lalasticlala: on whose side is this woman carrying baby?
Nawa o.. No wonder. Was wondering how someone wouldn't be briefed very much about an assignment given to her...
Nothing wey person no go see for this pre-election period..
^^^We all have to take sides at some point.
"The enemies you make by taking a decided stand generally have more respect for you than the friends you make by being on the fence" ~ Henry Kissinger
PDP RENTED CROWD...IN DEFENSE OF ROSE P. GRAHAM
A lot of things have been said about Nigerian UK based journalist, Rose P Graham, who made one of the most controversial videos so far, in the coverage of the current Nigerian election cycle. The video is of purported PDP rented protesters at Gen Buhari's Chatham House Speech, there to 'protest' the speech and presence of the APC candidate. RPG, as she is known, has been insulted, threatened, vilified and praised. All these reactions are evidence of the significance of what she has done in her capacity as a fact finder. Some people have called her an APC paid agent herself, and accused her of renting the interview persons herself. This is the most serious allegation against her and I looked into it. It is a blatant lie. Another video has now emerged on social media of a lady simply referred to as Adijatu, who said, and she did not cover her face, that she was paid $20,000 to 'organize' the PDP protest. RPG had nothing to do with the PDP crowd, literally. There is currently no evidence that she was paid to appear on behalf of APC.
If that is the case at the moment, why are we not celebrating her as a fact finding hero? Hasn't the substance of her interview with the purported rented crowd not now vindicated? If all the brown envelope loving journalists in Nigeria pursued the facts with a similar passion as RPG don't we think we should have had a better country long since? Threats (to even life), condemnation, personal attacks. These are the hazards of the profession that a shameless generation of journalists have scurried consistently away from. And here is a new mother who should be nursing her baby at home, out on the streets, fearlessly showing her passion and doing her job, never mind the hazards. She has even been accused of exposing her baby to harm!
Fellow Nigerians, and friends of Nigeria, didn't what just happen at Chatham House, London, expose the character of the two political movements struggling for the soul and destiny of our nation? If PDP have no passion left in London on the ground and if they resorted to paying cash for appearance what does that say about the wisdom of the people managing their argument to prolong their stay in power as a whole? Rented mourners can never cry more than the owners of the corpse, as Chinua Achebe wrote. And this is a party that wants us to believe they stand against corruption. They want us to believe that, right? Or else why would they be asking us to vote them to continue. They can't seriously be asking us to vote them to continue with their corrupt exhibitions now, would they? People like RPG came out in passionate support of what they believe in as the way forward for Nigeria. This passion is the greatest investment anybody can make in the interest of our beloved country at the moment. You can't complain that you are too poor and have nothing to offer. You have passion to offer. Rise to your feet! 'The death of democracy,' wrote Robert Hutchins, 'is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference and undernourishment.' Passion and the explosion of it is what we need at the moment. Not ignorant violent passion, but courageous positive driven passion. A salient and brave effort to say the loudest of what your side is saying, without fear or favor. And to promise to listen to what the other side is saying, without violence or threats. This is healthy democracy.
I have said that I have no problem with the presence of PDP at Chatham House. I stand by that. In fact, I think they should be there. Paying people cash to come and represent your passion however is a cowardly low life act, driven by a desperation that is looking hopeless. It is politics, PDP. Not a TV commercial shoot. I am sure that in the UK you could have found people that believed so much in your case that they would have come out for you. But did you even bother to find them? Money can't buy you passion, as it reportedly bought everyone banging your campaign drum. It can only buy you people that would make YouTube videos after they have collected your money.
There are those who think that RPG shouldn't be rooting for a political party because she is a journalist. I think it is her choice, until she stops being a Nigerian. I am more concerned about if she lies in her capacity as a journalist to help her side of our political story. That hasn't happened. I think RPG is a gallant, fearless and passionate fact finder. She deserves our accolade for the work she did at Chatham House, London, not our condemnation. May God continue to protect her, and all like her, from the dangerous hazards of their crucial profession. Amen.
mikeansy: who is this fake interviewer carrying a baby? and what is she up to? who does she support? did APC hire 2 sets of protesters for this chattam house event? I big crowd for Buhari, a small crowd for Jonathan and blame FFK for it while claiming their views are baseless?
Unfortunately for you, only Abimbola Sonde actually admitted that she was hired
Interview With Restaurateur Abimbola Sonde of Crystal Lounge Manchester: It’s Not Just About Food.
As the restaurateur behind Crystal lounge restaurant and bar Manchester UK, Abimbola certainly knows a thing or two about getting a restaurant off the ground. Diners and colleagues alike continue to appreciate her comforting and straightforward cooking with a touch of glamour and trendiness. However it’s not just about food. Here, she speaks to Tkbesh!
Tkbesh! So Crystal Lounge Manchester, could you tell us where this is located for our readers? CL: Crystal Lounge Manchester is located in the heart of Salford. 233 Eccles new road. Salford. Manchester. M5 4QG Tkbesh! Tell us more about your services at Crystal Lounge. CL: Crystal Lounge is a stylish contemporary restaurant serving a modern Nigerian food with cutting edge dishes that taste as good as they look. We offer authentic Nigerian dishes in a relaxed and cool setting. We also organise weekend entertainments in collaboration with Manchester’s finest DJs and reputable highlife singers to entertain our customers. Tkbesh! What makes Crystal Lounge different from other restaurants? CL: The sublime presentation and mouth watery aromas make it impossible for our customers to stay away. Our prices are designed to appeal to diners looking for a regular eating haunt. As said earlier we also organise weekend entertainments in collaboration with Manchester’s finest DJs and reputable high live singers to entertain our customers. Tkbesh! Why did you decide to pursue a career in the restaurant business? CL: I decided to pursue a career in the restaurant business due to my love for cooking different varieties of good food, and to inspire others who have flair for cooking, that anybody can be what they want to be in life through their passion with determination, perseverance, focus, consistency, patience and hard work.
Tkbesh! Do you have any previous experience in your present line of business? CL: Yes. I was previously running Absgoldie Multiservice Ltd which involves Cleaning, Laundry and Catering services, that earned me a great deal of experience. I did get many positive feedbacks from my clients, many of whom advised me on opening an African Restaurant in Salford. As there was none with African packages of food menu. Tkbesh! What exactly do you do? Do you just manage or…? CL: I am multi-tasking. I do everything, from my position as a director to the managerial duties even though I have a manager. I know mistakes are inevitable but I am the type that would not give any room for errors. I also do some of the cooking as you already know, cooking is my passion.
Tkbesh! At Tkbesh! We believe in making a difference, which brings up the next question. What community projects are you working on now? CL: Thank you for asking Tkbesh! Crystal Lounge has a Charity (NGO) called Crystal Lounge Foundation. CLF is the community project which is run on a weekly basis at the Pendleton Library every Friday for 2 hours. The project is fully self-funded from its commencement. Our mission is to give hope to the hopeless through diverse means of donations of gift items, food and clothing. We are also committed to assisting the less privileged persons to live a better and well fulfilled life by showing them love, care and giving them a true sense of belonging in other to achieve their heart desires. We have a Facebook page; please take a minute to visit, find out more and like us https://www.facebook.com/crystalloungefoundation Tkbesh! That is really nice to know, keep up the good work. Here is something that comes to mind; does Crystal Lounge Foundation do any volunteer scheme?
CL: We do Tkbesh! We have apprenticeship and volunteer scheme. The MP of Salford Hazel Blears has In fact written to me to show support of the good and great works Crystal Lounge Foundation is doing in Salford and has promised to help CLF pursue the necessary funding and council support we may need. Anyone willing to support our weekly project can do so too. In fact at the moment we have been able to accept 3 homeless people as an Apprentice at Crystal Lounge and also provided accommodation for 2 of our rough sleepers. Tkbesh! Any crowning achievements in your business you are particularly proud of and why? CL: So far I can only give all the glory to God. With the number of positive reviews and feedbacks we receive daily, it is enormous. I am more than proud of Crystal Lounge as a whole, I am fulfilled. Recently, I got selected for a recognition award as one of the top 100 Outstanding Nigerians that are currently living or who have lived in the United Kingdom over the past 100 years for the Nigerian Centenary Awards (NCA UK 2014). This is an achievement on its own and I am so honoured to have been selected for the award. I am using this medium to say a big thank you to those that believed in me and have nominated me for this laudable award. God bless. Tkbesh! Thank you Abimbola, it’s been nice talking to you. CL: Thanks Tkbesh! You are doing a great job.
onosprince: I watched the video from the protesters at Chatham house and I noticed have seen the picture of the lady interviewing, she was there as a buhari supporter. I believe she was asking their paid APC protesters thats why they all said they dont know, no one is foolish enough not to have even one reason he/she is protested...Busted
If you check other videos, you will see that the lady in question appeared with both TANoids and Change-agents at different times. That pretty much portrays a level playing field, in my opinion
Do you see TANoids in the photographs included below?
elbinmanny: ■ Last-minute Chatham House request to save face ■ No live audience - will speak to mainly twitter users ■ Meeting restricted to only screened aides ■ Questions will be composed and screenedn
Guardian News - Houston, TX - The basic issues of Muhammadu Buhari’s unpreparedness for a presidential race he is currently engaged in have been worsened by his impromptu trip to the United Kingdom, unearthing more controversies by the hour. Close campaign aides from his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had smuggled him to London to seek solutions for his fading fitness, but deceptively claimed the trip was connected to a proposed engagement in the Chatham House, an independent policy institute based in London. The institute quickly denied any engagement with General Buhari, and in fact, referred our field reporters to their complete event schedule made public in the website at the time.
To save face, Buhari’s aides quickly contacted the Chatham House late last week, to secure a self-sponsored address spot where he would be allowed to read his own script through a live stream, rather than a live audience. International Guardian gathered that campaign has already circulated notices in the social media, asking all APC members to log in with specified Twitter hatch tags to generate substantial audience. A long script was prepared to coach the General on issues of democracy and the future of Africa. It was also gathered that questions have been prepared ahead and screened while the audience are being deceived into sending in questions for their august cyber guest.
A Chatham House official told the International Guardian London correspondent, Adejumoke Agboola that Buhari’s meeting is restricted and prohibited to both the public and the media. According to Mrs. Agboola, “Buhari’s camp in London claimed that e-tickets would be provided for the public, but when I asked to purchase one they told me that the event was now full and registration was closed.” Most APC members and their friends in in the UK are already in London to give Buhari a requested support. “I don’t really following the Nigerian politics, but I came with my husband to see Buhari – we live in Liverpool. The funny thing is that we have not even seen him– it’s either one story or the other.”
An initial assessment of the schedule by our newsroom shows that only three major events relevant to issues of Africa throughout the rest of February . Also, only three speakers from different parts of Africa were listed at the time. Maj. Gen. Obed Akwa, the commandant and executive director, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Madame Bineta Diop, special envoy for Women, Peace and Security, African Union, and Hon César Mba Abogo, Secretary of State for Planning and Development, Republic of Equatorial Guinea. A late registration put’s Buhari on the list without the usual Chatham House tradition. “It is normal” said one of the institution’s event facilitator. “We try to accommodate all events provided it meets our basic requirements.”
Buhari’s UK travel controversy, especially the Chatham House woes further diminishes his acclaimed impeccable honor, and contradicts APC’s acclaimed mission to fight corruption. In London, Buhari’s itinerary has been an annoying secrecy. Most campaign members in his entourage claimed that they have been kept out his whereabouts. The Nigerian community who were eager to keep up with activities surrounding his visit were also disappointed. For instance, Buhari, it was gathered did not show up in the first forum quickly put together at the Park Plaza Hotel in Westminster to generate some photo moments for his campaign. Only his wife, Hajiya Aishatu Buhari and Dolapo Osibanjo, the spouse of the party’s vice presidential candidate and a few other party loyalists showed up at the event.
“For an election just less than five weeks ago, it is unusual that a major contender would jet-off to a foreign land for such long period unannounced without a major reason – I smell a rat,” said Martha Ugowe, a citizen who spoke to us from Lagos . “We are talking about Nigerian voters voting in Nigeria – so how would a visit and meetings in UK help an average voter in a Nigerian village?” she asked. http://www.guardiannewsusa.com/buhari-s-chatham-house-woes.html
kaykay1980: Re: Buhari Arrives Chatham House, London [Photos] by visalo: 11:02am I hope their is interpreter, because buhari today english will be a mixture of Hausa and english joint together :-
*VISALO, YOUR ENGLISH TOO SWEET
Let's hear you speak then.
You think it is for nothing that Buhari gets a chance to speak at events like the one shown below?
Oxford University (2010).
By the way, more discerning TANoids will observe that he appears to be wearing the same outfit
I agree @OP. It is only a matter of time before Fayose overreaches himself once more.
ABUJA 00000895 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
1. (C) Summary: On February 10, 2009, U.S. Mission to Nigeria PP7750 Interagency Committee unanimously agreed to target Ayodele Peter Fayose for visa ineligibility, invoking Presidential Proclamation 7750 (PP7750). Fayose is the impeached former Governor of Ekiti state, who is reliably believed to have been personally responsible for the theft of tens of millions of dollars in development funds, and who was reliably alleged to be responsible for considerable political violence in his state. Fayose meets the "triggering event" requirement, having recently applied for a non-immigrant visa on February 13, as well as the requirement that the 7750 candidate's actions have an adverse effect on one of the U.S. national interests listed in Section 4 of PP7750.
In addition, we believe that this case could help demonstrate to the GON our seriousness about fighting corruption while at the same time emphasizing our willingness to cooperate with Nigeria on the operational level of the investigation. Post therefore requests that the Department consider invoking PP7750 and commence visa ineligibility for Ayodele Fayose and his dependents. End Summary.
7750 TARGET: AYODELE PETER FAYOSE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2. (C) On February 11, U.S. Mission to Nigeria's PP7750 Interagency Committee, which comprises the POL, ECON, LEGATT, INL, CONS, RAO, and RSO sections of both Embassy Abuja and Consulate Lagos, identified Mr. Ayodele Fayose, former impeached governor of Ekiti State from 2003-2006, as an eligible candidate for visa ineligibility under PP7750.
There is ample evidence from a variety of U.S. Mission sources that Fayose has engaged in various corrupt activities that pose a threat to the stability of Nigeria,s democratic institutions. Fayose is now trying to acquire a U.S. visa which we suspect is an attempt to delay, if not escape prosecution altogether.
3. (C) Due consideration has been given to ongoing federal investigations. The required biographic and other information on the principle PP7750 target and immediate dependents is detailed below:
Name (Principle Target): Fayose, Ayodele Peter Date-Country of Birth: 15 November 1960, Nigeria Visa: B1/B2, multiple entry, 24 months Claims to other nationalities: none
Name (Spouse): Feyisetan Helen Olayemi Fayose Date-Country of Birth: 08 January 1964, Nigeria Visa: B1/B2, valid until 10 February 2010
Name (Child): Oluwajomiloju John Fayose Date-Country of Birth: 18 February 1992, Nigeria Visa: B2, valid until 27 July 2010
Name (Child): Ayorogbayimika Mine Fayose Date-Country of Birth: 01 August 1995, Nigeria Visa: B2, valid until 27 July 2010
Name (Child): Chukwuemeka Boluwatife Fayose Date-Country of Birth: 05 November 1997, Nigeria Visa: B2, valid until 27 July 2010
CORRUPTION - - - - - - 4. (C) The GON,s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charge Fayose in December 2007 with 51-counts of money
ABUJA 00000895 002.2 OF 003
laundering and misuse of government funds to the tune of over 11.9 billion naira (approx. $81.2 million). According to the EFCC, Fayose is alleged to have set up phony companies, one of them named Biological Concepts, where he diverted 800 million naira ($5.4 million) from government contracts for a an Ekiti state poultry project, while another 11 billion naira ($74.8 million) is still reported missing. The EFCC also charged Fayose for diverting the poultry project funds to build his 25 million naira ($170,000) house in Afao Ekiti.
The EFCC is investigating Fayose's two other home purchases in Ibadan totaling 60 million naira ($498,000), and his conversion of 2.4 million naira ($16,327) into foreign currency toward the purchase of a Mercedes Benz for his mother. In addition, EFCC contract attorney Festus Keyamo (strictly protect) said that Fayose is suspected of receiving 42 million naira ($286,000) in kickbacks for awarding contracts to the construction of Fountain Hotel in Ibadan.
5. (S) On February 27, Lagos State Chairman of the Yoruba political organization "Afenifere," Chief Supo Shonibare (strictly protect), told Emboffs that Fayose was an example of a politician so far beyond common corruption and accusations of impropriety that Afenifere would not want to be affiliated with him in any way. Abiodun Oyeleye (strictly protect), human rights activist and the director of the non-governmental organization New Initiative for Social Development also asserted that Fayose,s corrupt governance has been widespread. Tai Oguntayo (strictly protect), the president of the Ekiti branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) corroborated evidence of Fayose,s political corruption, affirming to Emboffs on March 2 that Fayose provided stipends to people to attend his rallies and paid journalists to write favorable stories, a standard political practice in Nigeria.
USING VIOLENCE TO CORRUPT ELECTIONS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6. (S) According to Shina Loremikan (strictly protect), Director of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, Zero Corruption Coalition, Fayose was directly involved in political assassinations against political rivals in Ekiti State, such as Tunde Omojola and Ayo Daramola, whose murderers are well-known Fayose aides, currently serving prison terms for these crimes. Loremikan added that Fayose is also suspected of involvement in the attempted assassinations of Tayi Fasuba, Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area (LGA), and Chief Afe Babalola who is from Fayose's own political party.
Ekiti State Chairman of Appropriations of the State House of Assembly and former Speaker of the House, Femi Bamishile, informed Emboffs on various occasions that under Fayose's direction, politics in Ekiti have become increasingly violent. Another member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Churchill Adedipe (strictly protect), confided to Emboffs on March 2 that local people are fearful of being part of any opposition to Fayose. Tai Oguntayo (strictly protect), the president of the Ekiti branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) told Emboffs on March 2 that Fayose would bribe journalists to cover up accounts of his violence and accusations of his corruption, killings, etc. which were widely presumed to be true.
VISA IMPLICATIONS - - - - - - - - - 7. (S) According to EFCC Chair Farida Waziri and the Chairman of Appropriations of the State House of Assembly and former Speaker of the House, Femi Bamishile, Fayose has made multiple attempts to delay his court case. In December 2008, the judge overseeing the case refused his request for a stay, and the trial is now under way. The only circumstance which allows a defendant to miss court hearings is if he requires
ABUJA 00000895 003.2 OF 003
medical treatment; however, in many cases this is only a ploy to cause further delay in the case. Fayose, after his latest failed attempt to delay his court hearings, is now requesting a visa to travel to the United States for alleged "urgent medical attention." When Fayose was impeached in 2006, he went into hiding for at least two months, presumably abroad. On February 13, Fayose applied for a non-immigrant visa to travel to the United States.
8. (C) Comment: Given the appearance of backsliding on the part of the GON in its commitment to fight corruption, the timing is right for the U.S. to send a strong message. Ayodele Peter Fayose is a strong candidate for PP7750 designation. He has been charged for stealing tens of millions of dollars from the government, which was supposed to have been allocated to economic development projects, and has been implicated in corrupting state politics through the promotion of political assassinations and attempted assassinations. Invoking PP7750 for Fayose and his dependents would underscore the USG's strong commitment to fight corruption in Nigeria. End Comment.
9. (U) This cable has been coordinated with Consulate Lagos. SANDERS
freshdude99: Wrong information again from pmnewsnigeria. I watched it live. Senate postpone the entire screening exercise of all the nominees till next week. Why feed ignorant Nairalanders with wrong info
It is all a matter of perspective.
Opposition against Obanikoro forces Senate to adjourn ministerial screening
Feb 26, 2015
The Senate yesterday bowed to pressure and postponed the proposed ministerial screening scheduled for yesterday because of the mounting opposition against the candidacy of former Minister of State, Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.
All the seven ministerial nominees scheduled to undergo screening and confirmation yesterday had arrived and were seated at the Senate before 10am awaiting commencement of the exercise when suddenly they were informed that the screening had been rescheduled for Wednesday next week.
Information about the postponement had filtered out, following the end of the usual brief meeting of the principal officers with the Senate President, David Mark, before commencement of the day’s sittings.
The nominees looked confused at the new twist because there was no previous or prior indication that the exercise was going to be put off.
Following the development, the nominees took time to exchange pleasantries with some of the senators, who had gathered at the entrance to the gallery and later disappeared with their well-wishers, who had accompanied them for the exercise.
Ironically, Obanikoro was all over the place, hugging, charting and felicitating the senators, particularly lawmakers from the South West, as they conversed in their native Yoruba language.
One of the senators, who later confided in National Mirror under condition of anonymity, disclosed that the Senate President had to cancel the screening to allow tempers to cool down. He disclosed that members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, had petitioned the Senate President, opposing the candidacy of Obanikoro.
The lawmaker, who refused to name some of those who signed the petition only disclosed that the leadership of the APC visited Mark in his Apo Mansion residence to personally hand over the petition on Monday night.
He said: “You know that the Senate President is a very mature and tactical person. You know that man is a great psychologist and good mood reader. He probably read the hand writing on the wall today and knew what would have happened if we went ahead with the screening and decided to call it off before the situation gets out of hand.
“Am sure he postponed the exercise to enable him intervene in his usual manner to see how he can bring all the parties to the table and reconcile them personally.
What he did was quite commendable.”
National Mirror further gathered that the recently released video tape, which went viral and allegedly implicated the former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana of using the army to rig the Ekiti State governorship election did not help matters at all because the APC senators believe that Obanikoro would be returned to the defence ministry and with the elections just around the corner, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would also use him to perpetrate rigging at the polls.
The seven ministerial nominees are replacement for the former ministers, who left the Federal Executive Council last October to take a dive at politics.
The nominees, who would have been screened yesterday apart from obanikoro were Senator Patricia Akwashiki from Nasarawa State, who is to replace Labaran Maku, Prof. Nicholas Akise Ada from Benue State, who is replacing Dr. Samuel Ortom, Col. Augustine Okwudiri Akobindu (rtd) from Abia State, who is replacing Emeka Wogu and Mr. Fidelis Nwankwo from Ebonyi State, who is replacing Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.
Others are Mrs. Hauwa’u Lawan (Jigawa), Mr Kenneth Kobani (Rivers) and Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya (Taraba).
The re-nomination of Obanikoro as a minister was part of the agreement reached between Vice President Namdi Sambo and the Lagos State PDP chieftains aimed at getting Obanikoro to back down on his legal battle to oppose Jimi Agbaje as the gubernatorial candidate of the party for the April 11 elections.
Opposition against Obanikoro commenced immediately he was named a ministerial nominee, with a number of groups coming out to call for his removal.
APC senators from Lagos State also did not hide their own opposition to his nomination.
One group even petitioned the President alleging that Obanikoro has dual citizenship and therefore not qualified to be a minister, representing Lagos State.
Crisis Brews In Ondo Over Pipeline Surveillance Contract
Feb 26, 2015
Crisis is brewing in the coastal area of Ondo State between Ilaje and Ijaw people over the award of pipeline surveillance contract by the Federal Government.
A group, Ilaje Emancipation and Development Assembly, IEDA, has vowed to resist any attempt to award the surveillance contract only to Arogbo and Apoi-Ijaw people.
In a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, the group claimed that about 1,892,174, 000 barrels of oil had been lifted from Ilaje land by the oil companies operating in the area.
It argued that Ondo was categorised as one of the nine oil-producing states in the country because of the oil production in Ilaje and not because of the presence of Ijaw people.
The group, which added that there was no other tribe inhabiting the coast of Ondo apart from the people of Ilaje of Yoruba extraction, urged the president to order that a lion share of the contract be awarded to Ilaje communities.
The letter signed by the group’s president, Prince Jeffrey Ogunyemi, and its secretary, Om’oba Ezekiel Oyetakin, read in part: “Mr. President Sir, it will interest you to note that of the 18 local government areas in Ondo State, Ilaje, being the only oil-producing local government area, is most impoverished as a direct result of oil degradation, environmental pollution, sea erosion and incursion as well as circumstances where our houses along the coastline have been washed away.
“We are not unaware, Mr. President, that there are lots of agitation and pressure on government by our Ijaw neighbour in Ondo to obtain the pipeline security contract passing through our coastline to the detriment of the people of Ilaje.
“We hereby state categorically that we shall not allow a situation where a non-indigene, persons or group of persons are given a pipeline surveillance contract in respect of the coastline of the state.
“However, where Mr. President is minded to extend benefit of this contract to our Arogbo and Apoi-Ijaw brothers, we, as peace-loving people, shall not be totally against it, provided the lion share of the project comes to Ilaje host communities of the NNPC pipelines.”
The United States Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the most senior American official on African matters, has called on Africans to vote out corrupt governments across the continent to send a strong message to politicians that corruption will not be tolerated.
At an online press conference on Wednesday, Thomas-Greenfield described corruption as a cancer all over Africa that has prevented the continent from moving ahead from education to development.
“It is important that when people go to the polls to vote, they have to vote against corruption,” she said from Washington. She, however, disagreed that corruption is leading young African to take to crime but said it is leading them to “take a stand and show leadership”.
Thomas-Greenfield also disclosed that the Nigerian government and the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, have assured the United States administration that the rescheduled presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on 28 March.
There have been renewed fears in Nigeria in recent time that the rescheduled elections may be postponed one more time because of insecurity in the North where Boko Haram terrorists killed over 27 people in two attacks on Tuesday.
She said Nigeria is a strategic partner of the United States and assurances have been made by the government and the electoral body. “We have been assured by the government and Jega that elections will take place on March 28,” she said.
Thomas-Greenfield said Nigerian neighbouring countries, the continent of Africa and the world are all watching “very closely” and hoping that the Nigerian elections will be free, fair, credible and peaceful.
She will personally travel to Nigeria a day to the elections on 27 March to monitor them, she said.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield answered questions on various issues, from corruption to extremism on the continent.
On terrorism, she said the United States Government is partnering with African government from Somalia to Nigeria and South Sudan to defeat extremism. The Assistant Secretary on Public Affairs, Doug Frantz, who addressed journalists at a separate online press conference, called on African journalists to be objective, balanced and independent in their reporting of elections.
One of the most important things to do during an election, Frantz said, is to separate facts from fictions for the electorate to find the truth. He called on African journalists to be honest with their readers and stand up for one another when the need arises, including foreign journalists who find it hard to get access into the country.
There have been reports that over 40 foreign journalists are still waiting to get their visas to cover the Nigerian elections.
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b & d).
1. (C) Summary: On February 10, 2009, U.S. Mission to Nigeria PP7750 Interagency Committee unanimously agreed to target Ayodele Peter Fayose for visa ineligibility, invoking Presidential Proclamation 7750 (PP7750). Fayose is the impeached former Governor of Ekiti state, who is reliably believed to have been personally responsible for the theft of tens of millions of dollars in development funds, and who was reliably alleged to be responsible for considerable political violence in his state. Fayose meets the "triggering event" requirement, having recently applied for a non-immigrant visa on February 13, as well as the requirement that the 7750 candidate's actions have an adverse effect on one of the U.S. national interests listed in Section 4 of PP7750.
In addition, we believe that this case could help demonstrate to the GON our seriousness about fighting corruption while at the same time emphasizing our willingness to cooperate with Nigeria on the operational level of the investigation. Post therefore requests that the Department consider invoking PP7750 and commence visa ineligibility for Ayodele Fayose and his dependents. End Summary.
7750 TARGET: AYODELE PETER FAYOSE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2. (C) On February 11, U.S. Mission to Nigeria's PP7750 Interagency Committee, which comprises the POL, ECON, LEGATT, INL, CONS, RAO, and RSO sections of both Embassy Abuja and Consulate Lagos, identified Mr. Ayodele Fayose, former impeached governor of Ekiti State from 2003-2006, as an eligible candidate for visa ineligibility under PP7750.
There is ample evidence from a variety of U.S. Mission sources that Fayose has engaged in various corrupt activities that pose a threat to the stability of Nigeria,s democratic institutions. Fayose is now trying to acquire a U.S. visa which we suspect is an attempt to delay, if not escape prosecution altogether.
3. (C) Due consideration has been given to ongoing federal investigations. The required biographic and other information on the principle PP7750 target and immediate dependents is detailed below:
Name (Principle Target): Fayose, Ayodele Peter Date-Country of Birth: 15 November 1960, Nigeria Visa: B1/B2, multiple entry, 24 months Claims to other nationalities: none
Name (Spouse): Feyisetan Helen Olayemi Fayose Date-Country of Birth: 08 January 1964, Nigeria Visa: B1/B2, valid until 10 February 2010
Name (Child): Oluwajomiloju John Fayose Date-Country of Birth: 18 February 1992, Nigeria Visa: B2, valid until 27 July 2010
Name (Child): Ayorogbayimika Mine Fayose Date-Country of Birth: 01 August 1995, Nigeria Visa: B2, valid until 27 July 2010
Name (Child): Chukwuemeka Boluwatife Fayose Date-Country of Birth: 05 November 1997, Nigeria Visa: B2, valid until 27 July 2010
CORRUPTION - - - - - - 4. (C) The GON,s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charge Fayose in December 2007 with 51-counts of money
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laundering and misuse of government funds to the tune of over 11.9 billion naira (approx. $81.2 million). According to the EFCC, Fayose is alleged to have set up phony companies, one of them named Biological Concepts, where he diverted 800 million naira ($5.4 million) from government contracts for a an Ekiti state poultry project, while another 11 billion naira ($74.8 million) is still reported missing. The EFCC also charged Fayose for diverting the poultry project funds to build his 25 million naira ($170,000) house in Afao Ekiti.
The EFCC is investigating Fayose's two other home purchases in Ibadan totaling 60 million naira ($498,000), and his conversion of 2.4 million naira ($16,327) into foreign currency toward the purchase of a Mercedes Benz for his mother. In addition, EFCC contract attorney Festus Keyamo (strictly protect) said that Fayose is suspected of receiving 42 million naira ($286,000) in kickbacks for awarding contracts to the construction of Fountain Hotel in Ibadan.
5. (S) On February 27, Lagos State Chairman of the Yoruba political organization "Afenifere," Chief Supo Shonibare (strictly protect), told Emboffs that Fayose was an example of a politician so far beyond common corruption and accusations of impropriety that Afenifere would not want to be affiliated with him in any way. Abiodun Oyeleye (strictly protect), human rights activist and the director of the non-governmental organization New Initiative for Social Development also asserted that Fayose,s corrupt governance has been widespread. Tai Oguntayo (strictly protect), the president of the Ekiti branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) corroborated evidence of Fayose,s political corruption, affirming to Emboffs on March 2 that Fayose provided stipends to people to attend his rallies and paid journalists to write favorable stories, a standard political practice in Nigeria.
USING VIOLENCE TO CORRUPT ELECTIONS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6. (S) According to Shina Loremikan (strictly protect), Director of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, Zero Corruption Coalition, Fayose was directly involved in political assassinations against political rivals in Ekiti State, such as Tunde Omojola and Ayo Daramola, whose murderers are well-known Fayose aides, currently serving prison terms for these crimes. Loremikan added that Fayose is also suspected of involvement in the attempted assassinations of Tayi Fasuba, Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area (LGA), and Chief Afe Babalola who is from Fayose's own political party.
Ekiti State Chairman of Appropriations of the State House of Assembly and former Speaker of the House, Femi Bamishile, informed Emboffs on various occasions that under Fayose's direction, politics in Ekiti have become increasingly violent. Another member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Churchill Adedipe (strictly protect), confided to Emboffs on March 2 that local people are fearful of being part of any opposition to Fayose. Tai Oguntayo (strictly protect), the president of the Ekiti branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) told Emboffs on March 2 that Fayose would bribe journalists to cover up accounts of his violence and accusations of his corruption, killings, etc. which were widely presumed to be true.
VISA IMPLICATIONS - - - - - - - - - 7. (S) According to EFCC Chair Farida Waziri and the Chairman of Appropriations of the State House of Assembly and former Speaker of the House, Femi Bamishile, Fayose has made multiple attempts to delay his court case. In December 2008, the judge overseeing the case refused his request for a stay, and the trial is now under way. The only circumstance which allows a defendant to miss court hearings is if he requires
ABUJA 00000895 003.2 OF 003
medical treatment; however, in many cases this is only a ploy to cause further delay in the case. Fayose, after his latest failed attempt to delay his court hearings, is now requesting a visa to travel to the United States for alleged "urgent medical attention." When Fayose was impeached in 2006, he went into hiding for at least two months, presumably abroad. On February 13, Fayose applied for a non-immigrant visa to travel to the United States.
8. (C) Comment: Given the appearance of backsliding on the part of the GON in its commitment to fight corruption, the timing is right for the U.S. to send a strong message. Ayodele Peter Fayose is a strong candidate for PP7750 designation. He has been charged for stealing tens of millions of dollars from the government, which was supposed to have been allocated to economic development projects, and has been implicated in corrupting state politics through the promotion of political assassinations and attempted assassinations. Invoking PP7750 for Fayose and his dependents would underscore the USG's strong commitment to fight corruption in Nigeria. End Comment.
9. (U) This cable has been coordinated with Consulate Lagos. SANDERS
clint77ng: You guys always talk about this tape, but has failed to tell us what's in this tape. Tell me what Apc has posted online that is real and I will tell you about the transcorp interview picture and many more that are fake. Apc stop deceiving yourselves. You can't capture naija with lies.
Presido hearing deaf and seeing blind since his last outing at a church I no fit laff.
"...Am not here for tea party, am on a special assignment by the President.” ~ Obanikoro "...Then that Daramola (APC Fayemi Campaign Manager) I want him picked up in the morning!” ~ Obanikoro “Look here, you can’t get promotion without me sitting on top of your military council. If I am a happy man tomorrow night, the sky is your limit” ~ Obanikoro
Published on Sep 22, 2014 Watch an interesting video of some officers of the Nigerian army as they dance to Davido's Skelewu during their training operation.
The Nigerian Senate stepped down the ministerial confirmation hearing for Senator Musiliu Obanikoro today.
The Senate did not give any reason the hearing was suspended or whether it was connected with the several petitions against his nomination. Obanikoro and his family were sighted at the Senate gallery today, but left after it appeared the hearing has been suspended, tweeted Senator Babafemi Ojudu today.
The embattled former minister of state for defence, had resigned his appointment last year October to contest the governorship seat in Lagos, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
He lost to Jimi Agbaje and after initially decrying his loss as a fraud and instituting a legal challenge, he dramatically withdrew his suit in a Federal High Court, in Abuja.
He was subsequently nominated as a minister, by President Goodluck Jonathan.
But the nomination is facing a barrage of criticisms aa Obanikoro is mired in the scandal of working in cahoot with the military to rig the 21 June election in Ekiti state, last year, in favour of Governor Ayodele Fayose.
An audio, documenting the rigging plan, with Brigadier Aliyu Momoh of the Nigerian army has gone viral, further fuelling public resentment against deploying the military for poll duties.
President Goodluck Jonathan has had to reverse his position on the scandal.
He initially dismissed the audio as a fabrication in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. As public anger swelled, he said again in an interview with ThisDay, that investigation of the audio tape by the DSS, has been stalled because the man who recorded it, Captain Sagir Koli, has run out of the country.
Jonathan did not acknowledge that Koli ran away after he sensed danger to his life, by superiors who ordered his arrest. His 15 year old brother was arrested and tortured, after he escaped.
The Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has joined the chorus of demands for a probe into the scandal.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mr. Soyinka asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to work with the international community to conduct the investigation and make the findings of the exercise known to save Nigeria’s democracy.
He said brushing the issue aside as just electoral malpractice approaches criminal subversion and treason.
Mr. Fayose defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate and then governor, Kayode Fayemi, in the election.
The leaked tape captured the voices of Obanikoro, Mr. Fayose, former senator Iyiola Omisore; the Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan; his predecessor, Caleb Olubolade; and army brigadier-general , Aliyu Momoh.
If Winston Churchill whose approval rating never fall below 78 per cent could be booted out of office in 1945, after leading his nation to victory in WWII, it makes absolute sense to dish out the same treatment to clueless Jon - who twiddled his fingers while 15,000 of his citizens were killed.
obynoses: Foolish class members! If you are ignorant of what Information technology can do, then doubt Mr.president. Am not supporting anybody. But with my software toolkit, i can make Buhari to sleep with Bola-Tinubu's wife and it will appear real. It is only the people involved that will know that its untrue. So people can use I.T intelligence to achieve anything.I am an expert. If you need a trial, then contact me let me use your mother's face with that of Buhari making love to each other in a video. and you will not trust your mother any longer.
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Why cry more than the bereaved? Since all participants in the heist have admitted complicity, where do you get off with your vaunting assertions about some unproven IT wizadry?
tbaba1234: Obanikoro said that he was on a special assignment from the presidency on the tape.
Is the presidency willing to investigate itself?
No one should be surprised by GEJ's utterances, he was fully aware.
Presido hearing deaf and seeing blind since his last outing at a church I no fit laff.
"...Am not here for tea party, am on a special assignment by the President.” ~ Obanikoro "...Then that Daramola (APC Fayemi Campaign Manager) I want him picked up in the morning!” ~ Obanikoro “Look here, you can’t get promotion without me sitting on top of your military council. If I am a happy man tomorrow night, the sky is your limit” ~ Obanikoro
john124: To confirm this gist I logged on to fb searched tony Blair's official facebook page nothing connecting buhari with him I followed him to his official web page whiCH is tonyBlair.org all I could see was Rwanda and Serbia meetings and power supply in Rwanda . APC come and meet my junior brother he knows how to lie without being caught
Did TBlair's FB account report on his trip to Kenya, the day after he visited Rwanda?
Politics › Re: Funny Placards Of GEJ & Buhari In Chatham House Today by TheOtherview: 8:47am On Feb 27, 2015
