Aso Rock security operatives grumble over unpaid allowances

There is currently a disquiet among security operatives attached to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, over their unpaid allowances, The PUNCH has learnt.

President Muhammadu Buhari departs on a 3-day official visit to Kenya

If not addressed quickly, the situation, our correspondent learnt on Wednesday, might degenerate into a security breach.

Multiple sources who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said “loyalty of the security operatives had dropped drastically” over the non-payment of the allowance.

The PUNCH learnt that under former President Goodluck Jonathan, all security agents attached to the Presidential Villa enjoyed what they called Risk Cautious Allowance.

The security officers include those of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Federal Road Safety Commission and Fire Service.

It was learnt that Jonathan’s administration paid the allowance up until March last year and left those of April and May unpaid.

The op]eratives are however regretting that since the inception of the present administration, they have not been paid.

Following a media report last year that President Muhammadu Buhari had stopped the payment of the allowance, our correspondent learnt that the security operatives were told by their bosses that the RCA had not been stopped as reported.

They said they were not only assured that they would be paid, but were also promised that the rate would be reviewed upward.

In the past, senior officers were said to be receiving about N30,000 per month while junior officers get about N25,000.

To assure the operatives of government’s readiness to continue the payment, they were said to have been asked to open bank accounts with Zenith Bank Plc where their RCA will subsequently be paid.

One of the operatives however said since last year that they opened the bank accounts, the government had not fulfilled its promise of paying the allowance.

A top Presidency official, who pleaded anonymity, however, told our correspondent that the security operatives’ allowances had been approved in January.

He expressed the belief that payments would soon be made to those concerned.

When contacted on the telephone, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, declined comment, saying the matter is a security issue.

Aso Rock security operatives grumble over unpaid allowances

Again, Obasanjo holds secret meeting with Buhari

ABUJ- For the second time in two months, former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday held a secret meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Jonathan, Obasanjo, Babangida, Buhari

Such meeting was first held at official residence of the president earlier last month.

The Tuesday meeting which lasted for over an hour was also held behind closed doors in the President’s office for over an hour.

Obasanjo who wore a flowing white gown ( Agbada ) refused to speak with State House Correspondents on his mission to the presidential villa despite all entreaties.

It is however believed that the ex-president’s visit may not be unconnected to his mission to Guinea Bissau where president he served as a special envoy to President Buhari in the country’s political crisis.

It will be recalled that Obasanjo at the instance of the president Buhari had gone to restore constitutional order following the dismissal of the Prime Minister, Mr. Domingos Simoes Pereira and his cabinet by President Jose Mario Vaz recently.

 

Again, Obasanjo holds secret meeting with Buhari

Buhari fires CSO for challenging Aide-de-Camp over DSS redeployment

President Muhammadu Buhari has fired his Chief Security Officer, Mr. Abdulrahman Mani, for engaging in a supremacy battle with the Aide-de-Camp to the President, Lt.-Col. Lawal Abubakar.

Our correspondent learnt on Saturday that his redeployment was one of the sweeping changes being carried out by the acting Director-General of the Department of State Service, Mr. Lawan Daura, on the order of the President.

Buhari had appointed Daura to replace Mr. Ita Ekpeyong during the week at the peak of the crisis between the DSS and the military especially as it concerns the President’s protection.

It would be recalled that Abubakar had earlier issued a memo redeploying DSS officials from 10 beats that they had hitherto been manning inside the Presidential Villa.

He had explained that the decision to strip the DSS officials of their traditional roles was part of efforts to enhance general security within the villa.

But in a rejoinder dated June 26, the former CSO directed the DSS officials to disregard the ADC’s order. Mani had argued that the duties being performed by DSS personnel in the Presidential Villa are backed by relevant statues and gazetted instruments.

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that Mani who was redeployed to Ebonyi State had since been replaced with Mr. Bashir Abubakar.

Abubakar was said to be, until his new appointment, an Assistant Director in the Bayelsa State Command of the DSS.

Also affected in the shake-up, it was learnt, is the Administrative Officer in the Presidential Villa Widi Liman.

The AO who was earlier appointed by Buhari was said to have been redeployed to the Oyo State Command of the service.

It was further learnt that the new DSS boss had also ordered the reversal of some promotions carried out in the service during the last days of the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Those who benefited from the exercise nationwide were said to have been allegedly promoted by the last administration for their loyalty.

A source said about 30 out of the about 100 beneficiaries of the “arbitrary and undeserving promotion” were from the Presidential Villa.

“The new DG is putting things right. More decisions may follow,” a source told our correspondent.

The source however said a decision had not been taken on who will replace the AO.

He also said a decision was still being awaited on the fate of the DSS bodyguards who served under Jonathan and were posted out en mass recently.

Buhari fires CSO for challenging Aide-de-Camp over DSS redeployment

253 DSS officials redeployed from Aso Rock

The authorities of the Department of State Services have sent back to state commands the 253 operatives that were earlier deployed in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

DSS operatives

It was learnt that the personnel were asked to go back to their respective commands on Wednesday, pending when the service would get further directives from the Presidency on their deployment.

The Punch had earlier reported that the 253 personnel were rejected by the Presidential Villa authorities allegedly on the order of the Aide-De-Camp to President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to their redeployment signal issued by the service’s national headquarters, some of the personnel were to report to the Vice President’s office, some were attached to the President’s wife while some others were attached to the Vice President’s wife among other beats in the villa.

But on reporting at the villa, the operatives were not allowed in by the ADC who reportedly said they were not needed.

Following their rejection by the villa authorities, the operatives were said to have been taken to the agency’s training school, Institute for Security Studies, Bwari, where they underwent an induction process for some days.

After the induction, the DSS authorities were said to have directed the officers to return to their former posting and await further directives.

“We have been asked to return to our respective state commands and to await further directives or orders from the national headquarters,” one of the operatives explained.

The DSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, could not be reached for comment as calls to her phone failed to connect.

253 DSS officials redeployed from Aso Rock

Address by Buhari at Inauguration of NEC

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, AT THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL, HELD AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA, ON MONDAY 29TH JUNE 2015.

Protocol I am delighted to be here with you at this occasion on the inauguration of the National Economic Council (NEC) for this Administration. The National Economic Council was established by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), as amended, Third Schedule, Part I, Section 153: Sub section (18 & 19). The NEC, as one of the Federal Executive bodies, has the mandate to advise the President concerning the economic affairs of the Federation, and in particular on measures necessary for the co-ordination of the economic planning and programmes of the various Governments of the Federation.

President Buhari

2.        Your Excellencies, the regular meetings of the National Economic Council have remained the official economic platform for dialogue among the thirty six (36) State Governors, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and other co-opted members, chaired by the Vice President, where issues and challenges facing the development of the country, at national and sub-national levels, are discussed with a view to develop and harmonize common strategies for addressing them.

3. You may recall, that in my inaugural speech, on May 29, 2015 I stated that the primary objective of this Administration is to tackle insecurity; youth unemployment, through the revival of agriculture, solid minerals mining, as well as small and medium size businesses. I also highlighted pervasive corruption; fuel and power shortages; public service reforms; and the need to allow every tier of Government to exercise its constitutional responsibilities, among others. We are fully committed to embarking on sustainable visionary initiatives and programmes that will restructure and transform our national economy. We are also committed to ensuring collaboration and facilitation of the International efforts to combat threats of cross-border terrorism, sea piracy, refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), financial crimes, cyber crimes, climate change; the spread of communicable diseases and other challenges of the 21st century.

4. I urge you all to ensure that we surmount these enormous challenges facing us as a country by working to support economic policies, which the government will soon unveil to grow our economy and finance our external promises.

5.        I am pleased to note that the Council meetings have, over the years, been very constructive and productive, and the key outcomes as well as recommendations translated into Government policies at the Federal and state levels.  This has not only facilitated national economic planning, but also lead to over- all political harmony. It is also reassuring to note that steps have been taken in the past to strengthen the effectiveness of the Council in its role as prime adviser on developments in the economy. This process must be geared up substantially especially in the difficult times that we have now found ourselves. The National Planning Commission must continue to work to arrive at workable consensus on Government policies among the various tiers of Government, which is a prerequisite for sustained growth and development.

6.        Your Excellencies, it is evident that the task of ensuring growth, job creation and equity, is quite enormous. Consequently, we must kick-start this process by cultivating a culture of prudent management of resources at all levels of Government. This will entail looking inwards to secure sustainable ways of increasing Internally Generated Revenue (IGR); and harnessing growth potentials of each State to supplement the Federation Account allocation to States. The States are also encouraged to embark on projects that will meet immediate needs of the people taking account of available resources. I therefore urge Council members to consider, as a matter of urgency, exploring efficient means of gradually liquidating all unpaid salaries of staff, which have brought untold hardship to thousands of families.

7. I would like also, as a former Governor myself to remind us the need for neighbouring states to cooperate closely on projects such as interstate and feeder roads, soil erosion, desertification and other developmental programmes. Our country is one and we who have the responsibility to run it lead by example. As far as is possible there should be distance between politics and development programmes.

8.        On its part the Federal Government will abide by the provisions of Sections 80 and 162 of the Constitution and ensure more accountability, transparency and integrity in the Distribution of the Federation Account.  All Revenue Generating Agencies such as Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigeria Customs Services (NCS), Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) amongst others shall comply with stipulated Financial Regulations and Administrative Instructions in their remittances into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

9.        On Insurgency, the Nigerian Armed Forces have shown renewed commitment and made steady progress in the fight against Boko Haram.  Nigeria, under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Republic of Benin is collaborating with the Republics of Niger, Chad, Cameroun and Benin to consolidate cross-border and international efforts at eradicating the insurgency.  I am also happy to reiterate that following my invitation to Germany early this month by the G7 Nations who have shown concern about the Insurgency and promised to intervene to restore the destroyed infrastructure, schools and hospitals amongst others, I have directed the front line states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to articulate realistic assessments, costs, locations on Local Government by-Local-Government of affected facilities for submission to the President of the G7 for further verification.  In addition, the requirements of the Military have been prepared by the Service Chiefs for the consideration of the G7 Nations.

10. Let me reiterate the high expectations of the NEC as a veritable source of articulating policies and programmes that are people centred and capable of driving further, the expected growth and development of the country as well as providing environment required for progress.

11.      Finally, I will like to express my appreciation to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SANand all Council members for the honour and priviledge to formally inaugurate the National Economic Council today and to wish you all a successful tenure. Thank you for your attention.

Address by Buhari at Inauguration of NEC

President’s protection: CSO revokes ADC’s order to DSS officials

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief Security Officer, Abdulrahman Mani, has revoked the order by the Aide-De-Camp to the President, Lt.-Col. Lawal Abubakar, removing operatives of the Department of State Services from giving Buhari close body protection.

DSS operatives

Mani, in a memo countermanding the ADC’s order, said the DSS operatives should disregard the directive by Abubakar. He said the order was a misrepresentation of Buhari’s directive.

Buhari’s ADC had on Wednesday last week issued a memo redeploying the DSS officials from 10 beats that they had hitherto manned inside the Presidential villa, explaining that the decision to strip the DSS officials of their traditional roles was part of efforts to enhance general security within the villa.

He also claimed that the development was necessitated by “recent events,” which he did not disclose.

The ADC consequently directed personnel of the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police to take over the DSS officials’ duties of providing “close/immediate protection” for the President with immediate effect.

But on June 26, 2015, memo by the CSO, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, Mani directed the DSS officials to disregard the ADC’s order, saying the duties being performed by the DSS personnel in the Presidential villa were backed by relevant statutes and gazetted instruments.

These roles, he added, included close body protection of the President in line with standard operational procedures and international best practices.

He cited Section 2(I )(ii) of Instrument No.SSS 1 of May 23, 1999 made pursuant to Section 6 of the National Security Agencies Decree of 1986, which has been re-enacted as Section 6 of NSA Act CAP N74 LFN 2004.

He said the law empowered personnel of the DSS to provide protective security for designated principal government functionaries.

The functionaries, he said, included but not limited to the President and Vice President as well as members of their immediate families.

He said the law also mandates the DSS to provide protective security for sensitive installations such as the Presidential Villa and visiting foreign dignitaries.

The CSO said it was for that reason that personnel of the DSS near the President were carefully selected and properly trained and that background checks were constantly carried out on them to confirm their suitability and loyalty.

Mani said the issues raised in the ADC’s memo suggested that he ventured into an unfamiliar terrain.

The CSO’s memo read, “In fact, the issues raised in the aforementioned (ADC’s) circular tend to suggest that the author may have ventured into a not-too-familiar terrain.

“The extant practice, the world over, is that VIP protection, which is a specialised field, is usually handled by the Secret Service, under whatever nomenclature.

“They usually constitute the inner core security ring around every principal. The Police and the military by training and mandate are often required to provide secondary and tertiary security cordons around venues and routes.

“However, all other security agencies, including the army, the police and others, also have their roles to play. It is on this note that heads of all security agencies currently in the Presidential Villa and their subordinates are enjoined to key into the existing command and control structure. They are to work in harmony with each other in full and strict compliance with the demands of their statutorily prescribed responsibilities.

“Meanwhile, joint training programmes and other incentives will be worked out in the days ahead to ensure that all security personnel at the Presidential Villa are properly educated to understand their statutory roles and responsibilities.

“This is with a view to avoiding obvious grandstanding, overzealousness, limited knowledge or outright display of ignorance in future.”

Mani asked all the unit and departmental heads to bring the content of his memo to the attention of all personnel for compliance.

He copied the National Security Adviser; the Chief of Defence Staff and the Director-General of DSS.

A source however told our correspondent on Sunday that although the CSO’s directive had been widely circulated, it has yet to take effect as the military men drafted to replace the DSS officials were still at their beats.

The source however introduced another dimension when he blamed a top DSS official in the Presidential Villa for the confrontation.

He claimed that trouble started when the official ordered that soldiers should be blocked from residence reception.

Infuriated by that action, he said the soldiers contacted the ADC who became angry and vowed to report to the President.

“Before that incident, the soldiers have been cooperative and well-behaved. The situation we find ourselves is painful but it is also avoidable,” the source added.

A security expert, Mike Ejiofor, had told our correspondent in an interview on Friday that the ADC’s directive could not stand because it could not be backed by law.

The Presidency had in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, on Wednesday, said Buhari had not given any order for the expulsion of the DSS officials from the Presidential Villa.

Adesina however admitted that a reorganisation of security at the seat of power was underway.

President’s protection: CSO revokes ADC’s order to DSS officials

Buhari’s ADC orders DSS operatives out of Presidential Villa

ABUJA — The inter agency rivalry between the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army came to head, yesterday, as the Aide de Camp to the President, Lt. Col Abubakar Lawal ordered personnel of the DSS out of the villa.

Marilyn Ogar, Spokesperson, DSS

The incidence which happened at the residence of the President at the Presidential Villa was extended to all other points that had been manned by the personnel of the DSS.

But the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said what happened was a realignment of security around the President which entailed that members of the armed forces would man the inner perimeter of the President security while operatives of the DSS would man the outer perimeter.

It will be recalled that since assuming office as the President, there has been an intense rivalry between DSS personnel and the army over who is to provide close body security to the president.

Some members of the armed forces were drafted from the Infantry Corps to the villa after the inauguration of President Buhari to man all the strategic points at the villa, a move that was resisted by the DSS personnel who had constitutionally provided close body protection to the President.

The issue, however, came to a head yesterday evening when the ADC to the president ordered members of the DSS at the Presidential Villa to hand over to men of the Nigerian Army.

The directive, however, almost caused an altercation between the army and men of the DSS whose chain of command is different.

It took the intervention of the Chief Security Officer who directed his men to “stand down,” a euphemism for complying with the directive of the ADC.

According to a soldier who was present at the incidence, “the ADC directed that they should hand over to us and leave the villa. We have now taken over fully as directed by the ADC and we are in charge.”

Already, military personnel have taken over all the strategic points at the villa with a firm instruction that no DSS personnel should be  allowed into the villa.

This is the first time that the DSS which has the professional capability and capacity would be striped of its constitutional responsibility of providing close bodyguard protection to the President and his immediate family.

But reacting to Vanguard enquiry, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Adesina said the action was part of  a realignment of the security apparatus around the President.

According to him, what happened is a realignment of security personnel from various services, saying: ”Rumours that personnel of the Department State Services have been expelled from the Presidential Villa are unfounded. President Muhammadu Buhari has given no such order.

 

Buhari’s ADC orders DSS operatives out of Presidential Villa

Buhari, Jonathan hold meeting in Aso Rock

President Goodluck Jonathan has proposed a tour of the presidential villa for President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

The two leaders met Friday behind closed-doors. It was their second meeting since March 28 elections, won by Mr. Buhari.

Mr. Jonathan will hand over power to Mr. Buhari on May 29.

Speaking after the meeting, President Jonathan told journalists who sought to know what they discussed that a date would be scheduled to take Mr. Buhari on a familiarisation tour of the Aso Rock presidential villa.

“We will take a date when the president will come and I will show him round the state house but today is not for that. Today is to continue with our conversation. We don’t need to worry the President,” he said.

Asked how fruitful their conversion was, the president said “You can see that we are smiling, it was a fruitful one”.

He said the discussions were “in the interest of the country”.

Asked to comment on the meeting, Mr. Buhari said “The president had said it all”.

The meeting is in continuation of ongoing arrangements between the outgoing government and the incoming government for a smooth transition as well as the inauguration.

Mr. Buhari arrived the villa at about 3p.m. Friday.

Two transition committees set up by both the president and Mr. Buhari had also met twice as part of arrangements for a smooth handover of power on May 28.

Buhari, Jonathan hold meeting in Aso Rock

Sanusi Lamido, Emir of Kano meets Jonathan in Aso Rock

President Goodluck Jonathan met with the immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

The meeting was the first since Sanusi became the Emir of Kano.

Sanusi was one of the Northern traditional rulers, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, who joined Jonathan in the breaking of Ramadan fast.

The former CBN governor led others in a special prayer for peace during the short event held at the President’s residence.

The President later went round to shake hands with all the traditional rulers in attendance, including Sanusi.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers at the occasion, the Sultan condemned the twin bomb blasts that rocked Kaduna State on Wednesday and other terrorists attacks in the country.

Stressing that the terrorists and their sponsors have no Islamic agenda, he declared that are enemies of humanity.

The Sultan urged the President to find time in the future to meet with them so as to discuss issues of national importance.

President Jonathan, at the occasion, immediately granted the Sultan’s request.

Jonathan, in turn, urged the traditional rulers to work with his administration in order to end insurgency in the country.

He noted that the situation could have been worse if not for prayers. He therefore called for more prayers in that direction as he expressed confidence that Nigeria will overcome the challenges.

“It could have been worse than this if not for prayers. We will surely get over it. We are doing our best to ensure we end this situation and with the support of Nigerians, we shall surely overcome,” he stated.

Sanusi Lamido, Emir of Kano meets Jonathan in Aso Rock

I plan to visit Chibok after abducted girls’ freedom -Jonathan

• UPDATE: Jonathan, Mark meet Chibok girls’ parents


• Complete photos of the meeting between President Jonathan and Chibok girls and parents

Ninety-nine days after their children and wards were abducted in a midnight raid on their school, President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday met with parents of the girls abducted from Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on April 14.

Jonathan meeting with the chibok girls

Journalists were barred from covering the meeting which was held inside the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

That was contrary to a statement released last week by the Presidency, saying the parley would be “open to the media for coverage by Nigerian and international press.”

Those who attended the meeting included 51 girls who escaped from their abductors including their principal, parents of escaped girls, parents of the girls still in captivity, opinion and community leaders from Chibok as well as officials of the Borno State Government.

They were conveyed to and from the venue in four red luxury buses belonging to the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited amidst tight security provided by a combined team of men of the Department of State Security and armed policemen.

The security operatives shielded them from journalists before and after the meeting that lasted about three hours.

The venue wore a somber look with the escaped girls who looked traumatised being the cynosure of all eyes.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said although he had not visited Chibok, Borno State since April 14 when over 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped, his desire was to visit the town after the girls might have been rescued.

He said it was only then that parents of the abducted girls could receive him with smiling faces rather than with tears.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, quoted Jonathan as speaking during a closed-door meeting he had with parents of the abducted girls, some of the girls who escaped from their abductors and leaders of the community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Abati said the President told the gathering that his heart was constantly with the traumatized parents, despite that he had not visited the town.

The statement quoted the Jonathan to have said, “Our duty now is to take all relevant steps to recover our girls alive and our primary interest is getting them out as safely as possible. I will not want to say much, but we are doing everything humanly possible to get the girls out.

“This not the time for talking much. This is the time for action. We will get to the time that we will tell stories. We will get to the time that we will celebrate and I assure you that, by God’s grace, that time will come soon.”

He was said to have reassured the Chibok community that his administration is doing everything humanly possible to rescue the girls and return them safely to their parents.

More photos:

Escaped Chibok girls at the meeting with President Jonathan at the State House today.

A cross-section of community leaders & parents of abducted Chibok girls during meeting with President Jonathan today.

Escaped Chibok girls arrive for meeting with President Jonathan at State House today

Parents of abducted Chibok girls arrive for meeting with President Jonathan at State House today

Parents of abducted Chibok girls during a meeting with President Jonathan at State House today

Parents of abducted Chibok girls during a meeting with President Jonathan at State House today

President Jonathan interacting with parents of abducted Chibok girls at the State House today.

President Jonathan interacting with parents of abducted Chibok girls at the State House today

President Jonathan interacting with parents of abducted Chibok girls at the State House today.

President Jonathan & Senator David Mark with Chibok girls at the Presidential Villa today

 

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I plan to visit Chibok after abducted girls’ freedom -Jonathan

Day Jonathan refused to sit on royalty stool in Aso Rock

The Presidential Villa, popularly called Aso Rock, has never failed to impress me with its grandeur. Enclosed amidst an aggregation of towering rocks intricately set in place by Mother Nature, hedged around by a man-made canal and shielded from easy view by big trees and tall shrubbery, the Villa had obviously been designed by an architect with his mindset on maximum security.

It was to this splendiferous and pulchritudinous architectural terra firma (apologies to Honourable Patrick Obahiagbon) that I was reluctantly hauled a few weeks ago by my friend and fellow writer, Professor Atukwei Okai, the Secretary General of the Accra, Ghana-based Pan African Writers Association (PAWA). Professor Okai had requested that as a former National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), I should join the PAWA delegation to visit President Goodluck Jonathan in order to brief him about the association’s activities, especially as they relate to the forthcoming African Writers Day, scheduled for later in the year. Expectedly, the visit was preceded by a brief meeting where the visiting team had a rehearsal before proceeding to the Villa. At the meeting, I met other members of the delegation who included the renowned author and now traditional ruler, Professor Chukwuemeka Ike; David Mungoshi (President, Zimbabwean Writers Association), Sylvie Ntsame (President, Gabonese Writers Association), Sylvester Allortey (President, Ghanaian Writers Association), Nnimmo Bassey (former General Secretary, Association of Nigerian Authors) and some PAWA administrative staff.

During the meeting, Okai explained that in addition to the speech he would read, PAWA would also use the occasion of the visit to confer the award of Patron of PAWA on Jonathan, during which the president would be awarded a certificate and a medal as the insignia of office. These presentations will be followed by a ceremony where the president will be made to sit on a ‘PAWA stool of royalty’! The meeting thereafter allocated specific roles to the team members. My duty was to introduce Professor Okai to the president before Okai introduces members of his team and proceeds to read his speech and present the medal and certificate. This would be followed by Sylvie who will present some books to the president.

The problem was how the president will respond to Sylvie’s presentation, which will be done in French. “That shouldn’t be a problem,” Okai responded. “All that the president needs to do is to say ‘mercie.’” The next step was not that simple; Professor Ike and Okai will lift the president and make him sit on the Royal Stool three times!  I observed that sitting the president on a stool will be difficult to achieve for security reasons.

However, Okai did not see anything wrong in it. As he put it; “the stool would have been screened by the security agents, so, there is nothing to worry about. In addition, several other African leaders, including the ageing President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, have all gone through the process before now.”  After a lengthy debate, the meeting agreed that we should proceed with all our plans.

And so it was that we all departed for the Villa on the appointed day and time. I was no stranger to the presidential power base having frequented the place for meetings during my tenure as a member of the House of Representatives during the time of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was always a good but sometimes austere host. I could still recall an occasion when OBJ had invited the South West caucus in the House for a dinner/meeting. Although the meeting held till the wee hours of the day, all that was served for ‘dinner’ was bottled water, sweets and kola nuts.

Luckily, some of us who had been warned about the president’s austere methods had taken some ‘insurance policy’ in the form of eba and okra soup before the meeting so we were not as affected as majority of the members who went home hungry and angry!

Fortunately, our visit to President Jonathan was purely official and it was kept that way. At the Villa’s security gates, the PAWA Stool of Royalty was given a thorough screening by the courteous yet suspicious security agents who kept admiring the well crafted and beautiful piece of wood work. We were soon comfortably seated in the Villa’s waiting room during which time my friend and member of the literary clan, the current Media Adviser to the President, Reuben Abati, came to pay members of the team a brief visit. Reuben looked much relaxed for someone who had taken a lot of flak in the past few years from his legion of erstwhile literary admirers who thought he had ‘sold out’ by joining the government. I also used the occasion to reconnect with another good friend and now adviser to the president on documentation, Oronto Douglas.  Much of the positive outcome of our visit to the Villa goes to Oronto, a former compatriot in the civil society organisation days. The visit equally afforded me the opportunity to meet the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke, who I last saw way back in our secondary school days when we both scribbled for the school’s newspaper, “The Gong.” He was a good writer and I hope he has not abandoned the craft.

The presidential visit soon commenced with the introductions, after which Professor Okai gave his speech. Sylvie later presented our gifts of books in French, leaving a bemused president asking for a translation until one of his aides muttered ‘merci’ on his behalf. Everything went well as Okai presented the certificate and the medal to the president who humbly removed his hat to allow the medal be placed on his neck. Trouble, however, started when Okai beckoned on Professor Ike to come forward and assist him in placing the president on the ‘Stool of Royalty’. Quickly, a protocols officer moved forward and tried to take the stool away from Okai, insisting that the president would not sit on the stool.  However, Okai was determined to carry out the ceremony. “We came all the way from Ghana for this event,” he told the protocols officer. For a moment, there was tension in the room as the protocols officer stood his ground on not allowing the president to sit on the stool. “Just present the stool to the president,” one of the aides advised in the ensuing brief stalemate as Okai also insisted on carrying out the ceremony.   Luckily, a truce was reached as Okai grudgingly released the stool, bowed to the president and took his seat.

In his remarks after the incident, the president thanked the team for coming as well as honouring him with the awards. He apologised for his inability to sit on the stool on the directive of his protocols officer but promised to do so in the comfort and privacy of his office. He went on to enumerate his commitment to the book business, especially the improvement of the reading culture through his “Bring Back the Book” project, which he inaugurated some years back. He also promised to make sure that Nigeria fulfilled its financial and moral commitment to the Pan African Writers Association as well as all activities planned by the association. He thereafter allocated responsibilities to different members of his team in fulfilling his promises.

As we later filed out for the ceremonial group photograph with the President after the visit, Okai was still angry over the refusal of the protocols officer to allow the president to sit on the stool. “It was an unnecessary overzealousness,” he said under his breath. “At least, the stool had been screened for any potential security issues, so why the fuss?”

“The screening cannot detect any juju that could have been put on the stool,” I said, trying to make light of the issue. “Supposing the president sits on the stool and suddenly disappears? We can’t afford that,” I added as we both burst into laughter at the joke.

And even though the visit ended on a good note, a television footage of our visit which showed me chatting with the president after the group photograph later became the object of some enquiries by my friends.

“What were you discussing with the president after the official visit was over?” asked some of my friends, including some political associates. The question must have been predicated by the recent visits of some politicians to the president who were suspected of trying to cross carpet or looking for one form of political patronage or the other from the president. I explained to my friends that I did not go to the Villa for politics but to discuss how to get more Nigerian youths reading and writing.

And as we later waited for our official vehicles to ferry us out of the expansive and palatial structure, I took time to admire the enchanting greenery, the immaculately manicured lawns and the soothing palms that wriggled gently to the rhythm of the daylight breeze. It was a wonderful sight that further accentuated the beauty of the all-white sprawling and picturesque villa. The enchanting ambiance coupled with the recent incident of the president and the PAWA stool suddenly liberated my creative juices.  With a few salacious stories of some missing billions of dollars, ministerial bulletproof vehicles and private jets thrown in for good measure, perhaps a sequel to Tenants of the House could be in the making.

Dr. Okediran is a former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA)

Day Jonathan refused to sit on royalty stool in Aso Rock

Security Meeting Update: Ministers, Governors, Others condemn Nyako Over Genocide Accusation Against Jonathan

By Ehi Ekhator

The invited governors, Para-military organisations, and ministers president  at the security meetings called by the President, Goodluck Jonathan have unanimously condemned the accusation by the governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako against the President that he is using the military to carry out genocide in the north.

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau who addressed the House Correspondent after the meeting said that the meeting advised all holders of Public offices to be wary of statements tense up the already tense country concerning security.

The Governor of Niger state, Babangida Aliyu who spoke with correspondents after the meeting highlights some of the decisions reached at the meeting.

He said  “I am sure many of you will be curious about the memo written by one of us. We looked at it all. Infact he was allowed to read the memo to all of us and we discussed and concluded that for all of us, we need to be very careful with the kind of statement we make”.

More details later

Security Meeting Update: Ministers, Governors, Others condemn Nyako Over Genocide Accusation Against Jonathan

Fani-Kayode visits Presidential villa for second time

By Ehi Ekhator

One of the Jonathan’s administration critics, a former aviation minister, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode was reported to have been seen yesterday for the second time in the Presidential villa, Abuja, but this time, met with the President’s Chief of Staff (COS) General Jones Arogbofa (rtd)

Chief Fani-Kayode

It was gathered that he didn’t go to the president’s office after the short meeting with the COS.

Few days ago, his visit caused uproar among Nigerians who believe that he is shameless, eating his vomit. Some believe he is at the verge of dumping the All Progressives Congress for the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2015 elections.

After his closed door meeting with the President on Tuesday,  he told journalists that Nigerians would know when he decided to leave his party. He refused to discuss his motive but simply said “i won’t go into that”.

A  day before his visit, he had earlier written a piece criticizing the move by APC to go for Muslim/Muslim ticket ahead of 2015, saying that the Christians will feel marginalized by the move and assured the party that it will loose woefully should it go ahead with the plan.

Fani-Kayode visits Presidential villa for second time

Breaking: 18 detainees allegely killed in SSS headquarter shootout

By Ehi Ekhator

It was earlier reported that there was a heavy gunfire in the Presidential villa vicinity and the headquarters of the Department of State Service in Asokoro District of Abuja.

It was said that a member of the Boko Haram attacked armed SSS, disarmed him and led to the shooting.

But one of the residence said that they didn’t know what was going on as heavy gunfire was coming from the direction of the villa. He disclosed that the entire area was barricaded and SSS operatives were scampering out of their headquarters as the gunshots get louder.

He also said that soldiers were  heading in the direction of the SSS headquarters with armoured Personnel Carriers and they were asked to stay in doors.

Responding to the issue, Spokesperson of the SS, Marilyn Ogar said the gunshots was as a result of an attempted jailbreak at the headquarter by a detained member of Boko Haram and promised to gather more information before speaking further.

Later, Reuben Abati also said  ” What happened at the SSS Headquarter has nothing to do with the villa. President Jonathan is safe and well. Thank you for your concern and support.

Naija Center News message to Mr. Abati yielded no response.

But information disclosed by a source revealed that 18 detainees kill in the shootout..

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Breaking: 18 detainees allegely killed in SSS headquarter shootout

Gun fire exchange rocks presidential villa, SSS quaters

Heavy gunfire exchanges rocks the vicinity of Nigeria’s presidential palace and the headquarters of the Department of State Services in the Asokoro District of  Abuja as reported by Premium Times in the past one hour.

According to the reports, residents of the nearby Aso Drive Area said the gunshots were either coming out of the SSS headquarters or the presidential villa.

One of the resident said, “We don’t know what’s going on here. Heavy gunfire has been coming from the direction of the villa. The entire area has been barricaded. SSS operatives are scampering out of their headquarters as the gunshots get louder.

“Soldiers are now heading in the direction of the SSS headquarters with Armoured Personnel Carriers. Those of us living around here have been asked to stay indoors and not venture out.”

Reacting to the incidence, spokesperson of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, said the gunshots were triggered by attempted jailbreak at the Service’s headquarters by suspected members of the extremist Boko Haram sect.

She said, “What happened was that the suspects’ handlers went to feed the detainees here but suddenly they attacked him with their handcuffs, disarmed him and started shooting.

“The military was quickly called in before they could do any harm and that is responsible for the shootings you heard.

“It was an attempted jailbreak but it has been brought under control.”

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Gun fire exchange rocks presidential villa, SSS quaters