₦airaland Forum

A Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called for a debate, on the economy, among all the presidential aspirants on the economy.



Abubakar, a former vice-President, made the call after submitting his nomination form at the PDP national secretariat on Tuesday in Abuja.



The Adamawa State- born politician said the economy should be the main issue in the 2011 election campaigns.



“The issue of economic recovery for Nigeria cannot be a matter of wishful thinking nor of rhetoric. It is a subject for rigorous analyses and provision of well-thought, viable, practicable and sustainable strategy,” he said.



Abubakar said that all aspirants must be able to tell Nigerians how they intended to confront the challenges of the economy and reposition it for the benefit of all at the shortest possible time.



He said, “Of all the aspirants that have declared interest in the presidential election, I consider myself the most qualified to address the daunting economic challenges facing the country.



“I am the only one who has successfully managed a business and you need extensive knowledge of the private sector to combine its potential with the authority of the public sector to address this challenge.”



The former vice-president said his approach to resolving the economic crisis in the country was contained in a 47-page Policy Document he presented on August 15, 2010 while announcing his intention to contest the 2011 presidential poll.



He said, “We are faced with a job crisis of monumental proportions. Unless we evolve strategies to dealing with the teeming population of young people churned out almost on a daily basis, we may risk the destruction of the next generation.



“If we fail to channel the energies of this huge population, they could be a potent force for instability and social unrest.”



Abubakar, however, stunned journalists when he said that he was not aware that the President had declared his intention to vie for the PDP ticket.



“I didn’t see it (declaration). Honestly, I didn’t watch it,” he said.



Twenty seven out of the 28 PDP governors were among thousands of people that attended Jonathan’s presidential declaration at the Eagle Square on Saturday in Abuja. The event was shown live by some public and private television stations nationwide.



On the reported move by some politicians to produce a consensus presidential candidate among the Northern aspirants, Abubakar said, “There is a process for the emergence of a consensus candidate in the North. It shows that North is even more united if “they” agree to bring out a consensus candidate.”



He also said he was not aware of the support that Jonathan was getting from the northern states.



Reacting to the challenge, the Presidential Adviser to Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Senator Mohammed Abba-Aji, said the President was ready for such a debate.



“We are ready for it (debate) anytime. The President has talked about all the aspects of the economy when he declared. If they want more, we are ready for them,” he said.



Another aspirant, who is also the Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, also expressed readiness for the debate.



“We are ready for the debate. That is what we have been calling for. Without such an issue-based debate, we will not be able to get the best candidate. Saraki is ready for it,” one of the governor’s aides, Mr. Billy Adedamola, said.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100922514865

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, express way to HELL come 2011. u don forget say your bros(ibori) dey for serious yawa for UAE?

Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, on Tuesday said governors from the South had started negotiating with their colleagues from the North concerning the 2011 presidency.



The governor, who spoke with newsmen after submitting his nomination and expression of interest forms for re-election in Abuja, said since politics was about negotiation, there was nothing wrong in negotiation with the northern governors and other political leaders from the zone.



The governor said, “Is about negotiation and we are negotiating with our colleagues in the North.”



Asked about the call for the dissolution of the state executive committee of the party, the governor said those making such calls were not known members of the party in the state.



A group of people had called for the dissolution of the state executive committee, claiming that if that was not done, the party could lose the election.



But the governor said, “I came to submit my form expression and nomination forms for the governorship race for Delta State.”

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009222435531

Why operate two standards. If Nigerians were to hear that Siasia was offered a job for $20,000 in the US & a US citizen offered $100,000 for the same job, Nigeria will be the first to scream racism to the world. Will Siasia do a lesser job than other fatly paid foreign coaches? The NFF of whatever they are called should be sued & tried for racism.

Amidst calls for Heartland manager Samson Siasia to collect the $20, 000 offered by the Nigeria Football Federation if given the national team manager‘s job, the former Nigeria striker says sacrifice should not come in the negotiations for the job.



Negotiations between Siasia and the NFF broke down after the Bayelsa-born coach demanded for a signing-on fee and a monthly salary of $100,000. But the NFF said they could only offer $20,000, with no signing-on fee.



Siasia told goal.com, ”What do you mean by sacrifice? I‘ve sacrificed a lot for Nigeria. There are different levels of sacrifices. If this issue was personal, with a result expected to be personal, I can do anything for the good of my country.



“But we‘re talking about a very difficult and sensitive job, where you‘re hammered at the slightest blunder. If you accept peanuts, and you‘re hooked along the way unable to deliver what is expected of you because of diminishing means and resources, nobody would look at the reasons why you failed. They would say you‘re an incompetent coach that‘s all.”



He added that the NFF was capable of paying the $100, 000 he demanded.



”Why not? The NFF has done more than that in the past. If they could pay Berti Vogts $50,000 per month and Lars Lagerbäck more than that, why can‘t they pay me well too? They have the money. The fact is we don‘t appreciate our own people. I don‘t know why we blacks are like that.”



The 2005 U-20 World Cup silver medalist said it was wrong for some analysts to say $20,000 monthly salary was okay for him considering Nigeria‘s present standard of living.



”Who talked about $20,000? The only time we, (the NFF and I), discussed, we didn‘t arrive at that. I don‘t know what people are reading in the papers.”






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100922149934

The stakes for the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] nomination are getting messier as a secret memo has been sent to President Goodluck Jonathan advising him on how to deal with his political opponents. In a memo to the President, dated September 6, 2010 and made available to Daily Sun, a retired and controversial former military governor told the President that former military President Ibrahim Babangida and some of the governors, especially those from the North, are determined on having someone from the North to emerge as president.

In fact, one of the governors from the North-West, the memo revealed, actually mooted the idea of presenting Dr. Bukola Saraki of Kwara State in the event that Babangida fails to make it in the up-coming primaries of PDP. The memo also told the President how to deal with IBB and those governors who are presently not supporting his presidential ambition.

“There is therefore, the danger of Mr. President losing all that he stands for if he allows the governors to get to the PDP primaries without their being called to order,” the memo stated. Suggesting that intimidation is also part of administration which Mr. President has at his disposal, the memo emphatically advised Jonathan to do something about the pervasive influence of PDP governors. “We must not allow the PDP primaries to take place without panel beating our governors to shape. It will spell disaster to the Presidency”.

The memo advised Mr. President to ‘dispatch operatives to all the states without any exception.They must investigate what the governors are doing with the ministries of finance, local government and chieftaincy affairs and agricuture.’
According to the document all the agitation in favour of zoning was a carefully planned agenda to install the former military president or another candidate from the North. It said “…zoning has now become a provincial cry being advanced by IBB to simply cause disaffection and create factionalisation…those who are desperate to return to the Presidential Villa… have continued with their nocturnal meetings all over the country in trying to perfect their strategy of stopping Jonathan from aspiring to continue as president come 2011.”

Former Finance Minister Adamu Ciroma, the memo noted, had reached out to former Head of State, Dr. Yakubu Gowon to chair the meeting of September 14, at Arewa House in Kaduna where they were expected to produce a consensus candidate, a move that failed to yield any fruit in fulfillment of the memo which had predicted a collapse when it said: “…there is no way that the desperate camps that represent the aspirants would come to one voice. The camps of Atiku, IBB and Aliyu Gusau do not operate in the same parameters.

Hardly can any of them step down for the other. Therefore, this meeting of adopting a consensus candidate is going to be hard and difficult. It will end up as tower of babel.”
The memo predicted that IBB will take part in the PDP primaries, although plans had almost been concluded for him to decamp to the All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP] where he had been assured of the ticket. Recent developments in the party had confirmed the memo whose author had advised the President not to take the contents ‘with levity’.

President Jonathan was told not to underrate the capacities of IBB and General Aliyu, both of whom are said to have garnered massive financial support to carry through their ambition. Both men, according to the memo, are enjoying tremendous financial support from abroad. Both men have also fortified themselves internally, one through his position in government while the other is relying on the very deep pocket of a billionaire businessman.
The document showed that IBB is capable of generating all the resources he would need for the impending battle. It allegedly noted thus: “He [IBB] has also considerable financial interest in the importation of a popular brand of Japanese cars into the country.”
Cutting opposition to size

President Jonathan was, therefore, advised to beam his searchlight on the motor marketing company and liaise with the Angolan authorities to unravel the Nigerians behind the recent huge investments in the country’s oil sector. The game plan is for Jonathan to dig into the foregoing and unearth enough dirt to clampdown on his political opponents, make them jittery and rattle their camps in a manner that could put their bid in disarray. The Jonathan camp may have heeded this advice as recent forays of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision [EFCC] to some states give vent to the memo.

The secret memo whose author is said to have made bids in the past to emerge as National Security Adviser without success, praised government’s recent reopening of the Halliburton scandal. “This move to deal with this Halliburton case is very refreshing. Therefore, maintaining a firm stance on recovering the monies and prosecuting the offenders will put the President ahead of the pack in the eyes of both Nigeria and the international community and leverage the hands of Nigerian government in its fight against corruption.

In the case of Governor Bukola Saraki, the President was advised to look more closely into the operations of farmers from Zimbabwe in his state as well as his alleged bid to buy one of the banks CBN is preparing for sale, from where enough evidence can be obtained to run him out of the race. Concluding, the 19-page memo called on Jonathan to take steps to protect his “integrity as a person and save this country from the preposterous activities of these cabals.”



It will be observed that various groups (Association for Better Nigeria and Movement for the Transformation of





http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/22/national-22-09-2010-001.htm

IBB is a fool, and a fool at that age will remain a fool till he enter grave. I see no IBB, Atiku, Saraki and Gusau ruling this country. They are not for the masses,They are all political failure. Jonathan or Buhari Insha alah will emerge. In Jesus name IBB Atiku will be crushed with their money.

Mohammed, first son of the late legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), on Tuesday said only voters could stop former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.), from realising his presidential ambition.



Babangida had signified his intention to contest the 2011 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.



But Fawehinmi noted that the job of stopping Babangida from realising his ambition rested with the voters.The son of the legal icon added that the voters must ensure that their votes were not tampered or rigged by greedy politicians associated with the retired general.



He said, “The same Babangida, who ruled the country between 1985 and 1993, when Nigeria’s economy nosedived, the suffering of the masses was on the up rise and there was total insecurity in the country during his tenure now wants to return to power.



“Late Gani Fawehinmi, Dele Giwa and Chief Moshood Abiola all have one thing in common-They all encountered the military dictator, General Babangida, and they all died uncomfortable and painful deaths.”



“As the constitution ably states: ‘Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria’, who constitute the electorate who have the power to vote and the power not to allow Babangida to return.”



In another development, the Yoruba Council of Elders on Tuesday said it was not represented at Babangida’s declaration of intention to contest the 2011 presidential election.



The group said it remained non-partisan, saying it would be contrary to its values for it to be seen to identify with a particular candidate.



Secretary-General of the YCE, Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN), stated this in a statement made available to our correspondent.



He said the organisation was disturbed by the report of a national daily (not The PUNCH) that it was duly represented at Babangida’s declaration.



The organisation said the report was ‘disturbing and embarrassing.’



The statement reads in part, “We wish to state categorically that the report is totally false and misleading. We the Yoruba Council of Elders will not allow our august body to be mired in thick politicking because we are well aware of the backlash of such an ill-advised move.”











“A time such as this needs hoary heads. Hoary heads as of necessity must be able to speak the truth and tear the web of deceit. Identifying with a particular candidate would rob us of that privilege. Sentimental churnings will reign supreme instead of principled statements.”



Wishing all presidential aspirants well in their quest, the YCE added, “We would also like to use this medium to advise them that they should play according to the rules of the game. Ambition is good and could be a ladder to greater things but overweening ambition destroys much good.”


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010092243220

Oh my God !

Kill all the bad people that don't want Nigeria to be better than other countries. IBB and others

He can't win in his house not to talk about his LGA

This guy na fool, see he month

Few days after the declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan for the presidential race, a group from his home state, Bayelsa has raised alarm that the president’s ambition could be sabotaged in the state.
The group, which addressed a press conference in Abuja yesterday, under the aegis of Bayelsa PDP Stakeholders, alleged that the votes of Bayelsa delegates for the presidential primary could be a nullity, as the party executive in the state was not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Spokesperson of the group, Chief Furoebi Akene, accused Bayelsa State Governor, Timipire Sylva, of high handedness despite entreaty of the Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee for a fresh congress.
Akene recalled that INEC had in a letter dated, June 23, 2010 and signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Kaugama, listed Bayelsa as one of the states, where its congresses were annulled.
“You will agree with us that at times like this when political activities have reached fever pitch, there is need for all and sundry to apply justice and fair play.

“As loyal party members, we are worried that the present state of affairs in the party in Bayelsa State is extremely precarious. INEC has repeatedly warned that the PDP candidates that will emerge from states (Bayelsa inclusive) where congresses were not conducted, or improperly conducted in year 2008 will not be recognised. The consequence of this is obvious: it will spell doom for our great party at the general elections.”
The group alleged that Governor Sylva was planning to handpick delegates for the party primary despite the avowed commitment of the national secretariat for a level-playing field.

“Political developments and the situation of the party executive in the state clearly indicate the ominous sign that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, Governor of Bayelsa State and his handpicked nominees will automatically be returned as PDP candidate without a level playing field.”


in clear contradiction to Mr President commitment to conduct of free, fair and credible elections.
Specifically we have been informed that the executives at the ward, local government and state levels who will be delegates in the forth coming primaries of the party remain those the NWC and the INEC have long declared not duly elected”.

The group raised alarm that the Bayelsa Governor alleged intransigence on going ahead with a discredited executive of the party has dire consequence for the ambition of President Jonathan and called for suspension of party primary in the state.

“If an agency of government says what you want to do isn’t known to law, then, it is a nullity. If you insist, it shows high handedness and disobedience to law.
If an executive isn’t known to law and every action taken by the body isn’t known to law, that means our votes for presidential primary could be a nullity. It goes to show that somebody wants to sabotage President Jonathan bid for PDP presidential ticket Therefore, it will be foolhardy at this time for anybody including Mr President to discountenance such an important matter in this very crucial period.

With the foregoing, we look forward to a rocket-speed resolution of this matter while also appealing to the NWC to suspend all primary election in Bayelsa state pending the resolution of this matter.”
Other members of the group that addressed the press conference held
at Bolingo Hotel, Abuja were the former Deputy governor of Bayelsa
State, Honourable Peremobowei Ebebi, Chief Fred Agbedi,among others.




http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/21/national-21-09-2010-013.htm

Former Vice President and the presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2011 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed incumbency factor in the coming primaries, arguing that he will defeat President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday and signed by his media aide, Garba Shehu, the PDP presidential Aspirant at a meeting with his North-central co-ordinators in Jos, Plateau State, said incumbent presidents had been known to lose elections even in the West African sub-region and Jonathan would not be an exception.
“Don’t let anyone intimidate you that we cannot defeat an incumbent president. I will beat Jonathan in a free and fair contest,” Atiku said to the delight of his supporters.

At the Jos meeting, he charged them to engage party delegates one on one. Atiku told the 30 co-ordinators, who came from Plateau, Kogi, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa and Kwara states to be committed, aggressive and diligent in courting party delegates.

“We are in this race to win and by the grace of God, we shall win. We have the most organized, the most democratic and the most competent campaign structure in the country.
“Go out there and work hard, engage delegates one on one, visit them, call them and convince them that Nigeria will be safe in Atiku’s hands, tell them that we have the best plan for the transformation of Nigeria, let them know that your candidate is the most prepared, the most experienced and the most capable of all the candidates,” Atiku said.
The co-ordinators assured the former vice president that they would do their best to ensure his victory.





http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/21/national-21-09-2010-003.htm

President Goodluck Jonathan did not need a crystal ball to get this prediction right. Asked, a few months ago, to state if he would run for next year’s presidential election or not, Jonathan begged to tarry awhile. His reason? Governance at every tier would come to a halt as soon as he makes public his position.

If he declared to run, there’d immediately follow a frenzy of ‘declarations’ by governors, lawmakers and everyone else. Government would literally shut down, as attention would now shift to 2011.

The President’s fears are coming true less than 48 hours after he declared to run at Eagles Square, Abuja, Saturday. No fewer than five governors, Monday, launched their campaigns for re-election and that is not counting Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara, who is queuing for Jonathan’s job, Senate President David Mark and former NSA, Gen. Aliyu Gusau, who is equally eyeing Aso Rock. The declaration fever has begun.

Declaration fever appears to have gripped members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Senate President, David Mark, former National Security Adviser (NSA), Aliyu Gusau, and no fewer than six governors picked nomination forms indicating their interests to seek re-election, and elective positions in the 2011 polls.

While the Senate President is seeking re-election into the Senate, the duo of Aliyu Gusau and outgoing Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki are aspiring for the highest office in the land, the presidency.

The following governors, Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State also picked nomination forms in a bid to return to office in 2011,

The wave of declarations apparently was in compliance with the party’s timetable for primaries.
Contrary to expectations that the former National Security Adviser and Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential aspirant, General Aliyu Gusau would come personally to the party’s national secretariat to pick his nomination form, many journalists left the secretariat disappointed, as they waited in vain.
A source, however, revealed that the former security chief sent one of his aides to pick the form on his behalf.

The source gave the numbers of the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms as “006 and 007,” respectively. Speaking further, he argued that there was no way the former NSA would have surfaced at the PDP national secretariat yesterday as he had to do the formally handing over to Colonel Kayode Are who had since assumed office as the substantive NSA.

Yesterday also, the Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors‘ Forum, (NGF), Governor Bukola Saraki returned his forms. Speaking with journalists, Saraki disclosed that he has what it takes to transform Nigeria.
“Today I notified my intention to run for the presidency of Nigeria on the PDP platform and I am here to submit my expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the presidency of Nigeria.

I am here to formally submit that form and I see it as an historic moment. It is my belief that we have come to a point in Nigeria’s history after 50 years of independence, we are about to start another 50 years. We believe that some of us have energy, resourcefulness, ability and knowledge that can we can use to transform Nigeria and replicate some of the things we have done in our states. I am saying that we have to get it done. Many people have said it is time for our generation to move Nigeria forward and I believe that I have what it takes to do that and I would do it generally.”
In Makurdi, the Benue State capital, the party secretariat, was a beehive of activities Monday as different aspirants came to pick their nomination forms amidst cheers.

As early as 8a.m, supporters of the various aspirants had besieged the secretariat while various cultural groups also pitched their tents in every available corner.
Among the aspirants who turned up to pick nomination forms were the Senate President, Senator David Mark, Senator Akaagerger, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Senatorial aspirant, Prof. James Ayatse, Hon. Terseer Tsumba, House of Representatives member representing Ushongo/Kwande Constituency, Hon. Chile Igbauwa among others.

Speaking to newsmen after picking the form, the Director General, Senator Mark’s Campaign Organisation, Comrade Abba Moro explained that the Senate President has done very well and should be given another chance to represent Benue South Senatorial District again to enable him actualize his dreams for the zone.
In Sokoto State, Wamakko’s picking of nomination form was contained in a statement signed by the Party Secretary in the state; Mallam Aminu Bello Sokoto, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Sokoto.

It stated that the governor’s action was in compliance with the National Headquarters of the party to that effect.
According to a statement, “Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko obtained the party’s nomination form for the 2011 gubernatorial election based on the directives of the National Headquarters of the party.”
It further added that, the compliance with the directives was to meet the guidelines, which set the closing date for the return of all forms for all positions to be contested for by Monday, September 20, 2010.

Governor Babangida Aliyu, was overwhelmed when the chairmen of the 25 Local Government councils in the state announced their determination to contribute money and pay for the purchase of his nomination form.
Chairman of the Forum of Council Chairmen in the state, Mr. Jacob Gana who took the cheering news to the governor said the move was in recognition of his impressive performance in the last three years in the state.

Gana disclosed that each of the council chairmen had agreed to contribute a sum of N250, 000, totaling N6.25milion. “Out of this amount we are going to pay the mandatory N5.5million for the governor’s nomination form.
He said the people of Niger State have benefited tremendously from the governor’s grass root development, which he said had motivated them to contribute money to pay for the form.

Speaking to journalists at the PDP Office, Okigwe Road, Owerri where he went to submit his form, Governor Ikedi Ohakim said he was seeking to serve Imo people for another four years.
“I want to state here that I have come here to submit my form to run for a second term as the governor of Imo State,” he said.

Fielding questions from journalists, the governor stated that his form has been signed by the party, adding that “waiver or no waiver has nothing to do with me.”
He disclosed that he would officially declare on September 28, 2010 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
“I will speak on September 28. That is the day I will tell Imo people I am running for a second term. Others have been speaking but that day I will speak,” he stressed.

In Bauchi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Mohammed Kundak disclosed Governor Isa Yuguda’s purchase of the party’s nomination form yesterday when the Joint Association of Traders and Artisans visited him.
The chairman of the association, Alhaji Salisu Garba Mai Sugar said they were offering N6 million to purchase the form for Yuguda to contest the 2011 gubernatorial election on the platform of the PDP.

But Kundak in his reply said: “Your goodwill to purchase the form for his Excellency is first of its kind in the history of Politics in Bauchi State, I will convey your intention and goodwill to the governor.”
He, however, told them that the governor had already paid the draft cheque for the form earlier in the morning (Monday) in Abuja. He added: “We are happy for your gesture and goodwill, the governor will feel encouraged.”






http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/sept/21/national-21-09-2010-001.htm

metalGo0g:
Who won't like to be senate president for another four years. . . . Mark your political arithmetic is the best .

The man is on the right line

I advise Ribadu to join the Jonathan train and wait till 2015 for his time. There is no viable opposition for now that can dislodge PDP. Jonathan is for a positive change in the polity despite being a PDP man. Let all that confessed to be progressives join hands with him to move this country forward. Jonathan is not a conservative in anyway.

NUHU Ribadu, the former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss, Monday served the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a quit notice.

To Ribadu, who is running for president on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the PDP political behemoth is vulnerable.

Ribadu spoke of Nigeria of his dreams, describing himself as a candidate of change, in Abuja.

He said he chose the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as his platform because of its progressive bent.

Responding to a question on the likelihood of the progressives upstaging the PDP, Ribadu said: "I believe it is possible. I believe it can work.

"I believe change is in the air in Nigeria today. It’s not that the progressives have not worked before but they were robbed of the victory.

"This time, Nigerians are going to say ‘no’, time has come for us to change. Nigeria is changing. People are waking up; people are saying that it is time for us to have free and fair elections; it is time for our votes to count. This time, I can assure you it will work.

"It did not work before because of stealing of elections, rigging. These people were victims of stolen elections. Now, there is a change. Nigerians are saying that we are tired of this horrible way of stealing governments. Now it is old-fashioned; this crude way has to stop.

"If Zimbabwe could organise free and fair elections, why not Nigeria? If Ghana could organise free and fair elections, why not Nigeria? If Sierra-Leone, Liberia, countries that are coming out of civil wars could organise free and fair elections, why not Nigeria? If Guinea, just coming out of trouble now, could organise a free and fair election, why not Nigeria?

"The time has come for free and fair elections in Nigeria and if free and fair election is going to be the case, I can assure you the progressives would take it. This is what I believe is happening and what is going to happen and what is encouraging all of us to come together to give our country a chance, a new lease of life, a new hope. It will work and I am sure you also would like the same conclusion based on what is happening today."

Pressed to highlight past elections in which the progressives were cheated, Ribadu said: "Most of the elections we have had in our country. What of the elections that they themselves accepted and agreed that it was not right. Are you not a Nigerian? What did you hear in 2007?

"The President came out publicly and said the election that brought him was wrong, was rigged and we took it. So, it may be your own judgement and conclusion on that. And not only that, I mean you can see what happened in all the past Republics in this country; first, second, third Republics.

"So, to be honest, we have had elections where people won and they were never allowed to rule. It is glaring. I am sure this time it is going to change because simply Nigerians are saying ‘no’. Simply, the world has changed; the world has changed. We cannot be left just behind for this long.

"Things are taking place in the world and in Africa. It must come to our own country because we deserve it, because we are entitled to it too. Time for you to win an election and they say "no, they cannot give you" is over. Let it be reality. I mean in this country we have had individuals who won elections and they said ‘you cannot rule, you cannot take over’.

"It is time for the progressives to salvage the nation," he said.

All the states being managed by the progressives, like Lagos, Edo, Ondo and Anambra, "are performing creditably", he added.

Also Monday, former Military President Ibrahim Babangida and Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki returned the PDP nomination forms.

Former National Security Adviser Aliyu Gusau also picked the PDP form.

Ribadu said he was confident that he would not fail in his presidential bid, adding: "I have decided as a starting point to go with a new party called ACN. Of course, it is the first vehicle and I believe it’s surely going to be bigger than that.

"The reason why I have gone that direction is simple. As a first step for you to get in, it is usually right for you to observe and judge on the basis of what is on ground and what is existing.

"Today, I am comfortable with what is happening in Lagos State. The leadership there has shown that the possibility of good governance is there. Today, I am very happy with what is happening in Edo State; it is also an example of good governance, transparency and accountability; a government that is delivering.

"I am very happy with even what is happening in Ondo State and pleased with what is going on in Anambra State and, therefore, that has helped me to go the direction I am going. I want to see the possibility of bringing good governance to the Federal Government of Nigeria. And the examples of these gentlemen encouraged me to go this direction. And the platform, like I said, is ACN.

"I have decided that I am going to join the new party called ACN and I do intend to go and register once the exercise kicks off and we are registering new members. My intention is to go in and pick my membership card in my ward in Yola. And I also do intend to be part of the train that will bring change to our own country.

"The change we are going to bring is progressive and I said that there are many and I have seen good governance around and across the country. It is my hope and my expectation that all of us are going to come under one platform to give Nigeria a chance, to give democracy a chance to work, to take over and also run the Federal Government effectively like the way it is run today in Lagos, in Ondo, in Anambra and a couple of other places.

"We are going to work hard in the realisation of that objective and we are going to get it. Nigeria is going to have a new political party that is going to be national; that is going to give chance for democracy to work."

Ribadu confirmed moves by the progressives to come together to win the 2011 poll, saying: "But my prayer, my hope is that all the progressives; all those who are doing well for our own country; all those with this massive dream of a better Nigeria will come together and stand as one to move forward with the intention of saving our own country.

"There is a bigger picture ahead of us. We do intend to capture it. My belief is that there is the need for a party that is going to be national; there is the need for a party that can move this nation forward."

"It was a coalition of progressives who when they came together, they said they were not going to be deterred and issues like religion, ethnicity could not come and did not come. We had a state that was even Muslim/Muslim that won an election in this country. What a progressive change? We want to re-enact it. But not necessarily that we are going to do exactly; no. We are going to say that progressives would come together, this time they will work hard and that this time their votes would count and let’s pray to Almighty God to support us in this noble cause.

Asked if he has any chance, Ribadu said: "First and foremost, I have never failed in my life. I have strong faith in God; I believe God will stand by what is right.

"I have faith and I believe this thing will work. My life is in His hands and the same thing that of all of us."

Ribadu was silent on his running mate, saying: "My own leadership is going to be a leadership that listens; it is going to be a leadership that will respect people and it is a leadership that is going to be collective; including the decision to have a running mate.

"For now, I can tell you I have not made up my mind on that at all and it is going to be more than just me as an individual."


http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/13878.html

And so wetin? Na the person wey write dis article I blame. Im no do proper justice to the issue, make I change gear to proper english so dat i no go konfuse some pipul. There is a WORLD of difference between plagiarism and improper sourcing of text. Jonathan's speech is obviously sourced from Atiku's 2006 speech without a shadow of doubt (if at all Atiku published such a speech); but THAT is not necessarily plagiarism. Plagiarism is when you lift word for word, or when you do not cite (i.e. reference) the source. As far as I know, nobody has asked Jonathan's speech writer if he actually used (i.e. was inspired by) Atiku's speech, and if he confesses to the affirmitive, why he did not put (Atiku, 2006) as per Havard Referencing Style. So that the hungry Nigerian on the street, who has no home, no job, is insecure and has not seen 24hrs of electricty for almost 20 years, will know that our President uses proper citation in his speech. NONSENSE. As if the ordinary Nigerian cares or even knows what plagiarism is all about. Make una shut up o jare and allow Jonathan to run in peace. Find some credible criticism (policy based) and stop wasting our time on trivialities. I don talk mai own.

The political atmosphere is getting heated up as the 2011 elections draw close; the intrigue, drama and mudsling synonymous with politicking are beginning to surface.

As thousands of party faithful, praise singers and hangers-on flooded the Eagle Square venue formal declaration of Goodluck Jonathan’s intention to run in the January presidential election, little did they know that the speech they all cheered and applauded was to become an object of ridicule and controversy.

Barely 72 hours after Mr. Jonathan delivered his speech to his vociferous supporters at the Eagle Square, reports have it that a paragraph of that speech that nearly drove his supporters into a frenzy was actually lifted from former Vice-presidents Atiku Abubakar’s presidential declaratory speech written in 2006.

Mr. Jonathan had told his supporters last Saturday that:

“Our country is at the threshold of a new era; an era that beckons for a new kind of leadership; a leadership that is uncontaminated by the prejudices of the past; a leadership that is committed to change; a leadership that reinvents government, to solve the everyday problems that confront the average Nigerian.”

Some believe that the similarity of the above statement to paragraph nine of Mr. Atiku’s 2006 speech more than just coincidental. Mr. Atiku had said in 2006 that:

“Today, as we stand on the threshold of a new era Nigeria requires a new kind of leadership, a leadership committed to this change process. We need a leadership that is not hampered or constrained by the regressive politics of the past or the unproductive ideologies of the present. Nigeria deserves a proven, committed and experienced leader who knows how to reinvent government to help solve the real problems our people today.”

Shehu Garba, spokesperson for the Atiku Campaign Organisation makes light of the claim. According to him the Atiku Campaign Organisation has been too “preoccupied with the coming party primaries so we have not paid attention to that speech”. He however said if “the charge is true, then it is unfortunate”.

“Change you can Xerox”

The accusation of plagiarism between political opponents is obviously not a new thing. In 2008, during the Democratic Party presidential primary, United States secretary of state Hillary Clinton, (then a democrat presidential aspirant) had accused Barak Obama of plagiarism. According to Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Obama had lifted from Deval Patrick, the governor of Massachusetts.

Mr. Obama had dismissed the accusation as diversionary.

“The notion I had plagiarized from someone who is one of my national co-chairs who gave me the line and suggested I use it I think is silly. This is where we get into silly season in politics and people start getting discouraged about it.”

Mrs. Clinton, however, refused to handle the issue with same levity as Mr. Obama.

“If your candidacy is going to be about words, they should be your own words,” said Clinton. “Lifting whole passages is not change you can believe in, it’s change you can Xerox.”

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/5621219-147/gj_accused_of_plagiarism__.csp

I trust Ameiche, among the south,south Governor. if he stand by our President no shaknig.IBB IS ZERO.

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said that President Goodluck Jonathan has nothing to worry about whether governors in the Peoples Democratic Party will support his bid to win the party’s presidential nomination.



The governor, who spoke in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday, said the mere fact that almost all the governors elected on the platform of the party were at Jonathan’s declaration showed that he would win the party’s primaries.



He said though it might be wrong to assume that all those present at the Eagle Square Abuja, venue of the declaration, were for the President, he was sure that majority of those at the rally were rooting for him.



He said, “Look, the success of the rally was expected. The President had done his home work and what you saw on Saturday was a testimony.



“The President invited all of us (governors) and we came to honour his invitation. I can say that we all came in large number was a testimony that Mr. President has our support.”



On why pro-zoning northern governors were also in attendance, he said it was not for him to answer, since he was not one of them.



The 29 governors produced by the PDP attended the rally except the Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is also interested in the race.



Though, Amaechi said the question on why the pro-zoning governors were in attendance should be answered by them, he, however, said that since majority of them came for the declaration, it could mean that the President’s ambition was receiving serious attention across the country.



He also said the governors did not meet to decide whether to attend the rally or not, adding that those that came felt there was the need to be there.



“There was no prior meeting as per whether we should attend or not. It was an individual decision of each governor,” he added.



Amaechi denied insinuations that some of the governors, especially from the South-South, where the President hails from, were sincere in their open show of support for Jonathan.



He also said the order of the primaries as released by the leadership of the PDP, which states that the process to elect governorship candidates of the party will be conducted before that of the president, had not changed anything.



He said, “We are with him in totality. Rumours could come from anywhere but I can assure you that we in the South-South are for him. All of us, without any exception, are with him.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009210293928

The PDP and Uduaghan have made nonsense of Delta state,showing utter disregard for the concerns of the peopleimagine the socalled governor shamelessly declaring for second term when hospitals in the state have been under lock and key for weeks.A doctor in deed.

The Delta State Elders, Leaders and Stakeholders Forum, led by first republic minister, Chief Edwin Clark, on Sunday night threatened that the Peoples Democratic Party might lose the state if President Goodluck Jonathan failed to stop a faction of the PDP in the state from continued disregard of Independent National Electoral Commission stance that the state exco of the party was illegal.



The group also warned the PDP aspirants into the Delta State House of Assembly to desist from collecting forms from the “illegal” exco, led by Mr. Peter Nwaoboshi, stressing that doing so would amount to a fruitless exercise.



The Forum’s grievances were contained in a protest letter to Jonathan and the national Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, after its meeting at the Asokoro, Abuja, residence of Clark.



Spokesperson of the group, Colonel Godwin Eboma (retd) who read the letter to journalists, alleged that the declaration by INEC that there was no PDP congresses in Delta State since 2007 was flagrantly disobeyed by the National Working Committee of the party under its former chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor.



He said, “The Nwaoboshi-led PDP in Delta State is illegal. INEC has said it times without number. If there is no change in PDP leadership in Delta State, the party should consider Delta State lost to another party.”



According to the group, the national Chairman of PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo has been disallowed by other members of the NWC from carrying out his promise of resolving the exco crisis in Delta State.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009211494770

The Peoples Democratic Party on Monday announced a slight adjustment of the timetable for the delegate elections, saying that elections initially scheduled to commence on Tuesday (today) would now start on Saturday.



According to a statement by its National Publicity, Prof. Ahmed Alkali, the PDP said the decision was taken after the meeting of its National Working Committee on Sunday.



The statement said that the NWC had at its emergency meeting also reviewed the progress of preparations for the forthcoming primaries and congresses and approved an adjustment to the programme.



The statement reads in part, “Ward Congresses for the election of three (3) Ad-Hoc Delegates earlier scheduled for Tuesday, September 21, are now to hold nationwide on Saturday September 25, 2010.



“Similarly, Local Government Area Congresses for the election of one (1) National Delegate per LGA previously fixed for September 23 have been shifted to Monday September 27, 2010. This is to allow aspirants to obtain and return their nomination forms for the congresses without undue stress.”



Unlike before, the party has also introduced the fee of N100.00 as nomination fees for both Ward Ad-Hoc and National Delegate nomination forms, payable in cash at either the at the PDP State Secretariats, Federal Capital Territory, PDP state secretariat or the national secretariat.



The statement added, “Sales and return of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for Houses of Assembly, National Assembly (House of Representatives and Senate) Gubernatorial and Presidential elections have now been extended to 24hours (but not beyond 24hours) before the screening deadlines for the various offices as set out in the time-table.”



Meanwhile, some governorship and National Assembly aspirants were at the national secretariat of the party to obtain their nominations on Monday.



Those sighted at the party secretariat were the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Iyiola Omisore, who came to pick governorship form to contest the governorship primaries in Osun State; Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi, Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang and his Nasarsawa state counterpart, Mr. Akwa Doma also came to pick forms to contest the primaries.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009211422931

A former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), on Monday, said former President Olusegun Obasanjo was imposed on Nigeria in 1999 by selfish individuals.



Bamaiyi, who spoke in Ilorin when receiving an honorary degree from the United Mission Church of Africa Theological College, Ilorin, Kwara State, also traced the current political situation in the country to what he described as the “self-centredness” of Obasanjo.



“Today, I stand vindicated because if they had listened to me then, there would not have been any confusion now. Obasanjo came in and destroyed this country and its cohesiveness as a nation. All that we are facing now can be linked to the activities of Obasanjo who was brought in by some certain individuals,” Bamaiyi, a former COAS during the regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha, said.



Bamaiyi was incarcerated by the Obasanjo’s government for eight years on allegations of conspiracy and an attempt to kill publisher of The Guardian, Mr. Alex Ibru,



Answering a question on his assessment of the presidential ambition of former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Bamaiyi said that though Babangida had a right as a citizen of Nigeria to aspire to any political office of his choice, he was surprised at his ambition to return to power.



He said, “I feel vindicated because this was the same reason I was sent to prison for eight years. I stood my ground on this issue when we were disengaging. I insisted that we should not hand over to a military person.



“But I think people did not see it the way I saw it. They brought in Obasanjo who was then in prison just like I was. All the confusion we are having now, I believe, can be traced to Olusegun Obasanjo’s selfish, self-centred and unnecessary ambition.



“I am surprised that these same selfish individuals are still battling to get involved in the governance of this country. They still want to rule this country. I don’t know what they left behind that they are itching to come back and collect.”



On his perception of Nigerian prisons today, Bamaiyi said, “I won’t pray that my enemy should be sent there. I will not send my enemies to a prison in Nigeria. Our prisons are in a very bad shape and they are not in a position to reform anybody.



“The worst thing that is happening to Nigerian prisons is the prison staff themselves. The prisons staff are the ones who even need to be reformed. The environment is also very bad.



“Our prisons are not built to rehabilitate anybody because nobody can be rehabilitated by the prisons in their present state and if you are going to start reforming you start from the prison staff themselves,” he said.



He refuted allegations that he was involved in military coups in the past, saying that he had never believed in military intervention in governance.



“If you go back and check my records, I was more involved in foiling coups than staging coups. The military does not have any business in governance. So, they should stay in their barracks and face their jobs,” he stressed.


Link;http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009211491129

Although, i support young and educated people to become the President of Nigeria. But i dont want corrupt people like Bola Tinubu who governed Lagos State for 8 years without notting to show to decieve our respected Nuhu Ribadu to join the Presidential race. It is going to be a waste of time. Ribadu please dont let them decieve you

A presidential aspirant on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday said he was impressed at the style of governance in states such as Lagos, Edo, Ondo and Anambra and advised the Federal Government to learn from them.



The former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission explained that governance in these states was one of the things that motivated him to join the race and vowed to replicate it at the federal level.



Ribadu said these in Abuja as he formally joined the presidential race.



According to him, he will register with the ACN at his ward in Adamawa State, as soon as the party begins the registration of new members.



He said the elections symbolised a bigger picture for the country, adding that it would produce the biggest coalition of progressives.



He noted that progressives in the past had spoken with one voice and won elections, but were robbed of their victory by forces of political darkness.



Specifically, he mentioned the 1993 presidential election won by the late MKO Abiola and the 2007 election, which the biggest beneficiary, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, condemned as flawed, as examples.



He said, “I am comfortable with what is happening in Lagos State; the possibility of good governance is there; I am also happy with what is happening in Edo and Ondo states.



“I am pleased with what is happening in Anambra State and that is why I am going in that direction. I want to bring good governance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”



According to Ribadu, it is possible to build a new Nigeria from the rot in the nation.



“I am going to join Action Congress of Nigeria and I am going to register along with others when they start registering.



“I am going to pick my membership card in my ward and will be part of a team that will bring change. We are going to work hard for the realisation of the objective,” he said.



He promised to “use the same tactics, same strategies used at the EFCC to change Nigeria.”



However, he added that he was not entering the race as EFCC boss but would unite Nigerians, irrespective of creed, religion or ethnic background.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009211412934

Saraki knew quite well that he is going no where,He is just try to seek relevance,What can he offer after 8 years of misrule in Kwara State! Even,His father(Godfather) tested his popularity and failed woefully on Nigeria contested for Presidency. How much more younger Saraki,This is just a game plan to reduce tension of installing Gbemisola after his brother. Saraki claiming to be Northerner,we should stop deceiving ourself,Geographically,Culturally,The whole of Kwara state is part of West.

Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki has said his chances of winning his presidential nomination of the Peoples Democratic Party are bright.



The governor, who spoke to newsmen at the PDP headquarters on Monday when he came to submit his nomination form, promised to revamp the economy, if elected



Also, the former National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Lt.-Gen. Aliyu, submitted his nomination form on Monday.



Saraki, who also met with the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo said, “I come here to submit my expression of interest and nomination form to contest the presidential election on the platform of PDP.”



He said being one of the presidential aspirants born after Nigeria’s independence, he had the energy and resourcefulness to move the country forward.



“I think it is a historic moment. I believe it has come to a moment in Nigeria history.



“After 50 years of independence, we are about to start another 50 years.



“We believe that some of us still have the energy, resourcefulness, capacity, ability and knowledge that we can transform Nigeria and make it more effective; do some of the things we have been able to do in our state.



“We can also address the things that matter to our people such as food productivity; and I am saying here that we have to get it done.



“It is time for our generation to step up and move Nigeria forward. I believe I have what it takes to do that and I have started the journey.



“My chances are very bright because Nigeria will decide who has the best policies. This is about what each of us can deliver to Nigerians. I am talking of what I can do for Nigerians.



“I have done things in the period of seven years as governor to transform Kwara State and make people to be proud and I believe I can do the same for Nigeria,” he said.



Saraki was accompanied by two senators and members of the House of Representatives from the state.



Also, Gusau, whose forms were marked 007 and 006 for nomination and expression of interest respectively, said he was ready for the battle ahead.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009211402890

USA – United States pastor Terry Jones, who threatened to burn copies of the Koran, has been told he must pay $180,000 (£115,000) for security costs triggered by the controversy.



The city of Gainesville, Florida said that local police agencies spent more than a month working on security plans to ensure the community close to the planned site of the burning was safe, the Daily Telegraph reports.



Jones sparked outrage when he announced his plan to burn the Muslim holy text on the anniversary of the September, 11, 2001, attacks. He eventually agreed to abandon the idea after pressure from US President Barack Obama and other world leaders.



Gainesville police spokeswoman Cpl. Tscharna Senn told Cable News Network that the threat led to a large police operation.



“We have 286 sworn officers and almost everyone was working either at the Dove Centre or at other soft targets,” she said. ”Unless you were sick or injured you were working” the day the burning was to take place.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009211333889

This INEC guys should respect themselves and conduct the elections as prescribed by the ACT.JEGA should not seek for excuses.The time left is sufficient to hold 20 different elections!