₦airaland Forum

BENUE State governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has raised the alarm that his people were being suffocated by the invading herdsmen.

The governor, who spoke while receiving the House of Representatives members on Complaint and Public Safety, at the Government House, Markurdi, lamented the pains the people are passing through due to the invasion of the herdsmen, which he said, had already been compounded by economic hardship.

“This is a trying period for us in Benue State. At present, we cannot pay salary of workers due to reduction in federal allocation to the state and the only area we ought to get succour is farming, which many of us have embraced. Regrettably, no one can go into farming now since the herdsmen have taken over our farmlands’.

“As I am talking to you, about eight local government areas in the state had already been taken over by the Fulani herdsmen.”

The council areas are; Buruku, Tarka, Guma, Gwer West, Makurdi, Katsina Ala, Kwande and Agatu.

The governor, who lamented the poor state of the economy and the pains the herdsmen had already inflicted on the people of the state, said there is the need to assist the affected people.

He, however, criticised the policy of creating grazing routes and grazing land for cattle as archaic, saying that ‘in Benue State, we do not have land for grazing.

Ortom urged the government to follow Europe and other nations that had embraced cattle ranch where basic infrastructure are provided for herdsmen

Earlier, the committee chairman, Honourable Aminu Jaji, had said that his committee was in the state on a fact finding mission on the crisis, saying that the house regretted the killings that took place in Agatu Local Government Area of the state.
http://tribuneonlineng.com/herdsmen-we-are-being-suffocated-in-benue-gov-cries-out-%E2%80%A2says-state-has-no-land-for-grazing

It is easy to buy data and do arm chair analysis from the comfort of one's bed or house! As we speak, Nigeria is in grave danger. The price of crude oil has collapsed and even our production that we are managing is being shut in by these attacks. The government of the day needs to show greater dexterity in its understanding and handling of the violence. Even last night, these elements have carried out more devastating attacks. It doesn't appear that government or the security forces are up to the task at all:

"To keep to our promise, the three (3) days ultimatum given to Chief Government Ekpemupolo has elapsed and he fail to apologize to the Niger Delta Avengers, at 2200hours Thursday, May 5, 2016, our strike team 4 hit the Nigerian National Petroleum Coperation (NNPC) crude and gas lines

The Crude line feeds the Warri and Kaduna refineries respectively, while the gas line feeds the Lagos and Abuja electricity power supply. With this development the Warri and Kaduna refineries will be shut down and all cities that depends on the gas line for power will all be in total darkness like the creeks of the Niger Delta.



In same vein, the Niger Delta Avengers strike team 7 at same time 2200hours Thursday, May 5, 2016, blew up Well D25 in Abiteye. A major gas Well belonging to Chevron. And also blow up major pipe lines to effectively put the Abiteye, Alero, Dibi, Otunana and Makaraba flow stations that feed the Chevron tank farm out of operation. As at now Chevron operation in the Niger Delta is zero.

Located some 100meters away from the blast Nigerian National Petroleum Coperation (NNPC) pipeline is a Military houseboat stationed there, to protect the oil pipelines. But we want you public to know that despite the heavy present of Military operatives our activities can’t be stop and it just waste of fund and time to let the Nigeria military protect oil installations.

This is a clear warning to the all Niger Delta Politicians, Traditional rulers, Community leaders, and the likes of Tompolo to mind their business and leave the liberation of the Niger delta people to the Avengers. Those who believes taking sides with federal government to fight Niger Deltans is the best option. Avengers are here on ground, neither you nor the federal government can stop us. If you don’t stay clear and let us to carry out our activities we will bring the fight to your individual doorsteps. Our major goal is to cripple the Nigeria economy."

http://www.nigerdeltaavengers.com/

The issues cannot be narrowed to any one tribe or any one incident. Nomadic murderers are slaughtering people across the country including Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau which are "fellow Northern States". Criminals, militant, kdinappers, rapists and arsonists are also on the prowl. Inter-ethnic violence have occurred in Lagos, Jos, Kaduna etc. Killings by ANY tribe, ANY religion should not be rationalized or accepted. All of them are symptomatic of deeper issues. We condemn these Aba killings. We condemn the massacre in Enugu. We condemn the Agatu killings. We condemn violence and killings everywhere. All Nigerians deserve to be respected and protected by government and the security forces.

Good people, before we make comments and inflammatory ones at that, we should get the facts correctly. There are various versions so I wont narrow down to this particular incident. Fact is, that inter-ethnic and religious tension has escalated in Nigeria. Mutual suspicion has always been there in most of the regions and it is politicians who mostly fan and exploit the ember of discord. Going by the kind of comments we read (even here) even from well educated and well travelled people, it isn't going to go away anytime soon!

crazygod:
Dude wats with all this 'king james' English na? Its believes not believeth

Thanks my brother. Hope you have genuinely repented, believed and gotten saved from your sins?

tntcorps:
l

Are you innocent?

I have repented and urge you and everyone else to do same. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world". God's true grace and genuine salvation, enables us to be delivered from these sins in THIS PRESENT WORLD not just in the one to come. There is no excuse to continue living in sin. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! God commands all men everywhere to repent. Please repent and be born again today.

Let everyone repent of adultery, fornication, masturbation, lesbianism, homosexuality, bestiality, pornography and all forms of immorality. It is a cancer with dire consequences here and in eternity. Repent today and get saved! Jesus is willing and able to deliver you. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.

The Plateau State chapter of the Fulani socio-cultural group, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has expressed displeasure over the decision of the Bokkos local government council and Bokkos Chiefdom not to issue indigene form to Fulani.
The Ardo of Bokkos and the group Financial Secretary, Yakubu Dabo Boro who represented the chairman of the group, Malam Nura Mohammed stated this while speaking with newsmen after a meeting between the Sar of Kulere of Bokkos, HRH La’azarus Agai, Bokkos Local Government Council, Miyetti Allah Exco, and Bokkos Ardos in Bokkos local government area yesterday.


The group claimed that the Fulani indigenes of Bokkos had been facing difficulty since the local government council stopped issuing the indigene forms to them three years ago.
Miyetti Allah said hundreds of Fulani indigenes of Bokkos who want to further their education or join the Nigeria Police or the military and para-military forces were stranded as a result of not having indigene forms.
“The local government used to issue us indigene forms but three years ago it stopped doing so. We told the local government chairman and Sar Kulere the dilemma our brothers and sisters find themselves in. We hope they will come to their aid,” he said, adding that the Fulani of Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas were facing the same challenge of getting indigene forms.

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/bokkos-fulani-bemoan-inability-to-obtain-plateau-indigene-form/145461.html#vw1H21vwS2KVPwQi.99

It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that the judgment. Are you prepared? Repent radically from sin today and get genuinely saved by embracing God's offer of grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Eternity is real and near!

State governors are still spending billions of naira from public funds on foreign trips in the name of seeking foreign investors, despite the cash crunch facing their states.
With dwindling federal oil allocation, coupled with dismal internal revenue, the states’ chief executives have not cut down on their foreign travels against their campaign promise of slashing the cost of governance.


Daily Trust investigations showed that about 25 governors have travelled abroad at an average of 10 times in the quest for investors since May 29 when they came to office.
The governors, usually with large entourage that include close aides and family members, spend fortune from their cash-strapped treasuries on first class airlines tickets, luxury hotels, estacodes, among others.
But unlike for lawmakers and judicial officers, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) does not set a limit on estacode for governors.
The commission also does not specify the amount to be collected as Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) for local trips. The RMAFC simply said estacode and DTA “would be provided upon request by governors.”
Finding by Daily Trust shows that a first class return ticket to Dubai on Emirates Airlines is N886,743, while the same airline’s first class return ticket to New York is N1.4 million.
A first class return ticket to London on British Airways is N799,145.
From 1999 to 2007, Jigawa’s Saminu Turaki carved a niche for himself as the most travelled governor, while Katsina’s late Umaru Musa Yar’adua was the least travelled within that period.
But findings show that very little investments have been brought to these states despite spending so much in those trips.
Opposition parties and civil society organisations across the states told Daily Trust the governors’ globetrotting hasn’t resulted into foreign direct investment, rather it only guzzled funds meant for development.
Among the most travelled governors are Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Nasiru el-Rufai (Kaduna), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo).
The least travelled governors include Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe, Aminu Masari of Katsina, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, and Samuel Ortom of Benue.
Analysis of the trips shows that most of them are personal visitation of family members, medical checkups, vacations, among others.
The recurrent destinations of the state governors include United Arab Emirate, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States, China, Australia, South Africa, India, France, Israel, Singapore, Malaysia and Italy.
Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for instance, has so far travelled to Saudi Arabia three times, USA once, Dubai twice and India once since May last year.
Ganduje’s first trip to Dubai was for the graduation of his daughter while the second was for an investment forum.
Kano’s commissioner of information, Malam Muhammad Garba, said many investors had indicated interest in investing in the state because of the trips.
But a former aide to Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso, Sharu Garba Gwammaja, said though “the governor has been to Saudi Arabia, US, Morocco, Senegal and India but not a single investor so far invest in the state.”
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state has been to Uganda, Saudi Arabia, Italy, China, Niger and the USA.
Tambuwal’s spokesperson Imam Imam said only trips to China and Italy were meant for investors, while the rest were at the instances of President Buhari.
However, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretary in the state Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu said Tambuwal’s trips were a waste of public fund because “we have nothing on ground to justify them.”
In Plateau state, Governor Simon Lalong made six foreign trips to Brazil, Israel, China, Dubai so far but all without any official announcement to that effect.
Just few weeks after he was sworn in last year, Lalong was first in Brazil on a two-week visit. He was also in Israel last year for a two-week visit which he said was to pray for the country.
The state PDP chairman, Ramond Dabo, said Lalong’s trips were “secret and worrisome.”
In Ogun state, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has made no fewer than 10 foreign trips across Europe, Asia and Africa.
His media aide Adejuwon soyinka said as at January 2016, five of the automobile firms had concluded arrangements to have assembly plants in Abeokuta.
But the state chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Comrade Olawale Aremu Oduntan, said the governor’s “foreign tour is with no clear cut mission, it is as good as a jamboree exercise.”
In November last year, Katsina state governor Aminu Masari led a state delegation to India and Dubai on a five- day visit in search of foreign investors.
During the trip to India, Masari visited Mahindra group, an India-based company with operations in 18 industries that include aerospace, agribusiness, automotive, industrial and farm equipment.
The state chairman of National Conscience party Abdulmumin Sani said Masari’s investment drive is a mirage as up till now not even a single pin factory had been established in the state.
The state commissioner of information Hamza Borodo said the trips were yielding fruition from recent interests shown by investors.
Bauchi State Governor Muhammed Abubakar has travelled to Czech Republic, the United States and China.
Bauchi State commissioner of commerce, Alhaji Garzali Abubakar said the state was trying to use its naturally endowed potentials to strengthen its economy and provide an enabling environment for international and local investors.
However, a PDP stalwart, and a former commissioner to the former Governor Isah Yuguda, Alhaji Salisu Barau said the frequent travels by the governor should not be priority at the moment.
Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state has made dozen foreign trips in the last one year.
Chairman of a civil society organisation, Northern Youth Assembly, Munnir Haidara, described Yari’s foreign trips as jamboree.
“No single investor was attracted by this government since its inception in 2011. And the worst part of it is that the development partners are going away,” he said.
The state commissioner for commerce and industry Hajiya Fatima Umaru Aliyu Shinkafi said she would speak on the matter at the appropriate time.
Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has been to United Kingdom, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, China and France to woo foreign investors.
Media aide to the governor, Samuel Aruwan when contacted, promised to furnish Daily Trust with details of the governor’s foreign trips and the investments they had attracted soon.
In Yobe, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam was in China on September 1, 2015, in an effort to empower up to 40,000 youths on irrigation scheme for self-reliance, across the state.
Spokesperson to the governor, Malam Abdullahi Bego said the visit was an invitation by Chinese agriculture and infrastructure investors.
Gaidam rarely travelled outside the country, unless to Saudi Arabia for religious purpose. But he spent most of his days in Abuja and Kano.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo has been to China and Turkey twice; Ireland and Kosovo once and China thrice from May 2015 to date.
Deputy governor’s spokesperson, Uche Onwuchekwa, said the governor’s trip to China led to the building of refinery and industrial park, among others.
The former publicity secretary of PDP in the state Enyinnaya Onuegbu said since the governor travelled to Turkey with 100 people after receiving the bailout funds, no investor had come to the state.
Governor of Oyo State Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi has been to United States of America, United Kingdom, China, Canada, Lebanon and many other countries of the world, in search for foreign investors.
In Benue state, Governor Samuel Ortom has been to USA and China since May last year.
Speaking on the outcome of the governor’s foreign investment trip, his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Terver Akase said Ortom used the opportunity to attract a number of investors to Benue.
But the former Lagos state police commissioner Abubakar Tsav said Ortom’s foreign trips were for pleasure because “he has not properly addressed the issue of insecurity in the state. Who will invest in a place without adequate security?”
In Lagos, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has embarked on a number of foreign trips in search of foreign investors but only a few of such trips have attracted media attention.
The latest among such trips was the governor’s recent participation at the 10th Biennial US-Africa Business Summit hosted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February, 2016.
As for Kwara’s Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, he is said to have travelled only once since May last year.
Jigawa state Governor Mohammad Badaru Abubakar has travelled to China, Saudi Arabia and France.
Speaking after his two-week trip to China, Badaru, said a team of foreign investors from China, Lee Group had planned to invest $120 million sugar cane factory in the state.
The acting deputy chairman of PDP, Aminu Jahun described governor Badaru as one of the most travelled governors in the country, saying there was no result up to this time for his globetrotting.
The governor’s spokesperson, Bello Zaki said Badaru only travelled thrice out of the country.

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/despite-cash-crunch-govs-spend-billions-on-foreign-travels/145246.html#16CT0zIYEeHGuPh3.99

How much?

The Nigerian aviation industry, travel agencies are devising creative ways of remaining in business as the scarcity of dollar keep affecting their daily operations.

The agencies are now partnering with their counterparts in China, United States of America and Europe to buy flight tickets for intending international travellers from the country, Punch gathered.

This move is as a result of the bearing scarcity of dollars in the country, which has forced foreign airlines to raise airfares by over 200 per cent, with some now accepting only dollars as the means of payment for flight tickets.

In the last one year, over 25 foreign airlines flying into Nigeria have been unable to repatriate over N300bn ticket sales proceeds to their home countries, as the Central Bank of Nigeria continues to ration foreign exchange to commercial banks for sale to users.

In order to minimize the forex risks, the foreign carriers have raised their airfares sharply, with an average return ticket to Europe now going for between N600,000 and N800,000 instead of the previous N180,000 to N250,000 depending on the season.

An average return flight to North America now costs over N1m, from between N300,000 and N400,000, while the Middle East carriers are still relatively cheap.

An official of one the airlines explained, “Most travel agencies now partner other agencies in North America, China and Europe to issue tickets to our customers here in Nigeria.

“In other words, most of the tickets Nigerians traveling overseas are carrying were issued in America, China or Europe by travel agencies in those countries.

“All we do is to give the travel agencies abroad the names of our customers, and they write the tickets and send them to us. We will then print and give to our customers.”

Elderson Osakwe, who works with a Lagos-based travel agency, said that the agencies embarked on this measure in order to overcome the difficulties of obtaining tickets for their customers locally.

It was learnt that buying the tickets from partner travel agencies overseas made them a little bit cheaper than those issued in Nigeria.

However, the development is coming few weeks after Delta Airlines and United Airlines, the two American carriers flying into Nigeria, stopped ticket sales in the country.

The US airlines said their tickets would be sold in Nigeria only by travel agencies that could sell them in dollars.

The Head of Press, Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, United Airlines, Kevin Johnston, said in a statement confirming the development to our correspondent, “United Airlines is temporarily suspending point-of-sale ticketing in Nigeria.

“United will continue to operate flights between Lagos and Houston, and will allow tickets to be purchased outside of the country.

“This action applies only to tickets issued by United. We have reluctantly taken this step because of difficulties in repatriating proceeds from ticket sales in Nigeria.”

Similarly, a spokesperson for Delta Airlines in Africa, Europe and Middle East, Olivia Cullis, said in a statement, “Delta continues to work with the travel agency community in Nigeria to find travel solutions for our mutual clients.

“Delta customers can purchase tickets using US dollars either directly from Delta’s reservations or from travel agents selling in USD.

“Delta has served the Nigeria market since 2007 and is committed to operating non-stop between Nigeria and the United States. Delta does take steps to remain competitive in the market and maintain the viability of its operations.”
http://dailypost.ng/2016/05/02/dollar-scarcity-agencies-now-buy-air-ticket-abroad-for-intending-travellers/

Very impressive report. Hope he fervently preaches "holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14) and separation from worldliness (II Corinthians 6:14-18; I John 2:15-17; James 4:4)?

Last week’s appointment of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, has taken a worse dimension with seven members of the commission dissociating themselves from the appointment.

Consequently, the commissioners threw their weight behind the appointment of Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (DCNA), Benedict Efeturi, for the office.

Whereas Senate President Bukola Saraki had ordered the reversal of Sani-Omolori’s appointment and asked the commission to consider the appointment of Efeturi on the basis of seniority, the commission’s chairman, Adamu Fika, said Sani-Omolori’s appointment was in accordance with civil service rule which he said prohibited the appointment of an officer who did not have more than six months before retirement.

He explained that Efeturi would proceed on terminal leave on August 14 and hence, was not qualified for the appointment.

Fika also claimed that at the meeting where commissioners deliberated on Sani-Omolori’s appointment on April 20, 2016, only 1 of 12 commissioners opposed the appointment.
But in a swift reaction, seven commissioners disowned Fika and his claim, saying five commissioners opposed the appointment, five abstained while only one supported it.

The seven commissioners in a letter addressed to Fika, said despite the situation, he (Fika) proceeded to appoint Sani-Omolori as acting clerk against what they described as the commission’s tradition of adopting minutes of meeting at another meeting.

They also accused him of repeating what he did in 2014, when he appointed Sani-Omolori as DCNA despite eight commissioners voting in favour of Efeturi.

They added that it took a letter addressed to the then senate president dissociating themselves from the appointment to reverse it.
The commissioners are: Abubakar Rufai, Idi Ningi, Joseph Oru, Paul Oweh, Stephen Yepwi, Funmi Lamuye and Abel Chukwu.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/04/29/appointment-of-sani-omolori-as-acting-clerk-splits-nassembly-commission/

There is no control over the Okada business in Abuja. Any jobless youth just grabs a bike and even criminals could be involved.

I hope the mishandling of this menace will not trigger national crisis. Invading people in their homes and farmlands, raping women and slaughtering men should attract the attention of Amnesty International, ICC, and all politicians worth their salt.

SEQUEL to allegations that the Department of State Services, DSS, is holding the President of Nigerian Youth Council, Mr. Ugochinyere Michael, without any charges filed against him, the House of Representatives yesterday directed DSS to either charge him to court or release him immediately. The House asked DSS to make public the offences allegedly committed by the embattled youth leader, following a motion under matters of urgent public importance brought before it by Goodluck Opiah, PDP, Imo. The lawmaker expressed worries that the arrest was alleged to be because of a view he (Ugochinyere) expressed in a television interview on the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki. He said: “The House is worried that he has been harassed and intimidated for supporting the Senate President and taking the Minister of Youth and Sport to court in protection of his office as President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria. “Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the freedom of opinion of all Nigerians, including Mr. Ugochinyere Michael. “Section 35 further guarantees the right to personal liberty of Mr. Ugochinyere and we are worried that he has been held for more than 48 hours by the men of the DSS.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/release-ugochinyere-now-reps-order-dss/

While all the arrests should continue and the guilty should be prosecuted, please also start working on the roads and power supply with the same alacrity. I expect speed in the delivery of infrastructure, power supply and swift/decisive action against ALL criminals including the rampaging herdsmen who appear to be having a field day. Please don't tell me that the Inspector General of Police, DG of SSS or other service chief is waiting for presidential directive, social media pressure or National Assembly resolution before knowing that they should do something about the brazen brutality and gruesome murder of hapless citizens by armed criminals of whatever name, colour, creed or religion!

It should be compulsory for all tiers of Government -Federal, State and Local to pay salaries fully and promptly. This should not be counted as a major project delivery or election promise fulfilled! They should team up and deliver on their mandates especially security, infrastructure etc. No excuse is acceptable. They all knew what they were getting into when they solicited our votes. Leadership is proven in time of economic recession and dire times when out of the box policies are formulated. States and Local Governments should check their own corruption and ramp up internal revenue else they are not worth existing! Just going cap in hand each month to Abuja or sharing allocation monthly as is done in some Local Governments is a monumental failure. Some Local Governments cant even build culvert! EFCC should beam its searchlight on States and Local Governments as well.

The EFCC needs to beam its searchlight on States and Local Government ASAP.

The time and resources spent to publicise these hunger-stricken, misguided folks should be deployed to arrest Shekau and other more significant Boko Haram elements and their sponsors.

It is pathetic and monumental failure to celebrate prompt payment of hard-earned, merited and well-deserved low wage of an oppressed citizen as an achievement by over-paid elected public officials! Government at all levels should pay living wages and salaries as at when due. Nothing worth commending anyone! They should get to work and quit all the lame excuses. 2019 awaits anyone who fails to deliver on his mandate. No one was elected to give excuses. You find work, you see!

These are the Boko Haram suppliers? Please let us know when you get the REAL suppliers and sponsors.

If this I true, this issue should be declared a national emergency and given the urgency it deserves at the highest level of attention. As a minimum, I would expect the patron of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association to do the needful by intervening ASAP.

We urgently need an end to the mindless killings, unacceptable fuel scarcity and erratic power supply. I trust the budget will fix all that!

The protesters should also demand explanation for this unprecedented protracted fuel scarcity and the lawlessness/impunity by ravaging herdsmen across the country. Enough is enough!

All well meaning Nigerians irrespective of political leaning must demand explanation from the Government and DSS on the mindless killings by murderous marauders and mercenaries. As far as I see it, this a very clear, present and grave danger to our collective existence. It cannot be swept under the carpet or handled "silently" or "secretly". Such an approach will amount to naked and brazen corruption!

Political office holders should be given clear tasks and targets and evaluated using clearly defined key performance indicators. FCT Ministers are not for land allocation and business only. Any successful FCT Minister, should work on the satellite towns and create alternative routes to Nasarawa etc. In this case, the Apo-Karshi road and the bye pass from Keffi road to Mpape should be top priority. This will be a quick win and cheap commendation for any FCT Minister but will they ever learn? What is the Nasarawa State Government doing on its own part? We just see politicians driving in intimidating convoys, bullying and flogging motorists to give way for politicians when they 'condescend' enough to ply the roads. There are those who fly by air and then connect via chopper to one helipad or the other.

I wish we could tell how many needless and avoidable deaths that happen almost daily in this country. Why shouldn't we have mobile ambulances and emergency medical services along major highways? Why shouldn't our roads be in better shape? Lots of these things are voted for in our budgets year by year. I wish you knew the historic haggling, subterfuge and deception that characterizes budget process and even contract execution in Nigeria. When it comes to money and their personal interests, our politicians unite while the uniformed will be busy on internet insulting each other for one party or another.

Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa state, has sought to explain the poor performance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election in northern Nigeria.

The former ruling party lost governorship in all northern states apart from Taraba and Gombe — and won presidential election only in three out of the 19 states, compared to seven in 2011 and 12 in 2007.

Lamido told Weekly Trust on Saturday that many northerners did not have the freedom to vote their choices because of the branding of the PDP as a Christian party.

“In the build-up to the last general election, PDP was vilified, intimidated with religion, falsehoods and propaganda through Facebook postings. Rwandan genocide pictures were posted as Boko Haram victims. PDP was blackmailed into silence,” he said.

“When you queued to vote in the north, people viewed you as an infidel. You were all there and these things happened in a country where freedom should be the operating word. APC man can vote APC but if Lamido votes PDP, he is a Christian, he is a pastor.”

Significantly, APC had also accused PDP of branding it as a Muslim party.

Many PDP leaders labelled APC “Muslim Brotherhood” and “supporter of APC Party” ahead of the 2015 elections.

Lamido praised the appointment of Ali Modu Sheriff, former governor of Borno state, as the acting national chairman of the PDP as the party seeks to re-position itself ahead of the 2019 elections.

He said: “Modu Sheriff has a long standing political history. All those making noise are product of political invention. Sheriff has been in politics and defeating PDP at the poll since 1999.

“He was in the ANPP and worked for the alliance that brought together incompatibles. I mean, how do you put (Alhaji Abubakar) Atiku, (President Muhammadu) Buhari and (Chief Ahmed Bola) Tinubu in one political pot? How do you cook them? No, tell me. You can’t cook Buhari and these two in one political pot.

“When they were forging alliance with ANPP, Sheriff was the arrowhead. They were celebrating him when he was in APC, working for APC. He was a very wonderful person. But, when he joined the PDP, he became a Boko Haram member. Who is saying so, of course, the APC members because they are scared of him? He knows them damn too well.

“I think, today, Sheriff is the best thing to have happened to PDP. It is a huge good will, he has a huge followership. He is somebody who is courageous, inspirational and he can say: look, APC go to tell. APC is thoroughly scared because they know him and what he is capable of doing. He will come to Jigawa sometime next week.

“We will come out en masse to welcome him and assemble the biggest crowd ever in Nigerian politics. We want to force them (APC) out in 2019 because they have no agenda and manifesto to govern.”
https://www.thecable.ng/lamido-voted-pdp-north-branded-christian-pastor

For clarity on this subject, the Op is very correct. There is always hold up on that road but this latest worsening of the hold up is because of the speed bumps put on the road section at Kugbo last week. Indeed the accident rate is high but the solution to that is to introduce pedestrian bridge. The new Government/FCT Minister needs to speed up work on alternative bye-pass/routes such as the Apo-Karshi road and the one from the Keffi road that bursts out at Mpape. Unless this is done, the traffic on the Abuja-Nyanya/Mararaba road will remain a harrowing experience. So much waste of man hour, damage to vehicles such as overheating and wearing out of brake pads etc. The traffic is a reminder of leadership and government failure over the years.

Any update on this protest?