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The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC has revealed that the Rivers State Governor,Chief Nyesom Wike has just be scammed in an alleged UN backed global award in New York, United States Of America.

This was contained in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary Chris Finebone.

The statement obtained by Suanu's Blog reads below;

Following obvious curiosity that is trailing a reported United Nations (UN)-backed award under the platform of Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA) and inquiries by the Rivers State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, on the status of the purported award, the UN-Habitat Headquarters, New York, which liaises with development partners on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programmes of the UN has disowned the SCAHSA award reportedly to be conferred on Gov. Nyesom Wike Tuesday, 31st October in New York.

Following our e-mail inquiry dated Monday 30th October (yesterday) concerning the Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award organised by SCAHSA, the UN-Habitat New York Office, in a statement dated same day and signed by the Secretary and IT Focal Point, Mr. Angel Gomez, dissociated the UN from such an award. The response is reproduced here under:

“Dear Mr. Finebone,
We thank you for contacting UN-Habitat New York Office.
Please be advised that UN-Habitat is not related at all with such award.
Yours sincerely,
Angel Gómez (Mr.)
Secretary, and
IT Focal Point
UN-Habitat
New York Office
Tel.: (212) 963-8725, 963-4200
Fax: (212) 963-8721

For the avoidance of doubt, it must be explained that the deliberate attempt to confer UN recognition on the purported award is a huge scam to deceive Rivers people and Nigerians. Further investigations by us revealed that SCAHSA as a private Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that invites entries for awards which are based on suspect criteria including offering awards to the highest bidder who is able to part with huge amount in US Dollars in exchange for such awards.

In the instance case concerning the purported award to Gov. Nyesom Wike, we discovered that some smart Rivers indigenes resident in the US contrived and fixed the award after obtaining huge sums in foreign currency from the award-seeking governor.

SCAHSA has been discovered to be one of the numerous NGOs that claim affiliation with various UN-Habitat under Habitat Agenda Partners (HAP). However, some of these NGOs have now become vehicles for defrauding politicians from the third world especially Nigerian politicians by offering dubious awards in exchange for money.

The APC is dismayed beyond imagination that Gov. Nyesom Wike is resorting to high level scam to dupe the peoples’ resources and rubbish their collective intelligence. We are still questioning the criteria by way of projects and programmes that should qualify the Wike government for an award of the sort dubiously being advertised and celebrated. We are yet to see any.

We are persuaded by the position of many that the recent announcement by the governor to release US$1m to rescue the students of Rivers State stranded in various overseas universities is a mere red herring to prevent protests during his engagement at Chatham House, London on November 6. Many believe that soon after the Chatham House event the governor will renege on his promise.

We call on all those who have been hoodwinked into celebrating a UN award for Gov. Nyesom Wike to save themselves the embarrassment of celebrating a scam and making themselves a laughing stock before the global community. All that the APC is asking for is that Gov. Nyesom Wike should get down to providing governance instead of regaling in the atmospherics of power, grandstanding and deceiving Rivers people.

Chris Finebone
State Publicity Secretary
31/10/2017

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/10/rivers-state-apc-exposes-govwikes-un.html

A terrible accident at the Eleme axis of the East-West this morning in Rivers State has claimed four lives including a little child. The cause of the accident Suanu’s Blog gathered was due to the dilapidated nature of the road that has turned it to a death-trap. It was further gathered that the accident which involved a trailer fully loaded with goods fell on a Tricycle Operator (Keke Napep) including the passengers therein. They were all crushed to unrecognizable pieces.
Residents of the area who spoke to our correspondent pleaded with the Federal Government to ensure the East West Road is completed so as to stop the incessant loss of lives on the road.
May Their Souls Rest In Peace

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/10/fgs-abandoned-east-west-road-claims.html

@SuanusBlog

Unlike in other countries where legislative business is one that requires experience gained by uninterrupted stay at the legislative chambers, Nigeria has been used to frequent changes of its lawmakers across the three tiers of government. The reasons may not be far-fetched from the peculiarity of our political system and sphere. Except for very few individuals who have remained in the national assembly since 1999, the return rate has continued to drop.

Suanu’s Blog hereby x-rays 15 Senators that may most likely not return to the red chambers in 2019. In no particular order, they include;

1. Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso: He is the Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District and former Governor of Kano State. Kwankwaso is also the leader of the socio-political group, Kwankwasiyya known for their white kaftan and red cap. Sooner after handing over power to his former deputy as Governor, Kwankwaso has been in what appears to be an unending political battle with Gov.Ganduje. With the current Kano State Govenor controlling the state chapter of the APC and majority of its delegates, Kwankwaso may find it difficult to either return to the Senate or achieve an overwhelming home support for his rumoured presidential ambition in 2019. It is unclear if his popularity can still secure him a return should he defects to another political party to pursue his political course.

2. Senator Ike Ekweremadu: The Enugu born Lawmaker is one of the most ranking members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Thanks to the unholy political romance between his party and the Saraki Boys of the APC that he benefitted from and launched himself into retaining his deputy senate presidency position. This has earned him the hatred of some top ranking members of the ruling party, many of who will certainly be plotting against His return to the red chambers in 2019. Aside that, Ekweremadu’s major challenge may be coming from the home front in 2019 as there are strong indications that He will be having a strong opponent to contend with in the 2019 General Elections. Suanu’s Blog has gathered that a former governor of the state who hails from the same Enugu West senatorial district with Dr.Ekweremadu and who is now a chieftain of the ruling APC have concluded arrangements to sack him (Ekweremadu) in 2019 and take his seat in the red chambers. If the plot of the ex-governor succeeds, then the current Deputy Senate President may just not make it back to the senate.

3. Shehu Sani: The President of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria turned politician has not been able to differentiate life as a politician in Nigeria from life as is required in civil society activism. Sani has left no stone unturned in criticizing even the fart of Gov.Nasir Elrufai, though they belong to the same political party. Many political observers are of the opinion that Sani’s unending criticism of Elrufai isn’t out of love for Kaduna People but towards replacing Gov.Elrufai in 2019. But there are serious fears, Sani may lose the war from both fronts as he may not smell the Kaduna State Government House or be able to return to His seat in the red chambers. This may not be unconnected to a silent plot by Gov.Elrufai to cut Sani to shape by ensuring that He doesn’t get the party’s ticket for reelection in 2019. If this works out, defecting to another party and contesting therefrom may not secure the needed success Senator Sani desires to retain his seat. If the odds turn out entirely against him, then we may just miss him at the red chambers in 2019.

4. Senator Dino Melaye: No senator today is as controversial as the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District. The former member of the House of Representatives and acclaimed anti-corruption activist has continued on his war path with his state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. A quick way to punish Melaye is the ongoing plot to recall him that he has consistently accused his state governor of masterminding. Apart from the likely secret hand of Gov.Bello in ending Melaye’s political career, a sizeable number of Melaye’s constituents appear to be genuinely angry at his style of representation, and his extravagant and flamboyant dispositions while they are at constant war with poverty back home. If Senator Dino survives the recall plot against him, strong forces against him back at home will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that he doesn’t return to the red chamber in 2019 by denying him a return ticket.

5. Senator Ben Bruce: Known more as a business magnate, Bruce felt the necessity of the juicy nature of Nigerian politics and opted to have a taste of it. With zero popularity in his home state of Bayelsa, the Twitter Senator had made an unsuccessful attempt to become the governor of the oil rich in 2011. Bruce however launched a return to the political scene in 2015 when when he contested for the senatorial seat of Bayelsa East under the umbrella of the PDP. The unarguably fact remains that Senator Ben Bruce never merited that victory right from the primary election (if any actually took place). He was simply imposed on the people and benefitted from the known undemocratic tendencies that characterized the PDP era. As strange as it was, Ben Bruce was said to have defeated an immediate ex-former of the state of Bayelsa. With stories of underperformance, underrepresentation and accusation of been an Abuja-based senator, it is unclear if Bruce may return to the senate in 2019. Especially if the mercenaries of Gov.Dickson which perfected his victory should withdraw their arsenal or if the people should revolt against him and demand for a more people-friendly representative or perhaps if the opposition party should bring up a more viable, vibrant and dogged candidate against Bruce, the tsunami may just push him back to his Silver bird gallery.

6. Senator Theodore Orji: If not for the pursuit of sheer greed, the likes of Chief Theodore Orji shouldn’t be anywhere close to our legislative chambers. Known best as one of the architects of Abia’s underdevelopment, Orji currently represents Abia Central Senatorial District under the PDP. He has been among the sleeping/dormant gang in the national assembly with little or no contribution to show for being there. If His constituents wake up to the reality that they need a better representation, if he is confronted with a virile opposition candidate or if the rumoured rancor between him and his successors lingers, then He may simply be retired from the red chambers in 2019.

7. Senator Buruji Kashamu: He is an internationally wanted drug baron and billionaire who in a bid to avoid arrest and extradition dabbled into politics. He currently represents the people of Ogun East Senatorial District in the national assembly. Buruji appears to still enjoy the massive support of his people despite the illicit stories that continually trail his person and character. Thanks to the hunger among his people that continually pushes them to his residence to line up to collect cash and rice during every festive period. Kashamu’s major problem is from his party, the PDP. He was/is a strong supporter of Sen.Ali Modu Sheriff who many believed was on a mission to give the PDP a final burial except for the Supreme Court that saved the party. After the defeat of Sheriff, some top members of his party have refused to forgive Kashamu. Even at that, Kashamu has also refused to give up. He has shifted the battle to his state chapter of the PDP securing several injunctions against the position/decision of his party concerning the state leadership of the party. If the battle continues, Kashamu may end up been pushed finally out of the party and thereby will lose a chance of seeking reelection under the party’s platform. With some of his men having defected from the PDP to another party, it is unclear if Kashamu can still retain his seat at the senate if he decides to join them any time soon if the heat in the PDP becomes unbearable for him.

8. Senator Osinakachkwu Ideozu: He is the only surviving senator from Rivers State on the platform of the PDP. He is one of the beneficiaries of the Wike political dynasty in Rivers State which was hatched in 2015. Ideozu just like others benefitted from the widespread rigging that characterized the 2015 General Elections in the state. Fortunately for him, he survived the series of rerun legislative elections and judicial interpretations that shaped the Rivers State elections. As the state chapter of the APC consolidates on its narrow victories and plans to massively take over the state in 2019, there are indications that Senator Ideozu may be swept away especially if Gov.Wike fails to deliver Him.

9. Senator Mao Ohuabunwa: Representing Abia North Senatorial District, He is one the senators that had a sustained battle before securing his seat at the red chambers. Sen.Mao’s major challenge came from a former governor of Abia State who contested against him in 2015. While Mao managed to have won at first attempt, his victory song was got short by the Court of Appeal which annulled his declaration as winner. He however narrowly won the rerun election that held on March 6, 2016. Having defected from the PPA to the ruling APC, Dr.Uzor Orji Kalu may not have given up on going to the senate. Considering the lean line between the votes of Mao and Kalu, add that to the fact that despite his defection, he still retains majority of his previous support base and the new support and advantages that may accrue to him from his new party, a decision by the Abia billionaire to contest for same position in 2019 may pose a serious threat to the return of Senator Mao to the red chamber. Specifically while Mao scored, 26009 votes to win, Kalu got 25814 (a difference of just 195 votes) while Bourdex Onuoha scored 13633 votes. Interestingly, both Bourdex and Kalu have defected to the ruling APC.

10. Senator David Mark: He is one of the privileged lawmakers to have endured the red chambers from 1999 till date. The former Senate President was almost knocked out of the national assembly by a young vibrant Comrade Dan Onjeh during the 2015 elections. While Mark’s initial victory was annulled, he reclaimed his mandate through a rerun election held on February 20, 2016. After the narrow victory that returned him, Mark has remained deaf and dumb in the national assembly with some Nigerians referring to him as Chairman of the Sleeping Committee. If Mark chooses not to retire in 2019, then there are strong indications that he may not be that lucky again due to the general non-performance that is characterizing his current mandate at the senate.

11. Senator Jonah Jang: This is obviously a member of the Mark’s sleeping committee who has remained so dull and dormant at the senate. The former plateau state governor who is one of the oldest senators represents Plateau North Senatorial District. He is one of those ex-governors who see the senate as a retirement joint to continue to be paid with tax payers’ money for doing nothing absolutely. Being a member of an opposition party in his state plus his sealed lips and sleeping eyes at the senate, any strong opponent in the 2019 general elections may ensure Senator Jang doesn’t return to continue his slumber in the red chamber again

12. Senator Ali Ndumi: The former Senate Leader who has been on suspension represents Borno South in the national assembly. Apart from his legislative headaches and the recent controversies of landing a heavy slap on the face of a member of the Borno State House of Assembly, the embattled lawmaker is not a peace with his state governor, Kashim Shettima who Suanu’s Blog gathered is against Ndume’s bid to succeed him. If the former house of representatives member does not put his political house in order and seek reconciliation with those at war with him, they may use the mercenaries of the party at their disposal to deny him the elective ticket of the party to seek reelection into the senate in 2019 or any other political office he may opt for.

13. Senator Biodun Olujimi: The rugged woman of Ekiti politics represents Ekiti South in the senate and also occupies the position of the deputy minority whip. The former deputy governor of Ekiti State is currently at war with her former boss and current governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose. Suanu’s Blog gathered that Olujimi’s recent war with Gov.Fayose is due to her ambition to contest the 2018 governorship election in which Gov.Fayose has already anointed his current deputy to be the sole candidate of his party, PDP. With majority of the party members including delegates been loyal to Governor Ayodele Fayose, He doesn’t only have the powers to scuttle the governorship ambition of Olujimi but to also frustrate her alternative return to the senate in 2019 for not being loyal to him.

14. Senator Stella Oduah: The former Aviation Minister known for her multi-million naira scandal represents Anambra North at the national assembly. She benefitted from the easy access granted to her on the platform of the PDP due to her cordial relationship with ex-president Goodluck Jonathan. However with the exit of Jonathan and her recent stand against the decision of the party over the conduct of its governorship primary election in Anambra State, Ex-Governor Peter Obi who seems to solely hold the key of the PDP in the state in His pocket may decide to mobilize his men to pay her back in 2019 by denying her a return ticket of the party to the senate.

15. Senator Isah Hamma Misau: If you cannot remember anything about Sen.Misau, at least you will remember the ongoing IGPGate. The senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District has leveled weighty against the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and in the process has indicted others including Gov.Ambode, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele and even the President’s Wife, Aisha Buhari. Political sins they say are never forgiven. Considering the embarrassment that his allegations have caused to some very high profile persons mentioned in his ongoing war with the IGP, there are indications that the affected persons may use the apparatus loyal to them in the Bauchi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC to ensure that Sen.Misau is denied a reelection ticket on the platform of the party.

How these will turn out to be is just to be determined by the outcome of the 2019 General Elections. The list above however may not be exclusive.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/10/15-senators-that-may-not-return-to.html

The All Progressive Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, Mr Dozie Ikedife (Jnr), has described as deceitful the campaign strategy adopted by the All Progressives Grand Aliance (APGA), which has been using the name of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, its campaign.

Ikedife, who spoke in Nnewi, said that over 90 percent of Governor Willie Obiano’s achievements for almost four years now were only on billboards, pages of newspapers and electronic media, adding that he has nothing concrete to show to the people.

He called on Anambra electorate to avoid sentiment in their voting behaviour during the election; urging them to ensure that the current APGA government in the state was changed as it was a disaster.
“Anambra people have demystified the antics of the APGA government’s propaganda. They should allow late Ikemba’s soul to rest in peace,” he said noting that continued use of his name was the biggest deceit of the season.

He queried how a party which presence could not be felt beyond the River Niger or other boundaries of Anambra should be ideal for the Igbo or claimed to be for the interest of the Anambra people and Ndigbo, generally.

He insisted that Ndigbo should reconnect to the centre for maximum benefits of democracy, adding that it was the reason the people were still crying of marginalization when the easy thing to do would have been to connect to the party at the centre.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/10/apc-to-govobiano-stop-deceiving.html

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari Sunday morning addressed fellow country men and women in commemoration of the 57th Independence Anniversary of the country.

A full text of his speech obtained by Suanu’s Blog is presented below:

My dear Nigerians,

October 1st remains a special date for all Nigerians as this marks the day when we attained one of the most precious of human desires — freedom.

Over the years the country has gone through trials and tribulations, but October 1st is always a day for celebrations.

It is a day for thanksgiving, reflection and re-dedication.

It is also a day for remembrance. We should remind ourselves of the recent journey from 1999 – 2015, when our country happily returned to democratic rule.

However, in spite of oil prices being an average of $100 per barrel and about 2.1m barrels a day, that great piece of luck was squandered and the country’s social and physical infrastructure neglected.

We were left with no savings and huge infrastructure deficit.

The APC Government’s Campaign rallying cry to restore security, re-balance the economy and fight corruption was not all rhetoric.

The country must first be secured. The economy must be re-balanced so that we do not depend on oil alone. We must fight corruption which is Nigeria’s Number One Enemy. Our Administration is tackling these tasks in earnest.

In the past two years, Nigeria has recorded appreciable gains in political freedom. A political Party at the Centre losing elections of State Governor, National Assembly seat and even State Assemblies to the opposition parties is new to Nigeria. Added to these are complete freedom to associate, to hold and disseminate opinions. Such developments clearly attest to the country’s growing political development. But like all freedoms, this is open to abuse.

Recent calls on re-structuring, quite proper in a legitimate debate, has let in highly irresponsible groups to call for dismemberment of the country. We can not and we will not allow such advocacy.

As a young Army Officer, I took part from the beginning to the end in our tragic civil war costing about 2m lives, resulting in fearful destruction and untold suffering. Those who are agitating for a re-run were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of the civil conflict which we went through.

I am very disappointed that responsible leaders of these communities do not warn their hot-headed youths what the country went through. Those who were there should tell those who were not there, the consequences of such folly.

At all events, proper dialogue and any desired constitutional changes should take place in a rational manner, at the National and State Assemblies. These are the proper and legal fora for National debate, not some lop-sided, un-democratic body with pre-determined set of objectives.

Government is keeping up the momentum of dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger Delta to keep the peace. We intend to address genuine grievances of the communities.

Government is grateful to the responsible leadership of those communities and will pursue lasting peace in the Niger Delta.

SECURITY

On security, Nigerians must be grateful to our gallant Armed Forces for rolling back the frontiers of Boko Haram’s terrorism, defeating them and reducing them to cowardly attacks on soft and vulnerable targets.

Nigeria is grateful to its neighbours and the international community for the collective efforts to defeat this world-wide menace of terrorism.

Not even the most organized and most equipped police and security forces in the world can escape the menace of modern day terrorism, as we have seen in recent years in Europe and other parts of the world.

But we are not letting up. Our Armed Forces in an effort to enhance the operational capability of troops of OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE have established Mobile Strike Teams in the North East. These will ensure the final push to wipe out the remnants of Boko Haram.

In addition, through targeted air strikes most of the leadership and identified logistics bases and routes of the insurgents have been neutralized. The Armed Forces have established a Naval presence in the Lake Chad Basin as part of the coordinated military efforts to curtail the movements or re-emergence of the sect in the area.

Government is working round the clock to ensure release of the remaining Chibok girls, as well as other persons in Boko Haram captivity. Government will continue to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies to fight not only terrorism, but kidnapping, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers violence and to ensure peace, stability and security in our country.

ECONOMY

With respect to the economy, the Government has remained pro-active in its diversification policy. The Federal Government’s agricultural Anchor Borrowers Programme, which I launched in November 2015, has been an outstanding success with:

· N43.92 billion released through the CBN and 13 participating institutions,
· 200,000 small holder farmers from 29 states of the federation benefitting,
· 233,000 hectares of farmland cultivating eight commodities, namely Rice, Wheat, Maize, Cotton, soya-beans, Poultry, Cassava and Groundnuts, in addition to fish farming.

These initiatives have been undertaken in close collaboration with the states. I wish to commend the efforts of the Governors of Kebbi, Lagos, Ebonyi and Jigawa States for their support to the rice and fertilizer revolutions.

Equally commendable are contributions of the Governors of Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Cross River, Benue, Ogun, Kaduna and Plateau States for their support for the Presidential initiative for palm oil, rubber, cashew, cassava, potatoes and other crops.

With the abundance of rainfall last year and this year, agriculture has enjoyed Divine intervention.

Since December last year, this Administration has produced over 7 million 50Kg bags of fertilizer. Eleven blending plants with a capacity of 2.1 million metric tons have been reactivated. We have saved $150 million in foreign exchange and N60 billion in subsidy. Fertilizer prices have dropped from N13,000 per 50Kg bag to N5,500.

Furthermore, a new presidential initiative is starting with each state of the Federation creating a minimum of 10,000 jobs for unemployed youths, again with the aid of CBN’s development finance initiatives.

Power remains a huge problem. As of September 12th, production of power reached an all — time high of 7,001 Megawatts. Government is increasing its investment, clearing up the operational and financial log jam bedeviling the industry. We hope to reach 10,000 Megawatts by 2020.

Key priorities include better energy mix through solar and Hydro technologies. I am glad to say that after many years of limbo, Mambilla Power Project has taken off.

Elsewhere in the economy the special window created for manufacturers, investors and exporters, foreign exchange requirements has proved very effective. Since April, about $7 billion has come through this window alone. The main effect of these policies is improved confidence in the economy and better investment sentiments.

The country has recorded 7 consecutive months of lower inflation, Naira rate is beginning to stabilize, appreciating from N525 per $1 in February this year to N360 today. Broad-based economic growth is leading us out of recession.

Furthermore, in order to stabilize the polity, the Federal Government gave additional support to states in the form of:

· State Excess Crude Account loans,
· Budget Support Facility,
· Stabilization Fund Release
to states and local governments as follows:
· N200 billion in 2015
· N441 billion in 2016
· N1 trillion in 2017

Altogether totaling N1.642 trillion.

This was done to enable states to pay outstanding salaries, pensions and small business suppliers who had been all but crippled over the years.

In addition, the Government’s current N500 billion Special Intervention Programme is targeting groups through;

· Home Grown School Feeding Programme,
· N-Power Job creation to provide loans to small-scale traders and artisans,
· Conditional Cash Transfer,
· Family Homes Fund and
· Social Housing Scheme.

CORRUPTION

Fellow Nigerians,

We are fully aware that fighting corruption was never going to be a straightforward task. We expected corrupt elements to use any weapon to fight back, mainly judicial obstruction and political diversion. But we are determined to eradicate corruption from our body politic.

In this fight, the Government has:
· Empowered teams of prosecutors,
· Assembled detailed databases,
· Accelerated the recovery of stolen funds.

The Administration’s new institutional reforms include:
· Enforcing Treasury Single Account,
· Whistle-Blowers Policy,
· Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System.

We have signed multi-lateral cooperation agreements on criminal matters with friendly countries. There are signs of increasing cooperation from the Judiciary. Recently the Chief Justice of Nigeria directed Heads of all our Courts of first instance and Appeal to accelerate hearings of corruption cases and dismiss any judicial officers found to have been compromised.

Justice Salami has just been appointed to chair the Judiciary’s anti-graft committee. Government expects a lot from this Committee.

I commend the National Assembly for refocusing on its oversight committees. They should, in addition, ensure swift passage of enabling corruption laws. But fighting corruption is a bottom to top operation. I call on all Nigerians to combat corruption at every turn. By not asking for and refusing to accept a bribe, by reporting unethical practices or by blowing a whistle, together we can beat corruption. The government for its part will work for accountability at all levels – Federal, State and Local Governments. CHANGE will then be real.

As we enter the second half of our term of office, we intend to accelerate progress and intensify our resolve to fix the country’s challenges and problems.

Thank you and a happy holiday to all of you.

God bless our country

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/09/anambra-guber-give-me-just-one-term-pdp.html


Ahead of the November 18 Governorship Election in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Oseloka Obaze has pleaded with electorates to be given just one term as He intends not to seek reelection thereafter.

He stated this yesterday in Lagos during an interactive session with some Journalists.
According to Him, his decision to serve just a term and leave, was to uphold the zoning principle in the state.
"I have said it, it is in my manifesto, I will serve only four years to complete the four years that was given to the North. Next year, I will be 63, I should be grooming young people to take over, I shouldn’t be running office, but you must hand over a solid foundation. If the foundation we handed over to Obiano and the resources we put in place and I don’t recall that there is any governor that has left office and left in the accounts, N75 billion as we did. If that were still in place, I probably wouldn’t have been here. It is because we laid the foundation for the young people to come in and take over and continue in that trajectory.” he said.

He also lambasted those claiming that he was foisted on the state by former Governor Peter Obi. He revealed that Obi as a good coach chose him because he believes in his political ability to secure the victory for the PDP.
“I have worked with Peter Obi; Peter Obi got into secondary school the year I was leaving, he is my junior. If he walks into this room he calls me senior, he has never addressed me by my first name. Throughout the time I worked for him as SSG, he has always addressed me as senior.
“Peter Obi is the leader of the party that has been out of power in the last 12 years in Anambra State, so why shouldn’t he fight to bring his party back to power? Look at this way, we watch European league, you have the best players in your team and you play 90 minutes and it is a draw. You go to the bench, you bring a substitute, he scores a goal and your team wins and everybody claps for the coach as the best tactical thing; consider Peter Obi the coach of PDP in Anambra State today, he wants his party back in power. He must put the best striker forward and I am that striker; he explained.

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Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/09/nnamdi-kanu-should-president-buhari.html

All democratically elected Presidents of Nigeria from 1999 till date have always had huge security challenges to battle with from different parts of the country. The Obasanjo era witnessed the commencement of militancy in the oil-rich Niger Region. Obasanjo to some extent understood the agitations of the youths from that region and though against approaches that would amount to sharing money to a few individuals took practical steps aimed at addressing poverty and underdevelopment in the region. Chief of such approaches under the Obasanjo Presidency was the creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The agency had the sole mandate of fast-tracking development in the region. Despite this and other efforts, some youths in the region didn’t deem it fit to give up on oil theft and militancy. At various times, Obasanjo took very abrupt actions against the Niger Delta due to the insecurity and economic sabotages perpetrated by the militants; a key ugly example is the genocide at Udi, in Bayelsa State.

After the tenure of Obasanjo, the violent agitations in the region continued to crumble the Nigerian economy which relies heavily on oil. This was happening despite the fact that Obasanjo had strategically ensured a son of the Niger Delta was in the Presidential Villa serving as a Vice President to President Umaru Musa YarAdua. Alhaji YarAdua took a more civil approach to addressing the huge insecurity that greeted the Niger Delta under the early days of His tenure. He took key decisions to further fast-tract the development of the region as an appreciation of its God-given resource that has continued to hold Nigeria together economically. In a similar manner like that of Obasanjo, YarAdua established a federal ministry for the region called The Niger Delta Ministry. These efforts didn’t appear to really address developmental issues in the region as those efforts appeared to have only serviced the greed of politicians appointed to man both the NDDC and the Niger Delta Ministry. Poverty continued to roam naked in the region and fuelled further agitations and more militant groups even with sophisticated weapons emerged.
President YarAdua embarked on other strategic missions to bring lasting peace in the Niger Delta including the setting up of a committee which provided the Niger Delta Master Plan and recommended the offer of amnesty to militants in the region as well as a well-funded presidential program to rehabilitate and empower those that will accept the amnesty offer. Before the declaration of the amnesty program, President YarAdua took another bold step by inviting key Leaders of the militant groups including Tompolo to the Presidential Villa for a crucial meeting. After the meeting, a presidential amnesty was declared and it’s still ongoing till date.

Prior to these steps by YarAdua, his predecessor had acted against the militants and instead prioritized measures to develop the region as against recognizing and rewarding the “evil” that the militants were into in the Delta. Specifically, Obasanjo had arrested and detained one of the top militants, Asari Tokubo for months until he was begged by key leaders of the region to release him. Apart from the declaration of amnesty, President YarAdua also released Henry Okah who was earlier arrested as another top militant from the region.
The amnesty program continued all through the Jonathan Presidency and the Niger Delta region experienced relative peace then perhaps due to the fact that one of its sons for the first time was the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While the Niger Delta was happy, it appeared that the North was angry perhaps at the sudden death of President YarAdua which perfected the miracle of the Jonathan Presidency. Like a gradual wave, the Jonathan’s Presidency was confronted with another huge security challenge. This time more dreaded from an Islamic sect called, Boko Haram. The sect became more powerful and almost captured the entire northern part of the country.

In a bid to solve the ever increasing security crisis in the northern region due to the terror by Boko Haram, the Jonathan Presidency at various times made efforts to negotiate with the Leader of the Boko Haram Sect if He could come out and dialogue with the government. This was an extreme step that was condemned by some Nigerians. But what was important to President Jonathan at that point was restoring peace to the troubled northern region. Of course the ideologies and demands of the Boko Haram sect glaringly became such that would be practically impossible for any patriotic leader to meet and the rest has become part of our history.

Sooner after the defeat of President Jonathan by a northerner, Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 General Elections amidst the security challenges still in the North-East, another security challenge emerged. This time from the South-East and from a secessionist group known as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who started operations from the United Kingdom through His secessionist radio station, Radio Biafra.

Although many felt that the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari would bring the Boko Haram activities to an end, the sect has refused to end its heinous crimes. While President Buhari is still trying to destroy Boko Haram finally in the North, the IPOB started its own agitation which has now metamorphosed into a national security threat. Some Nigerians believe that the creation of IPOB was strategically perfected by the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP after its defeat to crumble the Buhari government. An obvious fact however is that General Buhari during the Jonathan Presidency had always taken a Pro-Boko Haram stand, same thing the PDP and her key leaders are doing to the activities and agitations of IPOB; all against national interest.

With the arrest and ongoing prosecution of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu and the increased tension that the declaration and commencement of Operation Python Dance 11 have created in the South-Eastern part of the country, I am wondering if adopting the YarAdua approach can end the agitations in the South-East and perhaps bring lasting peace to the region. Can or should President Buhari like YarAdua, invite the IPOB Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the presidential villa for dialogue so as to address the grievances of His group? Wouldn’t this option be better than a declaration of war on the group or South-East region after tagging them as terrorists?

All may not have been heard about the APC governorship primary election that held in Anambra State ahead of the November 18, 2017 crucial poll. Despite the shocking victory of Hon.Dr.Tony Nwoye, some internal and external forces are bent on discrediting the perceived transparent process that produced Him in order to push him out through the back door.

Tony, who had earlier appeared before an appeal panel set up by the party to address grievances from the primary election still has his mandate appearing very shaky as the candidate who secured the second highest vote after him is hell-bent on clinging the ticket of the party.
Sen.Andy Uba who recently defected from the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP and contested the governorship primary election of the APC alongside over 10 other aspirants according to a source who confided in Vanguard is said to have infiltrated the ranks of the National Working Committee of the party with N150million bribe to annul the victory of Hon.Nwoye.

The source who is a member of the Gov. Kashim Shettima led panel which conducted the primary last month, described the attempt to drop the winner of the Anambra APC primary for the person who lost as the height of injustice, which would also wreck its fortunes in the state during the main election, if allowed to stand. The source said that the group rooting for the annulment of Nwoye’s victory had tried in vain to compromise Gov. Shettima, to do their bidding and impose Uba on the party as its candidate but the governor declined and opted for the conduct of a free and fair election to enable the emergence of the best candidate for the party. “The Chairman of the election panel politely told those who approached him that he could not be bought with any price and would therefore conduct a free election by providing a level-playing field for all the candidates to test their popularity,”

The source further alleged that those behind the onslaught against Hon.Nwoye are influential members of the National Assembly and PDP members who are plotting the return of Sen.Uba to the PDP if he wins the governorship election.
“I can tell you that what is happening is that some powerful politicians in the PDP and the Senate, who are more comfortable with Uba want him to contest against Governor Obiano with the hope that once he wins, he would return to the PDP, from where he crossed over to the APC early this year,” the source explained.

Suanu’s Blog recalls that Hon.Dr.Tony Nwoye scored 2,145 votes beating Senator Andy Uba who got 931 votes to second place in the APC Governorship Primary Election in Anambra State.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/09/anambra-guber-senandy-uba-bribes-apc-in.html

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/09/loyalists-of-senali-modu-sheriff-begin.html

After the Supreme Court ended the National Chairmanship tenure of Sen.Ali Modu Sheriff of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, there are strong indications that His aggrieved loyalists have perfected plans to defect enmass in phases to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in their various states.

The series of defections from the Sheriff Camp began in the South-West where members of his excos defected to the opposition, Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN). This earlier defection was blamed on uncouth and inflammatory statements of some loyalists of the Party’s National Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

The first of the series of mega defections from the Sheriff Camp this time to the ruling party is set to begin this weekend with the defection of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh. Dr. Ojougboh, who was a former national vice-chairman, South-South of the PDP, has been one of the dependable ally of Sen.Sheriff all through his tenure at the helm of affairs of the PDP, serving as His deputy national chairman.

Vanguard quoted sources close to Sheriff and the APC as blaming the likely defection on the failure of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led leadership to wave the olive branch after the court victory that delegitimised Sheriff as the party’s national chairman. “They labelled us offenders and can you believe that up till today that neither Makarfi nor any of the NWC members has reached out to us, instead they are debating whether we deserve amnesty or not. “This is not the way to go and we cannot be rendered irrelevant, so we are coming out to show our strength,”. Another source also confirmed that the APC in Delta State would roll out the carpet to welcome Dr Ojougboh and the entire structure of the faction loyal to Sheriff in the state from ward level to members of the state executive council into the APC.

It was further gathered Major APC stakeholders within and outside the state are being invited for the declaration rally to give colour to the event. Meanwhile, Dr Ojougbo’s defection it was learnt would be the first as other senior associates of Sheriff in the PDP would periodically also declare for the APC. “We will leave the party as an empty carcass for them,” the source said.

If these defections turn out to manifest gradually, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP may not be surprised as the party had all through the crises period accused the APC of using its ousted National Chairman to cause the crises that almost killed the party. Spokesperson of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye had disclosed thus; “We maintain that Sheriff and His co-travelers are agents of the APC. We insist that they are paid agents of the ruling party to destabilize our great party, the PDP; as it is evident that they are all profiting from the unwarranted conflict”.

A group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and members of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly address the challenge of hunger and poverty in the land to avoid being stoned during campaign in 2019 general elections.
The group under the aegis of Southern Mandate of Nigeria (SMN) said the situation in the country is so because the President “is only a sheep in the midst of wolves and hyennas majorly because he neglected those who sacrificed for him and shared same ideology and vision with him.”
The group in a statement by its National Coordinator Comrade Ikonomwan Francis, specifically accused Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi among others of indirectly working against the interest of the party.
“The likes of Mallam Nasir El-rufai , the Gov of Kaduna state, Bello Masari, the Gov of Kastina state, Mr. Rotimi Amenchi, the minister of works who now parade themselves by claiming that they are more Buharist, are strangers in Buhari Project. Was he not the same El-rufai that described Gen Muhammadu Buhari as “perpetually unelectable”? Where was he, when we core members of the defunct CPC now made him electable?
“If urgent steps are not taken to correct this abnormalies, the devastating effect on APC come 2019 will be enormous because it will put a divide in APC.
“The public perception of the APC led government now, is very bad. There is a high level of hunger and poverty in the Land. We foresee a situation where the masses will stone us during 2019 electioneering campaign. Mr President better get it right now, or APC may loose it in 2019.”
Reacting to the recent outburst of Women Affairs Minister, Hajia Aisha Alhassan and the position of governor El-Rufai on the matter, the group said they have warned the President earlier on the crop of persons recruited into his cabinet.
“Our position that the President appointed saboteurs from PDP to this government is cone place because it portrays Mr President as not meaning well for the country.
“Before now, the first Lady Hajia Aisha Buhari has earlier corroborated our position. It is obvious that more wolves in sheep skin will unveil itself in no recent time. Because there are many of them currently in his government who are mercenaries from PDP to discredit this administration.
“We are strongly of the opinion that the only way out of this confusion is the outright dissolution of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and appoint 40% of the core members of the defunct CPC into his cabinet. These are men and women who has the strong political will to drive and remedy the system right now.”

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/09/nigerians-may-stone-buhari-in-2019.html

Ahead of the 2019 Governorship Election in Rivers State, thousands of people from the Local Government Areas (Eleme, Tai, Khana,Gokana) that make up the Ogoni Ethnic Nationality Tuesday night shut down the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt in a show of support and endorsement for the re-election of Governor Nyesom Wike.

The endorsement of Gov.Wike who hails from Ikwerre, same tribe with the former governor of Rivers State who ruled the state for eight years is coming amidst rumours that a top politician from the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC from Ogoni is also perfecting plans to dislodge Gov.Wike from the Government House.

The group which was made up of mainly supporters and members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party,PDP from the Ogoni axis of the state declared that they were impressed by the excellent performance of Governor Wike, especially his developmental projects in Ogoniland.

Addressing the troop of supporters at the Open Field of the Government House, Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike assured that his administration will enhance development in Ogoniland.

He said: "Be assured that I will implement all the projects I promised the people of Ogoni. I am overwhelmed by this show of support. This massive support is a show of your appreciation of what we have achieved.
" We will tackle issues of development on a local government by local government basis. In this wise, I will meet with each of the four local government areas that make up Ogoniland ".

The governor said that the dialogue with the different Ogoni local government areas will lead to the implementation of projects on the peculiarities of each council.

Eminent Politicians from Ogoni who were present at the event included Senator Lee Maeba, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Sir Kenneth Kobani, Former Commissioner of Finance, Dr Fred, former Commissioner of Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr John Bazia, and an Ogoni Woman Leader, Chief Priscilla Bekwe

The Ogoni PDP Leaders explained that the solidarity rally was a clear indication that Ogoni is predominantly PDP. The Leaders who also insisted that the December 10, 2016 rerun election was rigged in favour of the APC in the area vowed that they would resist any further attempt to shortchange the collective will of the people.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/09/ogoni-people-massively-express-support.html

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/09/biafra-group-to-ojukwu-you-are-chronic.html

The Biafra Zionists Federation, BZF has lambasted son of late Biafra leader, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, Emeka Ojukwu Jnr. for saying that his father indeed met with President Muhammadu Buhari in 2003 where they foreclosed Biafra.

The group faulted Ojukwu Jnr assertion in a press statement issued by its Leader and self-acclaimed Biafra President, Barr. Benjamin Onwuka on Tuesday in Enugu State.

While describing Ojukwu Jnr. as a liar, the Zionists said “it is very disappointing for Emeka Ojukwu Jnr. to join Buhari in saying that his father dumped Biafra when he was alive.

“We have said it before that Buhari lied; we are saying it now that Emeka Ojukwu Jnr. is a chronic liar and a saboteur.

“Why is he supporting Buhari who is sending troops to be killing his own people if not for selfish interest, for stomach infrastructure?

“Since he said he was aware of the meeting, we demand that he should provide the date, the venue, the transcript, the signatories to the agreement and the witnesses.

“We also demand to know why he waited till now to say so. I’m saying this because I led Zionists on a condolence visit to him in March 8, 2012 after Ojukwu’s burial, over 1000 zionists went with Biafra flags, a band, a cow and in my speech I did say that his father’s legacy of fighting for Biafra will never die, to which he responded by saying ‘Amen! I agree with you’.

“Also, in 2013, I visited him in Abuja on his invitation and we discussed Biafra for almost four hours. In that meeting, he even asked me why I did not include his name in the Biafra government we formed then?

It is now strange that the same person is saying this now.

“We also wonder why Ojukwu should visit Buhari in 2003 to discuss Nigeria sovereignty when Olusegun Obasanjo, the then President was the one holding Nigeria’s constitution. In what capacity did Buhari receive Ojukwu to discuss Nigeria’s sovereignty? The fallacies are so glaring.” the group explained.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/09/dear-govwike-late-faith-ariwera-chuku.html

His Excellency, this is not another of my usual criticism of what our state has become under you, it is also not another political post as such, but a deep cry from a very sincere heart.
As you may well note, this would be the first time I would be addressing you as 'His Excellency / Governor'.
It is a testimony of the seriousness attached to the issue under consideration.
The lady whose pictures appear above is one of the hundreds of Rivers pupils sent abroad by the immediate past Chibuike Amaechi administration under the now rested Governor's Special Overseas Scheme of the Rivers State Sustainable Dev.Agency(RSSDA). I hear she made first class in Medicine from The University of Newcastle, UK.
As you read this Sir, the sad news is that she is no more, a bright star is no more, such a shining example of the human potentials of our state has been sent to the world beyond at her prime. Sir, the very sad news is that she was shot along the now infamous Emohua-Elele-Ahoada Road in Rivers State on her way to Abuja to new renew her visa for a possible return to the UK.
I also hear she's the only daughter of her widowed mother(not so sure), who bore the difficult brunt of seeing her daughter through school after your government announced a cancellation of all forms of Academic Scholarships in the State. Reports say she had returned to help her family raise money with which to proceed to Medical school,sadly, her return has cost her life, what a loss His Excellency!

This is definitely not the only avoidable death to occur under your watch as Governor, however, suffice to say that this is one-too-many. If you review the security situation before your emergence, you just might learn a thing or two on how to secure Rivers people better. For emphasis, the followings were aspects of the security architecture in place before your inauguration;
• Modern Security outposts in Emohua, Eleme, Aluu, Igwuruta and Rukpokwu
• Presence of Special-Israeli and Belarus-trained Counter-terror Policemen in the State.
Somehow Sir, these and other steps checked the movement of arms into and outside of the State, thereby reducing crime rate.
More so, I urge you to go a step further by visiting families who lost their loved ones, mention their names in just one of your several press releases and comments and erect a monument in their memory. Your silence in these circumstances where people are killed daily is deafening. A visit to some of the crime scenes and security formations where these atrocities happen would send a strong signal to the criminals and raise the morale of the security personnel in the areas.
Importantly too, few months back, you accused the immediate past Amaechi administration of favoring children of 'big men' with such scholarships, you also said the beneficiaries of such scholarships were children of your political opponents. This particular sad event questions your assertions, Faith like many others, is no child of any big man nor that of any of your political opponents.
Faith deserves nothing but honor, she qualifies as a forerunner for better Education in our state, her success must open greater doors for millions of other pupils, her sacrifices and sense of family is enough to earn her a place in the history of our state, go on, Mr.Governor, seize the opportunity of this loss for a turning point.
Finally His Excellency, you are the Governor of Rivers State, both PDP and APC,Traditionalists, Christians, Muslims,Atheists, etc, big men and small men, tall and short, dark and fair,men and women,children, adolescents and adults,literate and illiterate, I urge you to personally take up the death of Faith as a challenge, I urge you, as a father, to look beyond the aura of power, I urge you, Mr.Governor, to spare a minute, reach out across boards and get ideas from both real and imaginary opponents on how best to secure our state.

There cannot be better way of taking advantage of this moment than by reviewing your stance on the issue of Scholarships through Constituting and funding the Rivers State Scholarship Board and going ahead to pay the fees of the remaining endangered pupils who may be forced home because their Governor views them as children of his political opponents.
I wish you well, Sir.

~ Ikenda Clinton Elechi, like Faith, is One of the endangered Rivers citizens under your watch.

A group of councilors and chairmanship candidates who ran for 2014 Anambra State local government election under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP has joined other aggrieved members of the party to reject its governorship candidate, Mr Oseloka Obaze.
This follows an earlier joint rejection by four governorship aspirants of the party (Stella Oduah, Alex Obiogbolu, Emeka John, Ifeanyi Uba ) who had complained about alleged irregularities that the election panel overlooked and the unacceptability of the candidature of Obaze as he failed to meet the provisions of the party constitution and guidelines on eligibility to contest.

The Group in a press briefing in Awka, the Anambra State Capital said Mr.Obaze who is being paraded as the flag bearer of PDP in Anambra State governorship election cannot go far in the real race as he lacks followership of the real members of the party who still see him as a stooge of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA which frustrated them during the council polls.
The leader of the group Mr. Onuchukwu also alleged that it was obvious from the onset that the panel empowered to conduct the election, in conjunction with the state executive, had a predetermined candidate, which was why people were still being allowed to register while election was going on. They insist that Obaze didn’t satisfy the mandatory years he should spend in the party as a member before coming up with his aspiration.

Mr.Obaze who will be facing a tough electoral battle with the likes of Gov.Willie Obiano of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Hon.Dr.Tony Nwoye of the All Progressives Congress, APC and Chief Osita Chidoka of the United Progressive Party (UPP) may have a slight chance of victory if the internal disaffection facing his candidature is not addressed and resolved soonest.

Meanwhile, the appeal committee of the party will be meeting on Tuesday in Abuja to look into grievances put forward by some governorship aspirants of the party.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/09/anambra-guber-pdp-councilors.html

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/09/apc-may-cancel-anambra-guber-primary.html

If the All Progressives Congress, APC, finds merit in a petition filed by an aggrieved aspirant of the party, Sen.Andy Uba over the emergence of Hon.Dr.Tony Nwoye as the Governorship Candidate of the party in Anambra State, then the victory song of Mr.Nwoye may just be short-lived.

To entertain the grievances of Sen.Ubah who had the second highest votes in the said primary election, the party has set up a panel to probe the election result.

Nwoye who appeared before the Appeal Panel in Abuja on Monday said members of the panel asked him questions about some individuals whom they described as student union leaders who allegedly beat up delegates during the primaries.

According to Him, “It (the allegation) was not true. No single member of NANS or former students was part of the primary election. All the delegates that voted were statutorily the delegates expected to vote. And this is a primary election that was adjudged the best in the history of Nigeria and the partisan politics in the country.

“There was no room for manipulation, nobody was intimidated to vote and no evidence of inducing voters with money.”

In response to a question on whether he nursed any fear that the panel might nullify his victory, Nwoye said, “I’m not God but I know these are party men and women. I told them that at this point in time, the Anambra people have spoken as far as the party ticket of the APC is concerned.

“That mandate I think by the special grace of God should be left alone. It is not about Tony Nwoye but about these people who suffered all the night, I felt for them, I pity them.”

As to whether he has reached out to other aspirants who contested against him, he said all the aspirants except Senator Andy Uba were on the same page with him.

“Andy Uba is the only aspirant who refused to talk to me. I called him, I sent text to him, I even got to his house but he refused to open gate for me. For the other aspirants I have met with all of them.”

The governorship election in Anambra State is scheduled to hold on November 18, 2017.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/08/revocation-of-c-of-o-business-hostility.html?m=1


A former Commissioner of Information under the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike who resigned few months ago, Dr.Austin Tam-George has referred to the recent revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy of Novotel Hotel in the state as an indication of hostility towards businesses in the state. Dr.George stated this in a post on His Official Facebook Page.
Gov.Wike had on Sunday announced the revocation of the certificate of occupancy of the hotel in a church service in PortHarcourt, the state capital. Wike accused the hotel of being a notorious venue for actualising rigging plots of the opposition All Progressives Congress in the state.

Dr.Tam George's post is as below;

"The revocation of the certificate of occupancy of Novotel Hotel in Port Harcourt over the weekend by Governor Nyesom Wike disappoints and saddens me.
If a business premises is suspected or established to be a crime scene, the police, acting on a court order, could move in to take control.
It is extraordinary for a State government to revoke the certificate of occupancy of a business, simply because opposition politicians lodged there.

Politicians in the state might think this is part of politics.
But it is a hostile signal to the business and investment community that Rivers State is a toxic environment, and that a 99-year land lease could be withdrawn impulsively at any minute, by the governor.
As Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, i held 41 media events, including world press conferences and television appearances, to make the case for the state as Nigeria's best investment destination.
Even now, the Wike administration is running an expensive advertorial on CNN, inviting foreign direct investment into Rivers State.
The whimsical attack on Novotel feeds the noxious narrative that Rivers State is a risky place to invest. It is a direct kick in the face of the administration's own efforts to attract investors to the state, in order to create jobs.
As governor of Rivers State, Mr Rotimi Amaechi made similar wrong-headed and extreme decisions.
I urge governor Wike to avoid taking the same intemperate path, in the interest of the State."

Recall that some APC Members and supporters of Sen.Magnus Abe had stormed the hotel premises over rumours that the national convention committee officials sent to conduct the delegate elections in the state were perfecting the rigging of the election from their luxury hotel rooms.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/nnamdi-kanu-must-be-punished-arewa.html?m=1


The umbrella coalition of Northern Youths, The Arewa Youths Forum has insisted that the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be punished.

The Chairman of the Coalition of Northern Youths, Yerima Shettima stated this weekend after a meeting with the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council in Abuja.

Suanu's Blog gathered that the meeting was aimed at charting a common course for peaceful co-existence of various groups in all parts of the country and was at the instance of the umbrella body of Igbo Youths.

After the meeting which lasted several hours, the northern coalition said it has begun the process of reviewing its earlier demands asking the Igbo to quit, but said it would not back down on its petition to the United Nations asking it to intervene in the affairs of the nation.

The Northern Coalition said the call for
Nnamdi Kanu to be punished is due to the damage done to the psyche of some Nigerians, especially those of the Igbo ethnic nationality.
“Leaving Nnamdi Kanu to go unpunished is totally unacceptable to us because he has so far done much damage on our psyche and our nation. So, for us we think the best we can do is to internationalize this struggle. Behind the background of what we are doing today, most likely in the event of anything falling short of what we agreed, of course we are already in the UN reporting this same character. That does not stop us discussing to arrive at a particular conclusion where we can have peace for the country.
“On our previous position, we have not officially withdrawn the quit notice given to the Igbos in the North but we said it few days ago that we will review our position and part of that steps is what we are taking now.” shettima said.

In its reaction, the Ohanaeze youths dissociated themselves from secessionist agitations, and asked Nigerians to consider such agitations as perhaps a cry to redress noticeable imbalance in the composition of the country.

Another meeting of the two youth bodies is expected to hold on a yet to scheduled date in the South-East. A six-member committee was set up to facilitate that.

Recall that this is coming less than 75 days to the October 1 “quit notice” issued by a coalition of northern youths to Igbo leaving in the region.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/nnamdi-kanu-must-be-punished-arewa.html?m=1

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo returned from London early Wednesday morning after travelling briefly to visit President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night.
After presiding over the Federal Executive Council Meeting Wednesday, below are details of questions pressmen asked Prof.Osinbajo about His UK Visit and His Responses :

You just got back from seeing Mr . President, what did you discuss with him?
Well, first as you know , I went to see him . I went to check up on him and find out how he was doing. I had of course been speaking with him on the phone and I thought it will be a good thing to go and see him and you know generally check up on how he was doing and also to brief him on developments back at home. So we had a very good time , we had a very good conversation on wide- ranging issues and he is in very good spirit . He is recuperating very quickly and he is doing very well.

What is the state of health of Mr. President?

Well, as I have said , he is in very high spirit . He is recuperating very well and we had very long conversation. We spoke for well over an hour and his humour is all there . He is doing well and he is recuperating fast .

When is he due back ?

I think very very shortly . Very shortly . I think we should really expect him back very shortly . Like I said , he is recuperating very fast and he is doing very very well .

Was the report of the suspended SFG and NIA DG part of your conversation?

We discussed wide - ranging issues. I really can’ t go into specifics of all of the discussions we had.

Was the inauguration of the two ministers part of the discussion?

No . We didn't discuss inauguration or anything like that. We didn't .

When will the ministers - designate be inaugurated ?

Well, I ’ m not in a position to say anything. I don’ t have a date in mind but I ’ m sure very very soon , we will do that .

Are we expecting Mr . President before 90 days?

No no . Deadlines aren't a very good thing but as I said , he is recuperating fast. We are expecting him very shortly . Much sooner than you will expect.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/top-seven-questions-acting-president.html?m=1

The pictures below show Chief Raymond Dokpesi and Rt.Hon.Emeka Ihedioha.
Dokpesi who is the founder of AIT and Raypower is a long time PDP Chieftain same with the former Governorship candidate of Imo State.
While Emeka remains in the PDP despite the recent crises that just ended, Dokpesi joined some few other Nigerians to form a new party, Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA).
There were rumours that the APDA was an alternative platform established by the then Makarfi-Faction of the PDP on the event that Sheriff succeeds.
With the presence of High Chief Dokpesi (who was a PDP Chairmanship Aspirant) at the Supreme Court this mornings where the PDP leadership tussle case was finally decided, Suanu's Blog is asking, "Is The APDA Also PDP"?
And now that PDP is back will High Chief Raymond Dokpesi defect to the party to still contest for the Chairmanship position?
The second picture shows Dokpesi at the unveiling of APDA in Abuja.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/photonews-is-apda-also-pdp.html?m=1

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/don-moen-refutes-death-rumours-says.html?m=1

Popular American gospel musician, Don Moen has denied earlier reports after His death. The renowned singer, on Wednesday, in a simple twit on his verified twitter handle dispelled the speculation.
In the said tweet, the singer had uploaded a family photo of himself, his father, his own son and two of his grandchildren reportedly taken today.
A report by a Houston online newspaper had alleged that the singer cum evangelist died after a short battle with stomach pain.

Robert Mugabe’s third trip to Singapore this year for medical treatment has prompted accusations that the 93-year old president is ruling Zimbabwe from a hospital bed.
Mugabe is reported to have flown to the city state on Friday, prompting the ruling Zanu-PF party to cancel a youth rally that he had been scheduled to attend, suggesting that his latest trip was unplanned. A minister told the Standard newspaper that it was a private visit.
Singapore “is literally his home now”, one opposition party spokesman told Zimbabwean media, while another said: “The country is stagnant today because the Zanu president is running the show from his hospital bed.”
Mugabe, Africa’s oldest leader, spent more than $50m (£39m) on foreign travel last year, more than double the amount allocated to upgrading the country’s hospitals and health centres, according to data from the Zimbabwean treasury. In the same year, $30m was allocated to parliament and $32m to the ministry of foreign affairs.
Mugabe’s previous visits to Singapore have been for routine medical checks and eye surgery, according to officials. Images that appear to show Mugabe dozing off in meetings actually depict him “resting his eyes” because they are too sensitive to bright lights, his spokesman has claimed.
His wife, Grace Mugabe, has said he should run “as a corpse” in the next election if he dies before he can contest it. She has volunteered to push him around in a wheelchair if necessary, while Mugabe himself says he wants to live to 100 and rule for life. Zanu-PF has endorsed him as their candidate for the 2018 elections.
Mugabe, celebrating his 93rd birthday in February with a 93kg (205lb) cake pondered in an hour-long speech the meaning of still being alive when so many of his contemporaries had gone. “Sometimes I hear a silent voice saying, ‘Each man, each woman, has a mission to fulfil in this world.’ I thank the Lord and say, ‘I accept the mission,’” he said.
When Mugabe took power in 1980, after Zimbabwe won independence from the British, Zimbabweans feted him as a heroic liberator, and Margaret Thatcher went from refusing to talk to him to drinking whisky with him in Downing Street.
Meanwhile, his predecessor Ian Smith, who once ran on a ticket for a “whiter, brighter Rhodesia,” remained trenchant in retirement, refusing to apologise for the 30,000 Zimbabweans killed during his tenure, saying: “The more we killed, the happier we were.”
Mugabe’s unpopularity reached fever pitch when he fast-tracked land reform in 2000 and seized white-owned farms, saying he was redressing land issues dating from colonial times, where white people in what was then Rhodesia took land from the people living there without paying any compensation.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/opposition-slams-robert-mugabe-for.html?m=1

Source:
http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/who-warning-here-is-everything-you-need_99.html?m=1

Few days ago the World Health Organisation, WHO, warned about untreatable strains of gonorrhea are on the rise. The warning fueled fears that last-resort drugs will soon be futile after three confirmed cases in which antibiotics were ineffective.

Statistics indicate that Gonorrhea is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK after chlamydia, with almost 35,000 cases reported in England in 2014. The WHO estimates that 78 million people worldwide contract the disease each year, with most cases affecting young men and women under the age of 25.

The latest warning is based on findings from two studies, co-authored by WHO researchers, looking at data from 77 countries; in more than 50, first-line antibiotics were ineffective.

To this end, Suanu’s Blog examines the basic things one needs to know about Gonorrhea below:


What Is Gonorrhea?


Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It’s caused by infection with the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It tends to infect warm, moist areas of the body, including the:

urethra (the tube that drains urine from the urinary bladder)

eyes

throat

vagina

anus

female reproductive tract (the fallopian tubes, cervix, and uterus)

Gonorrhea passes from person to person through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex. People with numerous sexual partners or those who don’t use a condom are at greatest risk of infection. The best protections against infection are abstinence, monogamy (sex with only one partner), and proper condom usage. Behaviors that make a person more likely to engage in unprotected sex also increase the likelihood of infection. These behaviors include alcohol abuse and illegal drug abuse, particularly intravenous drug use.


Symptoms of Gonorrhea


Symptoms usually occur within two to 14 days after exposure. However, some people infected with gonorrhea never develop noticeable symptoms. It’s important to remember that a person with gonorrhea who doesn’t have symptoms, also called a nonsymptomatic carrier, is still contagious. A person is more likely to spread the infection to other partners when they don’t have noticeable symptoms.


How A Man Can Know If He Has Gonorrhea


Men may not develop noticeable symptoms for several weeks. Some men may never develop symptoms.

Typically, the infection begins to show symptoms a week after its transmission. The first noticeable symptom in men is often a burning or painful sensation during urination. As it progresses, other symptoms may include:

greater frequency or urgency of urination

a pus-like discharge (or drip) from the penis (white, yellow, beige, or greenish)

swelling or redness at the opening of the penis

swelling or pain in the testicles

a persistent sore throat

The infection will stay in the body for a few weeks after the symptoms have been treated. In rare instances, gonorrhea can continue to cause damage to the body, specifically the urethra and testicles. Pain may also spread to the rectum.



How A Woman Can Know If She Has Gonorrhea


Many women don’t develop any overt symptoms of gonorrhea. When women do develop symptoms, they tend to be mild or similar to other infections, making them more difficult to identify. Gonorrhea infections can appear much like common vaginal yeast or bacterial infections.

Symptoms include:

discharge from the vagina (watery, creamy, or slightly green)

pain or burning sensation while urinating

the need to urinate more frequently

heavier periods or spotting

sore throat

pain upon engaging in sexual intercourse

sharp pain in the lower abdomen

fever


Tests for Gonorrhea


Healthcare professionals can diagnose gonorrhea infection in several ways. They can take a sample of fluid from the symptomatic area with a swab (penis, vagina, rectum, or throat) and place it on a glass slide. If your doctor suspects a joint or blood infection, he or she will obtain the sample by drawing blood or inserting a needle into the symptomatic joint to withdraw fluid.  They will then add a stain to the sample and examine it under a microscope. If cells react to the stain, you most likely have a gonorrhea infection. This method is relatively quick and easy, but it doesn’t provide absolutely certainty. This test may also be completed by a lab technologist.

A second method involves taking the same type of sample and placing it on a special dish. This will be incubated under ideal growth conditions for several days. A colony of gonorrhea bacteria will grow if gonorrhea is present.

A preliminary result may be ready within 24 hours. A final result will take up to three days.


Complications of Gonorrhea


Women are at greater risk of long-term complications from untreated infections. Untreated infection with gonorrhea in women may ascend up the female reproductive tract and involve the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This condition is known as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and can cause severe and chronic pain and damage the female reproductive organs. PID can be caused by other sexually transmitted diseases as well. Women may also develop blocking or scarring of the fallopian tubes, which can prevent future pregnancy or cause ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Gonorrhea infection may pass to a newborn infant during delivery.

Men may experience scarring of the urethra. Men may also develop a painful abscess in the interior of the penis. The infection can cause reduced fertility or sterility.

When gonorrhea infection spreads to the bloodstream, both men and women can experience arthritis, heart valve damage, or inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord. These are rare but serious conditions.


How To Treat Gonorrhea


Modern antibiotics can cure most gonorrhea infections. Most states also provide free diagnosis and treatment at state-sponsored health clinics.

At home and over-the-counter remedies

There are no at-home remedies or over-the-counter medications that will treat an infection with gonorrhea. If you suspect that you have gonorrhea, you should seek care from a healthcare professional.


Use Of Antibiotics


Gonorrhea is usually treated with an antibiotic injection of Ceftriaxone one time to the buttocks or a single dose of Azithromycin by mouth. Once on antibiotics, you should feel relief within days.

The law requires healthcare professionals to report the infection, usually to the county public health department. Public health officials will identify, contact, test, and treat any sexual partners of the affected person to help prevent the spread of the infection. Health officials will also contact other people these individuals may have had sexual contact with.

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhea is a growing challenge. These cases may require more extensive treatment, with a seven-day course of an oral antibiotic or dual therapy with two different antibiotics, usually for a total of seven days of therapy. The antibiotics used for extended therapy are usually given once or twice a day. Some common antibiotics used include azithromycin and doxycycline. Scientists are working to develop vaccines to prevent gonorrhea infection.


How To Prevent gonorrhea


The safest way to prevent gonorrhea or other STDs is through abstinence. If you do engage in sex, always use a condom. It’s important to be open with your sexual partners, get regular STD testing, and find out if they’ve been tested.

If your partner is showing signs of a possible infection, avoid any sexual contact with them. Ask them to seek medical attention to rule out any possible infection that can be passed on.

You’re at a higher risk of contracting gonorrhea if you’ve already had it or any other STDs. You’re also at a higher risk if you have multiple sexual partners or a new partner.

What to do if you have gonorrhea

If you think you may have gonorrhea, you should avoid any sexual activity. You should also contact your doctor immediately.

During your doctor’s visit, be prepared to:

detail your symptoms

discuss your sexual history

provide the contact info for previous sexual partners so that the doctor can contact them anonymously on your behalf

If you’re in contact with your sexual partner(s), let them know they should be tested immediately.

If you’re placed on antibiotics, it’s important to take the full course of pills to ensure that your infection is completely treated. Cutting your course of antibiotics short can make the bacteria more likely to develop resistance to the antibiotic. You also need to follow up with your doctor one to two weeks later to make sure that your infection has cleared.

If the results come back negative and your sexual partner is also clear of any infection, it’s possible to resume sexual activity.

The Senator-elect of Osun West Senatorial District, Dr.Ademola Adeleke has declared a N250m Scholarship Scheme for His constituents. He said this gesture was to appreciate the people who came out massively to seal and deliver His victory in the crucial By-Election of July 8, 2017.
Giving details about the scholarship, the elated newest Nigerian Senator explained that students of each of the 10 local government areas in the zone would get N25m. He also promised to continue with other welfare programmes of his late brother.
He said , “ I am overwhelmed. I thank everybody . I thank my big brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke , for his support.
“ I just announced N250m scholarship. This was what my brother did. I have learnt from the master , the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke. ”
Recall that Dr.Ademola Adeleke defeated the candidate of the APC, Sen.Mudashiru Hussain in nine out of the ten local government areas of Osun West Senatorial District to emerge winner. He will be replacing His late Brother at the Senate.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/osun-west-senator-elect-declares-n250m.html?m=1

http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/again-obaseki-triumphs-over-ize-iyamu.html?m=1

The bid of the candidate of the Peoples' Democratic Party,PDP in the Edo State Govenorship Election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to be declared as the winner of the poll by the courts have failed completely.
His last hope was at the Supreme Court but that hope has been dastardly dashed. This is because the Supreme Court, Monday morning, affirmed Godwin Obaseki as the Governor of Edo State. This judgment is in line with precious decisions from the Tribunal as well as the court of Appeal.
The Apex Court dismissed the appeal filed by the candidate of the PDP challenging the election of Governor Obaseki for lacking in merit.
The apex court said it will give its reasons for the judgment on July 24, 2017.
A seven man panel led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onneghen unanimously dismissed the appeal.
The CJN stated that the court had gone through the brief earlier, making it easier to arrive at a judgment as quickly as possible.
Before now, the PDP Candidate who is a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG has boasted that God will restore His stolen mandate since according to Him, God had told Him clearly that He was going to take over the mantle of leadership from the precious administration of Comrade.Adams Oshiomhole.
The PDP and it's candidate were yet to react to the supreme Court judgement.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/pastors-now-drug-barons-and-human.html?m=1

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has accused Pastors of being involved in drug and human trafficking.
This allegation was made by NDLEA's Commander/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Muhammad Abdallah while speaking at a seminar organised by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) weekend as the world marked the International Day Against Drug and Human Trafficking.
He revealed that after investigations, the agency has placed some church leaders under watch.
“The way people are going into the business of (hard) drugs is becoming too embarrassing, to the extent that pastors and other religious leaders are involved. We have investigated many churches that run rings of drug traffickers. Some pastors are presently being investigated. Some of them hide the drugs in the roof of their churches and recruit church members for drug and human trafficking.
“Nigeria is now one of the countries that top the list in drug trafficking. What really went wrong that a country, which was one time a transit country for drug trafficking, is now being perceived as a manufacturing country? For example, Indian hemp, which was brought in by Nigerian soldiers who went to World War II for personal consumption, is now (grown) for commercial purposes. Nigerians now export Indian hemp," he maintained.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/sheriff-records-first-victory-as.html?m=1

The National Chairman of the Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, Sen.Ali Modu Sheriff has recorded His first victory after the Appeal Court declared Him as the authentic Chairman of the party.
The victory was recorded in the just concluded Osun West Senatorial District By-Election in which the candidate of the party, Dr.Ademola Adeleke shamefully defeated the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Sen.Mudashiru Hussain.
The PDP won overwhelmingly in nine out of the 10 local governments in the district polling a total of 97, 280 votes. Mr. Hussein of the APC came a distant second with a total of 66, 115 votes.
The APC only managed to win Ejigbo local government. Understandably, it is the local government of its candidate. Mr. Hussein scored 12, 229 votes, against the PDP which polled 9, 723 votes.
The figures which were announced by the Returning Officer, Olaide Lawal, a professor, at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, showed that the PDP candidate won with a wide margin of 31, 165 votes.
With this victory, the Adelekes have succeeded in retaining the Senatorial position to their family after the sudden demise of their son, Sen.Isiaka Adeleke who was occupying the seat.
Many political observers attribute the victory to the peoples' sentiments that the PDP Candidate rode on following the death of His Brother.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/wike-orders-for-vengeance-against.html?m=1

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike isn't giving up on His bid to use His position to ensure that all His political enemies are dealt with.
Having temporarily regained freedom, a former Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon.Dr.Chidi Lloyd should start warming up for more trouble as Gov.Wike has ordered His newly reappointed Commissioner of Justice to do everything possible to ensure that Dr.Lloyd is both prosecuted and persecuted.
Lloyd in a recently interview with AIT had expressed interest in succeeding Wike in 2019 as the Governor of the state.
It may interest you to know that another Chieftain of the APC, Hon.Ojukaye Flag Amachree had suffered similar fate in the hands of Gov.Wike until He was narrowly granted bail after roasting for months at the PortHarcourt Prison.Both Lloyd and Amachree are been prosecuted for alleged murder.
The position of the Governor was made public Saturday through a statement by His Special Assistant on New Media, Mr.Simeon Nwakaudu.
The statement reads below:
Attempted Murder: Governor Wike directs Re-Appointed Attorney General to ensure prosecution of Former Rivers Majority Leader
Swears in 13 Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has directed the re-appointed Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) to ensure the conclusive prosecution of Former Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Chidi Lloyd over the attempted murder of a member of the State Assembly, Mr Michael Chinda.
Governor Wike also directed the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice to ensure the conclusive prosecution of Mr Ojukaye Flag Amachree who is standing trial for the murder of a citizen of Asari Toru Local Government Area during one of the rerun elections.
According to him, anybody who commits crime in the state must face the full weight of the law.
Governor Wike spoke on Saturday after swearing-in the reappointed State Attorney General and Commissioner and 13 Caretaker Committee Chairman of Local Government Areas.
He said: "The Attempted Murder of a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly must be conclusively prosecuted by the office of the Attorney General.
"Also, the person involved in the murder of a citizen of Asari Toru Local Government Area during the rerun elections must be conclusively prosecuted. Nobody is above the law.
"I don't know how the person who was almost killed on the floor of the Rivers House of Assembly will feel seeing his assailant moving around freely? How will the family of the murdered Asari Toru Local Government Area citizen feel knowing that the alleged murder suspect is roaming freely without conclusive prosecution ".
The governor charged the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice to ensure that all the victims get justice in accordance with the tenets of the law.
He advised the Attorney General to sustain the enthronement of the rule of law to avoid a situation where people resort to self help on account that the state cannot prosecute criminal offenders.
On the newly sworn-in Chairmen of Caretaker Committees of Local Government Areas , Governor Wike advised them to concentrate on the maintenance of security and environmental sanitation.
He advised the Local Government Chairmen to work with security agencies to address security challenges in their respective local government areas.
He warned them against the mismanagement of council funds for personal benefits or to influence top government officials or their families.
Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor,
Electronic Media.
8th July, 2017.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/10-key-deciding-factors-in-osun-by.html

Today, the electorates in Osun West Senatorial District will be exercising their franchise to elect a new Senator to represent them at the red chamber. The senatorial district is made up of 10 local government areas.
Today’s by-election is as a result of the sudden death of Sen.Isiaka Adeleke who was representing the senatorial district before His demise. Adeleke died on 23rd April 2017 at Biket Hospital, Osogbo in the State of Osun.
Few weeks after His demise, the battle to replace Him began and has so far been characterized by so many intrigues. As the electorates go to cast their votes today, Suanu’s Blog examines key factors that may determine who and which party will emerge victorious. Our considerations are limited to the two main political parties; the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), as many of other minor political parties have either pitched their tents with these major contenders or have no meaningful presence or chance in the by-election.
The main contenders are Sen. Mudashiru Husain of the APC and Dr.Ademola Adeleke of the PDP.
The key considered factors are:
1. Religion: Religion is always a key decider in the political sphere of Nigeria from times immemorial. The only botched differential moment was that of Abiola’s Presidency. Thereafter, Nigerians democratic experience has always had some glaring religious presence. That is why it’s usual for contestants to go to religious grounds or worship places during electioneering periods. Apart from this, there is a lot of religious alignment that takes place before any election in Nigeria. This could be either inter-religious or intra-religious. Most Nigerian Muslims would choose to vote for a Muslim candidate than a Christian Candidate, vice versa.
In Osun State, it is likely that religion will play a key role in deciding who wins today’s by-election. Although in Osun State there are large population of Muslims and Christians, it is however difficult to precisely state, which religion has the highest followership as such assertion is subject to debates. In line with our Nigerianness, some electorates in the senatorial district may vote having this at the back of their minds.
2. Sheriff And Omisore’s Influences: Having won the battle in the PDP so far to the level of the Appeal Court, Sheriff’s leadership position in the PDP is not in dispute. Many faithfuls of the party especially in Osun State are united behind Him and the candidate of the party. This unity cum the political and financial influences of Sheriff may go a long way in helping the course of the party. Also, the reconciliation between a former governorship candidate of the party, Sen.Iyiola Omisore and the Adelekes may also work in the favour of the Ede-born candidate of the Party.
3. APC’s Influence: APC as the ruling party in the state may still have enough goodwill to deliver its candidate. Add this to the presence of its Chairman, John Oyegun, as well as other top leaders of the party including Governors of Borno and Kebbi states during the Mega Rally of the party. This surely will act as a morale booster for members and supporters of the party in the state and it is expected that it will also serve as an additional encouragement for them to come out enmass and vote for the party’s candidate.
4. Federal Might: The use of federal influences to secure electoral victories is not new to politics in Nigeria. Federal Might is been utilized during polls by compromising security agencies, supplying financial supports and or compromising the electoral umpire. If this plays out in Osun State today, then the candidate on the platform of the ruling party may emerge victorious. However, with much vigilance from electorates recently, this appears difficult to achieve in the open space.
5. Aggrieved APC Members: The fist over who takes the flag of the APC in this by-electoral has been enormous. Unlike in the PDP where the party’s flag was unanimously given to a candidate of less than three days membership in the party. In APC, party members were divided along various lines. Those in the camp of the Governor were supporting Sen.Husain while others were supporting Otunba Adeleke. The short-lived victory of Adeleke in the APC did not only lead to His defection but that of many of His immediate supporters or loyalists of His late Brother. Political Analysts are of the opinion that there are many other aggrieved members of the APC who did not defect to the PDP but may vote for the PDP in protest against the party. The legal tussle by some aggrieved members of the APC against the subsequence clearance of Sen.Husain for the senatorial poll may also dim the chances of the party’s candidate in today’s election.
6. Adeleke’s Death: Many people were pained by the sudden demise of Sen.Isiaka Adeleke. This was obvious as many groups and individuals protested the circumstances that surrounded the death of their benefactor. Many of these loyalists of the late senator are bent on delivering Dr.Ademola Adeleke as a way of immortalizing or compensating the family for the loss. This group that cuts across both APC and PDP may give Otunba Adeleke sympathy votes today. However, it is unclear whether this will be enough to secure victory for the candidate of the PDP.
Meanwhile there are a few others who see the PDP Candidate as an opportunist who wants to ride on the blood of His Brother to political office. They opine that the senatorial slot is not hereditary, hence not the sole right of the Adelekes.
7. Aregbesola’s Poor Performance: The tenure (s) of Gov.Rauf Aregbesola has been graded by many political observers and people as poor. Osun State under Aregbesola has been battling with series of debts, low revenue from the centre and internally and months of unpaid salaries, allowances and pensions. This has no doubt also affected the pace of development in the state. Some sections of the State are of the opinion that the electorates may use today’s poll to express that anger against the administration of Aregbesola that has brought and sustained their pains, making life so unbearable for them. Add this to the overall anger of some Nigerian’s against the Buhari administration so far. These may go a long way in affecting the candidate who shares same political platform with the Governor and the President.
8. Crises in the PDP: Although the PDP in Osun State appears united behind its Candidate, Ademola Adeleke, many supporters of the Makarfi faction may vote against the party (certainly not for APC). Sen.Ahmed Makarfi had earlier stated that His own candidate will contest under another political party. Makarfi had stated this through His factional state Chairman, Dr.Bayo Faforiji. However, it remains unclear if the Makarfi faction actually produced its own candidate and under which political party the candidate is contesting the by-election.
9. Need For Fresh Representation: There are some people who hold the opinion that old politicians should not be continually recycled. These individuals are rooting behind Ademola Adeleke who they believe will bring fresh ideas on board and would work for the general good of the people against the so many distractions that confront old-time politicians. The number of these ones and the influence they exert can also increase the fortunes of the PDP Candidate in today’s poll.
10. Goodwill of Sen.Husain: The candidate of the APC is an astute politician that has been in the political space since 1999. He fully understands the political game and has over the time built lots of goodwill and networks. All these may eventually work in His favour to ensure He emerges victorious.
How the above considered factors will play out, only time will tell. It is however expected that the good people of Osun West Senatorial District will peacefully exercise their franchise and that INEC will conduct a free, fair and credible by-election today in the State of Osun.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/10-key-deciding-factors-in-osun-by.html

The embattled Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye has passionately extended an invitation to Gov.Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and Sen.Godswill Akpabio to dump the Peoples' Democratic Party and join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Sen.Melaye stated this in a goodwill message at the first constituency briefing of Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio which held yesterday at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium.
While commending the Akwa Ibom State Government for good governance, He lamented that same is lacking in his home state of Kogi.
"I am overwhelmed by the level of development I have seen today in Akwa Ibom State. I want to thank My Friend and Brother, Sen.Akpabio and Governor Udom for keeping Akwa Ibom on the path of sustainable progress. We certainly need more people who can achieve these giant strides in my party. I am therefore using this great opportunity to invite you to join my party, the All Progressives Congress, APC", He said.
Sen. Akpabio while speaking at the event referred to Nigeria as a sick nation which needs everyone to join hands to revive, else it dies.
He warned that unless those beating drums of separatism and wars were checked, the steady heartbeat of the nation could eventually run into convulsion.
He described Nigeria as “child of rape since Lord Frederick Lugard and his wife did not consult our forefathers before amalgamating Nigeria, and it is only in rape that the consent of the woman is not sought. I will plead with Nigerian children not to allow the circumstances of their father’s birth to affect their future.”
Others who accompanied Sen.Akpabio included Gov.Udom Emmanuel, Sen. Theodore Orji and Minority Whip, Sen.Philip Aduda.
Akpabio doled out cash and equipment to his constituents in the 10 local government areas making up Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, and enthused that the present recession is not insurmountable.
They all expressed solidarity with Sen.Melaye, describing Him as a vibrant Lawmaker who can't be recalled by reasonable constituents except miscreants who have been given peanuts to survive in a Buhari-recessed economy.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/sendino-melaye-invites-govudom-and.html?m=1

Despite the huge financial challenges facing Zimbabwe, it's controversial President Robert Mugabe reportedly spent more than $50 million on foreign travel last year, official figures show.
According to a financial statement published in the latest government gazette, foreign travel expenses totalled $53.2 million in 2016.
This figure far exceeds the $23 million initially allocated for travel under last year's budget as indicated in the "Consolidated Statement of Financial Performance of the Consolidated Revenue Fund".
The private Financial Gazette paper, citing treasury figures, on Thursday reported that Mugabe's office had already spent $34.4 million on travel by October.
The allocation for foreign travel expenses exceeded those made to other key ministries and institutions, the paper said. By comparison, only $30 million was allocated to parliament and $35 million to the industry ministry.
Mugabe's numerous foreign trips are criticised by opponents as unnecessary at a time the government is struggling to pay wages and properly equip public hospitals.
The President was earlier this week in Addis Ababa for an African Union summit, where he handed over a cheque for $1 million to the bloc raised from the sale of donated Zimbabwean cattle.
Mugabe at 93, is African's oldest President and He has vowed not to step down until death separates Him from the Zimbabwean Presidency.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/amidst-hardship-zimbabwean-president.html?m=1

Sen.George Sekibo representing Rivers East senatorial district yesterday raised the alarm over attempt to frustrate his right to appeal the ruling of the Rivers State National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, which sacked him last Wednesday.
He said over a week now that the ruling took place, his lawyers were yet to receive the ruling so as to study and appeal it accordingly, that the chairman of the tribunal was at large and every attempt to reach him and other members had proved abortive Senator Sekibo, who spoke yesterday to Senate Press corps, pleaded that he should be allowed to have his day in the appeal court and nothing else. It would be recalled that the Rivers State National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal that sat in Abuja sacked the senator representing Rivers East senatorial district, Senator Sekibo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, last Wednesday. The three-man panel sitting at Apo Quarters in the Federal Capital Territory affirmed the
petition of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Andrew Uchendu, and declared the APC candidate in the December 10 rerun as the winner of the election. The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that Chief Uchendu be issued a certificate of return and that issued to Sekibo withdrawn.

Source: http://www.suanusblog.com/2017/07/they-want-to-frustrate-my-appeal-sacked.html?m=1