₦airaland Forum

Presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party may be asked to pay a nomination fee of N10m each.



Those for the governorship poll may pay N5m; senatorial, N3m; House of Representatives, N2.5m; and state Houses of Assembly, N1m.



The nomination fees are contained in the proposed guidelines drafted by the members of the PDP National Working Committee.



Meanwhile, sources told THE PUNCH on Tuesday that two PDP presidential aspirants – Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki and a former National Security Adviser, Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau (retd.) – were ‘surrogates’ of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.



The sources said they were drafted into the race to “distract” President Goodluck Jonathan.



The guidelines, a copy of which was obtained on Tuesday by our correspondent, are expected to be ratified by the National Executive Committee of the party at its emergency meeting in Abuja on Wednesday (today).



The NWC members met for several hours at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday.



After their meeting on Tuesday, they went to the Presidential Villa to confer with President Jonathan.



Although the details of what they discussed with Jonathan were not known as at press time, it was gathered that the President was briefed about the NEC meeting.



It was further learnt that the agenda of the NEC meeting included the application for a waiver by a former Vice- President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Abubakar is seeking the waiver to enable him contest the presidential primaries having left the PDP for the Action Congress in 2007. He returned to the ruling party a few months ago.



The proposals in the guidelines show that the PDP is favourably disposed to the commencement of the primaries with the National Assembly primaries.



The presidential primaries are expected to be followed by that of the governorship and the state Houses of assembly primaries.



Although some PDP governors are believed to be rooting for the conduct of the governorship primaries first, a source said the party would stick with the election guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.



The INEC timetable indicates that the National Assembly election will hold on January 15. It will be followed by the presidential election on January 22 and governorship and State Assembly elections on January 29.



Also on Tuesday, THE PUNCH leant in Abuja that the involvement of Saraki, who is also the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, and Gusau, in the race was to make Jonathan fight for the PDP ticket on several fronts and, thus, pay less attention to the campaign of Babangida.



A top PDP chieftain from the North, who disclosed this to our correspondent in Abuja, described the two men as Babangida’s “surrogates.”



The politician, who asked not to be named in order to protect his political capital in his home state, added that the plan was that Saraki, being the NGF chairman , would be able to win over some of the forum’s members that are supporting Jonathan’s ambition.



According to him, those who convinced the governor to enter the race believe that his involvement would create a sort of panic in Jonathan’s camp.



He said, “The Saraki issue is a diversionary tactics aimed at confusing the camp of the President.



“I can also tell you that all the noise about Gusau is also diversionary. They are all surrogates and I can tell you authoritatively that they are all surrogates.



“They know that they cannot go far in the race, but are ready to serve as spoilers. That is just it. The main man is IBB.” The other source, a senior intelligence operative, confirmed the former dictator’s gameplan and added that the deal between Babangida and Saraki was sealed during the governor’s recent visit to the ex-dictator Minna home.



Saraki had on Monday informed Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo of his intention to contest the presidential primaries of the PDP.



His presidential ambition is already causing ripples among the governors, who have accused him of politicising the NGF.





http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009154235750

May his soul rest in peace,amen. As a retired police officer he should have at least shot at the robbers before been killed, what is the need of having a gun when you cant shoot when the robbers are in your home? well all the same i wish the family fortitude to bear their lost.

The widow of Abdullahi Muazu, the head of the Forensic Unit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Cecilia, has recounted how her husband was shot dead at their Kaduna home on Tuesday morning by unknown gunmen.



The late Muazu, according to her, was shot dead by the gunmen, after they invaded their residence in Kudende area of Kaduna. With tears rolling down her cheeks, Cecilia told newsmen that the gunmen forced their way into their home while the entire family was asleep and started their operation from the children’s room.



“I was fast asleep when they came in. I did not hear any sound but my husband heard them while they were ransacking the children’s room. He woke me up and told me that thieves were around.



“When they finished beating our children, they came to us. They hit our door several times before they gained entrance. When they entered, they asked him to bring money.



“He asked them ‘which money,’ but before you knew it, one of them shot him on the leg. Few minutes later, they shot him again in the stomach.



“The bullet passed through his stomach. The gun they used looked like that of the Nigeria Police”, she said.



The widow also said the robbers made away with N100,000 and cell phones from the house.



“They took the money he withdrew from the bank on Monday to pay the school fees of our children. It was about N100,000 and they also took his gun.



“You know, he was a retired police officer. When we offered them our car key, they refused,” she added.



She stated that it was their neighbour that alerted men of Operation Yaki, the Kaduna State anti-crime security outfit.



Cecilia said the police arrived at their home while they were taking her husband’s corpse to the hospital. She said he died before they got to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, Kaduna.



The Public Relations Officer, Kaduna State Police Command, Aminu Lawan, confirmed the incident. Lawan, a deputy superintendent of police, however, did not give further details on the incident.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100915310240

It will always be the worst. And the worst of it is that we shall gather here tomorrow to mourn another set of killings. God bless Nigeria and the family left behind.

The Head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Forensic Unit, Mr. Abdullahi Muazu, has been found dead in Kaduna.



The commission, which broke the news of his murder in Abuja on Tuesday, said it was intended to scuttle some ongoing cases, for which the deceased was a key witness.



Confirming the early morning murder in a statement, the EFCC’s Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said the senior official’s killers trailed him to his hometown before killing him.



In a related development, the commission said it had also got wind of a plan to attack its office and officials in Port Harcourt.



Muazu was said to have left Abuja for his Kaduna residence during the public holidays to celebrate Sallah with his family.



“Those behind this attack may have succeeded in killing a strategic hand and a key witness in some of our on-going cases, but their act has failed to dampen our spirit.



“(It will not) deter us from continuing our investigation and prosecution of all forms of economic crimes and corruption in the country.



“The Chairman of the EFCC, Mrs Farida Waziri, has already directed a team of operatives from the Abuja headquarters to proceed to Kaduna to assist the relevant security agencies in the investigation of the murder,” he said.



Babafemi also alleged that intelligence at EFCC’s disposal indicated that the first in the series of planned attacks on the commission by the Rivers State Government was a protest march fixed for Wednesday (today).



The commission said available information revealed that public funds would be used to prosecute the protest, for which 1000 people had been mobilised from each of the state’s 23 local government areas of the state.



Babafemi said, “This is to be followed by yet another protest by various women groups, rejecting the presence of the EFCC in the state.



“The real motive of these sponsored protests is to set the commission’s zonal office in Port Harcourt ablaze, in a desperate bid to cripple the EFCC’s activities in the state and the entire South-South region.



“The commission wishes to assure all that while it will continue to do its work within the ambit of the law, it has the right to defend itself and its officials against hirelings who have been paid to attack us under the guise of protests.”



The commission vowed that it would not succumb to gangsterism in any part of the country.



Denying the allegations in a telephone interview with our correspondent, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said they were “unwarranted and uncharitable.”



The commissioner, who said she was speaking from the United States, also described the allegations as sheer mischief.



Semenitari said, “As I speak with you, I’m in the US with the governor (Mr. Rotimi Amaechi) on an investment drive. There is no truth in the allegations at all.



“We cannot be busy trying to attract investors to the state and at the same time be planning to cause chaos. It is despicable to allege that we are planning to attack a government agency or anybody at all.



“The EFCC is just being mischievous. Nobody has disturbed them from carrying out their investigations, because we have nothing to hide.”


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100915384767

I guess they shd inform him. Did he study sharia law? If he did, did he think they will judge his case base on sharia law? Did he attend law school or Univeristy of Alqueda to study law? Let them advice this boy very well not to fire his lawyer so that they can handle his case very well so that he can have a better judgement o. I pity the guy anyway, he must have realize his mistake.

A Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up a United States airliner with a bomb in his underwear last year, Farouk AbdulMutallab, fired his court-appointed lawyers on Monday and raised the possibility of pleading guilty to some charges.



AbdulMutallab, who pleaded not guilty in January to trying to blow up a transatlantic flight on Christmas Day, over Detroit, Michigan, said his lawyers were not serving his best interests and asked a judge to let him represent himself, Reuters reports.



The case is USA v Abdulmutallab, 2:10-cr-20005, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.



“If I want to plead guilty to some counts, how would that work?” AbdulMutallab asked US District Court Judge Nancy Edmunds during a 15-minute court appearance.



Edmunds strongly urged him not to fire his lawyers but eventually agreed to allow AbdulMutallab’s request.



He was told that he would have to appoint new lawyers to act as consultants to him. Edmunds told him they would be able to answer questions about his plea.



AbdulMutallab, boarded a Northwest Airlines jumbo jet flight from Amsterdam to Detroit and towards the end of the trip, he allegedly tried to ignite a bomb sewn into his underwear, prosecutors said.



They said it failed to fully detonate and he was subdued by passengers and crew and the fire was contained.



He was subsequently charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, attempted murder and four other offenses, charges that could lead to life imprisonment if convicted.



He had been cooperating with US investigators for several months and told them that he received the device and training from al-Qaeda militants in Yemen. Abdulmutallab suffered severe burns from the explosives.



A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on whether Abdulmutallab was still cooperating with authorities.



The failed attack led to further efforts by the Obama administration to strengthen US airline security.



In a court filing ahead of his appearance, Abdulmutallab’s lawyers said they had met in person and by phone “on multiple occasions with government counsel to discuss options for the resolution of the case.”






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009154394675

The Bauchi State governor, Isa Yuguda, has said he will lead the 2011 presidential campaign team of Goodluck Jonathan in the north-east region of our country.

Mr Yuguda made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria, stating that he was personally consulted on the project by the president. "Our president has contacted me and appointed me to be part of his campaign team. He is our president and has approached me to lead his campaign in this part of our country, and you know leadership comes from God.

"I have accepted to serve in his campaign train because only God gives power and we would do our best and leave the rest to God," Governor Yuguda said. On his re-election bid, the governor said that he would soon announce his decision to re-contest for the governorship of the state in 2011. "In one or two weeks time, I would announce to the people of Bauchi, my decision to seek a fresh mandate in 2011, having upheld the trust reposed in me by the people in 2007.

"My major plan after my re-election in 2011 is to construct an international airport in Bauchi metropolis and open up more rural areas through the construction of more roads, electrification, housing projects, hospitals and school rejuvenation schemes," Mr Yuguda stated.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5618334-146/yuguda_to_lead_jonathans_north-east_presidential.csp

Charity they say begins at home. Let Atiku go home and put his house in order. If he is disowned by the state chapter how can he jump the gun to be received back by the PDP at the national level?

The eligibility of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, to contest next year's presidential election on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be decided at a meeting of the National Executive Council of the party.

A party source told NEXT, "The NEC of the party will meet on Thursday and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will be approving the waiver recommended by the party's National Working Committee (NWC) for Atiku Abubakar."

However, a text message sent out late on Monday evening by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Rufa'i Ahmed Alkali, said an emergency meeting of the party's National Executive will hold on Wednesday.

It is not clear if the party Chieftains will discuss Mr. Atiku's waiver at this emergency meeting or if another will be held on Thursday.

The Section 8.9 of the PDP constitution requires that returnees to the party be placed on probation for one year, during which they will be ineligible to vie for elections on the party's platform; unless such persons secure a waiver.

"Persons who desire to rejoin the party after leaving it shall, unless exempted by the National Working Committee, be placed on probation for a period of time not less than a year," the section states.

The NWC of the PDP which is made up of 12 national officers of the party and headed by its national chairman, Okwesilieze Nwodo, recently approved the waiver for Mr Abubakar.

Not yet Uhuru

It is not yet a clear coast for Mr Abubakar to secure his waiver, as two prominent members of the National Executive Committee of the party are mobilising against it.

Murtala Nyako, governor of Mr Atiku's Adamawa State, and Olusegun Obasanjo, former President, are among top PDP members believed to be frustrating the candidacy of the former Vice President on the PDP platform.

Phineas Elisha, the PDP secretary in Adamawa and a close ally of Mr Nyako, while speaking on the waiver to be granted to the former VP, stated that "due process is yet to be completed and he (Mr Abubakar) is yet to be fully re-absorbed into the party in the state." Mr Obasanjo, who is a member of the NEC by virtue of being the chairman of the party's Board of Trustees (BOT), is believed to wield a large influence over many of the PDP governors, who are all members of the NEC, and is also reportedly lobbying against his former deputy.

"Former President Obasanjo is also lobbying to ensure Mr Abubakar does not get a waiver. You know he has influence over many of the governors," our source said.

Goodluck Jonathan is, however, believed to be unopposed to the aspirations of Mr Abubakar, as he reportedly gave the nod to the NWC to grant a waiver to the former Vice President.

"Before the Working committee granted waiver to Atiku Abubakar, they consulted with the President who told them to go ahead and grant him (Mr Abubakar) the waiver."

‘We are undaunted'

Garba Shehu, the director of media to Mr Abubakar, however, states that the former VP's campaign team is not disturbed by any opposition to him getting the required waiver.

"Atiku Abubakar has applied for a waiver, and the NWC have approved it. We see no reason why the NEC should not approve it.

"Of course we know that some strong politicians are working to truncate our efforts, but we believe the party will follow due process and grant Atiku Abubakar the waiver."

Apart from discussing the waiver to Mr Abubakar, the NEC of the PDP is also expected to ratify a date for the party's convention where the various presidential aspirants will slug it out for the party's ticket.

Nuhu Alkali, the national publicity secretary of the PDP, declined to respond to calls and text messages sent to him on the status of the waiver of the former Vice President and the NEC meeting.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/5618425-146/pdp_to_grant_atiku_waiver_.csp

The Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, yesterday declared that he was not desperate for the acquisition of the controversial N100 billion bond which he claimed was the only option left to any government to bail the state out of bankruptcy.

Speaking at the formal presentation of the Master Plan and flag off of the Abeokuta Central Business District (ACBD), Mr Daniel said that the decision of his administration to access the bond market was based on sound financial and fiscal projections, and as such, it would not show any desperation to access it.

"The government would adopt a ‘wait and see' attitude, especially because of the needless controversy the bond matter had generated, due mainly to the way the former leadership of the House treated what was essentially a fiscal measure," he stated.

The governor was embroiled in a controversy with the former leadership of the State House of Assembly, which insisted that the executive should convince the public on the need for the bond, before it could be approved by the legislature. But the bond story took a twist, last Monday, days to a public hearing on the matter, when the former Speaker of the House, Tunji Egbtokun, was impeached and a new Speaker, Soyemi Coker, emerged through the actions of a group of nine lawmakers. In a quick session, the Coker-led Assembly hurriedly approved the controversial bond, which had earlier been subject to public debate on Wednesday.

High interest rate

Daniel said the inability to access the Bond Market at the appropriate time was costing the government about N400 million monthly, being the cost of the high interest rate it was paying on the facility used to finance existing infrastructure such as the multi-billion naira New Secretariat building and other major developmental projects in the State. He said, based on sound financial projections, he was sure that if his administration did not take the bond, the succeeding one would do so because that was the only way to maintain the pace of development and finance projects and growing expenditure in the state.

According to the governor, the people of the state should brace up for the consequences if the bond was not eventually accessed in the life of his administration, as there was no desperation to access the bond market at all costs. He said it was wrong for people to insinuate that the bond was being intentionally sought at the twilight of his administration, noting that the process actually begun in 2007 while all relevant documentation and notification had been concluded by 2008.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5618483-147/ogun_governor_says_not_desperate_over.csp

I believe you Jo'boy. I don't like to hear the name EFCC whenever elections're around the corner. It doesn't allow for a level playing ground. The EFCC should swing into action in the business sector as the rot there can bring this country to a standstill.

The Presidency has described as false, claims that Goodluck Jonathan was using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to hunt his political enemies.

A top presidential aide who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that those who know President Jonathan can attest to the fact that he is not a man who resorts to dirty means to achieve his political goals.

No interference

"President Jonathan will never ask the EFCC to discredit any politician for any reason," the source said, adding that "the president has given the EFCC free hand to do its work. He does not interfere with the workings of the anti-graft agency or any other security agency in the county. The EFCC is an autonomous body that does not report directly to the president and for anybody to say that the president is using the EFCC for personal fights is not only unfair but malicious".

"President Jonathan is the president of this great country and if any public office holder is doing what is not right, the president has the capacity to call such a person to order. He does not need to employ the EFCC or any other security apparatus to do that," the presidential source said.

False petitions

The presidential aide further stated that investigations at their disposal have revealed that "some people have resorted to writing false petitions to the EFFC, giving the impression that such petitions are emanating from the presidency, all in a bid to embarrass the president. The president has no hand in the investigations of any body, be he a local government chairmanship aspirant, a gubernatorial or a presidential aspirant."

Investigations revealed that Mr Jonathan has already ordered thorough investigations into some of the alleged cases where the presidency is supposed to be involved, to "really ascertain who is behind such smear campaigns".

"Those behind the act are doing it as if the president is against some governors who are opposed to his running for the 2011 presidential election," the source added. "President Jonathan is a democrat who believes in the rule of law. If anybody has run foul of the law, such a person should be prepared to face the wrath of the law and stop linking the president to anybody's travail because he does not have a hand in any of such cases."

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/5618469-146/presidency_denies_allegations_of_witch-hunting_.csp

This meeting has been rescheduled to take the wind off the sail of IBB's Presidential declaration same day.When will the PDP learn to provide a level playing field?

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) last night announced an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) for tomorrow, September 15, 2010, at the party's National Secretariat in Abuja.

A statement from the party's national publicity secretary, Rufai Ahmed Alkali, on Monday stated that "all NEC members are invited to attend on time". The meeting was initially slated for Thursday but was shifted backwards to address pertinent issues concerning the party's preparation for the next general elections in 2011.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5618502-146/pdp_to_hold_emergency_executive_meeting.csp

In 1999 I watched Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on NTA tell the world how Uncle Bola Ige saved his life. He said that Uncle Bola was the one who told him through his physician while he was incarcerated by Abacha for plotting to overthrow his government what he heard through intelligence agents. Uncle Bola told Obasanjo that he should not allow anyone inject him under any guise. Obasanjo said that when the physician-agent of death came to draw his blood he rebuffed him. When I heard about Uncle Bola's death while serving in Obasanjo's government as his No. 1 Law Officer in the land and the lackadaisical attitude of Obasanjo towards fishing out his killers almost bordering on acquiescence to his fate I shed tears. Uncle Bola's spirit is resting in peace in the bosom of the Lord. Uncle will be laughing today in heaven while waiting for OBJ when he eventually arrives at the opposite end of heaven. OBJ will be gnashing his teeth, taking stock of his misdeeds on earth and asking God for a second chance, but then it would be too late. Cicero, continue to rest in the Lord. They can kill the body but they cannot kill the soul. Till we all meet. Good night.

Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, has made a strong case for the immortalization of Bola Ige, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who was murdered by yet unidentified gunmen at his Ibadan residence on Sunday, December 23, 2001.

Ribadu, who was the guest lecturer at the 80th commemorative birthday held in honour of the slain first governor of the old Western Region, expressed shock that neither of the governments at the federal and Oyo State level has done anything to appreciate the quality of selfless service Mr Ige rendered to them when he was alive.

He also used the occasion to call on the federal government to overhaul the law enforcement agencies and the judicial system, in order to realize the dreams of the founding fathers of our country in good time.

Mr Ribadu said that Nigeria's founders did not only dream well for our country, but that they also made efforts to lay enviable foundations for its sustenance.

While assessing the impact of Obafemi Awolowo, the former premier of the old Western Region, and his followers, on the region, Ribadu said if the late sage was given the chance to lay a good foundation for the country, its history would be different from what it is today.

He, however, expressed hope that a time will come when every Nigerian will be happy to be associated with it and be ready and willing to die for it.

Cleaning up the police

On the need to clean the Nigerian Police, Ribadu said Nigeria does not need more than 5,000 policemen to effective combat its prevailing crime rate, arguing that the police has not been effective despite its population and the amount spent on it because of corruption that has eaten deep into its fabric.

"Imagine how much money we spend on the judiciary and law enforcement and see the output we get in return," Ribadu stated.

He also traced the failure of the police to the inability of the country to fish out the killer of its chief legal officer nine years after the incident, saying the prosecutor failed to get enough evidence at the scene.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5618453-146/ribadu_calls_for_bola_iges_immortalization.csp

IBB, u had an opportunity to be a Hero, but u throw it away by not handing over to MKO. Opportunity comes but once, so wait 4 next life because we cant allow u to hand over Nigeria again to another Abacha & Al mustapha. Goodluck as already taken 2011, IBB wait 4 next life & if i thot u 4got something in Aso rock,just said it we wil take it to court 4 u to go & pick it.

There were indications on Monday that the plan by former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida to contest the 2010 presidential poll on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party had hit a brick wall.



Investigations showed that anti-Babangida forces in the ANPP had concluded arrangements to invoke Article 9.3 (iv) of the party’s constitution to bar the former military dictator from contesting on the platform of the party.



According to Article 9.3 (IV) of the constitution, “Every member shall have the right to vote and be voted for into any office or post in the party during any election, provided such a member has been in the party for a period of 12 months and has been active and is a current financial member, subject to any qualification, rules and regulations of this constitution.”



The PUNCH learnt on Monday that Babangida had intensified efforts to get the ANPP’s presidential ticket because his possibility of running on the platform of the PDP had reduced.



A senior member of the ANPP, who pleaded anonymity, said, “With more PDP governors supporting President Goodluck Jonathan, he (Babangida) has discovered that the possibility of getting the ruling party’s ticket is slim.



“You will recall that last week, some governors, including Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) and Alhaji Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), who were hitherto said to be supporting Babangida, joined Jonathan’s camp and were in fact given roles in the President’s campaign.”



Our correspondent gathered that Babangida’s presidential ambition had run into stormy weather, as the majority of members of the ANPP had vowed to prevent an amendment of Article 9.3 (IV) of the party’s constitution to favour him.



Investigations showed that the pro-Babangida group in the ANPP had been making moves to amend the provision of the constitution, which prevented new members from contesting elective posts.



But it was learnt that a group supported by Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau was opposed to the amendment of the constitution to favour the ex-military dictator.



The group, which enjoys the support of the majority of members of the party, had two weeks ago constituted a transition committee led by Senator Mohammed Mohammed.



However, the rival group led by the immediate past chairman of the party, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, constituted another transition committee, headed by a former Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu. The Ume-Ezeoke group is said to be sympathetic to the former military dictator.



The spokesperson for the Senator Mohammed-led group, who is also the Imo State ANPP Chairman, Dr. Vitalis Ajumbe, had in an interview, said that Babangida was not a member of the party.



He had said, “We have credible people in the party who can sail when it comes to a presidential contest. Our party is free for every Nigerian to join. And if you join the party, you must follow the laid down rules. I am confident to say here that IBB is not a member of our party.”



Also, a chieftain of the party, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, told one of our correspondents on the telephone that only a loyal member of the party would get its ticket to contest the 2011 presidential election.



Commenting on Babangida’s alleged plan to contest on the platform of the party, he said, “I am not aware. It is not impossible that he has approached some members because we have many caucuses. When the time comes, the party will decide, based on what it has suffered in the hands of defectors.”


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100914252646

This wawa man is really a shameless man. so is now that you want to tell us you faught the crime in the country bare handed, and then using the guns and man power of the police to fight and collect toll at the check points you never wanted to disengaged. you are really a follishman. Look I am an Igbo man but anytime a listen to youe unreasonable excuses I feel ashame. Go and bury yourself in shame!

Former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, on Monday, took stock of his tenure in office and described his administration as ‘the most turbulent’ in the history of Nigeria Police Force.



Onovo said he presided over a force that was “fighting crime almost bare-handed,” describing policing in the face of dire socio-political conditions, as obtained in the country, as a frustrating endeavour.



The former IG spoke during a formal handing over to his successor, Hafiz Ringim, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.



He, however, said that he gave his task as the IG his best shot, saying history would decide his performance in office.



According to Onovo, his tenure began with the Boko Haram secrretarian crisis and ended with it.



The former, IG who was hailed by the rank and file officers, who came around to listen to him, said the police was faced with enormous challenges, particularly with the coming general elections and other factors aiding insecurity in the country.



He described the acting IG, Ringim, as a tested and seasoned officer “who has all it takes to to take the Force to greater heights.”



He called on all senior police officers to accord the new police boss the support they gave to him, noting that a day would come when the Force would regain its lost glory just as he called for understanding from Nigerians.



Onovo thanked the men that worked with him, including the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, whom he described as generals in their own right.



Onovo, who was dressed in black suit and flower-patterned tie, begged for forgiveness from people he might have wronged in the course of duty, stressing that whatever he might have done to offend them was not intentional.



He highlighted the achievements of his administration to include the successful hosting of the Under-17 football tournament and the governorship elections in Anambra State which were hitch-free.



He said, “My administration was marked by turbulence and other challenges. I started with the Boko Haram crisis and ended with Boko Haram crisis, but I gave the job my best shot. I believe the police will one day regain its lost glory.



Today we have become the butt of all jokes and we are the whipping boy of every institution. But don’t relent, if your reward is not here, you will get it in heaven.”



Ringim thanked the outgone IG and his DIGs for the works they did, adding that Onovo had done his best and that anything that has a beginning must have an end.



He warned officers not to be partisan in the political process, noting that he was conversant with the problems of the police and would make changes when necessary.















Ringim pledged to chart a new course for the NPF and warned his men not to drag the name of the Force in the mud in the elections.



He said, “In the next few months, we would have election; officers with command responsibility should sit up. This administration will not allow police partisanship in electoral matters. Officers and those that have anything to do with election must be careful. They must be careful not to drag our name in the mud; we must give all participants a level playing ground.”


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100914324975

Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday reviewed cases of unresolved high profile murders in the country and boasted that he could end violent crimes in the country with only 5,000 policemen.



“With 5,000 policemen ready to do the work, I can stop violent crimes. What we need is those who are ready to do the right thing, be honest and sincere,” he said.



Ribadu spoke at a commemorative 80th birthday lecture organised by the Bola Ige Movement in honour of the slain former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige (SAN), in Ibadan, Oyo State.



The lecture, which was witnessed by politicians from the South-West as well as friends and family members of the late minister, was tagged, “The Nigerian dream.”



The ex-EFCC boss, who spoke extempore, said it remained “a horrible national embarrassment and scandalous” matter for a sitting minister of justice to be “cheaply assassinated, without a clue nine years down the line.”



He said, “I feel ashamed as a police officer that we failed the nation in this regard. It is our duty as police officers to protect lives and property; and if we fail to do this, some people will outwit us and commit crime and it will also be our duty to unravel the perpetrators.



“Unfortunately, nobody has been convicted for this heinous crime. In almost every city in the country, there are unresolved cases like this.



“If there is the need to do so, I will apologise on behalf of the force.”



Ribadu said the police could not deliver as expected by the populace because things were being done in the wrong way.



“In Nigeria Police, there are wonderful people but when things don’t work; when corruption has eaten deep into the system; when there are no good leaders, even the good people will be helpless,” he said.



He called for a reform in the police and judiciary as a sure way of getting the nation back on the right track, arguing that the absence of security and order was a fundamental challenge to national growth.



While describing a tainted judiciary as a dangerous slide to anarchy, Ribadu warned that the judiciary could not afford to lose the confidence of the people.



“No noble dream can survive in an atmosphere of insecurity. Economic growth can also not be achieved under such circumstance,” he added.



While bemoaning the lawlessness that currently pervades the nation’s political space, the former EFCC boss regretted that nobody had explained to him the reason behind his dismissal from the police force, after the feat the commission achieved under his leadership.



He said, “We recovered over $500bn across the country. We secured convictions on corruption charges against the big and the mighty.



“Many police officers want a change, but those resisting the much-needed change forced us out of the system with vengeance.



“They went after the boys we took to the EFCC from the police. They did not want the EFCC to change the police, they wanted the police to change the EFCC.



“Despite the over 350, 000 policemen we have in this country, nobody is facing trial over violence, either ethnic or religious, despite their frequent occurrence.”






http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009142572185

The hope of light at the end of the tunnel is close to nigerians with the determination of Dr.Bukola Saraki to take a short at the PDP presidential primaries. It has always been the prayers of those who love this country that Likes of Bukola Saraki, Fashola etc take up the challenge to lead this country, Bayelsa state from the time om DSP alam to the period of Jonathan, one was of the hope that the state will be turned into Singapore with the resources at their disposal, go to lagos and kwara

Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, on Monday informed President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo of his desire to contest the presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party.



Our correspondent in Abuja learnt that Saraki first had an audience with Jonathan in his Aso Rock office, Abuja, before meeting with Sambo in his Aguda House residence.



The meetings took place hours before the National Working Committee of the PDP summoned an emergency meeting of its National Executive Committee over the guidelines for the party’s primaries.



Although details of Saraki’s discussions with Jonathan and Sambo were sketchy, it was however gathered that he told them that he was also ready to step down as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.



THE PUNCH learnt from a source close to the meeting between Jonathan and Saraki, that the President did not express surprise at the governor’s information.



The source, who asked not to be named, added that Jonathan, who might declare his presidential ambition on the PDP platform on Saturday, told the governor that he wished him well.



It was further learnt that Saraki might formally declare his intention in Abuja on Friday.



Sources close to the governor said he was considering a serving governor from the South-South as his running mate.



One of the challenges the governor might face is how to convince the North that he is one of them as he is seen as a Yoruba. Kwara State, which he hails from, is one of the 19 northern states.



His father, Senator Olusola Saraki, who contested for the Presidency in 1992 and 1999, faced the same challenge. The development made him to produce two posters with two first names. One bore Olusola, the Yoruba first name he has been known to bear for years; and Abubakar, one of his lesser known given names that would have resonated with voters in the North.



THE PUNCH had reported on Monday that some governors in the NGF and PDP governors were plotting to oust Saraki as their chairman if he decided to vie for the Presidency.



The governors, who are seeking a second term in office, are said to be pro-Jonathan.



Also on Monday, the governors coordinating the presidential ambition of Jonathan in the six geo-political zones met in Abuja to strategise for the PDP presidential primaries.



It was gathered that the meeting took place in the Abuja home of one of them. The governors are Ibrahim Shema, Isa Yuguda, Gabriel Suswam, Gbenga Daniel, Martins Elechi, and Liyel Imoke.



The Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Sina Kawonise, who confirmed the meeting, told our correspondent in Abeokuta that Daniel had already kick-started the President’s campaign in the South-West.



Jonathan will on Tuesday (today) meet with the Daniel-led campaign team to receive a preliminary report of its visit to stakeholders in the South-West states.



Those met by the team at a closed-door session were the Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Alao Akala, at his Ogbomoso residence; his Osun State counterpart, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Osogbo; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.



Meanwhile, members of the PDP NWC have called an emergency meeting of the party’s NEC for Wednesday to fine-tune the draft copy of the guidelines for the PDP primaries.



The NWC, which met for more than three hours on Monday, will reconvene on Tuesday after an audience with Jonathan in the Presidential Villa.



The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prof. Rufai Alkali, in a text message to one of our correspondents, confirmed the Wednesday NEC meeting.



The text message reads, “An emergency meeting of the NEC of the PDP is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 15, 2010.



“The time of the meeting is noon. All members of NEC are expected at the meeting.”



THE PUNCH gathered on Monday night that the NEC meeting might cause a setback for the planned presidential declaration of a former military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) on Wednesday.



Our correspondents learnt that PDP stalwarts loyal to Babangida might decide to be at the NEC meeting rather than the declaration rally.



Meanwhile, men of the State Security Services were at the campaign office of the former dictator, on Monday to make inquiry about the security preparation for the rally.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201009143543428

@ Poster can we get to see it?

See who is talking Dokpesi that can not manage is company well with staff been owned more than 10months salary is coming up to show is face. Both him and IBB will fall down

In an effort to forge a united front ahead of next year’s general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Edo North Senatorial District over the weekend held a peace rally where it called on its members to bury whatever differences they had and work as one body again.

At the well attended meeting, held in Fugar, headquarters of Etsako Central local government council, the party members unanimously picked the Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan and former deputy governor of the state, Mike Ogiadomhe, as the leader of the party in Edo north.

They also passed a vote of no confidence on former number two citizen, Mike Akhigbe, accusing him of anti-party activities. Mr Akhigbe, had before the meeting acted as party leader in the area since the death last year of Inu Umoru.

Those in attendance include House of Representatives leader, Tunde Akogun; Yisa Braimaoh, a senator; former speaker of the state house of assembly, Zakawanu Garuba; state and federal lawmakers among others.

Mr Ogiadomhe, who was pleased by the unanimous vote, said the meeting was necessary to prepare the party to take over the state by the next elections. He said it was not proper for the PDP to control the federal government and not be able to hold its own in the state.

“I cannot be the Chief of Staff to the president and when everybody is talking about his place, I will be quiet,” he said.

“So, we must work together and make sacrifices when you have to. This is the time to start preparing to regain what God has given to us. God gave us something and we allowed it go, we must reclaim it now.” He thanked the people for finding him worthy to lead the party and stressed the need for all aggrieved members of the party who are still sitting on the fence to declare their positions and tow the path of peace. He affirmed the support of the zone for Mr Jonathan’s presidential ambition.

Akhigbe is unwanted

The motion for the adoption of Oghiadomhe as the senatorial leader was moved by Victor Ohiosimua and was seconded by Adams Ellyikazobor.

“I appreciate all your sentiments and I have assured you in my earlier address that my support for the party is total. I do not know whether this was planned before, all the same I thank you for the confidence you just reposed on me,” Mr Ogiadomhe said.

The state chairman of the party, Dan Orbih, urged party members not to attend a similar meeting which has been fixed for the area by Akhigbe.

“There is need to start to address the leadership questions of the PDP in Edo North,” he said. “The time has come for us to chose a leader that will think about the overall interest of the party, it is time we have a leader that will promote and represent our interest. Leaders don’t appoint themselves, but through popular process, those who parade themselves as leaders of this party should think twice. The party is not aware of any other meeting summoned by any other person in Edo north so we warn all legal party members not to attend.”

A similar peace meeting was called by Samuel Ogbemudia for Edo south PDP, where party members loyal to him and Anthony Anenih met together without rancour for the first time in two years.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5618250-147/pdp_picks_jonathans_aide_to_lead.csp

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) says Muhammadu Buhari’s candidature is still treated as a rumour until party officials adopt him during its national convention.

Dennis Aghanya, the spokesman of the CPC, who disclosed this yesterday, said other members of the newly registered party might show interest in the race, adding that it would be against its constitution to impose anybody on the party without following due process.

He said the party is not only trying to consolidate in all the states of the federation but also engaging in talks with other political stakeholders ahead of the 2011 general elections. “We have not officially adopted Buhari as being speculated as our presidential candidate. I am not also aware that we have officially adopted any other person as our candidate. So, his (Buhari) candidacy is still a rumour,” Mr Aghanya said during a telephone interview. “We are a party that respects the law and follows due process. We don’t want to be seen as imposing anybody. Our party is spreading in all the states and other members may be interested in the position.

We are still consolidating in the states and we are talking with other political stakeholders. But now that INEC has released timetable, we will move on quickly.”

Mr Aghanya, however, said that in the choice of its flag bearer, the party will consider a man or woman who has uncommon integrity like Mr Buhari, its founder. He confirmed that if the party eventually picks Mr Buhari as its candidate for the presidential polls, his running mate who would come from the Southern part of the country, would be expected to possess similar attributes as the former military head of state.

“We are not just going for anybody,” he said. “There are some basic attributes we want in our vice presidential candidate considering our ideology. Such a person has to be credible like Buhari. He should be somebody you can beat your chest and say yes, this person has integrity. He should also be somebody that is a bridge builder between the north and the south. So, we want somebody of Buhari’s stature.”


Planning the convention

The CPC spokesman said with the release of the election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party’s will soon organize its launching/national convention.

According to him, the agenda of the programme would have been concluded by next week.

Meanwhile, the CPC has condemned plan by the federal government to raise the pump price of petroleum products within the next six months.

Mr Aghanya, said in a statement on Sunday, that if the government goes ahead with the plan as revealed recently by the finance minister, Olusegun Aganga, it will worsen the already difficult situation the common man is facing. “This, if implemented, will be adding to the pains the masses are already going through as a result of the non availability of the basic infrastructures due to bad and corrupt leadership of the PDP,” he said.

“On what basis does the government intend to carry out this new policy?

Petroleum is the pillar of virtually all the economic and social activities in any developed, developing and static society. Ours, being a static one, mostly depends on this God’s free gift to sustain life.

We should learn to think before we act than acting before we think.”

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5618236-147/buhari_is_not_our_candidate_yet.csp