₦airaland Forum

Dear IBB, I am a pure Yoruba man. Regardless of how bad your regime messed us up, we still have our dignity intact.
However, if you want me to advice you, this is what I would say. Nigerians of substance, not those "jegudujera" dont like your face. You might be imposing your face on them but he who laugh last laugh best. They will laugh last. The families of those killed during the annullment will laugh last. Bet it. And here is my advice, pack your load, enjoy your ship-like manson in Minna and leave Nigeria alone to the new age group whom you have condemned as being lazy, lack management skill, etc. But if you fail to heed those good advice, remember the saying, those whom God want to destroy, he would first amke mad. He let them go on a goose chase.

He better think over it again if he does not want to fall and not stand again.

President Jonathan must not chicken out and allow the combine forces of the Evil Genius(IBB), Atiku,and Buhari to find their way back to power. He should declare his intention fast to run in order for him to finish the Second Term of Yar'Adua and give power to South East in 2015 for sake of Equity. He must not allow this power mongers to have their way. The country does not belong to the Northerners alone, they should stop seeing this country as their personal estate, Like they determine who rules Nigeria, enough of this insult.

Goodluck Jonathan today denied he is considering not running for the job next year. But he did not confirm that he will run, either.

“At the appropriate time, the president will inform his country men and women of his future plans,” his spokesman said.

A statement just issued by Ima Niboro, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Mr. Jonathan, dismissed the story, which appeared in Reuters, as having been “sponsored” by interested parties.


“The truth is that the president has not said he will not run,” Mr. Niboro said. “Neither has he said he will.”

http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/presidency-jonathan-denies-he-won%E2%80%99t%E2%80%A6-doesn%E2%80%99t-say-he-will%E2%80%A6run

His he just waking up from his sleep

I feel so too, he will surely pay for June 12

A gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State , Senator Abiola Ajimobi has asked Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala to resign from office immediately. Ajimobi, in a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Mr. Tunde Muraina, hinged his call on the apparent failure of Alao-Akala to manage the affairs of the state.

He said teachers had been on strike for almost a month, following the refusal of the governor to pay the Teacher’s Salary Structure (TSS) they have been agitating for.
Ajimobi also noted that for more than a week, judicial workers in Oyo State have down tools over their demand for the payment of consolidated salary.
“All the hospitals and health centres across Oyo State have also been under lock due to the insistence of Alao-Akala that medical and health workers do not deserve their dues,’’ he said.

The former senator also recalled the running battle the governor has been having with some prominent traditional rulers in the state, particularly the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Semuel Odulana Odugade I and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
“Besides, the future of our children is also being put in jeopardy by the governor through a needless tussle with Osun State over the ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

“When Osun felt that it needed its own university, it went ahead to establish the Osun State University . If Alao-Akala feels that he needs a university for Oyo State , why can’t he establish one instead of monopolising LAUTECH which is a common heritage of both states?
“It is so bad that Oyo State has not known peace for once since Alao-Akala became governor. It has moved from one crisis and violence to the other, with the peace of the state being sacrificed allegedly on the altar of brigandage while the citizens now live in palpable fear.
“The recent outcry of Oba Adeyemi, Alhaji Lam Adesina and other prominent politicians assassination plots by the governor also calls for serious concern. Indeed, Oyo State has never had it so bad,’’ Ajimobi lamented.

He also expressed regret over the violence that recently engulfed the city of Ibadan, purportedly with the backing the state government has been giving to one faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NRTW) against the other.
According to him, all these are indications that Alao-Akala lacks the moral rectitude, intellectual ability as well as necessary exposure and charisma to continue as the governor.
He expressed worry that a state which at one time or the other had been governed by intellectuals like the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief S. L. Akintola, Chief Bola Ige, SAN and Dr. Omololu Olunloyo is now being desecrated by Alao-Akala.
“`He, should, therefore, resign with immediate effect so that Oyo can know peace and move forward,’’ Ajimobi concluded.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/aug/18/national-18-08-2010-028.htm

Nasiru Sule Garo, (PDP, Gwarzo/Kabo federal constituency) speaks on next year's elections and options before the citizens of Kano State. Excerpts:

Fears of credible elections in 2011

This is the first time Nigerians from different background and different political parties, are coming together to agree that the man, Attahiru Jega is credible enough as the INEC Chairman to conduct credible elections. I have confidence that, especially with the amended electoral act and the continued assurance we are receiving from Mr Jega and also with the composition of the commissioners in INEC, the 2011 election would be a free, fair and credible election. Calls for postponement of election.

The issue of shifting election date is a decision which INEC should be left to take. So far, they have not really complained on the issue of time, but only on funding and that is why the House of Representatives did all we could to facilitate the fund request from INEC. You remember we had to cut short our holiday to attend to the request. I think the amendment of electoral act is a good thing, because it will make the INEC more independent and active and the process also serves as an avenue through which other amendment can be done, if the need arises in the future.

On zoning

I am in support of zoning because it has and will continue to bring sanity and sense of belonging in our polity. Again, it is what was agreed by our leaders; therefore I believe it should be respected. But above all, I am a loyal member of my party and the party said that zoning should remain but President Goodluck Jonathan has the constitutional right to contest, because the constitution is supreme.

Assessment of state government

The administration of (state governor) Ibrahim Shekarau, to me, is a monumental failure because the economy of Kano has fallen woefully during his time despite the huge resources the state got both from federation account and locally generated revenue. There are no developmental projects, especially in the rural areas. Education is in sorry state; there is lack of water throughout the state and virtually every sector is neglected. Some people may argue that there is road projects that is going on at the moment in the state capital, I appreciate those projects because it is good for the state. But my question is, are these only starting now? I believe the answer is simply the governor is using the projects for his presidential campaign. Even the Kano house that was recently commissioned in Abuja is also aimed at achieving this deceit for his presidential ambition. All what I have to say is that his administration just hide under the banner of Islam to plunder the resources of the good people of Kano.

Chances of PDP reclaiming Kano

It is very clear today that the people of Kano are no longer interested in the ANPP government and they want PDP to take over the governance of the state. The people specifically are rooting for Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to vie for the governorship position and I believe they will vote for him because they have realized that he did a lot for the state during his tenure as governor. Above all, he has the interest of the state at heart.

Controversial constituency project

Yes, constituency projects has been helping our constituents today because it is really helping in providing basic infrastructure in our localities; that is the only way a legislator can impact on his people directly, apart from our primary assignment of making laws. You will agree with me that some local governments and perhaps state governments have failed in providing the much needed basic infrastructures to our people.

Therefore, the constituency project is helping in that direction. The constituency projects would be unnecessary when the states and local governments take their responsibility seriously. I think it is worth mentioning here that federal lawmakers are not receiving funds for constituency projects; rather we identify projects in our constituencies and forward it to MDAs for execution. So, it is actually the executive that is executing the projects. Ours is no more than identifying the project and perhaps supervising same.

Anger of his constituents

It is not true that I have not done anything for the benefit of my constituents. Let me use this opportunity to mention few things I have done. I have secured federal employment for about 10 people from my constituency and I have attracted some projects to the area. I assure you there are many more to come.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5607958-147/pdp_will_recapture_kano__.csp

Cleaners, fumigators and other workmen were hard at work at No 13 Beira Crescent, in the Wuse II area of Abuja yesterday. This is where Nuhu Ribadu, former anti-graft boss, is setting up a campaign office in line with his bid to run for president in 2011.

Although Mr. Ribadu is yet to announce an alignment with any particular political party and has not publicly declared his intentions to run, it is only a matter of days before he does that now, his aides told NEXT yesterday.

He has not yet declared but will do that soon," said Chido Onumah, media assistant to the former EFCC boss. "This is the presidential campaign office and it should be ready in a couple of days. It will be the hub of operations for his bid to run for president."

Mr. Onumah also said that his team has recruited a group of professionals who will undertake several positions in the new office. Mr. Ribadu is widely touted as the preferred candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN). "It is not certain what political platform Mr. Ribadu will be running under but he has been approached by several parties," said Mr. Onumah. "He is currently consulting widely with other politicians and groups. At the end of the day, he will sit back and decide which political platform fits into his plans and visions."

The ACN, however, insists that Mr. Ribadu is yet to formally join the party and therefore cannot be considered a prospective presidential candidate. "I am not aware that Nuhu Ribadu has joined the party," said Lai Mohammed, the party spokesperson.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5608109-147/ribadu_opens_campaign_office_in_abuja.csp

Musa Umar, the Deputy National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), on Tuesday asked former President, Ibrahim Babangida, to tell Nigerians why he annulled the 1993 presidential election.

Mr Umar said that the former head of state's recent statement regretting the annulment, was no news, adding that though "the annulment of June 12 election is worth regretting, but IBB should give us data on what led to the annulment, apologise to Nigerians and seek forgiveness.

"He should tell Nigerians who annulled the election and why it was annulled. This is what will put a final seal on the June 12 election."

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5608049-146/ad_questions_babangida_about_june_12.csp

The Peoples Democratic Party should dispense with the issue of the return of former vice president, Atiku Abubkar to the party rather than the present foot-dragging a leader of the party and senator, Jubril Aminu has said.

Mr. Aminu, who spoke to journalist at his residence in Yola yesterday, also described as discriminatory the conditions being set for Mr. Abubakar's return to the PDP. He said the handling of the return saga has exposed the inconsistencies and unprincipled behaviour of the leadership of the party.

Mr. Aminu, who also said the issue of zoning had been over-flogged, said he supports the candidacy of Ibrahim Babangida, Mr. Abubakar and President Jonathan.

"You should ask the PDP while they should discriminate against Atiku without giving him a reason," Mr Jubril said, questioning the rationale behind welcoming some former members of the PDP whom he said in times past had fought the PDP, such as Abia State governor, Theodore Orji while others seem to have difficulty being welcomed back.

"It is true that we suffered from him (Atiku) when he left to join the AC and contest elections," Mr. Aminu said. "Yes, we had problems with him, but I don't see what he did that was so bad compared to others. That other people will simply get re-admitted into the party and get a waiver immediately and all that." He said although he was among those who resisted Atiku's return back to the party initially because he felt his re-entry fell short of the party guidelines, he said the former vice president has since made things right.

"Mr. Abubakar, in compliance, consequently went to his Jada ward and re-registered. By this kind of behaviour, is it how the party intends to win elections in this state?" Mr. Aminu said.

Preaching justice

Absolving himself of favoritism on the Atiku- PDP saga, he said his stance on the matter was borne out of an innate principle that "people must be consistent, logical and that they must do justice.

"What is good for the goose is good for the gander. If you go and say people should come back to the party and you allow other people and re-admit them and refuse some other people, this clearly is an unprincipled behaviour," he said.

The relation between Messrs Aminu and Abubakar, which Mr. Aminu said is devoid of "adversarial political behaviour," confirms the political sophistry of both men. Mr. Aminu said the relation between himself and Mr. Abubakar has been restored without any formal meeting to say they were sheathing the sword. As the PDP link-man in Adamawa, Mr Aminu superintended over the PDP 2006 revalidation exercise which saw the likes of Atiku and his followers being shut-out of the party.

He also said the only way the country's nascent democracy could grow is if there is a legislation that restricts state governors from having unfettered access to public funds.

"We should be able to have a kind of legislation which will limit the amount of money which a state Chief Executive Officer should have access for," Mr Aminu said. "Without this, our polity will continue to be a hot bed with all kinds of political maneuverings to remain in power."

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5608103-146/pdp_discriminating_against_atiku_says_aminu.csp

The House of Representatives will apply its veto rights on the passed Electoral Act if the president, Goodluck Jonathan, fails to approve the document in 30 days, Minority Leader, Mohammed Ndume, warned yesterday.

The Act, which is expected to introduce crucial reforms to next year's election, has not received the president's assent after its passage by both chambers of the National Assembly ending July, 2010.

Three money legislations - the budget amendment, the first and second supplementary budgets - have yet to be signed by the president, although their harmonized versions have been passed by the senate and the House.

Mr. Ndume said the House will reconvene from its vacation, if the president continues to withhold his approval, to authorize the implementation of the four Acts based on a constitutional veto right which overrides the president in 30 days.

"If he doesn't sign within the next 30 days, we will have to think of convening members to veto it and I am sure we will get at least two thirds," he said yesterday in Abuja.

As a member of the minority party, such an unprecedented decision would hardly receive sufficient support amongst the mostly People's Democratic Party lawmakers, but Mr. Ndume said the warning represents the "overwhelming" position of the house. "I am sure if we put it to vote nobody will vote against it," he said.

He said the president's continued withholding of assent to the bills challenges national economy and retards the functions of the Independent National Electoral Commission which would depend on the law to fix election schedule for next year.

"The coming of Jonathan gave me a little hope, but I now begin to wonder why he is dragging his feet. I may be wrong but I‘m yet to be proven wrong the PDP is afraid of elections because they have never conducted one," he said, furthering the allegation that the president's decision represents a part of a complex political consideration for the 2011 presidential elections.

Part of that concern, NEXT understands, is a provision in the electoral law which disallows political appointees from voting during the primary elections-a significant fulcrum which Mr. Jonathan's electoral success next year, if he declares, could be hinged upon.

Distracted president?

Several delegates appointed by the president to the primaries, could be ineligible to participate if the passed bill becomes law, thereby tilting a greater leverage of the election outcome to the state governors who have greater control of the grassroots.

The president has faced growing pressure in recent days to approve the law and the fiscal budgets, part of which bears the new salary structure for civil servants, the approved funds for the INEC and the 40 per cent reduction of the initial N4.6 trillion federal budget.

"This is worse than the Obasanjo scenario. There was a budget during Obasanjo which he did not implement there was a budget during Yar'adua which he was so slow to implement, but this one there is not budget at all," Mr. Ndume said.

Mr. Ndume, who has increasingly become critical of the president's performance in office, said he did however not believe the question of the primary delegates could inform the president's delay.

"At the leadership meeting that I know of, the president doesn't appear to have peculiar interest.

He seems to be committed and that's why am surprised; he seems to be distracted," he said.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5608123-146/lawmakers_threaten_to_override_jonathan_on.csp

Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako yesterday insisted that former vice president, Atiku Abubakar is not yet a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Nyako told State House correspondents that the former vice president was yet to fulfil the necessary requirements for readmission into the party he left about three years ago.

According to the governor, “Atiku is not yet a member of the party in the state.”
Atiku had declared his intention to run for the presidency in the 2011 presidential election on Sunday on the platform of PDP and had even applied to the national secretariat of the party for a waiver.
But his governor who is also the party leader in his home state yesterday in the presidential villa said “the former vice president is not yet a member of the PDP in Adamawa State.”

Though the governor said the waiver he sought could only come from the national secretariat of the party, he, however, quickly added that he could get that only after the state had re-absorbed him. On why the state was dilly- dallying with the readmission of the vice president who happened to be a founding member of the party, the governor said “while he was leaving the party, he fought with virtually everybody and went to form another party and now he wants to come back just like that.”
The governor further noted that it was not just enough for Atiku to go to the national headquarters to announce his return, he must follow the normal procedures.

“Once he clears the situation” he will be readmitted, the governor said.
On the value the former vice president will be adding to the party, Nyanko said “if he will be coming back with nuisance value he is not welcome,” noting that the state has been peaceful for a while now and the state would not want somebody that would come to obstruct the peace in the state.
Citing example of the recent change of guard at the state assembly, the governor said some of his supporters claimed to be the brain behind the crisis. Their intention, according to the governor, was to cause rift between the legislative arm and the executive.
Nyako, however, added that if the former vice president was coming back to the party with a positive motive, he was welcome, but must follow the procedure.





http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/aug/18/national-18-08-2010-021.htm

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo have been told to resign their respective positions as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees Chairman and the National Chairman respectively, following the recent decision of the party’s National Executive committee (NEC) on zoning.

Professor Tam David-West called for their immediate resignation in an interview with Daily Sun in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during which he also insisted that any Northerner who emerged as President on PDP platform could only rule for four years. Said he: “Both of them lied to party members, the country and the world about PDP constitution. First, Obasanjo said zoning never existed in PDP. Nwodo said zoning is dead.

Then, I told (Nwodo), ‘you are contradicting Obasanjo because only living things can die; non-living things can’t die. Obasanjo said zoning, does not exist, you said it is dead.’
“Both of them lied. Now, the NEC has confirmed this. Nwodo who said zoning was dead, is Chairman of the NEC that said, ‘No, we are not jettisoning it’. So, he also lied. These two people have no honour to stay there. They must resign immediately for lying. They lied because zoning is in their constitution.

“Another reason they should resign is, if they cannot understand their party’s constitution, why would Nigerians entrust them with the constitution of Nigeria? They should honourably resign if they have honour and shame.”
Drawing from the decisions of the NEC, he said by retaining zoning and making the Presidential race open to all its qualified members, the PDP played smart on President Goodluck Jonathan.

“What they gave him with one hand, they took with another hand. He is free to contest because he is a Nigerian and the Nigerian Constitution says if you are qualified, you are free to run. PDP in their constitution say there is zoning. So, zoning is PDP matter. It is not in the Nigerian Constitution.
“What the NEC is saying now and which the Northern Governors Forum had said, is that if you must contest, you either leave PDP or make PDP to change that section of their constitution. This is not good for Jonathan because though you are free to contest, you must be nominated by the party.
“As people say, except your family puts the crown on your head, the community will not say you are king. Kings are not made by the community, kings are made by the royal family. Except the royal family puts the crown on you, the community does not recognize you. Jonathan is free to contest but zoning exists in PDP.”
Also, David-West punctured the reasoning in some quarters that Jonathan could run on the Yar’Adua/Jonathan ticket, insisting that the ticket died with the late President.

“To say that the President can still run on Yar’Adua/Jonathan ticket is wrong. He cannot. The Yar’Adua/Jonathan ticket died after Yar’Adua died. That is the truth because the constitution says that the President will choose a running mate who shall be the Vice President. Not the other way round.
“Jonathan’s relevance was contiguous to and contingent on Yar’Adua being President because without Yar’Adua Presidency, there is no Jonathan. That was why they used the nebulous, controversial doctrine of expediency to make him first, acting president and later, president. So, that ticket died with Yar’Adua.

In other places and even in America, relevance of the vice president is contiguous and contingent on the president. Things which are mutually exclusive cannot exist together.”
David-West reiterated his earlier warning that the zoning issue if not well handled, could escalate into a national problem.
“I have said it before and others have said it that if this zoning problem is not well handled, PDP will have problem. The problem within PDP will boil over to the general society and I said, that is how the civil war started. From We tie in Ibadan to civil war.

“It is like the body. When one part of the body is sick, the whole of the body is sick. Zoning was a dangerous and unnecessary controversy.”
He said that it would be “immoral, dishonest and dangerous” for the PDP to dump zoning at this stage because of Yar’Adua’s death.
“Yar’Adua’s death should not be celebrated with jettisoning zoning section in their constitution. I give a metaphor. I am owing you N100. I signed a contract with you that I owe you N100 and my son signed as a co-signatory to that contract. I paid you N50, then I died. You are entitled to N50 from my son. It is a contract. It is so with zoning.

“The PDP signed a contract with the North stating eight years for the South, eight years for the North. Obasanjo has used eight years of the South. It is now eight years of the North also sponsored by Obasanjo. Yar’Adua’s death did not affect the debt the PDP still owes the North and that is four more years as President.”
He reasoned that whereas any northerner who emerged as President from any other party was free to rule for eight years, a Northern President on PDP platform should only rule for four years to off-set the party’s outstanding debt to the North, arising from Yar’Adua’s death.
“The PDP is bound by its debt to the North. PDP owes the North four years of presidency only. The North cannot claim more debt than the PDP owes them. That will be fraud.

“The North will have no leg to stand because a Northern candidate of PDP for 2011 will not be coming there as a virgin. He is coming there to complete the debt owed the North by the PDP. So, after the debt is paid, PDP does not owe the North any money”.
David-West also faulted the common practice of equating PDP with the country, pointing out that, “if there was any free and fair election in Nigeria, PDP wouldn’t have won.”

He was optimistic that the ruling party, “will have shock in 2011.”
In a veiled reference to Jonathan’s position as the nation’s first highly educated leader, David-West urged that Nigerians should begin to demand leadership track records of their potential leaders: “Nigerians should now talk about credentials because you cannot just wake up and say you want to be President. What are your track records? So, however qualified with all the degrees in the world, national service is stewardship, not degree.”
“Nigerians must insist, and rightly so, in 2011. Show us your credentials, your stewardship in national service. You vote on that. Jimmy Carter has two PhDs. He has PhD Nuclear Physics, PhD in Bio-Chemistry. That’s the most brilliant scholar America ever got as President but was he the best President? Degrees are not important, they are not sine qua non. Government is responsibility and focus, not degree.”

David-West debunked alleged domination of the country’s leadership by the North.
“North does not dominate anybody. Let me repeat for the umpteenth time, the strength of the North is the weakness of the South. There cannot be any Northern President without the support of the South and vice versa.
“The difference between the North from the South is only two States. Tell me how the Northern man can be President of Nigeria without Southern support or vice versa. So, if the South allows North to be President all the time, it is a Southern weakness. Don’t blame the North.”



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/aug/18/national-18-08-2010-003.htm

The apex Igbo body, Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, has distanced itself from the resolution of the Igbo political summit which, last Monday, endorsed the touted presidential ambition of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation insisted that the Igbos were yet to take a position on the matter.

Secretary-General of the group, Chief Nduka Eya, who spoke to our reporter in Enugu, yesterday, noted that what was held in Enugu Monday was a political summit, “and you know we are not a political organization. So, their stand has nothing to do with Ohaneze. Ohaneze is careful about what it says, that’s why we are still consulting.”

“I don’t think we should be in a hurry to take a position. These are people looking for something and that is not part of Ohaneze programme. Our problem is how to unite our people so that we can stand and talk as a people and that is what we are concerned about.

“So, what happened was organized by an interest group and you know that it will not be the last because more groups will surely organize their own summit and reach similar decisions.
“We don’t get involved in independent political agenda because we are an umbrella body and we are interested in what concerns all Igbos because so many of us belong to different political parties. Ohaneze tolerates different political views but as the umbrella body we make wide consultations and provide a neutral ground for the best decision that will have the overall interest of all Igbos.”
Also speaking on the summit, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohaneze, Ralph Ndigwe, noted that this time was a very crucial period and “what the Ohaneze is doing is that we are doing wide consultations, reaching out to all stakeholders no matter the party because it is a serious issue and Igbos must be very careful in taking a stand.

“We are yet to take a stand and even when the matter came up at the Imeobi, we agreed that we must tread carefully. So, we are consulting and at the end of the day we may convene an Igbo summit that will be all inclusive and where everybody will participate, no matter the party one belongs.”
The South-East Political Summit, which held at the Presidential Hotel, Enugu, had, in a three-point communiqué, endorsed Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for the 2011 presidential election, noting that the Igbos would not want to play the second fiddle any longer.

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who was the first to speak at the event, had urged the Igbos to adopt Jonathan so he could complete the joint ticket of late President Umaru Yar’Adua, arguing that due to the constitutional provisions only he could govern for four years after which he would support an Igbo president.
Also, the Chairman of the summit, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi, noted that only a Jonathan president could guarantee an Igbo president in 2015 and urged the Igbos to weigh their options properly and support their South South neighbours.

He warned the people of the South East against supporting a candidate they were not sure would be victorious at the polls; “at least it is a known fact that no incumbent president has lost an election in Africa and this will definitely not be different.”
The absence of the five governors of the South East as well as political office holders from the zone at the Summit almost took the shine off the event but the Ohaneze has assured that its summit would be all inclusive and must involve everybody in Igbo land.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has denied reports in Reuters, an international news agency, quoting “Presidency” sources that President Jonathan might have decided against running in next year’s elections.
A statement from Ima Niboro, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the President, accused interested parties of sponsoring the story.
It stated that the president had not said whether he would run or not, adding that he had, at different times, given reasons why he considered it premature to make any commitment either way.
“At the appropriate time, the president will inform his country men and women of his future plans. Until then, every comment on the subject remains mere speculation,” the statement said.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/aug/18/national-18-08-2010-001.htm

suspected:
@wales

Then employ them

Are you one of them

It's very bad to do that, how can you give out and want to collect it back

akwaowoudo:
Whose pix is that? Your girl?

Can't say it may be your's

This guy's need look for better things to do with there life

My guy do you need to import

This character can only operate in Nigeria where the investigative journalists are sleeping. Wonder why nobody is talking about his history of corruption-- From customs till date. May be Nigerians will wake up by the time he repeats Abacha show. Hear him boast of being the highest employer of labor in Adamawa. He want's to run Nigeria like a business. Lots of luck!

dogzymallo:
i can see the kitty from here even

Which Kitty do you mean

Very soon we will get to hear one with the name "TAKE YOUR LIFE CHURCH"

Less than two months after a police officer attached to the Ogun state Police Command shot a woman’s car dealer husband dead, the woman is concerned that she may be killed in the same way.

Opeyemi Olawale’s husband, Olawale Babalola, 36, was allegedly shot dead on July 1, by one Sunmonu Ojediran, a police inspector from the Crime Investigations Department (CID) of the Ogun state command.

Mrs Olawale has since sued the police officer, Inspector General of Police, and the Commissioners of Police in Ogun and Oyo States, seeking justice over her husband’s death.

She said the story began on May 31, when she had a stillbirth and was admitted in a hospital in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. She added that when her husband came to visit her the following day, the medical workers taking care of her gave him a list of drugs that were not available in the hospital, to go and procure.

“He volunteered to purchase the drugs outside the hospital and that was the last day I heard or saw him alive,” she said in a sworn affidavit.

For days, frantic efforts to know his whereabouts were unfruitful until a friend of his volunteered that the man had been killed by officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Ogun State, she alleged in her affidavit.

According to her, the man said the deceased was shot dead during an argument that ensued between him and police officers who brought an armed robbery suspect from Ogun State to Ibadan over an allegation of receiving stolen vehicles.

She further alleged that, unknown to her husband, the police asked the suspect to ask her husband if he was interested in buying a vehicle for his business.

“On arrival at the agreed area at the Nigerian Breweries Area of Ibadan, my husband was arrested and upon argument that ensued, my husband was shot by the 3rd respondent (Mr Ojediran) and died as a result of the gunshot,” she said.

Speaking through her lawyer, Abiola Olagunju, in Ibadan, yesterday, Mrs Olawale, alleged that since the killing and her insistence on seeking justice, she has been receiving strange messages from anonymous persons believed to have links with Mr Ojediran, who threatened to deal with her if she refuses to back down from seeking justice.

Apart from the threat messages, the complainant alleged that the police have ransacked her home different times, and she was arrested by the Oyo State SARS last week, for onward transmission to Eleweran, Ogun State office of SARS.

Court demands

In a suit filed in the name of David Olawale, a four-year-old boy and the only surviving child she had with her late husband, Mrs Olawale is praying the court to declare the shooting and killing of her husband without justification, as a gross violation of the constitution. She equally prayed the court to restrain the defendants from further harassing, victimizing, disturbing, arresting, detaining or subjecting her to any form of indignity, inhuman or degrading treatment, even as he asked for the release of the corpse of her husband for burial. As compensation, she is demanding N100 million, for the alleged wrongful killing. Mr Olagunju, her lawyer, is worried about the rising cases of extra-judicial killing by officers of the Nigeria Police. “I do not know whether the man was truly involved in armed robbery or not. But the law does not permit anyone to take another man’s life unjustifiably. The policeman only killed the man over (a) mere argument.”

When contacted by phone yesterday, Olabisi Okuwobi, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Oyo State command, said she has not been briefed about the case, adding that her Ogun State counterpart was in a better position to respond. Several calls to Muyiwa Adejobi, the Ogun State PPRO, however, did not go through.

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Adams Oshiomhole, the Edo State governor, yesterday reprimanded policemen attached to him for shooting into the air during a protest by students of Edo State owned tertiary institutions.

The students, whose teachers have been on strike over salary matters for the past five weeks, were protesting the closure of their schools.

Mr. Oshiomhole was on an inspection tour of on-going road projects along Airport Road shortly after he commissioned an asphalt plant, when the students, in their hundreds, protested before the governor, calling for his intervention to ensure their return to the classrooms.

But while the students were chanting solidarity songs and holding green leaves, some policemen attached to the governor shot several times into the air, apparently to scare away the protesters.

This drew the displeasure of a visibly dissatisfied Oshiomhole, as he quickly ordered his aide de camp to stop the act, and later promised the students that he would investigate the shooting incident, adding, “I did not see any violence apart from the fact that you were carrying green leaves, and green leaves do not mean harm.” The protesting students had to barricade the convoy of the governor along Airport Road before they could get his attention.

The students carried placards with inscriptions such as: ‘We want to go back to school’ ‘Listen to the demands of our lecturers’ ‘No facilities in our schools’ ‘We don’t want to become miscreants’.

“I assure you we will take disciplinary action against those policemen that fired into the air, Police must learn to maintain crowd without resorting to firearms because I don’t want anybody to be killed in error by stray bullets,” Mr Oshiomhole said.

Governor apologises

“I apologise for that, even though you didn’t complain about it, because I believe our people have the right to protest. I have led so many protests and, therefore, I can never be angry against you protesting. We don’t want Edo to look like a police state. Yes, we want security but we don’t need to use firearms on people who are not carrying any offensive weapon. I am still protesting because there are many things wrong with our country.” He, thereafter, assured the students that a meeting has already been slated for this week to address their teachers’ welfare issues.

“I have already asked the commissioner for education to invite all the unions from all these institutions so that we can discuss all the issues and how to implement it because I believe that Edo State cannot be hostile to her workers although we do have serious financial challenges because we have other challenges which are as important,” he said.

Mr. Fidelis Omobude, a spokesperson of the protesting students, accused Mr Oshiomole, saying, “We know you have led many struggles but it seems you have abandoned the education sector. We were in your office but you left us to inspect roads.”

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The government of Ekiti State has implored the police and other security agencies in the country to investigate the former governor of the state’s allegation that he was being trailed by unknown gunmen.

According to a statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose should not be easily believed regarding his claim, describing him as someone “who can even arrange his own death to achieve whatever agenda he desires.”

The statement further said, “as part of their investigation of his (Fayose) claim that suspected hired assassins visited his Alapere, Ketu, Lagos residence on Sunday, the alarm could be one of the many antics of the former governor, aimed at drawing attention and sympathy to himself.

“While we do not want to jump into conclusions on the alleged assassination attempt, it has, however, become necessary that we remind Nigerians, especially the security agencies, of Fayose’s past records, as someone who is capable of ‘arranging’ anything to suit his purposes.”

Unfounded lies

Allaying its claim with what it called statement of facts, Mr. Ojo-Lanre, the governor’s spokesman said, “It is on record that immediately Fayose assumed office as governor of Ekiti State in 2003, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, started witnessing fire incidents. Then, Fayose was always the first person to get to the scene of the incidents.

“However, immediately two fire-fighting engines belonging to the former governor were purchased by the state government, the rampant fire incidents stopped.

He also alleged that Mr. Fayose arranged an attack on his own convoy on the Third Mainland bridge, to give the impression that his life was not safe, when he wanted to buy a bullet-proof vehicle in 2004. “He bought the bullet-proof jeep a week after,” he said.

The state government, however, called on all relevant security agencies to investigate the issue properly before jumping into conclusions.

The former governor, who was also alleged to be keeping a killer squad in the state while in office, had raised an alarm of threat on his life on Sunday, claiming that suspected hired assassins visited his Alapere, Ketu, Lagos residence.

Also in 2005, Mr. Fayose had said that he escaped possible death, following an invasion by suspected assassins alleged to have been keeping vigil at his residence at Iyaganku Government Reservation Area (GRA).

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