The 63 senators who had signed up to remove President Goodluck Jonathan will meet on Monday (today) evening to perfect their strategy for making it a reality.
Senate
One of the coordinators of the impeachment plan,who made this known to our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday, said the agenda of the meeting would centre on how to handle the case on the floor of the Senate.
But the senator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, did not disclose the venue of the meeting for security reasons.
He said, “All of us will meet tomorrow (Monday) evening to discuss when we are going to move the motion on the floor of the Senate. We have an appreciable number already and I believe that more people will join when they see the seriousness with which we are going about it.
“Some of our colleagues were saying that we don’t have the will to move it (impeachment motion) on the floor. We will soon execute our plans because it is in the best interest of all Nigerians”
Already, the senator representing Yobe South Senatorial District in the upper chamber, Alkali Jajere, and his colleague from Niger North, Ibrahim Musa, have explained their involvement in the planned impeachment moves.
The two senators, in separate interviews on Sunday, said they signed up for the impeachment because of their conviction that Jonathan had engaged in a series of constitutional breaches.
Jajere alleged that the poor handling of the insurgency in the North-East by the Jonathan administration despite huge sums of money being voted for the military, was deliberate.
He said, “Are we going to wait and continue to tolerate a leader who, cannot stop the daily physical and psychological torture of people in the North-East. The insurgency in the zone is threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria and the earlier we act, the better.’’
Also, Musa alleged that Jonathan government’s “insincerity” in tackling the economic crisis facing the country was enough grounds to initiate an impeachment move against him.
He said, “The President has been breaching the constitution over the years and we have tolerated it enough. This government has not been implementing the budget and that is why we are having problems with our economy.”
One of the arrowheads of the move to remove Jonathan, on Thursday, showed our correspondent the list containing the signatures of 63 senators.
The source said eight Peoples Democratic Party senators were among the signatories to the planned impeachment notice. There are 109 lawmakers in the Senate.
An All Progressives Congress senator from the North-West, who asked not to be named, told our correspondent that the lawmakers’ major grouse against the President was the manner he had been handling the economic and political affairs of the country.
The senator cited poor implementation of the national budget since 2011, alleged high level of corruption and “gross disregard” for the legislature at both the federal and state levels as some of the reasons they were angry with Jonathan.
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has expressed optimism that he would be declared the governor of the state by the Election Petitions Tribunal hearing his petition against Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Omisore
Omisore said this in an interview with journalists after the proceedings at the tribunal in Osogbo on Friday.
Omisore had earlier in the day said the same thing at the summit organised by some Yoruba elders at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, that he would emerge victorious very soon.
Asked if he had confidence in the tribunal, the PDP candidate said that he would not have approached the panel if there were no evidence that the August 9 governorship poll was rigged by the All Progressives Congress.
He said, “I am very hopeful that justice will be done. I want to urge our people not to lose hope. We have a good case and that was why we came to the tribunal. We are a law abiding people. We refused to be provoked when they kept attacking our people even after the election.
“Very soon, we will retrieve our stolen mandate from the thieves who robbed us. Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos will come back to the PDP fold in 2015 and then the South-West will experience speedy development.”
But the Director of Publicity of the APC in Osun State, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, when contacted, advised Omisore to stop deluding himself.
The APC’s spokesperson said that Aregbesola won the election convincingly despite the PDP’s tricks and the attempts to rig the poll.
He said, the election was used by the people of the state to pay back Aregbesola for his numerous achievements in his first term despite the meagre resources available.
He said, “Omisore has no mandate anywhere. Ask him if he ever won election in his adult life. The senatorial seat was once awarded him from the prison.
“In 2011, he thought he had enough to win back the seat, he could not even win his ward.
“In 2014, he overrated himself; he lost woefully, even with all the federal support – the military, hooded operatives of the Department of State Service, the police and the scandalous money.
“He should know by now that the reality in the state of Osun is the All Progressives Congress.”
Omisore’s counsel, Mr. Nathaniel Oke (SAN), had applied to Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime-led tribunal to adjourn the sitting of the panel to Monday (today) for the continuation of the hearing of the petition.
The counsel premised the application on the alleged refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission to make ballot papers used for the election available for the use of the petitioner.
Oke said that Omisore needed the materials to further prove his case before the panel but INEC said the documents would be made available on Monday.
Mr. Charles Edosomwan, who is the counsel for the first respondent (Aregbesola) and the APC’s counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), raised objections to the application for adjournment.
The All Progressives Congress federal lawmakers in the House of Representatives have berated the Ekiti Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, over the leadership crisis rocking the state House of Assembly.
FAYOSE—Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State (M), taking Oath of Office before the Chief Judge of Ekiti, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday. With them is the governor’s wife, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose. Photo: Dare Fasube
They were reacting to the purported removal of Dr. Adewale Omirin, as the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, and his replacement with Dele Olugbemi by ‘10’ pro-Fayose lawmakers.
The Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Communications, Mr. Oyetunde Ojo and a member representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, Mr. Bamidele Faparusi, vowed that the matter would be raised on the floor of the House as a motion anytime the House resumed from recess.
Speaking in Ode-Ekiti, headquarters of Gbonyin Local Government Area of the State on Friday, the Lawmakers said the House will not watch helplessly when its regulatory powers over the Houses of Assembly was being threatened.
Ojo said, “Available facts showed that Omirin never planned to impeach the Governor, but only called for due process to be followed in the screening of the Commissioner-nominees. This is what democracy is all about. The process cannot allow you to assume a dictatorial status.”
The APC lawmaker added that the party was well-positioned to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 general elections by ensuring that candidates with grassroots’ appeal were picked.
He said, “You can see that many of our members had to scale the fence last week to defend democracy. If not, what happened to Omirin in the hands of the PDP in Ekiti would have happened to Hon. Aminu Tambuwal. That is why we have to be more vigilant.
“You can see that nobody is contesting primaries with me in my constituency because the people felt I have represented them well. Let politics be based on performance and the people’s wish and not by act of brigandage as being done by PDP.
“In the last Governorship election, PDP came as an opposition and won. So the chances of APC are very bright in 2015. We will defeat PDP roundly in all elections because we have done the people proud,” he said.
Faparusi urged Fayose and the PDP lawmakers to bury their heads in shame for allegedly working against democracy that made them.
“What Fayose and his lackeys in the Assembly did was shameful and never portrayed Ekiti as the Fountain of Knowledge. We salute Omirin for going to Court rather than taking law into his hands. He has been able to show that APC members are not hooligans,” he said.
Music star Emma Nyra faboulous look to Channel O music video Award night Yesterday.We all agree she is such a beauty, a great combination of beauty and talent.
Music star Emma Nyra faboulous look to Channel O music video Award night Yesterday.We all agree she is such a beauty, a great combination of beauty and talent.
The elder brother to Psquare and manager has welcomed his first child with his ex beauty queen wife Ify Okoye.
The ex beauty queen gave birth at exactly 7.29pm at Northside hospital Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday November 29th, Mother and Child are said to be doing very fine.
The couple married traditionally in july 2014.
The excited new father shared the picture of his bundle of joy on instagram with the caption “As we mourn the passing of our dad, please help us thank the Lord for his newest gift of life, our bundle of joy Princess Emma.All glory to God the father.”
Welcome princess Emma Adanna Okoye . Congratulations to the couple.
The son of Late veteran Justus Esiri, a Nigerian popular musician that goes with the stage name, Dr. Sid and his wife are expecting their first girl child.
The happy future father posted a picture of his wife with the caption “The 2 most important people in my life #lovemine #LastBusStop” on instagram showing her growing baby bump on Sunday.
The couple got married few months ago and this will be their first child.Congrats to Mr and Mrs Sid Esiri.
Suspected Boko Haram militants, who arrived on motorcycles throwing bombs, raided a mostly Christian town in Nigeria’s northeast after nightfall on Saturday, residents and a military source said.
Residents said scores of people had been killed in the town of Shani, but a police source said they had been unable to verify the death toll as communications to the town had been largely cut off.
“They rode on motorcycles and were more than 30 men. They started throwing bombs into houses…then the Boko Haram fired shots at people fleeing,” resident Ishaya Brimah told Reuters by phone from a nearby village on Sunday.
“They set ablaze the police station, houses and a telecom mast. … I saw people fleeing, some bodies on the ground,” Brimah said.
Shani is located in Nigeria’s Borno state, the heartland of Islamist group Boko Haram’s five-year insurgency, which has displaced more than 1 million people.
Three serving lawmakers were among other aspirants who failed to clinch the Peoples Democratic Party ticket for next year’s state house of assembly election, during the party’s primaries held last Saturday in 24 constituencies across the Edo State.
Hon. Rasak Momoh
In Esan North-East II, the lawmaker representing constituency, Emma Okoduwa, scored 16 votes but lost to Igban Ezehi’s 20 votes.
The member representing Igueben constituency, Kingsley Ehigiamusor, lost to Mr. Odiana Iriata, while Mr. Razak Momoh, who represents Etsako West I, lost to Mr. Abubakar Dada.
However, the PDP factional speaker, Mr. Festus Ebea and two other members, Mr. Patrick Iluobe and Monday Ehighalu, secured the party’s tickets unopposed for Esan South-East, Esan North-East I and Esan West, respectively.
In Orhionmwon I, incumbent legislator, Mr. Friday Ogieriakhi, defeated Osahon Ahumwan and Austin Osawaru to pick the party’s ticket, while Mr. Nosa Adams, who is facing trial for alleged attempted murder during the party’s ward congress, scored 28 votes to defeated Melody Ekunwe, who got 26 votes, to fly the party’s flag for Egor constituency.
Dr. Sylvanus Eruaga clinched the ticket for Etsako West II, while Tijani Abubakar defeated three others to win the nomination of his party in Etsako Central constituency.
In Akoko Edo constituency I, Pastor Johnson Momoh defeated Ernest Akpaja, Henry Ekundayo, Segun Bello and Emmanuel Agbaje
to secure the ticket, while Bisi Idaomi pulled 12 votes to defeat Don Umoru, who scored 10, and Kamarudeen Coker for Akoko Edo constituency II.
Uyi Ogbemudia, daughter of former two-time governor of the defunct Mid-West State, General Sam Ogbemudia
(retd), defeated other contenders to the pick the PDP ticket for Oredo West, while in Oredo East constituency, Lion Okoro emerged winner of the primary.
Others who secured the party’s ticket are Blessing Agbebaku(Owan West), John Amona (Owan East), Nicholas Asomsere (Ikpoba Okha), Levis Aigbogun (Ovia North-East I) and Andrew Uzamere (Ovia North-East II).
The results for Esan Central, Etsako East, Ovia South- West and Uhunmwode and were unavailable at the time of filling the report.
However, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, who was seen monitoring the primary for Oredo West and East, described the exercise as peaceful.
Adebanjo told our correspondent that men of the state command were deployed in various constituencies to forestall any breach of peace and provide adequate security for the delegates.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has announced the reduction of the tuition being paid by students of the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, from N50,000 to N30,000.
Fayose, Govenor elect in Ekiti State
Fayose, who announced this while featuring on a radio/television programme “Meet your Governor,” said the students could also pay the fees twice.
He said his administration would also ensure an enabling atmosphere for teaching and learning in state-owned institutions.
On the financial challenges facing the state, Fayose said apart from global economic meltdown, Ekiti’s situation was aggravated by the Kayode Fayemi-led administration’s excessive borrowing to fund project with little or no economic value.
He said, “On the day of my inauguration, I gave an overview of what the debt profile of the state is. Later, we have been discovering a lot of needless loans taken by that government on non-viable projects.
“For instance, the Civic Centre they started in Ado-Ekiti, they have committed N1.2 billion into it and the contractors are saying another N1.2 billion is needed to complete it. Over N2 billion was spent on Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and was given to their cronnies to manage, as of now, less than N10 million has accrued as income from it.
“They said I have been given some money on federal roads they worked on; that is a lie. The Federal Government is saying it won’t reimburse Ekiti because the Fayemi’s administration did not take permission to work on those roads.
“We are just liaising with them to get the situation redressed. No kobo has also been given to the state from Ecological Funds,” he said.
On the frosty relationship between him and All Progressives Congress members of the state House of Assembly, the governor accused the lawmakers of not putting Ekiti first in their considerations.
“Adewale Omirin, as the speaker, did not attend my inauguration ceremony. After the event, we met and talked and we agreed to work together. They asked that their monthly running grant of N48 million be paid in full, even when other agencies had theirs slashed by 60 per cent or stopped totally because of poor finances, we still gave them their full grant.
“The N2 billion loan for SMEs that we wanted to access from the CBN, they now said they should be given 10 per cent of it which is N200 million and I refused.
“They have a mindset and directive from their leaders that they must cripple my government and I know the people of the state will not allow that,” he stated.
On the retirement of some permanent secretaries, Fayose said the performance of some was below expectation, while one connived with the former administration to pay out more than N1 billion in the last four weeks of the former administration.
“A situation where we have 36 permanent secretaries to 14 active ministries does not make sense and we are not going to allow any waste.
“The former governor had 104 special advisers/ special assistants and they were given official cars at the expense of the state. By the time they left, most of the cars were not paid for and they left with them,” Fayose added.
A former Head of State and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (Retd.) has lauded the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State for promoting infrastructural development in the interest of the people of the state in the last six years..
Buhari
General Buhari made this known when he commissioned the newly reconstructed six-lane Airport Road and the remodelled Imaguero College, with 18 blocks of 104 classrooms and a large school hall, at the weekend in Benin.
Accompanying the retired major-general were leaders of the All Progressive Party including Chief Audu Ogbeh, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and Prince Tony Momoh.
He described the road project and the remodelled school, which also has a chapel, staff rooms, an information and Communication Technology centre and other standard conveniences, as a monumental boost to the state economic and education sectors which would remain historic for the people of the state.
The APC presidential aspirant also appreciated the Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor; Oba Erediauwa, for his support to the governor’s administration in the last six years.
“Let me express my appreciation to the governor for the great work he has done in this state and also to express my delight and congratulate the people of Edo State for the massive support given to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
“I am very grateful and appreciate your success. By setting the idea of infrastructural development and putting the people first in all your policies, till the end of time, the people of Edo State will never forget you. I congratulate you for your ideas and all,” he said.
Governor Oshiomhole described the reconstructed Benin Airport Road as a flagship project which had suffered setbacks in the past.
He, however, noted that his administration chose to place financial priority on the project owing to its strategic location as an entry point for visitors and travellers within and outside the country.
According to him, available statistics carried out by the federal ministry of education showed that the number of out-of-school pupils in South-South Nigeria was least in Edo State, with a total of seven per cent, while some neighboring states in the zone had as much as 20 per cent.
Oshiomhole said, “We thought that looking at all the projects we have in the state, the Airport road is the flagship. It took the intervention of our paramount traditional ruler, the Oba of Benin, who had to do a letter to the then Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Honora Zakawanu Garuba at a time when PDP had two-third members of the House.
“Given the crisis in Benin in terms of erosion, we needed to make huge investments on Benin roads and drainage.
“We recognised that the challenge for us was not to lament this decadence in our public schools so we took proactive steps in revolutionising the education system in the state by providing solid structures with modern facilities that meet international standards.”
In his remark, a representative of the Oba of Benin and the Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri, commended the governor emancipating the people from the “ancient” era of under-development, which he attributed to the previous administration.
In furtherance of the pursuit of peace and unity, and to douse the tension in the polity, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated its commitment to issue-based campaign devoid of statements capable of inflaming passions and overheating the system.
2015: PDP Leadership Reiterates Commitment To Issue-Based Campaign
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Sunday, said this position stemmed from the Party’s “irrevocable stand on the unity and stability of the nation as well as to protect its fragile democracy and ensure that a conducive atmosphere is maintained for national development and well-being of all citizens in keeping with its manifesto and visions of the founding fathers.
“As a highly responsible and foremost democratic political organization in the country founded on strong ideological background and principle of social justice, commanding the largest following in the country, we cannot afford to allow a drift to politics of propaganda, insults and incendiary statements that threaten our democracy and corporate existence as a nation.
“Our national interest and welfare of our citizens irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliations remain paramount in our overall agenda and must be upheld at all times.
“We must therefore strive to bring down the tension in the land by redirecting the nation’s political discourse to productive issues that reinforce our unity, promote understanding and peaceful co-existence, creating the enabling environment not only for peaceful general elections in 2015 but also for the overall survival of our democracy and stability of our dear nation.
“Nigerians deserve better from the political class. The 2015 general elections must therefore be based on performance, political ideology as well as manifestoes and agenda for national development and not on propaganda, accusations and counter accusations that heat up the system, divide our citizens and erode our values as a people.
“Consequently, the PDP leadership has directed all officials and members of the party at all levels to continue to focus on the numerous visible achievements of PDP-led administrations at the federal, state and local government levels, the successes recorded through the meticulous implementation of the Transformation Agenda of the present administration and the well-thought out road map for the future, for which a majority of Nigerians have continued to express confidence in the PDP”.
While assuring that it will leave no stone unturned to ensure the continued delivery on its mandate, the party charged all its elected and appointed officers to continue in the prudent management of resources for the benefit of the people.
All Progressives Congress (APC) Consensus Governorship Candidate for the 2015 election in Rivers State, Hon. Dr. Chief Dakuku Adol Peterside, has sent the olive branch to other aspirants for the position, assuring that he will carry them along in his plans and activities. Peterside in a statement issued on Sunday by Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, specifically singled out Senator Magnus Abe, whom he referred to as his brother whom he holds in high esteem.
Hon. Dakuku Peterside
Peterside said: “I am grateful to God, to our Leader, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and to our great party APC for finding me worthy to be tipped as consensus candidate ahead of our forthcoming State primary election. I am humbled by their choice of me and wish to assure that I will at all times do my best to justify their confidence in me.
“Those who are trying to sow seeds of discord between me and my elder brother, Most Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe, have already failed. Distinguished Senator Abe is not only my friend and elder brother but has also been my close ally in most of the strategic planning we have done in the Amaechi political family, so it is given that he will be at the centre of our march to the Brick House. I have visited and had brotherly discussions with him. Together we will shame our detractors and claim that which God has destined us to be.”
Giving a peep into his plan for Rivers State, Peterside said: “We bring a roadmap of wealth for Rivers State anchored on a legacy and foundation of prosperity laid by our Leader, Governor Chibuike Amaechi. We all know Governor Amaechi’s legacies in education, health, agriculture and other areas. He has built world-class schools and hospitals in every nook and cranny of the state. His health centres can match any standard hospital found anywhere in the world. In a couple of days, we shall be unveiling our campaign plans and programmes. This is a RIVERS PROJECT. It is not about APC. We invite everybody to come on board, join us to move Rivers State to the next level.
“Rivers people’s support for me is overwhelming. I really appreciate the outpouring of love. I thank all Rivers people. I will not disappoint you. APC members rely on God and I will continue to rely on God. I do not depend on my strength or ability. I will ensure unity in Rivers State. All Rivers people will have roles to play in my administration, when elected as governor by God’s grace. Our doors will be wide open.”
Reacting to the protest against his nomination by some youths said to be from Ogoniland, Dakuku Peterside said: “I heard that some 150 young men and women were at the Government House, Port Harcourt, three days ago. Ogoni people love me and are very hospitable. I grew up in Ogoni, where I spent over ten years. I still have many childhood friends from Ogoni. The protesters are not Ogoni, but people from other political parties, who want to cause confusion. The opposition parties sponsored the 150 youths to protest. It is nothing to worry about. I was at the forefront of Ogoni struggle in 1990, when the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) was put in place.
“Ogoni people are peace-loving and not violent. It was when I was Rivers Commissioner for Works that most of the roads in Bori (traditional headquarters of Ogoniland) were tarred. I will continue to protect Ogoni interests. Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe is my brother and friend and we have had useful discussions. APC in Rivers State cannot be in reverse gear. We will place emphasis on equity, justice and fairness. We will ensure inclusive government. Everybody will be carried along. I am an Ijaw, but I will be the governor of Rivers State. We can together build a greater Rivers State.”
Throwing light on how Peterside emerged as Consensus Candidate, State Party Chairman Ikanya said: “Rivers State APC was divinely set up to address three principal injustices visited on some sections of Rivers State. One of them is addressing the unjust situation of the Riverine areas of the state not occupying the seat of power since 1999, after the eight years of Dr. Peter Odili and the eight years of the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi – all from the upland section of the state. The second injustice is that of the Ogoni, a key tribe of the state, not producing a Governor, Deputy Governor or Speaker of the State House of Assembly since the creation of the State as far back as 1970. The last injustice is that of the South-East Senatorial Zone not producing the Governor since the creation of the state; Rivers East having produced Dr. Odili while Rivers West produced Governor Amaechi, leaving the South-East in the cooler all these years.
“Addressing these three major issues at the same time was a hectic task for the leadership of Rivers State APC and being a human organisation, it will be too much of a demand to achieve these three major goals at the same time. Therefore, in the wisdom of the party leadership they achieved two of the three goals by conceding power to the South-East Senatorial Zone and also resolved to shift power from the upland to the riverine area of the state. This zone presented four great leaders in the persons of Most Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe, who is representing the zone in the upper chambers of the National Assembly, Engr Tele Ikuru, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Hon. Dr. Dakuku Peterside and Barr. George Feyi, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, among other great leaders. Any of them so chosen will still defeat whatever any other party may present in the 2015 elections but in a every given contest, one person must emerge and when the party decided to address the riverine issue Hon. Dr. Chief Dakuku Adol Peterside from the Riverine area of Opobo/Nkoro LGAs, member of the Federal House of Representatives and Chairman of the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) who is a symbol of unity of both the Ogoni people and both the riverine and upland sections of the state, becomes the general acceptance to fly the flag of APC in the 2015 gubernatorial election of Rivers State.”
According to Ikanya, “This explanations becomes imperative particularly for those outside Rivers State so that they may not be deceived by the mischievous PDP in Rivers State that wants to continue with the injustice meted to the South-East Senatorial Zone and the riverine areas of the state by plotting to truncate the divine mission of the APC by imposing Chief Barr. Nyseom Wike from Ikwerre tribe that prodcued the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi, to fly the flag of PDP come 2015. If Wike succeeds, that will make the upland section of the state to govern the state for 24 years, thus effectively excluding both the South-East and the riverine areas of the state from governance of the state. This, to us in APC, is the highest injustice to can mete to a fellow partner in the growth and progress of our dear state. This is the mission and goal of the struggle and battle for the soul of Rivers State come 2015.”
Ikanya commended and congratulated the leadership of APC in Rivers for settling for a personality widely accepted by all the sections of the state described as a symbol of unity, visionary, egalitarian and most importantly patriotic whose love for Rivers State and her people is infectious. He described Dakuku Peterside as a man who has earned a reputation as a charismatic and disciplined leader; creative and hardworking, a broad-minded fellow with strategic insights. The State Party Chairman said of Peterside: “He brings integrity, compassion, pro-poor perspective and intellectual dimension to bear in tackling tough national issues. His loyalty to friendship and bridge-building skills are remarkable. Respected as one of the most result-oriented, meticulous, consistent, trustworthy and God-fearing political leaders, in all public offices he has held he has brought innovation to bear and made remarkable impact that has endeared him to his fellow compatriots. He is a role model and mentor to several young persons, who look up to him for inspiration. He has at various times turned down at least fourteen chieftaincy titles, several honourary doctorate degrees and awards rather believing in the people as a reason for service.
“In the House he serves as chairman of the strategic Petroleum Resources (Downstream) Committee that oversees the management of the key driver of Nigeria’s economy (Petroleum Industry). Dakuku Peterside also serves in the most important House committees of Anti-corruption, National Ethics and Values; Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes; Co-operation and Integration in Africa, Electoral Matters; Industry; Communications and Works. He is a well known champion of reform and strengthening of institutions as key to unlocking development potentials.
“Besides, this great son of Rivers State is an international resource person on oil and gas matters and a leading leadership/management scholar and speaker in leading conferences around the world. He is a respected authority on corporate political strategy and Business-Govt interaction in Nigeria. We are proud to recommend him to the great people of Rivers State as their next governor after the departure of the goal-oriented Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi in 2015.”
Ikanya expressed shock over the interest demonstrated by the PDP bigwigs since the announcement of Dakuku Peterside as the party’s consensus candidate. He said that the way PDP was rattled by Peterside’s emergence simply shows that his choice is the best for the state. He advised PDP to throw in the towel I good enough time to avoid being disgraced during the 2015 gubernatorial poll.
The Party Chairman condemned the few youths sponsored by PDP that gathered at the Government House to protest the choice of Peterside to fly the flag of APC. “I am further shocked by the conduct of the few youths sponsored by PDP who gathered at the Government House to protest the choice of Peterside to fly the flag of APC who is not a member of their sinking PDP,” he stated. He commended Senator Abe for disassociating himself from the misguided youths.
The Party Chairman explained that not minding the choice of Dakuku Peterside, “it is important to re-emphasise that the primaries of the APC in Rivers State will hold as planned and all processes will be duly and diligently adhered to. The APC will continue to uphold and abide by the hallowed principle of internal party democracy and will not depart from it.” Ikanya said the clarification had become necessary so as to “properly situate what has happened to prevent avoidable misreporting by the media and not to play into the hands of detractors and mischief-makers.”
On Friday, November 28, 2014, Nigeria’s grand Kano Central Mosque was bombed. The initial official assessment is that at least two suicide bombers were involved. Immediately afterward the suicide bombers’ back-up death squad of at least three men opened gunfire on both Muslim faithfuls who were peacefully worshiping inside the mosque and some initial survivors who reflexively tried to flee from the bomb blast. The death toll is assessed to be over 120 dead with over 500 injured. The bombing was carefully targeted for maximum impact for mass casualty. The injuries have been so severe that many of the survivors are expected to die in the following weeks, and some of those who ultimately survive, will never regain the full use of their limbs and lives. These are Nigerians, our fellow citizens, with families. If their lives have no value, neither does mine nor yours!!!
Attorney Patryk Utulu
Nigerians habitually disagree on just about anything but there is a near total agreement that Northeast Nigerian Jihadist group, Boko Haram, carried out the attack. Nigerians also agree that Boko Haram has rapidly transformed from its origins as a bunch of illiterate youths unleashed as part of publicly recorded threats to make Nigeria ungovernable for grievances arising from the 2011 Nigerian national election, to an effective para-military insurgency
But while they recognize that Boko Haram has transformed from the thugs of post-election angst for proxy destabilization of Nigeria to a West African Jihadist commercial crime syndicate, Nigerians are still in denial about what Boko Haram wants. That is, Nigerians have regional/cultural/religion-based resistance to recognizing and accepting that Boko Haram is now a principal member of global Jihadist alliance ALL OF WHOM HAVE DULY PLEDGED ALLEGIANCE to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-styled ‘Caliph’ of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, ISIS (a.k.a., ISIL or Islamic State).
In their quest for truth and tacit deniability Nigerians are looking for a complex web of conspiracy to explain why our corrupt but culture-of-life nation has suddenly became a new Middle East. The bombing of Kano Central Mosque has a simpler but no less deadly significance than the religious, partisan and tribal diagnoses Nigerians will instinctively arrive at. Those prejudiced against or in fear of Islamic doctrine (Islamophobia) will quickly interpret this bomb blast as one more example of senseless Islamic violence. Some partisan Nigerians will quickly blame it on mysterious agents of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) bent on creating conditions for a State of Emergency in Northern Nigeria in other to avoid holding the 2015 general elections, thus prolonging PDP rule. Other partisan Nigerians will equally blame the blast on agents of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) bent on disrupting an election it is certain to lose, thus enabling APC to form a parallel government and, per chance, encourage a military coup. Already some conspiracy-fantasists are claiming that the bomb blast is part of ongoing conspiracy of genocide against Nigerians of Northern origins. And don’t forget the vast majority of Nigerians who live South of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, some of whom will self-righteously conclude that bombings rarely happen unless indigenes and natives ignored or supported the fanatics.
Welcome to Nigeria!!! One on one, Nigerians can be resourceful, pragmatic and open minded. But in group settings Nigerians tend to be irredeemable tribalists, dedicated partisans and fanatical religionists who would rather blame the Devil, blame the-other-tribe or blame the Western World for made-in-Nigeria problems than acknowledge tribal misdeed or accept religious fallibility. Instead of candid self-evaluation, diagnoses and painful corrective measures Nigerians are likely to evaluate this bomb blast through denials and deliberate distractions: there will be claims of aggravated aggregate victimhood, some smug feeling of regional security, patently partisan mischief, and the usual conspiracy theories. Because Nigerians have refused to properly diagnosis Boko Haram as the initial political tool of those who couldn’t abide the mild embarrassment of electoral loss finding proper solution has been next to impossible. To worsen matters, it is those who unleashed the plague of Boko Haram on Nigeria that are often loudest in pre-preemptively accusing other Nigerians of incubating and nurturing Boko Haram.
Here is the easy pathway to the mystery. Jihadists bombed the mosque to send a message to ALL CORNERS of Nigeria about global Jihadists’ strategic goals.
WHAT MESSAGE? That while millions of Southern Nigerians and Northern Nigerians continue to argue over transparently stupid points such as whether Christianity is better than Islam or which religion had more converts last year, Jihadists are steadily expanding their terror zones of influence. Humans love to join winning teams and as things stand millions of Nigerian Youths believe that Jihadists are wining. So, let’s not pretend to be surprised about Boko Haram’s recruitment tactic or why Boko Haram is still successful despite manifest cruelty.
Boko Haram is now a bona fide branch and recognized Nigerian representatives of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS/ISIL). ISIS does NOT recognize the national boundaries in the Middle East and does NOT recognize the legitimacy of any Muslim ruler. ISIS doesn’t even recognize the legitimacy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia. In fact ISIS has repeatedly sworn to sack the Saudi Royal family. In 2014, Boko Haram has now killed over 2,000 Nigerians (city dwellers, villagers, students, workers, Christians, Muslims, etc.) with seemingly indiscriminate methodologies (suicide bombings, guerrilla-style attacks, improvised explosive devices, beheadings, etc.). But don’t be fooled by the false impressions that Boko Haram deliberately creates. There is a method to the seeming madness of Boko Haram. In fact, the madness is THE method. Boko Haram is using the tactic of its parent body, ISIS
Boko Haram is slaughtering and beheading people ISIS-style because it is the Nigerian representatives of ISIS-led global Jihadists. The total conquest of ALL of Nigeria is the goal. They are slaughtering Nigerian Muslims and Christians alike because in the ISIS-like judgment of Boko Haram the traditional Islam that is practiced in Nigeria – is “haram.” In Boko Haram’s judgment the majority of Nigerian Muslims deserve death because Nigeria’s traditional Islamic practices do not measure up to the 5th Century Islamic “purity” standards that recognize only one “Caliph” and no Emirs, Sheikhs and Sultans. ISIS does not recognize international boundaries created by Western Colonial powers or Middle East kings/kingdoms, emirs/emirates created or endorsed by the Western powers. Similarly, Boko Haram no longer recognizes the boundaries of the thirty-six (36) states of Nigeria nor does it recognize any Obis, Obas, Emirs or Sultan created or endorsed by the British colonial authorities in Nigeria. It does not matter to Boko Haram that Kano Central Mosque is attached to the Palace of the Emir of Kano because Boko Haram does NOT recognize the Emir’s legitimacy.
To Boko Haram the only legitimate ruler in Nigeria is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-styled “Caliph” of the so-called Islamic State/ISIS, who is somewhere in Iraq or Syria hiding from U.S. bombs and Hellfire drones. To Boko Haram every inch of Nigeria is occupied territory that must be liberated from Nigerian Muslims (because they have not pledged allegiance to ISIS Caliph) and from Nigerian Christian infidels (unless they convert and pledge allegiance). Any Nigerian who chose to keep seeing Boko Haram as a “Northern problem” is deliberately living in fool’s paradise. It was pure luck that Emir Muhammad Sanusi II was in Saudi Arabia when the mosque was bombed. Despite Emir Sanusi II recently urging civilians to take up arms against Boko Haram he was NOT the bomb’s target. Many Nigerians knew that Emir Sanusi was travelling and so did Boko Haram. Kano Central Mosque was bombed because of Boko Haram’s contempt and deep hatred for Nigerian Muslims that Boko Haram regard as bad Muslims for living side by side with Christians; it was bombed because Boko Haram sees Nigerian Muslims as unable or unwilling to impose Sharia law on all of Nigeria and because Nigerian Muslims women still have a choice as to what to wear in public.
To Boko Haram these are unforgivable sins on the part of Nigerian Muslims and that is what will happen to Nigerians if and when Boko Haram conquers Nigeria. It won’t happen? Yes, OK, how many guns do you have in your house to take care of your family? My job is to make you think about your family. What you do is up to you. All Nigerian Muslims must accept Emir Sanusi’s command to take up arms and fight terrorism. Those Nigerians who love to blame Muslims for every terrorist acts must never forget that Boko Haram hates Nigerian Muslims as much as they hate Christians. I have only one message for any Christian who won’t help in the fight against Boko Haram: Just like Adamawa, Abuja-FCT, Makurdi, Ibadan, Lagos, Aba and Port Harcourt are NOT far enough. They will come for you soon!!! The Jihadists will definitely come for your children and they will NOT wait to finish the conquest of Borno before they come for you.
Due to the death of Shekau and because of Boko Haram’s failure to revive the propaganda legend of Shekau, field victories followed by wanton slaughter, and extreme cruelty and high-profile bombing of schools, football events, and now, Kano Central Mosque have become tactical demonstration of global Jihadists’ ascendancy in Nigeria. It highlights their successful infiltration of Nigeria’s city, national and community-based security apparatuses and showcase the casual impunity with which the Jihadists are slaughtering their way to their strategic goals.
GOALS? Boko Haram has two mutually-reinforcing goals: (1) randomize and reinforce general insecurity and destabilization through gun attacks, bombings, beheadings, kidnappings, etc., to prove cover for Jihadists to engage in criminal mercantile enterprises without interference from the police; and (2) then exploit the national insecurity, tribal suspicions, meaningless religious arguments and profits from the criminal enterprises to finance the total takeover of Nigeria from Borno to Sokoto, Taraba to Kogi, and Lagos to Bayelsa.
For now, only 3 things stand in the way of Boko Haram conquest of Nigeria:
(1): Boko Haram’s cruel and unusual brutality against Nigerian Muslims in the North. While victories have attracted thousands of naive young Muslims to join them, Boko Haram’s cruelty and kidnapping of wives and daughters have also alienated older Muslim villagers what are now counter-attacking the Jihadists.
(2): Deep-rooted Christianity in Middle Belt and Southern Nigeria. There are serious disagreements among Boko Haram’s three main factions about the wisdom or feasibility of attacking “Christianity Corridors” before mid-2015.
(3): Boko Haram’s inability, so far, to train Jihadists who can blend into the South without attracting negative attention for the duration of time it takes to prepare and carry out massive, randomized and sustained attacks.
But none of these three “defenses” is insurmountable!
It’s only a matter of time before Boko Haram gets a disciplined strategist!!
