I'm Not Interested In 2015 Presidency – Amaechi

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has said he is not  interested in 2015 presidency. He said the plan by his detractors to paint him black before his colleagues prior to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum election was the reason why some people printed his posters and pasted them in some parts of the country.

Amaechi, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on Friday, said those behind the posters thought that his colleagues would be angry before the NGF election and think that he wanted to use the office for selfish reasons.

Posters bearing the names of Amaechi and the Governor of Jigawa State, Mr. Sule Lamido have been seen in some states.

Apart from Kaduna where it was first noticed, the posters were also seen in Abuja few days ago.

The posters presented the two governors as having presidential ambitions in 2015 and that they would contest under the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

But Amaechi, who won the controversial NGF election with 19 votes against 16 that was recorded by his opponent, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, said those responsible for the posters would soon stop.

He said, “Those responsible for the posters are doing it out of mischief. I did not send anyone to print my posters and up till now, I don’t know who is responsible for the action.

“But one thing is clear: they were done to tarnish my image before other governors.

“Their intention was that because of the posters, my fellow governors would not vote for me during the NGF election, thinking that I have an ambition which I want to use the chairmanship to achieve.

“But because the governors know there is no such ambition, they did not bother as they still voted for me.”

Asked whether having such an ambition was a wrong thing, he said there was nothing wrong with it, but asked why some people spent money for what he described as “a venture meant to destroy other people.”

“But you may need to know that I don’t have such  an ambition in the first place,” he added.

Meanwhile, some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have said they are waiting for money allegedly being sourced by some people to impeach the governor.

The members, who spoke on condition of anonymity with reporters in Abuja on Friday, said they had heard about the plan to bribe them to impeach Amaechi.

They said the money, if brought, would be displayed on the floor of the assembly.

“Let them bring the money. We are waiting for it. We will collect it and display it on the floor of the House,” one of them said.

... Demolish Amigo Supermarket

A move has been initiated by the Department of State Security Service (DSS) to demolish Amigo Supermarket in Abuja following alleged discovery of boxes with arms in the complex.
The outfit is owned by some Lebanese who were recently linked with terrorism activities including providing cells for Hezbollah terror group in Kano.
An online organisation claimed that the SSS had requested the approval of President Goodluck Jonathan to demolish the supermarket. It added that the president had received the request by security agents but declined to grant it, more than a week after investigators sealed off the supermarket.
Last week, the media was awash with reports of the discovery of “boxes” containing arms during minor excavation works within Amigo.
According to Premium Times, SSS sources said that the president had refused to communicate his decision on the matter to the agency, more than three days after, as it was the case with reports sent by the department. The development, it was learnt, had raised fears that the president might veto the proposal and stall further action on the matter.
While the department recommended, in the report sent on Monday to the president, that the sprawling mall, estimated at over N5 billion be bulldozed and the area thoroughly searched for more arms, it suggested that the land on which Abuja’s biggest amusement park, Wonderland, also owned by the Lebanese, was built be revoked immediately by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The property hosting the park is said to be owned by the FCTA and was only leased to the group for 10 years, sources said.
“We have sent in our report, but we can’t proceed without an approval by the president on such a matter of national security,” a senior official of the SSS involved in the investigations said.
SSS spokesperson Marilyn Ogar did not respond to phone calls seeking to get the agency’s official reaction and next line of action.
The president’s office did not also respond to request for response to this story. Emailed request for comments to presidential spokesperson Reuben Abati on why the president has not decided was unanswered; his mobile telephone number was not available as at the time of this report, the online outfit said.
Officials well briefed about Amigo /Wonderland investigations say the SSS’ recommendation that the supermarket be pulled down was based on three reasons: the security agency believes the place was used for stockpiling weapons. Also, investigators said they have evidence that proceeds of sales from the multi-billion enterprise had been used in funding terrorism; and the SSS expressed concern that a new administration after Jonathan’s might reallocate the property to the Lebanese group.
The last scenario is reflected upon the well-known case of the Indian business group, Vaswani brothers, who were deported by the Obasanjo administration for money laundering but were ushered back into the country at the advent of a successor administration of Umaru Yar’Adua in 2007.
The Jonathan administration has already faced criticisms for its response to what investigators say is a clear terrorism case, after the authorities took more than 24 hours since the discovery of weapons in Kano last week before shutting down property linked to the suspects, including Amigo and Wonderland, both in the heart of the Nigerian capital. The Abuja property were sealed off on Friday night while the Nigerian military had revealed the discovered weapons in a Kano property on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, counsel to the arrested suspects, Bamidele Aturu, has questioned the rationale behind the move to demolish the Amigo structure.
Aturu threatened legal action against the federal government if those arrested were not charged to court on Wednesday as required by law. “What law allows the demolition? Nobody supports terrorism, but what we are asking is that they follow the laws of the land,” he told Premium Times on phone.
Mr Aturu said he had not been allowed to speak to his detained clients (the three Lebanese arrested) including a co-owner of the two Abuja companies, Mustapha Fawaz, since their incarceration.

No Rift In Ondo ACN – Senator Boroffice

The senator representing Ondo North  under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Ajayi Boroffice, has denied any rift in the party in the state.
Instead, he said the party in the state was strong and united.
The senator was reacting to a report quoting him as insinuating there was a tussle amongst the leaders of the party in the state.
According to a statement  in Akure, Boroffice said: “In line with the thinking of the national leaders of the party, we are working with all the leaders of the party and other progressive-minded forces to bring about good governance and never have I granted any press interview that gives credence to any rift or the insinuation that I have taken over the control of the party in Ondo State.
“As one of the committed leaders of the party in Ondo State, I am committed to the struggle of the party and will at all times promote good relationship and comradeship conduct among members and leaders of the party”

Koko Master D'Banj Adds A Year

Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, aka D'Banj, the Koko Master, one of Africa's greatest entertainers adds a year today.
He clocks 33 today and we say happy birthday to him. Wishing him many more successful years ahead.

Pipeline Explosion Rocks Oyo

There was a pipeline explosion at Olorunkemi/Alaakia village on Elebu Road in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Though, no one was killed in the explosion believed to have been caused by vandals, it was the prompt response of the state fire service that prevented possible loss of lives and property.
Despite timely arrival of fire men, Sunday Vanguard gathered that the explosion caused a serious threat to the lives of the inhabitants in the area.

*Fire men trying to put out the fire. Pix by Dare Fasube

Confirming the incident, the Director of the State Fire Service, Mr. Kareem Oyekunle Gafar, said the explosion might have been caused by pipeline vandals.
According to him, due to the swampy nature of the place, it was not easily accessible.
”We had to pass the pipe supplying water along the bush to ensure the fire is put off. We brought 37,000 litres of water to the scene and we have exhausted it.’’ We have since sent another supply of water. We brought two water trucks, one was 22,000 and other was 15 litres”, he said.
The Chairman of Ido Local Government, Prof. Joseph Olowofela, said, “Though I have not confirmed the cause of the fire, I am sure it must have happened due to the activities of pipeline vandals”.

Prayers For Mandela After Second Night In Hospital

South Africans prayed for Nelson Mandela as he spent a second day in hospital on Sunday suffering a lung infection that has sparked worldwide concerns for the ailing peace icon.
Mandela’s latest health scare was splashed across the front pages of local newspapers but government officials have released no updates since announcing he was hospitalised in Pretoria early Saturday in a “serious but stable” condition.
The congregation at the Regina Mundi church in Soweto, a flashpoint during the anti-apartheid struggle, prayed for the 94-year-year-old national hero.
“I am coming to church today with Madiba in my thoughts. I want him to get well,” churchgoer Nokuthula Tshibasa, 38, told AFP, using Mandela’s clan name.
It is the fourth hospital stay since December for the Nobel peace prize laureate, who turns 95 next month, after he was discharged in April following treatment for pneumonia.
South Africans are beginning to come to terms with the mortality of their first black president who is revered as the father of the “Rainbow Nation” multi-race democracy.
“I mean Tata is 94. At 94 what do you expect?” said church goer Sannie Shezi, 36, using an affectionate term meaning father.
“He lived his life, he worked for us. All we can say is God help him. If things happen they will happen, but we still love him.”
The Sunday Times newspaper carried a front-page picture of the elder statesman smiling and waving under the headline: “It’s time to let him go”.
“We wish Madiba a speedy recovery, but I think what is important is that his family must release him,” long-time friend Andrew Mlangeni, 87, told the newspaper.
The former apartheid era prisoner who was jailed for life alongside Mandela in 1964 said it was clear he was not well and it was possible he “might not be well again”.
“Once the family releases him, the people of South Africa will follow. We will say thank you, God, you have given us this man, and we will release him too.”
Mandela’s third wife Graca Machel has been at his hospital bedside after calling off a trip to London.
Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj, who also served time with Mandela in Robben Island, said Saturday he was in a “serious” condition, in an unusually sombre description of his state of health.
But he told AFP that Mandela was breathing on his own.
“The truth of the matter is a simple one. Madiba is a fighter and at his age as long as he is fighting, he’ll be fine,” he said.
Mandela is revered as a global symbol of forgiveness after embracing his former jailers following his release from 27 years in prison and his latest hospitalisation triggered outpourings of concern across the globe.
“No one lasts forever. But I really wish there was an exception for #Mandela,” said one post on Twitter.
“Can we all just give this Great Man the dignity 2 die in peace if its his time. Has he not given us all enough #ThankU Tata #Mandela,” said another.
– ‘It’s time to let him go’ –
British Prime Minister David Cameron said Mandela was in his thoughts, while the White House has also sent good wishes.
Mandela was receiving care at his Johannesburg home when his lung problems returned. He was admitted to an undisclosed Pretoria hospital at 1:30 am Saturday (2330 GMT Friday) after his condition worsened.
He was diagnosed with early-stage tuberculosis in 1988 and also has had treatment for prostate cancer and suffered stomach ailments.
In December, Mandela spent 18 days in hospital, his longest as a free man.
In March he was admitted for an overnight scheduled check-up before returning that month for 10 days.
Still a powerful symbol of peace and unity, Mandela has not been seen in public since the World Cup final in July 2010.
After serving just one term he turned his energy to AIDS and conflict resolution, before stepping out of the public eye a decade ago at the age of 85.
In March, Zuma appeared to prepare the nation for Mandela’s passing, saying: “In Zulu, when someone passes away who is very old, people say he or she has gone home. I think those are some of the things we should be thinking about.”
Controversial television footage in April showed a frail, distant and unsmiling Mandela being visited at home by ANC leaders, sparking accusations that his party was exploiting him.
The ruling African National Congress — facing elections next year — has lost much of its Mandela shine amid widespread corruption, poverty and poor public services.
His own family has also been locked in a feud over control of various companies.
“Whereas in the beginning we would get extremely anxious, this time our anxiety is tempered with a certain understanding of his age and his frailty. It’s a good healthy balance,” Maharaj said.

Tired Nadal Pulls Out Of German Tournament

French Open finalist Rafael Nadal has pulled out of next week’s Wimbledon warm-up event at Halle in Germany, citing fatigue after a busy few weeks of tennis.

The Spaniard will try to win his eighth crown on the Roland Garros clay courts in Paris on Sunday against compatriot David Ferrer.
“It is a pity and unfortunate Rafael cannot come,” said Halle tournament director Ralf Weber in a statement.
“But I understand his decision…his health is the top priority.”
World number four, Nadal has recently won titles in Barcelona, Madrid and Rome, hitting top form on his favourite clay, ahead of the French Open, after coming back in February from a lengthy injury absence.

Nigeria Police Need Effective Public Communication To Be Efficient, Lawyers Say

The police was advised to pay attention to its internal challenges preventing it from effectively performing its duties.
Some lawyers have called on the management of the Nigeria Police to pay more attention to the many internal challenges preventing the institution from effectively discharging its constitutional responsibility of maintaining law and order.
They gave the advice at the Southwest edition of a one-day workshop on the Geo-political Security Awareness on Policing through intelligence and Community Partnership. They suggested that the police need to effectively relate with the public so as to gain their cooperation in the fight against crime. A former Director of Public Prosecution, Lagos State, Fola Arthur-Worrey, who was the lead speaker at the occasion, expressed worry over the poor state of intelligence gathering and management within the security sector of the nation.
According to Mr. Arthur-Worrey, the weakness has made it possible for many criminal-minded Nigerians to go about changing locations and committing similar crimes without the police knowing their crime history even if they have been caught and prosecuted by the police elsewhere in the country. “We must develop robust internal intelligence gathering and management.
The police should have criminal record of all citizens and residents and there should be information sharing among all the security outfits in the country,” he said. He urged the Presidency to come up with an executive order that will empower the Police to make use of the biodata information collected by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the voters register and those collated by the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, for sim registration as resources to combat crime.
Human rights lawyer and one of the speakers, Bamidele Aturu, stressed the need for the nation to have a social security system to address the rising problem of unemployment, which he identified to be partly responsible for high crime rate. He noted that the government must address the widening gap between the lowest and highest income earners. In order to keep armed robbery at check, the lawyer said the constitution should be amended to allow more Nigerians to bear arms for self defence.
The Inspector General of Police, IG, Mohammed Abubakar, who was represented by Abdurahaman Akano, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Southwest, called for a paradigm shift from the old order of security management to a new order that would fully involve the police, citizens and the government. He noted that realities of the modern day policing calls for firm relationship among all stakeholders. The IG said the workshop, which drew participants from across the six states of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos, was designed to feel the pulse of members of the on police functions, and others.

Delta Queen Kidnapped By Gunmen

Apprehension, yesterday, enveloped Ughelli kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, following the kidnapping of Queen Gladys Oharisi, one of the wives of, HRM Oharisi III by yet unknown gunmen.
The queen, Sunday Vanguard gathered, was intercepted on her way from school, where she went to register her courses at the Delta State University, Abraka.
The hoodlums, according to a family source, trailed the victim to somewhere around Orogun on Abraka Road before intercepting her with a Toyota Sienna bus.
The source said three occupants of the bus came out, leaving the driver behind the steering, brandishing guns at her and two others in her company, adding: “Our queen was pushed into the waiting Sienna bus and whisked away. The driver and the other occupant were spared.”
A senior police officer attached to the Ughelli ‘B’ Division confirmed the incident and said the police was on top of the issue.
The police officer, who spoke anonymously, said: “Our resolve to check criminal activities in the area and bring them to book is unshaken. I can assure you we will fish them out.”

Perhaps, Buhari Should Just Quit By Abubakar Usman

The title of this article would come as a surprise to many, especially those who know me and how much I have supported the candidature of General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) since the 2003 election when he decided to join the race for the presidency. But if they understand the saying that life is all about change, they will see sense in the reason why I have taken the position expressed in this piece.
I grew up to know General Muhammadu Buhari as that Nigeria Head of State whose administration between 1983 and 1985 brought some level of discipline to public life, especially in the tackling of corruption that was prevalent at that time. I was to learn much later that Buhari also made gains in many areas that would have taken the country to greater heights if he were to remain beyond the August 17, 1985 date that he was overthrown by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
Buhari for example made gains in terms of reducing inflation by refusing to devalue the Nigerian Naira as advised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He moved to improve the nation's economy by curbing imports of needless goods and introduced a barter trade policy where illegally bunkered crude oil seized from oil thieves where exchanged with the importation of needful goods like machineries to increase our industrial output and create employment, a policy that enabled the country to export above its OPEC quota.
During his sojourn as Chairman of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), a body funded from increased revenue earnings to pursue developmental projects around the country, Gen. Buhari demonstrated high level of transparency and accountability in the administration of the organisation. In what “New Africa” report in 1998 described as a rare success story, Buhari developed the country's infrastructure in a manner that is unprecedented.
Road and bridges were built, hospitals were equipped with drug and facilities, instructional material were provided to schools at various levels but to mention a few. Armed with this information, I had no difficulty throwing my weight in support of the General when he decided to contest for the country's number one seat in 2003 and still supported him all through to the 2011 election. I campaigned in the little way I can to ensure his success, and till tomorrow, it is a decision I remain proud of.
Though I understand that Buhari's regime between 1983 and 1985 when IBB overthrew him had some serious issues of human right abuses, such as passing of decrees curbing press freedoms and allowing for opponents to be detained up to three months without formal charges, as well as the banning of strikes among Nigerian workers, I simply weighed the positive and negative aftermath of his regime to arrive at my decision.
The selling point I saw is his uprightness and stand against corruption. With my believe that the number one problem bedeviling the growth and development of Nigeria is corruption, I see Buhari as that man who can effectively put things to shape in Nigeria by ensuring that corruption becomes a thing of the past
The hope and believe that I have about Buhari got bolstered barely two months ago when I had the opportunity to sit one-on-one with him in the company of other youths in Kaduna discussing how Nigeria got to where it is today and the enormity of work that needs to be done to pull her out of the mess.
Answering to questions put to him, you can feel the passion and love for the country burning in his response. He told us that at the age of 70, he has nothing else to protect other than the interest of his grand children and the people of Nigeria. He told us how as a true believer, whether Christian or Muslim, you don't give up in a cause you believe will liberate the people from hunger, poverty, deprivation etc and so won't give up in his quest to see that Nigeria takes its rightful place as a nation whose resources is enough to make her one of the greatest country in the world.
If I do not know all these about the General, I would have been swayed by the campaign of calumny that has been mounted against him since 2003. Since the man made the bold decision of contesting for the president of Nigeria, it has been one form of mud sliding or the other. The aim is simply to damage the Buhari brand so that they can continue with the looting and destruction of the country. Thos who are objective enough and have not joined the campaign of hate against the man might be wondering why this is happening, but the reasons are not farfetched and I shall tell why.
In Nigeria, elections have become something more about sentiments and public perception; such that if you do not have these two factors in your favour, you are almost certain to lose no matter how good you are to man that office. Winning elections based on issues or what you have to offer is a far cry from what we see. Take the emergence of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as Nigeria's President in 2011 for example.
Did he win because he was able to convince Nigerians that the country will be truly transformed as promised? Jonathan got the votes of Nigerians purely on the basis of sentiment and public perception in his favour. Factors like the fate he suffered during the health saga of late President Umaru Yaradua where a tiny group of cabal held the nation to a standstill, the thinking of many Nigerians that a Niger Delta person be allowed to have a go at the presidency and propaganda campaigns like “I have no shoes” simply worked in his favour.
With Buhari showing interest once again in running for the number one seat in the next general election that is fast approaching and given the comments from certain personalities from the Northern and Southern parts of the country, there is nothing to show that the same sentiment and perception will not play a major role in who becomes the President come 2015. This no doubt is responsible for the renewed onslaught on the person of Buhari all in the grand scheme of swaying the public from voting him in 2015.
Buhari’s crime is all because he expresses opinions as a Nigerian most of which are misinterpreted to suit certain interest. This is one man who have been battling to correct the people's perception about him, especially to the southerners and Christian population since the time he was erroneously misquoted as saying Muslims should vote for a Muslim candidate in 2003, only to be credited in recent time to a statement that seem to portray him as being in support of terrorism in Nigeria. The retired General was quoted to have said “They (the Niger-Delta militants) were trained in some skills and were given employment, but the ones in the north were being killed and their houses were being demolished.”
Personally, I feel saddened that Buhari made that comment, not because I know he meant it literally, but because as someone who has been bobby trapped, he needed to have been careful about the opinion he expresses so that he won’t continue to fall into the trap of the enemy. In my opinion, what the General meant was that there should not be double standards in dealing with those that perpetrates crime. Kind of if you must reward for crime, reward all the criminals and if you must punish for crime, punish all the criminals, but given an initial impression of who people think the man is and the need to nail him at every slightest opportunity by those whose interest it is, you will hardly find anyone who will read beyond what the statement credited to him actually meant.
I had in a previously written article stated that since the Federal Government decided to reward the Niger Delta militants even after revolting against the state, it should not be a different ball game for the Boko Haram members if they decide they also want amnesty. Agreed that the menace of Boko Haram is more deadly and untold compare to that of the Niger Delta militants and that the militants where agitating for a genuine cause, while that of the Boko Haram is either unknown or seen to be irrational, my argument had been that a crime is a crime and should be treated as such, no matter the motive behind it. The difference in my comment and that of General Buhari is that mine as an ordinary citizen stays within the confines of where it is said or expressed, but for Buhari as a national figure and as someone whom they want to bury at all cost, they will make it grace the headlines of newspapers and force it to remain in peoples memory for as long as possible.
A lot of people make comments that are inflammatory, sectional and inciting, but are never overblown or misinterpreted as always in the case of Buhari. Suffice to add that majority of those against the candidature of Gen. Buhari for the number one seat or his person as a whole do not genuinely do so because they actually believed he is what many think he is. They probably do not just like his being upright, ability to curb corruption and enthrone justice, otherwise how anyone would explain that Buhari's comments are easily tied to one form of evil or the other, while that of other notable personalities are allowed to pass. President Jonathan in 2010 for example exonerated MEND for the Oct 1 bombings despite the group claiming responsibility for the attack. How many people called him a member of MEND or said he is supporting militancy?
Like I said earlier, I do not think Buhari literarily meant what was said in that comment and I agree that given the stereotype and perception and his place in the society, I would have been far better if he didn’t say it at all, but assuming he actually meant it; did he say anything different from what actually transpired? Were the Niger-Delta militants not trained in some skills and given employment despite committing crime against the state, whether or not their agitations are genuine or not?
Back to the issue of perception and why I wonder what Buhari’s detractor stand to benefit from dragging him in the mud, I can bet it that if Buhari announce today that he is quitting politics, all this mud sliding will seize, because it seems to me that the target is to ensure that he does not even contest at all, let alone winning; but why the fear?
The truth is that the stake, especially at this critical moment is bigger than one individual. The immediate challenge is to have PDP who have inflicted us with pains and untold hardship for the past 14 years removed from power and a government who will give us a new lease of life enthroned. Nigeria needs a leader who is qualified and competent to tackle corruption, solve the nation’s power problems, create employment, ensure security of lives and properties and improve the welfare of every Nigerians. If the APC feels General Muhammadu Buhari is the most competent person amongst its fold that should fly the flag of the party in 2015, let thy will be done. The APC may not be the messiah, but at least it will throw up a healthy competition and give the people the chance to choose.
While some of us supports Buhari with the believe that he is competent to take Nigeria away from its current mess, some other persons are of the opinion that he has nothing to offer and do not want him to emerge as president. However, I think that should be left for Nigerians to decide at the ballot. If Nigerians believe that Jonathan is still the man that Nigeria needs, let the votes be given to him and Buhari once again stopped from leading the country. The 2015 election is probably going to be the last he will ever contest or participate actively, but whatever we decide, let our votes be based on merits and not sentiments.
To the supporters of General Muhammadu Buhari, do not allow them to convince you that he is not fit to become Nigeria’s president. The aim from the onset is to ensure that he does not stand a chance of even standing for an election, let alone winning and this does not have to do with people in the PDP alone. Those against the Buhari’s ambition are not just people in the PDP, they cut across party lines. You will even find many of them in the APC and the reason for that are very obvious; they want the status quo to remain.
As for the General himself, I advise him not to be swayed by the hate campaign. If he feels he has what it takes to lead Nigeria out of her present problem, he should go ahead and contest the election. Let Nigerians be the ones that will use their hands to reject him. At least, his conscience will be clear that he didn’t keep quiet when he needed to speak.

PHOTOS: Tonto Dikeh’s Birthday Party In London

Tonto Dikeh flew to london with her new found best friend, Sexy steel to celebrate her 30th birthday at the cokobar night club London.
The party was fun and lively, checkout some photos below

Former Governor Sylva Breaches Protocol To Shake Hands With President Goodluck Jonathan

Former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, today breached President Goodluck Jonathan’s security, walking up to the Nigeria leader at the high table of a wedding party and shaking hands with him.
The occasion was the public wedding reception of a daughter of another former governor, Peter Odili. A security source told Sahara Reporters both the security and protocol of the President were taken aback by Mr. Sylva’s action, as he approached the high table while the president was already seated with other guests, however, they claimed they knew the president was not in any danger.
A source close to Mr. Sylva said he only went to greet his next-door neighbor and celebrant, Mr. Odili and that he (Sylva) used that opportunity to say " hello " to the President as a form of courtesy. " It was a chance meeting between the two, there is no reason to impute any motive, when Mr. President asked Sylva how he was doing he said he was still alive and left to his seat afterwards, " said the source that witnessed the incident.
Sylva, the former governor of Bayelsa State, is facing corruption charges initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Mr. Sylva has repeatedly stated that his trial was motivated by his political disagreements with Mr. Jonathan. He was prevented from running for a second term in office by Mr. Jonathan, who then imposed upon the state as governor, his protege, Seriake Dickson.
Political observers say that today’s event also reflects the intricate connections between power and corruption in Nigeria. Odili is widely-known to have looted the resources of Rivers State during his tenure as governor, but has never been prosecuted because of a perpetual injunction he obtained for self-protection.
Although all of that information must be in the hands of President Jonathan, who claims to be fighting corruption, he chose to publicly take a seat at a wedding funded by proceeds of corruption

Buhari Has Links With Boko Haram – CAN

The National General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Musa Asake, tells ALLWELL OKPI that former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, should be arrested and questioned for his alleged link with the Boko Haram sect
The Christian Association of Nigeria recently called for the arrest of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari because of his recent criticism of the emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, and the clamp down on the Boko Haram sect. Does CAN think Buhari’s statement is enough to link him to the violent sect?
Buhari said killing Boko Haram members and destroying their houses was unjust. My question is did he say anything about the victims of the activities of Boko Haram? The answer is no. That is why we believe that that statement is a clear indication that he has connections with them and he is trying to defend them.
As a former head of state, someone who has experience, who is not ignorant, it is strange that he is trying to compare Boko Haram with Niger Delta militants. Niger Delta militants were fighting a cause that we all know. Niger Delta militants were not fighting a religious war. They were not throwing bombs at innocent citizens.
They were not targeting any group of people, like Christians in the course of fighting their cause. So, how can a leader like him make a statement like that? It hurts the victims of Boko Haram and it is a clear indication that he (Buhari) is defending Boko Haram members. No wonder the sect said they were not going to negotiate or talk to anybody until Buhari serves as a mediator. We are now beginning to see the connection. That is why we are saying that the Federal Government should arrest him to give us more explanation on why he is defending them.
They are being unveiled now; that is why he is saying it is injustice to them. All I’m saying is that the reason CAN is saying Buhari should be arrested is because his recent comment is inciting and a clear indication that he is advocating and trying to defend Boko Haram. He is saying that their houses are being destroyed and they are being killed.
That is insensitive to the victims of the bombings and gun attacks of Boko Haram. Such a statement should not come from Buhari, an elder statesman. What about the people that Boko Haram members have killed; the churches they have burnt down and the Christians that have been killed at their places of worship? Buhari should be arrested to explain more, because there is more to this than meets the eye.

But that was his personal opinion, which he has right to.
But then this is a man who wants to be president again, is he going to be president over people like Boko Haram members that he is defending? We, Christians, have our own votes too. Several churches have been burnt in the North, Buhari has never condemned injustice to Christians or done something about it.
But now he wants to defend murderers. It is an insult to us, Christians. Mind you, Boko Haram did not hide their agenda. They said they want to get rid of Christianity in the North. They also said they want to get rid of the Nigerian Constitution and replace it with Sharia law. What is Buhari saying? Is he going to be president for a section of the country? That does not fit a leader like Gen. Buhari.

Is CAN saying that the statement portrays Buhari as an Islamic extremist?
The statement portrays him as a supporter of Boko Haram. He is defending them. He is now challenging the Federal Government that it is not fair to Boko Haram, because soldiers are now destroying their houses and killing them. He is the one who is being unfair because he has not acknowledged the fact that these Boko Haram members have victims, who they have rendered homeless; children, whom they have rendered fatherless and families that have watched their breadwinners killed by Boko Haram.
People have been killed in their places of worship and he has not said anything about that. Who are these people he is defending and what is his connection with them? We want to know. And if he is going to be our president as he wants to, then he has to explain to us his connection with Boko Haram. Let me say this: any party that is taking Buhari as its leader has to explain to us its position on Boko Haram, because this must not continue.
Talking about inciting statements, ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Asari-Dokubo, recently said there would be crisis if Jonathan is not allowed to go for a second term. Why didn’t CAN call from his arrest?
That statement is for politicians. CAN is picking on this one because CAN is directly affected. It is Christians that are being killed and churches that are being burnt down. Dokubo’s statement was a political statement; CAN has nothing to do with that.
Buhari’s party, the Congress for Progressive Change, has accused CAN of becoming a political group since Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, became its president. What is your reaction to this?
Tell them to mention just one word that Oritsejafor has used and one thing that he has done to show that he is political. Is it because Oritsejafor is standing for the truth and speaking for the persecuted church in the North? And members of that party are the ones that are doing the havoc. Oritsejafor, as leader of Christians in this country, cannot fold his arms and allow people to be killed in churches and places of worship being destroyed. He will not keep quiet. No, it will not happen.
Oritsejafor is not political. Tell them to tell the whole world one statement or one act of Oritsejafor that shows that he is political and we will be willing to apologise. Oritsejafor is speaking the truth, challenging the government and those murderous people called Boko Haram and some people don’t want him to say anything. They want him to keep quiet and let them kill us the way they like, any time they like and deny us the right to freedom of worship. The constitution says we have the right to freedom of religion and some are saying no. They said they want to eradicate Christians and introduce Sharia law and you want our Christian leader to keep quiet. It doesn’t work that way.
What is CAN’s view on the bounty on Boko Haram leader by the United States Government?
The hypocrisy is now coming out. God is answering our prayers. This is the same US government that Oritsejafor spoke in their Congress and said Boko Haram should be declared a terrorist group. They did not listen. He came back home and he started having opposition from different quarters. Some were even calling for his arrest. But you know what? The God of Christians has vindicated him. Now their eyes are opened. Even though it is coming late, but it is better late than never.
Even the Federal Government of Nigeria did not listen to that call. But now I’m hearing that members of Boko Haram will be jailed for 20 years. You see, a lot of damage has been done. But I pray that this will work so that innocent people will not be killed anymore. So, we say America, Federal Government welcome onboard with CAN, because that has been CAN’s position.

Buhari Has Links With Boko Haram – CAN

The National General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Musa Asake, tells ALLWELL OKPI that former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, should be arrested and questioned for his alleged link with the Boko Haram sect
The Christian Association of Nigeria recently called for the arrest of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari because of his recent criticism of the emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, and the clamp down on the Boko Haram sect. Does CAN think Buhari’s statement is enough to link him to the violent sect?
Buhari said killing Boko Haram members and destroying their houses was unjust. My question is did he say anything about the victims of the activities of Boko Haram? The answer is no. That is why we believe that that statement is a clear indication that he has connections with them and he is trying to defend them.
As a former head of state, someone who has experience, who is not ignorant, it is strange that he is trying to compare Boko Haram with Niger Delta militants. Niger Delta militants were fighting a cause that we all know. Niger Delta militants were not fighting a religious war. They were not throwing bombs at innocent citizens.
They were not targeting any group of people, like Christians in the course of fighting their cause. So, how can a leader like him make a statement like that? It hurts the victims of Boko Haram and it is a clear indication that he (Buhari) is defending Boko Haram members. No wonder the sect said they were not going to negotiate or talk to anybody until Buhari serves as a mediator. We are now beginning to see the connection. That is why we are saying that the Federal Government should arrest him to give us more explanation on why he is defending them.
They are being unveiled now; that is why he is saying it is injustice to them. All I’m saying is that the reason CAN is saying Buhari should be arrested is because his recent comment is inciting and a clear indication that he is advocating and trying to defend Boko Haram. He is saying that their houses are being destroyed and they are being killed.
That is insensitive to the victims of the bombings and gun attacks of Boko Haram. Such a statement should not come from Buhari, an elder statesman. What about the people that Boko Haram members have killed; the churches they have burnt down and the Christians that have been killed at their places of worship? Buhari should be arrested to explain more, because there is more to this than meets the eye.

But that was his personal opinion, which he has right to.
But then this is a man who wants to be president again, is he going to be president over people like Boko Haram members that he is defending? We, Christians, have our own votes too. Several churches have been burnt in the North, Buhari has never condemned injustice to Christians or done something about it.
But now he wants to defend murderers. It is an insult to us, Christians. Mind you, Boko Haram did not hide their agenda. They said they want to get rid of Christianity in the North. They also said they want to get rid of the Nigerian Constitution and replace it with Sharia law. What is Buhari saying? Is he going to be president for a section of the country? That does not fit a leader like Gen. Buhari.

Is CAN saying that the statement portrays Buhari as an Islamic extremist?
The statement portrays him as a supporter of Boko Haram. He is defending them. He is now challenging the Federal Government that it is not fair to Boko Haram, because soldiers are now destroying their houses and killing them. He is the one who is being unfair because he has not acknowledged the fact that these Boko Haram members have victims, who they have rendered homeless; children, whom they have rendered fatherless and families that have watched their breadwinners killed by Boko Haram.
People have been killed in their places of worship and he has not said anything about that. Who are these people he is defending and what is his connection with them? We want to know. And if he is going to be our president as he wants to, then he has to explain to us his connection with Boko Haram. Let me say this: any party that is taking Buhari as its leader has to explain to us its position on Boko Haram, because this must not continue.
Talking about inciting statements, ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Asari-Dokubo, recently said there would be crisis if Jonathan is not allowed to go for a second term. Why didn’t CAN call from his arrest?
That statement is for politicians. CAN is picking on this one because CAN is directly affected. It is Christians that are being killed and churches that are being burnt down. Dokubo’s statement was a political statement; CAN has nothing to do with that.
Buhari’s party, the Congress for Progressive Change, has accused CAN of becoming a political group since Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, became its president. What is your reaction to this?
Tell them to mention just one word that Oritsejafor has used and one thing that he has done to show that he is political. Is it because Oritsejafor is standing for the truth and speaking for the persecuted church in the North? And members of that party are the ones that are doing the havoc. Oritsejafor, as leader of Christians in this country, cannot fold his arms and allow people to be killed in churches and places of worship being destroyed. He will not keep quiet. No, it will not happen.
Oritsejafor is not political. Tell them to tell the whole world one statement or one act of Oritsejafor that shows that he is political and we will be willing to apologise. Oritsejafor is speaking the truth, challenging the government and those murderous people called Boko Haram and some people don’t want him to say anything. They want him to keep quiet and let them kill us the way they like, any time they like and deny us the right to freedom of worship. The constitution says we have the right to freedom of religion and some are saying no. They said they want to eradicate Christians and introduce Sharia law and you want our Christian leader to keep quiet. It doesn’t work that way.
What is CAN’s view on the bounty on Boko Haram leader by the United States Government?
The hypocrisy is now coming out. God is answering our prayers. This is the same US government that Oritsejafor spoke in their Congress and said Boko Haram should be declared a terrorist group. They did not listen. He came back home and he started having opposition from different quarters. Some were even calling for his arrest. But you know what? The God of Christians has vindicated him. Now their eyes are opened. Even though it is coming late, but it is better late than never.
Even the Federal Government of Nigeria did not listen to that call. But now I’m hearing that members of Boko Haram will be jailed for 20 years. You see, a lot of damage has been done. But I pray that this will work so that innocent people will not be killed anymore. So, we say America, Federal Government welcome onboard with CAN, because that has been CAN’s position.

Confed Cup: Eagles Won’t Miss Yobo — Fuludu

Former Super Eagles midfielder, Edema Fuludu, believes the national team will not miss the services of captain Joseph Yobo at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, which begins on June 15.
The Fenerbahce defender had a bust-up with coach Stephen Keshi after the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations victory, after he was excluded for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Calabar. He was again left out of the squad for the Confederations Cup.
Fuludu, Keshi’s teammate when Nigeria won the Nations Cup in 1994, has backed the decision to drop the 32-year-old Yobo, the country’s most capped international.
He said, “Yobo was getting slow and I think Keshi is looking for the average age of players who have the capacity to absolve the intensity of games at that level. You have to be younger and that is what is obtainable currently in football. I don’t expect anybody to query why Yobo is not in the team.
“Sincerely at the 2013 AFCON and even before then, we realised that he was getting slow. For me, he has had it good and well at the national level and if he doesn’t make the team again, it’s okay. It’s clear that if you don’t leave football, it leaves you.
“Experience counts no doubt but you must make the team in such a way that there is a balance and competition and blend of experience and youthfulness.”
Keshi included eight home-based players in the squad to Brazil while also handing Werder Bremen forward, Joseph Akpala, a chance to revive his international career.
Europe-based youngsters, John Ogu, Michael Babatunde and Nnamdi Oduamadi also made the squad but Fuludu feels Nigeria can create an impression.
The Eagles are in Group B alongside world champions Spain, Uruguay and minnows Tahiti.
“If the rebuilding has to be by elimination and substitution, he (Keshi) has to go ahead. I think that nobody goes to a competition not to win it. I also think that Nigeria doesn’t want to go there and get disgraced. Spain and Uruguay are the high-level teams but that does not mean Tahiti would be a walkover. We stand a chance.
“We must work hard and let Keshi do his job. We cannot say the team is balanced yet but they are a work in progress. People are coming in and going out. It’s not about home-based players. I also think Keshi is telling us that the talents are here and that is better for all of us. If the national coaches can look inwards, then we have less stress of foreign-based professionals who cannot honour invitations as at when due,” Fuludu added.

CAN Is Working For The Presidency –CPC

National Publicity Secretary, Congress for Progressive Change, Rotimi Fashakin, in this interview with LEKE BAIYEWU, defends the position a former presidential candidate of the party, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on the proscription of Boko Haram and state of emergency in the North-East
The Christian Association of Nigeria has faulted the comments made by former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on the declaration of state of emergency in three North-Eastern states and the proscription of the Islamic sects, Boko Haram and Ansaru. Could you shed more light on the position of the statesman?
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor’s use of CAN is mainly for political purpose. He talks impulsively. Let us examine Buhari’s position, which Oritsejafor did not take his time to examine properly. Yes, Boko Haram has been carrying out insurgency in an area. Buhari tried to look at how Boko Haram started as a group; what led to the level of severity of insecurity in the northern region and he tried to juxtapose it with the way the Niger Delta militancy started. It was the leaders of the Niger Delta that encouraged militancy for political purpose.
What Buhari said was to awaken our thought to understanding how the whole thing started and what it has cost us. If you made a truce in the Niger Delta region by talking to the militants – even though their leaders created the problem – and reintegrated them back into the society, then we should look at the insurgency in the North, which was exacerbated by the government. He said soldiers arrested the former Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, but the following day, after he was released to the police, he was killed. Buhari said that was the cause of the problem.
He said this was a practical knee-jerk approach by this particular government. This government has the notoriety for applying knee-jerk approach to national issues. At a time, the government said it wanted to have amnesty and peace talks with Boko Haram. At another time, it was talking about state of emergency. The military had been blamed even by the United States over abuse of human rights. The US once lambasted the military over the kind of carnage that took place in Baga. It was that kind of incongruity that Buhari tried to bring up.
How do you juxtapose a situation where a soldier was killed and, in the process, 200 innocent lives were killed with their houses burnt? We also have a situation in where many security agents were killed in Nasarawa and the Director-General of the State Security Service said he had forgiven them (the killers). How can he say such a thing? This is one of the issues Buhari described as totally incongruous. These things do not show a government that is consistent in its policy and these are the things that he was trying to point out and they (CAN) have twisted the essence of the argument.

When you say CAN is political, how do you mean?
It is not long that the Catholic Church temporarily withdrew its membership of CAN. The Catholic Church said as long as Oritsejafor remains the president of CAN, it would continue to hold its membership of the association in abeyance. They have looked at the way Oritsejafor is leading CAN and it is in a manner of going towards the precipice. CAN has become more or less the religious arm of Jonathan’s presidency. We have never seen a President of CAN that bought a private jet while in office.
We have always known the presidents of CAN to have used that office to ensure the collective wellbeing of Christians in Nigeria. We know that on November 10, 2012, when the jet was presented to Oritsejafor in Warri, Jonathan was in the congregation. We don’t know for what purpose Oritsejafor would be calling for the arrest of Buhari, the same way he called for Buhari’s arrest on April 24, 2011, just after (Jonathan’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity) Reuben Abati, had written his article that Buhari was responsible for the mayhem that occurred after the election. Oritsejafor took it hook, line and sinker.
The argument is that Niger Delta militants had legitimate reasons for their agitation, while Boko Haram does not have a reasonable reason for its insurgency?
The government has banned Boko Haram and the question that arose was that, while Boko Haram was operating, was it a lawful group in the first place? At what time did Boko Haram go to the Corporate Affairs Commission to ask to be registered? Does it really matter whether the government banned it? Talking about the Niger Delta militants, before their agitation for resource control and other issues, some other things had taken place. Leaders in the region used the boys to secure second term in office.
After they got their second term, they wanted to disarm these boys (militants) but they refused. These boys, with guns in their hands – well armed – resorted to kidnapping, which had nothing to do with Niger Delta oil. It was a criminal act. Because it was becoming an embarrassment to the nation and it was like holding Nigeria by the jugular – because oil, being the mainstream of Nigerian economy was at risk – the government had to negotiate with them.
What is on the ground now is that over two years, the government has been using a lot of force in the North. When the government was using force, people said a lot of highhandedness and human rights issues like that of Baga. Now, the government doesn’t want to talk peace again. These were the issues that the general was trying to look at; that there’s a time to use force. You have used force for over two years and it has drained the resources of this nation.
It is not about whether Boko Haram is fighting any cause. If you look at the consistency of our (CPC) national leader as regards Boko Haram, you will see that he is a very sincere man; he is a true patriot and an ordained Nigerian. He has consistently insisted that he neither knows the leadership of Boko Haram nor support its cause; that their cause is not religious because his religion – Islam – does not preach that innocent lives should be killed. He has said it many times that because people want to distort facts for their aggrandisement and to achieve their despicable political goals, they would always twist his words.
But Buhari’s critics have said the insurgency began after the 2011 elections when he allegedly said Nigeria would be made ungovernable if he was not declared winner of the presidential election.
At what time did Buhari say that if he was not elected as President that the country would be made ungovernable. At what time did the general say that? This is part of the tissues of lie that people have woven to deceive Nigerians. Buhari is a Nigerian who, at the time that people like Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was nowhere, fought for the unity of this country; he was ready to do anything – beyond the public light – to ensure the continued existence of Nigeria as an indivisible unit. It is totally incongruent that at a later stage in his life, he would be issuing threats about the corporate existence of the country.
It was learnt that his comments, which are perceived to be controversial, are tearing CPC apart. How true is this?

It is part of the lies that people tell around and they have people ready to spread those lies. There is absolutely nothing like that. It is total bunkum and sheer nonsense. Buhari is our national leader. We know he’s not a flippant fellow; he is a calculative person. He is not given to frivolity; there’s no frivolity in his speech or his conduct. He doesn’t smoke and he doesn’t drink. He has his brain intact. He is not somebody that will talk out of drunken stupor. He is not somebody that will talk out of unrealistic and incongruous analysis of situations. He is a man that we all in the CPC respect and we are happy to be associated with him as a leader.

I Didn’t Fight Ebube, Empress Over Timaya — Anita Joseph

My name is Anita Joseph. I am an actress, a musician and a model. I am from Anambra State.
Journey into acting
I started acting in 2005. I was at the University of Calabar and saw a friend who was acting. I told her I wanted to act and she promised taking me to the National Theatre whenever I came to Lagos. She did when I came to Lagos and I had my audition with Emeka Rollas. Then, I did my first movie, ‘Good Samaritan’ with Obi Maduaga. That one-scene role was not too short and it kick-started my acting career
Life of an actress
It is a queer life because there is no privacy. Everything you do and say is made public. Any man you date is published on the pages of magazines/newspapers. It is a life that lacks privacy. Though interesting, there are times you don’t want to have your pictures splashed everywhere. I sing, I am a model and I’m sexy. So many people say lots of negative things about me. I am not bothered. I have grown a thick skin. It only makes me stronger because I didn’t do those things.
Handling fans
I treat my fans like friends. Fans are important in this profession because they make or mar you. You have to be careful with your fans. Embarrassed by fans? Yes, I remember when a man slapped my buttocks! I acted in a film and the role was that of a lady sleeping with many men. After the film, a man walked up to me and said he liked the way I shook my buttocks in the movie. He wondered if that was how I shake it in real life. I was embarrassed.
Dating fans
There is nothing wrong dating someone who loves and adores you. I have dated some of my fans. The best person to date, sometimes, is your fan. He loves what you are doing and you can act for him at home.
Relationship
I like men who are calm, calculated and someone I can learn from. I like a responsible man who talks well. I cannot stick loud-mouthed men.
Anita and controversies
I don’t believe that. I am not a controversial actress. On Ebube Nwagbo and Empress Njamah, the story was that I dated Timaya and KC Fresh, and fought with these actresses over these men. I never had any trouble with them over any man. We have never worked together on set.
Music
I love to sing and currently, I am compiling my works. My inspiration is from everything around me— nature, human beings, animals, etc.
Fashion
I wear whatever suits me or fits into any occasion I am attending. Also, my mood and the occasion determine what I wear. I love short gowns and bum shorts. I like it when people look at me; it makes me feel good. If you are a lady and nobody looks at you, then you should go back and look at your mirror.
Me and tattoos
I love tattoos. Though painful, beauty comes with pains too. I have tattoos in some areas of my body and I keep having more. It is so addictive.

Single Tenure: Presidency Dares Senate

The Presidency on Friday said the clause in the proposed constitution amendment, which seeks to exclude President Goodluck Jonathan and some governors from participating in the 2015 elections, would fail.
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, said this in an exclusive interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja.
Gulak said it would be unfair for the National Assembly to make an amendment that would short-change those elected under a constitution that allows them to contest two terms of four years each.
He said, “It is not a fair amendment to target a particular group of people. That proposal will not scale through because Nigerians are wiser.
“You can’t short-change some people in the name of amending the constitution. I am sure there will be some considerations and the proposal will fail.
“The President and some governors were elected under a constitution that allows them to contest two terms of four years each. You can’t change the rule midway.”
Similarly, the Arewa Consultative Forum opposed the six year-single tenure for the president and governors as proposed by the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution.
The apex northern socio-political body cautioned members of the National Assembly against adopting it.
It argued that adopting such a provision would be counterproductive because it was capable of impeding good governance in the country.
National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Mr. Anthony Sani, told SUNDAY PUNCH, in Kaduna, that apart from good governance, the proposal lacked the basic elements of motivation and incentives needed in the management of human affairs.
He said, “ACF’s position on single tenure for president and governors is that it is counter productive, because it has no incentives to motivate for excellence.
“This is because the good, the not-so-good and the feckless are grouped together without any exception.
“All management of human affairs which has no way of rewarding excellent performance cannot reasonably be expected to be effective.
“In multiple tenure, reelection is often a form of reward for good performance. And if the president and governors know that they are all entitled to only six years whether they perform or not, they will concentrate on the pillage of public treasury, which is counterproductive.”
Opposition political parties shared similar views.
In separate interviews, the Action Congress of Nigeria and the Congress for Progressive Change, said two terms of four years each as was currently being practised, was better.
National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Lai Mohammed, said, “The position of our party has been consistent, two terms of four years each.
“There is nothing wrong with the system. What does the preclusion of Jonathan and governors from participating from the 2015 elections got to do with anything?
“Six years is a long time in politics. The beauty of democracy is not only in the ability of the people to participate in voting in a people to govern them but also in their power to vote out non-performing governments.
“What prevents somebody who comes in on the six-year single term bait from seeking to make it three terms of six years each? What stops another National Assembly coming in to change the constitution again?
“Without prejudice to what they are proposing, we are of the view that the clause dealing with the issue of tenure is fine as it is.”
Speaking in a similar vein, his counterpart in the CPC, Mr. Rotimi Fahakin, said, “You know the President who started this tenure thing probably thought he would benefit from it. He has been told bluntly by the Senate, that this is not going to be.
“For us, I wouldn’t really know the problem this amendment to the constitution hopes to solve in our political system.
“What we have always known is that the people should always be the fulcrum of any political decision we want to take.
“The current two terms of four years each if properly used like it is done in advanced democracies like the United States, is good enough for our own environment; in that it keeps the people as the focus of the democratic value of our political system.”
Also speaking on the issue, the Convener of the Coalition of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, said there was “absolutely nothing wrong with the constitutional provision of two terms of four years each as is currently the case.”
He accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party of nursing a sinister agenda by trying to push through a single six-year term.
He said, “If the PDP has its way, it will not allow elections for any serious position. Democrats, true democrats should cherish and welcome elections because PDP is not democratic; you see the party finding a way to trigger a national crisis to avoid elections.”
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council has said President Jonathan must contest the 2015 election irrespective of the recommendations of the committee.
The IYC insisted that the President’s aspiration for a second term in office must not be scuttled by the Senate.
“We are saying that Jonathan must run in 2015 because he is a saleable candidate for us. The National Assembly should not do anything that will affect the second term ambition of President Jonathan and others who wish to contest in 2015.
“Though we cannot compel Nigerians to vote for him (Jonathan), we are appealing to Nigerians to vote for him in the next dispensation. He must contest no matter the recommendations from that committee.”
In a related development, Second Republic presidential candidate, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, has called on the National Assembly to stop the ongoing constitution amendment. He said it would not address the current “imbalance, inequality, injustice and many other problems in the country.”
In a statement in Lagos on Saturday, the lawyer said the Federal Government should rather call a sovereign national conference to fashion out a new constitution that would meet the yearnings of the people.
The Senate Committee on Review of the Constitution, had recommended a vnon-renewable single six-year tenure for the office of President, Vice-President, governors and their deputies.
The committee’s recommendation also disqualifies President Jonathan and incumbent governors from benefiting from the new arrangement if the recommendation becomes law.
While shedding light on the recommendation, the Chairman of the committee, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, had on Thursday in Abuja said if the recommendation on single tenure succeeded, the President and some governors would sacrifice their ambitions in 2015.
“We don’t want Nigerians to say that we have colluded with the executive to give tenure elongation to the President and certain governors. That means somebody instead of staying for eight years; he will now be staying for 10 years.
“I think it will be easier for someone to deal with the issue of making a sacrifice than for someone to have the period for 10 years; I am not sure what our colleagues will say. If they say that those who are there now should benefit, that is fine. Those who are currently serving should be able to excuse themselves and say we make this sacrifice on behalf of the system,” he said.

Buhari Becomes President...

For a long time now, the voice of General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) has been a constant buzz on the Nigerian political scene. Actually, for a while — after the election of 2007 — the erstwhile autocratic military head of state rescued himself from the political scene, complaining bitterly and implausibly that he had been cheated out of presidential election victory.
Then, propelled by his unfulfilled appetite for power, he re-emerged soon after. It is entirely understandable that he couldn’t stay away for long.
Any observer of the Nigerian political scene in 1984 has to know that Buhari is a man with an imperial bent and an oversized ego. During his short-lived tenure as Nigeria’s military head of state, he imposed his will as no other had done before or after.
His War Against Indiscipline (or WAI) permeated every aspect of Nigerian life, for better and for worse. He brooked no dissent. His Decree No. 4 was as draconian a law as Nigeria has ever witnessed. Under the decree, many a journalist was imprisoned for questioning Buhari’s policies or even inveighing against military rule.
Some pundits have claimed that many of the dictatorial excesses of Buhari’s tenure were actually attributable to his second in command, the late General Tunde Idiagbon. I am more inclined to believe that Buhari was the ideologue behind the policies and Idiagbon was his strategist.
Not that it matters that much. Buhari was the head of state, and whatever happened under his watch should duly be credited to (or blamed on) him.
The important point now is that Buhari’s tenure was too short to quench his appetite for power. And that’s why, even after publicly shedding tears in 2007 and vowing to leave politics, he came back with more doggedness than ever before.
While Buhari was the flag bearer of the All Nigeria People’s Party, he had little chance of being elected president. His political fortunes improved somewhat when he bolted from the ANPP to form the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2010, but it was not enough to hoist the presidential banner.
That’s why Buhari’s claim of being cheated out of the presidency in 2007 and 2011raised serious questions about his political astuteness.
Then Buhari started to push harder for the merger of parties that could challenge the PDP. He must have realised at last that his losses in previous contests had little to do with being rigged out and much to do with his narrow electoral base.
Now with the merger of the CPC and the Action Congress of Nigeria and two other parties to form the All Progressives Congress, Buhari has overcome the problem of a narrow base. And for the first time since his overthrow in 1985, he has a better-than-realistic chance of becoming Nigeria’s president.
Problem is that while Buhari has solved the problem of his narrow electoral base in terms of party formation, he has not shed his narrow political ideology. Rather than truly reaching out and positioning himself as a healing force in Nigerian politics, he is demonstrating ever so convincingly that he is too provincial to be president.
If the APC nominates Buhari for the presidency in 2015, it would be opting for someone who is anything but progressive. And the party is likely to lose the very advantage of its prospective size by the fact that Buhari continues to be divisive and alienating.
There is no better evidence of this than his interview last Sunday in Kaduna with Liberty FM’s Hausa Service Programme, ‘Guest of the Week.’
In the interview reported in the Punch, Buhari blasted the ongoing military campaign against Boko Haram, claiming that they are getting harsher treatment than the Niger Delta militants. Moreover, he attributed the rise of Islamic militancy to the Niger Delta insurgency.
Perhaps, Buhari is not aware that the Joint Task Force that was deployed in the Niger Delta to combat the militancy there used jets, naval gunboats, and armoured vehicles. Perhaps, he has not heard of the razing in 1999 of Odi village in Bayelsa State by the Nigerian military and many more such communities since then.
Buhari rightly points out in the interview that the arming of Niger Delta youth by politicians who were running for office played a major role in the militarisation of the region. What he doesn’t explain is how that gave rise to the ethno-religious campaign being waged by Boko Haram.
The Niger Delta militancy arose in support of a negotiable demand for a more equitable sharing of revenue from the region. And so the militants focused their military campaign against the oil industry and infrastructure. They did not target Muslims or Northerners.
In contrast, Boko Haram is demanding the un-negotiable: the Islamisation of all of Nigeria. And they are bombing churches and killing Christians to advance that cause. How do such demands and atrocities compare with the activities of the Niger Delta militancy?
From his current and previous utterances, it seems certain that Buhari will be a disaster for Nigeria if he becomes president. His apparent disregard for the need for equitable redress of the Niger Delta’s grievances will certainly precipitate a titanic clash in the region.
Significantly, it was during the presidency of fellow Northerner, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, that an amnesty agreement was reached with the Niger Delta militants, resulting in the beginning of a draw down in their insurgency. If Buhari becomes president, the opposite will happen: he would stoke the militancy by words and action.
Buhari’s evident sympathy for Boko Haram also suggests that he would use his power to push Nigeria ever closer to a theocratic state (in the Muslim mould) than a secular one.
Yet, as is evident in the uprisings in Egypt and Turkey against theocracy-leaning regimes in those countries, Nigerians, including Northerners, will revolt en masse against theocratic encroachments on civil liberties. And so a Buhari presidency is certain to unleash a level of civil unrest that Nigeria has not witnessed in a long time.
In external relations, a Buhari presidency is also certain to damage Nigeria’s relations with the Western world, especially the United States. In fact, it is not an overreach to speculate that Nigeria could become listed as a terrorist state.
The US recently announced a $7 million bounty on Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau. If Nigeria elects a president who cuddles the group, the bounty would in effect be on the country.
In the interview with Liberty FM radio, Buhari said that he didn’t join the APC because he wants to be president.
“If APC fails to give me the ticket, I will remain in partisan politics and in the party,” he said. “Anyone the party picks as its candidate, I will support him because I will remain in the APC.”
Buhari is, of course, being coy about his presidential ambitions, and it is hard to take him seriously. What with his early and intense campaigning — with posters all over Abuja, I understand. Buhari does indeed belong in partisan politics, but not in the presidency.

NGF Election Video Was Manipulated — Mimiko

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, in this interview with SUNDAY ABORISADE speaks about the recent controversial Nigerian Governors’ Forum election and the roles he played
Some Nigerians are apprehensive that the 2015 elections may not be successful because of the inability of 36 governors to conduct a simple poll among themselves. What is your take on this?
I must say that none of the governors is very proud of what has happened. But some of us believe that it is necessary that we ensure that things are done right in the interest of our country. A few of us have also received a lot of bashing but we believe that we must stand for what is true and just. The fundamental question that will never go away, no matter how you look at the event of that Friday is the fact that the governors’ forum is a voluntary association; its an association of equals, who have voluntarily decided to come together to pursue what their collective interest.
Do you mean it is not compulsory for all governors to be members of the body?
It is important that all members should be able to abide by the rules and regulations of the body; otherwise any member can choose to stay away. Anybody who is there by volition can pull out without consequences to his status as governor.
Number two and this is one point that is very fundamental: No matter the amount of propaganda that goes on in the media, there is one issue that keeps coming up that we cannot run away from. It is a situation, where a chairman of a forum of equals decides to contest again, but the issue of whether that’s in tandem with the spirit and the letters of our constitution is another issue. So, that election to a very large extent must reflect the standard of election in the polity.
Irrespective of whatever anybody says, 2011 elections were much better than the previous ones. No matter what anybody says, the election that brought me and Adams Oshiomhole back was probably the best we have had in this country. Once we can have credible elections, it will throw up real leaders of the people, who will work for the people and that the issues of development are addressed.
But, there are video clips of the election on how voting was conducted and counted, how come you rejected the outcome of the process?
Governor Rotimi Amaechi presided over his election. So, from the perspective of this fundamental, I will analyse what happened on the day in question. Some of us argued: “Mr. Chairman, you are there as chairman by volition, by consensus. If willy-nilly, you say you want to contest election, then you must first dissolve the house.” What was released to the public was a product of manipulation. It was predetermined and disrespectful. I challenge anyone to show to the whole world where I was captured casting my vote in the video.
I specifically said, even in a village meeting, or old boys’ association meeting, once we say a tenure has elapsed and the presiding officer in this case, the chairman, indicated interest, we must first of all dissolve the house. Then we will elect a temporary man who will preside over the affairs until a new chairman emerges. We must also agree on the process of that election, especially in a voluntary organisation, where what we claim as constitution doesn’t spell out clearly how it should be done.
The practice in the governors’ forum is that the chairman always emerges by consensus. Also, the practice has always been that the party with the majority among the governors will produce the chairman.
But the result reflected the number of people present at the election.
We know as a matter of fact that the PDP Governors’ Forum had endorsed Governor Jonah Jang. But be that as it may, immediately Governor Amaechi insisted that he was going to run, we insisted also that he had to vacate the seat as chairman, so that we could bring in somebody who would now conduct the affairs of the house. For me, that was fundamental.
I insist that you must see the full video. Our meetings are quasi, informal meetings; if somebody out of disrespect for his own colleagues, or because of some predetermined notion decides to plant video, you should ask him for the whole video.
We insisted that, Mr. Chairman, if you are insisting on running, the morality of the situation dictates that you vacate that seat. In fact, Governor Peter Obi who was the vice-chairman said he was not running.
The worst case scenario was for Peter Obi to be there to conduct the election. We must first of all agree on the mode of this election: Is it going to be by raise of hands? If it is going to be secret ballot, is it going to be by ticking or thumb printing? But Governor Amaechi didn’t only indicate interest that he was going to run, he also insisted that he wouldn’t vacate that seat and there was a lot of commotion in the house. At a stage, one of the governors said, those of us that ran for second term didn’t vacate our seats before election, but we pointed out the difference.
Yes, I ran for a second term but I wasn’t the Independent National Electoral Commission; I wasn’t the one that printed the ballot papers. You cannot be a candidate and at the same time be your own INEC, and at the same time have the privilege of producing the ballot papers! He knew the number of ballot papers he produced; there were no serial numbers on them, we didn’t know the number of ballot papers and he was also the one who brought the ballot box.
So, for me, that was the point of departure. Quite a number of us kept saying at that juncture that it would be immoral for us to go on.
We were tempted to fight. At a stage, we then said in the interest of this forum, let us give him the opportunity to seat there, but if he was sitting there to preside over this election, we would not use his ballot papers.
We then said it must be by show of hands. We were still arguing when he said Okauru (DG of NGF) should start distributing ballot papers.
There were two options open to us: Either we walked out. But if we had walked out, there is a viral input in that constitution which also says that the quorum is 12.
So, if we had walked out, there was no guarantee that certain people wouldn’t have sat down there and called the press to witness a ‘free and fair election.’ Of course, the other option was the Nigerian way: Take the ballot and smash it; let there be crisis.
But you also know that such behaviour is not expected from a governor. Some governors were almost tempted to do that, but we kept saying we should not do it in the interest of Nigeria. It is better for us to come out and say we participated and keep defending it and we know that time will bear us out.
I remember that I kept saying that the process was immoral and that the outcome would be disputed. I cannot say that some governors didn’t vote, but I am sure that what they counted didn’t represent the opinion of governors there that day.
The information after the election was that Amaechi won with 19 votes as against Jang’s 16. How would you reconcile that with your submission that the result did not reflect the opinion of the governors?
It would have been victory for Amaechi if everybody had endorsed the outcome of that election. This is absolutely important.
The day after the election-forget the fact that Amaechi has succeeded in playing the underdog in the press and you know journalists like victims and underdogs.
At times, if an aggressor is smart he can translate himself to be victim. The following day, Governor Jang called a meeting of governors, 18 were present, reiterating their support for him. Now, 18 the following day, standing to be counted physically as opposed to 19 in some dubious ballot papers which was designed by a contestant.
The question I ask is, why have some people decided to believe in a voodoo ballot process rather than the physical people, who were there to be counted? But we are ready to take whatever bashing that comes, knowing that history will bear us out that you cannot be a judge in your own case.
It was morally wrong, conventionally wrong and legally wrong for Governor Amaechi as a candidate to sit beside the ballot papers, bring the ballot box and be the presiding officer. If we subsume principles under propaganda, we will all pay a price for it in 2015.
What is the way out of the crisis?
Like I said earlier, none of the governors is happy with what is happening at the NGF but we are very optimistic that we will come out stronger. I think the best thing is for all of us to allow reason to prevail by doing the right thing.
My position on this issue is clear. It is the turn of the North to produce the chairman and we should allow the Northern Governors’ Forum to present its candidate by consensus. We should just forget about ego and do the right thing.

Discovery Of Hezbollah Armoury In Kano

THE recent discovery of an armoury of sophisticated weapons and ammunition in the heart of the city of Kano is a strong evidence of prevalent security lapses that have so often paved the way for an uncontrolled inflow of illegal weapons into the country.
The weapons, described by military authorities as “weapons of mass destruction,” were hidden in a bunker of a building owned by a Lebanese businessman currently said to be on the run.
Reportedly found in the armoury were “103 packs Slap TNT dynamites (with each pack containing 16 pieces) used in preparing explosives; 76 military hand grenades; one 60mm anti-tank weapon; two rounds of 122mm artillery gun ammunition; and four anti-tank mines.” There were also “21 Rocket Propelled Gun bombs; 16 RPG charges; one RGP tube; nine pistols; one sub-machine gun; two sub-machine gun magazines; 17 AK-47 rifles; 44 AK-47 magazines and 11, 433 rounds of 7.62mm Special and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ammunition.” They were all traced to Hezbollah, the deadly Lebanon-based terror organisation with notoriety for targeting Israeli and Western interests all over the world.
No doubt, the discovery is scary in a nation reeling under the pains inflicted by the deadly Boko Haram terror group operating in several parts of Nigeria. Although investigators have yet to link the weapon discovery to Boko Haram, it is easy to see why the Islamists have been so successful in carrying out their terror campaigns here since imported arms can easily find their way into the country.
This is why security agencies must move fast to investigate the arrested three Lebanese suspects – Fauzi Fawaz, Abdullahi Tanini and Talal Roda, all naturalised Nigerians – to find out their motives. Efforts should also be made to bring Tahir Fadallah, who partly owns the Wonder Amusement Park and Amigo Supermarket in Abuja, and in whose house the weapons were found, back for questioning.
One of the disturbing aspects of the discovery is its portrayal of Nigeria as fast becoming a playground for international terror groups, who are finding it hard to operate in other climes because the governments there are clamping down on them. While our government is distracted by the political power game, determined and motivated terror groups, bent on destroying Nigeria, are being treated with levity and allowed to commit havoc.
In a trend that is gradually emerging in the country, a Ukrainian cargo plane filled with sophisticated weapons was impounded by security operatives in July 2009. Similarly, an Iranian, Azim Aghajani, with his Nigerian accomplice (Ali Jega), was apprehended at the Lagos port a year later for importing 13 containers of firearms, while 15 Russians were arrested for the importation of arms in October last year.
With some of the current suspects repeatedly being linked to the previous illegal importations, our security agencies need to do more to address the menace. The Federal Government should empower the security operatives to do their job with an unimpeded freedom, employing intelligence gathering as a key component in the fight against terrorism.
Although the security agents claim that the weapons discovered in Kano were stockpiled to “attack Israeli and Western interests in Nigeria,” just as the leaders of another foreign terror cell, Abdullahi Berende, suspected of spying for Iran in Lagos, said after his arrest early this year, there is no doubt that, in carrying out their attacks, they could also harm Nigerians. Nigeria should not allow her territory to be used as a base for attacks on foreign interests.
The Nigeria Immigration Service should check the unfettered entry of foreigners into the country, to the extent that illegal immigrants are taking up even artisanal jobs that should be handled by Nigerians under our laws. The Federal Government should redefine our national interest to ensure that those who should not be in the country do not find their way in. For now, terror groups are exploiting our loose foreign policy that grants easy access to nationals from countries that are well known for sponsoring terror acts in other countries.
There are gadgets and equipment that could be employed to make the job of security agents easier. Unfortunately, in a clear example of crass negligence, a scanner installed at Seme border – the point between Nigeria and Benin Republic – in 2006 by the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with a private operator, meant to detect weapons, and capable of examining 160 trucks a day, has been largely left unutilised because of the laxity of the security agencies. Government has to show seriousness by compelling the usage of such equipment.
However, the latest attempt to undermine Nigeria’s territorial integrity via terrorism is too closely linked with our recent past to be termed a coincidence. The terror war being waged by foreign elements against Nigeria is real. The Federal Government needs to change the uncoordinated response to arms importation into Nigeria by tackling the countries the importers represent. It is time to re-assess our relationship with countries known for exporting terrorism to other parts of the world.
Also, the Federal Government should collaborate more with the judiciary and the National Assembly in the fight against terror. The National Assembly should regularly review the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011 (as amended) with a view to strengthening it to be able to hand down stiffer punishments to convicted felons, as it is done in other climes, while the judiciary should quickly deal with terror cases.
As for the local populace, vigilance is important, as the foreigners, who are easily identifiable because of their colour, will have to operate in partnership with Nigerians before they can succeed. Nigerians should be patriotic enough to tip off the security agencies about the nefarious activities of these foreign terrorists and their local confederates, whose sole aim is to dismember the country.

Armed Bandits Put Kaduna Villages Under Siege, Looting And Killing

Barely four months after armed bandits inflicted a massive attack on banks, police stations and settlements in Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, the area has come under a similar attack, with several villagers reported to have been killed.
Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters armed men surrounded Goro-Dutshe district, Gwaska and several adjoining villages. Goron-Dutshe is a border town between Kaduna and Zamfara, and our source described it as located about 30 kilometers from Dansadau.
In Goron-Dutshe, the gunmen reportedly went on a looting and raping spree, maiming hunters and vigilantes that resisted the siege. They also burnt down several houses in the area before moving to Gwaska village, where they inflicted further injuries on more villagers.
A security source told SaharaReporters that efforts to reach the villages have been complicated by logistic problems. He disclosed that it will take some three hours from Birnin Gwari to reach the besieged villages, which are surrounded by thick forests and linked by poor road networks.
It is unclear if the helicopters recently launched by the Nigeria police for fighting crime are being deployed to such areas.