Nigeria at 100: Let’s Take This Country Where It Needs To Go - Princewill

By Princeill Donye

Looking around our country, it is not hard to focus first on the differences between us and dwell on the numerous negatives of today. Easy to miss the positives and overlook our strengths. That is why I have chosen to deliver a different kind of

Princewill talks about Amaechi Defection

message for Nigeria at 100. A message I pray will appeal to our sense of “country”. Nigeria is without question one of the fastest growing nations in the world. With a fast growing population, a steady climbing economy and a very strategic position on the world map; it’s safe to say, Nigeria will one day join the pack of top nations in the world. We are a nation created on the bedrock of God’s blessings, from our encouraging climate, non existent natural disasters, teeming population, vast basin of human and natural resources; our success story when told shouldn’t be a surprise to many. Nigeria is great, but we know it can be greater.

Our build up to greatness will have many challenges; some of which we are facing now. Issues like Corruption, Boko Haram, Politics and Militancy in the Niger Delta, just to mention a few, were not caused by the present administration, but have been gradually evolving though subsequent administrations. Finger pointing is not only immature; it is irrelevant to the solution. We must unite, forget religion, forget location, forget tribe, forget ambition and think of our Nation. We the common citizens in the Niger-Delta were very instrumental to bringing peace to our region; at great cost. Over 2000 killed in Odi by our own civilian government under Obasanjo, hundreds killed in Gbaramatu by the Yaradua government not to talk of the thousands who died in other less noticed conflicts under their watch. Many of us forgave them. Because we found peace.

Now, we as a nation must join forces with President Goodluck Jonathan to move this country forward. We have no other home. Those of you who have forgotten how bad it has always been may not appreciate that it could have been worse, can still get a lot worse. The phrase “In all things give thanks” was extracted from the Bible but in the Quran it is also stated that all things come from Allah so give thanks. Let’s all in our little constituencies, preach the word of Peace, Forgiveness and Sincerity and leave the rest for our creator. Politics should be helping us achieve this, not used as a tool to achieve selfish personal ambitions at the expense of the people. Be not deceived. No one party can solve these problems just as can no one region. We have to work together. Those who abused Obasanjo got Yaradua, those who abused Yaradua got Goodluck and those who abuse Goodluck, will get worse. Only people who do not love Nigeria will resist this call.

Nigeria is 100 and nothing can take that away from us. There have been many obstacles to achieving that and for the first time, I can see hope. A national conference coming yet no major calls for separation. That in itself is a cause to celebrate albeit low-keyed, reflect on the past and plan for the future. Only a stable democracy can give this to us. As we mourn the children, men and women dying in the north from the Boko Haram menace, those in the Niger Delta dying silently from oil spillages and conflicts, those dying on the highways from avoidable accidents and the less privileged who die every day from starvation; let’s us be strong and believe in our victory, because it will surely come. Let’s break all divides of Party, Tribe, Religion and Misplaced Loyalty and celebrate Hope for our Nation. Nigeria is great, and whether they like it or not, it will be greater.

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Nigeria at 100: Let’s Take This Country Where It Needs To Go - Princewill

Military locates 12 Boko Haram hideouts in Cameroon

The Nigerian armed forces have located about a dozen hideouts of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in neighbouring Cameroon.

Jonathan and Biya

Consequently, the Federal Government is mounting pressure on the neighbouring country for collaboration in routing the insurgents.

President Goodluck Jonathan and President Paul Biya are already in talks on how to deal with the security challenge, authoritative sources said yesterday in Abuja.

Nigeria is said to have tabled four conditions before Cameroon for its consideration on the issue.

A military source said that many Boko Haram leaders and field commanders have relocated to Cameroon from where they direct operations in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, the latest being Sunday’s massacre of about 50 students of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State and Wednesday’s attack in Madagali and Michika Local Government areas of Adamawa State.

The source said: “We have been able to establish that Boko Haram now operates fully from Cameroon where they have more than a dozen of deadly bases. Most of their wanted leaders live in havens in the Francophone country.

“The sad aspect is that they have been operating with impunity in Cameroon. We do not know why they enjoy such latitude.

“We have done reconnaissance which confirmed that the sect has been coming in and out of Cameroon to wreak havoc on innocent villages and communities in Nigeria.”

The Federal Government, the source said, has been liaising with the Cameroonian government although it is yet to get a decisive response.

Nigeria’s demands are:

• Allowing Nigerian troops to enter Cameroon for limited engagement against fleeing Boko Haram members

• Permitting troops to take the battle to the sect in their bases in Cameroon, especially in border areas

• Temporary closure and freezing of movement at Nigeria/ Cameroon borders

• Stoppage of harbouring or hosting of Boko Haram leaders under whatever guise.

The source added: “The Federal Government has been mounting pressure on Cameroon to collaborate with Nigeria to curtail the insurgents.

“In the 80s, when there was a similar insurgency by the Maitatsine sect, Nigerian troops trailed them to their based in Chad.

“The understanding is necessary because it is obvious that the sect is not ready for any constructive dialogue again and their recalcitrance is threatening our sovereignty.

“I think we have had enough from these insurgents who are taking us for granted. The battle line is certainly drawn.”

President Biya is said to be receptive to the idea of co-operating with Nigeria but the source declined to go into details.

He only said: ”Where Cameroon decides to accommodate the insurgents against our security interest, we know what to do as a nation.”

President Francois Hollande of France said on Thursday in Abuja that his country stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Nigeria in its battle against Boko Haram.

He pledged his support in the fight against Islamist militancy as it had done in Mali. Hollande, guest of honour for celebrations to mark 100 years since Nigeria’s unification, expressed his condolences, calling the Yobe attack “brutal” and “unjustified”.

“Nigeria is today confronted with the terrorism of Boko Haram,” he told delegates at a security conference attended by dozens of African heads of state and European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso.

“I assure you that your struggle is also our struggle. We will always stand ready not only to provide our political support but our help every time you need it, because the struggle against terrorism is also the struggle for democracy.”

Hollande was on a two-day visit to Nigeria and had been expected to hold talks on trade and investment with President Goodluck Jonathan. (0)

Military locates 12 Boko Haram hideouts in Cameroon

We killed six insurgents, says military

The Defence Headquarters said yesterday that the military has launched a “Specialised Campaign” against Boko Haram.

The campaign is being carried out simultaneously in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states – three states which are under state of emergency to curb the Boko Haram insurgency – to apprehend the terrorists who attacked a school in Yobe, killing scores of pupils.

Also, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that troops killed six Boko Haram fighters and captured two others after attacking Michika in Adamawa State on Wednesday.

One soldier and three civilians died in the encounters with the sect’s fighters.

Defence Headquarters (DHQ) spokesman Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade spoke in Abuja.

Gen. Olukolade said: “The Defence Headquarters acknowledges with grave concern the recent mindless killing of innocent school children and other citizens in towns and villages following terrorist activities in some parts of the Northeast.

“The dastardly act has expectedly attracted the reaction of well-meaning individuals who have been condemning the senseless bloodletting.

“Disturbing as this trend proves, the fact remains that the chilling episodes are simply typical of terrorists’ intention to intimidate the people into subscribing to their false claim to invincibility.

“This distressing situation notwithstanding, it must be pointed out that the current activities of the terrorist groups are actually at best a reaction to the renewed offensive against the terror outfit whose operatives had infiltrated the country to support their hitherto depleted membership and counterparts in their daring acts to reinvent relevance by embarking on renewed attacks on soft targets.”

Gen. Olukolade said the military has launched a specialised campaign in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states.

He added: “The purpose of this briefing is to intimate you with the elevation of counter-terrorism campaign in the country.

“The new approach marks another phase in the operations designed to further contain the terrorists and their activities.

“The specialised campaign, which has commenced, is being undertaken simultaneously in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states. This operation is also in furtherance of efforts at apprehending the terrorists and ensuring they do not escape out of Nigeria as they are now so desperate to do.”

He also gave an insight into the sect’s attack on Michika on Wednesday night.

He said: “Unfortunately, however, they have in the course of their flight towards various borders, continued to perpetrate mayhem as noticed in some parts of Adamawa State yesterday night where they attacked communities.

“In desperation for money and food, they looted and burnt banks, shops and filling stations along their way through Michika as they headed for Cameroon border.

“Six of their fighters were killed, two captured while nine of their vehicles were destroyed. One soldier and three civilians also died in the encounter.

“It is believed that those involved in this latest attacks are the elements that perpetrated the mayhem against students of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State and other places.

“They have been holed up and are still engaged in suicidal fighting, apparently with a view to attaining martyrdom status, as troops close in on the die-hard ones among them.”

Gen. Olukolade pleaded with Nigerians in insurgency prone areas to report suspicious movements to security agencies.

He said: “Citizens in these states, particularly towards border areas, are requested to assist the security forces by reporting any movement of the group, if noticed in their locality, as it would further enhance the operations as well as assist in apprehending or eliminating them. All things being equal, the activities of this murderous group will be further degraded towards total elimination shortly.

“Citizens are enjoined to show understanding of the situation and continue to cooperate with the security forces, especially with vital and timely information on the movements of these terrorists to enable quick response accordingly.” (0)

We killed six insurgents, says military

We are at war with Boko Haram - Presidency confesses

By Ehi Ekhator

The Presidency has yesterday, rephrased the statement that “Boko Haram sect were on the run and desperate” to “we are at war with Boko Haram in the country”

Many have criticized the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration on the method of handling the terrorists and mixed and contradictory statement concerning Boko Haram and inability to stop the attack on the innocent lives of Nigerians..

In numerous occassions, President Jonathan has said that the offensive against Boko Haram in the Northern Part of Nigeria is a success and continuously said that Nigeria will win the war against the sects in May despite the increasing death of innocent Nigerians.

According to Presidential spokesman, Doyin Okupe, while speaking with Channels television said that Boko Haram problem was “a war situation”

He said “We are dealing with a very, very serious enemy,” AFP quoted Okupe as saying on Channels TV.

“We are engaged in a war that has been internationalised,” he added in an apparent reference to Boko Haram’s reported but unconfirmed presence in neighbouring countries like Cameroon.

Boko Haram has killed thousands of Nigerins since 2009 with increasing death since the government declared state of emergency in three most troubled states.

According to UN and figures compiled by AFP, nearly 300,000 people have been displaced in the region and more than 1500 people killed.

“It is very difficult, very costly in terms of lives lost. But we will overcome,” Okupe said. “We are in the dying phase of this insurgency.”

The defence ministry on Thursday said the insurgents were “desperate” to escape Nigeria because of military pressure and would be “degraded towards elimination shortly.” (0)

We are at war with Boko Haram - Presidency confesses

Jonathan cousin"s kidnappers demand 500 million ransom

By Ehi Ekhator

The kidnappers of President Goodluck Jonathan’s adopted father and cousin, Inengite Nitabai, have demanded a ransom of N500million to set him free.

The demand has thrown the family of Nitabai into chaos as they are running from pillar to pole trying to figure out a solution to the problem.

As usual, the kidnappers have threatened to kill Nitabai if the ransom is not produced on time, says a security officer who spoke to our correspondent.

A close source who crave anonimity said that the family had formed a committee to look into the outrageous demand and find a way to secure his release.

As usual, the kidnappers warned against involving security operatives or they might never see Nitabai again.

He said “The kidnappers contacted the family four days after and demanded a whooping sum of N500m. It is believed that the family of the victim has begun negotiations with the hoodlums,” 

The family have been exploiting different possibilities that might have led to the kidnapping of their brother.

The atmosphere became gloomier following refusal of the assailants to establish contact with the family of their victim three days after the abduction.

The kidnappers’ incommunicado, it was observed, created panic and heightened apprehension among members of the family. (0)

Jonathan cousin"s kidnappers demand 500 million ransom

Boko Haram attack Governor Nyako in Adamawa State

By Ehi Ekhator

Barely 48 hours after the Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako lashed at the military for their negligence on handling and tackling the problem of Boko Haram, he has been allegedly attacked by gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram.

Nyako was attacked on Friday by unknown gunmen at Shuwa Madagali local government area of the state while visiting the victims of the last attack to sympathize.

It was gathered that the moment the governor took microphone to address the sad and broken people, two men in military uniform came out of nowhere and shot three times into the air.

The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Mohammed Jibrilla Bindo, condemned the attack on Governor Nyako. He said that his attack is a confirmation that Boko Haram can get to anybody in the country.

Meanwhile, the lawmakers under All Progressives Congress (APC) said that the attack on the governor of Adamawa state is to keep the security on alert and a sign that they need to change their strategy in tackling the menace.

He said, “The attack on Adamawa State governor has now demonstrated that “nobody is safe” in Nigeria.

“I called on the security agencies to change their strategies in line with resolution of the  committee which on Wednesday ordered the army headquarters to relocate to the 7th Division in Maiduguri in order to tackle the Boko Haram sect. I condemn in strongest terms the attack on the my Governor Murtala Nyako.”

“This shows that nobody is safe and even after the recent attack, security is still not tight even as there is state of emergency in place,” Bindo said.

What could not be confirmed by Naija Center News is there whereabouts of Governor Nyako’s security aides knowing fully well that most governors travel with security operatives particularly knowing that he was visiting a location highly unsecured. (0)

Boko Haram attack Governor Nyako in Adamawa State

Edo politics and tale of the three Tonys

EDO STATE is unique in many ways, one of which is that it is the only state in the country whose governor is addressed as the Comrade Governor, drawing from his past as the number one Labour leader in the country.

Oshiomhole

The Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, led many strikes against bad policies of the Federal Government and was in the forefront to picket many employers of labour, including banks, who were out to make life unbearable for their employees. Oshiomhole is clearly a man who has attacked and of course is used to being attacked.

Since becoming Governor of Edo State, Oshiomhole has demystified one Chief Tony Anenih, an old war-horse, a man who in his eighties should be basking in retirement in his country home at Uromi; a man who is better known among his acolytes and hangers-on as Mr. Fix-it; a man who keeps recycling his political life like a bad coin, thereby keeping younger, fitter and more intelligent people on the sidelines; a man who in retirement, closer to 100 than 40 years is Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority; a man who has been demystified in his domain, Uromi in several elections held in the state and only depends on political oxygen from Abuja for his survival.

The interesting thing, however, is that since the demystification of Tony Anenih, two other Tonys, one Tonnie Iredia, the other Tony Afejuku have found space in the media to defend their namesake, hurl unbridled, and most times senseless, attacks on Oshiomhole to the consternation of many.

Many know that while Tony Anenih lives on political oxygen in Abuja and has lost his political value in Edo State and in his Uromi backyard, the other Tonys: Tonnie Iredia, a Benin man who was Director-General of the NTA not because of his ethnicity and who was unable to make effective changes to reposition that medium, and Tony Afejuku, a Delta man and classroom teacher with no political clout.

The reason for the defence of Anenih by Afejuku and Iredia is not far-fetched: both are ‘wanna-be’ politicians who think coming to the defence of their namesake will give them the advantage in the political shenanigans and scheming for which their more illustrious Tony is known.

In an article entitled: “One man, One vote: Edo’s futile slogan” published in his “Nigeria Today” column in the Vanguard on Sunday, February 23, 2014, Iredia tried his best to lampoon the “One man, One Vote campaign”, an internationally-accepted democratic principle for free and fair elections which has now been accepted as the model for elections in Edo State.

It is worrisome that a man who has been Director-General of such a television network as the NTA will call the “One man, One vote campaign” which the President and Vice-President bought into and always preached “a scheme”. He wrote: “To start with, even the opposition party adopted it, making it a suspicious device.

For example, although Governors always chorused the slogan, President Goodluck Jonathan gave a solemn assurance at a political rally in Benin City on Saturday June 25, 2012 that the Edo State governorship election would be a ‘one man, one vote affair’. Some two weeks earlier, Vice President Namadi Sambo in a similar rally at the same venue had made same pledge.”

Now, what is Tonnie Iredia’s problem with One man, One Vote? The answer is not far-fetched. He belongs to the old school led by his patron and namesake, Tony Anenih, which believes that things must be done the old way, the way of fixing things whether you vote or not. Now in Edo, one man, one vote has taken its root and he is clearly unhappy about that.

The governorship election in the state held on July 14, 2012 was used to the might of the ballot, and that election which has been adjudged the freest in the history of elections in that state and the best in the country since the June 12, 1993 saw Comrade Oshiomhole winning across the 18 local government areas in the state, in all the wards in Edo North and Edo South and almost all the wards in Edo Central, including the ward of Tony Anenih.

It is understandable that a man who would not give voice to the opposition and the voiceless as NTA DG would be most unhappy to see the ordinary people rub shoulders with him on election day as equals with the same power of one vote.

Tony Afejuku, English teacher, now professes more in hack writing. He has taken it upon himself, like his brother Tony does in Vanguard, to dedicate the back page of Nigerian Tribune of Mondays to Oshiomhole bashing. His recent article published in the Nigerian Tribune of Monday, February 24, 2014 at the back page in his “In & Out” column with the title “Benin Bullies” leaves so much to be desired.

When a man writes fiction as the fact, descending to the level of agberoism and bole-kaja writing because he wants to captivate his audience with the fluidity of his pen, he deserves nothing but pity! Calling properly constituted traffic managers vagabonds and bullies because they enforce the law shows that this classroom teacher still has a lot to learn!

However, he surreptitiously let the cat out of the bag when he wrote: “I requested the driver of my rented car to buy me a carton of Gordon Gin along the famous Mission Road.” He may have been hallucinating in doing the write-up or as they say, under the influence.

For Tony Afejuku and Tonnie Iredia, the people of Edo are not taken-in by their disjointed and incoherent writings which are meant to feather their nests and make them get the ears of their namesake. While they are free to write and publish whatever they want, they should know that the people are not taken-in by their writings meant to launder the faded image of their man as the people of Edo are wiser after the PDP’s 10 years of the locust.

Mr. SAMUEL EGUAIKHIDE, a political analyst, wrote from Ekpoma, Edo Stat

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Edo politics and tale of the three Tonys

Edo: stalemate in Esan North East

We were robed – PDP

PHARMACIST Matthew Urhoghide is the Edo State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this brief telephone interview, he spoke on his party’s position on the recent Edo State Local Government Tribunal judgment which ordered a re-run in the Esan North – East local government election, insisting that the PDP candidate should have been declared out right winner of the election

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

What is your take on the tribunal’s judgment which ordered a re-run election of the Esan North East local government election?

The judgment that was delivered by the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal following the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State was accepted by us with some mixed feelings. That was not the type of judgment that we expected because the people of Esan North –East local government came out in their numbers to vote and give their mandate to the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Mr. John Yakubu for his brilliant past performances.

However, the All Progressive Congress (APC) using the instrumentality of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) and its chairman, Mr. Solomon Ogor who should defend the outcome of the election awarded victory to the APC candidate, Mr. Sam Oboh. It was after this robbery that we headed to the tribunal not minding that it was the APC government that established the tribunal.

We thought that the tribunal will give judgment in our favour but Edo people who heard the judgment were disappointed. Firstly, Sam Oboh in his heart of hearts knows that he did not win the local government election. The figures declared by EDSIEC were written and announced in Benin by the APC for EDSIEC to declare because they were still collating results of the votes cast in the election in Uromi when EDSIEC announced the results in Benin.

All the people that were with EDSIEC including the returning Officer abandoned their duty posts and the collating process at Uromi and unfortunately, they left behind each of the Returning Officers in the Wards.

It was these Returning Officers for the eleven Wards that went ahead to collates the votes, issued the results and certificate of Returns to the Councillors that were declared winners of the elections in the Wards.

This was observed by the people, security agents. The collated results also show that the PDP candidate, John Yakubu won, but the APC and EDSIEC gave it to Sam Oboh. The tribunal gave the APC and EDSIEC soft landing against the overwhelming evidence that John Yakubu won the election. It is an injustice because Yakubu ought to have been declared the winner.

Those who are praising Governor Adams Oshiomhole for not interfering with the workings of the tribunal are just playing to the gallery, that is a figment of their imagination and that is not a good way to play to the gallery.

Will you participate in any future election in the local government after all due judicial process has been followed?

We are going to appeal against the judgment even if the APC said that it would. We are going for the election and EDSIEC is not credible enough to conduct a free and fair election; it should be supervised on how to conduct a free and fair election.

We call on market women, students, artisans and others to come for the election and come rain or sun, John Yakubu will win the election. The tribunal judgment has shown that EDSIEC under its present leadership allowed itself to be used and that has indicated that it is not credible enough to conduct any election in the state.

PDP is crying wolf – APC

COMRADE Godwin Erhahon is the interim State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo State. In this brief interview on the tribunal judgment on the outcome of the chairmanship election in Esan North- East local government area, saying that the judgment has demonstrated that the government do not interfere with EDSIEC

What is the position of your party on the Edo State Election petitions Tribunal on the chairmanship election in Esan North – East which declared a re-run of the election?

First, as a law abiding party, as a promoter of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, we take the judgment as it is.

But thank God that we have the right to appeal, so we are appealing against the judgment.

But we want to assure everybody that whatever comes out from the appeal, the final judgment, we shall obey because we believe in the rule of law.

However, what we want our people to realize is that this is a lesson for the PDP, that a tribunal set up by an APC government was able to rule against our party.

This is a clear manifestation that our government does not interfere with the duties of the judiciary; this shows how law abiding we are, we accept it as it is and we promise that we shall appeal and at the end what the judgment is we shall abide.

In other words you are appealing because you are not satisfied with the judgment..

Yes, because we have doubt about the propriety of the judgment, but at the end of the day, we shall abide whatever the court decides.

The only ground of the tribunal judgment was that the results of the election ought to have been announced at Uromi and not Benin. What is your take on this?

Those are areas that our team of legal practitioners will address at the proper time.

Whatever that is decided, we shall abide and now that we said that we are going on appeal, we don’t want to make any comment that will be pre-judicial to the appeal that we are going top make.

What is your perception of that election generally?

As for the election, generally we believe that EDSIEC has credibility and whatever they announced; we trusted and relied upon it.

So, for now we have no cause to doubt the integrity of EDSIEC until we get to the Appeal Court.

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Edo: stalemate in Esan North East

Treat APC as a party literally banned – VP Sambo

ABUJA – The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is seriously warming up to regain the South-West Zone from the opposition, Vanguard has gathered.

VP Namadi Sambo

To this end, the party in a meeting with South-West PDP caucus in Abuja took concrete decisions on how to fully regain the Zone, starting with the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States scheduled for this year.

The meeting which has in attendance, the Vice President, the PDP National Chairman and the Chairman of Board of Trustees was prompted by a special dinner organised by the south-west leaders led by Chief Bode George for the newly appointed Chief of Staff to the President, Brigadier-General Jones Oladehinde Arogbofa.

The Special Dinner held at the Maitama residence of Chief Olabode George also had in attendance Minister designate, Chief Musiliu Obanikoro, the newly appointed Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Sola Omole and others.

The Vice President Arc. Namadi Sambo expressed delight on what he described as a good assemblage of Yoruba leaders at the meeting, stating that the prompt responses by the leaders had indicated that the PDP in South-West was more prepared to take over the region by 2015.

Sambo, clad in snow white agbada with a brown Yoruba cap, told the Yoruba leaders that President Goodluck Jonathan intended to be in their midst for the meeting, as a mark of respect he had for the South-West, but for pressing official duties which prevented him.

He said the appointment of General Arogbofa and others from the south-west into the federal cabinet was a fulfillment of the promises earlier made by President Jonathan, just as he indicated that the President would still do more for the zone.

The Vice President lamented the loss of the south-west by PDP to the opposition party, attributing it to absence of unity among the PDP leaders in the zone.

Sambo, who charged the gathering not to allow the All Progressive Congress (APC) a space in the future elections, likened the APC acronym to some drugs which, according to him, had been banned in Nigeria, suggesting to the PDP south-west leaders to continue to treat the APC as a party that had literally been banned.

Earlier, the PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih noted that with the caliber of Yoruba political actors and the desires they were radiating for PDP at the meeting, he was rest assured that party would soon regain the south-west.

Like the Vice President, Anenih blamed the loss of south-west by PDP on internal wrangling among the leaders, while he charged the PDP south-west to close ranks for the benefit of the party in future elections.

Anenih said for PDP to regain the lost grounds in the south-west, every serving minister from the zone would henceforth take over the leadership role by ensuring proper coordination and funding of their zone.

The PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu who was accompanied to the meeting by Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Party’s National Secretary Professor, Wale Oladipo and Auditor, Alhaji Adeyanju Adewole, said his personal love for the Yoruba and their ways of life would always prompt him to ensure the return of the south-west zone to the centre by 2015.

Mu’azu canvassed for unity, peace and understanding among the PDP south-west leaders and members, just as he urged the leaders not to leave former President Olusegun Obasanjo behind in their consultations and considerations.

He advised them to be pragmatic as the era of where some body works for others to reap it would no longer be tolerated, insisting that loyalty would be considered under his leadership.

“I want this party to be all inclusive. This time around loyalty under my leadership of the party will be identified, there will not be something like ‘monkey dey work baboon dey chop’. There is enough for everybody; the umbrella is big enough to accommodate everybody.

“Today’s meeting has demonstrated that we can do it, please continue with it, I will be transparent in my leadership. You need to be pragmatic, you will reap it. I beg you, please cooperate with me,” Mu’azu implored.

In his welcome address, the Convener of the meeting, Chief Bode George expressed satisfaction to the gesture given to the zone by President Jonathan, in bringing more south-west representatives into the cabinet, in line with recommendations by some Yoruba leaders who had been meeting him.

He said the PDP south-west was now better prepared and inspired to wrest power from the APC, vowing that members would do all in their capacity to ensure that the Party takes over all the states of the south-west by 2015.

At the meeting were Chief Ebenizer Babatope, Prof Tunde Adeniran, Musiliu Obanikoro, Dr Adesina Akinwumi, Agric Minister, Chief Remi Adiukwu, Hon Mulikat Adeola Akande, Chief Martins Kuye, Ayo Fayoshe, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Barrister Olusola Oke, Kashamu Buruji, Elder Wole Oyelese, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Chief Erelu Obada, Engr Segun Oni Dr Kayode Obambe, Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, Eddy Olafeso and Chief Dosu Ladipo.

Others include, Chief Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, Engr Ezekiel Jide Adeniyi, Hon Ajibola Muraina, Hon Wole Oke, Apostle Dave Salako, Hon Kayode Amusan, Dr Bode Olajumoke, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, Dr Frederick Fasheun, Chief Yomi Akintola, Chief Hazeem Gbolarumi, Hon Elegbeleye, Segun Adeleke, Prince Olufemi Aduwo, Eddy Olafeso, Chief Ishola Filani, Alhaji Tajudeen and others.

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Treat APC as a party literally banned – VP Sambo

Fayose picks N11m governorship form, says APC is a cult

ABUJA-AHEAD of Ekiti Stat governorship election, former governor of the State, Chief Ayo Fayose yesterday stormed the Wadata Plaza, national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP with his supporters  to pick the nomination and expression of interest forms for N11 million declaring that the All Progressives Congress, APC is a cult with its Modus operandi.

Fayose

Fayose who noted that the  incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi of the APC will  not win the forthcoming election scheduled for June 21, said that he is anti- Consensus, adding that he remained opposed to the consensus arrangement being canvassed by some of his fellow aspirants because  consensus was never a good option, but he was quick to add that he will remain in PDP even if he does not emerge the party’s candidate after the March 15 Primary election.

Fayose who noted that he was too old to cross carpet now, said that the PDP will disappoint APC leadership during the election, alleging that governor Fayemi who is too elitist and not on ground did not become the governor, but through what he termed, judicial misappropriation by former President of Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami.

According to Fayose, “From day 1, I have been anti-consensus and I have maintained the same position because the party has repeatedly said they wanted internal democracy. If you defeat me on the field, I will shake your hand and leave. I will support you financially and any other way.

If I defeat you, there will be less acrimony. You will know that you were defeated in the free and fair contest. So to me, I have made my position known. But this afternoon, the party, through the national organising committee reaffirm that the party will conduct a free and fair primaries. Whosoever wins the primary becomes a candidate of the party and I want to tell you, there is none of the aspirant that is not qualified. They are my brothers irrespective of the context.”

The former Ekiti State governor who stressed that most of the people who defected to APC were yet to understand the character of the party’s leadership, however  described the leadership of APC as a secret cult whose affairs were completely shrouded in secrecy, adding, “I will still stand by the PDP. This is not a political statement. Is it APC that I want to go or NTA or Channels? It is too late. I am no longer a small boy. I am a former Governor, so I have to take it in good fate. I believe I will be victorious either way.

Dismissing as unrealistic the insinuation that the South West geo-political zone was the strong hold of the APC, Fayose explained that  the foundation for the emergence of APC governments in the South West was built on what he termed,  political and judicial fraud, adding, “Let me tell you, there is a misinformation that the South West is the home base of APC. That will be in the imagination of the people writing it in the papers.

Surprises will happen in the 2015. The APC came in because of the internal wrangling in PDP which led to the Salami gate, the judicial misappropriation. Let me say clearly again that the South West is not the home of APC. Up and until today, PDP still controls respectable politicians. And don’t forget that APC operates like a cult. They don’t bring in new people, the moment they bring you in, they will just put you in the cooler. I am a living witness of that experience.”

When asked on his  agenda for Ekiti people, Fayose who lamented that Fayemi’s government had failed to touch the lives of the grassroot people in the State and that  the administration of Kayode Fayemi was too elitist, however promised that  his administration would be a people-oriented one that would be committed to providing good governance and welfare.

Fayose who was quite optimistic that  APC would not win election in Ekiti State again,  alleged that most of the contracts awarded by  Ekiti State government under Fayemi were awarded to  people from outside the State, even as he stressed that Ekiti people have lost confidence in the Fayemi administration.

He said, “The reason Fayemi is having this whole problem is that he is too elastic. This big grammer, I am eating with Obama, I will speak with Obama next week, the Ekiti people don’t  know Obama. They don’t even know Abuja.

They cannot take transport from their own town to Ado-Ekiti. I am a grassroots man, I live with them and I eat with them. I will tell you again, Fayemi is gone. Forget whatever it is, now he is vulnerable. He is not in tune with teachers, workers.

He lacks human relations. If it is there I will tell you. today, Fayemi is reasonably gone because most of the projects in our State are done by outsiders. And Ekiti people, when they reject you, you cannot beg them. You will see in the next election.”

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Fayose picks N11m governorship form, says APC is a cult

Nollywood actor, Ken Ugo celebrates birthday today

By Vanessa Enofe

It’s one of the Nollywood finest, Ken Erics Ugo’s birthday today.

Ugo has been making waves in the movie industry with his talents and he is a year older today.

Like his colleagues, he shared his before and after fame pics he harsh tagged Surulere.

Naija Center News wish Ken a happy Birthday

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Nollywood actor, Ken Ugo celebrates birthday today

Fresh Attack: 2 killed, 50 houses burnt in Plateau

Two members of a family were killed and about 50 houses razed in fresh attacks on villages in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday.

The two were killed at Diniyam-Rim of Riyom Local Government while another raid was launched on Rakok and Razat in Barakin Ladi Local Government Area.

Several houses in the villages which were largely uninhabited as a result of previous attacks were said to have been torched by the attackers.

They also set harvested crops and other valuables on fire, according to eye witnesses.

Interim Chairman of Barkin Ladi LG, Mr. Habila Dung in a phone interview said the unknown gunmen stormed the villages in the early hours of yesterday morning destroying whatever they found.

Similarly, the member representing Riyom Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly Mr. Daniel Dem confirmed the killings.

He said the two family members were sleeping in an isolated house when they were shot dead while two other family members were injured.

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Fresh Attack: 2 killed, 50 houses burnt in Plateau

Jonathan re-appoint Aminu Yusuf as Director of NITT

Abuja – President Goodluck Jonathan has re-appointed Dr Aminu Yusuf as the substantive Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, Kaduna State, for a second term of four years.

A statement by Mr Paul Mshelizah, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the institute, said that the reappointment would take effect from March 19, when the first term would expire.

The statement said the renewal of the tenure was contained in a letter by the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Nebolisa Emodi.

Aminu was first appointed as the Director-General and Chief Executive of NITT on March 19, 2010.

He had within the first tenure contributed to the development of not only the institute but the transport industry in general, the statement said.

Some of his achievements included stabilisation of NITT long term programmes by affiliating the Post Graduate Programmes of the institute to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.

The statement added that the appointee had expanded activities and programmes of the institute to enable it to achieve its full mandate.

Aminu had also created additional departments and increased the institute’s partnership and collaboration with local and international organisations.

  (0)

Jonathan re-appoint Aminu Yusuf as Director of NITT

PDP sweeps Plateau LG polls

The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), on Friday released results of the Feb. 25 elections into local government councils with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), winning 14 of the chairmanship positions declared.

APC vs PDP

Fifteen local governments participated in the exercise after two – Jos North and Wase, were excluded over security concerns.

PLASIEC Chairman, Mr Peter Dalyop, who declared the results in Jos, said that the chairmanship results from Langtang North Local Government were inconclusive.

“There will be a re-run election in Jat Ward in Langtang North on March 3, 2014, to determine the winner of the Chairmanship seat,” he said.

He said that the local government had 18 wards, but that results from only 17 wards were collated, which made it impossible for PLASIEC to accept them.

“After the conduct of the re-run, the winner will receive the certificate of return along with the others,” he said.

Details of the results indicated that the PDP won in Barkin-Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos, Mikang, Jos South, Riyom, Pankshin and Kanke.

Others local governments included Jos East, Kanam, Langtang South, Quan-Pan, Riyom and Shendam.

Dalyop, however, said that names of victorious councillors would soon be announced after the collation had been concluded.

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PDP sweeps Plateau LG polls

Man dies while having marathon sex with a prostitute in Abia

…had N200,000 cash on him

ABA — A man, identified as Ogadinma Chukwu, has lost his life while having sex with a commercial sex worker at a popular brothel located on St. Michael’s Road, Aba, Abia State.

prostitution

Sources said the deceased, whom they alleged to be a regular visitor to the brothel, died while romping the prostitute.

It was gathered that immediately Chukwu slumped and died, the prostitute contacted her colleagues and the manager of the brothel who moved his corpse to a sanitary lane at the back of the brothel.

As a result of the development, shop owners around the area quickly closed business for fear of police arrest.

Those who spoke anonymously to our reporter disclosed that some staff of the brothel at about 5 p.m. brought out the corpse through their back door, dropped it at the sanitary lane and disappeared.

When our correspondent visited the area, the brothel was deserted as people were gathering at the adjoining St. Michael’s Road by York Street junction and Hospital Road.

A cross section of sympathisers said the deceased might have died of a cardiac arrest or exhaustion as white foam gushed out of his mouth.

Policemen from the Aba Central Police Station, who conducted a search at the scene, recovered an ATM card, a cheque book, cash of over N200,000 and a Man O’ War Association of Nigeria identity card, bearing the name, Ogadinma Chukwu.

Contacted, the Commander, Man O’ War Association, Aba, Uche Egbuziem, identified Ogadinma Chukwu as a former member of the association, stressing that the deceased and some other members of the group still use their old identity cards.

Abia Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Geoffrey Ogbonna, could not be reached for comments at press time, but a senior police officer said the corpse had been deposited in a mortuary.

He said an autopsy would be conducted to determine the cause of the man’s death.

  (0)

Man dies while having marathon sex with a prostitute in Abia

NJC retires Justices Olotu, Inyang for gross misconduct

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the retirement of Justices Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court, Abuja and Ufot Inyang of the Abuja High Court for “gross misconduct”.

The NJC directed that they should be suspended from office, pursuant to its disciplinary powers under the Constitution.

The council also issued warning letters to three others, who it accused of low performance.

The three include former Acting President of the Court of Appeal Justice Dalhatu Adamu, who was appointed when Justice Isa Ayo Salami (rtd) was suspended. Others are Justice A. A. Adeleye of the Ekiti State High Court and Justice D. O. Amaechina of the Anambra State High Court.

NJC, in a statement yesterday by its Acting Director, Information, Soji Oye, said the decisions were taken after its February 26 meeting, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.

NJC said the decision to retire Justice Olotu was informed by its findings on the allegations in petitions written against her. The findings include:

•That she “failed to deliver judgment only to deliver same in Suit No. FHC/UY/250/2003, 18 months after the final address by all the counsel in the suit, contrary to the constitutional provisions that judgments should be delivered within a period of 90 days’’;

•That she “admitted before the Fact-finding Committee of the council that investigated the allegations that she forgot she had a pending ruling to deliver in an application for joinder’’;

•That she “entertained a post judgment matter in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/250/2003 in Port Harcourt after delivering judgment, which made her functus officio”; and

•That in another case: Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/505/2012, “Justice Olotu failed to deliver judgment twice.”

Justice Inyang also got the hammer, following the report on petitions against him.

He was found to have “included in his judgment, references to the Garnishee Proceedings, which came after the judgment had been delivered on December 20, 2011.’’

It was found that he “also included the name of the counsel to the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, who came into the matter after the judgment of December, 20, 2011, was delivered.’’

The NJC also found out that Justice Inyang “recklessly signed a writ of execution, a day after delivering his judgment of December 20, 2011, the same day a notice of appeal and motion on notice for stay of execution were filed.”

The council said the judge continued with the garnishee proceedings despite application for a stay of execution and that before delivering his judgment, he “ignored a properly filed motion on notice for leave to file additional witness statement on oath.”

Justice Dalhatu Adamu, who holds the National Honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), is a Justice at the Court of Appeal, Kaduna division.

He was warned for absenting himself from duty, a gross misconduct contrary to the 1999 Constitution, as amended and the Code of Conduct of Judicial Officers.”

The offence of Justices Adeleye and Amaechina was that of low performance.

“It would be recalled that council, at its last meeting which was on December 4 and 5, 2013, considered and deliberated on the report of its five-man committee, mandated to invite judicial officers with low performance or non-performance to appear before it. “At the end of deliberation on the report of the committee, council found Justice A. A. Adeleye of High Court of Justice, Ekiti State and Justice D. O. Amaechina of High Court of Justice, Anambra State, culpable of low performance.

“Consequently, council decided to warned them for decline in their productivity,” NJC said. (0)

NJC retires Justices Olotu, Inyang for gross misconduct

Governor Nyako lashes Military men over death of Students in Yobe

Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako is a bitter man. He was angry yesterday on the devastating Boko Haram attacks on defenceless people in the Northeast.

He criticised the activities of security men deployed in the states under a state of emergency and called for more proactive measures to stem the tide.

Nyako, a Rear Admiral, said the frustrated people might take to the streets in demonstration.

The governor wondered why soldiers were late in arriving at scenes of incidents.

He said: “In Buni-Yadi, Yobe State, the soldiers withdrew from checkpoint hours to the attack. Who ordered the withdrawal? In Shuwa and Michika, soldiers withdrew, shortly after that Boko Haram attacked, who ordered the withdrawals”?

“We also have the case of Gen. Mohammed Shuwa (who was killed) in Maiduguri by the so-called Boko Haram. There is an army unit there, but they didn’t respond during the attack. Who told them not to respond?

“The Air Force base was raided in Maiduguri. There was a military base nearby; who gave the base the order not to respond during the raid on the Air Force base?

“Either this thing is controlled by unknown fellows or unknown Boko Haram strategic commander is in the defence system or are things being stage-managed?” (0)

Governor Nyako lashes Military men over death of Students in Yobe

New Attack: Boko Haram kills 32 in Adamawa State

ON a day the President was railing against terrorists and the military announced a change of strategy, the news broke yesterday of a Boko Haram attack on Adamawa State.

No fewer than 32 people died in the Wednesday night attack, which followed Tuesday night’s massacre of scores of school pupils in Yobe.

The insurgents, driving in a convoy of new Hilux pick up vans, according to eyewitnesses, hit sleepy communities of Shuwa, Kirchinga and Kibla before proceeding to Michika.

Security agents at checkpoints reportedly scampered for safety as the gunmen, who operated for about five hours in the area, approached.

“They retreated because of the large number of the attackers and the sophisticated weapons they bore,” eyewitnesses said.

Some Michika residents said they slept in the hills and nearby bushes during the night attack. They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone yesterday that the attackers arrived in the town around 9p.m.

“They burnt three banks, a police station, shops and part of the Michika Local Government Council secretariat.

“They came in nine Toyota Hilux vans, firing guns and throwing explosives,” a resident who simply identified himself as Fide said.

Fide said he saw bodies of two victims.

“One of the bodies is that of a worker of Bank of Agriculture,” he added.

“They burnt places of worship and the house of a former commissioner, Idris Nuhu in Shuwa village,” said a resident, Mr. Sule Idris.

Spokesman of the 23rd Armoured Brigade, Yola, Capt. Ja’afaru Nuhu, said the insurgents attacked communities in Madagali and Michika local government areas.

The chairman of the Madagali Local Government Area, Maina Ularamu, said “a large number of militants carried out three separate attacks on Shuwa and Kirchinga in my local government area and on neighbouring Michika”.

“The gunmen divided themselves into three groups and separately attacked the three locations,” he told AFP.

In Shuwa, several buildings were burnt, including a Christian theological college and a section of a secondary school.

A local resident, Kwaje Bitrus, said three bodies were recovered from the seminary and 20 were killed in and around the village.

In Kirchinga, Samuel Garba said the gunmen were all dressed in military uniform — a tactic frequently employed by the militant fighters in previous, similar attacks.

“The gunmen … killed eight people in our village and burnt many houses,” he added.

“Four people have so far been confirmed dead in Michika,” said Abdul Kassim, who lives in the village.

The dead were a young boy, who was trying to run away, and three security guards, he added.

Michika residents described earlier how people fled to the nearby foothills when the attackers arrived in trucks and on motorcycles.

Michika resident Abdul Kassim said militants arrived at about 9:30 pm (2030 GMT) on Wednesday, “armed with RPGs (rocket propelled grenades) and explosives, which they hurled indiscriminately at homes and public buildings”.

The attack reportedly lasted for more than four hours. Various residents said four banks were razed, as well as hundreds of shops, a police station, government buildings and dozens of homes.

One witness, who requested for anonymity, said the village looked like a “war zone” and that 90 per cent of all businesses had been destroyed.

A pastor, who preferred anonymity, said: “When the soldiers at the military check points saw the number of the attackers, they retreated into the nearby bushes as the gunmen operated without challenge throughout the night.”

The member representing Michika Constituency in the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Adamu Kamale, also confirmed the attack on Michika.

President Jonathan, at a seminar in Abuja to mark Nigeria’s centenary celebration, called for action against terrorists. Speaker after speaker sympathised with Nigeria on the Boko Haram killings in Yobe. (0)

New Attack: Boko Haram kills 32 in Adamawa State

APC Absolves Self, Rivers Govt. of Complicity in Kidnapping, Murder; Blames Rivers PDP Chairman

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State says it has learnt with shock of the allegation by the factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, Mr. Felix Obuah, that the Rivers State Government and the APC leadership have a hand in the allege kidnapping of three PDP chieftains and killing of one other person.

apc

The abducted men include the Port Harcourt Local Government PDP Chairman, Ikechi Chinda; a former member of the House of Representatives representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency I, Hon Chinyere Igwe; and Alwell Ihunda.

In a press statement to NF-Reports on the night of 27 Feb. 2014, by the Senior Special Aide on Media and Public Affairs to the Interim State Chairman, APC Rivers State, Chief Eze Chukwumeka Emeka said: “We consider this allegation not only very unfortunate but also unbecoming of a fellow who claims to be a party leader”.

“Those who know the antecedents of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the Rivers State Government under his watch can testify to his abhorrence for violence, including the unholy acts of kidnapping and militancy – not to talk of murder! It is a well-known fact that the Amaechi administration did everything humanly possible to eradicate the menace of militancy and kidnapping from Rivers State and that it succeeded in doing so until the likes of Mr. Obuah came on board promoting both militancy and kidnapping as part of their satanic strategy to make the state ungovernable due to their political differences with Amaechi This fact is well known to every keen follower of events in Rivers State.

“It is, therefore, diversionary for Mr. Obuah, who played a key role in bringing back insecurity to Rivers State, to turn around to accuse the Amaechi administration in this regard. We urge Mr. Obuh to apologise to Gov. Amaechi and Rivers APC leadership within 48 hours or we may feel compelled to explore legal options available to us in this regard. He should also assist the police to unravel the circumstances behind the alleged kidnapping and murder since he obviously knows much about these criminal acts.

“Though this act maybe a ploy to protest the removal of CP Mbu from Rivers State by the PDP faithful seeing that CP Mbu was one of their prized members and introduction of the type of Government they intend to run in Rivers State if they take over the reins of governance in Rivers State come 2015 but now that we have come to terms to their level of frustration we will ensure that such a group will never taste power anymore in Rivers State.

“Finally, let us state unequivocally that neither Rivers APC nor Gov. Amaechi and his administration know anything about the alleged kidnapping and murder. We will never be involved in any act that will bring sorrow to even our greatest political enemy or enemies, not to talk of aiding kidnapping of anybody for whatever reason! We urge the Police to investigate Mr. Obuah and find out from him why and how these people were kidnapped as both the Rivers State Government and APC leadership have nothing to do with this”. (0)

APC Absolves Self, Rivers Govt. of Complicity in Kidnapping, Murder; Blames Rivers PDP Chairman

Death of John Ndubuka: My Story - Chinedum Orji

By Ehi Ekhator

The son of the governor of Abia State, Chinedum Orji, who was accused of ordering the death of  his personal assistant of many years due to some unknown argument had opened up.

Theodore Orji, Chinedu and the scene of the crime

In a press statement sent to Naija Center News (NCN), Chinedum explained what happened on that faithful day.

He accused Igbere TV sponsored by Uzor Kalu of spreading a false information to the point of using a fake bloody picture as John Ndubuka.

He said: “ Following last Saturday’s 15^th February 2014 tragic death of my beloved cousin, Mr. John Ndubuka, a section of the online media has been appropriated by mischief makers to prosecute a mindless hatchet job of casting aspersions on my humble self; with innuendos, jaundiced analysis and outright blackmail.

“One would not have bothered to join issues with these faceless cowards at this period of emotional devastation, but it is pertinent at this juncture to put facts in proper perspective so that the unsuspecting public would not be hoodwinked.

“On Friday 14 February 2014, I came back from a trip outside the State and while we are chatting at home, John informed me how the 9 clans in Ikwuano/Umuahia headed by Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Chief Vin Ogbulafor, Chief Ukasanya, Senator Adighije, Col. Akobundu, Hon. Udo Ibeji Dr Mrs Uruakpa and host of others had prepared adequately to host Governor T.A Orji at a Grand Civic Reception in Umuahia the following day being Saturday 15 February 2015.

“On the D-day, John was visible at the event tying up loose ends. The event was relayed live on AIT and monitored by different news agencies. At the end of the Governor’s speech at the reception, Late John helped me to locate my vehicle from the surging crowd while the driver waited to allow the Governor’s convoy to move before us. John later reached me to ascertain the next direction for proper coordination. He left me to join one of the Hilux trucks. A few minutes later, I heard gunshots to which the shells fell on my car.  I shouted into the two-way radio to ascertain who was firing those shots. My driver noticed that John was probably pushed down and alerted me. We discovered that John was clinging to his chest, his white shirt heavily blood-soaked.”

Contrary to what a section of the Media speculated, Chinedum revealed that John made it to the hospital where all the doctors did their best to revive him but his pulse suddenly went down.

He said: “I screamed when I saw the blood and instantly asked them to head to Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia. On my way, I called the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Aballi Chukwu and the Chief Medical Director of Abia State Specialist and Diagnostic Centre- Prof. A. U. Mbanaso who also is the Governor’s personal physician. In fairness to the doctors, they did their best in trying to stabilize him. They cut open his thorax to drain blood from his lungs. Specialist surgeons were placed on alert in the theatre for instant surgery.

Shockingly, it was discovered that his pulse fell from 70 downwards. At this point, I was joined by the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and the Deputy Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu and Hon. P. C. Onyegbu respectively. Everything was done to save his life, including sourcing blood to resuscitate him. These efforts proved abortive, after one hour of tension-soaked efforts at the hospital. The Chief Medical Director, Dr. Aballi Chukwu later informed me of his death, and I was shaken to my bones to the extent that I needed support to my car as to get back to my house.

“After the fruitless efforts to save John’s life, I then enquired of what happened. An eyewitness told me that the trigger was accidentally pulled as one of the policemen on duty at the venue held his gun with one hand and was clearing the surging crowd with the other hand. All these happened in broad daylight and witnessed by thousands of people, predominantly youths who attended the occasion.

“I am taking this time and pains to make this explanation because I am a politically exposed person. In previous situations, I had been embarrassed, being a character in many fabricated stories in the media. In one of such situations, I was accused of challenging an Army captain in a supermarket in Umuahia, who rushed to the Army Barracks at Ohafia to mobilize soldiers who eventually mauled me to the point of death. A journey to Ohafia and back would take not less than two hours. Curiously, I waited for them to come back to brutalize me. Can you imagine that? I ignored these fallacies because they were insignificant ploys to set me back.

“It is possible that due to my political exposure especially that of being the Governor’s son, that I have by omission or commission, made enemies of my own or may have inherited those of my father. But this situation seems to be orchestrated assiduously from one direction. For instance, scarcely had the shooting incident happened, when an Igbere Facebook T.V page that operates online screened a headline that I directed the execution of my cousin. There are also strong speculations that I was the target but Mr. John Ndubuka was killed.  Another one was that those who wanted him out of the way killed him.

Amid these flying stories, a false picture of the incident was posted on the Internet. The picture supposedly John Ndubuka’s, was wearing a pair of jeans and canvass but everybody saw John at the occasion, dressed in the attire of Ikwuano/Umuahia people that day which was white shirt on top, black pair of trousers with a George Wrapper tied to his waist. The blood-soaked dresses are still in the custody of the FMC Umuahia.

“It is therefore curious that such a picture was instantly simulated and placed on the Internet, a few minutes after the incident.

From the foregoing, a few questions readily come to mind:

1) How did the Igbere T.V, a Facebook page come to the conclusion that I ordered the killing of John Ndubuka, and how come that nobody in the crowd heard it?

2) If somebody actually wanted John dead, why would he engage a police officer on duty in a public function to commit such a crime?

P3) If I was the target as alleged, why didn’t the assailant shoot me directly?

“It is very unfortunate that this happened. So tragic that John is dead!

Let me advise the mockers and those faceless, merciless and heartless criminals that death is no respecter of persons and no living creature can escape death. What happened to John could be anybody’s lot but because of the person involved, people have thrown caution to the wind, capitalizing on a tragic incident to score cheap political points. The Holy Bible posits that whatever you sow, you will reap.

‘Whatever they do, whatever they write on the social media, they cannot dampen my spirit. They couldn’t do it before.

“John took it upon himself to assist the Governor of Abia State, Governor T.A.Orji to achieve his vision for the youths and women of Abia State. As people from the same hamlet, I have worked closely with him for over 8 years, moving from the informal to the formal. We are related. In truth, this unfortunate death of my cousin will spur me more in that direction. I am not violent. I will never be! My position as the Governor’s son has never gotten into my head. Neither has it interfered in my personal relationship with people.

“For any story to be the truth, it must have one version. In this case, there are more than 20 versions to it. In the process of trying to level all manner of things against me, they have inadvertently made mockery of themselves. They should leave me to mourn my brother in peace. Nothing, absolutely nothing, said on the social media, will dampen my spirit.

Let people be guided by their conscience, if they have any!” He said.

On the 15th of February, Chinedum Orji was accused of asking a police officer to shoot his aide over an argument at a reception organized by the people of Umuahia for the state governor, T. A Orji, to declare his senatorial ambition.

According to media report, an alleged eyewitness revealed how he overheard the governor’s son, Chinedum Orji ordering a police officer to shoot the late John over an argument And every effort made to calm Chinedum down proved abortive until the police actually carried out his order.

 

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Death of John Ndubuka: My Story - Chinedum Orji

Pupils’ massacre: Parents storm hospital for kids search

IT was a moving scene. Some parents wailing on seeing the charred remains of their loved ones. Others were searching for their children, who may have died in the Boko Haram’s Tuesday attack on the hostels of the Federal Government College, Boni Yadi, Yobe State, in which 43 pupils were reportedly killed. A parent said yesterday that 29 died.

There was outrage over the killings, with the United Nations (UN) and France leading the way.

Victims of attack

At the Gen. Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Damaturu, the state capital where the injured were taken, officials were busy attending to distraught parents searching for their wards. Only three of the 11 injured were being treated at the hospital.

The others had been taken away by their parents.

Parents/Teachers’ Association Chairman Mohammed Kati Machina, an engineer, recounted the grim, but unavoidable task of burying the dead.

He said: “We buried two of the eight burnt students at Buni Yadi because they were so badly burnt. Ten bodies were brought to Damaturu, with six burnt beyond recognition.”

Machina, who spoke with The Nation in Damaturu, said 29 pupils were killed.

“We have an authentic report from the hospital and what we gathered is that only 29 students were killed. Twenty-one students were killed by gunshots while eight were burnt beyond recognition. Eleven of the students were injured and three have been admitted at the Gen. Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Damaturu. Some of the injured students have been taken away by their parents.”

“Two of the bodies were taken away to Gombe for burial by their parents,” he added.

The PTA chairman urged the Federal Government to provide security around schools, especially in Yobe and Borno states – two of the three states worst-hit by the Boko Haram insurgency. He sent his condolences to the families of the dead children.

The school was just resuming from a mid-term break when the insurgents struck.

A hospital source, who pleaded not to be named, said some parents came in search of their kids but could not find them.

He said: “The situation is so pathetic. Some of the parents were here earlier today in search of their missing children but could not find them. Maybe some of them are among those burnt beyond recognition. Nobody can tell for now”.

Machina said: “I am in contact with some of the parents who came from Borno and Gombe States to look for their kids. Though some of them cannot see or identify the bodies as those of their children, we are assuming that they could be the ones that are burnt beyond recognition”, Machina said.

He added that the school principal had traveled to Abuja to seek the approval of the Minister of Education, to give a mass burial for the remaining six burnt pupils.

The world was outraged yesterday over the killings.

UN, France kick

The United Nations (UN) and France said they were shocked by the incident. Senate President David Mark House of Representatives the All progressives Congress (APC), governors and professional groups expressed dismay at the killings.

UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon, in a statement issued on his behalf, “strongly condemns the brutal slaying yesterday of dozens of students at the Federal Government College of Buni Yadi in Yobe State, northeastern Nigeria, by unidentified gunmen”.

“He extends his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and hopes that the perpetrators will be swiftly brought to justice.

“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the increasing frequency and brutality of attacks against educational institutions in the north of the country. He reiterates that no objective can justify such violence.”

France strongly condemned the dawn attack, saying it has “the hallmark of Boko Haram, an Islamist extremist group that claims affiliation with Al-Qaeda”.

A French statement said the attack on the high school students was “revolting”. Many of the students were shot in their beds or had their throats slit by the attackers.

Mark laments

Senate President David Mark, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Paul Mumeh in Abuja, lamented that the insurgents have no justification to kill students who neither offended them nor committed any crime, saying that “even in war situations, children and women are always spared”.

He described the killings as an open declaration of war on Nigerians, which he said cannot be justified.

Mark said: “This open declaration of war on everybody, especially defenceless students, cannot be justified. This is inhuman; it is animalistic and barbaric. It is unthinkable that this is happening in Nigeria.

“It is also curious that under an emergency rule when security operatives should be on red alert, this mayhem still persists. Honestly, this calls for soul searching and I believe the security authorities must rise to this challenge.”

He sympathised with the government and people of Yobe State, especially the families of the bereaved, saying that terrorism is not just a national but an international threat that calls for bravery on the part of every one to confront.

 

Tambuwal: fish out

killers

 

Tambuwal said the only way to condole with the families of the victims and Nigerians was by fishing out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bringing them to justice.

The Speaker, in a statement by his spokesman, Imam Imam, said: “While attending prayers organised to mark the 89th birthday celebration of former President Shehu Shagari in Sokoto, my attention was drawn to the horrendous act of barbarity visited on innocent college students in Yobe State.

“My first thoughts go to the families and friends of the kids brutally gunned down in an act of cowardice by people whose humanity must be called to question.

“While we must all join hands to bring this insanity to an end, we must, however, bear in mind that we are running out of excuses in our responsibility to our citizens.

“We in the House of Representatives feel the grief and pain of the families of the victims. In this their hour of need, we will stand with them hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder. We assure them that as brothers, we will continue to confront headlong, the threats of terror facing our nation, and we know we will come out stronger and victorious.”

 

Attack horrific, says

APC

 

The APC “unreservedly condemned the horrific attack”, in a statement by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The party said the attacks, “which were extremely gory, even by the scorched-earth tactics of the terrorists, plumbs the depth of horror”.

“What a sad day for Nigeria and indeed for all of humanity, when innocent school children were used as soft targets by a group of cowardly terrorists, who have shed their toga of humanity on the altar of a meaningless ideology.

“We condole with the families of the victims as well as the government and people of Yobe State over this abominable crime. We urge the state and Federal Government to work together to ensure that schools in the state are adequately protected,’’ it said.

The APC urged President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately visit the state to offer succour to the families of the victims and the state government, saying that is the least the Federal Government can do to help soothe the pains of those involved. (0)

Pupils’ massacre: Parents storm hospital for kids search

INEC letter ignite crisis in Ogun State PDP

RESPITE appears far from sight for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State ahead of the 2015 elections. Stakeholders and factions of the party have renewed hostilities in the battle for the soul of Ogun PDP.

PDP tear apart and APC Smiles behind

An end to the trouble is far from sight as many factions have come up to challenge the current executive of the party.

The trouble, which started seven years ago, was worsened following the call by three factions of the party for the harmonisation of the state executive committee.

The crisis cost the PDP the state in 2011 and paved the way for the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN now All Progressives Congress (APC) to mount the saddle of leadership.

Findings showed that the trouble was ignited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) letter signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Abdullahi Kaugama, which recognized Bashorun Dayo Soremi as the state chairman of the PDP.

The letter read: ‘You will recall that the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/347/2012 and FHC/L/CS/535/2012 held that the Congresses conducted by the Bashorun Dayo Soremi Harmonised State Executive Committee and the Executive Committee that emerged therefrom are valid. The Commission as a law abiding institution has resolved to accept and relate with the said executive committee in obedience to the orders of the Federal High Court.”

The party as at the time of filing the report was being overseen by Buruji Kashamu whose loyalists have been positioned as executive members.

The three major factions in the party are those loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Minister of Commerce, Jubril Martins-Kuye; and immediate past governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, which jointly accused the INEC of bias in its handling of the matter.

The factions under the aegis of the Concerned Members and Stakeholders of the PDP in Ogun State, in a legal notice from their lawyers, Gani Bello and Co dated February 10, 2014 and sent to INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, argued that by its support for the Dayo-led state exco, the commission had failed in its responsibility as the “main referee and umpire for party primaries.”

They accused the INEC of compromise in its official duties by recognizing and dealing with only the Adebayo Dayo-led State Executive Committee backed by party financier, Prince Buruji Kashamu.

The factions were reacting to the reply written by the INEC Secretary, Abdullahi. A. Kaugama to the situation report on the state PDP crisis. The report was sent by the Ogun State Legal Officer of the electoral body, Mr. B.O. Ogunbona, to Professor Jega last August.

The lawyers, who said in a five-page notice to Jega to be solicitors to two chieftains of the Ogun PDP, Omotolu Ladega and Alhaji Kayode Mustapha who they identified as the “accredited representatives of the concerned members” of the party in the state, threatened to seek legal redress against the commission if it failed within 21 days to withdraw its recognition of the Kashamu-backed state exco.

They also demanded the recall and transfer of the Ogun INEC legal officer and “other officers who have openly compromised their official duties” over their alleged role in the state PDP crisis.

The Concerned Ogun PDP stakeholders also demanded an unreserved apology from the commission over its alleged bias in the party’s crisis.

The legal notice, which the office of the INEC chairman received on February 14 read in part: “Our clients by their instruction hereby employ this medium to register their objection and protest the seemingly ignoble and parochial robe that INEC has chosen to wear in Ogun State.

“The letter dated 31/08/12 (hereinafter called the attached letter) written to you by your own Ogun State INEC legal officer, if truly authored by your commission has in the opinion of our clients thoroughly broken your myth of unbiased arbiter.

“Our clients wonder how your commission has now come to know by names, particulars, personalities and activities of the different factions in Ogun State PDP. We understand that rather than bother yourself with the upcoming 2015 elections, your Commission is engaged in the old history of how in 2008 “Governor Gbenga Daniel (OGD) and his group circumvented the democratic process to keep his loyalists in the executive committee of the party so that only aspirants anointed by him emerged as party candidates.

“Your Commission has obviously embarked on a wondrous frolic and a journey of no return! We are instructed that what is embarrassing in your attached letter was the open adoration and embrace of a group or faction that installed the Bashorun Dayo Soremi-led Executive whilst pouring invectives, vituperation and condemnation on other groups, particularly the group that allegedly installed the Joju Fadairo-led Executive.

“The overall concern of our clients is that with the role being played by your Commission in Ogun State PDP as exemplified in the attached letter, it is almost certain that you have virtually abandoned your constitutional responsibility as the main referee and umpire for party primaries.

“Right now the Dayo Soremi/Adebayo Dayo group has been laying claim on your letter under reference as their authority for being the only group in Ogun State PDP recognized by INEC. This, in the opinion of our clients is not acceptable.

“In fact, the Ogun State INEC as presently constituted is not in a position to conduct or observe true and fair primaries in Ogun State PDP. The only way of redemption open to your commission is to assure our clients that the letter under reference has been discountenanced and consigned into dustbin.”

Allegation is laughable —Dayo

Reacting, the Adebayo Dayo-led PDP Exco described as laughable the allegation by the three factions against INEC.

The Dayo-led exco also described the three factions as faceless individuals, who called themselves concerned members and stakeholders of the PDP.

“Contrary to the false claims in the letter, the Adebayo Dayo-led Exco neither derives its strength from the 31st August, 2012 report nor the 18th September, 2012 letter by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). As could be gleaned from the report and letter themselves, they were based on several judicial interventions and decisions, which INEC, as a law-abiding institution, could not but obey.

“It should be noted that these decisions were not appealed by the so-called concerned members and stakeholders of Ogun State PDP. Where have they been since 2012 when these decisions were taken? Both the court verdicts and the INEC letter were widely publicised yet they raised no eyebrows since 2012. The truth is they are just waking up from their slumber. They have missed their right of appeal and cannot now turn round to blame INEC for their own lapses. They have missed it on all fronts. It is too late to cry when the head is off.

“It is common knowledge that the former Governor Gbenga Daniel and some of his associates have since joined the Labour Party (LP) just like a good number of them have defected into the PDP. Over 80 percent of the members of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo group are with us in the PDP having turned down the directive of the former leader to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Also, all members of the Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye (JMK) group are with us. Indeed, while mischief makers were churning out their lies, members of the group led by JMK himself were attending a meeting at the Lagos residence of Senator Ayo Otegbola. In attendance at the meeting were party bigwigs such as Chief Alani Bankole, Prince Buruji Kashamu and party chairman, Engr. Adebayo Dayo among others.”

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INEC letter ignite crisis in Ogun State PDP

Division in Nasarawa APC: Early warning signs to 2015

Frictions had long been expected in many state chapters of the All Progressives Congress, APC as a result of the melting of strange elements. While many other states are still containing their issues, the frictions in Nasarawa State seem unending

BY ABEL DANIEL

The first sign of crisis in the newly formed All Progressives Congress, APC in Nasarawa State was not long in coming. It came on the waves of the recently conducted primary elections for the nomination of party candidates for the forthcoming local government elections.

apc

The primary election results which took seven days to be announced were trailed by rancour as many party stakeholders claimed that the results were doctored in a way to favour some of the aspirants.

One of the most negative products of the primaries was the arson that was made on the multi million naira hotel owned by the interim chairman of the party in the state, Architect Stanley Buba, penultimate week in Akwanga by some alleged irate youths .

According to a witness, the youths rained abusive words on the APC, as they alleged manipulation of the primaries.

“They said that he (chairman) changed the names of those that were voted during the primaries by putting names of his boys who were not nominated.”

“The youths also swore to take legal action on the injustice meted on them or dump the party for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” the source said.

However police in the area said they were still investigating the incident.

Buba, the embattled interim chairman of the APC traced the burning of his hotel in Akwanga to some people whom he said “contested the council election and failed in Akwanga local government”.

It must be recalled that some yet to be identified irate youths allegedly razed the Light House Resort, a hotel in Akwanga belonging to the party chairman.

In his reaction to the development when he visited the hotel, Governor Tanko Almakura wondered why anyone would go to the extent of burning the hotel in the face of several appeals by the state government for peace on the issues. He thus called on people in the state to desist from such acts contrary to law.

Responding to allegations of election fraud in the just concluded APC primaries, Buba said that the results of the party primaries were scrutinized and endorsed by the electoral committee in the three senatorial districts before the final declaration.

Amongst other things stated as reasons for the delay and cancellation of the council primaries result in some local governments were election irregularities and malpractices at the polling units in places like Nasarwa Eggon, Wamba, Doma, Lafia, Kokona, Keana and Toto local government areas respectively.

Furthermore, the seat of the interim committee chairman of APC in the state is currently being challenged in the High Court of Justice in Nasarawa State. The Chief Judge Hon. Justice Isha Mohammed had declared the position of the interim chairman in the state APC vacant pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

Justice Mohammed had in an exparte order restrained Buba from being recognized as the interim committee chairman of APC in Nasarawa State pending the determination of the court.

The plaintiff, Hon. Nurudeen Umar had gone to court earlier to stop Buba on the allegation that his appointment as interim chairman of the party contravenes the APC constitution that stipulates that a member of the interim committee must be drawn from either of the 3 major political parties that formed the APC. Buba he alleged was not a member of either of the three political parties that merged to form the APC.

Furthermore, the suspension of the Deputy Governor, Chief Damishi Barua from the party over his statement that the APC’s decision to frustrate the president’s bills in the National Assembly was not in good taste is also stoking further controversy.

Barua told journalists in his home town recently that he was not aware of any suspension as no notice was served him while he was away to the United States of America.

“I am just hearing it from you, but if the party say they suspend me for making a statement in Goshen Church, I made that statement as a Nigerian and not as a deputy governor under APC, and I had the right to make that statement”.

“I said that the decision by the APC to frustrate the president through the stoppage of bills by the APC legislators at the National Assembly was not the best for this country”.

“If government could be stopped from implementing policies because of political interest, then we are not being fair to our people. I insist and stand by this position no matter any political affiliation I belong as a Nigerian”, Damishi Lamented.

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Division in Nasarawa APC: Early warning signs to 2015