₦airaland Forum

Former vice president and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has stated that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was present at the December 2, 2002 enlarged caucus meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where the agreement to share power between North and South was taken.

He said under that agreement, those in attendance, including Jonathan, then a former deputy governor of Bayelsa State, resolved after voting to rotate the presidency on the basis of eight years each between the North and South.

He expressed surprise and shock that President Jonathan was now claiming ignorance of such agreement for the sake of his ambition to contest in 2011. According to a statement by Atiku’s Campaign Organisation, the president should have been honourable and courageous enough to own up to his participation in the formulation of a major party power sharing formula.
“The ambition to rule at all costs should not make us abandon the path of honour by denying a decision that has enthroned stability and unity in our body politic,” he said.

The PDP presidential aspirant said it was surprising that despite existing and verifiable minutes of the landmark agreement, the president was pretending that no such pact was ever reached. Atiku said the highpoint of the minutes of the meeting as read and adopted by the enlarged caucus was that “the national caucus generally decided that the 1998 zoning of the positions of the president, vice president, senate president, speaker, party chairman, party secretary, etc, should remain as it would stabilise the party, ”

He warned that President Jonathan could not be trusted with the PDP mandate in 2011 if emerging trends were anything to go by. He called on voters not to elect as president in 2011 someone who lacked the will, trust and confidence to offer genuine and strong leadership to a diverse country like Nigeria. “Mr. President gleefully denied before the whole world at the PDP headquarters that the presidency of Nigeria has never been zoned to any part of the country. How did he emerge as vice president in 2007?” Atiku queried.

According to him, “this was a man who sat at a PDP caucus meeting where a vote was taken over the Presidency and he voted for the zoning motion and has subsequently developed amnesia. Given this antecedent, does anyone think that candidate Jonathan will recognize term limits in the probable assumption that Nigerians entrust him with the responsibility of leading them?”

He said that Nigeria deserved honest, reliable and trustworthy leadership at a critical moment like this.
The PDP presidential aspirant said President Jonathan’s denial of ordering the disruption of the South-east Stakeholders Political Conference in Owerri on Monday in which notable Nigerian patriots of Igbo extraction like former vice-president Alex Ekwueme and former Senate President Ken Nnamani, among many others were harassed like outlaws, was clearly an indication that he could not be entrusted with the highest office in the land.



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/30/national-30-09-2010-011.htm

Lets ask him what he offered the states when he was a MILAD

Former military administrator of Ondo and Kebbi states, Col Inuwa Bawa (rtd), has said that President Goodluck Jonathan has nothing to offer Nigerians in his second coming. He described his recent declaration to contest the 2011 presidential election as a charade. He spoke more on this and other issues. Excerpts:

Jonathan’s declaration
The declaration by Jonathan can best be described as the triumphant of sycophancy over decency. Even though a mammoth crowd tuned out for it, but I believe that 80 percent of those people were there for money and nothing else. The governors who were climbing the podium one after the other to declare their support cannot be blamed either because they have no alternative but to attend the ceremony. They are all in PDP and have to show some semblance of unity. It is a survival strategy on their part. They have to do it to get their own second term ticket.

What of that of the former EFCC boss?
The declaration by, Nuhu Ribadu is kind of funny. I was amazed by his decision. This is somebody with no pedigree of political inclination; and for him to wake up one day and to say he wants to contest the presidential seat. Let him start in his state and see how far he can go before aspiring to be a president. It is improper for him to come out now. Anyway he is just about to join the ACN and not even a member yet. Let us see how far he can go after joining.

Retirement of the Service Chiefs.
The tenure of service chief has to be for a given number of years, which could be renewable at the instance of the president. The recent purge of the Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) could ordinarily be taken as a routine event.

The alleged importation of arms may not be true because governance is divided into many segments. The President cannot, and should not claim to know every nitty gritty of government and that is why he has so many lieutenants. The procurement of arms is the prerogative of the Ministry of Defence. The services do not do that directly. There is no way any arm of the armed forces could on its own bring in arms into this country. If you are talking of individuals sourcing for arms, that could be possible. It is just not possible for the Service Chiefs to begin to import arms. I am not being naïve but that is the way I know it to be. Once the Ministry of Defence is in the know then the president is in the know of it. So let us dismiss that allegation.

The issue of coup should also be discarded because nobody in his right mind would think about it now because it is out of fashion. It is an aberration. The former officers should be praised. The time a coup could have been staged was when Yar’Adua was incapacitated and there was a lot of wranglings here and there. But the armed forces kept their cool. It is to the credit of the former service chiefs. They should be praised for that. There is no inkling of any coup right now. The only draw-back I see in this purge is the timing. It is ill-timed and not well planned, considering the fact that we are just about four months away from general election.

Buhari a religious fundamentalist?
The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), is the in-thing now. It is waxing stronger. In almost all the states of the federation, people are streaming into the party. This can be attributed to the popularity of the leader, Muhammadu Bhuhari and hopefully, our Presidential candidate. The agitation for change is the reason we have a lot of people coming into the party. He has been tested and can be trusted. He is a disciplined human being who cannot be corrupted and can be trusted to deliver the goods.

The stigma of religion is no longer there. People tried to do that during the 2003 election and this has been denied even by some pastors and reverends. He relates well with all the religious groups. People should not be stigmatized because they hold fast to their religious beliefs. If every Christian and Muslim holds fast to religious teachings, the country will be better for it.
We are talking about real Christians and Muslims and not those fake ones that were imported or people impugning various beliefs here and there. There is freedom of religion. But you are supposed to love every other person and respect his own belief. We have people preaching things that are not in the two religions. That is why we have conflicts.

Like the Boko Haram sect, which is a deviance of the true Islamic faith and the preacher in United States threatening to burn the Quran and others like it. It is a diversion of what Christianity preaches.
There is no truth about religious bigotry as far as Buhari is concerned. When people are called fundamentalists it is a good thing but we have bastardized that in Nigeria. In reality it means someone who adheres strictly to the norms of their religious beliefs.
His being in the race for too by only goes to show his consistency.

He is a man of his word. He believes and we, his followers believe that he has all it takes to change his country for the better. If he is doing it to satisfy his own personal interest, he should have given up. He has the interest of the common people, who form a greater percent of our population. He is a forthright leader. I am one of the forerunners of the governorship ticket of CPC in Kebbi State. But I am with a caution because a lot of moneybags are coming in now. With the level of poverty that is prevalent in our society anything can happen. I have already declared but with the incoming of people we will see how it goes. If we see money bags trying to hijack our party, we will fight tooth and nail.

We cannot vow 100 percent for the people trooping into the party. Some are going into parties for their selfish reasons while others have genuine interest in what the party stands for. The issue of carpet crossing should have been included in the constitution so that whoever decamps is given a moratorium for the number of years they have to stay in the new party before they are eligible for election. It may be idealistic but it may make us stick to politics of ideology. Before you join a party you must agree with its ideology and its programmes.

As at now political parties are means to an end and not an end itself.
For political relevance, I believe that CPC, no matter how, or at what level or percentage still has to negotiate and come to some agreements with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The two parties have a lot of similarities in ideologies. For political survival it will be beneficial if they come to some political arrangement, whether a merger or loose union or electoral understanding. The ACN has a lot of following in the down West and Edo state while the CPC’s followership in northern part of Nigeria is very phenomenal.

The combination of the two will bring about political relevance in Nigeria. There has been more to that effect but there is some natty gritty area we are yet to agree, but these should not deter us. We learnt ACN already conceded presidential slot to CPC.

So, what else remains that they cannot agree?
Do you see some gang up again Jonathan?
The drop in the performance of this present administration can be as a result of distraction from every corner of the country because of the sycophancy in this country. One should not think that people are trying to sabotage this administration. Almost on a daily basis, about 50 pro- Jonathan groups are springing up. It is not because they have anything good to say about him but just because he is in government.

Nobody has come out to say any good programme Jonathan has put forward for the advancement of this country because there is none. Even before the man declared publicly, people were falling over themselves to sing his praise. There is no pedigree form Jonathan to show that he is the messiah we have been waiting for. There is nothing spectacular this few months that he has done to endear him to the electorate.

Unfortunately, we cannot even fall back to his past political force when he was the governor of Bayelsa State to project now. This goes to confirm that we worship personality and not any other thing. The only thing he has going for him is the incumbency factor. As a president, he can dish out patronage to anybody he wants, from our common purse and that is what the people are after.

The assumption by many people is that Jonathan will win the election because he is in government now. But one should not think that it could never happen in Nigeria for an incumbent to lose election. There could be the first time. It happened in Britain, Ghana, America and the change is sweeping globally. Anything can happen in 2011. They feel there is no way anybody that is fielded by the PDP will not win the election because they have the resources to corrupt electoral process. But they must know that people would now resist and there could be surprises.



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/30/national-30-09-2010-004.htm

Don King, foremost boxing promoter has congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerians on the country's Golden Jubilee anniversary, adding that Nigeria would continue to be a leading light in Africa and the world in general.

As Nigeria celebrates her independence tomorrow, Don King said he's optimistic that Nigeria would in due course meet the expectations of its founding fathers even as he drums up support for the government of President Jonathan.

“Glory be to God that Nigeria is celebrating her 50 years anniversary tomorrow and I'm very happy for Nigeria and President Goodluck Jonathan because this anniversary is the celebration of freedom, liberty for the Nigerian people and I'm very happy indeed,” Don King, the 79-year-old renowned promoter said in a statement.

“Nigeria is a shining light in Africa and it's great that the country has been there this past 50 years in good times and bad times. I'm so happy that this anniversary is happening under a democratic setting because it means that Nigeria is on the move, on the upward mobility and total reforms, and progress in healthcare, education under President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Speaking further, Don King said that Nigeria can ride on the goodwill of President Jonathan to attain lofty dreams, promising that he's ready to offer any assistance anytime, anyway. “Goodluck would bring good luck to Nigeria. Under Good luck, I trust one man; one vote would count because he said so much about this recently at the United Nations Assembly.

I have no doubt in my mind that in 50 years to come, Nigeria would have achieved the dreams of its founding fathers. I'm so happy with the good people of Nigeria and you can always trust that I'm ready to offer any assistance to Nigeria and Nigerians anytime because Nigeria is an extension of my family. I love Nigeria, I love President Goodluck Jonathan and I'm optimistic that Nigeria would continue to be the leading light in Africa and in the world. My best wishes are with Nigeria as he celebrates her Golden Jubilee and in time to come. It is a promise I have made and I would continue to put my eyes in anything that has Nigeria's interest.”

Meanwhile, Don King has described as nothing but mischief as well as flagrant display of ignorance on the part of anybody alleging that he caused Samuel Peter's fall from grace. Under the watch of Don King, Peter became interim Heavyweight Champion of the World in 2007 but the Nigerian has been on a free fall after recent defeats in the hands of Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, fuelling speculations that the American is the architect of Peter's misfortune.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/sports/2010/sept/30/sports-30-09-2010-001.htm

I just like the man for he comes out to say the fact when the fact is needed.

Workers of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) on Wednesday in Lagos said the best way to find a resolution to the non-payment of their 30 months arrears of salaries is to cut off all forms of communications come October 1.

Kenndy Ndubuisi, the Lagos co-ordinator of Concerned NITEL workers, one of the groups fighting for the aggrieved workers, said the might be forced to shut down the nation’s international telecommunications gateway, Sat-3.

“It is now 30 months we have not been paid salary,” he said. “We got the information from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) that they have handed recommendation of the committee on our salary arrears to the presidency. It is more than a month they submitted that recommendation to the presidency ,which noted that workers should be paid their entitlement and be sent off, but yet we have not heard from government.

“The SAT-3 is a NITEL installation; we have seen that the federal government only listens to militancy and violence. That is why we are going to shut down SAT-3 that would make them pay us. As we saw, the workers of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) did that just recently. They shut down their stations for just two days and the government hurried to paid them.” Mr Ndubuisi said the shutdown of SAT-3 would attract government’s attention and force it to pay their arrears immediately.

“We would shut down all forms of communication signals in the country. Some people do not even know that NITEL is working; all form of communications signals pass through NITEL, like internet connection, mobile phones, radio signals, etc,” he said “We have told the government earlier that if nothing is done, we would make sure that this country does not celebrate October 1. So, all form of communication would be shut, the operations of NITEL reside in Lagos. While those in Abuja are trying to talk to government to be reasonable but if that fail the workers in Lagos would shut down SAT-3. The government has never been reasonable because they have being owing us for 30 months arrears and government is paying salaries to the militants around the country.”

Waiting for Information

The spokesperson of NITEL, Sule Shehu however explained that the workers are waiting to hear from the Minister of Labour, in Abuja in order to resolve the settlement of their arrears.

“Some workers are in a meeting with Minister of Labour, Chukwuemeka Wogu. They started the meeting around 4pm while the rest of us are waiting outside the office to hear the outcome of the meeting,” he said.

“Last week, a group of NITEL workers came and invaded the BPE in Abuja and they spoke with the BPE and threatened that if by this week the government does not make a categorical statement about our condition, they are going to disrupt the Independence anniversary.

“The workers have sacked their union leaders, so the minister is meeting with the Concern NITEL Staff Union.” In 2008, leading to the mismanagement of NITEL, the federal government revoked the sale of NITEL to Transcorp and set up the national carrier for privatization process. Government has said to settle all outstanding arrears of the workers from the proceeds of the sale of NITEL.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5624735-147/telecoms_company_workers_threaten_disruption_on.csp

Former Super Eagles’ skipper, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has explained that his desire to make the national soccer team great again informed his applying to coach the team.

Speaking with Daily Sunsports from his base in the United States of America on phone, Keshi, who confirmed submitting his application and CV to the NFA last week, said that he had the Midas touch to turn around the fortunes of the Super Eagles that had remained static for years now.

“I have what it takes to transform the Eagles that is why I have applied for the job and I hope I get it soon. What I have done for order countries, I want to do for my country. Nigeria unlike these other countries have better talented footballers and I believe what they require from me is the managerial expertise to forge ahead.

“The last time the Eagles won the Nations Cup was in 1994 in Tunisia and that was my last year as a player of the national team. I want to win the Nations Cup again as a coach and I believe we have the players who can win the next African Nations Cup if properly blended.

“I have never been in charge of the Super Eagles since I started coaching, the only stint I had with the senior national team was as an assistant to Bonfere Jo and later Amodu Shaibu. I want Nigerians to give me a chance and see if I would not deliver. I have strong conviction that the Eagles will not only win the Nations Cup, but qualify for the World Cup and reach the semi finals.

“People say that my tenure as coach of Mali national team was bad and my response had always been that whatever happened in Mali was caused by the Malians themselves, who worked against the success of their team. Take the best coach in the world to Mali and I tell you that he cannot do better than I did. It was not easy managing players and trying to manage the football association who hardly agree among themselves.

“Of course, I qualified them to the Nations Cup in Angola and we lost because the members of the association wanted to force players on me and when I refused, some the players revolted by playing below expectation. It was hell managing Mali. Togo was much better because I was dealing directly with the President of that country, who gave me all the support I needed to succeed.

“ I lost out of taking the Togolese national team to the World Cup in Germany after I had qualified them because all those who felt angered by my direct dealing with their president ganged up against me, blackmailed me with the connivance of a couple of their players and got me booted out. I want to give back to my country what I had gained as a player in and outside the country,” he stated.




http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/sportsonthehour/2010/sept/30/sportsbreak-30-09-2010-001.htm

Pastor of Household of God Church and Founder of Fresh Democratic Party, Reverend Chris Okotie has dismissed the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s general elections, saying PDP leadership has failed Nigerians woefully in the last 10 years.

Okotie’s Fresh Democratic Party will be holding its convention today in Lagos.
In an interview with Daily Sun, the cleric turned politician advanced reasons why neither President Goodluck Jonathan nor General Ibrahim Babangida is fit for the nation’s top job, asserting that none of them is needed by Nigeria at this time.
The former pop star said: “The PDP has demonstrated itself as a party that is characterised by perfidy and mendacity.

There is no integrity, no moral perpendicularity that would constrain them to submit themselves to a code of conduct.” Okotie, who described his party as the most popular in the country, said he would easily defeat any other presidential aspirant in a free and fair contest.

His words: “They know what Okotie represents. If you go on the street and you ask them, who would you like to be your president, they will say Okotie. But the next thing they will say is, but will they let him? That’s what they will tell you.”
He also spoke on other issues.

Zoning, a PDP affair
I have said before that it is a PDP contraption and the reason why it has become a bone of contention is because the PDP has demonstrated itself as a party that is characterised by perfidy and mendacity. There is no integrity, no moral perpendicularity that would constrain them to submit themselves to a code of conduct. So today, there’s zoning, tomorrow there’s no zoning. And that’s why there’s confusion. But as far as I’m concerned, it’s a PDP predicament and Nigerians should not be concerned with their problems.

The argument they put forward is that the former president had only spent one term since the presidency had been zoned to the North, and that ordinarily, it should be two terms for the North. If that’s the argument, then they have a point. But like I said, that’s a PDP situation. It doesn’t concern Nigerians. What we want is credible leadership, transparent leadership. And it doesn’t have to be provided by PDP because PDP has failed Nigerians.

War of words between PDP presidential aspirants
I think it shows what the PDP is made of. I think it demonstrates to Nigerians the inability of that party to exercise the cohesion that is needful to preserve an ideological base. And because PDP has no ideological base, that is why we are seeing this fragmentation, polarised along geo-political divides. So I think that it’s a clear indication to Nigerians that PDP has lost direction and must not be considered at all in the next elections.

Jonathan’s declaration
No, I didn’t listen to the speech. We were pre-occupied with more nationalistic issues. But the president has never been someone that I consider to have oratorical skills. I do not think that he’s somebody that has been associated with eloquence and elocution, so I wouldn’t have listened to him expecting to hear any profound statement that conveys a certain depth. But I respect him as the president and I respect him as a kinsman. He’s from my region. But I believe firmly that he’s not the right one for Nigeria at this time.

Between Jonathan and Obama
Excuse my laughter, but I think that is the climax of absurdity. It is ludicrous. The preponderance of this so-called support that you see here is all orchestrated. There is a Latinistic phraseology that describes that. It is called grex venalium. It’s called a venal throng, a crowd that is bought. A rented crowd. When you see them mouthing slogans of partisan jingoism, you know that they are rented. Because there’s nothing in the history or in the pedigree or antecedent of President Jonathan, with all due respect, that can calibrate his position with that of Obama. There is absolutely nothing he has done throughout the almost 10 years of his political career. So there’s nothing in his political career so far that will equate him with the likes of Obama. I think that whoever makes that kind of assertion is seeking to embrace an illusive phantom.
Why opposition parties keep losing elections

I think the most important thing that we must recognize is that we’ve not had credible elections. And once you do not have credible elections, there’s no yardstick to measure the popularity of any political party. Because the power of incumbency has continued to perpetuate PDP in the position of authority based on their ability to rig in broad daylight and to do it with impunity.

So nobody who is logical in their thinking can assert that the popularity of the other political parties has been tested. But as for parties coming together just to wrest power from the PDP, parties would only come together if they have kindred ideology, if they believe in the same things and their goals intersect. But outside of that, we can’t just come together and say well, we have a common enemy in PDP and therefore, even though we have antithetical political philosophies, we must amalgamate.

I think it defeats the whole concept of democracy. PDP is a failure. It’s a huge failure and they are responsible for what is going on in Nigeria today. The bad roads, no electricity, kidnapping, which shows little or no value for life, and the level of insecurity in the nation. These are the things that determine whether a government should be allowed a second chance or not. And the indicators clearly show that the PDP has lost complete control of governance.

INEC and government
My problem has never been INEC. It’s the interference with INEC. Government continues to interfere. Professor Maurice Iwu did a good job. And it wasn’t his fault. It’s the interference of government that has made it impossible for INEC to conduct its responsibility. And it’s the same thing if they interfere with this newly constituted INEC. Professor Jega can do everything he wants to do but at the end of the day he may not succeed.

INEC can stop government from interfering. Yes they can. And in a very small way because of the fact that the enabling statute gives them the power to do what they do. What they can do is to ventilate their fears, and wherever there is a deference, they must shout on the rooftop. But the PDP is like a deaf adder; no amount of charming can change its course. Except there is divine intervention, we’ll be back to square one. But I believe God will do what he has promised.
Running mate? Not an option.

Can I be running mate to somebody? No. It’s not an option. If it were, I would have done so. Because I believe that the generation that will save Nigeria is my generation. I believe that the present generation is geriatric in its thinking. It’s retrogressive in its operation. It’s incapacitated ab initio because of its alliances and associations, particularly in the PDP and therefore cannot take Nigeria, realistically, beyond where Nigeria is today.

Must it be the presidency?
That’s right.

Not even the Senate?
Not at all. You will not bring change and the kind of change that is needful in Nigeria today if you are not an executive president.

How hopeful are you this time?
I’m a man of faith, and faith is now. It’s the same enthusiasm with which I contested in 2003 that I carried into 2007 and it’s here today. I will continue to run for that office until I succeed because Nigeria is worth fighting for.

Do you think you’ll succeed someday?
Definitely. Absolutely. For how long will these old politicians be around? For how long will a political aberration like the PDP exist? It will soon be dismantled. And we know that for sure. Their days are numbered.

When is your party’s convention taking place?
It will take place on Thursday, September 30 (today) at the Planet One, and we look forward to that.

Any other presidential candidates?
It’s up to them. The party will determine that. If you are interested you can indicate your interest and follow procedure.

Have you chosen your running mate?
Not yet.

Is the party running for all positions?
We are and it’s dependent on those who wish to run for positions. We cannot prevail on anyone to take that responsibility, it’s up to them. The platform is available if they so desire.

How popular is the party?
I think we are probably the most popular party in the country today. And when I say that, people say, well, you haven’t won elections. And I say because there haven’t been elections. Nigerians despise the PDP and that’s the truth. Because of what the PDP has done to the Nigerian people. And they are powerless to do anything.

They thought that the democratic process would enable them choose their leaders, but the process was hijacked from the very beginning by the PDP. They thought that through protestations, they would ventilate their grievances, but even in that, they were denied. They are helpless. That is why the only one who can sustain Nigeria today and that can help the people is the Almighty God. So we know that God has heard the cry of the poor, of the oppressed, of the incarcerated, of the marginalized and he has sent deliverance. That is why I’m here.

People like Ribadu, Dele Momodu and co also want to contest. Why don’t you align with them?
There’s logic in that thinking, but the question is, are we ideologically compatible? That is the issue. It’s not the question of getting to the presidency at all costs. It’s the understanding that the road to Aso Rock must be paved with kindred ideological compatibility. And if we are ideologically compatible, then we’ve scaled the first hurdle. Then next, we’ll have to decide, negotiate instrumentality.

Who is the person to represent us? As far as I’m concerned, I represent a philosophy that I consider to be the only viable option for Nigeria. And the tenacity, the resilience with which I’ve pursued this goal is indicative of my seriousness. As far as I’m concerned, I have paid my dues. I think if we have a level playing field, then these men that you have mentioned can come before the Nigerian people and pontificate political solutions to our nation. I respect each one of them, but it will come down to the point that we will all have to come before the Nigerian people to verify the impetus that drives us to this goal. So, anyone, including those in the PDP and whichever political party, they can come up and we can discuss the issue.

Will Muslims be comfortable with you?
Oh, they will be more comfortable with a minister than a hypocritical, sycophantic politician who claims to be a Christian and acts otherwise. Christianity is a relationship with God that man can trust. Because if you are a true Christian, you’ll respect the law. You’ll respect others. You’ll value life. You’ll wish people well. You’ll be more sacrificial. You won’t be self-centred.

You’ll be compassionate. You’ll desire progress for other people. That is what makes Jesus Christ the messiah. So a true Christian will be more acceptable in any society than some pretentious leader who claims to fear God but yet, he epitomises satanic values. So, I think that the politics of ethnicity and religion will not stand this time. Go to the North and ask them what their leaders have done for them. If they tell you that their leaders have done well for them while they were in power, fine. But I do not think that many will say that to you. Because the problems we have today is universal.

People say you never campaign
We do. But people don’t vote for you because of campaign. If you are voted for because of campaign, then there is no ideology. The truth of the matter is that people know what you represent by what you have said, and the examples that you have shown, and the philosophies that you have pursued. They know what Okotie represents. If you go on the street and you ask them, who would you like to be your president, they will say Okotie. But the next thing they will say is, but will they let him? That’s what they will tell you.

When they did the polls here in Lagos, I won by a very wide margin. But when we went to the elections, compared to the results that they published, it’s laughable. All I’m saying here is, go to the east, west north and south, they know Okotie. I’ve never been in government, yet people know me. For most of these politicians, the only time people talk about them is when they are in the seat of authority.

Once they get out of that they become totally unknown. Their memories fade. It’s because they have nothing to offer our people. But Okotie, I’ve been in the public for 30 years of my life. And I’ve never held public life. So people know when they see that which is authentic. And Okotie is authentic.
You were always against Obasanjo, but these days, you are always praising him
But Obasanjo is the greatest leader this nation has ever had, and that is the absolute truth.

But you never said that before
I did. I have always maintained that he is the most courageous leader this nation has ever had, and that the only reason Nigeria is where it is today is that the PDP as a party stood against the lofty ideals that he had for Nigeria.
Obasanjo was the leader of the PDP

That is what I’m telling you. That is why I’m saying that President Goodluck Jonathan has no hope. Because if a great personage like President Olusegun Obasanjo couldn’t even carry his programmes to their logical conclusion, what hope does President Goodluck Jonathan have? The PDP is a conglomerate, it’s like an octopus. There are so many interest groups within that party and it took the strength of a man like Obasanjo to hold that party together for as long as it was there.

Obasanjo is seen as Jonathan’s godfather
I know that definitely he’s an ally of Jonathan because it was through his benevolence and his beneficence that Jonathan got to where he is today. So if he gravitates towards that direction it would be a natural propensity. But supporting somebody is not the same thing as being in charge. I know that if we were talking about Obasanjo it would be a totally different matter. But talking about somebody like President Goodluck Jonathan in the context of a 21st century Nigeria, with the myriads of problems that confront the nation today will be the greatest error, the biggest mistake this nation will ever make.

On IBB
I’ve often said that IBB is the quintessential political art master. He maintains a certain fluidity that has kept him in that position of political reverence for these many years. If you underestimate him, you’ll be rehearsing your political dirge. And politically, it’s a plus. But he has suffered certain political misadventures in the past, and that is why we are even talking about him. If it were not so, you can’t even compare Babangida to Jonathan. There’s no basis of comparison. I mean, you have to give honour to whom honour is due. That’s the truth. But if you ask me, should IBB be president, my answer is no. Because he represents a generation that is the past. I represent a generation that is the future.

Buhari
I do not know much about him. Because at the time that he was there, it was a corporate entity that we saw, you know, the Buhari/Idiagbon coalition. And they were not there long enough to establish, in the minds of Nigerians, the possibility of a renaissance for our nation. But the only two that you can consider in the PDP will be Jonathan and IBB.

Atiku
I think that because of the fact that Vice President Atiku Abubakar was subordinate to Obasanjo and the events that transpired just before the last elections have made it more difficult for him.

Some clerics have prophesied doom for Nigeria next year. What’s your take on such prophecies?
But it is the truth. If the PDP insists that they must retain power, then they will push us beyond the edge of the precipice. They will precipitate a situation in this country that will be beyond their control. The only way that there will be peace is that there must be free and fair elections. And where the PDP cannot guarantee that, then an interim government must be put in place.

You can see the confusion that is already there with Professor Jega asking for extra time. They knew from the very beginning that this was not going to work. But characteristic PDP shenanigan calculation was that they would create this confusion. And seeing that whatever position they had in their permutation is definitely not likely to occur, so now they are going to go to the National Assembly to amend the constitution which could have been done from the very beginning.

That is why I’m telling you that these people don’t mean well for the nation. So if it’s going to take an eruption or violence or whatever it is that is going to happen to bring sanity back to Nigeria, so be it. My position is that it can be averted. We don’t have to go the path of hostility. But if they insist, then there is judgement coming from Almighty God and it will be worse than anything that they’ve envisaged.



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2010/sept/30/newsbreak-30-09-2010-001.htm

The Court of Appeal, sitting in Lagos, yesterday, fixed October 25, 2010, for definite hearing of an appeal filed by the former Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Bode George, and five others.

At the resumed hearing of the appeal, The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) withdrew its motions, dated July 5, 2010, seeking for leave to appeal the ruling of the appellate court which held that the anti-graft agency cannot present a copy of a fiat granted by the attorney general of Lagos State to the attorney general of the federation.

The appellate court had held in its ruling that EFCC cannot file additional documents before it at this stage, especially when it has failed to produce such document before the trial court. However, Tunji Ayanlaja, counsel to Mr George, urged the court to hear the main appeal, adding that the notice of hearing sent to him indicated that the matter was for hearing. He told the court that the matter was to be given accelerated hearing in the interest of justice, saying that his client has just few months to complete his jail term. The presiding justice, Clara Ogunbiyi, promised to accord the matter accelerated hearing, but warned that the parties must file all their processes before the next adjourned date.

The judge erred

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had, in its cross-appeal against a Lagos High Court’s conviction of Mr George and five others, claimed that it was dissatisfied with the part of the judgment of Justice Joseph Oyewole that stated that the evidence made available by the EFCC were not sufficient to prove counts 1 to 7. Justice Oyewole had discharged the convicts on all counts but one. The EFCC is asking the appellate court to find the convicts guilty on the said counts 1-7 of the charge and convict them accordingly. The EFCC had hinged its appeal on one ground and alleged that the trial judge erred in law when he held that the available evidence by the prosecution was insufficient to prove counts 1 to 7 of the charge relating to price inflation and therefore declined to find the convicts guilty of those counts. It cited the evidence of PW6 (prosecution witness 6) and PW10 (prosecution witness 10), who were called by the prosecution as expert witnesses, saying that their testimonies were not contradicted by contrary expert evidence provided by the convicts.

The five other convicts are: former Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Aminu Dabo; Captain O. Abidoye; Abdullahi Tafida; Zanna Maidaribe; and Sule Aliyu. They had joined Mr George to appeal against the judgment of Justice Oyewole which sentenced them to two-year jail over contract splitting and not respecting constituted authority. A Lagos High Court had, on July 26, 2009, convicted Mr George and the five others without an option of fine.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5624610-146/story.csp

As Nigeria celebrates its 50th independence anniversary tomorrow, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has blamed the nation’s underdevelopment on the regional politics played by such leaders of the first republic as Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello. He said if they had made proper efforts at nation building, the country would not have been where it is today.

Mr Obasanjo who was the guest lecturer at the second convocation lecture of the Redeemer’s University, titled, “Nigeria@50 What celebrations?”, blamed the three key leaders of the nation’s regions in the first republic for our inability to get it right so far. “For a newly independent country, our weak political fabric, diverse and highly differentiated socio-cultural milieu, required a leadership with effective national mobilising capacity, ability to weave together the different ethnic groups, inspire them and provide a broad-minded leadership.

“Unfortunately, Nigeria did not enjoy such leadership at independence and that leadership deficit and weakness of structure militated against Nigeria on independence.”

He painted the picture of how a more nationalistic group would have improved the nation’s fortunes as he compared Nigeria with nations such as South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia which all had their independence at about the same time with Nigeria but have so far done quite well in comparison.

Mr Obasanjo did not leave out the military in his retrospective, stating that the “most retrogressive era for Nigeria was from 1983 to 1999” when different military leaders steered the nation’s ship recklessly. He alleged that the military leaders did not, during this period, invest a penny in the critical power sector.

He however said that the nation, with all its woes, has every reason to celebrate and he does not share in the rampant pessimism, “The nation has survived a number of challenges and can only move ahead for the better” he said. He also noted that what we are celebrating now is the 50th independence anniversary of the nation and not its existence. The former president traced the origin of the country to 1914 when the name Nigeria was coined during the amalgamation of the North and South protectorate.

Zoning vs federal character

Reacting to a question from a member of the audience who asked whether regional politics has not caused today’s clamour for zoning, the former president said, “zoning is unconstitutional, it is not part of our constitution. What is in the constitution is the federal character which preaches that if there are 30 spaces in an office 10 must go to Yoruba, 10 must go to the Hausa, 10 to the Igbo’s and so on. This is what all the political parties must have in their constitution as well.”

He adds that zoning will compromise competence and merit which are crucial in evaluating the right people for political office. Further ridiculing the zoning concept, the former president said that, “if I as a Yoruba man, died during my tenure, will they have said the next president must be from the Southwest or Ogun state” he asked? “In the heart of hearts of those who are talking about zoning, I know they don’t mean it because they know it is not in the interest of our country” Mr Obasanjo said.

Urging the students to ignore the old style of politics, he said that “Zoning is a vestige of the past and it will still go away, you young generations must do away with the vestiges of your fathers and grandfathers that have done Nigeria no good.” He also called on the young ones to speak out against bad governance as it is the only way to fight the menace. On the issue of high cost of governance in the country, Mr Obasanjo said that “the cost of government is high because those that are in government are incompetent,” blaming the people rather than the system.

He said the late former head of state, Muritala Muhammed was killed because he refused to stay in Dodan barracks because “the house was over-furnished.” Speaking on the excessive salaries paid to members of the National Assembly, the former president alleged that “the cost of maintaining the national assembly has increased more than 10 times today from what it was in 2000” whilst “nothing has changed” he noted.

“It is just the greed, corruption and insensitivity of these people who call themselves legislators.”

Vociferous Obasanjo

He called for vociferous protest against such expenditure saying that it the only way we (Nigerians) can fight it as “we can’t do away with them. They amend the constitution and will not do away with themselves. That is why I am raising my voice and your generation must take it up” he told the students. Painting himself as some sort of radical, Mr Obasnajo urged the audience to recall “when the late President (Umaru Yar’Adua) travelled out of the country and leaving the nation to drift astray, I spoke out when the entire nation kept quiet.” Mr Obasanjo challenged the students not to blame his generation anymore as “my generation has fought for the stability of this country and the entrenchment of democracy. You have to raise your voice now. If you are not prepared to be a patriot in your teens and 20’s, then you will be a disappointment to this country in your 40’s” he concluded to rousing ovation from the youthful audience.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5624764-146/obasanjo_blames_nations_woes_on_regional.csp

INEC does not believe in tenure elongation for Oni et al, so it is narutal to pick a lawyer like Falana who believes in its cause or do you pick a lawyer who do not beleive in your case? Oni and Ekiti PDP should stop being petty. A lawyer can only argue his client’s brief not his. The issue is not partisan now, it is what INEC thinks is the proper interpretation of the law as regards Oni’s tenure.

The Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has petitioned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, asking him to drop a human rights activists, Mr. Femi Falana, as lawyer to INEC.



The state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bola Olu-Ojo, who stated this during a press briefing in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, described the engagement of Falana as INEC’s lawyer in the tenure elongation case involving Governor Segun Oni as inappropriate.



Olu-Ojo said that Falana, who is the national chairman of the National Conscience Party, was sympathetic to the governorship ambition of the Action Congress of Nigeria governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.



The PDP chairman said that INEC had the right to pick any lawyer to represent its interest but stated that Falana, being a partisan politician, would not represent the neutrality of INEC in the case against Oni.



But Falana has faulted the claim of the PDP in a statement made available to one of our correspondents on Tuesday.



He said, “Since I am not a member of the Panel of the Justices of the Court of Appeal that would determine the appeal on tenure elongation the petition of the PDP is bunkum, mischievous and diversionary. It is common knowledge that the lawyer who represented Professor Maurice Iwu-led INEC at the Federal High Court supported tenure elongation. The PDP never protested.



“In its undiluted opportunism the PDP government in Ekiti State recently engaged my services to handle the appeal filed by ex-Governor Ayo Fayose against his impeachment at the Court of Appeal.



“Notwithstanding our profound ideological differences I handled the brief to the satisfaction of the PDP. Since the NCP headed by me is not a beneficiary of tenure elongation, there can be no conflict of interest whatsoever with respect to my decision to handle the appeal for INEC at the Court of Appeal.



“However, if the PDP is convinced that I have run fowl of the ethics of the legal profession it should direct its grouse to the disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Bar Association and not engage in puerile blackmail aimed at violating the constitutional right of INEC to be defended by a lawyer of its choice.



It is too late in the day for charlatans of questionable pedigree to divert my attention for defending the letter and spirit of the Constitution on tenure elongation.”





http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009290552451

IGP, there should not be any iota of thinkable reason to have recommended the group of these DIGS for your management team. Surely they will gangup to secure your down fall. Onovos are on you but God is by you. What happened to middlebelt geographical area not being represented? Okiro was promoted from CP to DIG and represented southsouth in police management team. What happened to MD Abubakar?

The Police Service Commission on Tuesday approved the promotion of seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police.



Rising from its meeting in Abuja, the commission said it considered the recommendations of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim and approved the elevation of the affected AIGs to the next rank.



They are Mrs. Ivy Okoronkwo, Mr. Azubuko Udah, Mr. Ganiyu Dawodu, Mr. Saurdauna Abubakar, Mr. Audu Abubakar, Mr. Saleh Abubakar and Mr. Mohammed Yesufu.



The new DIGs replaced the six that were disengaged from the service after the exit of former IG, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo. They are expected to form the management team that will assist the acting IG in the running of the Nigeria Police Force.



The PSC said it acted in exercise of the powers conferred on it by both the 1999 Constitution and the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act 2001. A statement by the PSC Acting Information Officer, Mr. Ferdinand Ekpe, said the promotions were with effect from September 28, 2010.



The commission, while congratulating the newly promoted officers, enjoined them to discharge their duties to the best of their knowledge and to reposition the NPF to meet the challenges of policing a democratic society in the 21st century and beyond.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100929056476

You have two options one you slap her back or two you turn the second one for another slap

When Martha Godwin, daughter of a soldier, popularly called Barrack girl, met Mohammed Erena, England-based Master’s degree student and son of a prominent politician in Niger State, she felt God had finally answered her prayers of providing her with a husband that would pull her family out of poverty.

Her dream was however shortlived as her efforts to dump her former commercial motorcyclist popularly called okada, boyfriend had led to the death of Umar, the rider, who was allegedly murdered alongside his friend, Sunday, by the new ‘been-to’ boyfriend, who felt insulted by the deceased’s audacity to challenge him over Martha.

Mohammed, who is now answering charges of murder at a Minna High Court had arrived Nigeria to spend his short vacation with his kith and kin. His plan was to go back to England at the end of the holiday to defend his Master’s thesis.

Daily Sun learnt that on the fateful night, Mohammed had taken his lover, Martha, to a joint along David Mark Road in Minna. After cooling off at the drinking spot, Mohammed felt the urge to retire home with his ‘Juliet’ and were in the process of discussing the terms when Umar arrived on his bike, possibly for the same purpose as Mohammed’s.

For the two Romeos to a Juliet, the die was cast! It did not take Martha one second to decide whether to go with the man with Mercedes Benz or the man with okada. Martha jumped into Mohammed’s car and they sped off.
Umar, who was determined not to let go that easily, also jumped on his bike and with his friend, pursued Mohammed and Martha until they double-crossed him.

Mohammed was said to have been halted while Umar accosted him on why he should speed off with his lover.
As the argument raged, Mohammed was said to have jumped into his car, engaged the reverse gear and crushed his rival and his friend Sunday. In order to be sure of a mission accomplished, Mohammed was said to have driven over the duo a second time. They were left to die in the pool of their own blood.

Satisfied with his task, Mohammed allegedly sped off, leaving Martha behind at the death spot.
Residents of the area and some passers-by raised the alarm. Martha, who stood in disbelief over what had happened became the target of the angry crowd. She was arrested and handed over to the police
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Michael Zoukumor, who paraded the suspect before journalists in his office, said the accused was tracked down through his lover girl.

Mohammed, however, denied having a hand in the killing of the duo. Sobbing profusely as he narrated his innocence to journalists, Mohammed said he was only in Nigeria for a short break and almost set to go back to England to defend his thesis to accomplish his Master’s degree programme.
He, however, admitted ownership of the car which he said was damaged during the recent unrest of students of College of Education, Minna which they (students) agreed to repair.






http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/29/national-29-09-2010-003.htm

THANK GOD FOR OUR PRESIDENT’S INITIATIVE ON THIS REPORT.IF, AND ONLY IF,ACURATE TERMINAL BENEFITS AND SEVERANCE ALLOWANCES OF WORKERS TO BE AFFECTED ARE SINCERLY CALCULATED, VALID CHEQUES DUELY PREPARED, THEN,THOSE MOST LIKELY AFFECTED MAY WISH THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WELL, EVEN WITH THEIR LETTERS ON ONE HAND AND VALID CHEQUES ON THE OTHER AS THEY SMILE HOME.

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved N130bn for the payment of the terminal benefits of workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, who may be sacked in the ongoing reforms in the power sector.



The Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa, disclosed this at a one-day workshop on power reforms organised by the agency in Abuja on Tuesday.



The agency has also said that Nigerians are paying two times more for electricity as a result of inefficiency of the PHCN.



Onagoruwa said, ”Mr. President has approved that N130bn be set aside in the supplementary budget for the full payment of all financial benefits that will accrue to the PHCN workers that will be affected in the process of the reform in the sector.



“The need to fast-track the reform programme becomes imperative to improve efficiency, reduce losses and cost. No doubt, the reform will increase access to electricity, engender private sector investment, improve infrastructure and generate employment for the growing population of graduates.”



She said the power shortage in the country, despite the Federal Government‘s frequent financial interventions, was fast becoming intolerable.



According to her, available information indicates that all the plants in the unbundled PHCN are in poor condition with several of the units and supporting services completely down.



She added, ”There are also capacity constraints in the transmission and distribution networks requiring significant investments, which only private sector involvement can guarantee through modern technology and management.



”Despite the massive investment by the Federal Government, the transmission and distribution capacity is still below 4,000 megawatts.



”On the massive decay in the sector, industry experts estimate that the sum of $40bn (N6tn) will be required to meet Nigeria‘s electric power requirement between now and 2020.”



In a presentation, the Project Manager, Electric Power Sector Reform, BPE, Mr. Amaechi Aloke, said Nigerians were paying twice more for inefficiencies in the power sector.



According to Aloke, about 50 per cent of the power generated in the country is lost and this means that the tariff paid by consumers is two times what they should pay if the system were to be efficient.



However, through the Multi-Year-Tariff-Order evolved by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Federal Government is absolving part of the tariff through the injection of subsidies.



On the state of the electricity industry, Aloke said it was characterised by low generation, distribution and transmission capacities; lack of commercial orientation, poor maintenance culture, frequent power outages and large number of employees.



He said it was regrettable that the accounts of PHCN had not been audited in the last six years, adding that no commercial business would accept such a situation.



Meanwhile, the Federal Government has called on the National Union of Electricity Employees to call off their planned strike over alleged disagreement emanating from the payment of monetisation arrears to workers.



The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Nworgu, said that the strike was unnecessary as the Federal Government had fulfilled its side of the deal with the workers by paying the monitisation arrears of 82.6 per cent of the workers.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100929333768

Super Eagles players Obafemi Martins and Vincent Enyeama will be hoping to help their clubs grab their first points on Match Day Two of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.



Rubin Kazan, Martins‘ club, fell to a Dame Ndoye‘s goal after 87 minutes at FC Copenhagen in their Champions League opener in Denmark and now face a Herculean task against last season‘s semifinalists Barcelona at the Camp Nou.



Making their debut in the competition, the Russian champions pulled off one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history last season by defeating the then titleholders 2-1 at Camp Nou and their captain Christian Noboa believes they are capable of ”surprising the world” for the second time when they host the Spanish champions in Group D.



”We did it last year and surprised the whole world,” the Ecuador midfielder told UEFA.com. ”We‘ll have to fight very hard and play our very best. But why not do it again?”



Hapoel Tel Aviv will be relying on impressive Nigeria keeper Enyeama to put their campaign back on track at home against Lyon after they fell 2-0 at Benfica on Match Day One.



The Israeli champions, who are making their debut in Europe‘s top club football competition, are hoping to break the might of Lyon through the goals of Nigerian-born striker Toto Tamuz. Tamuz, son of former Nigerian international Clement Temile, has already played for Israel at senior level.



Hapoel coach Eli Gutman is optimistic they can advance to the knockout stages from Group B.



He told sportinglife.com, ”After our defeat at Benfica, our situation hasn‘t improved, that is clear. It is harder now to reach our goals, but it is not impossible. It was our goal to finish second or third, and this is still our goal. I think my team is strong enough, we still have five matches to go and everything is possible.”






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009290404210

The EFCC and Madam Waziri have the full support of Nigerians in discharging their duty. The problem with them is that they are insincere, unserious, selective, and are themselves very corrupt. There is no government MDA where large scale corruption is not taking place on a daily basis. Yet, all we find is only a handful of ’scapegoats’ being charged to court once in a while. Is that how to fight corruption?

The ongoing prosecution of corrupt politicians by the EFCC is a welcome development, especially now that the nation has entered the election season. But there is a need for the anti-graft agency to do it with fairness, for, it is only through that measure that the nation can attain good governance. Eradication of corruption is central to the nation’s destiny and prosperity.



All tiers of government and the citizens should support Mrs. Farida waziri, the chairman of the agency, for prosecuting politicians who are alleged to be corrupt. Waziri’s efforts would also help the political system and Nigerians to ensure that credible candidates are presented for the 2011 elections.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009290161746

What is the problem with zoning of pdp, nigerian are tired of all this criminal in power including pro jonathan and pro zoning. we need new hand with new ideaal to give us better leadership, not all this bad egg. let other party and progressive opposition team up and work together as one to flux out PDP, pls Buhari team up withh ACN and other and present a common person to be the president.

Director-General of the Jonathan Campaign organisation, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida, on Tuesday said President Goodluck Jonathan‘s position on the contentious issue of zoning as it affects the presidency within the Peoples Democratic Party, was right.



Jonathan had on Monday, while speaking with journalists after submitting nomination form at the PDP headquarters in Abuja, insisted that the ruling party never zoned the presidency to any part of the country.



However, Tafida, who spoke with journalists in Lagos on a number of issues, said the position of the Jonathan on the issue was that zoning only comes up after the president had emerged.



The director-general of the campaign organisation also said that said that the shutting out of top Igbo dignitaries by security agents during a planned summit in Owerri, Imo State, was purely the decision of Governor Ikedi Ohakim, adding that the President had no hand in it.



Tafida said, “These issues are sometimes mutilated by the readers. The President did not say that there is no zoning, but what he has said is that; if you look at the constitution of the party. In 1999 it talked of zoning, but it was not specific about the president. What he also said was that when you have the position of the president emerging, then you can talk of zoning. This is not only a party requirement but that of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.



“For instance, in 1999, the president appeared from the South-West, after then, zoning began. The position of the Vice-President (North-West), Senate President (South-East), Speaker of House of Representatives (North-West) and so on. All these were agreed upon when former President Olusegun Obasanjo was still president-elect. The beacon of zoning is the office of the president. My then position at the Senate as the Majority Leader was part of the national zoning process.



“This was how Jonathan spelt it out; he did not say there was no zoning. Remember he said that he is a product of zoning. That he is part of Yar‘Adua/Jonathan ticket in 2007. We have had more serious positions before when there was definite pronouncement by the party. During Obasanjo era in 1999, people from the North contested. During the era of late President Umaru Yar‘Adua, people from the South also contested.”



Meanwhile, President Jonathan on Tuesday dismissed “perceptions” that he was behind the alleged disruption of the Igbo Political Stakeholders Conference in Owerri, Imo State on Monday.



Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro, said the perceptions that he was behind the incident were unfounded, especially since it serves him no purpose.



The statement noted that Jonathan did not have any problem in the South-East since the zone had already endorsed his candidacy for the 2011 presidential election.



Jonathan also pointed out that some of his key supporters were affected by the development, as they were present at the conference venue.



The statement added that the President “frowns at any and every abridgement of the fundamental rights of Nigerians.”



Urging “a measure of circumspection on all of today‘s gladiators,” the President said that “ politics of issues, and of healthy debate; not of name calling and unfounded allegations,” should be emphasised.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100929035530

Former military president and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), General Ibrahim Babangida has again launched an attack on President Goodluck Jonathan and his supporters, accusing them of subverting the party’s constitution on the issue of zoning, to suit his presidential ambition.

In the same vein, former Vice President, and presidential aspirant on the platform of the same party, Atiku Abubakar, in calling for credible elections that would address the pitfalls of the 2003 and 2007 general elections, joined Babangida in attacking the Jonathan camp on the same issue.
The duo spoke on Tuesday at a public presentation of the book “The Hundred Most Influential Nigerians of All Times” put together by Daily Independent Newspapers, in Abuja.

Babangida who called on media practitioners to be apolitical in discharging their constitutional roles urged them to stick to the ethics of the profession by providing the platform where people could demand accountability in governance and leadership.
Speaking on the need for free and fair elections, Babangida who was the Chairman on the occasion noted, “free, fair and credible elections help to generate good leaders who as true representatives of the people would provide a sense of direction and purpose for their people.”

While attacking President Jonathan and his camp for allegedly twisting the party’s constitution on the issue of zoning, he said “Democracy in plural or divided societies talks about power sharing, conflict resolution and management and of course zoning. It talks about respect for, and understanding of the peculiarities of any given society.”

He spoke further: “Despite the pluralist status of Nigeria, those who should ordinarily know the import of zoning and power sharing as a function of our peculiarities have used other sentiments to mis-represent the real issues. The controversy over the zoning of political offices in my party, the PDP, would have been avoided if the players stuck to the terms and provisions of the party constitution without equivocation. All the twists and bends would have been unnecessary if the moral fiber of the society still retains its potency and integrity.”

Earlier, former Vice president Atiku Abubakar reiterated the need for the Independent National electoral Commission {INEC) to conduct free, fair and credible elections that would produce popular leadership.
Atiku said Nigeria lacks leaders. With an enlightened leadership according to the former Vice President, most of the problems confronting Nigeria would be solved easily.

While lauding the nation at 50, he said the country faces a pressing urgency for change, adding, “Put differently, Nigeria needs a new and better story – things just cannot continue to go on like this! We deserve better leadership so that we could stand our own in the comity of nations.
“Great nations in the world are not developed by chance, but by planning, experience, commitment, patriotism, vision, determination and respect for the rule of law. A careful study of how third world countries became first world countries would lend credence to this assertion.

“This is why the country must re-invent itself by making sure that the pitfalls of 2003 and 2007 are avoided in 2011 elections. This way the electorates will be able to elect a leader that is strong, experienced, and tested enough to confront the daunting challenges of development.
“Let me remind all here that this country belongs to all of us. We have equal stakes in it. There is no other country we truly can call our own. We must cherish our country, our ingenuities, opportunities and dreams.
“We must preach togetherness and embrace brotherliness. As the 2011 presidential election beckons, we should insist on issue based campaigns rather than a descent to campaign of calumny that does no one any good. The electorates need to be guided and the public need s to be informed independently.”

Babangida also descended on the media saying that though the media had played prominent role in nation building but noted that the Nigeria media seems to have left their noble role by becoming partisan.
“Aside from being opinion moulders to influence the positive currents of the society, the media as gatekeepers, help to ventilate ideas and provoke positive discourse in its attempt to building the moral fibres of the society.
“The media ought to be the vehicle through which we preach and spread our core values in order to build a well informed society with respect for rules, regulations mores and norms.

“These days, media practitioners appear to be more involved in politics than the politicians. These apparent drift, often times, affect the objectivity of reports, analyses, news contents, editorial comments, opinions articles and essays.
“The media must move away from this present reality by ensuring that it sticks to the ethics of the profession without fear or favour. It must assume its role constitutional role as the Fourth Estate of the Realm. It must give voice to the voiceless and provide platform where people could demand for accountability in governance and leadership.”

“If the country gets a leader who is of high integrity, with a clear vision of where this country ought to go both politically and economically and a clear road map on how to get there, the gap between our expectations and our capability will become considerably narrowed. Under such a leader, Nigeria will not only be a model of democracy in Africa but will take its rightful place in the comity of nations.”
The Managing Editor of Independent Newspapers Limited, Akpandem James said: “It is 50 years since we gained independence, and we have spent that number of years still searching for democracy. Although it looks elusive, given our self imposed tardiness, it is surmountable if the relevant stakeholders resolve to put behind individual and partisan interests, and focus on national development.







http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/29/national-29-09-2010-004.htm

IBB’s eight years rulership in Nigeria caused Nigeria an unimaginable damage.He constitutes an impediment to our collective development.His candidature is dangerous to Nigerian Economy and our coexistence.

Like Judas, General Ibrahim Babangida betrayed Nigerians and his friend, MKO Abiola, when he annulled the 1993 presidential election which was adjudged the freest and fairest in Nigerian political history. It is a notorious fact that annulment plunged the country into political and economic turmoil, which claimed many innocent lives, among other implications.



However, unlike the remorseful and repentant Judas in the Holy Bible, , IBB remains unrepentant and unruffled. He refused to apologise to Nigerians when asked to do so. He prefers to rob more salt on our collective injury by asking us to elect him as our next civilian President.



He recently reluctantly said he took responsibility for the annulment. Is taking responsibility the same as apology? Is it the same as explaining the reasons for the irresponsible act? Nigerians want to know the reason the mandate they gave Abiola at the poll was annulled.



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100929014668

Is this the same chukwumerije of abacha for life fame ? if so , he is only being true to type . when will this country be rid of this cacerous wasted generation ?

A mild drama played out on the floor of the Senate at its resumption on Tuesday as Senator Uche Chukwumerije announced his change of party affiliation.



In a letter to the President of the Senate, Chukwumerije informed the Senate that he had dumped Progressive Peoples Alliance for the Peoples Democratic Party.



The terse letter read, “It is my constitutional duty to inform your Excellency and the Senate that I am now a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.”



A loud murmuring from senators immediately started as David Mark finished reading the letter.



A point of order raised by Senator Ahmed Lawan of the ANPP to challenge the defection was turned down by the President of the Senate.



Another one by Senator George Sekibo tried to draw the attention of the Senate to the fact that Chukwumerije had been a severe critic of those moving from the minority parties to the PDP.



He said, “Chukumerije has always criticised those moving from that side to this side and now he is moving.”



But again, Mark ruled him out of order saying that since he came under the order for breach of his privilege, there was no evidence that the defection of Chukwumerije affected him as a senator.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009290383993

As the ding-dong among presidential hopefuls in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) moved further yesterday to open its door wider for the former military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) being speculated to be eyeing the party’s platform to realize his ambition, should he fail to get the PDP ticket.

The party is also exploring ways of opening discussions with its estranged former presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, now of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). It has also raised a contact team.

The party, which had penultimate Sunday, during its national convention amended its constitution to grant automatic waiver to former presidents and head of state just joining the party to fly its party’s flag in the 2011 elections.

Yesterday, a six-man team was raised by the party to move round the country to liaise with persons, groups and other interests, who might be interested in joining the party to come in.

Described as Contact Committee headed by the ANPP’s immediate past chairman of Board of Trustees, Alhaji Gambo Mogaji, new National Chairman, Ogbonnaya Onu, said the ANPP has become new and now in search of meaningful people to come on board to realize their ambitions to turn the nation around by jointly fighting the ruling party.

One of the members of the committee confided in Daily Sun that Generals Babangida and Buhari were some of the people being targeted in the renewed bid to restore the lost glory of the party and make it a potent force in the politics of Nigeria.
He explained that the new leadership was not averse to entry into the party, of anyone including former members, who have left or new ones.
When asked whether the development was in furtherance of the party’s constitution amendment, he was not forthcoming, but simply said the membership drive is one of the agenda of the new leadership.

In his first official function, Onu while inaugurating the committee, said the new ANPP was desirous of making new friends “so that together, we can build a new Nigeria. Our old friends will remain dear to our heart. But we need to compliment their friendship in such a way that together, both old and new, can march in greater strength and stronger unity in the pursuit of the good life for all Nigerians.
“Fellow party men and women, Nigeria needs the ANPP. Nigerians need the ANPP even more and we cannot afford to fail because if we do, Nigeria and Nigerians would be in trouble.”
Onu maintained that multi-party democracy was in danger and unless the opposition unites with the majority of Nigerians, “victory will be certain for those who do not and cannot win elections.”

While mandating the committee to comb the length and breadth of Nigeria and beyond in its drive for members for the party, he disclosed that the committee had two months to work and submit its report to the party so that the leadership would know what action to be taken next.
Chairman of the committee, Mogaji, said the task was onerous, but that they would do their utmost best to achieve the purpose for which the committee was set up.
He explained that the committee would reach out to aggrieved members who had left the party and new ones and called for support of all for the members to succeed.
Other members of the committee include, Dr Yusuff Musa, Ibrahim Hassan, Admiral Amusu, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Chief Livinus Nwambe.



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2010/sept/29/newsbreak-29-09-2010-001.htm

Ugh!Politics really is a dirty game,how can a reputable Oba like Onirisa involved in a dirty game!Is it possible to be a pastor and at the same time an usher at same church!I want Oba to respect themselves. I hope people still remember Bola Ige and Omisore saga at the palace of Onirisa! Akinbade,Peter and Oyinlola were best of friends,now politics has polarised them because of their shellfish interest.

Attempts by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, to resolve the crisis in the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party and choose a governorship candidate ended in a deadlock on Monday.



Among those in attendance at the meeting held at the residence of the monarch’s relative in Ile-Ife, Osun State were Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; PDP National Vice-Chairman (South-West), Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo; a former deputy national chairman (South), Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun; ex-minister of transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope; and Board Chairman, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr. Olu Alabi.



Also at the meeting were all the governorship aspirants of the party in the state, except Nigerian Ambassador to Cuba, Chief Segun Bamigbetan-Baju, who was away to Cuba; Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Chief Iyiola Omisore; a former Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Akinade Akinbade; ex-Chief of Staff to Oyinlola, Elder Peter Power; a former aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; Vice-Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta, Chief Gbenga Onigbogi; Chairman, Ife-East Local Government, Chief Gbenga Owolabi; Chairman, Nigeria Wire and Cable Limited, Alhaji Lateef Bakare; a lawyer, Chief Tunde Odanye; an economist, Chief Femi Alafe-Aluko; Chief Toye Wahab; Alhaji Fatai Sarunmi; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Nathaniel Oke; and a university lecturer, Prof. Wale Oladipo.



Akinbade accused Oyinlola and the state executive led by Ademola Rasaq of being the sources of the crisis in the chapter, noting that the governor’s actions were unbecoming of a leader. The former SSG said he rejected Oyinlola’s offer for him to be Omisore’s running mate and insisted that the state chapter must conduct free and fair primaries to choose the governorship candidate.



Also speaking, Rasaq said it was Oyinlola who told PDP members that they must work for Omisore. The governor responded by saying that he got the directive to work for Omisore from the Ooni.



Omisore did not speak during the heated argument which characterised the five-hour meeting, which began at 2pm. THE PUNCH learnt that Oyinlola said Omisore was the only politician that had supported him financially in the ongoing judicial challenge to his election by Action Congress of Nigeria candidate, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola.



Oyinlola also said he sold two of his houses in order to defend his election at the governorship tribunal. Obasanjo saved the day by pleading that the meeting should be adjourned till another date, adding that the Ooni would not be present at the next deliberation.



The former president said the outcome of the next meeting would be conveyed to monarch. THE PUNCH learnt that those opposed to Omisore converged on Premier Hotel, Ibadan before and after the meeting to prepare strategies.



A source at the meeting told THE PUNCH that a delegation would be sent to Obasanjo on Wednesday (today) to tell the former president that 11 of the governorship aspirants would defect from the party if Omisore was eventually picked as the governorship candidate.





http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009290343815