₦airaland Forum

Former Lagos State governor and chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP)-led Federal Government as a colossal failure.

Giving a critique of the nation’s budgetary policy and implementation yesterday in Abuja at the unveiling of the ACN manifesto and agenda, the former Lagos State governor frowned at the sectoral allocation which concedes 70% to recurrent expenditure, leaving a paltry 25% to capital expenditure.

In his opinion, the PDP-led administration feeds fat on the nation, giving back nothing in return. “We have a party of fat cats, feeding fat on the nation, ruining the nation. You say, this is nation of milk and honey. Yes, but who is taking the milk and honey? The Poverty Development Party, (PDP) the fat cats. Have they developed the nation at all? No, they haven’t!

“This is a government that spends 75% on recurrent expenditure and they share the money; even the twenty –five percent allotted to capital expenditure, they still share it and borrow to meet up on capital expenditures.
When you have a government borrowing, when crude oil prices are soaring, tell them they have no business in government. They should pack and go.” The ACN chieftain assured party supporters that a government of ACN, under Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, would restore hope in the nation and abandon the spending spree of the PDP government.

“We are going to change from a party of procurement policy,of fertilizer buyers to a government that would revatilise agriculture. This isn’t matter of rhetoric, we are going to do it.’’ Former national chairman of the PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who gave a general overview of the ACN manifesto at the event told the gathering that the party took the decision to avail Nigerians of its programmes, as he frowned at the trend in the country, where candidates canvass for votes without reference to their programmes for the electorate.

“ We do this in recognition of the prevailing public perception of political parties in Nigeria as no more than platforms and mere machines for vote catching, totally devoid of any ideological concerns. By and large that perception is right compared to the Second Republic. Parties today do suffer from what one may call issue definition syndrome. During the second republic, the Unity Party of Nigeria, was known for free education while the National Party of Nigeria was equally defined by its emphasis on housing and agriculture Since then, political parties had hardly been definable and in most circumstances, not even party leaders can freely and readily make reference to their manifesto and its main targets for society’s transformation.

To fulfill all righteousness and meet the mandatory requirements for registration, even party can show a small booklets called manifesto to which little or no reference is ever made. After each elections, all governance is left to the whims and caprices of the elected and to happenstance. “The ACN does not endorse this situation. A political party cannot be mere rallying point for votes winning. It must be an assembly of men and women driven by a common dream of societal uplifting.

It must recognize that it bears a huge moral burden for most societies, agencies and must be seen by the people to be constantly struggling to deal with these agencies. It must therefore bring into politics and governance, a certain intellectual disposition and capacity to identify, analyse and proffer solutions to the problems and issues which confront society. Where a political party lacks such capacity, as parties often do, it must invite experts, professionals and such other knowledgeable persons in society to assist. To do otherwise, is to abdicate responsibility and betray trust and to stand accused before God and man.’’

Also speaking at the event, National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Boss Mustapha also decried the situation, where politicians and political parties alienate the electorate and declared that the ACN has “ the patriotic duty to individually and severally see to it that this great country does not degenerate beyond what it is now.’’

Former EFCC chairman and presidential candidate of the party, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu admonished the party faithful to see themselves as the agents of change, which in his opinion, is very near. Ribadu identified corruption as a menace that must be tackled, frontally before Nigerians would experience the dividend of democracy. “It has become fashionable for everyone to talk mechanically about change in the country today, even those who have inflicted the worst injury to our treasury, and our best values speak glibly about change. But for us, the distinction is clear as daylight; the change we talk about begins with leadership that is transparent, accountable, competent, experienced, and virile.

“Such a leadership is needed to create a united, modern, secured, and just society that will meet the demands of the 21st century. Above all, however, such a leadership must answer the call to address three fundamental ills that plague the Nigerian society today: corruption, insecurity, and economic failure. As these ills are tackled, the economic and social sectors will be revitalized such that the chronic problems of power, infrastructure, social amenities, and unemployment get the true attention they deserve.

“Unless we actively disable the capacity of corruption to regenerate, through a cocktail of excellent laws, professionals enforcement engagements and vigorous public education on its dangers to our social health, no governance policy will work here, however excellent in planning and execution.’’

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/feb/17/national-17-02-2011-001.htm

Johnathan’s emergence as Nigeria’s President and eventual nomination as PDP gay bearer in the 2011 presidential election is a proof that God is still ruling over the affairs of men. Imagine the calibers of men who were working against his aspiration, who are now teaming up in his support. Even the North that laid claim to the Presidency are now routing for the man God has chosen to lead the nation. God is indeed interested in the affairs of this country. We should fear God.

The Northern Political Leaders Forum on Tuesday descended on opposition political parties in the country, saying they had failed to “occupy the moral high ground and to provide a viable alternative to the ruling party at this critical hour when Nigerians are sick and tired of more of the same.”



The NPLF said, in a communiqué after its meeting in Abuja, that it took a comprehensive look at the nation’s political landscape, especially the recent primary elections, and concluded that the opposition parties had not learnt from history.



“Only a viable opposition will arrest the nation’s political drift to a one-party state. Opposition parties must hold themselves responsible if they fail to play their proper role in a democracy,” the group that organised the emergence of the Northern consensus candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential primaries said.



The NPLF communiqué was signed by its Chairman, Mallam Adamu Ciroma.



However, the group also lashed at the ruling PDP, accusing it of lacking internal democracy.



On the PDP, it said, “Where a semblance of election was held, there was substitution of bona fide winners with losers or total strangers. This practice continued to the very last hour allowed by INEC.”



It condemned the party for its total disregard of its constitution and the law governing elections in what it described as “a desperate bid to maintain the status quo.”



It added that there was “excessive corruption and financial inducement leading to the outright purchase of delegates, the naked display of wealth by public officers and their spouses and their open misuse of resources largely belonging to the public.”



In their reactions on Tuesday, the Action Congress of Nigeria, All Nigeria Peoples Party, Labour Party and Congress for Political Change dismissed the NPLF charge, saying the group was wrongly appraising them based on the happenings within the PDP.



The ACN, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said it was happy that the NPLF singled out the PDP for an “unprecedented onslaught on our democratic institutions,” submitting that it (ACN) remained the political party with a track record of internal democracy.



It said, “Despite the orchestrated and syndicated campaign of calumny against the ACN by paid agents of the ruling party and some misinformed and misguided members of the public, our party still remains by far and large the political party with the most enviable track record of internal democracy as now confirmed by the statement of the NPLF.



“Unlike the Peoples Democratic Party, the ACN cannot be accused either of blatant misuse of public office to intimidate, harass, and deny perceived opponents of their liberty and democratic rights or of excessive corruption and financial inducements. These are all patented rights of the PDP.”



Chairman of Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwayanwu, said there was no need to respond to the Ciroma-led group because the group did not have anything to teach Nigerians in terms of patriotism.



He said, “These are persons who became ministers and Federal Government appointees in their 20s and 30s and continued living on Federal Government patronage until when they were almost 70 years. Yet they have nothing to show for it in term of development in the country.



“The opposition parties as represented by young elements have nothing to learn from them.”



Also the National Publicity Secretary of All Nigerian Peoples Party, Chief Emma Eneukwu, described the statement credited to Ciroma as unfortunate.



He said it was wrong for the former minister to use what happened in the PDP as a bench mark for all other political parties.



Eneukwu added that the “whole world” saw how the party (ANPP) conducted its presidential primaries, which he said was acceptable to all those who contested.



The Congress for Political Change said the opposition parties had tried their best considering the limitations they faced.



CPC’s Publicity Secretary, Geidam Almajiri, said although the Northern Political leaders Forum was entitled to its opinion, it was out of place for anyone to make such statements.



He said, “The opposition political parties face a lot of limitations in terms of resources to do what they want to do, in terms of getting quality people to associate with them.



“Opposition parties are fragile, they don’t have much capacity. It’s not easy to form a political party and task yourself to make it competitive. I in think the CPC we are trying our best.”



Efforts to get the reaction of the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Rufai Alkali, did not succeed as calls made to his mobile phone indicated that it was switched off.






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102163491537

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State , Chief Adetunji Olurin, has said that his entry into the politics of the state as a rescue mission.



Olurin, who spoke at the PDP rally organised by the Ogun West Elders Forum, at Ilaro in Ilaro Local Government Area of Ogun State on Tuesday, said his administration would initiate and implement policies that would address the problem of poverty in the state.



He said, “We will win to rebuild Ogun State to the lost glory. I will hold the solidarity to the end, there is no going back. There is no shaking. I am not afraid of anybody. We stand firm and we are not here to abuse anybody or group.



“We are on a rescue mission and we must rescue the people of Ogun State from poverty. We must rescue them from whatever that have entangled them. We must rescue them from those maligning them. We must rescue them from those threatening their life and at the end of the day, there will be victory.”



He urged the people to vote massively for the PDP in the state and promised that the party would be committed to addressing the myriads of problems confronting the state.



He urged those, who are aggrieved with the outcome of the primaries conducted in the state, to forget their differences and work together in the interest of the party and that of the state.



The running mate to Olurin, Alhaji Tunde Oladunjoye, who also spoke at the occasion appealed for unity within the party.



According to him, “We must be steadfast, we must remain focus and united and we must bury our differences in achieving success for our party and the state at the forthcoming poll,” he said.


Link;http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102163591421

What are these people doing? They can’t continue to blame Obasanjo for everything that goes wrong in Nigeria. Did the goat abort, blame it on Obasanjo. Did Atiku lose badly, blame it on Obasanjo. Did a Fulani steal a cow, blame it on Obasanjo. Did Guyman Ohakim fail to perform blame it on Obasanjo. Obasanjo is not Ogun governor, he doesn’t dictate for any politician, so why use him as a scape goat for any thing that goes wrong in the land?

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State on Tuesday embarked on a protest against former President Olusegun Obasanjo.



The PDP’s faction, believed to be loyal to Governor Gbenga Daniel, accused Obasanjo of injustice and high handedness.



The group also vowed to embark on a prolong fasting and prayer against what it described as an alleged injustice being perpetrated in the state.



Party supporters drawn from all the 20 local government areas in the state had converged at the faction’s secretariat as early as 8am and from there, proceeded to major streets in Abeokuta.



The development that let to heavy traffic across the metropolis, with commuters stranded at bus stops for several hours



The protesters moved round the major streets of Abeokuta with different placards with inscriptions such as “OBJ Going! Going! Gone,” “Judiciary, enough of kangaroo injunctions,” “Ogun PDP says no to OBJ,” and “OGD is our leader in Ogun”.



The group also criticised the non-acceptance of the list of the PDP’s primaries submitted by the faction to the Independent National Electoral Commission and denied it alleged plan to defect to another party just vowed to remain in the PDP.



The PDP’s State Chairman, Mr. Joju Fadairo, while speaking at the rally, described the crisis rocking the party as temporary, assuring the faithful that the party would rise above the present challenges.



He said he was optimistic about various court injunctions and expressed the hope that the position of the group would soon be validated by the courts.



He said, “Our coming here today is to tell them that we have not left the party, we are still in this party. I assure you we shall conquer all odds because we are the owner of the PDP. We are not going anywhere.”



The PDP governorship candidate of the faction, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka, who also spoke at the rally, expressed hope in the judiciary and insisted that he would not give up the struggle.



He said, “I want to assure you that the mandate you gave me on January 9, 2011 is still sure. We are still going to conquer. We will commit everything we have on this struggle but there shall be no violence. Justice is on our side. We have respected them enough, though justice may be delayed but cannot be denied.”



Meanwhile, a group, the Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Group, has blamed Obasanjo for the recent comment by President Goodluck Jonathan that the South-West should not be left in the hands of ‘rascals’



Though the President had said on Monday that he was quoted out of context, the group said the comment was the outcome of how Obasanjo presented his kinsmen to him.



In a statement by its President and General Secretary, Dayo Ogunlana and Razaq Oloko-Oba respectively, on Tuesday, COSEG said the “President Jonathan echoed what Obasanjo whispered into his ears.”



The group added that it would be out of place for Jonathan to refer to Yoruba leaders and elders as ‘rascals’ in the presence of Obasanjo, “if he has not been dragging the reputation of our leaders in the mud in the presence of Jonathan.”



But the group expressed satisfaction in the way the South-West governors described as rascals were turning around the fortunes of their people, saying that “if a governor like Babatunde Fashola, who has been adjudged worldwide as a born performer is a ‘rascal’, then we need more ‘rascals’ like him in the country to turn it around.”



COSEG said an elderly person of Obasanjo’s status was expected to mentor the younger ones like Jonathan to mind their language when referring to a geo-political zone.






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102164112542

UK is one of the places one can be proud of being its citizen. They realize that the mind is a terrible thing to waste. Ask Buhari & IBB how much the cared for educating the citizens or even themselves, they have nothing to say, only that they want to rule Nigeria. Under Buhari they were talking about closing some media & educational institutions while building more ’modern’ prisons. Close schools, build more prisons. What a disaster.

The mother of a teenager who claims he was forced to undergo exorcism to purge him of his disobedience has been jailed, The Mail of London reports.



Lydia Erhire has become the first person in the UK to be jailed under forced marriage laws after she sent her son, Edirin Onogeta-Idogun, 17, to Nigeria.



He claims he has been subjected to beatings and religious-style ceremonies in Nigeria to get rid of his behaviour, which his mother did not approve of.



Erhire is a devout Christian who had tried to instil a strong sense of discipline in her child and does not approve of his lifestyle, the court heard.



The 17-year-old is still being held against his will – and it is unclear exactly where he is, the High Court in London was told.



His mother was ordered to have her son brought back to Britain but she obstructed efforts and was jailed for eight months yesterday.



Edirin had flown out to Nigeria, where his father John Idogun is a special adviser to the governor of the Delta State, in July.



The teenager, from Newham, East London, was expected back in August to start a college course in Hackney.



He had been given a protection order under forced marriage laws by a judge last year and provided with emergency accommodation before he disappeared.



In November, after a hearing before another judge, Mrs. Erhire signed a letter instructing her sister to facilitate the return of Edirin from his Nigerian boarding school.



In February, Edirin attempted to leave Nigeria but was intercepted by immigration officials and taken off his British Airways flight from Lagos.



Mrs. Justice Macur ruled Mrs. Erhire was not responsible for the February incident but had found she was complicit in November in ‘thwarting’ the court‘s efforts to have Edirin returned.



“The chronology has shown beyond peradventure that this woman only co-operates in the face of a prison sentence and then begrudgingly,” she said.



She ordered that Mrs. Erhire should be committed to Holloway Prison immediately for eight months, but said she would have the opportunity to apply to purge her contempt.



The student, who was due to study business and media after finishing his A-levels, came to Britain with his mother in 2004 and had settled in Newham.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102164181617

Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has totally denied reports making the rounds that he and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN’s) presidential flag bearer, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu were on collision course.
He said the reports were from cunningly creative writers who, not only wanted to hatch a conflict between them, but preferred to use speculative means.

Tinubu, while speaking to aviation correspondents Tuesday in Lagos described the story as “Isi ewu” (goat head pepper soup) reporting with no substance in it.
“It cannot be true. Can you compare the two reporting? I read the papers. I read the one in Tribune and the one in The Sun and they are conflicting; go and digest it. Have you seen a party where there is no discussion, no debate, no rational thinking? Then with the two reporting, they want a conflict but they cannot create a conflict or crisis where one does not exist. It is most unfortunate that today journalism or reporting is taking another tone. It is just the kind of ‘Isi ewu’ reporting.

I’m no longer surprised about all of them; there are just speculations and imaginations of somebody being very, very cunningly creative. You yourself in your own little groups, you have discussions and you discuss characters, you discuss values, you discuss what sort of benefit a situation can bring to you; if there is any active debate, or even silent debate, and consultations, what are we getting out of this. How will the public react to one person or the other; how can you maximize the value or harvest the knowledge of an individual? Does that create any crisis? You discuss it and the reporting is a lie”, the former Lagos Governor explained.
On the recent comments of President Goodluck Jonathan where he called South West political leaders rascals, Tinubu described the President as a drunk fisherman whose boat is about to capsize.

“I think the president is wrong because that is an insult to our parents. It is a speech from a drunk sailor fisherman whose boat is about to capsize. That is an insult to our parents, you don’t come to this land, seek our votes and then insult our parents that they raised rascals”, he stated.
When asked whether the ACN had plans to merge with other parties to form a stronger opposition to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the former Lagos Governor said there was no such agenda.

“Who is prescribing that? Everybody is entitled to his or her own thinking. There are so many theories and theoreticians and forecasters and I deal with a political environment where gossip and ordinary speculations work better than deep rooted thinking and the ideological philosophy of a party is not taking into account. You talked about a party that has been in power for twelve years, isn’t it? Who says that ACN cannot do the magic? It is some thinking from several quarters. We believe that if we pull together, it will be better and easier. No one will dispute that, but I will never write off my party and I believe Nigerians are tired of PDP and they will speak through their ballot.”
On when the ACN will present the running of Ribadu, he said: “I am not the candidate. You talk to the candidate.”

I will be contacted and is it not very interesting to you too to keep the general populace in suspense? Is it not part of a good strategy?
However, he did not admit whether the party was rooting for former Finance Minister, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the running mate to Ribadu.
“She is a very qualified individual and she is an asset; she is an asset to the nation, an asset to Africa and international community, and no doubt about that. But you don’t know whether she is even free now. She will be ready to serve her fatherland as a patriotic citizen who is ready to serve her at any capacity and she will be willing; but it doesn’t mean that when you chose a running mate to anybody that he will be more valuable.

We have so much to gain from her, intellectually, in her character and professionally and for our reputation all over the world, so it doesn’t mean that she will serve the country better as a running mate to anybody. If she is to serve again as she once served as a minister, then she should be ready to serve the country. A patriotic citizen must be ready to sacrifice for his or her nation.”
The CAN Chieftain also expressed optimism that his party will beat the PDP in the April polls.
“We are winning. You cannot win it all but we are winning the majority and we are taking over from PDP, Poverty Development Party.”





http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/feb/16/national-16-02-2011-03.htm

The glamorous lovers’ day celebration on Monday turned bloody at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) when gunmen killed two students. Daily Sun gathered that the clash was between two rival cult groups, namely, and the Buccaneers,’ over a female student allegedly snatched by the Capone of the for Valentine celebration.

The action of the Capone , the source said did not go down well with the other group leading to the clash.
A student who witnessed the shooting said besides the two cult members who were shot dead, about four others sustained injuries and were ferried out of the campus by their leaders to shield their identity.

The sources said the cult members who carried out the attack were not UNILAG students but members from another campus, adding that the attack was carried out in a commando style with sporadic shooting.
An undergraduate student of English Department told Daily Sun that the Buccaneers’ group attacked the members while another student returning from the Mosque said those who carried out the killing were not from UNILAG because they did not cover their faces.

It was learnt that as soon the shooting started, students scampered for safety while others took cover behind the wall and under cars packed around, while others ran into the halls to avoid being hit by stray bullets.
A senior lecturer who confirmed the killings said the university management had met to curtail any reprisal attack while security personnel had taken over the investigation of the deadly cult clash.
When Daily Sun visited the troubled institution yesterday, there was uneasy calm, as most staff and students rebuffed efforts made by the reporters to get their comments.

However, one of the students who resides at Sodeinde Hall, said there was sporadic gunshots outside the premises which caused panic everywhere.
It was gathered that the crisis, which erupted when the students were at the peak of lovers’ day celebration, created stampede on the campus as people ran for safety.

One of the victims of the attack reportedly ran into Sodeinde Hall for help, from where he was taken to the hospital.
Although the Hall Master of Sodeinde Hall declined comments on the issue, one of the officials, who wouldn’t want his name published, said the attack could not be linked to any cult group. He said there was increasing speculation that the perpetrators of the attack could be fighting for love. Efforts made by Daily Sun our reporter to ascertain the identities of the victims were unsuccessful.
The news bulletin of the university, Information Flash (ISSN 08195540) also captured the incident, while assuring the staff and students of the university of adequate security.

“The attention of the universities authorities has been drawn to the incident which occurred in one of the Halls of Residence in the late hours of Monday, February 14, 2011 where two persons were reportedly injured in fracas. The university management has commenced investigation into the unusual incident, in particular at a time when preparation for the first semester examinations due to commence on February 21, 2011 are in top gear. Security has been intensified to ensure safety of life and property on campus. Law enforcement agents have been involved to assist the university in this respect,” it said.
Daily Sun learnt that students are leaving the campus because of the fear of reprisal attack while some parents called their wards on phone to return home until the situation is brought under control.

The Deputy Registrar Information of UNILAG, Mr. Dare Adebisi refused to pick his calls or replied to text message sent to his phone.
When the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Samuel Jinadu (DSP) was called thrice, he promised to contact the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area and did not call back as at the press time.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/feb/16/national-16-02-2011-01.htm

Na so !

We Nigerian fans are willing to support the super eagles only if they will understand they’re not playing for themselves alone. let them have a fighting spirit and commitment among them. With these qualities, Super Eagles will be respected all over the world.

Skoda Xanthi of Greece right-back, Adefemi Olubayo, made a return to the Super Eagles on Wednesday in the friendly international against Sierra Leone. The 2005 U-20 World Cup and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games silver medallist tells ‘TANA AIYEJINA about his plans, How would you describe your return to the Super Eagles?



Firstly, I have to give God the glory and thank the coaches for the trust in me. Before the match I checked on them (Sierra Leone) and I saw that they went to Cairo to hold Egypt to a 1-1 draw in an African Nations Cup qualifier. So I knew that they were a good side and we needed the match to win back the fans. This is just our first match and I believe in subsequent games, we will play more convincingly as a team. With that we will pull the fans to our side again.



Why did you leave France for a smaller Greek league?



I moved to Greece because I didn’t want to play in the second division after they (Boulogne) were relegated. So I had to go to Greece when the offer came. I spoke with the coach and he said he needed me and he promised me a lot of playing time, which has been happening. The game against Sierra Leone actually afforded Nigerians the chance to see me play again. That was why I went into the game with a lot of passion. I think the move is good for me, my family and the team. If the coach is satisfied with me, then I know the move is good for me.



Some big players have moved to Greece recently. Are you, therefore, hoping to stay long there?



Every player that moved to Greece had his own reasons for doing that. But mine is just to go there, get more playing time and shoot myself back to the football market after a not-so-good season with Boulogne. So I went to Greece to play regularly and prove to the world that I can play at the highest level. For me I am not in Greece for a long spell. I am in Greece to get my career on track and by the grace of God; I will return to central Europe soon.



There are still complaints about the Eagles defence and new players were tested during the match against Sierra Leone. Do you think Samson Siasia can solve this problem?



It doesn’t have to be a new player that can bring a turnaround to the defence but a new commitment, passion, discipline, understanding and attitude. Siasia is one coach every player would like to play for. With my little experience with him, I believe we have taken the right step. Very soon Nigerians will be seeing the most compact defence in the Eagles.



How are you looking forward to the Nations Cup clash against Ethiopia next month?



We will play the match in Nigeria, so we will have the fans behind us; I am talking about 150 million Nigerians in our support. For me, the three points is the most important thing and not the score line. It could be 1-0 or 2-0 but once it’s in our favour, we are okay. We have to keep winning our games. Don’t forget the group leaders Guinea will be coming to Nigeria too, so if we keep winning, then we can be sure of coming tops in our group and win a ticket to the 2012 Nations Cup.



How would you rate Lagos fans during the Sierra Leone match?



I am a Lagos boy but that is different from playing for the Eagles in Lagos anyway. But as a player who has attended the U-20 World Cup and the Olympic Games, I know how to respond if the fans are hostile. But thank God it didn’t get to that stage and we stayed focused throughout the match. Playing in Lagos was like a sort of home coming for most of the players, not only me. I think with what happened in training, during and after the match, this might just turn out to be the right place for us to be playing our matches.



Why were you dropped from the 2010 World Cup?



I don’t think I was dropped from last year’s World Cup because of incompetence. If you remember, I played five matches out of our eight qualifying matches for the Nations Cup and the World Cup. I should have played six matches but I got sick for the game against Kenya. It’s good to play but we all can’t play at the same time. That is bygones and I am back to the team now with new confidence and passion. Now I am facing a new coach and team, so I just have to stamp my authority and make myself a solid member of the team. That is my target for now.



Don’t you think not being at the 2010 World Cup after playing at the U-20 World Cup and the Olympics is a slight on your career?



I don’t think so because I have another opportunity with Brazil 2014 and I’m already looking forward to that. I started working towards that even before the match against Sierra Leone. All I need is to claim a regular place in the team and I will be laughing with Nigerians in Brazil.



You are reputed to have scored in every semi-final of the competition that you have represented Nigeria. I am talking about the 2005 AYC, U-20 World Cup and the Beijing Olympics…



(Cuts in) Before I answer your question, let me take you to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. We were in the dressing room just before our semi-final match against Belgium and coach Siasia jokingly said ‘hey Olubayo, you have scored in every semi-final match you have played for Nigeria. Maybe you could just do that today.’ I went there and in the 17th minute, I scored the first goal. It was unbelievable (laughs). The goal I scored against Morocco at the African Youth Championship semi-finals was like a surprise too. I was behind because that’s my usual position (laughs) but I just felt like moving forward and I found myself in their box, the ball came to me and I hammered it in. Well I don’t really know what is responsible for those goals but I think it’s a big achievement for me personally. It means I have scored in every competition I have played for Nigeria and it’s a big feat for a defender and I give God the glory.



You had some contractual problems at SC Rheindorf Altach of Austria in 2009. What actually happened and how were you able to resolve the issue eventually?



It was a long story but I remained strong and I thank my family, friends and colleagues for standing behind me. Actually I was at Rapid Bucuresti of Romania after the Olympics. They went bankrupt without telling me. They only told me after I signed a contract with them. After six months there, I didn’t receive any salary but as a professional who wanted to play in central Europe, I was patient. But FIFA rules states that after three months of work without pay, you can go on a free transfer. So I had to leave but they kept coming to me because they were down the table and they needed an experienced player like me to help them out from their bad position. I went to Altach but it didn’t work out the way I planned. Unfortunately Coach Shaibu Amodu called me for my first two caps for Nigeria. I played in the friendly matches against Republic of Ireland and France. From there, Boulogne came in but Altach said they had a contract with me. But I told them that I didn’t sign a contract with them. They picked me up from Rapid Bucuresti because they went bankrupt. How could I have signed a contract with you without playing any of your league games? They were not happy and we went to FIFA. FIFA checked the records and they saw that I was right, so they gave me permission to play for Boulogne.



What is your advice to young Nigerian footballers desperate to play abroad?



Firstly, all of us can’t be the Okochas and Kanus of this world. You have to live your life by yourself. Most young players believe they can only make a living only when they go abroad. They say don’t despise your little beginning. I think if they are having problems abroad, they should return home to sort things out. You have to start from somewhere to get to the top. Everybody cannot get to the top but you can still make the best out of wherever you are. So going to Europe and getting stranded is not the best for our footballers.



You have played against Argentine Lionel Messi twice at junior levels. What sort of player do you think he really is?



Messi is a very good player but there are several other players that I feel are better than him. Maybe it’s because of what he is doing in Barcelona he is rated above all others. For me, I feel Sergio Aguero is a smart player. If I go out there and say Messi is not a great player, people will shoot me (laughs) because of the love they have for him. But because I have played against him (Messi) twice, I will go for Aguero but still you can’t take anything away from Messi. He is the best player for now and I have to respect him for that.



Can you share your best and worst moments with us?



I have got a lot. I think the silver medal I won at the Olympic Games comes first because nobody gave us a chance before the competition. And also leaving Israel for Eastern Europe is also a happy moment for me. Worst moment? I don’t have any because I believe everything happens for good.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102134424034

Dr Tafida has proved his mettle.You never quit a winning team.He has proved himself to be a unifying personality in our country’s fragile unity.We need more like him.His propaganda succeeded in cementing the agelong bond between the people of the Southsouth and the North,which will go a long way in ensuring Nigeria’s nationhood.We need more like him.

The Peoples Democratic Party has again named Dr. Dalhatu Tafida as the Director-General of Goodluck Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Organisation.



The former High Commissioner is to be asssisted by a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe.



A former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, is heading the security committee of the campaign organisation.



The campaign committee was to be inaugurated on Saturday, but was later cancelled due to the death of some members of the party in Rivers State.



Members of the committee had already seated when the Acting Chairman of the party, Dr. Haliru Bello announced its cancellation.



The gathering later prayed for those that lost their lives at the Port Harcourt rally.



Tafida had earlier been appointed as the DG of the President’s campaign organisation before the dissolution was announced barely one week ago.






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102133463270

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has set up a two-man committee made up of its National Secretary, Senator Lawan Shuaibu and the former national secretary, Usman Bugaje to meet its presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to resolve the crisis over the choice of a presidential running mate.

Leader of the ACN, Senator Bola Tinubu had been engrossed in disagreement with Ribadu over the choice of a running mate to the presidential standard bearer. While the former Lagos State governor was said to be favourably disposed to the choice of former minister of finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonje-Nweala as running mate to Mallam Ribadu, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had remained resolute, insisting that he should be given the free hand to choose his running mate.

It was the same scenario that emerged immediately after the emergence of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as presidential candidate of the ACN during which he insisted on being allowed to choose those he would work with as members of his campaign team. He got his way.

However, at a meeting which took place last Thursday, at the national headquarters of ACN situated at Wuse II, Abuja and chaired by the party’s National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, it was agreed that the brewing crisis between Tinubu and Ribadu would not augur well for the party and in particular Mallam Ribadu.

Akande stressed at the meeting that the party and in particular Tinubu must put every machinery in place and work for the success of Ribadu, adding that going against every suggestion and input of the party by the presidential candidate could spell doom for its chances at the April polls. According to Akande; “the party did everything possible to ensure his (Ribadu’s) emergence as its presidential candidate.”
The meeting, which was attended by Chido Onuma, Lukman Salihu, and Uche Onyeagocha observed that there was an urgent need to amicably resolve the crisis between the two leaders of the party to kick-start the campaigns.

A copy of the minutes of the meeting in the possession of Daily Sun revealed that Mr. Onuma, who represented Mallam Ribadu, noted that there was no remarkable difference between Ribadu and Tinubu, saying that the duo only spoke their minds. Onuma further said the arguments made by both Tinubu and Ribadu at the earlier meeting were valid, adding that the perceived misunderstanding was healthy since both leaders merely spoke their minds and not that they quarrelled as it was being insinuated.

“Some of our leaders and members contend that the party needs a political figure from the South-east political zone as presidential running mate while others think other wise. I think it is healthy,” Onuma said.
In his contribution, Dr. Usman Bugaje said he did not believe in the array of presidential running mates lined-up except for two he considered as credible deserving the approval of the party.

Bugaje further said such deliberations were better handled at a smaller meeting where the issues involved would be dissected and expounded for better understanding and appreciation of the issues. Accordingly, he suggested that a two-man committee made up of the National Secretary, Senator Shuaibu and himself should be given the opportunity to meet with the party’s presidential standard bearer and to report back to the national chairman on decisions that would be reached at the meeting.



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/feb/14/national-14-02-2011-001.htm

One of the attributes of a good citizen is his or her ability to work towards protecting the integrity of every asset of his/her country no matter how small. Abuse of the naira has been prominent in the country for long and all efforts to curb this attitude have been rendered ineffective.



I want to commend the effort of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the apex bank, which has tried to put a stop to the abuse of currency notes. But our ignorance as individual people is rendering these efforts ineffective.



Looking at this issue critically, it is clear that a large percentage of the Nigeria population is involved in this ignominious act irrespective of age, education, status and sex. Not only the fare collectors, bus drivers, the illiterate, market men and women indulge in the act, but the so-called literates/elites.



It is high time we faced the reality of restoring the lost glory of our national heritage. We are all shouting and praying for a better Nigeria, but it’s a pity we are not ready to pay the price. As a matter of fact, bringing the nation to a better state has to start from somewhere and requires lots of sacrifice. This means that everyone has a role to play to make this country better.



We have to wake from our slumber and take up the challenges to put a stop to this shameful attitude. The authorities have to be strict in making decisions if there is going to be a turning point. Strict decisions that will touch every individual – rich and poor, young and adult, literates and illiterates – need to be made and enforced.



One thing which is sure is that, those who handled naira notes neatly will not fall victim no matter how strict the rules to protect the naira note. Let us all pay the price today to protect our tomorrow. To those who are sincere: keep doing it. And to the careless and uncultured Nigerians who enjoy dragging our national heritage to disrepute: be prepared to face the music as nemesis will soon catch up with you. By when that time comes, we will know who is a wise and a true Nigerian.



At this point, I wish to suggest that the government should make it known to the general public by creating awareness through adverts in print and electronic media. The awareness, which should be done in indigeneous languages, should cut across all geopolitical zones of the country.



Furthermore, all mutilated, bruised and dirty notes should be withdrawn from circulation by passing a bill that will compell the CBN to replace violated notes within a stipulated time. And of-course, the law should be firmly enforced.



Moreover, there should be a by-law with all necessary backing that will render all mutilated currency unacceptable in the market. And anyone who fails to comply, should be brought to justice.



One thing is certain: if everyone will discipline himself and be loyal, faithful and honest, in tune with the line of the National Anthem, it will go a long way to help in the development of this country, even in preserving our currency and other national monuments. God bless Nigeria.



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102042142151

While still trying to pacify aggrieved aspirants and candidates who lost out in the power game in the party primaries, another crisis appears brewing within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over leadership of the campaign team of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The party is already pitched into camps over who should lead the campaign team, Daily Sun investigation revealed. The president had emerged as the party candidate at its national convention held at Eagle Square on January 13.

The investigation revealed that either of two leading chieftains of the party – former chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Ali and former chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Tony Anenih – have allegedly been earmarked to take over the leadership of the campaign exercise.

But while President Goodluck Jonathan is favourably disposed to giving the leadership of the team to Chief Anenih because he was impressed with his contributions that ensured his emergence at Eagle Square, particularly the high wire politics that ensured that the PDP governors kept to their own side of the deal, some other chieftains of the party are persuading the president to exercise caution and give the job to Dr. Ahmadu Ali.

“Jonathan wouldn’t mind if Anenih leads the team because his advice came handy when the governors were playing pranks with the president before the party’s national convention. But wise counsel might prevail in the choice of Ahmadu Ali, who is from the North Central state of Kogi. But a member of the Jonathan/Sambo presidential campaign team and confidant of the former chairman of PDP BoT, however, dismissed insinuations that a leadership tussle was on.

“Chief Anenih isn’t interested. In fact, if anybody should lead, it should be Ahmadu Ali, that is, if he is in the picture, since he is from the North. Remember that when Jonathan was an aspirant, Ambassador Sarkin Tafida from the North led the campaign. Now that Jonathan is the party’s presidential candidate, the Acting National Chairman, Dr. Haliru Bello Mohammed, who is equally from the North, should lead the campaign. I don’t want to believe that should create any disaffection within the party.’’
But Daily Sun investigation also revealed that while the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) wanted to take over the President Jonathan’s campaign structure, as was the practice, having emerged as the party’s candidate, members of the President Jonathan/Sambo campaign office at Plateau House, are not willing to let go.

A Daily Sun source disclosed that the leadership of the party is concerned that the presidential campaign activities that should have taken off at Legacy House, as was the practice, remain hazy, as no team has been constituted. While it is already public knowledge that President Jonathan would flag off his campaign next week in Nasarawa and Oyo states, next Monday and Tuesday, respectively, mum is the word at Wadata Plaza, the party’s national secretariat.

Efforts to speak with the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Professor Ahmed Rufai Alkali was unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls made by Daily Sun reporter. But an inside source at Plateau House corroborated the scheduled campaign activities for Nasarawa and Oyo states. He, however, denied insinuations of distrust between Jonathan/Sambo campaign team and the party national secretariat. “There is no cause for alarm; there would be harmonisation, very soon,’’ the source further submitted.

Also reacting to speculation of disaffection between the PDP NWC and the president’s campaign office, Director, Media and Publicity, of the Jonathan/ Sambo presidential campaign office, Sully Abu dismissed it as unfounded. “Where did you get that from? Who told you there is disaffection? Well, there is nothing like that,’’ Abu told Daily Sun.



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2011/feb/04/newsbreak-04-02-2011-001.htm

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday reaffirmed the decision of the party to ensure the emergence of the next chairman of the party from the South-East.



The reaffirmation of the party’s position might not be unconnected with insinuations that the party had jettisoned the zoning of its posts at the national level.



Speaking with journalists during his 60th birthday celebration in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the PDP National Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, stated that the party was still waiting for the South-East PDP caucus to present its candidate for the position.



He said it was not true that the party was ‘playing games’ with the arrangement. Baraje stated that the relucatance of the South-East caucus to rush the matter was probably informed by the unsavoury experiences it had had with some former occupants of the position.



He said, “Though the issue of a substantive chairman is an internal arrangement of the PDP, they say ‘once bitten, twice shy’. As you are aware, the chairmanship has been given to a particular zone and I’m sure they are still consulting.



“I think the issue is now even thrice beaten, thrice shy because they have been having issues. The South-East will still get the position, so we should not hurry them unnecessarily.



“When the South-East decides on who its next chairman will be, then the national headquarters will accept. I think they are trying to put their house in order.”



On the recent disagreement with the Independent Electoral Commission over the rerun primaries in some states, Baraje said it was ‘an issue of the rule of law.’



He stated that the PDP did its bit, adding that the courts should be left to determine the propriety of the actions of the parties involved.



“If there are any legal issues, we will obey court orders. That will be settled before we go into elections since we know the courts are partners in progress,” he added.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20110204432321

The Inspector -General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, has withdrawn riot policemen from banks in the Federal Capital Territory.



The withdrawal followed the killing of a woman and a taxi driver by a riot policeman at Mpape, a surburb of the FCT.



The incident led to an attack on the bank, burning of nine cars and looting of an Automated Teller Machine by a mob.



A source at the Force Headquarters said the officers were asked to go back to their units on Tuesday, pending an appraisal of the situation by the police authorities.



“Mobile policemen attached to banks have been withdrawn by the IG and we have been asked to go back to our units for now,” the source, who was on special duty at one of the banks in the FCT said.



Investigations by our correspondent on Wednesday and Thursday at some banks indicated that most of the riot policemen attached to them had been withdrawn.



At a new generation bank along the Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, only one riot policeman was seen on duty on Thursday. The bank usually had about four policemen on duty.



When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olusola Amore, said he had no information on the withdrawal of the policemen.



The policeman that triggered the mob action has been dismissed from service. It was learnt that Ringim had directed that criminal prosecution should be initiated against him.



It was also learnt on Thursday that the Commander of MOPOL Squadron Unit 44, Abuja had been removed from his post following the arrest of one of his men, Corporal Mohammed Uba, for his alleged involvement in the attacks on some villages in Plateau State.



The MOPOL Commander was removed for “vicarious liability” for the criminal action of the riot policeman who is currently in police custody in Jos.



Uba was arrested along with 29 other Fulani gunmen on January 27, 2011 following an attack on three villages in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. Twelve people died in the attacks.



Meanwhile, clerics in Ekiti State on Thursday staged a peaceful protest over the killing of the wife of one of their colleagues, Mrs. Taiwo Oluwole.



The protest was led by the chairmen of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Igede Local Government Area chapters, Reverends Clement Kayode and Peter Adegbami.



Mrs. Oluwole whose husband, John, is the pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Oke Age area of Ige Ekiti, was found dead in a farm.



Her death sparked a violent protest by the youths who almost lynched the monarch of the town and his chiefs on Tuesday.



The clergymen who carried placards and Bibles asked security agencies to unravel those behind the latest killing and the previous one in Igede Ekiti.



They said that lives were no longer safe as killers were on the prowl in the community.



Some of their placards read, “Save our souls from kidnappers, murderers and ritual killers at Igede.”



Policemen deployed in the town had a hectic time before they could prevent irate youths from hijacking the clerics’ peaceful protest.



The widower, while addressing newsmen at his residence, appealed to security agencies to find his wife’s killers.



He said, “When we got to the farm on Saturday, we went to different locations like we used to do. I heard when she was calling me, but I thought she was returning home as earlier agreed.



“But I was surprised when I got home and I did not meet my wife. I immediately commenced search for her until her dead body was found in the place where I had visited four times.”



The Police Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti State Police Command, Mr. Mohammed Jimoh, appealed to the people of the town to remain calm.



Jimoh, who said that autopsy had been carried out on the body of the deceased, added that the command would make the result public when it is out.


Link;http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102043185362

Confusion reigned on Thursday over whether the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, was on the list of candidates submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party to the the Independent National Electoral Commission for the April 2011 elections.



Bankole’s nomination for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency was in the list submitted to the national headquarters of the PDP by a faction in the Ogun State chapter controlled by Governor Gbenga Daniel on Monday.



But a court order forced INEC to accept another list presented by the faction led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief Jubril Martins-Kuye.



This implied that Bankole was no longer a candidate for the election. However, THE PUNCH learnt on Thursday that Bankole’s name made the PDP ‘chairman’s list.’



A source at the PDP national secretariat told one of our correpondents that the party’s Acting National Chairman, Dr. Haliru Mohammed, compiled an ‘authentic’ list of candidates, which was forwarded to INEC.



Another senior official of the party stated that the list went through a series of screenings before it was presented.



He said “A three-member committee was set up for each of the senatorial districts in the country. Each of the committees sat and took a decision after taking into account a lot of issues.



“These committees submitted a report to the party leadership. The party leadership in turn deliberated on it after which it sat down with President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice-President Namadi Sambo) and other leaders of the party before taking a final decision.



“I must admit that there was a lot of pressure on the party leadership. There were also challenges from some of the state chapters but in the end, we have a way of resolving our differences. But as we speak, the list with the speaker’s name was given to INEC.”



A top official of INEC, who did not want to be named, said he was sure that Bankole’s name was on the candidates’ roll.



THE PUNCH learnt that the Obasanjo faction submitted the name of a former Commissioner for Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Segun Alawode, as the candidate for Bankole’s constituency.



The Chairman of the PDP in the harmonised group, Chief Dayo Soremi, confirmed this in an interview with our correspondent in Abeokuta on Thursday. Soremi also stated that the party could substitute the list of candidates, as February 15 had been given as the final deadline by INEC.



“The issue of substitution of candidates cannot be ruled out as INEC has given February 15 as the deadline for the final submission of candidates’ lists. Some of the candidates can still be disqualified over one reason or the other, so we can still substitute.”



INEC on Thursday said it was yet to receive official communication from the PDP on the controversy around the Ogun PDP’s list.



Based on the court order earlier served on the commission, it said on Tuesday that it accepted the list submitted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s faction.



This was at variance with the PDP National Secretariat’s submission of the list produced by Governor Gbenga Daniel’s faction.



However, when asked to comment on the development, INEC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umenger, said it was still awaiting official communication from the party.



Umenger said, “No official communication has been made to us from PDP and I would not want to react to a story that looks speculative.” Asked whose responsibility it was to submit lists of candidates to the commission, Umenger replied, “The Electoral Act is very unambiguous on that.”



Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu also avoided being drawn into the controversy. He said, “I’m aware that collation is ongoing and not yet concluded. The best thing to do is to wait till it is concluded and the official list made public.”



Based on the outcome of the primaries conducted by the Obasanjo faction, Brig.-Gen. Adetunji Olurin (retd.) and Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello emerged as governorship and Ogun Central senatorial candidates respectively. Daniel’s faction sent the names of Gboyega Isiaka and Lola Abiola-Edewor as the governorship and Ogun Central senatorial candidates respectively.



THE PUNCH learnt that Obasanjo and Olurin would meet on Saturday (tomorrow) at the former president’s residence in Abeokuta to plan a fresh strategy on the controversy. It was learnt that all those who emerged as winners in the parallel congress conducted by the faction were invited to the meeting.



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20110204421775

;d ;d ;d ;d ;d ;d

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has said that his group is amenable to dialogue. Atiku spoke against the background of what he termed “relentless pressure and blackmail in the media by busy bodies” over his alleged reluctance to congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan on the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries held on January 13.

In a statement issued on his behalf by his media office in Abuja, Atiku said that the group that put him forward for the PDP presidential primaries is prepared for discussion but would not succumb to baseless propaganda against his person and group.
“Instead of this rigmarole by busy bodies, I believe that an appropriate response should be to open a window for negotiation on how to strengthen our party for the challenges ahead,” Atiku said.

He recalled that he had informed the nation and his associates that he was consulting on the outcome of the primaries and that whatever his position on the primaries was clearly made available to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He wondered why it has become a full time job of some people to force his hand on the decision to concede victory to President Goodluck Jonathan.
The former Vice President noted that with his campaign organisation having forwarded its misgivings about the irregularities that attended the primaries, the media and those hiding under their cover should be patient enough to await the outcome of its resolution.

According to him, it amounts to blackmail to force a man to take any action without evaluating its effects on his group, loyalists, associates and supporters. He urged those who feel strongly about the situation to open discussion with his group on the issues instead of the now familiar harassment against him by political jobbers.

“If those who have won the so-called victory are confident of the genuineness of their victory, they should go on,” he said. While restating his commitment to democracy, rule of law, credible elections, national unity, political stability, progress and development of Nigeria, Atiku reaffirmed his entire campaign team’s unwavering commitment and loyalty to the PDP and its noble objectives.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/feb/04/national-04-02-2011-001.htm

Action Congress of Nigeria senatorial candidate for Kaduna Central, Hajia Halima Tijjani, in this interview with KEMI ASHEFON, explains her ordeal on Monday when hoodlums beat and seized her nomination forms on her way to the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters. How did you emerge the Action Congress of Nigeria senatorial candidate for Kaduna Central Zone?



After the Congress for Progressive Change primaries were conducted, I defected because I discovered that it was not well conducted and I even wrote a petition to the Inspector-General of Police concerning this. By the time I joined ACN about a month and a half ago, there was no opposition from any quarter. I was the only candidate and no dissenting voices. I paid my fees, filled my form and submitted it to the state party chairman, who took it to Abuja. I was congratulated as the only woman vying for the senate in the zone.



Can you recall what happened on Sunday, January 30, 2011 in Abuja?



I came to Abuja concerning my Independent National Electoral Commission forms



But you said you had submitted in Kaduna?



Yes, I did. Already, I paid N10,000 and submitted the form to the state chairman, whose secretary collected it from me. Later, he requested that I retrieved it from his secretary and I did. I made sure that I enclosed all photocopies of credentials and other documents needed. Though the state chairman told me that he was travelling to Abuja to submit all forms, I was surprised to get a call on Sunday from the national screening committee that my form was missing from the file and the national chairman needed to see them. I called the state chairman and told him everything but he said it was false. He asked who gave me such information and assured me nothing was amiss. I would have believed him and stayed in Kaduna but the call came again that I should be in Abuja because the form was missing from the file and INEC’s deadline was Monday. That was 6.30pm. Unfortunately, my driver does not work on Sundays and I don’t drive at night. I came to Abuja by public transport and I was fortunate to see the national chairman for the first time and he asked after my form. I said I had submitted it to the state chairman. He said he was giving me another form but the problem was that all my documents had been removed from the file. I was surprised and asked who did that. The chairman said that did not matter, what mattered most was for me to re-fill the form with the documents enclosed. That was about after 10.00pm. The chairman then said he was leaving and asked if I had anywhere to sleep because it was getting late. I told him I was putting up with a friend at Wuye and he left after giving me the INEC form. I came down from the office; saw a taxi waiting outside and the driver asked, “madam, where are you going’? I said Wuye. ACN secretariat is in Zone 6, Abuja. He said my fare was N500 and I boarded but when we got to the road that leads to Wuye after Berger Junction, he drove ahead. Immediately, I told him that he had missed the turn and he said he have to drive to Area 1 roundabout to make a U-turn. I agreed and he drove to the roundabout, made a U-turn and when we got to the Wuye road, instead of making a turn, he missed it the second time! I asked what was happening and wondered if he was new in Abuja. He now made a stop in a dark area and asked for either my money or my life. He took my bag, started kicking me and pushed me out of the car. He kicked and kicked but I held on to the car. I said “Take whatever you want to take, I have my money, I have my jewellery but let me just have my documents. They are in the bag, please.” He now said, ‘ Sebi, you want to be a senator? Let me see how you will do that.” It dawned on me that something was amiss. I started shouting for help and two young boys came out and asked, ‘Mummy, what is it?” I said, “the taxi driver just made away with my bag.” These boys started kicking and beating me. I held on to one of them and pulled his shirt. After a while, some two men came in a vehicle and the boys ran away.



What about your bag?



The man made away with the bag which contained my passport, all my original certificates, my jewellery, my current voter card and everything that was valuable to me. I started crying but the men took me to the police station and some policemen went with me again to the spot, searched the area but could not get the men or the documents. I was taken back to the ACN office; I called the National Women leader, who was in Kaduna. She now called the national chairman, who later came and waited for me in the office. He saw my hands swollen, my face with blood all over and he took me to the hospital, where I spent two days. I have not found any of the documents yet.



What happened to your nomination form?



The national woman leader stood her ground that the slot should be given to me and nobody else because I was the first. Already my name has been submitted to INEC. I had to send people to the CPC office to take the photocopies because I had lost all the original certificates.



But are you not scared of the period of election, if this could happen to you during the primaries?



Not at all. This had made me stronger and I am not backing out. At this age, I don’t think anything would scare me again. I am 50. This is not their first time. I was told to step down for a particular man, who was a federal representative for eight years. When he could not make primaries in his party, he came to the CPC too and when he heard that I had been given the ticket in ACN, he came and wanted the seat I am vying for. They are joking because I am very determined than ever!



So, you think you would perform better than him?



Of course, that is why I am coming out. I am a mother, and I know what the youths are suffering in our zone, even the women and children.



Are you insinuating that the men are behind the attack?



There are three of them who want the seat but they were not at the primaries because I came in unopposed. They came later from CPC and kept bothering me to step down for a particular man.



Since you are eyeing the National Assembly, what is your view on the jumbo pay legislators are earning?



I have said it several times that the money is too much. It should be reviewed and cut down. Anybody ready to serve should not be interested in money but how to represent his/her people well. I am a widow with two boys who are graduates. Most of these lawmakers collect allowances and do nothing in their constituencies.



Many women are accused of sleeping around to get into offices or get godfathers who help them politically. Were you accused of such since you are a widow?



I have always been a hard-working woman, I do buying and selling. I later went into construction. I don’t believe in godfatherism and I hate asking anybody for money. I came out to help my people and I financed whatever I have done in politics. Whenever anybody asks me for money that is not needed during campaigns, I explain that I don’t have to buy their conscience.



What has been the role of the party officials concerning your plight?



I am proud of my national chairman, who paid my hospital bill. Even the national women leader has been so supportive and done everything possible for my nomination.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102045522465

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to release the official list of candidates submitted by political parties to contest the 2011 general elections by February 6.
Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu said the commission will release the list on Sunday in line with the Electoral Act 2010 and the election timetable released by the commission.

Idowu said “the list is being collated. What we have now is not the final list because the Directors of Legal Services and Political Parties Monitoring will advise the chairman on the list.

“The chairman will also table it before the whole board because all issues relating to the nominations will be thrashed out before the final list is released.”

He said the commission will meet by tomorrow to consider the list after which approval would be given for publication of particulars of the candidates submitted by parties.

The commission will also begin distribution of nomination forms to the political parties beginning from February 7 to 10



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11423:inec-to-release-list-of-candidates-february-6&catid=1:news&Itemid=2

The Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, more popularly known as Boko Haram, yesterday dismissed claims by Governor Ali Modu Sheriff that political rivals killed ANPP’s Borno State gubernatorial candidate Alhaji Modu Fannami Gubio and it claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Gubio, a cousin of the governor, was killed along with Sheriff’s younger brother Alhaji and six others in Maiduguri last Friday. The governor had said on Monday night that he suspected politicians, and not Boko Haram, of being behind the killing, given its sophisticated nature.
For the second time, the group also claimed responsibility for the Christmas Eve bombings in Jos, Plateau State which claimed the lives of many people, and it promised to launch more attacks in the coming days until, they said, an Islamic government is established in Plateau State.

Yesterday’s sensational claims were made on printed A4-size posters that were pasted on several public and private buildings across the troubled Borno State capital. Residents of Maiduguri and environs woke up to find them on the walls, supposedly pasted by sect members. Neither Daily Trust reporters nor the authorities could say for certain that Boko Haram pasted the notices. The open letter, which carried the logo of the sect, also claimed responsibility for attacks in Bauchi State.

Sheriff had told reporters late at night on Monday that members of the outlawed Boko Haram were not responsible for Friday’s killings, insisting that it was crafted by “few politicians who want power by all means.”

Sheriff said, “I believe that what happened was not carried out by the Boko Haram members. First it was the deputy zonal chairman of the ANPP, Awana Ali Ngala that was killed. Incidentally he was my cousin. And then last Friday, they attacked our gubernatorial candidate and my younger brother alongside five other innocent souls. We all know the patterns of the Boko-Haram people who will just rush out, shoot in the air and run into hiding. But all those that died on Friday were shot right in the head, and only specially trained persons can do that.”

He also said, “I am not surprised that some politicians have launched campaign of calumny in the media suggesting that a state of emergency be imposed in Borno State. We know from where they are coming from; they are behind it all these while. As soon as they achieved what they planned on Friday, they rushed to the media calling for a state of emergency. This alone is a clear testimony that people are desperate and they want to get power at all costs.”

Yesterday’s open letter, written in Hausa, was pasted on walls along Post Office Area, State Low Cost, Railway Quarters (the enclave of late leader of the sect, Mohammed Yusuf), Umarari, Jejeri and Baga Road among others.

It read, “In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful. Without any doubt, we the warriors of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, under the leadership of Imam Abu Muhammad Abubakar Bin Muhammad, popularly known as Shekau, hereby declare that we are responsible for the attacks launched in Borno on Friday 23-14-32 (28th Jan. 2011), which led to the killing of Alhaji Modu Fannami Gubio, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and the brother of Governor Ali Modu Sheriff as well the security men attached to them.

“As we have been telling the world, these attacks we are launching, just like the one we launched on the eve of Christmas in Borno and Suldaniyya (Jos) and the ones we are launching in Bauchi, are meant to propagate the name of Allah and to liberate ourselves and our religion from the hands of infidels and the Nigerian government.

“We are therefore calling on Muslims in this part of the world to be well prepared because, very soon, we would launch a full scale war between the Muslims and the Christians. We also call on the Muslims not to seat close to where security agents or politicians are living because such people are behind the illegalities being meted on the Muslims.

“As you can see, security agents have been deployed to Churches to guard them while on the other hand, the same security agents are the ones maltreating the Muslims. This is the time for all of us to rise and change this government, and give way to the establishment of Islamic government.”

“Finally, anyone of you that assists them, will receive the same punishment like them. Message from the warriors of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad.”

However, police authorities in the state have called on the citizens to disregard the threat, assuring that everybody will be safe. Police spokesman ASP Lawan Abdullahi said, “People should not be nervous with the open letter, we are on top of the situation.”

Asked why the police could not arrest any of the people that pasted the posters in the dead of the night despite many patrol teams, the spokesman said, “We did not arrest anybody but we would soon get them. Our patrol teams now move around the town instead of staying in one place.”

The state police commissioner had said that nineteen people have been arrested in connection with Friday’s killings, stating that they are “political thugs loyal to some politicians.”

According to him, “We have strongly established that the suspects that are now in our custody are political thugs who have connection with some powerful politicians in the state.”

Those arrested according to the commissioner include Ibrahim Ali, Gambo Saadu, Mohammed Umar, Mohammed Abubakar, Saidu Ibrahim, Yahaya Audu, Ibrahim Moto, Musa Ibrahim, Rabiu Mohammed and Rabiu Yahaya. Others are Mohammed Audu, Adamu Mohammed, Hamisu Sule, Hudu Yau, Sanusi Kabiru, Hamisu Sani, Shaabiyu Sule, Hussaini Sani and Sani Ali.

Asked about the names of the “powerful politicians” responsible for the killings and the party they are representing, the police commissioner said disclosing names will tamper with the investigations by officers and men of the joint security forces. According to him, “it will be wrong to tell you the names now; we would give you details at the appropriate time. All I can say is that we have made a significant progress in our findings.”



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11433:boko-haram-we-killed-gubio&catid=2:lead-stories&Itemid=8

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have shot itself in the foot with the announcement of cancellation of its primaries in some states and subsequent order for rerun as feelers indicated that the party might not be allowed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to field candidates to contest in those constituencies.

The INEC had already declared that it would not accept candidates produced from the rerun primaries held after January 15, but the PDP ignored the commission and went ahead with the rerun with the last of them being the Eket Federal Constitutency, Akwa Ibom rerun primaries held on January 29.

Some opposition parties led by the Labour Party are insisting that PDP has lost the chance to field candidates for all the positions in the constituencies where its national leadership had declared cancelled because it presumed that the primaries fell short of meeting the minimum requirement warranting their cancellation.

The PDP, it was gathered, was already perplexed on the development and was yesterday making frantic effort to change the commission’s mind on the issue by citing Section 31 (1) of the Electoral Act which provides for the submission of nominations by political parties not later than 60 days to the election.
However, the commission had also replied that it was vested with power to regulate electoral activities and conduct of the parties as well as the framework for the conduct of the elections.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu in response to this in an interview with Daily Sun explained that he was not aware that the commission had changed the timetable to allow for primaries beyond January 15.

For those claiming that the parties had right to conduct primaries till January 31, Idowu argued that what they did not know was that the INEC timetable was the guidance provided by INEC for all players in the electoral system including the political parties. He stressed that the timetable was not just a schedule but had a force of law which must be obeyed to the letter.

Labour Party Chairman, Dan Nwayanwu, who was leading opposition against post January 15 primaries said the issue was a matter of law as provided for in the Electoral Act for the INEC to serve as a regulator of political activities and that it was the same timetable which was given to the PDP that other remaining 62 political parties worked with and conducted all their primaries in compliance with the January 15 deadline.

He warned that anything short of rejecting PDP’s rerun primaries’ candidates by the INEC would be termed to mean bending the rules to favour PDP which other parties would not subscribe to.
According to him, his party and other opposition parties would head for court to challenge INEC should it bow to pressure to accept PDP’s rerun primaries’ candidates.

“What it means is that PDP has lost the chance to produce candidates for elections in all the places it has declared the primaries cancelled and we have it on record and we will watch things closely.”
Nwayanwu vowed that even if other parties back out, the Labour Party would go to court. “PDP has no candidates for all areas where it has cancelled the primaries initially. It is a matter for law and only the law can settle this.”

National Secretary of National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Tanko Yussuf aligned his party with Labour Party’s position, insisting that since there were rules and guidelines, which the INEC timetable represents, and which the political parties were expected to follow “then it should be applied strictly.’

He contended that the PDP had automatically lost the chance to present candidates for the constituencies where it had rerun primaries because it ran contrary to the prescribed guidelines in the timetable. “If PDP had problem with its primaries, it should have gone to INEC to explain its predicaments not just deciding on its own to hold the primaries anytime it liked.”

Leaders of the PDP were seen yesterday at the INEC office having series of meetings with INEC officials, but sources disclosed that their pleas for the consideration of the rerun candidates had largely fell on deaf ears. PDP had ordered rerun of primaries for Kogi and Kano governorship seats, and in some other senatorial and House of Representatives seats in other states.




http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/feb/03/national-03-02-2011-001.htm

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has called on all its members who lost at its national convention and primaries to concede defeat and cooperate with those that emerged victorious.



It said with the conclusion of the submission of candidates names to the Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday, those who lost in the primaries must learn to eschew bitterness and rancour.



Prominent among those who did not succeed in their bids to contest the presidential election on the platform of the PDP are a former Vice-President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Dr. Sarah Jibril.



Apart from Jibril who on January 25 asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the PDP from fielding President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate, many other aspirants for state, National Assembly and governorship positions are also currently in courts contesting the outcome of the party’s primaries.



Some governorship aspirants in Oyo State on February 1, had succeeded in obtaining a court order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala as the PDP governorship candidate.



A faction of the PDP in Ogun State led by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief Martins Jubril-Martins, had also secured an order restraining the electoral body from accepting a list from a rival faction led by Governor Gbenga Daniel.



Abubakar, who promised not to go to court, had sent in a petition to INEC cataloguing the malpractices which he said characterised the PDP presidential primaries.



But the Acting National Chairman of the party, Dr. Haliru Mohammed, said in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, that there was no need for litigation and rancour among members.



Mohammed said it was the wish of the National Working Committee of the party that all aspirants worked together with Jonathan and the party to achieve success in the general elections.



He reminded the aspirants, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Rufai Alkali, that now was “the time to move on and confront the challenge posed by our opponents.”



He said, “Now that we have submitted our list of candidates to the INEC, we call on all members of the PDP, especially those who also sought to fly the flag of our party unsuccessfully to eschew all bitterness and rancour and rally round our presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, his running mate, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, and all candidates of our party at all levels to ensure that our collective interests as a party are advanced and protected.



“We appeal to all our partymen and women to realise that no matter who the candidate of our party is, the ultimate consideration is the PDP which is the only party in Nigeria that accommodates all the creeds, cultures and socio economic tendencies in our country.



“We are happy that the tortuous process of nomination is now behind us. It is time to move on and confront the challenge posed by our opponents in the forthcoming general elections.



“With the zeal and enthusiasm demonstrated by our members during the nomination exercise and the transparent manner of our national convention, it is clear that the PDP remains the most organised, most democratic and most detribalised party in the country.



“We are therefore confident that Nigerians will continue to identify with this great Party which represents every interest in Nigeria.



“Finally, we wish to assure all Nigerians that we shall continue to sustain their trust by remaining faithful to the ideals of good governance, the rule of law, transparency, justice and respect for human dignity.



“We look forward to the renewal of our mandate to serve our fatherland in the forthcoming general elections. This is indeed part of our deep commitment to restoring our core values.”



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102032551275

Yes they should talk to each other.

What a nice game, feel nani should get man of the match !

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind the recent decision by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), to withdraw the case file of the Minister of State for Health, Sulaiman Bello, accused by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission of N11.2m fraud.



In an open letter addressed to President Jonathan, dated February 1, 2011 and signed by SERAP Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation said, “We are concerned that this request by the Attorney General is not in the public interest, and may undermine the cause of justice in the case.



The group urges the Attorney General to respect the independence and freedom of action of the ICPC.






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102021302859