swing of the state in any election. Individuals seem to excite the Kano people and not political parties, especially close knit ones.

There was a recent open hijack of the party structures by the Tukur-led national leadership, which sent in a caretaker committee, led by Hassan Kafayos and backed by an archrival of Kwankwaso, Ambassador Aminu Wali, to conduct fresh elections at the detriment of the Kwankwaso-backed Adamu Aliyu Sumaila committee whose tenure had expired.

This all but sent the warning signal to Kwankwaso, who now knows that the chess game is on.

For the governor to make headway in Kano, however, he has to mend fences with some political foes, especially the wing led by former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, a founding member of the APC who has been loyal to the party.

Analysts opine that with the deep-seated animosity between the duo, and with the sudden swell up in the returnee wing of the PDP, it may be a hard nut to crack for Kwankwaso, who definitely would like to enthrone a successor.

Besides, he is said to have his eyes on a Senate seat in 2015.

However, the very unpredictable Kano electorate will largely determine whether the PDP or APC will emerge victorious at the end of the day. It would then take the extra sense for Kwankwaso to soar.

But the re-alignments going on at the moment in Kano suggests that the PDP would not allow Kano to be easily hijacked by the APC.

Magatakada Wamakko (Sokoto)

THE people of Sokoto State toed along with Wamakko after he emerged the PDP candidate in the merger between the ANPP and the PDP in 2007. Since then, the opposition has remained largely quiet in the state, allowing the PDP, through Wamakko, to take the shine.

As at today, with deepened structures and massive political support across the state, one governor that will definitely move to the APC is Wamakko.

His actions in recent time, coupled with his unforgiving remarks as it concerns the Bamanga Tukur-led leadership of the party, and also his romance with the APC chieftains, suggest that it is a straight party for the governor and his men when they decide to contest.

For Wamakko, it will be a cruise with the APC in 2015.

Babangida Aliyu (Niger)

CHIEF Servant Babangida Aliyu may not be in a tight situation like some of his rebel governors. However, his seeming blurred aspiration in 2015, very loquacious nature and uncertain political permutations are pitching him against himself.

Forced to come out to again identify with the G-7 Governors and the New-PDP when he obviously attempted to ‘slow down’ his union with the groups, Aliyu is clearly playing some game of wits and caution.

Unlike some of his peers that one can easily put one’s cash on, Aliyu is not to be cashed on, according to knowledgeable sources.

This is so because the Niger governor will be the last to leave the PDP.

With reports suggesting that former governor, Abdulkadir Kure and PDP BoT chieftain, Prof. Jerry Gana, have been positioned to take over the state party structure and machinery if he leaves the PDP, there are speculations that while not minding to move over to the APC, Aliyu would not wish to see such politicians take over the PDP machinery from him for fear of the unknown.

For now, the state’s PDP machinery is under the governor’s control, even as it is said that some PDP chieftains in the state have begun mobilising in preparation for Aliyu’s departure.

Whether or not he may have his interest in 2015 is not the issue for the governor. Sources say the governor is more concerned with enthroning a successor than allowing his political opponents to do so. “It would be suicidal,” said a source.

An insider said the last decision to be taken by the Chief Servant would be to leave the PDP, stressing that that would be shooting himself in the foot, “more so that the governor cannot vouch for the Niger State electorate, especially in the governorship election.”

Already, Aliyu’s interest to go to the Senate in 2015 has pitched him against Senator Awaisu Kuta, considered a more formidable grassroots politician and one of those anxiously waiting for the governor to make what is being termed by some as a costly move.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at the weekend replied proponents of cancellation of results of the November 16 Anambra governorship election, describing those behind the clamour as enemies of Nigeria’s democracy.

National Chairman of the Party, Chief Victor Umeh specifically accused the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has been leading the campaign for the cancellation of the results as playing what he called “alaye” politics.

APC, on Thursday, petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) demanding a cancellation of the election and the conduct of a fresh election by the commission. The petition was signed by the Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and Interim National Secretary, Tijani Tumsah.

INEC last week declared the election inconclusive and announced that it would conduct a supplementary election in areas where it recorded challenges in the November 16 poll. The results declared by the commission placed APGA in a clear lead, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC came a distant second and third. The trio of APC, Labour Party and PDP candidates, Dr Chris Ngige, Chief Ifeanyi Uba and Chief Tony Nwoye, respectively, rejected results announced by INEC. They also rejected the planned supplementary election.

But the PDP said it was satisfied with the conduct of the election and threw its weight behind the supplementary election. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metu, dismissed claims that the election was marred by irregularities.

However, speaking with Sunday Sun, Umeh tongue-lashed APC and other proponents of cancellation of the election and branded them as enemies of democracy.

He said: “By leading this type of campaign, APC has shown clearly that it is an alaye party, it is ready to destroy anything if it cannot get it. It is dishing out the propaganda that the election was manipulated because the people of Anambra rejected it at the election.”

He continued: “It is now clear to Nigerians that APC is a violent party, it is ready to undermine critical institutions in the bid to achieve a self-serving agenda. It is worrisome that this is the kind of culture APC is bringing to the political space. It is only when it wins that an election can be considered free and fair. This type of politics is a big threat to democracy. APC did everything within its power to rig the election including sending hundreds of thugs to Anambra. But it was not lucky as security operatives nabbed the thugs on their way to Anambra.”

The APGA chairman declared that the party won the governorship election decently, arguing that Ngige was crying of rigging because he was allegedly used to manipulation of election.

His words: “I laugh when somebody like Ngige is coming out to shamelessly talk about election rigging. In a sane society somebody like him would not be allowed to contest election. He rigged himself into office in 2003; he enjoyed the mandate that was not his until courts sacked him. He thinks that everybody behaves the same way. APGA has always believed in people’s power; we won in Imo State decently in 2011, we won in Anambra on November 16 decently and we hope to win the entire South East in 2015 decently. APC is merely crying wolf. We won in 16 local governments, we had two thirds in almost all the councils. Those who are seeking for cancellation know that Anambrarians rejected them roundly.”

Umeh submitted that those seeking for the cancellation of the election were doing so out of ignorance. According to him, INEC is constitutionally barred to cancel results of an election it has declared.

“APC lawyers should tutor the party on what the law says regarding results of elections declared by INEC,” the APGA chairman advised.

On INEC officials currently being investigated by the police, Umeh urged the police to bring anybody found guilty in the matter to book. “APGA wants the truth to be brought to the public space. It is only when those behind what happened in Idemili are unmasked that the public will know the truth,” Umeh fumed.

He spoke further: “We have always believed that it is only when you are elected by the people that you can rule well. We rode on the back of massive infrastructural development by the Peter Obi government to win this election. Our people know that APGA is not a party that would tell them lies; Governor Obi has delivered.”

He insisted that the campaign by APC for the cancellation of the governorship election bordered on callousness and lack of interest for the deepening of Nigeria’s democracy.

When APC win election,we did not beat drums of War.APC also rigged election in Lagos and Edo LG election,Nigerians allow peace to reign.

Today,they lost in Anambra and we can't sleep.

I commend Gov.Obi for his silence in the face of provocation bunch of rascals threatning fire and brimstone in Anambra.

I blamed the Igbos who are sitting on the fence on this issue,why didnt they threated fire when they lost at Ondo?Ekiti state was handed to APC by Salami by canceling votes of supporters from Segun Oni stronghold.

There will be a supplementary election and a Winner will be declared whether APC cry on CNN,BBC and Al-Jazerra.

With the governorship election in Anambra State declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and mixed reactions trailing the outcome, the interim National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, argues, in this interview, that the exercise remains irredeemably defective. Excerpts:
The governorship election in Anambra State has come and gone…
It has not gone.
Okay it is still ongoing but while some are calling for outright cancellation of the election, INEC has vowed to go ahead with a supplementary election. What happens if it goes ahead with the supplementary poll?
There are many options to be explored and such options will be discussed at the NEC meeting of the party. But what does INEC mean by supplementary election? The November 16 governorship election in Anambra State is irredeemably defective. We do not understand what INEC means by supplementary election. It is defective to the point that it cannot be redeemed either by a supplementary election or by election being conducted in isolated wards.
There are two reasons the November 16 election is irredeemable. One is that the strong holds of the opposition were denied voting materials. And this is a clear case of not just disenfranchisement but there was sabotage as admitted by even the National Chairman of INEC. He said a senior official of INEC sabotaged the electoral process.
Alh. Lai Mohammed
Alh. Lai Mohammed
We also have it on good authority that the voter register has been so tampered with that anybody whose names start with O or U could not find his names in the register.
With these, you cannot start talking about a supplementary election. It is like somebody putting a potion of poison in a bucket of water. Are you now saying that you can save part of that water? You have to throw the whole thing away. So, I do not know what they mean by supplementary election. As for Anambra, it has to be fresh election or nothing and, beyond that, Nigerians want to know the name of that INEC official, his position and how he was able to sabotage the election.
Nigerians want to know who he was working for? This matter must not be swept under the carpet. If it is allowed to be swept under the carpet, it will lead to an explosion which is better imagined. We hear from the grapevine that he is working for a particular state governor and that a lot of money has been uncovered and traced to his account. He also indicted a particular state governor.
And you think INEC will mention the official’s name?
This is now in the open and people are seriously concerned. Because what is done is not just sabotage, it is treason and this could lead to violent reactions on the part of people. Of course, Nigerians have a right to know and INEC has the obligation to tell us the name of this man and how far did he sabotage the election.
If they can do it in Anambra, it can be done in Ekiti, Osun and everywhere. So. the problem is much more fundamental than that. Again, it raises the issue of credibility of the register we have because if one person can so tamper with the register, to exclude names starting with certain alphabets, all needed to be done is just come to Osun or Ekiti and remove some names from the register.
So, this problem is very fundamental, we cannot start talking about supplementary elections; as a matter of fact, we should stop talking about Anambra now, we should start talking about the integrity of the INEC register.
Going by what has happened in Anambra, what do you think will happen in the elections coming up in Osun and Ekiti?
Even the whole of Nigeria come 2015… If somebody in INEC can compromise the register, so effectively, that names starting with certain alphabets do not appear, this is a dangerous development and we are very worried about the integrity and safety of the data. Probably, at the end of the day, we might have to adopt another form of election because this is a serious matter.
Like what?
Again, when our party meets, we shall decide.
Protests greeted the outcome of the election but an aide to Governor Peter Obi has come out to say that those who protested were not from Anambra but from outside the state…
Of what relevance is that? Is the election defective because of the protests? Or are people protesting as a result of the defective election? The question to ask is: Why are they protesting? Let us assume that those who protested are from Mars or Jupiter, the question to ask is, Was election free and fair? Did Idemili North and Idemili South receive voting materials? Did INEC chairman admit or not that a senior official of his commission actually sabotaged the election? These are the issues, whether they are from Mars or Jupiter, it has no consequence.
The PDP has come out to hail the outcome of the exercise but the PDP candidate has faulted the process, does that give your party concern?
There is a proverb in Igboland which says it is bad to steal but don’t steal for the owner to notice. This is a situation where PDP has stolen for the owner to notice. From the statement of the factional spokesperson for the PDP, Olisa Metuh, it is clear that the PDP apologists are working for the success of APGA.
How else would the National Publicity Secretary of a party describe, in superlative forms, an election, which your candidate was not allowed to vote?
The conventional thing for any political party is for you to be in touch with your candidate on the field and get first hand information on how the election is going.
The candidate said it loud and clear that he was not allowed to vote, his name was not even on the register and yet, because they had a prepared agenda which was, as long as APC does not win, the election is free and fair.
Now, Olisa Metuh, from the records at our disposal, lost his own ward but, as long as APC does not win, it was okay for the prince and the PDP. It has shown to the world what happened. This one has boomeranged.
What signal is this sending as we approach 2015?
Well, three things are clear: the integrity of the INEC register is suspect from this moment on; the integrity of INEC as a whole is suspect from this moment on and, again the 2014 and 2015 elections should be watched because there will be huge potentials for violence.
Would you agitate for the removal of the INEC Chairman or the restructuring of the commission?
That will be a decision that our party will take.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/anambra-apcit-fresh-election-nothing-lai-mohammed

Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has redeployed five assistant inspectors-general of police (AIGs) and two commissioners of police for what he called “effective crime fighting”.

Disclosing this in a statement, police spokesman, Frank Mba, stated that the officers redeployed include former Anambra Commissioner of Police, AIG Ballah M. Nasarawa, who was recently promoted Assistant Inspector-General of Police. He is now AIG in charge of Zone 9, in Umuahia, covering Abia, Imo, Enugu and Anambra state commands.

AIG David Omojola is now in charge of Zone 11, comprising Osun, Oyo and Ondo states. AIG Tambari Yabo Mohammed is now in charge of Zone 1 in Kano, comprising Jigawa, Katsina and Kano states.

Why was the election upheld by corrupt Salami even when some parts of Ekiti were disfranchise?
APC should go to court.Punch is a disgrace to Journalism.

Buhari anti corruption story can no longer sell with his romance with corrupt politicians.

Former Youths Development Minister, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, at the weekend, condemned the arrest of 180 Osun indigenes with guns and fake voter cards and live ammunitions in Akwa, Anambra State, ahead of the just concluded governorship election in the state.

In a statement signed by the former minister and made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Sunday, he declared that the action, if investigated and found to be true, should be condemned, as the act has once again put Osun State in the news for negative publicity.

According to Senator Olasunkanmi, “while I urge the security agencies to dig to the root of the matter and establish the sources of the incriminating items found on the alleged offenders, I wish to urge the Osun State governor to stem the tide and stop promoting acts that put Osun State in the news for wrong reasons.”

The statement reads: “It is rather worrisome and disappointing that it is only Osun State among the states from the South-West geo-political zone and Nigeria that is mentioned in this act of brigandage. Osun State was in similar negative light during the Ondo State governorship election last year. The question is: why Osun State always?

“Suffice to say that every negative news about Osun State saddens and depresses our people who hitherto were known for their peaceful nature, rich culture and industry. “I am worried and I believe most reasonable members of Osun State community are equally worried about this recent upturn of fortune leading to our reputational damage in the eyes of the rest of the world.”

Fresh facts have emerged on the poor attendance of G7 governors at the retreat organised by Governor Chibuike Amaechi-led Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) in Sokoto at the weekend.

Daily Sun learnt that the poor attendance was fallout of the intra-politics of the G7 governors, who were to hold a meeting to consider the possibility of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The retreat organised by Governor Amaechi’s faction of the NGF in Sokoto over the weekend suffered a low turnout of governors, as only seven out of the 19 governors in the faction attended the highly publicised event, while five others were represented by their deputies.

A reliable source told Daily Sun last night that a sharp division seems to have occurred within the ranks of the seven governors after their second visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, where they went to seek his support for the move to dump the PDP.

The former president was said to have counseled the governors to sort out whatever differences they had with President Goodluck Jonathan rather than contemplate defecting from the PDP.

Governors of Rivers, Sokoto and Adamawa, Daily Sun learnt, were said to be surprised that the former president was still hopeful that the PDP crisis could be resolved before the next general elections.

It was gathered that the NGF retreat in Sokoto meant to be a forum to take a common action on movement to APC.

One of the seven governors, who spoke to Daily Sun frowned at what he called the desperation of Governor Amaechi to railroad others into a ‘political suicide,” which decamping from the PDP could amount to. He said that was the reason some of them boycotted the retreat and only sent in their deputies, who could not take any decision of such delicate political consideration.

Further findings showed that Governors Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano are in a dilemma, as the APC structures in their states are in the firm control of sworn political enemies, who will rather leave politics than submit to their leadership, in the event of a defection.

While former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and his supporters hold sway in Kano APC and have vowed to resist moves by the national leadership of the party to force Kwankwaso on them, Kwara State ACN governorship candidate in the 2011 general elections, Barrister Dele Belgore, maintains a strong structure in the APC, which will resist the political machinery of the Sarakis.

Also, the subtle threat by the National leadership of the PDP to dissolve the Kwara State exco and appoint elements loyal to the Bamanga Tukur leadership if the Kwara governor and his godfather continue their open romance with the opposition APC is also a factor in Kwara. This may account for why the senator may be playing smart by advising the Kwara governor to also shun the Sokoto retreat organised by the Amaechi faction of the NGF.

It was also gathered that of the seven PDP governors, who are opposed to the leadership of Bamanga Tukur, the governors of Niger and Jigawa prefer to heed the advice of former President Obasanjo and still seek further peace options within the party, while Amaechi has indeed, concluded plans to ditch the party and move into the APC.

A meeting of former speakers of the state Houses of Assembly, called by Amaechi a few days ago, it was gathered, afforded him an opportunity of announcing his imminent defection to the opposition party and asking his former colleagues to initiate moves in their various states to do same.

Another factor being put into consideration by some of the G7 governors, to distance themselves from the Amaechi-led NGF, is the possibility of an action by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against them if they continue in their open confrontation with the Federal Government. This fear is fuelled by the last week’s arrest of two sons of Governor Lamido by the anti-graft body on allegations of diversion of a sum of N10 billion belonging to Jigawa State Government.

When the NGF retreat was holding in Sokoto, Governor Lamido was sighted in his Area 2 residence in Abuja over the weekend.

The rescheduled election in the 62 polling units in Obosi ward, Idemili North local government area of Anambra witnessed low turnout of voters across the area yesterday. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could not conduct the exercise in the area on Saturday as result of some challenges.

Daily Sun observed that a combined team of army, police and State Security Service, SSS operatives positioned their vehicles including an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, with Registration No: NPF8215C with stern looking security men in the area. The heavy security presence did not go down well with Obosi youths, who demanded that the security should be withdrawn.

In Obosi Town Hall, accreditation began in the four polling units located there at 9.30am when INEC officials arrived the polling centres. However, the youths in polling unit No 007 at Obosi Town hall said the presence of security agents was responsible for the low turnout of voters.

At Umuota Primary school with four polling units of 013, 018, 047 and 048 accreditation could not start as at 10.30am because the INEC officials in the two polling units did not come on time.

Similarly, at Odume layout, Obosi with a large population, accreditation began by 9.am and voting started by 12 Noon. Though there was low turnout of voters.

At Redemption Primary school, Ilo-Okoye-Odume layout, voting started by 1 pm in 029, 056, 030, 035, 029, 057 and 058 polling centres. Counting of votes began immediately by 2pm when it became obvious that all the voters who wanted to cast their votes had done so.

During the counting, it was observed that the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Chris Ngige and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate, Chief Willie Obiano were running neck to neck in all the polling centres.

At Ilo-Okoye polling centres, APC got the highest number of valid votes cast while APGA came trailing very close with over 48 per cent.

At polling unit 029, APC got 36, APGA came second with 28, PDP and Labour Parties got 5 and 4 votes respectively. Also at the Redemption primary school, Ilo-Okoye, APC got 14, APGA, 11 votes.

Other results as recorded yesterday disclosed that at 059 polling unit, APGA got 9 votes, APC got 14, PDP got 4 and Labour Party got 1 votes. In 058 polling unit, APGA and APC shared the spoils with APC getting 16 and APGA got 11 votes while APC got 5 votes and APGA got 4 votes in 059 in Odume layout.

We already know the drill.APC wills cry.Get ready to cry more in 2015

Hahahah.where is berem and her co travellers?Rochas is next.They will cry again in 2015.Go to court if you are all in doubt of this election.Media houses are smilling to the Banks .

And Jangaba empty handed again.

3.2 billion?part of my tax in Lagos.

Hahahaha.Ngige massively rejected.Take it easy bro.

We will banned some posters from Nairaland if Ngige loose on Saturday.

So he was on his way to say no to resumption?Karma.

We all know APC goons are brigands desperately looking for power at all cost and have greatly last track.

eport puts 2013 budget implementation at 40 per cent

• Recommends $76.5 oil benchmark for 2014

• Okays exchange rate of N160/dollar

• TIB chief explains N8.9b mass transit disbursement

THE Senate Wednesday passed the 2014-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) amidst strong opposition.

With the passage, however, the coast appears clear for President Goodluck Jonathan to present the 2014 budget to the National Assembly. In the report, the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriation highlighted several issues and made recommendations.

According to the report, only about 40 per cent implementation has been achieved in the first and second quarter releases of the 2013 budget, including the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), a development the committee described as far from impressive.

“Not up to 40 per cent of projections for the first half of the year have been realised,” it read. “Operators of the budget have blamed the situation on oil theft, vandalisation of pipelines and similar situations already mentioned.”

The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led committee also observed that the MTEF document has projected a daily crude oil production of 2.3883 million barrels per day, 2.5007 million barrels per day and 2.5497 million barrels per day for 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively.

The forecast, it stated, is based on the assumption that government would tackle the problems of vandalisation, oil theft and illegal bunkering. While accepting this projection as considerate, it expressed worries that as long as adequate measures are not taken to address the leakages, the shortfall associated with the annual budget would continue.

The committee also adopted the 2014 to 2016 MTEF and FSP average exchange rate of N160 to the USD based on the belief that the projected rate is “reasonable and appropriate, considering the volatility of the world economy and the strong demand for the dollar. Efforts, however, should be made to keep the naira stable.”

Similarly, the Senate adopted a crude oil benchmark of $76.50 per barrel, saying: “The benchmark prices of $74, $75 and $76 per barrel fixed for the sale of oil for 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively are based on the current world market price for crude.

This is “underpinned by the model of 10 years and five years moving average, considering the possible outcome of the weakening future of the oil market and supply of oil in some new African countries that depended on Nigeria for crude oil.

“However, it is noticed that there is a provision to distribute N666.9 billion to the three tiers of government from the Excess Crude Account. Therefore, the effective benchmark proposed by the Executive is about $80pb. The Joint Committee, however, observes that though the benchmark prices are conservative and reasonable, they should be increased slightly to provide more funds.”

Lawmakers had initially rejected the committee’s report, noting that more time was required to critically address some of the issues raised, including oil benchmark, crude oil theft, exchange rate and excess crude fund.

Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi argued that considering the relevance of the document to national development, the Senate needed a longer time to critically analyze it. According to him, “a strategic document such as METF deserves a longer notice for debate because it is a document that will determine the economy of the country for the next three years.

“We should have received it earlier because there are many issues listed for the senators to take on, which cannot be effectively done within the limited period of the floor.”

Expressing worries that same step was taken in the last two years and has adversely affected budget implementation, he said the document should not be passed until certain questions bordering on oil benchmark, capital and recurrent expenditures as well as crude oil theft were answered.

He added: “We are using huge public investment to prevent oil theft and it is not abating. It is a contradiction in the use of public funds. We cannot compromise quantity and public spending. Oil will not remain with us for ever but as long as it is with us, we should ensure it is judiciously used for national development.”

Others who also advised that the issues raised in the MTEF be critically analysed before passage included senators Ali Ndume and Adegbenga Kaka. Nevertheless, Senate President, David Mark, cautioned that discarding the report subjectively would imply rejecting the document that is instrumental to Senate’s input in the consideration of the much expected 2014 Appropriation Bill.

To that end, he urged them to avoid regional and party sentiments as the document in question affects the economy of the nation. He said: “We need a document that will help us make our input when we consider the budget. That is what this paper is all about.

“It has given us all the highlights that we need when we are making our own input into the budget. So, if you say ‘reject this paper,’ then, you are saying ‘reject looking at this input when you are looking at the budget. There is no question of rejecting the paper. It is a report from our own committee and it is saying that we should look at these issues when considering the budget.

“If you are saying that when we are looking at the budget we should not look at the shortfall in oil production, it is saying, ‘look at the shortfall in oil production, remedy it when you are making your input.’ It is not a matter of assumption. It has looked at all the figures.”

He added: “In their recommendations, they are saying that the Excess Crude Account is not a legal entity and that government is not rendering a proper account. So, if we say no to the report, we are saying Excess Crude Account is a legal entity and that government is giving proper account.

“We should not look at it on any partisan or regional basis. It is a paper that affects the economy of the country and I think the committee has done an excellent job. These are the issues we truly need to address when we are making our input into the budget.

“Keeping the external reserve so high at the expense of local infrastructure development is unacceptable. That is what the paper is saying.”

At the end of his intervention, lawmakers accepted the passage of the report. Also, the Senate observed a minute silence of honour of the former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Festus Iyayi, who died on Tuesday in an auto crash.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer of The Infrastructure Bank (TIB), Mr. Abdulrazak Oyinloye, has explained to the Senate the management of N8.9 billion SURE-P nationwide mass transit buses.

Responding to the Chairman of Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on SURE-P, Abudul Ningi, who sought clarification on the distribution of 807 buses bought so far under the scheme, Onyinloye told the lawmakers that the said sum was released to TIB and has been utilised as expected, stating that the vehicles had been supplied since January 2012, with over N9.06 billion expended in the process.

According to him, of the 807 buses, ABC Transport Plc, representing the South-East, got 20 buses valued at N247 million, Afenmai Line Transport Limited (South-South) received 10 buses worth N118.75 million, Ajetunmobi Integrated Services Limited (South West) got 20 buses at the cost of N205.936 million, Ani B. Barak Nigeria Limited (North East) got five buses worth N42.54 million while Annasai Nigeria Limited (FCT) received fives buses worth N42.54 million.

Also, Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited (FCT) got 200 buses worth N2.47 billion, Autostar Travels and Tourism Limited (South-East) got 32 buses valued at N373.44 million, Dabo Motors Limited (North West) got 25 buses worth N302 million, and Mallam Madalla Enterprises (North East) got 10 vehicles valued at N85 million.

Further, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO - Nationwide) got 42 buses at the sum of N403 million, LAGBUS Operators (Lagos) got 100 buses valued at N1.235 billion, Shaanxi Auto Limited (FCT) received 20 buses worth N247 million and Abuja Transport Cooperative Society (ATCS -FCT) got 20 buses worth N247 million.

The Sole Administrator of Specialist Hospital in Lokoja, Kogi Sttae, Dr. Paul Amodu, has revealed how former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and activist, Prof. Festus Iyayi, died in a road accident involving the convoy of Governor Wada Idris.

The ex-union leader died at about noon on Tuesday along Banda village about 10 kilometres from Lokoja, the state capital, when he was going to attend ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Kano which was meant to resolve the ASUU strike.

Amodu said he was briefed by one Dr. Idoko, who he attached to the governor’s convoy. according to him, the rear vehicle of the convoy rammed the bus in which Iyayi was travelling in as the bus tried to avoid a pot hole on the highway

In his words: “The accident occurred when the ASUU bus conveying Prof. Iyayi and one Dr. Ngozi Ilo was trying to dodge a pot hole on the highway when the rear vehicle in the governor’s convoy suddenly collided with them

“The vehicle collided with the side which the professor was sitting and something pierced straight through his heart, and he strapped on the seat motionless with a copy of a national newspaper in his hand

“Beside his seat was a pair of Novas an anti-hypertensive drug which suggests that he might have been hypertensive. However, the woman sitting in the front of the vehicle (Dr Ngozi Ilo) only had part of her right hand flesh slightly chopped off, no fracture in the hand as alleged

“When she was rushed here, we later discovered she had a little cut in the leg and a fracture in the tipia bone (upper part of the leg), she was treated by a consultant, Dr Chizoba Osita Nwokese and had been discharged

“I believe that what will be will be. Although he must have been hypertensive, but he died due to an object, which penetrated straight through his heart,” Dr. Amodu said.

Meanwhile, Iyayi’s corpse was claimed at the specialist hospital by his immediate younger brother, Peter Iyayi, who is a lecturer at the Federal University in Lokoja

The younger Iyayi came in company of some ASUU officials including the branch chairman of Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo State, who left with the body at about 12 noon yesterday.

yes,APC will provide better Leadership.Where are those syconpants (Demdem,Eko-Ile,Agbamata,Seanat,Berem) shouting Fashola for President?

6 years into his tenure and Education in Lagos is still in shambles.APC my foot.

Good news.Next,EFCC will step in and you will understand the consequences of biting the Finger that feeds you.

RIP Pro,but at year age,you for stop Aluta and allow the younger members to agitate on your behalf.Hope you are not amoung those saying strike must Continue.RIP

We already know Buhari is the Main sponsor of Boko Haram.

I pity Southerners who are in support of APC.

Its a joke of the century.Why did'nt y resume at Wadata Plaza yesterday?

Shebi you and Baraje get two heads.

he Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, has advised drivers of commuter buses popularly called danfo in the state not to panic or entertain any fear over the state government’s plan to enforce a portion of the road traffic law which restricts drivers from driving for more than eight hours at a stretch daily.

Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa had told journalists at a news conference that the state government would begin the enforcement of the eight hours restriction in January 2014.

Reacting to the government position, Agbede explained that there was nothing new in the law as drivers in the state had been using ‘shift’ method to reduce stress before the state government came up with the law.

“I don’t see anything new in the eight hours work per day for commuter bus drivers. Already, most drivers work on shift basis. A driver on morning shift will drive from 6 a.m. till 12 p.m. and a driver on afternoon shift will work from 12 p.m. till 7 p.m., while those on night shift drive from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m. That has been the practise and it was meant to give drivers and conductors time to relax and rest,” Alhaji Agbede stated.

He clarified that the law did not say that drivers should not work beyond 8 p.m. “The traffic law did not say drivers should not work beyond 8 p.m.,” he stressed.

On the issue of driver’s uniform and conductor’s badge, Agbede explained that discussion on them is ongoing with the state government, adding that drivers should not panic over it.

The National Executive Committee of Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities, ASUU, may call off its over four months old strike at its meeting on Wednesday night.

P.M.NEWS investigations this morning indicated that ASUU may have no need to continue with the strike as its various chapters voted in favour of its suspension at their congresses yesterday based on the new offer made to the University teachers last Monday by the Federal Government team led by President Goodluck Jonathan.

P.M.NEWS gathered that at least 20 ASUU chapters, including Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto; Federal University of Technology Minna; and that of University of Lagos, Ladoke Akintola University, Lagos State University and Delta State University have agreed to support the suspension of the strike.

The other chapters of ASUU that have voted to support the suspension of the strike, according to information available to P.M.NEWS include that of University of Calabar, Federal University of Technology Akure, and Ekiti State University.

Investigations revelaed that only University of Benin and University of Jos have not backed the suspension of the strike as at the time of writing this story. It was gathered that though some members of the ASUU at the chapters that have voted for an end to the strike were skeptical about the offer of government, they are however concerned about the increasing tide of public opinion against the strike.

Also, some members of the union are giving conditions that must be fulfilled by governmet before the strike is called off. Executives of ASUU at various chapters, it was gathered, promised to transmit the conditions to the National Executive for consideration as they meet on Wednesday in Kano to consider whether to call off the strike.

ASUU had called a national strike in July over the failure of government to implement the October 2009 agreement signed between a Federal Government team led by the then Pro-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Dr. Gamaliel O. Onosode, and the university teachers’ team led by the then President of ASUU, Dr. Abdullahi Sule-Kano.

The greement sets out in detailed manner issues such as the breakdown of lecturers’ salary structure, staff loans, pension, overtime, and moderation of examinations. It was agreed that entitled academic staff shall be paid earned allowances at the rates undertaking in the listed assignments.

The negotiating parties also agreed that Decree 11 of 1993 and the Pension Reform Act (2004) should be amended to increase the retirement age of academics from 65 years to 70 years for those in the Professorial cadre and to also remove certain ambiguities from the provisions that allowed Professors to retire with full benefits, by reformulating these provisions (Pension Reform Act, 2004).

The parties agreed that Agreement will come into force on 1 July, 2009 while the effective date for the 70 years retirement age for academics in the Professorial cadre was notionally fixed at 1 January, 2009.

On funding of the universities, both parties agreed that each federal university should get at least N1.5 trillion between 2009 and 2011.

Federal Government had always insisted that it had implemented most of the provisions of the agreement, a claim ASUU had always faulted. The two most contentious aspect of the agreement which led to the ongoing strike relates to the N1.5 trillion agreed funding for the university and the payment of the earned allowances.

ASUU is demanding the transfer of N1.5 trillion funding which government should have paid since 2009 to federal universities and another N92 billion as earned allowances of its members as contained in the 2009 agreement. Government has insisted that it has no funds to meet the monetary demands in view of the current financial challenges it is confronting.

At last week’s meeting the federal government made a new offer of a yearly payment of N220 billion over the next five years in furtherance of the contentious implementation of the 2009 Agreement during the over 13 hours meeting. This will amount to the N1.1trillion at the end of five years.

It was also agreed that the funds will be domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria to be released on a quarterly basis to the higher institutions as a further assurance that government will keep to its side of the bargain. However, government will only release N100 billion it had earlier offered to ASUU for 2013.

@ Agbamata,always high on hot urine.Today you got your nose bloodied.

Punch?I don't belive anything Punch.