₦airaland Forum

Four days to the golden jubilee of Nigeria’s independence, former head of state and presidential aspirant, Mohammadu Buhari, reviewed the over 11 years of Peoples Democratic Party’s management of available resources, and described its performance as a calamity.

Also, he warned that going by recent political developments, the political landscape was slippery and Nigeria was pregnant, while expressing the hope that there would be no abortion.

Buhari said the level of executive theft unleashed on the nation over the 11 years, when analysed, was so mindboggling that Nigerians should never have a misfortune of the party being foisted on them again in 2011.

Lamenting the extent of mismanagement of the nation, General Buhari, who was addressing a crowd of supporters of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) from and across the 36 states and Abuja, including former House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Bello Masari, Mike Ahamba, SAN, at a National Consultative Forum in Abuja argued that the revenue that accrued to the nation since the amalgam year in 1914 to 1999 was far less than the revenue receipt between 1999 and now, but which the PDP government had squandered.

The former head of state, who said he was not speaking from abstract, explained that the “records provided by former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala indicated that the amount of money Nigeria realized between 1914 and 1998 was not up to the revenue realized by the PDP government between 1999 and 2010.”
As the nation prepares for 50th Independence Anniversary, the presidential hopeful described as a shame of a nation the fact that Nigeria was nowhere near her cotemporaries with whom it started 50 years ago, and with resources that could be compared to those of China, Malaysia, former Soviet Union and India.

For instance, he said, “50 years ago, we started like Malaysia, Brazil, China and co. Today in terms of infrastructure, manufacturing and other social services, where are these countries and where are we?” he asked rhetorically. “We used to have railway, shipping line, national air carrier and good government schools. Railway used to be a veritable means of mass transport and haulage to spare the road of articulated vehicles. All these are gone and this is in spite of growing huge resources which were never available before.

“With all the resources we can boast of, Cholera is still part of the disease we are trying to fight.”
He pointed out that sadly some political gladiators were still adopting soldier tactics that they would rather die than see a new leadership emerge, especially from the progressives’ camp. “2011 is pregnant, we hope there will be no abortion,” he stressed.

General Buhari, however, affirmed that in spite of the threats of do or die, operation totality or capture, his determination and commitment to a new Nigeria remained unshaken. The politician promised that his party was ready to reverse the ugly trend and that any party that was not disciplined could not instil discipline and change things when it got to power.

He said that was what necessitated the Consultative Forum warning the party members to always conduct themselves with honour and enshrine internal democracy, noting that “whoever wants to contest any position from councillorship to president must go through the required process; you must submit to the choice of the people.”

Cautioning party stalwarts against running foul of the law, he said “we don’t want any of our members to be caught with gun or any metal object during election or any other time. Do everything with honour. This is why I left ANPP. They gave me the ticket to run for presidency two times, they were ready to give me the third time but I had to quit.

“We have to work hard and dislodge the thieves; we will stop the executive theft when we get to power. The textile industries used to employ hundreds of thousands of workers but today most of the factories have locked up. What has happened? Share indiscipline and corruption. We will revamp the railway system, bring back infrastructure and generate employment.”

Earlier in his address of welcome, National Chairman of the party, Senator Rufai Hanga, said the party was sending a clear message that a new order was in the offing and that Nigerians should be prepared for a change in 2011. He noted that CPC was the new hope of the common man and was prepared to stop the ongoing political hara-kiri and make life more meaningful to the people.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/27/national-27-09-2010-021.htm

President Goodluck Jonathan has urged US President Barrack Obama, to shelve his proposed visit to Nigeria this year and come in 2011 instead, to enable him celebrate with the country after the credible polls, the Nigerian Ambassador to US, Ade Adefuye, has aid.

He said though President Jonathan was very much interested in Obama’s visit at anytime he wishes, he, however, feels strongly that his visit in an election year could be misinterpreted by opponents to mean that his coming will influence the direction of the elections in Jonathan’s favour.

Jonathan had shortly on arrival in New York for the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), engaged in diplomatic talks with top officials of the US government, including President Obama and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

First to meet with Jonathan in a closed door session, arranged by the Nigerian Embassy in the US headed by Adefuye, at the instance of the Office of the Secretary of State, was Ms Clinton and then later, President Obama, moments after a dinner for visiting heads of government.

Adefuye told newsmen that President Jonathan feels Obama’s visit to Nigeria now, few months to our elections could send wrong signals to political opponents that he was coming to influence the election in his favour, “hence, we don’t want him (Obama) to come now, and we have informed the US government to this effect.”
The envoy, however, disclosed that President Obama believes in Nigeria’s ability to conduct credible elections next year under the leadership of President Jonathan and that the Nigerian government will welcome him to celebrate the outcome of what would become the best election ever held on African soil come 2011.

“As you know, there is no doubt whatsoever on the ability of our President to conduct free and fair elections next year, the whole world has seen his unequivocal, but unquantifiable commitment, so we want the President of US and the rest of the world to join us to celebrate what would become the freest election on African soil”, he said.

Obama had visited some selected African countries including Ghana, Nigeria’s neighbour and both the US government and the administration of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua were heavily criticised by analysts.
Meanwhile, the fears raised by former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. John Campbell, in his controversial two-part article on Nigeria, again came to haunt the Presidency last week as Jonathan rounded off yet another visit to the US. Daily Sun sources in New York gathered that the US is still insisting that the Presidency do its groundwork on the Jonathan candidacy before pushing it any further.

This position, Daily Sun gathered, came up at a private meeting between a select crop of senior US officials and their Nigerian counterparts. The US officials were again said to have demanded to be further educated on the economic, political and security implications of the Jonathan candidacy, insisting Jonathan should again “rethink” the decision to contest. “While it would amount to interfering in the domestic affairs of Nigeria, and while not asking the President not to contest, the US authorities are said to think it would be in the interest of Nigeria and her allies that the push to get Jonathan stand election is properly thought over.

“They do not want to appear to be interfering in Nigeria, but they also do not want anything that would adversely affect the unity and stability of the country.” According to the source, “it is obvious that the US government is taking the fears and suggestions of Ambassador Campbell more seriously than Nigerians seem to think. Although the US authorities are believed not to have hidden their preference for the Jonathan candidacy, they are said to be worried by the utterances and feelers emerging from the Northern parts of the country over the decision to dump the zoning arrangement. They said the repercussions might be too grave for Jonathan to handle if the threats come true.

While Washington is said to still be more willing to wager on Jonathan than any of the known front-runners, the source said the US would not mind a situation where a compromise candidate, whose candidacy would not be so divisive, emerges. Incidentally, the source told Daily Sun, “there is no guarantee yet that even another Northern candidate would not be just as divisive as Jonathan’s candidacy,”

The problem with the US people, the source said, “is that they still view Nigeria as a country rigidly divided along the lines of Christian South and Moslem North, so everything about Nigeria, must fit into this stereotype. They are not easily swayed by the fact that there is more to Nigeria than that pre-determined mindset. They don’t know that there are many supporters of Jonathan in the North and that there are some Southerners (Christians and Moslems) who do no want anything to do with the Jonathan candidacy.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/27/national-27-09-2010-002.htm

With five key political figures now in the presidential race, the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains open, and the tide may flow in any direction. Likely postponement of elections till April next year as demanded by stakeholders may even make the race more pulsating.

Gladiators who have thrown their hats into the ring include former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, President Goodluck Jonathan, Kwara State governor, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and immediate past National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau.

As each candidate declares his ambition, the political configuration changes in the states, with loyalties swinging back and forth.
At a grand ceremony in Eagle Square, Abuja, on September 18, President Jonathan confirmed what most Nigerians had long suspected. He would present himself for the 2011 presidential contest.

As the clock ticks towards general elections, the PDP ticket seems still up for grabs. Who will get it? The first declarant, Atiku Abubakar? Babangida? Jonathan, with the enormous advantage of incumbency? Saraki, with the clout of the PDP governors behind him? Or Gusau, who ran in 2006, and came second? The weeks and months ahead would unravel the jigsaw.}

Recently, research report by the London based International Institute for Political Research (IIPR) indicated that the race for the PDP ticket was open, as a large number of the delegates were still undecided. Between then and now, Babangida, Jonathan, Saraki and Gusau have formally declared. How has this affected the scenario?
Findings by Daily Sun indicate that till the very last minute, it might be presumptuous for any of the aspirants to think he’s home and dry.

Traditional turfs and strongholds keep changing hands, and this may likely persist till the very end of the primaries. According to the timelines released by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP, the authentic candidate was to have emerged October 23, and the name forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by October 30. Now, it appears the Electoral Act will be amended, and elections postponed till maybe April 2011 as being demanded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and some political parties.

Political pundits say the presence of 27 governors at President Jonathan’s declaration 10 days ago does not automatically translate to landslide vote by the delegates. Sure, he has a strong foothold in some states, particularly the ones where former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has tremendous hold on the governors. But even in his native South-South, only Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states may be definite. Babangida, Atiku and Saraki would surely make deep cuts into the votes of the delegates from the other states within the zone.

In the North-West, President Jonathan can expect a tidy number of votes from Kaduna State, where his deputy and running mate, Namadi Sambo, was governor till early this year. At least 80% of the delegates will vote for the Jonathan/ Sambo ticket.

If the sole candidate option being mooted by the North does not work, then Babangida and Gusau will surely undercut each other in some states. In Zamfara, Gen Gusau is a native, while the governor is son-in-law to Babangida. In which direction do the delegates go? The days ahead will provide the answer. In the North-West, Zamfara and Kebbi could go for Babangida, while Katsina and Jigawa may back Atiku. Kano would be split down the middle by the two.

Much of the South-West still smarts over the June 12, 1993 election annulled by Babangida, and except Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s Osun State, the former military president is on quicksand in the zone. Atiku Abubakar and President Jonathan would make a good showing here. The former vice president’s quest is particularly buoyed by the recent waiver granted him to contest by the PDP.

Since that development, his political camp has been re-energised, and his supporters nationwide are in an upbeat mood. It’s been like a political shot in the arm, and a lot of supporters and political heavyweights are gravitating towards the Abubakar camp. The mammoth crowd that welcomed him in Sokoto last week is a good indicator.
North-East is a stronghold of the former vice president, while Babangida can sleep easy over Niger and a few other states in the North-Central.

Except if Bukola Saraki had a firm commitment from the PDP governors (he was chairman, Governors’ Forum) before he joined the fray, his scope of influence may not go beyond Kwara State, where he’s been governor for almost eight years. But then, in politics, as they say, anything can happen in a matter of hours.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/27/national-27-09-2010-001.htm

A 106-year-old man, Mr. Samuel Ugwu of Ndiagu Ameachi Awkunanaw community, in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has petitioned the state police command over what he described as ”issuance of death threats” to him and members of his family.



He appealed to the police and state government to scuttle the alleged moves by some unknown persons to kill him and members of his family.



The petition, which was titled “Complaint on Issuance of Death Threats to my Life,” was signed by Samuel and addressed to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Area Command Headquarters of the state command.



The centenarian alleged that the unknown hoodlums had prior to the threat to his life, his wife and two sons, kidnapped one of his sons, Chijioke Ugwu, who was released after the family had paid N500, 000 as ransom.



In the petition made available to PUNCH METRO through his son, Afam, Samuel stated that a group of armed young men invaded his apartment on Tuesday, August 17, 2010, at about 10.am, and ordered him and his household to leave the house or get killed.



According to him, when he demanded to know why the hoodlums asked him to leave his residence, they (armed men) told him that he was ”a slave bought by their forefathers in those days.”



The old man, who spoke in Igbo through an interpreter, his son, in a very low voice, said it was at that juncture that he explained to the bandits that he inherited “the place from my forefathers.”



He added that rather than listened to him, the hoodlums advised him to ”quickly follow their instruction or I will be kidnapped the way they did to my son in July this year.”



Samuel said, ”The sum of N500, 000 was paid as ransom to the kidnappers before he (his son) was freed.



“They have now shifted attention to me with serious threats, saying that nothing will happen to them if they destroy me and my family to enable them to achieve their objectives.



”I want you, the commissioner, to send your men to come and interview the villagers. They will tell you how this group has shot and wounded some people, while some have fled to the north and Lagos for safety of their lives.”



He added that out of fear that the hoodlums might carry out their threat, he hardly slept in his compound because of “these people.”



“They have always come to my house in search of my two sons as well as my daughter,” he added.



The petition also reads, “They have always boasted that they have backers and that if they kill me and my children, nobody will question them, not even the police, while they repeatedly referred to me as a slave.



“I have told them to approach the matter through the law court, instead of looking for someone else‘s blood to achieve their objective.”



The petition, which was also copied to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone 9, Umuahia, Abia State, also stated, ”Nobody in our village can challenge these people. If you see them; they are always looking drunk with raps of Indian hemps with fearful faces.



“I am finding it difficult to sleep in my house because they may come anytime as the deadline they gave me is fast approaching.”



The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the receipt of the petition.



“The command is looking into the matter and will take urgent steps,” he said.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009272484425

You should be happy that thanks to your father, you were able to be governor. For you to dream of being president is taking it too far. For your sister to want to be governor is taking it too far. You two should forget about your ambitions and let self made intelligent and hard working people rule the state. You should go and enjoy your ill gotten wealth. Personally, I do not have any respect for you or your sister.

A presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party Dr. Bukola Saraki, has called on his fellow aspirants to develop a code of conduct on healthy and lively interactions among them.



Saraki, who is also the governor of Kwara State, advised presidential aspirants to focus on developmental issues and avoid malice and pettiness.



In a statement the by Director-General his campaign organisation’s, Dr. Udenta Udenta, the governor said his ambition was motivated by the fact that after decades of independence, Nigeria was still a nation at the crossroads. He said the nation’s future would be determined by the outcome of the 2011 elections.



He said, “The economy is in bad shape and in need of urgent intervention and remediation. Therefore, the choice is entirely ours: to leave it in this worsening state or seize the opportunity offered by the election with both hands to change it.



“This is why, for Governor Bukola Saraki, this presidential campaign must be issue-driven, development-focused and people-oriented and with malice to none and completely devoid of pettiness.”



He reminded Nigerians that only a focused, visionary and transformative leadership could lead the nation out of its problems.



He said, “This is so because the problems with our nation have been well diagnosed but the real challenge remains to fix them.”



Udenta said Saraki had the requisite experience and competence to fix the nation’s problems, adding that he was looking forward to a fair contest devoid of rancour and bitterness.



He also said Saraki would soon unfold a policy document encapsulating his vision and mission for a new Nigeria.






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010092775287

Super Eagles forward Osaze Odemwingie was Nigeria‘s best performer in Europe on Saturday when he led West Bromwich Albion to an emphatic 3-2 win over Arsenal at the Emirates in an English Premier League match.



West Brom should have gone ahead in the 38th minute when the former Lokomotiv Moscow player was bundled down by keeper Mauel Almunia for a penalty. Almunia made amends when he caught Chris Brunt effort.



But there was no stopping Odemwingie in the 50th minute as the Edo-born player scored the opener and helped the newly-promoted side to a resounding win. It was the Nigerian‘s third goal in five matches for the Baggies.



In the French Ligue One, Marseille left-back Taye Taiwo, opened scores in the 19th minute as the champions romped to a 2-1 win over visiting Socahux.



In the Danish second division, former U-23 fringe player, Justus Erhenede, was on the score sheet as his club Kolding IF held FC Roskilde to a 3-3 draw. Erhenede scored the curtain raiser in the 20th minute.



Little-known Anthony Ujah grabbed his 10th goal of the season as he helped Lillestrom draw 1-1 at home to Molde in Norway.



The 19-year-old attacking midfielder scored in the 51st minute.



Meanwhile, Esperance forward, Michael Eneramo‘s 68th minute strike sealed a 1-0 win for the Red and Gold against Gafsa in the Tunisian topflight.



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009273164193

Mr Babafemi should be told in clear terms that one of the reasons Madam Waziri gave for being different from Mallam Ribadu she does not take people and clamp them into detention without proper investigation. That means if your are arrested today you are going to court tomorrow. Efcc can always invite this man from his home to come and answer questions or write his statement, arrest will be justified only if the subject matter did not honour such invitation. This is sheer human right abuse.

Traders in the popular Ladipo spare parts market in Lagos State on Saturday protested the arrest and continued detention of their leader by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.



They said the detention was politically-motivated.



At a peaceful rally in Lagos, the traders said the protest was to register their grouse over the arrest and detention of the President of Aguiyi Ironsi Trade Centre Traders Association, Mr. Jonathan Okoli, by the anti-graft agency.



They threatened to unleash mayhem if the Lagos State Government and relevant stakeholders failed to intervene in the lingering crisis in the market.



The traders also claimed placards with inscriptions like ‘Okoli’s arrest is a calculated attempt to cause trouble in our market’, ‘EFCC do you job well’, ‘Government should call EFCC to order’ and ‘If you push us to the wall we will fight back’, the traders.



They had trooped out in their thousands and alleged that certain individuals were plotting to use the commission to take over the leadership of their market and union.



The Secretary of the Aguiyi Ironsi Trade Center Traders Association, Mr. Lawrence Eze, who spoke with journalists, said their president had before now been arrested by the EFCC and granted bail , adding that the decision of the commission to pick and detain him again gives room for suspicion.



He said, “He has been invited before because of some allegations written in the petition of those we impeached from our market association wrote against him and was granted bail.



Eze explained that they had before now made representation to the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, (SAN) on the lingering crisis, noting that it would do the state more good if the government could take proactive measures to resolve the matter.



But EFCC’s spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi, who confirmed the arrest and detention of the leader, said the arrest was based on fresh allegations against him which must be investigated by the commission.






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009271305945

The National Assembly Joint Committees on the Review of the Constitution and the Independent National Electoral Commission are meeting on Monday (today) in Abuja, to discuss and agree on a new timetable for the 2011 elections.



Also involved in the crucial meeting is the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN).



The Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committees on the 1999 Constitution, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, had invited all members of the committees to a meeting last Thursday.



Ekweremadu’s action followed a request from the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who had declared April as the ideal month instead of January for the conduct of the polls. This was after a meeting he had with leaders of the 63 political parties last week.



The commission after its retreat in Calabar issued a communiqué declaring the January date unrealistic, noting that it had missed over 60 per cent of its timelines.



A key element is the procurement of Direct Data Capture machines for the registration of voters across the country. Contracts for the procurement are yet to be signed.



The amended 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act contain provisions relating to the 2011 electoral timetable, which INEC is bound to respect.



However, THE PUNCH leanrt in Abuja that members of the committees were still ignorant about the details and implications of INEC’s request.



But a reliable source at INEC told one of our correspondents that, “The issue up for discussion is simple, we are going to convey the reality of the time constraints we are faced with.



“We will also use the opportunity to formally convey the outcome of the retreat in Calabar as well as the agreement reached with political parties after last week’s meeting.”



Jega’s demand implies that the First Amendment to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 will be altered. But Ekweremadu had in a statement last week said a briefing by Jega and Adoke would clarify major points around the elections.



Although the Senate is expected to resume plenary on Tuesday, senators, who are members of the Constitution Review Committee and their House of Representatives counterparts arrived Abuja on Sunday for the meeting.



Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Ayogu Eze, told our correspondent on Sunday that an agenda for the amendment processes would only be possible after today’s meeting.



He said members of the committee were yet to discuss the issues, adding that the committee was prepared to listen to the INEC boss.



Ayogu explained, “We cannot do any work now until we hear from them. They (INEC) are the ones making the proposals, so we have to hear them on Monday and we can take up from there.



“We have not met because there will be nothing to talk about now. We need to hear from them before formulating an agenda on what further steps will be taken,”



THE PUNCH learnt that a formal proposal in the form of a bill would come from the executive, detailing the desired amendments.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100927711293

It is better now to merge now before it will be too late.AD alone cannot achieve anything more in nigeria

The National Executive Council meeting of the Alliance for Democracy has endorsed the appointment of its former national vice-chairman, South-East, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha, as its new acting national chairman.



This follows its failed attempt to merge with Action Congress of Nigeria.



A statement made available to journalists in Enugu on Saturday and signed by the AD National Secretary, Alhaji Magaji Kwarianga, said the meeting was in line with the directive of the Independent National Electoral Commission after the party’s convention held in Lagos recently.



The party described the reported merger with ACN as a ‘ruse,’ insisting that the AD “has not and will never merge with any party.”



It alleged that a “cabal from the South-West imposed the merger theory on the party and tried to intimidate and coerce everybody into it.



“But we, members from the five other zones, dissociated ourselves from the issue and wished them well in their sojourn with ACN.”



The statement said the party’s NEC unanimously agreed that Obioha should act as the national chairman, since the former AD boss and his deputy, Chief Michael Koleosho and Rev. Tunji Adebiyi, had joined the ACN.



It explained that the choice of Obioha was based on the fact that the North and South-West were among the three groups from the zones that joined to form the party and had a shot at the leadership.



It added, “The South-East was a major partner in the formation of the AD and should have a shot at it now.”



The NEC recalled that AD was formed by the Eastern Mandate Union led by Chief Arthur Nwankwo from the South-East; Afenifere led by the late Chief Abraham Adesanya from the South-West; and the Northern Democratic Alliance led by late Ambassador Tanko Yusuf.



“That we have unanimously agreed that Rev. Okechukwu Obioha, the national vice-chairman, South-East, of our great party should immediately act as the acting national chairman until a convention is held to elect a substantive national chairman,” the NEC said.



It assured that AD would present candidates for all elective positions in the forthcoming general elections and urged the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to get rid of corrupt members of staff of the commission.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010092776428

If these four are looking for concensus candidate, they should all step down and look for someone else. It will show that their interest is for the North, not for self and by the way, Saraki should forget getting the ticket of the north cause he ain’t one of them. Sorry bro!

Indications emerged on Sunday that the efforts of Northern politicians to produce a consensus aspirant that will contest against President Goodluck Jonathan during the Peoples Democratic Party presidential primaries have hit a brickwall.



Investigations showed that none of the four aspirants being considered as the consensus aspirant was ready to step down for the other, despite their public affirmations that they would.



The aspirants are former military President Ibrahim Babangida; ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; former National Security Adviser, Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau; and Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki.



Some prominent politicians from the North had, a few weeks ago, set up a 17-member team to produce an aspirant that would vie for the PDP ticket against the President. The move is part of efforts to ensure that the North produces the next President of the country.



The team, which comprises three representatives of each zone in the North, has as members, the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido; A.B.Mahmoud and Alhaji Magaji Dambatta (North-West); Chief Audu Ogbeh; Dr. Iyochia Ayu and Dr. Ignatius Ayua (North- Central); and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma; Gombe State Governor Garuba Goje as well as Mr. Ricky Tarfa (North- East).



Our correspondent gathered that Gusau and Abubakar were embittered by moves by some members of the committee to impose Babangida on them without considering whether his (Babangida) candidacy would ”sell or not.”



The four aspirants had in a joint statement by their campaign coordinators on September 17, 2010 agreed that one of them should be picked as a consensus aspirant.



It was gathered that the committee, which also has the campaign coordinators of the aspirants as members, would have concluded its meetings on September 21 and made its recommendations known on September 22.



Its progress is, however, believed to have been hampered by the unwillingness of the aspirant to let go of their ambitions.



Investigations showed that the aspirants had initially agreed to abide by the decisions of the committee. But there were strong indications on Sunday that they were sharply divided.



It was also learnt that the Abubakar camp, in particular, had been pushing for the candidacy of the former vice-president on the grounds that he had stepped down for other candidates in 1993 and 2003.



An associate of the former vice-president, who pleaded anonymity, said, “You will recall that in 1993, Abubakar stepped down for the late Chief Moshood Abiola at the Jos convention of the defunct Social Democratic Party. In 2003, he also rejected the governors‘ advice to contest against Obasanjo.”



Babangida, who is said to have held extensive meetings with the members of the committee, is said to be touting his experience as his edge over the others.



“Babangida has been telling members his candidacy will be accepted by all,” said a member of the committee, who did not want his name mentioned because he was not authorised by the committee to comment on the matter.



THE PUNCH gathered that although Saraki had consistently described himself as a Northerner, the feeling among the commttee members was that the consensus aspirant should be an Hausa/Fulani.



Saraki had said that if the North was to pick any consensus aspirant, he should be selected because he was the youngest among the four.



Investigations showed that the confusion in the committee was compounded by Gusau, who last week, was quoted as saying that he was in the race to win and not to step down for any aspirant.



Analysts say Gusau‘s comment is a veiled reference to Babangida, who is believed to have the sympathy of many of the committee members.



The former NSA‘s Director of Organisation, Senator Ben Obi, had in an interview with journalists two weeks ago said, “That Gusau has no debilitating baggage associated with him over the 40 years of untainted public service, speaks volumes about the moral and intellectual force of the candidate as a person and as a presidential aspirant.”



Another committee member, who spoke to our our correspondent on Sunday, on the basis of anonymity said, “The three others are suspecting that the committee is bent on imposing Babangida on them. But it is an open secret that the former miliary dictator is the most unsellable of the four. His antecedents will work against the interest of the North. He cannot win elections in the region, much less in the whole country.”



Analysts say the discordant tunes from committee members could be an indication of the committe’s inability to agree on a consensus aspirant.



When contacted, the Media Consultant to Abubakar, Mallam Garuba Sheu, said that the former vice-president’s camp was committed to the process of producing a Northern consensus aspirant.



He said, ”We are committed to the process that will lead to the emergence of a Northern aspirant, who will be presented to the rest of Nigeria. We have submitted ourselves to the process. We, however, believe that our candidate (Abubakar) is favoured, if it is based on merit.”



Also the spokesperson for Gusau, Mr. Segun Babatope, said that the former NSA was ready to abide by the decision of the elders.



He added that all the aspirants had earlier agreed to that.



He said, “Once the elders pick a candidate, others will step down for other person picked. The general has said do severally. That is his position.”






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009272174793

Super Eagles interim handler, Austin Eguavoen, has confessed that the October 10 battle against Guinea in the race to Gabon/Equitorial Guinea 2012 African Cup of Nations is one that is making him grow some grey hairs.

The Edo born tactician said he would ordinarily not be losing sleep over the Guineans, but for the attitude and commitment level of his players, which he noted is nothing to write home about.

Eguavoen, who opened up exclusively to Daily Sunsports at the Eagles Tinapa Lodge in Calabar after the 2-0 victory over Madagascar said he was not impressed with the commitment level of the players insisting that it is a big problem that could see the team crumble like a pack of card in Conakry.

He noted that the Guinean players would approach the game as if their lives depend on it, especially after their five star performance away in Darussalam, where the Syli Nationales’ defeated Ethiopia 4-1.

“Ordinarily one shouldn’t be afraid of Guinea. We’ve got better players and a higher soccer pedigree, but it doesn’t start and end there. If you have 11 Maradonas who are not ready to play out their hearts, then you will be in trouble. Our attitude to the game is a big problem. It manifested in our game against Madagascar and for me, the big worry is how to get the players play with a higher level of commitment.

We need to be more aggressive and hungry for goals. If we step up our game, we can beat Guinea with ease . We just can’t keep struggling with every opponent. Fine, we won against Madagascar, but the truth is that we struggled in the second half.

In Conakry, I see the Guineans playing as if their lives depend on the match and the game is such a crucial one which we can’t afford to lose if we must not struggle to qualify for the Nations Cup.” Eguavoen , however, expressed optimism that the Eagles will get better with every game, even as he noted that it takes time to build a solid team.

“We are just fresh from the World Cup and trying to build a new team. I can’t build one over night. It is a gradual process, especially when one is trying to inject some new legs into the team.” It would be noted that five home-based players got Eguavoen’s nod to taste action in the game against Madagascar with Enyimba’s Valentine Nwabili being in the starting line up.



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/sportsonthehour/2010/sept/24/sportsbreak-24-09-2010-001.htm

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will fly into Conakry on the eve of their 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea armed with all they need before the all- important October 10 showdown against the Syli Nationale.
NFF’s Acting General Secretary Musa Amadu confirmed that the team would fly in on a chartered aircraft, but said it would only be the day before the game.

“We expect the team to camp and train in Abuja, and fly out to Guinea on the 9th,” Amadu said adding that the Eagles will return to Abuja immediately after the game.

Amadu also confirmed that the NFF had agreed payment with Austin Eguavoen for his temporary stint as Super Eagles coach.
“We had a meeting, we discussed and he was satisfied with what we agreed. But I cannot give any details of what was discussed.”

Eguavoen has been in interim charge of the team since Swede Lars Lagerback refused to continue in the wake of a disastrous World Cup performance. The former defender’s last match in charge is expected to be the Conakry game.

Guinea lead the group on goal difference, after a 4-1 win at Ethiopia on Match Day one. Nigeria, who beat Madagascar 2-0, are level on three points.



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/sports/2010/sept/24/sports-24-09-2010-001.htm

The Goodluck Jonathan/Namadi Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation has challenged all the presidential aspirants in our country to run their campaigns based on issues rather than on personality attacks.

The organisation made this known in Abuja yesterday, in two separate statements signed by its director of media and publicity, Sully Abu. It also expressed disappointment with the threat by the Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, to stage a protest against the federal government if the May 29 handover date was altered.

The campaign organization had on Wednesday said the ongoing plans by four presidential aspirants from the north to gang up against Goodluck Jonathan in the build up towards the primaries, is bound to fail. The statement asked the presidential aspirants to follow Mr Jonathan's example by conducting issues-based campaigns. It also condemned the allegation by former vice president and presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, that the president's insistence on contesting was polarizing the nation, as well as the report credited to another aspirant, Bukola Saraki, that the mammoth crowd that witnessed Mr Jonathan's formal declaration in Abuja last Saturday was rented.

Throwing mud

"We call on all aspirants in the PDP to follow President Jonathan's great example by running a campaign based on issues, on what they have to offer Nigerians to pull them out of the grip of poverty and underdevelopment rather than resort to throwing mud," Mr Abu said. "Such old-style politics which has not got the country anywhere should not be the forte of political aspirants who want to be taken seriously."

The organisation noted that Mr Jonathan's opponents were taken aback by the degree of the sophistication and organisation displayed in the massive turnout at his hitch-free Eagle Square declaration rally and by his message, which has resonated exceptionally well across the land.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5622447-147/jonathan_calls_for_issues-based_campaign_.csp

Former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu yesterday gave reasons why the South-west geo-political zone should support the presidential ambition of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan saying he is the best among others.

Agagu’s position came just as the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel in his capacity as the coordinator, South-west zone of the Goodluck Jonathan for President Campaign Council, said the geo-political zone would work assiduously to ensure the emergence of Jonathan as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate at the party’s primaries.

The duo of Agagu and Daniel spoke yesterday during the stakeholders meeting of the campaign which held at the Valley View Auditorium, Government House, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. According to Agagu, the zone stood to benefit a lot from the emergence of the former governor of Bayelsa State than any of the presidential aspirants in the country.

His words: “As the people of the South-west, we stand at the threshhold of history; we are participants in history to ensure the unfolding scenario in the country did not take us by surprise. Assessing the presidential aspirants, Agagu who lost to the incumbent Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Ondo State after a protracted legal tussle said: “Jonathan is coming with a clean slate.

‘’No previous allegiance could hinder him like what we know of others that we know they have some things in the past that can work against them, but Jonathan is coming with a clean slate. We should work with him for the progress of our dear country.”
He noted that “although the South-west could not produce the president in the next political dispensation, we must be pro-active. It is also quite unlikely, not impossible that anybody from the South-west in the coming election can be vice president.”

Continuing, Daniel said: “Which means that if we sit together as a people and begin to support a president and a vice president that does not come form the South-west, we cannot be said to have sold our people, but it means that we are being strategic, we are being pro-active and we are trying to be part of history. That, I think, is our major challenge.”
“Unless in the past, there is a tremendous change in the way politics is being played in the country. Probably today unlike what it was about 10 years ago when five to 10 per cent of the people tell us the direction of politics, it has reversed. Today, 90 per cent of our people are playing active politics.

“It is indeed a challenge that the formular of winning election has to change and must change and has changed. Because our people have become political animals, you see the kind of friction that is not known in the political history of our country is going on today in Nigeria. “There is virtually no state where there is not one friction or the other; one group or the other even in the same political party. Part of what this kind of a meeting would achieve is an opportunity for interaction.

“Basically, therefore, we must ensure that we are not just spectators, but participants in history. To become participants in history, definitely, we have to be part of history. What we are doing here today (yesterday) is to ensure that the unfolding scenario is favourable to us.” Daniel lamented that about two months, some people had pitched him where he did not belong. “A month or two months, some people would have sworn that I would not accept this job (coordinator) because people have already decided to put me somewhere without even talking to me.

“It is true that people have friends, you can’t fault somebody who has been in the political environment for decades not to have friends, but we must not just because of an association which you can’t predict begin to straight-jacket people.
“Somebody you think may be somewhere yesterday, if we play the right game, sing the right tune and say the right work may be one of the most active in this project. In other words, Saul can be Paul. So don’t let us push anybody away on account of social interaction and social friendship.”



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/24/national-24-09-2010-024.htm

Former Military President and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2011 elections, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has said the 2011 election will not be a do-or-die affair for him, saying win or lose, life continues.

Babangida spoke in Minna , Niger State on Thursday when a group, “Nigerians in Diaspora (North America and Europe)” visited him at his Uphill mansion to express their support for his presidential ambition. He pointed out that he has a conviction and would play politics of conviction.

“Win or lose, life will continue but I have a conviction and will go into the election with that conviction. I will play politics of conviction.”
The former leader said he expressed the hope that the election would be free, fair and transparent where according to him, each and every vote will count and above all, free from intimidation.

Babangida told the group which was led by one-time Minister of Information, Chief Alex Akinyele that his decision to seek a come back was borne out of his desire to take the country out of its present development challenges, stressing that the time to make genuine contributions to the development of this country is now. “It is now time to make a genuine sacrifice for this country. The time to lay a solid foundation is now for the sake of children of tomorrow because I will not be there in the next 50 years.”

He assured the delegation that he will provide the needed leadership where the young ones will be given the opportunity to make contributions saying, “At the age of 27, I fought for the unity of this country. I have a passion for the country and its development.” He urged Nigerians in the diaspora to believe in the country, according to him, 50 years in the life of the country is nothing because “this is a country that will exist for a thousand years to come.”

He assured them that if elected President in 2011, he would make sure that people’s votes count, stressing that “you can vote and be voted for like it obtains in other countries of the world”. Earlier, the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora for IBB 2011, Suleiman Balogun told Babangida that the style of his leadership has been acknowledged by Nigerians in diaspora with a strong belief that his wealth of experience would definitely be needed to move the nation forward again.
The chairman pointed out that Nigerians at home and abroad will never fail to appreciate his eight-years regime which he said was characterized by policy initiatives and fiscal measures as against lip-service most leaders thereafter, had paid to the development of this country.

“It is on record that you achieved a lot in many areas where others had failed. You created 11 more states, brought the government closer to the people by creating about 200 local government areas, reduced road accidents by creating the Federal Road Safety Commission, introduced the civil service reform, the establishment of National Women Commission which is now Ministry of Women Affairs among others”.

Balogun disclosed that as a group that believes so much in the IBB vision, it has privately embarked on several meaningful projects within and outside the country aimed at actualizing the IBB 2011, and these include the creation of an IBB website to project his image and awareness programmes to sensitize the public.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/24/national-24-09-2010-002.htm

The Goodluck Jonathan/Namadi Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation has carpeted the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole over his declaration to stage a protest, if the Federal Government reneges on the May 29, 2011 handover date.

A statement signed by Sully Abu, Director of Media and Publicity of the Jonathan Campaign Organization expressed disappointment over the statement credited to the governor.

The statement reads: “We are taken aback by the largely speculative statements by Oshiomhole and the impression created that the request for more time by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was masterminded by the Federal Government.

We condemn the attempt by Oshiomhole to tag the President and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government with the brush of complicity in the call for polls shift by the electoral body. President Jonathan and the Nigerian people are committed to the May 29 handover date and nothing is being done to compromise that.”

Abu noted that all the major political parties, including the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), were in favour of a shift in date to allow INEC more time to deliver on its promise of a free and fair election in 2011.
“Much as we believe in the capacity of the INEC to deliver on credible elections at all levels, we urge Governor Oshiomole to desist from playing politics with serious issues.

Following the request by the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, the President has ordered the release of the N87 billion requested by INEC; he has also signed the amended Electoral Act 2010, despite some reservations.
“How else could government had demonstrated good faith? Oshiomole’s attempt to insinuate ulterior motives in the present circumstance is simply preposterous,” the Jonathan group submitted.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2010/sept/24/newsbreak-24-09-2010-001.htm

Ah ah ah hahah See you. Why PDP no dey win Okiro so you were a card carrying PDP member in uniform. If not it is not yet 2 years when you were removed and you are qualified to contest . Our security system are unbiased umpires. They are phee de Phee(PDP).

A former Inspector-general of Police, Mike Okiro, yesterday joined the increasing number of public figures that will be contesting in the 2011 general elections.

The 62-year-old retired police boss is expected to publicly declare his intention today for the sole senatorial seat in the Federal Capital Territory. He announced that he will contest on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). If his bid is to be successful, he must first overcome the incumbent, Siddi Alli, who is vying for another term, Philip Aduda who represents the FCT in the House of Representatives and Ireti Kingibe who will be making her third attempt to win the much coveted Senate seat.

Mr Okiro picked up his nomination form earlier this week at the Garki ward of the PDP in the FCT.

The ex-police boss promised to "bring about positive development in the nation's capital and also bring about face-lift to FCT" if he gets the mandate.

As part of his declaration tour, Mr Okiro visited Abaji local council. While at the palace of the traditional ruler, Adamu Yunusa, he said, "I will utilize my wealth of experience in the police to serve residents of FCT."

While receiving the former police boss, Mr Yunusa said he was not happy at the level of marginalisation his area has been subjected to over the years. The traditional ruler warned that "if Abuja city is not decentralised, it will become a failed capital like Lagos."

If Mr Okiro wins the seat, he will be joining the league of retired police officers in the upper chamber: Nuhu Aliyu a retired DIG, and Simeon Oduoye.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5622483-146/okiro_to_run_for_senate_.csp

I hope Mr, Gusau will be able to rattle out some of his accomplishments as a national security adviser,starting from the niger dealt,the crash of the militry plane around Markudi,the Boko harm,the Jos crisi,and the inability of the security agencies to tackle the issue of kidnapping in nigeria. It will be nice to hear from the chief what he did or did not do in tackling the security lapses in nigeria. That can form a plat form which he can introduce himself to nigerians and not to hide or ride on the job title.

Mohammed Aliyu Gusau, the National Security Adviser who resigned Monday to contest the presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said yesterday that his decision does not amount to a betrayal of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr Gusau, 67, who was at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja to submit his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, said he still has a warm relationship with Mr Jonathan. He said the president gave him his blessings when he informed him of his intention to join the presidential race. "I have a very good relationship with Mr. President. Even yesterday, I talked with him before he left for the United States. That is democracy. I told him I have an ambition and he said yes, you can achieve your ambition by contesting, go and contest."

Age is no barrier

He faulted the arguments of those who say he is too old for the job, noting that the country needs a president with the capacity to deliver democracy dividends to its people and not necessarily a young person.

Mr. Gusau dismissed aspirants who anchor their campaigns on providing "generational shift", arguing that some of the world's best statesmen performed creditably well into their old age. He promised that he will do well at his age, if elected the president.

Role models

Mr Gusau said the presidency should not be reduced to a matter of age. "It is not a generational shift. It is the capability to deliver. If an old man is capable of delivering the goods, so let it be. Mohammed Ali, founder of modern Egypt, he was in his 80's when he developed Egypt to what it is up till now. The great miracle of China, the economic recovery, was initiated by a man of 87 years and it is the programme going. So, it is not the generational shift, it is the capability to deliver. Abdullahi Wade is in his mid 80's in Senegal and he is doing extremely well." He said he was ready to step down for whoever emerges as the consensus candidate of the north, adding that he does not know when the committee appointed to pick the consensus candidate will complete its work.

According to him, "All of us decided to support whoever is the consensus candidate and I stand by my word. Whoever emerges as the candidate, I will follow him. We agreed I will step down for a consensus candidate." Receiving Mr. Gusau in his office, the national chairman of the party, Okwesilieze Nwodo said he was happy with the calibre of candidates picking the presidential form for the 2011 general election.

He said he was sure that the country will be in good hands and reiterated his earlier assurance to all aspirants that there will be a level playing ground for everyone and only members of the party, as prescribed in the constitution, will determine the fate of candidates during the primaries.

Earlier, Mr Gusau had explained to the Chairman that he joined the race to contribute his quota to the political and economic development of the country.

Link;http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/5622428-146/i_didnt_betray_jonathan_says_gusau.csp

This na PDP Zoning for really

Mr Jonathan all gang up against you will fail in Jesus name Amen.

Olaolufred:
The northern Gun-Wielding Generals and their Babariga wearing political thieves jointly carried out the experiments that polarize nigeria.

The experiment took about 35 years before they could achieve the present result.

Atiku is Mad to say all this no-sense.

Why can't they accept defeat and wait for others to use that same laboratory where they failed woefully, and same apparatus which they woefully handled

to produce a new result that would proof them in-efficient.

Atiku is mad. Babangida is "Madder" and they are both the "Maddest".

Yes my guy Atiku is MAD, Babangida is MADDER and they are both MADDEST

This atiku man should just go and sleep for they is nothing for him.

What Obasanjo is saying is right for we all know that Jonathan is the only right person for the seat right now.