Oyinlola Shelves China Trip For EFCC

Kola — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:18:25 +0000

AVALANCHE of petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seems to be working wonder, as the development has compelled the embattled Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to shelve his globetrotting lately. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the governor was billed to travel to China last week, but hurriedly called it off in order to pull the strings that could possibly save necks of some top political functionaries that have been interrogated. It would be recalled that Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, the State Accountant-General, Commissioners for Finance and his Local Government Counterpart were just released from the EFCC custody. Eleven members of Osun State House of Assembly on the platform of Action Congress (AC) opened the floor for the opposition, when they petitioned the anti-corruption agency about the illegal lodgment of N5 million each into their personal salary accounts. The development generated a political heat, when the House Speaker, Mr Adejare Bello rose in a stout defence of the governor, who paid the money, saying that it was a collective decision. It was gathered that the dust had not settled, when Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) led by Alhaji Sule Alao fired another petition to the EFCC on the what it called illegal deduction from Local Government funds. OSUN DEFENDER authoritatively gathered that the fear of unknown so gripped the embattled governor that he quickly cancelled his trip to China last week. Besides, a reliable source within the Government House hinted OSUN DEFENDER that another letter of invitation has just been sent to the Chief of staff to the governor, Elder Peter Babalola. Babalola is reported to be out of the country throughout last week for an undisclosable reason, but he will return to the country to answer some questions at the EFCC. It was learnt that the governor has been very weighed down about the development these days, as the outcome of the anti-corruption agency is still doubtful to the establishment. By GOKE BUTIKA

AREGBESOLA ADVISES ON NAIRA POLICY

Kola — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:14:45 +0000

Osun State Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in the April election, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, has enjoined the Federal Government to ensure that the new naira redenomination policy made is beneficial to Nigerians.According to him, the only way by which this can be achieved is for the government to quickly arrest the disquieting specter of mass poverty, unemployment, rising crime wave, urban decay, insecurity, threat to democracy and the rule of law, that the present administration inherited. Aregbesola, who gave the admonition in a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Mr Gbenga Fayemiwo, said though the desire of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo, was patriotic and well intentioned, various unintended consequences should have been attended to from the beginning. He said: “The policy, however attractive it may be, should have been preceded by a decisive revival of the nation’s comatose macro-economic fabrics. The Federal Government ought to have ensured that the local industries are producing at full capacity.” Aregbesola expressed regret that till date, the commercial banks have not supported small and medium scale enterprises up to a level that could guarantee the economic security of Nigeria. “Already, the existing inter-bank rates are outrageously high; the cost of funds, sorting of currencies for commercial banks, interest rates are still too high. Worse still, the nation’s foreign exchange market is over-subscribed thereby making Nigeria an import-driven economy”, he said. The engineer urged the government to do a careful study of various cases of the now repealed Exchange Control Anti-sabotage Decree, adding that “Nigeria should not return to a situation that led to the ignominious importation of 53 suitcases of loads of naira notes during the military era in 1984.”

Save Us From Rapists, LAUTECH Students Beg Management

Kola — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:08:41 +0000

Female students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State have called on the school management to rescue them from the constant scourges of rape and armed robbery unleashed on them by students of the university. Many of the students who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER disclosed that though they are not victims, many girls have deserted the school, abandoned the academic careers to get away from the stigma of rape.. Jimoh Ronke told our reporter that in her four to five months stay in the school, about five incidents of rapes have occurred with most of them, taking place in the hostels, closest to the school campus. A source close to the newly commissioned Students Union Government (SUG) building disclosed to OSUN DEFENDER that most of the atrocities were committed by male students of the school, adding that they specifically target students who are new on campus. He stated that most times, intention of the criminally minded students was to rob their victims of their money, but when they discovered that the girls are helpless, they forcefully raped them. The source disclosed further that hostels like ‘Emirald’, ‘Adenike’ and ‘Area G’ are some of the buildings that are usually attacked by the criminal students, due to their distance from town and are mostly dominated by girls. He revealed that the act is not perpetrated by indigenes of the town, adding that hostels that are close to areas where indigenes reside are very secured from such attacks. According to the source, student that are returning from night classes always fall victims of being raped or robbed of their handsets and other valuables. He added that a particular male student was robbed of his handset during the day with the school security men on guard. “The school management does not bother itself with the welfare of the students despite the huge amounts of money they collect from the students. They count whatever happen to students, especially outside the school campus as none of their businesses. “There is a particular girl (name withheld) from Osogbo that had to abandon her academics because she was raped as could not stand the humiliation. What would be the gain of her parents, and if the university management choses to be unconcerned, how many students would have to leave the school,” he queried. Last week, OSUN DEFENDER stumbled on a girl that ran into an hostel naked, pleading that she should given cloth to cover her body. She told her host that about three boys blocked her way and forcefully removed her cloth, adding that she hit the one trying to rape her on the lower part of his abdomen while the other two were on guard to stop passers-by from any rescue mission. The lucky girl later left for her parents home in Ibadan, and whether she would return to the school or not is not clear as at the time of filing this report. Efforts to get to the SUG president popularly called ‘legacy’ proved abortive as students at the SUG building disclosed that he might be at the Sabo area of the town, drinking. Aramide Isa a 400 level student of computer science disclosed that the SUG is also guilty of the crime, adding that it is difficult for the students executive to tackle the social malaise. He noted that only the school management is capable of taking care of the students welfare, in and out of campus, but regretted that the management does not bother about the whole problem at all.

Court Remands Teenage Armed Robbery Suspect

Kola — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:27:39 +0000

AN 18-years-old armed robbery suspect, Tope Omoloye, has been remanded in prison custody, by an Osogbo magistrate’s court. The charge sheet made available to OSUN DEFENDER last Monday revealed that the accused person and his accomplices,Morufu Bashiru,now at large,and one Segun,now late, robbed one Olaleke Fagbewo of N360,000, jewelries and other valuable materials valued at N150,000. According to the charge sheet, the accused persons also robbed one Bukola Adeola of the sum of N120,000. It further stated that the suspected armed robbers, who were armed with guns, also robbed Doff Supermarket, located at Kola Balogun area of Osogbo, Osun State capital. The charge sheet revealed that the suspects committed the purported crime on September 11, 2008 at Kolabalogun Street, Osogbo. However, the plea of the accused person, who were not represented by a lawyer, was not taken on the grounds that magistrate courts lack jurisdiction to entertain armed robbery cases. Police prosecutor, Corporal Emmanuel Abdullahi, prayed the court to remand the accused person in prison custody. The magistrate, Mr Adebayo Ajala, upheld the submission of the police prosecutor and remanded the suspect in prison custody. It was gathered that the accused persons, during their operation on the fateful day engaged in a gun duel with the police, which led to the death of one of the suspects Segun),while others escaped with gun shot wounds. A police source disclosed to the medium that the father of the fleeing suspect, Bashiru, had been arrested by the police in order to lay ambush on their son. But the police said Bashiru has not shown up since his father had been arrested in Ikirun, sometimes in October, 2008. By ISMAIL USMAN

Police Holds On To Slain Victim’s Body; Keeps Autopsy Report Secret

Kola — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:02:29 +0000

SEQUEL to the controversial death of an automobile mechanic in Ataoja Police Station’s in Osogbo, Osun State capital and the subsequent protest and petition that followed the incident, family of the deceased are still being denied the corpse of their son for proper burial. The police had in October 2008 detained the mechanic, Mr Dauda Najimu and claimed that the deceased hanged himself before his bail could be effected the following day. Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, mother of the deceased, Mrs. Kehinde Najimu said that the medical doctor that carried out the test on the corpse revealed to her that the Commissioner of police, Mr. John Moronike had collected the result of the test since last year November and saw no reason why the police authority has not informed her of the cause of her child’s death. The disturbed mother disclosed that the police were playing games with her child’s body as she wondered what night be keeping them from releasing the body after the police authority had collected the result of the autopsy which she said was not shown to her uptill now. According to the deceased’s mother, the police were playing frank with her, because “I have nobody to stand for me and one of the officers had tried to prevail on the Iresi community in Osogbo to stop any action toward filing any case in the court of law.” The Iresi community in Osogbo had earlier, through a law firm, write the police authority wanting to know the cause of the death of the victim but later abandoned the mother because one of the affected officers happens to hails from the town. OSUN DEFENDER investigations showed that the police authority is hiding facts from the family of the deceased as the commissioner of police who allegedly holds the result of the autopsy keeps it away from the deceased’s family. Information also showed that police officer in charge of the case at zone 11 command has been taking advantage of the old woman, pushing her around. The worried mother stated that her husband while inspecting the site of the incident disagreed that his son committing suicide, adding that the man is old and cannot run around, which she said was the reason behind her running around on her own. However, rights groups in the state under the auspices of OSCARV had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro and the National Assembly over the extra-judicial killings in the state in which the case of Najimu Dauda was stated. The group had defended its petition in the force headquarters in Abuja. However, Mrs Kehinde urged the Assistant Inspector-General of police, AIG zone 11, Mr Tunde Alapinni to prevail on the commissioner of police, Mr. Moronike to release the body of her deceased son, so that the body could be given proper burial. She also stated that if the police authority thought that they could go away with the murder, God would eventually do justice. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Landlord, Son Arraigned For Killing Tenant’s Wife

Kola — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:13:29 +0000

A landlord, Raimi Ogunniran and his son, Kazeem Raimi, have been arraigned before an Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo, Osun State capital, for allegedly killing one of their tenants’ wife, Mrs Adija Fatunbi. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Ogunniran and Raimi fought with Fatunbi, who was heavy with pregnancy and her husband, Tajudden on December 30th, 2003 at 2, Okumabo Street, Osogbo. The medium further gathered that Ogunniran reportedly hit Fatunbi with a gun on the head, which led to the death of the decease nine days after the incident. When the case came up for hearing last Monday before Justice Jide Falola of the court, state prosecution counsel, Mr Moses Faremi, moved an application to amend the one-count charge of murder levelled against the suspects to two-count charge of murder and indecent assault on Fatunbi. The application, which was not opposed by defence counsel to the accused persons, Mr A. Lawal, was granted by Falola, on the grounds that the prosecution has the rights to amend the charge and that the case has suffered so many adjournments. Falola adjourned the case to February 17, 2009, for hearing and ordered that the prosecutor should assemble all his witnesses on the adjournment day. Investigation by the medium revealed that Raimi was first arraigned at an Osogbo magistrate’s court 1, on January 19, 2004, where he was ordered to be remanded in prison custody. The case file was duplicated and sent to Director of Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice, Osun State, which ordered the arrest and arraignment of Ogunniran (the landlord) on November 25, 2004, before Justice Wasiu Akanbi. It was gathered that the case suffered a set back in 2005 when justice Akanbi was transferred to a State High Court in Ile-Ife, a development that impeded the trial of the father and his son. After the transfer of Justice Akanbi, one Justice Abdul Kabir Abdullahi, tried the case for some times before he was also transferred to another high court, after the prosecution had closed its case. Justice David Afolabi of High Court 4, Osogbo, took over from Abdullahi and tried the case for some months before it was transferred to Justice Falola, who is handling the case presently.

PDP Plans To Attack Opposition In Appeal Court, Ibadan, Uncovered!

Kola — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:06:05 +0000

We have uncovered plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State to mobilise bus loads of thugs to the Court of Appeal, Iyanganku, Ibadan on Monday February 2, 2009 so as to launch attack on members of the opposition Action congress (AC) and other political parties. Chairmen of the 30 Local Governments in Osun State have been directly instructed to provide funds for the operation just as tough necks from South West States are to be moved into the Court as early as 5.30 a.m. today to ensure that opposition politicians are not able to enter the court premises. As they would be waiting outside, the PDP thugs have been directed to pounce on politicians from the AC and other opposition political parties and dehumanized with dangerous weapons. We also learnt from highly impeccable sources that the thugs have been given the instruction to murder any of the top AC leaders who may attend the Court of Appeal, Ibadan sitting today. Since the appeal processes began last year, members of the Action Congress (AC) have been attending the court sitting with ho incidence. Now that the Court is set to deliver rule on the crucial issue of the MTN Call logs evidence that alleged that members of the Election\petitions Tribunal and Counsel to the Respondents engaged in illegal secret communing, the PDP is trying to pervert the course of justice with brazen violence and lawlessness. We call on the Oyo State police Command and the Inspector-General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro to step into this matter immediately and prevent any attempt by anyone to violate the law. The Police must not allow the impression that the Nigeria Police is working or tolerating illegalities by the ruling party (PDP) to continue to spread and fester. Gbenga Fayemiwo Media

Drama As INEC Counsel Disappears In Court

Kola — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 04:08:06 +0000

There was a mild drama at the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, yesterday as counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. F.E. Abbe suddenly disappeared without notifying the court. He was scheduled to appear as counsel to the 2nd to 37th respondents (INEC) in the appeal filed by Mr. Johnson Oyebamiji Akinremi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the election of Hon Ipoola Binuyo of the Action Congress (AC) who represents the Ife North state constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly. When the case was mentioned, Abbe was not available to enter his appearance. When the matter came up for mentioning, Justice Dattijo Muhammad asked who was the counsel representing INEC. Counsel to the PDP, Mr. Remi Abimbola rose and told the court that the INEC counsel was F.E. Abbe who was in court earlier. Justice Muhhammad confirmed seeing Abbe earlier and queried his where about. Abimbola, counsel to the PDP again told the court that Abbe was ill adding that he had been mandated to ask one of the counsel appearing with him to hold his brief. This prompted the panel chairman to again query why the INEC counsel should leave without informing the court. The court was to have listened to the adoption of written addresses on the notice of preliminary objection filed by the Action Congress (AC). The two-ground preliminary objection was contending that Mr. Tewo Lamuye, Counsel for INEC from Otunba Kunle Kalejaye’s chambers who appeared for the 2nd to 37th respondents at the lower tribunal also signed and filed the appeal filed by Akinremi of the PDP. This act by Lamuye, in the contention of Binuyo, was in clear violation of the provision of the law. Counsel to the respondent, Mr. Tajudeen Abdulwahab, also contended that Lamuye had held brief for INEC to defend Binuyo’s election at the lower tribunal. He observed that it was strange that the same Lamuye not only signed the appeal brought by the PDP against Binuyo, he was said to have filed it in the court registry. Furthermore, the AC’s counsel argued that the application by his client was to challenge the competence of Akinremi’s appeal stressing that it is not the law that the counsel who appeared for INEC, one of the respondents at the lower tribunal should now appear for the appellant, the PDP. Abdulwahab posited that when an appeal is filed, both the appellant’s counsel and the appellant are both co-appellants. When it was clear that Abbe was not available, the court adjourned till March 23, 2009. Speaking to journalists later, Abdulwahab stated that since the appeal was filed, INEC was yet to file any papers. According to him, INEC as the umpire in the poll, was supposed to defend the exercise any time it is challenged adding that what Abbe and Lamuye have dome suggested alleged collusion between IN EC and the PDP. The case has been adjourned till March 23, 2009 when INEC is expected to be represented in court.

NASU Protests In OAU As Students Prepare For Exam

Kola — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:48:18 +0000

MEMBERS of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Obafemi Awolowo University, branch Ile-Ife, Osun State on Tuesday embarked on a day protest to press home their demands for improved condition of service, both at the national and local levels. The protesters carried placards, demanding better conditions of service, like other bodies of workers in the nation’s universities, and shouting, “pay our 12 months arrears of monetization” and so on. Though, the members of the union carried with them green leaves, symbolizing peaceful protest, headed straight to Obafemi Awolowo University Senate Building, where the Vice Chancellor’s office is situated, but were prevented from entering the VC’s ground floor office by the universities security personnel. They later moved to the motion floor of the university, where they chanted songs to press home their demands. The protesters were later addressed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of the university, Mrs Funmi Togun Bickersthet and the Registrar, Mr Ayo Ogunruku, who assured the workers of the university’s commitment to better services and improved welfare.. The Deputy CV (academics) urged the workers to pray for those in authority, especially the President of the nation, President Umar Musa Yar’Adua and his cabinet, as effectual prayer of the righteous, availed much. She also urged them to align with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to realize their demands from the Federal the government. Speaking on the issue pertaining to the welfare of the union members and the authority of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Bickersteth salary assured them that the six months arrears of its members paid into the university’s kitty by the Federal Government would be released to them, immediately the university had enough fund at its disposal. She pledged the continuous support of the university’s management to the course of the union. The Chairman of NASU, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr Bayo Aderounmu said the protest was in compliance with the order of National Executive Committee (NEC) of the union nation-wide. He Stated Further that apart from the directive of the NEC committee of the union nationwide, the NASU branch of the university had their grievances with the authority of the institution by its refusal to pay them six months arrears, part of their emolument, paid into its (university’s) kitty since last year. He also commented on the welfare of the retired members of the union and the delay in payment of their gratuities. Aderounmi therefore, called on the authority of the institution to address the issues raised in their warning strike, bearing in mind that the students in the institution will soon commence their harmattan semester examination and if their demands are not given prompt attention, it may affect the students’ examination. The protesters later dispatched while their warning strike affected some of the students, especially those who made use of the library, as some members of staff of the library hurried them out of the facility on the excuse that they were embarking on a warning strike. Some of the students’, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER expressed their displeasure on the industrial strike that is to be embarked upon by the Non-academic staff of the institution, as it may affect their harmattan semester examination. By SOLA JACOBS

This Ile Awiye Stinks

Kola — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:02:16 +0000

bACK UP WITH AJANI SAMUEL

One component of the heritage that the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo bequeathed was press freedom. The hero of Yoruba emancipation once said: “Any breathing mortal that is deprived of freedom of expression is already a carcass in the graveyard”. He matched words with action as he established the first television station in black Africa which today is known as Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan. This shows that the Yoruba are forerunners in civilization. The Yoruba are the pacesetters. This feat is derivable from our scholastic prowess which no other race in Nigeria can equally boast of till date. It is from this that we fashion out our boldness; and when we open up a course, others look on to learn from our God-given ingenuity. It is not today that we earn this. It is not even yesterday because it is a gradual evolutionary process which orientation we have imbibed over a long period of time. If anybody tries to strip us of this enviable quality, I think the person may relish time wastage as a hobby. When Osun State was carved out of the old Oyo State in 1991, all the workers were asked to go to their individual states. The Ijesas, Iwos, Ifes, Ikires, the Igbominas that fell within the new state and the Osogbos, Ikiruns and Edes, all were asked to pack their personal effects and go to their new state (Osun). I remember vividly how the then military governor of the old Oyo State lamented the crop of seasoned administrators that the new Osun State was taking off with; leaving the new Oyo State with depleted civil service structure. He ran to General Ibrahim Babangida to formally lodge an appeal which almost cost him his job as a military administrator. He quickly elevated officers to fill the vacuum created, with some in acting capacity. Radio OYO and TSOS were no exceptions. It can even be insinuated that the twin media outfits were the worst heat. About 90 per cent of the management staff and professionals left for Osun because they are either indigenes or they derived matrimonial affinity therefrom. The outfits were grossly depleted and it was as if they would not survive the depletion onslaught. The indigenes of the new state (Osun) that left were not without their challenges. The satellite radio station at Ile-Ife was not originally designed for independent broadcast. It was just a booster station, magnifying the output from Ibadan to Ile-Ife and its environs. So, the challenge was to perform the magic that would enhance the capacity of an electronic device to go round the whole of Osun State for adequate information dissemination. The same goes with the then TSOS channel 22 UHF Ibokun. A booster station that was positioned to assuage the Ijesas for their complaint of neglect was to become the mega-station that would serve the whole state of The Living Spring, when all the segments of the state were to make do with the N3,000,000 naira that was released to Col. Leo Ajiborisa as a take-off grant. It was indeed herculean. Trust their ingenuity; the crop of seasoned administrators and professionals quickly took up the challenges. They put heads together to prevent any blackout: The people of the new state must not be kept in the dark about the policies and the programmes of the new administration and there must be no communication gap. The magic wand became kinetic. The miracle was performed and within the shortest time possible, the cock began to crow from radio Osun at Ile-Ife. Not long after this, the television station in Ibokun followed suit and as it appeared, no negative impact has been felt because the consternation that the people of the new state would be cut off from the rest of the world was quickly averted. That prompted Col Leo Ajiborisha to conclude that he was the luckiest of all the MILADS that had just been posted to the newly-created states. While it was a success story for Osun and its people, the people that were left in the remaining part of the old Oyo State were not so lucky. Truly, the equipments were on ground, and highly sophisticated too. The problem arose with their operations. All the people with competent technical know-how had been moved to the new state that was carved out of it. The animosity that was shown to the people earlier, removed the freedom to interact with the gurus who had departed and they grappled with this problem for a very long time before they could have a headway. At a time, they lured some of their erstwhile colleagues that were partially based in Ibadan to perform in freelance capacity until they got the mastery of the state of heart gadgets in the studios. Back in Osun, there was unalloyed honesty to perform. It was in an atmosphere of freedom and neutrality that they were operating and this gave rise to magnificent output, and it was professionalism at its best. There was no interference of any sort because their operations were distinctly separated from politics. Between 1991 and 2003, everybody was free to operate in the overall interest of the media outfits even after befitting studios at Oke Baale, Ibokun road which later became “Ile Awiye” (courtesy of retired Olatide Ojo of Majiyagbe fame) has been put in place. The efficiency was soaring. There was no distinction between the permanent staff and those who worked freelance because things were done with decorum and issues were handled painstakingly. Everybody had tender conscience with serious abhorrence for errors. Information would be authenticated before they became news that would be disseminated to the public. All these must have been responsible for the non-interference that they enjoyed over the years. And they were better off for it. I am an advocate of change constancy. I believe that it is dysfunctional to remain stationary like a stagnant water that deprives systematic ebullience and ecstasy. That change, however, must be progressive. It must be likeable from the perspective of positivism, because of a necessity; it adds value to the system and adds to the survival of the system. It is distasteful to me if we have it otherwise because that will definitely cause the system to collapse as we are having it in ILE AWIYE today, where caution has been thrown to the wind and ethos are flagrantly desecrated. It all started in 2003 when Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola got to power (people say by default and I think I have enough reasons to agree with them). The functionaries were still the same and in fact not the change of political party hegemony was to change the leadership because the man at the helm of affairs is a strong PDP stalwart who was graciously appointed by Chief Bisi Akande during his tenure, due to his belief that sentiments have no place in governance and square pegs best suit square holes. Immediately Governor Oyinlola got to power, he sent stern warning to Ile Awiye that of a necessity, they must be partisan. Of course, he was aware that the minority party had wangled its way to power by default and so nothing should be spared to make it look otherwise. He turned the outfits to personal estate that should be pocketed and controlled; even if inordinately. I am only disappointed in Chief Yemi Farounbi whom I regard as a man that knows his onions. I am of the opinion that he ought to have courteously told his boss (Oyinlola), who is lay in the ethics of pen profession. He ought to have told Oyinlola that information dissemination has a twin brother of neutrality toga, which I believe were maintained by his benefactor (Chief Bisi Akande) to the extent that he (Chief Yemi Faroumbi) literally coerced Chief Bisi Akande before introducing that popular programme – 'LABE ODAN', because of the belief by the latter that action speaks louder than voice. Today, freedom has been muzzled: The operators in ILE AWIYE cannot freely report point blank and every voice of opposition has been stifled, however rational it appears. The time bloom upon the first “ripe fruits” has been removed by the rough handling of the media house surrounding. The sensitive plant of piety has turned into a willow in the hand of Oyinlola; that it appears now too pliant and too easily yielding. It is sadly true that a one-time enviable media outfit has grown by degrees so callous, that those professional aberrations that once appeared disdainful no long alarm them in the least. By degrees, they get familiar with defiant clog, because the ear in which the cannon has been booming will not notice slight sounds anymore. Great professional assaults are regarded as a little ill and presumption has assumed a debilitating dimension. ILE AWIYE has gone so partisan that names are denied the right prefix; or how can one explain a situation where an engineer has become mere “Mr.” (mister) considering how passionate we are about titles in our society (where as the title in this instance was toiled and sweated for). They palliate falsehood and throw a cloak over it, but end up calling this act by dainty names. In news and documentary, you only hear Mr. Aregbesola as against Engineer Aregbesola that our society adores; having come from a dint of hard work. This is because that is what suits the ears of the autocratic governor that has been foisted on us. By and by, little foxes are spoiling the vine of vibrancy that ILE AWIYE is known for. This aberration is retrogressive, dangerous, and deadly. What looks inconsequential has started having its toll on the outfits of late. They have been caught in the web of their deviant behaviour. Governor Oyinlola has bastardized them that he, personally, has lost confidence in their potency. Oyinlola preferred to commit functions of image laundering into the care of personalities other than those in ILE AWIYE because he felt he has turned them to a bully where nothing good can originate anymore. He recently decided to make use of Adeyemi Omojola of NTA Osogbo (who has become an unholy tool in the hand of Oyinlola) through the office of the Press Secretary to the Governor, and in conjunction with BEN TV.; a media outfit based in London to sell OSUN to the outside world, by-passing his brides of mass destruction in ILE AWIYE. Can you see how nemesis can catch up with a traitor?: And the general manager is a professional too. It is needful to remind the professionals in ILE AWIYE that they have waned seriously in popularity that majority of the people in Osun have no penchant for their programmes any longer; not even for the news because people know that they are nothing but mere concoction of falsehood and embellishment. It is time for ILE AWIYE to know that as the tiny coral insect can build a rock that can wreck a navy, little strokes can fell oaks, and continual droppings can wear stones as well. Retraction is needful now; because their commissions and omissions will be weighed in the scales of eternity.

Irewole AC In Prayer Galore For Aregbesola

Kola — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:21:54 +0000

The shout of “amen” rent the air in Ikire, Headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State on Sunday as Action Congress (AC) members (Rufai Oyebamiji Group) in the council area held a marathon Islamic prayer session for the victory of the AC governorship candidate, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola at the Court of Appeal, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State. The prayer session, which was the 16th of its kind since the beginning of the governorship tussle at the appellate court recorded the attendance of AC members across the eleven wards of the council area. At the prayer session, a white ram was slaughtered for sacrifice, the exercise, which had been the practice of the group whenever a prayer was held. Islamic clerics who were party supporters and non-party supporters, were invited to call for God’s intervention on the retrieval of the stolen mandate. Verses of Holy Quran were recited at the programme. Speaking to OSUN DEFENDER after the prayer session, the party leader in the council area, Oyebamiji lauded the courage of the AC members in the council and the state in general for remaining steadfast, despite all odds. He said that though, the stealing of the people’s mandate by the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP)-led government in the state was painful, but it did not come as a surprise because that has always been the practice of the conservatives. Oyebamiji who was an erstwhile lawmaker in the old Oyo State recalled that the conservatives did a similar thing, in 1965 but they spent not more than three months before they were chased out of power. According to him, though Oyinlola has spent more than three months on the stolen mandate, the stolen mandate would be retrieved through the appellate court. The party leader lauded the AC members in the council for spending their time and money to ensure that the stolen mandate is retrieved, just as he warned them against vengeance, if eventually their stolen mandate is retrieved. He restated that Aregbesola is a progressive and he would do everything possible to take a new dawn to the state, saying that he would not hold back in his electioneering campaign promises. The erstwhile lawmaker then condemned Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led administration for neglecting people –oriented programme for personal interest. In his own contribution, another party leader in the council area, Alhaji Adiatu Olaoye urged the party members to remain calm, saying that “by the grace of God, your stolen mandate would be retrieved.” He stated that the PDP leaders and thugs had, on several occasions humiliated AC members, lauding, the party members for remaining steadfast. Olaoye reiterated that the AC members are being denied their right in the council area, assuring them the hope would be restored by the appellate court. He prayed that whenever the court is ready to deliver the judgment, it would be done in favour of their candidate. Also speaking, the women leader, Mrs. Kemi Oladele urged other women to endure, saying that it was only those who endure that could benefit from politics. She then urged all the party members not to relent in prayer until the stolen mandate is retrieved and after the mandate might have been restored through the appellate court. By kazeem mohammed

Forensic Evidence And Politics Of Misinformation

Kola — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:58:02 +0000

Omo Osun with Kola Olabisi IN any organization, marketers the set of people bedeviled with problems associated with products such companies are identified with. What is applicable to products is also applicable to services. If a product or service is flawless, marketers are known to have less work to do. But if a product is a bundle of difficulties, marketers who are unfortunate to be saddled with the responsibility of packaging such products are faced with arduous task of extracting water from stone. No matter what the effort of a marketer is, a bad product does not have any other name other than something associated with negativism. In Osun State today, one needs not be a professional marketer to know that both Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, the indomitable Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate and the embattled incumbent Governor Olagunsoye Ashola Oyinlola, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate are the two prominent politicians in the state of the Living Spring. It is however known to all and sundry that Aregbesola, any time, any day, is a marketer’s delight as little or no effort is required for further packaging of the AC candidate, while it is pungently obvious that for any marketer to get Oyinlola sold, there is need for admixture of ingenuity and unorthodox means of making things happen. The kernel of this piece is that while Oyinlola is a difficult product, Aregbesola only needs marketing to sustain his enviable political attainment not only in Osun State but in the South-West. Events in the state of the Living Spring since Aregbesola showed his intention to upstage the embattled Governor Oyinlola have shown that though the Okuku prince is a retired Army General but he is a political neophyte who needs tutelage under the younger mechanical engineer whom he once derisively referred to as a refrigerator repairer. Oyinlola knows where the shoe pinches him because the name ‘Rauf’ haunts him like a plague. Having highlighted the above points, I sympathize with collegue gentleman whose duty it is to package Oyinlola. I will never, just like the other people, join issues with my friend, Mr Lasisi Olagunju, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS) for protecting his source of livelihood by defending his boss. My area of concern was when the contemporary developments in the Court of Appeal, sitting in Ibadan were misrepresented by my friend to satisfy the whims and caprices of the Okuku prince. The purpose of his resorting to journalese, semantics and mere chicanery to confuse the good people of Osun State is the reason I feel obliged to straighten the record as an hyper-active member of the public whose duty is to gather, process, and disseminate news on the issue at stake. Olagunju can not tell me we were not together at the press gallery. I am surprised that the CPS could join in spreading the falsehood that the Court of Appeal did not admit any forensic evidence on Wednesday. It was the same Olagunju who has been spreading this fallacy who said that: “The court, on Wednesday, only consolidated with the main appeal, four interlocutory appeals arising from the decision of the trial tribunal rejecting applications by Aregbesola to introduce Adrian Forty and Tunde Yadeka as additional witnesses as well as an application to re-open his case so as to tender election results. With the consolidation of the appeals on Adrian Forty and others with the main appeal, the decisions of the appeal court on the matters would come with the final judgment”. With the above statement, it is pungent clear that the CPS is a marker of a difficult product in the person of Oyinlola. And that is why my friend is approbating and reprobating at the same time. The kernel of Olagunju’s propaganda in this regard is at variance with what transpired in the appeal court of that Wednesday. One wonders if the forensic evidence was not admitted, how then, did the CPS agree that “the decisions of the appellate court on the matters would come with the final judgment?” This goes a long way to show that the Oyinlola mouthpiece is all out to confuse unsuspecting members of the public; a development which has failed to achieve the ulterior motive it was intended for because of the awareness level of the people who have unfortunately fallen victims of deceit in the past six years of Oyinlola’s administration in the state. If Olagunju had wanted to be an unbiased umpire, he would have told members of the public the drama witnessed over the attempt by Oyinlola’s counsel, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), to thwart efforts by Aregbesola’s counsel, Chief Kola Awodein (SAN), to make the court admit as exhibit the document containing the report on the forensic expert. It is on record that Ali, in an attempt to stop the document from being incorporated into Aregbesola’s four other appeals, told the five-man panel-led Justice Victor Aimupomo Omage, to discountenance the application containing the report, adding that he had no knowledge of such a document in his file. Ali’s words: “On the face of the motion, there are four appeals listed. The one listed as 1.5 of the motion, we don’t have any knowledge of it. There are three interlocutory and one substantive appeal”. I hope Olagunju could remember that there was confusion in the court sequel to the insistence of Awodein that he filed the document on December 31, 2008 and that there was a reply from the Oyinlola counsel acknowledging the receipt of the document; a development which made the court to announce a stand-down for five minutes which later dragged to about thirty minutes to enable the counsel and the registry sort out themselves. During the stand-down, the trial justices sent for the leading interested counsel in their chambers but Ali refused to go and it was the embattled partner of his, Kunle Kalejaiye and Nathaniel Oke (SANs) who went into the justices’ chambers. The document containing the forensic report was later found in the court’s registry and incorporated by the court into the four briefs of argument. And it was indeed a season of apologies as Oyinlola’s counsel, Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) counsel, Mr Joe Gadzama, and the police counsel, Mr Niyi Owolade, Osun State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General apologized ceaselessly in turns for having told lies before the court, telling the same court that they were aware of the document. What an embarrassment to the court! WITH the confusion over the document resolved, Awodein moved a motion to include the forensic report in the four appeals filed by Aregbesola. Ali, Gadzama and Owolade did not object. Awodein urged the court to declare Aregbesola winner of the April 14, 2007 governorship election, adding that the Election Petitions Tribunal that heard the case was wrong in rejecting the police security report and Forms EC8D and EC8E tendered before it. The Aregbesola counsel told the court that it was necessary to consider the police security report contained in an envelope marked Exhibit 161 to 171 – Certified True Copy - to assist the court to verify the claims of the appellant that the election was characterized by malpractices and violence. And that it did not also comply with the Electoral Act. Awodein emphasized that the lower tribunal was wrong in rejecting the police security report and should declare the first appellant winner of the April 14, 2007 governorship election. The Aregbesola lawyer maintained that the failure of INEC to call any witness at the lower tribunal “... is fatal to their case and supports the appellants’ case that there were no counting of votes in the disputed 10 local governments as pleaded and established by evidence. On a clear basis, if your lordships are to deduct or nullify the disputed votes in the affected ten local governments, it will be clear that the appellant would be scoring majority of the votes cast on April 14, 2007 governorship election. We should be declared winner, this is the fulcrum of my submission”. The failure to submit Form EC8A in seven local governments, particularly in Ife East Local Government by INEC, he added, had established the proof that there were no elections in the area. Awodein, therefore, urged the court to declare Aregbesola winner as contained in paragraphs 158.2 and 158.4 of the petition and as set out on page 77 of volume 1 of the record. According to him, if the valid votes were considered, his client would get the majority and win one-quarter of the votes in two-third of the 30 local government councils making up the state. Ali prayed the court to dismiss all Aregbesola’s appeals on the grounds that they lack merit and substance, adding that all the appeals were not relevant to the case, citing the cases of Agagu Vs Mimiko and Oshiomhole Vs Osunbor. According to Ali, in the two cases, there were sufficient pleadings and witnesses called to give evidence. He said besides, particular votes were counted units by units and the tribunal made its findings before declaring the petitioners winners, adding that that was not the case in the Osun matter. The Oyinlola counsel said the appellant had not shown in the interlocutory appeals that the tribunal did not exercise its discretion judiciously. After hearing the arguments of the counsel, Justice Omagie reserved judgement until a date to be communicated to the parties. When it was Gadzama’s turn, he said it was the duty of the appellants/petitioners to prove their case. In his response to INEC’s failure to call witnesses, Gadzama said it was a deliberate decision because the appellants/petitioners “had wanted our witnesses to do their bidding. The report alluded to by the appellants’ counsel was not frontloaded . And there was substantial compliance with the Electoral Act. There can never be perfect elections. I adopted the submission of my learned respondents’ counsel that the appeal should be rejected”. BEFORE it was the turn of Owolade to address the court, Justice Omagie took up the INEC counsel, accusing him of malapropism with reference to the use of the word ‘frontloaded’, cautioning that it was used inappropriately. Gadzama however, ate a humble pie for this. Owolade did not even waste the precious time of the court as he turned out to have made one of the shortest addresses in the history of litigation at the appeal court level in this country. After introducing himself, he said: “I seek your indulgence to dismiss the appeals in its entirety”. Any spiritually gifted mortal who witnessed the proceedings would not believe less that there was more to some of the happenings on the occasion than meets the eyes, as some of the developments and their subsequent solutions were obviously beyond the comprehension of human beings. While a party, through reliance on principalities and power was trying to make things difficult at the proceedings, marathon prayers by the other party were used to counter the power of the devil. Who says there is no power in prayers? There is hardly a place or a day when prayer warriors are not making case for Aregbesola. True to type, the prayers have a place in the success story of the Aregbesola struggle to bail out the people of the State of the Living Spring from the chains of oppression and suppression which is the stock in trade of the reactionary group. What Olagunju had intended to achieve through his fallacious publication in the media had failed woefully. Thank God, the state-owned electronic media which has largely been a channel of dishing out the falsehood does not have a monopoly of operation. The same is applicable to some of the print media being used for the ulterior motive. The problem with the CPS is that he is having a difficult product to sell. He has to resort to less than dignifying method to show his master that he is working. The knowledge of forensic document that was initially denied by the respondents’ counsel which could not be found at the onset was not accidental; the whole thing appeared pre-arranged but which boomeranged because it pungently portrayed the respondents’ counsel as a set of professionals having something to hide. Whatever the intention of the masterminds and their accomplices might be, the plan failed to achieve the desired result and earned for their principal a monumental minus. I rest my case here.

10 Million Naira Scandal Rocks Osun Farmers Association

Kola — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:06:57 +0000

FINANCIAL crisis has hit the Association of Cassava Farmers in Osun State as the Local Governments executives of the association recently accused the state executive of allegedly misappropriating about N10 million, belonging to the association. The Association Local Government executive stated that since the chairman of the state executive, Chief David Ogunsakin came on board, he has not been able to account for about N10 million accruable to the association. Chairman of the association local government executives, Mallam Sodiq Osuolale told newsmen during the week that Chief Ogunsakin’s style of leadership negates the principle of accountability. Investigations conducted by OSUN DEFENDER however, revealed that some cassava farmers in the state are nursing grudges against the chairman over what they described as preferential treatment especially in the issue of disbursement of loans. A farmer in Olorunda Local Government Council Area told the medium that the actions of the chairman are highly frustrating, but no one dare confront him as he is believed to be enjoying tremendous support from some powerful individuals in authority. However, the local council’s executive last Tuesday passed a vote of no-confidence on the state chairman, citing financial recklessness, and also alleged that it had overstayed its legal term. Though in a swift reaction, Chief David Ogunsakin debunked the claim of the local executives that he had over-stayed his tenure, saying the association had already amended its constitution to accommodate tenure elongation, even at the national level of the association. He also dismissed the vote of no-confidence passed on him by them; saying they had no right to do so, but, such action could only be carried out by the General Meeting conveyed by the state executives. He also announced the suspension of some members of the local executive; Sodiq Osuolale, Musafiu Ganiyu and Ganiyu Adeleke, adding that the attempt to soil his integrity is orchestrated by some members who did not want to return the association’s loans. The source further stated that the state chairman is becoming untouchable as he has the overwhelming support of the authority in the state. Also, the local executive maintained that their position stands, saying that the chairman should go public with the financial records of the association, since he came on board. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Ondo PDP Invades LG Councils

Kola — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:27:34 +0000

POLITICAL thuggery and violence, which are common features within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fold are about to rear their ugly heads in Ondo state again. The Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko alerted the people of the state in a state- wide broadcast on both state-owned Television and Radio stations of a planned armed- invasion of all the Local government councils by former PDP Council chairmen in the state. “I wish to bring to your urgent attention that the peace you have cherished is now being threatened by the former PDP chairmen of Local Government councils” the governor revealed. According to the governor, the 18 ousted council chairmen filed an action at Akure High Court on 14 March 2009 to invalidate their removal and reinstate them. He said it was sad to note that the erstwhile chairmen without waiting for the outcome of the court action, which they filed, brow-beat the relevant authorities to mobilize fully armed security personnel to invade the Local Government Secretariat with a view to forcefully taking over the affairs of the councils. Dr Olusegun Mimiko also disclosed in the broadcast that some Council Secretariats have been looted, while official documents have been either distorted or destroyed. He stated further that the situation was being deliberately manipulated by elements in the state PDP, who are yet to come to terms with their loss of power in the state, in order to create an impression of instability and a sense that the state is ungovernable. The governor also revealed that the goal of the PDP was to create a state of anarchy and lawlessness with a view to persuading President Umaru Yar’Adua to declare a state of emergency in the state. It will be recalled that on November 1, 2007 an Akure High Court presided over by Justice Lanre Akerdolu gave an order in a case filed by the Minority Leader in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Honourable Ifedayo Akinsoyinu and others restraining the defendants, their agents and privies from conducting the Local Government elections slated for December 2007, until the substantive issue raised by the plaintiffs had been resolved. The government then filed an appeal against this court order, despite the court order, and while the appeal was still pending; Dr Olusegun Agagu’s government went ahead to conduct the purported elections, which were rightly boycotted by the people of Ondo State. The governor said that the dissolved PDP Local Government executives and legislatures, who usurped office between December 2007 to March 2009 were product of illegal elections adding that as a responsible government, they have no other choice than to dissolve such illegal contraption that the last administration hurriedly put in place He explained further that the dissolved executive and legislative arms of the 18 councils did not constitute the elected Local Government envisaged in section 7 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Local Government laws of Ondo State. “It is significant to note that the dissolution of the Local Government operatives was widely-applauded by the generality of the people of the state as not a single incident of crisis or violence was recorded across the state” he concluded. The governor therefore appealed to the people of the state not to allowed themselves to be provoked to do anything that can impair the peace and stability of the state. He then enjoined them to remain calm and avoid any form of violence and physical confrontation. - By OJO FUNSO, Akure

Oyinlola Tackles Teacher Corp Members To Take Over Public Schools

Kola — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:00:58 +0000

THE lingering crisis between the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led administration has got to a level that the state government is hell-bent at ensuring that the striking teachers pay dearly for their insubordination to the state government. In its recent effort to undermine the threat of the teachers, holding it to ransom over their resolve to abandon the classroom until the new salary issue is resolved, the government has written to the state directorate of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to assign over 90 percent of the corps members to its schools. Investigations revealed that the state government believed that another way to defeat the stubborn teachers is to flood the schools with corps members, providing them with adequate securities to enable them open the school doors again, thereby forcing the teachers to negotiate based on whatever the government is willing to offer. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the Peoples Democratic Party-led government in the state resolved on the move, after its several attempts to bring back the striking members of the NUT failed. The government had directed the Teaching Service Commission to open an attendance register for the teachers, a move described as an empty threat by the leadership of the NUT, while the government also threatens to deduct the salary of the members based on no work, no pay policy. The state NUT had shunned a High Court order in the state restraining it from embarking on industrial action to join its counterparts from four other South-West states protesting the non-implementation of the new salary scale promised them by the government. Reacting on the issue, an executive member of the state NUT, who preferred anonymity, told OSUN DEFENDER that the union is aware of the government’s plan, saying the union is battle-ready against all plans of the Oyinlola-led government. The executive member, however, blamed its leadership at the state for the present travails the union has found itself, adding that if they had not been involved in a romance with the state government, their position would have been given prompt attention before getting to this stage. According to the source, the government is taking the union for a ride, even when it is responsible for its being in power in the first place, the source however, added that the selfish and greedy attitudes of its leadership is responsible for the trouble the government is putting it through. Then, the source revealed that the NUT leadership would do everything to ensure that the welfare of its members is adequately protected. Also speaking on the issue, Pa Wale Azeez, a retired public school principal disclosed that the present travail would teach the union leadership a good lesson that no government is worth to be trusted whole-heartedly. He however, warned the government on the consequences of flooding schools with graduates that are not properly trained to teach in our public schools, saying it should rather go to the roundtable with the teachers. Speaking further, he stated that the way and manner the Governor spoke on a public television and radio programme about the crisis between the government and the NUT was not helping matters. Pa Azeez, added that with about two or three weeks to the Senior Secondary Schools Leaving Certificate examinations, the government ought to have been involved in critical discussion with the union like it was done in Lagos and Ogun States rather than resolving to media war and recruiting corps members into its public schools.

OBJ disgraced in Owerri

Editors Online — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 06:31:06 +0000

From VAL OKARA, Owerri

...As Ohakim, Rochas’ supporters clash

What would have been a bloody clash between supporters of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State was yesterday averted in Owerri by security agents. The development was reportedly a fall out of grievances by the opposition against the PDP over the latter’s refusal to allow the former use public facilities for its campaign rallies. This resulted in the former president Olusegn Obasanjo and his chief host, Governor Ikedi Ohakim, being pelted with satchets of water. In the melee that ensued, the entourage of both the governor and the former president sandwiched by security agencies meandered its way through heavy traffic gridlock on the road to the Dan Anyim Stadium for the grand finale of the PDP rally. Trouble was said to have started when aggrieved protesters at the Okigwe Road Roundabout sighted the convoy of the former President and his host, Ohakim, they hauled sachets of pure water and stones at the vehicles. Daily Sun reports that the APGA governorship candidate for the April 16 polls in the state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, had earlfier fixed his grand finale rally at the Grasshoppers International Handball Stadium Owerri yesterday but the state Governor Ohakim suddenly rescheduled his own rally at the same venue on the same day. Owelle later shifted the venue of his rally to the Township Primary School along Wethedral road, a short distance to the Dan Anyim Stadium but the state government announced that the new venue acquired by Okorocha would be used as parking lot for the PDP visitors, attending the PDP rally. The APGA governorship candidate embarked on a road show with his teeming supporters on the major streets of Owerri that held the metropolis to a standstill for several hours. He later shifted his rally to Rochas Foundation Plaza along Okigwe road where he addressed party supporters on the forthcoming election. The teeming supporters of APGA candidate blocked all the major entrances, leading to Government House, shouting ‘Na Rochas we know’ under tight police protection. He charged the people of the state to come out enmasse to vote for credible candidates that would deliver dividends of democracy and warned that the natives of the state would resist any attempt to disrupt the electoral process. At the Dan Anyim Stadium, venue of the PDP rally Obasanjo urged the electorate not be gullible and vote for men of character. He called on the natives of the state to vote massively for all PDP candidates to ensure continuity. Obasanjo urged the people to shun candidates of APGA, Chief Rochas Okorocha, and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume of ACN in the Imo governorship election, because they could not be trusted. "I know Araraume, Rochas and Udenwa. I have worked closely with them and Imo people should shine their eyes so that they don’t fall for false promises," he said. Obasanjo described Ohakim as a dynamic young man, who had worked diligently and transparently for the betterment of the people. Ohakim, in his contribution, told PDP supporters not to be deceived by empty promises by those seeking elective positions, saying his achievement in the last four years spoke for him. He thanked Imo people for living peacefully, especially during the campaigns of various political parties, despite provocations, adding that if voted into office for a second term, he would do more for for the people. "I have learnt on the job and moved Imo forward, next term we will take Imo to a higher level, having acquired enough experience." The ACN chairman in Imo State, Bob Njemanze, accused Obasanjo of "trying to re-eanact what he did in 2007 that put Imo State in its terrible mess today." Speaking with Daily Sun on phone, Njemanze added that Obasanjo should "go back to Ogun State and resolve the problems he created there. We don’t need him to tell us who to vote for. Obasanjo insulted our senses and sensibilities. His hatred for Igbos is pathological but he does not want to be seen or held responsible for what he did."

Nigeria: Dancing with One Leg, Clapping with One Hand

Editors Online — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 06:41:35 +0000

By Yinka Tella

Nigeria is a nation of intense contradictions, numbing ironies and grinding complexities. In 50 years of independence, it seems to have perfected the art of dancing on one leg, clapping with one hand and advancing in circles. The only constant in Nigeria seems to be incessant motion without movement. You only need to reflect a little on its past to discover that the present is virtually a clone of the past. It is an unending cadence that never ceases to amaze me but Nigerians have a golden opportunity to break this monotony during the April 2011 elections. In a revealing article published in The New York Review of Books of September 24, 1998, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo described Nigeria as "a country of anything goes." Obasanjo’s write-up was a sweeping condemnation of the misrule of the Abacha military junta which held Nigeria in its iron grip from November 1993 to June 1998 following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections. The June 12 elections, won by the Social Democratic Party’s Chief MKO Abiola, was widely applauded by the international community as being largely fraud-free. Incidentally, Obasanjo, who was imprisoned by the Abacha junta for alleged coup-making, was one of those who helped sustain that annulment when he gleefully asserted that Abiola was "not the messiah" Nigeria needs." Obasanjo was rewarded for this stance when he was assisted by those who annulled the election to take over as Nigeria’s "elected" president in May 1999. Although the Obasanjo would have us believe otherwise in his 1998 article, Abacha’s shenanigans which included the celebrated judicial murder of activist-writer Ken Saro Wiwa is quite symptomatic of the culture of opaqueness and impunity which predates him. It was very much in play when Obasanjo first held sway as a military head of state from 1976 to 1979. He supervised a transition program with a seeming pre-determined end. He repeatedly insisted that the best candidate might not win and eventually delivered Shehu Shagari, an hitherto unknown Grade 2 teacher, on the wings of a judicial maneuver and magical mathematical configuration. This culture continued during the Buhari-Idiagbon regime when 53 suitcases reportedly full of currency notes were smuggled into the country by the Aide-De-Camp of the then Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari whose government prohibited such trafficking. Ironically, Buhari is now running for the presidency on a supposed anti-corruption platform. The Pius Okigbo panel set up by the Sani Abacha government as a part of its strategy of consolidating its hold on power found that about $12.3 billion dollars of oil revenue earned during the 1991 Persian Gulf War had disappeared from the dedicated and special accounts set up by the Babangida regime for that purpose by June 1994. Despite that shocking find, no one was ever held accountable for that grand theft. In fact, like numerous other probe panels (e.g. Paul Tarfa’s Panel of Inquiry into the Customs and Excise Services; Emmanuel Abisoye’s NNPC Probe Panel and MD Yusuf’s Police Probe Panel report), the Okigbo panel report has not been officially released. It is this culture of corruption and impunity that ensured the Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mills into which more than $5 billion had been sunk in the last 32 years has still not been completed. It has ensured that funds in excess of $2b allocated for the maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries were diverted leading to artificial scarcity of refined petroleum products and avenues for cronies of government officials to profiteer through unbridled importation. Also, billions of dollars budgeted for road maintenance and construction in the last 12 years of PDP’s rulership, developed wings and disappeared. Mr. Tony Anenih, the minister most responsible for this "magic," has remained the engine room of all the presidential campaigns of the ruling People’s Democratic Party which produced Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and the incumbent president Jonathan Goodluck. In his other life, he was the Social Democratic Party (SDP) national chairman who thought nothing of negotiating away the fairly won victory of his party in the June 12, 1993 presidential elections. Similar billions injected into power generation as well as funds that accrued into the Education Trust Fund (ETF) during the second coming of President Obasanjo have been misappropriated according to the findings of the House of Representatives committee that probed the power sector. The national electric grid is failing and decayed. Almost no part of Nigeria, including Lagos and Abuja get electricity daily. Vast areas of the country remain perpetually in darkness with some communities yet to taste electrical power 50 years after Nigeria’s flag independence! I have gone to this length to briefly trace the trajectory of the Nigerian state to clearly delineate the choice before Nigerians in April’s presidential polls which has been billed as a 3-way race between the incumbent, Dr. Jonathan Goodluck, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and retired General Mohammed Buhari. In reality, however, both Dr. Goodluck and General Buhari largely represent the same status quo. As the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ribadu was revolted by the fact that about $360 billion of Nigeria’s earnings since independence had been lost to corruption while 70% of the people continue to subsist on less than $1 a day. He set out to end the culture of impunity in Nigeria by systematically removing the mystique associated with corruption in Nigeria. Prominent bankers, former/serving ministers, eight former state governors, a former inspector general of police, several high profile businessmen as well as a number of advance-fee conmen, known as "419ers," and high-ranking political party members were investigated and successfully prosecuted. Ribadu’s EFCC recorded about 200 criminal convictions, a record that is far ahead of the total record of the police in its 147 years of existence, and far ahead of the Attorney-General’s office in the 49 years of the country’s post-colonial history. In 2007, Ribadu rejected a $15 million bribe and offer of a house abroad from James Ibori, a former Delta State Governor and principal funder of the election that brought the Yar’Adua-Jonathan ticket to power. As a result of Ribadu’s efforts, Nigeria, which hitherto was a pariah, got admitted into the prestigious Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units and was delisted from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) List of Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories. EFCC attracted donor support from the European Union (EU), UNODC, UNDP, World Bank, and a host of others running into millions of US dollars, and also built an effective collaborative effort with the FBI, SOCA [UK], Metropolitan Police [UK], Dutch Police, German Police, South African Police and a host of other law enforcement agencies world-wide. Under Ribadu’s watch, EFCC also built the Crimes Training and Research Institute now much venerated in the West African sub-region. Some of these gains are already being eroded as a result of the inaction of the post-Ribadu leadership of the EFCC. FATF has already indicated its intention to de-list Nigeria and 10 others as non-cooperative countries if certain deficiencies are not corrected by June 2011.The courage, integrity, commitment and vision that Ribadu brought to bear on his assignment at EFCC is, unfortunately, a rarity in Nigeria. It was thus not surprising that the Yar’Adua government felt uncomfortable enough to "rotate" him out of the agency. In this election cycle, Ribadu underlined his seriousness about Project New Nigeria when he chose Mr. Fola Adeola as his running mate. Adeola the pioneer Managing Director and co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), ran the bank for 12 years during which time he turned the bank into the gold standard of banking in Nigeria. Such was the reputation of GTB that the Harvard Business School’s faculty of Organizational Behavior formulated a case study based on the bank’s growth experience "to explore the culture and value system of a successful and responsible enterprise operating in Nigeria, a country plagued with high levels of corruption." By the time Adeola voluntarily stepped down in August 2002 after 12 years in the saddle as GTB’s Managing Director, he had grown the bank’s net shareholding from N25m to about N2 billion, and its asset base from N172 million to N16.7 billion. The bank grew beyond Nigeria to operate in Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the United Kingdom. He bequeathed a highly ethical institution which has never been associated with the multiple malfeasances that necessitated the Failed Banks Tribunal which operated from 1994 to 1999, recovering some N4.3 billion in depositors’ funds. Incidentally, Ribadu was a core member of the Failed Banks Tribunal as a representative. Upon retirement from GTB, Adeola dedicated himself to the task of developing novel solutions to the people deficit in Nigeria’s approach to development. He pursued a research fellowship at the non-profit Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) in Washington DC, working on poverty reduction using financial services products, as platforms, pension reform and entrepreneurship development. He subsequently served as part-time chairman of the National Pension Commission which helped midwife the Pension Reform Act of 2004.Earlier in 2000, he took a one-year sabbatical from GTB to conduct research on job creation and economic development at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS). A Chartered Accountant, Mr. Adeola, 57, is currently the chairman of Main One Cable Company Limited which is building a submarine cable system for broadband connectivity between Africa and Europe as well as Fate Foundation, a non-profit organization he founded for indigenous wealth creation and entrepreneurship. To date the Fate Foundation has helped no less than 5000 young entrepreneurs find their feet through mentoring, training and financial support. Like Ribadu, Adeola is respected internationally. He was one of 25 business leaders invited for the Aspen Institute ISIB Annual Business Leaders Dialogue in Aspen, Colorado in 2001. He was one of 9 African Commissioners appointed by former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, into the 17-member Commission set up to examine the African condition and formulate strategies to put Africa on the path to growth and prosperity during Britain’s presidency of the European Union. If anything, it is certain that the Ribadu-Adeola ticket represents the only new and fresh platform for Nigerians desirous of a final break with business as usual. The influential international newsmagazine, The Economist, described them as the "progressive choice" in this election for good reason. They are not a recycled, rebranded or repackaged outgrowth of the same 50-plus year old trajectory of visionless, incompetent, decadent and unrepentantly corrupt but deceitful leadership that the other tickets represent in varying degrees. To adapt Mr. Adeola’s analogy, what we have are a fresh and untainted pairs of eyes to look at the Nigerian situation from a new perspective; a new lens that will see possibilities and opportunities for national advancement rather than problems and potentials for private profit. Nuhu is ready to annihilate corruption; Ribadu cannot wait to rid Nigeria of nepotism; Fola will foil incompetence while Adeola will identify and deliver real dividends of democracy. I firmly believe that the Ribadu-Adeola ticket will dare to be different. They will usher an era of vision, integrity, competence and nationalism to create the new Nigeria of our dreams. So let’s go out and do our part by voting right and doing everything to protect our votes in the next three Saturdays. The time for Nigeria to spring forward is now! Dr. Yinka Tella, Counselor at Broward College, Fort Lauderdale, is an award-winning Nigerian journalist, and author of The Post-9/11 Syndrome: International Education in an Era of Homeland Insecurity- Perspectives from the Florida frontline

Gunmen attack ex-deputy governor, others

Editors Online — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 07:45:28 +0000

Dada Aladelokun and Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta The Ijebu-Igbo home of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) senatorial candidate for Ogun East, Alhaji Adegbenga Kaka, was on Wednesday night attacked by hoodlums. Fifteen vehicles and 17 motorcycles were destroyed. Kaka and 60 of his supporters narrowly escaped death. Sources said 12 gunmen, described as ‘’sponsored political thugs’’, invaded Kaka’s home and unleashed terror on the household for 45 minutes. Kaka said the gunmen shot their way into the compound about 7:30 pm. Among vehicles damaged were: Mercedes Benz C240 No. KK01 JGB and Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) No. KK02 JGB. A Honda car No. RE 929 AAA belonging to Mr. Kehinde Hacco, Ogun East coordinator of Team Ribadu, was also damaged. Members of the team were meeting with the candidate when the incident occurred. Other vehicles destroyed were a Corolla car No. FR 629 LSR; Honda (LH 02 KJA); Nissan (LF 451 EKY); Toyota Camry (KL 461 EKY); Mitsubishi SUV (DC 833 JJJ) and Honda SUV (FW 424 LND). Also damaged by the hoodlums were: a Nissan No. AE 362 ABG; Corolla No. CE 471 JJJ; three of Kaka’s campaign buses and the personal car of Mr. Sylvester Abiodun, a House of Assembly candidate of the ACN. Sympathisers, mostly ACN supporters, condemned the attack as barbaric and wicked. They rained curses on perpetrators of the dastardly act. Kaka said: "I just returned from Ago-Iwoye where I had gone to campaign. ‘’I was holding a meeting with my supporters and the Team Ribadu people. ‘’Some were inside my Mosque praying when I heard gunshots. ‘’Initially, I did not take it serious because I felt it could be by those troublesome boys. ‘’It was shortly after that I realised that I was wrong. For 45 minutes, we were held hostage. ‘’Everyone scurried for safety. Some of my supporters hid under the bed and chairs. Some scaled the fence. Three got injured. "I made calls to the Police Commissioner and the Area Commander, nobody picked. ‘’I could not reach the Divisional Police Officer. I deliberately begged my people to remain calm because we would have been picking dead bodies after the attack. ‘’But I thank God that no one died. Asked if he suspected any anyone, Kaka said: "It is not a matter of suspecting anybody; they were the Omo Ilu Boys. I know them. I even saw them; they were led by one known as Seun Eniba. Another one called Yellow Skin was also among them. ‘’Everyone knows how deadly they are in the town. Their sponsors are cowards, who are intimidated by my acceptance.’’ ‘’It is either they want to scare my people off the polling booths or they are angry that I recently ensured the arrest of some of them caught with the voters cards. But they can’t succeed because our people are tired of them." Kaka, a former deputy governor of the state, said: "It did not come as a surprise. ‘’Two days ago when I got a hint that it might happen, I alerted the police commissioner and asked for four police men. ‘’He asked me to write to him and I did. He minuted on it to the Area Commander, but as we speak, nothing has come out of it." Abiodun confirmed the identities of Eniba and Yellow Skin, saying: "I know them and they know me. They even saw me outside. ‘’They greeted me as they passed by, but it did not occur to me that they would return. Even when they were shooting, I hid somewhere, watching them. It was a moment of horror." Ahmed Ogunlaja, a member of Team Ribadu, described the attack as unprovoked, adding that such acts of violence must be discouraged. "It was a bad moment; I forced myself under a chair ," he said. The Area Commander of Ijebu-Ode, Bolaji Odesanya, who led his men to the scene yesterday, said: "We are going to arrest the perpetrators and charge them to court."

NAOSS Canvasses Peaceful Election

Editors Online — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:51:25 +0000

As the general elections commence today, the National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS) has canvassed for free, fair and credible elections. The National President of the students’ body, Comrade Mubarak Adepoju, in a press statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, called on Nigerians to ensure One-Man-One-Vote in the election. According to Adepoju, the students have a vital role to play in nation-building, charging them to troop out en-masse to vote for credible candidates that are capable of ameliorating the sufferings of the populace. Adepoju, who enjoined the students to abstain from violence, election rigging and other electoral heists, advised the students and other electorate to vote wisely and consider the antecedents of their candidates. He stated this just as he decried the lingering ownership crisis rocking the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH). The NAOS President commended the actions of Mr Rauf Aregbesola being taken to ensure that the interest of the people of Osun State is adequately protected on the ownership of LAUTECH. Adepoju, however, called on well-meaning Nigerians and traditional rulers in Osun and Oyo states to intervene in the crisis, lamenting that the ownership tussle has negatively affected the students. He charged the students of the institution not to pay the exorbitant tuition fees introduced by Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala pending the time the crisis would be resolved. The students’ president, therefore, called on the students to leave the LAUTECH campus and the institution premises during the election period to avoid being attacked. Adepoju also expressed his gratitude to Aregbesola on the reduction in the tuition fees of all the Osun State-owned tertiary institutions, saying that the step is a welcome development.

OSTRC: 13 OSCOTECH Staff Drag Rector Before Commission

Editors Online — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:49:15 +0000

Three petitions which bothered on staff harassment and victimization against the Rector of Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke, Osun State, Engineer Michael Fashakin Ayodeji Esho, were heard on Wednesday, before Justice Samson Odewingie Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Osogbo. Former eleven members of staff of the college filed a joint petition, while Mrs. Olanike Alabi and Mrs S O. Ayodele currently working with the college filed separate petitions before the commission. Mrs Alabi, while giving evidence before the commission through her counsel, Mr Awoniyi Alabi, alleged that the Rector and the college management denied her appointment confirmation and necessary promotions since 2002. Alab,i who said she possessed Higher National Diploma in Banking and Finance from the college with a Diploma in Computer Science as at the time of her first appointment in August 13, 2001 accused the rector of deliberately denying her the confirmation. The petitioner further stated that she had attended various promotion interviews without yielding any fruitful result since 2002 despite commendation letters from the head of her department on excellent performance. Alabi, who has been a senior technologist since 2001 told the commission that the situation has denied her all the necessary privileges to further her studies, which has imposed economic hardship and psychological distress on her. The petitioners therefore pleaded with the commission to, among others, compel the college to confirm her appointment and implement her deserved promotions since 2002 including the payment of other benefits. In his reply, counsel to the college, Mr Tunde Olupona, informed the commission that the petitioner had a low performance record in all the promotion interviews conducted so far and that the college governing council had recommended her for promotion since 2008. Also defending the college position, the Acting Registrar, Mr Jacob Ogunsuyi, said various management committees in the college have found the petitioner "unappointable" and ought to have been dismissed, but they were exercising restraint on compassionate grounds. The reply prompted a member of the commission, Mrs Funmi Falana, to remind the Acting Registrar that Alabi graduated from the same college, which raised some moral questions on the quality of education in the college and the country at large. Falana said: "Apart from this petition, you said both the internal and external promotion examiners found Mrs Alabi not appointable. By implication, you are saying that the products of the college are not productive?" The chairman of the commission, Justice Odenweige also asked: "Are you saying that Mrs Alabi is not a model of the college?" The acting registrar said: "Yes, nevertheless, we still have many graduates of the college who are bank managers and directors in public services." The commission therefore adjourned the matter for recommendation. Other petitions before the commission on Wednesday, included a petition by Sunday Omonijo against Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, the former Chairman of Osogbo Local Government and the state Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON). The petitioner said on December 23, 2009, during the State House of Assembly rerun election in Osogbo Local government, he was attacked by some thugs led by the former council chairman, and the second. Omonijo alleged that Igbalaye held a gun during the attack and ordered the thugs to kill him before he escaped from them. He stated further that his digital photo camera valued at N200, 000 was damaged, thereby asking the commission to make enquiry and compensate him accordingly.

Oyinlola’s Tenure: An Evaluation

Kola — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:35:35 +0000

BY May 29,2009,Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the Governor of Osun State would have been in office for six continous years. Except the Court of Appeal rules otherwise in the case on the 2007 Gubernatorial election before then. Having been in office for so long, one can now attempt to evaluate his performance in office since he was sworn in as Governor of Osun State on May 29, .2003. I want to declare straightaway that, to me, his administration has been one of, much “sound and fury but signifying nothing”. His administration has been generally characterized by the execution of some scattered white-elephant projects on which much more money had been expended on their publicity in various publications, pamphlets and paid adverts than were actually expended in executing the projects. Before I go on, I want to concede that Prince Oyinlola’s administration made an appreciable impact on the construction of primary school buildings. In taking this position, one is taking a holistic view of his administration’s performance as most, if, not all, the primary school buildings were contracted by Honourable members of State House of Assembly as Constituency Projects as well as various Local Governments in the State. However, the cost of erecting these structures, the quality of the materials used in the construction and the design of the structures are an entirely different ball game. Investigations have shown that most of the structures were put up at ridiculously exorbitant costs while the quality of the materials used in the construction were of the lowest quality and hence many of the structure are failing already. More importantly, the design of most of the structures is out of place as they look more like residential bungalows, rather than classrooms. One can then safely conclude that most of the primary school buildings constructed by Governor Oyinlola’s administration are wasteful and not really functional. In any case, they have succeeded in massaging his ego and portraying the depth of his vanity as most of them carry the inscription “Oyin ni 0”. Some other constituency projects by the Honourable members of the State House of Assembly are: equally of the lowest quality and at most exorbitant prices. No wonder, many of them collapsed immediately or very soon after they were commissioned. One can also talk of the much-orchestrated mini-water projects scattered over the state about which so much noise had been made. As at present, most of them have either not taken off or have failed while the few functioning ones are being maintained with funds of the Local Governments where they are sited. One can also point to a few roads that were claimed to have been constructed, most of which, however, have failed soon after commissioning. A disturbing and noticeable trait of Governor Oyinlola’s administration is its penchant for expanding the state’s scarce resources on that are not the responsibility of the State Government. It has been insinuated that such a development is in furtherance of the Governor’s love in spending money recklessly at all cost, possibly for personal aggrandizement and/or financial benefits. This contention can be justified by a few instances. One instance is giving assistance to Federal Agencies in the State in the form of office building, vehicles, and others. If the Federal Government., decides to set up any of its agencies in the state, it is only reasonable to expect it to adequately fund such agencies. While there are other such unnecessary, if not unreasonable expenditures by Oyinlola’ administration, the most conspicuous is the dualisation of Osogbo-Ede Road. This is a Federal Government Road on which a thinking State Governments should not have committed its resources. Such expenditures on areas which are not the responsibility of the State Government, especially those relating to the Federal Government, are like “throwing spittle into the ocean”. Only a profligate, irresponsible and uncaring Government can engage in this type of financial recklessness.Incidentally, and, most unfortunately for Osun. State, this dualisation of Osogbo-Ede Road along the Osogbo-Gbongan Road has become a monumental failure. In fact, the dualisation of the road has done much harm to the State Capital and has since become a nuisance and a disgrace to the State. Apart from the fact that it is taking tool long to construct the road which is less than 20 kilometres in length, the cost of construction is very prohibitive while most areas along the road are failing and collapsing as soon as they are constructed. The greatest source of worry and most disturbing embarrassment to the indigenes of Osogbo and Osun State in general is the inconvenience which they haveto contend with as they ply this road. Osogbo, the State Capital, which since the advent of. Oyinlola’s administration has, virtually gone to sleep economically, is now experiencing artificial traffic hold-ups and go-slows. The approaches to the bridge being constructed near the Old Secretariat along the route and to Ola-Iya junction are the worst focal points. Motorist and commuters alike are now subjected to a most-harrowing inconvenience on this route and this phenomenon has only exacerbated the already parlous state of the economy in the State. As at present, economic activities in the State are at the lowest level, possible and the people are groaning and finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet. In the face of this economic downturn in the State, Governor Oyinlola and his team feel most unconcerned as they continue to engage in their well-known pastime of merry-making, partying and expensive participation in recreational, games. Nowadays, the State’s resources are being recklessly expended on massaging the sporting ego of the Governor and his team and in celebrating or marking various anniversaries - weddings, birthdays, burial ceremonies of the Governor and his close aides. The Governor and indeed the administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola has become that of “OWANBE”. The state is wallowing in abject poverty and neglect while .the Governor IS busy gallivanting all over the place, serving as peace-maker or interventionist of one type or the other in matters which are purely outside his responsibility as Governor of Osun State. As at present, it will not be uncharitable to declare Governor Oyinlola’s administration in Osun State a “monumental failure”. If the present style of governance persists, Osun State will definitely qualify to be declared a disaster zone at the end of his tenure. By ADETUNJI ADEMOLA

Group In Marathon Prayer For Aregbesola

Kola — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:04:21 +0000

IT was a marathon of prayer for Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola as a group of people under the umbrella of Emmanuel Bankole Laoye Forum (EBL) organized on inter-denominational prayer for the victory of the AC touch-bearer on his legal battle at the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State. EBL, a group under the ambit of the AC in Ede, area of Osun State, rekindled its hope on the victory of Aregbesola at the court, maintaining that, what happened in Ondo and Edo states would soon occur in Osun state. Islamic clerics and pastors, who were party supporters and non-party supporters, were invited by the group to call for God’s intervention on the legal battle, basically for the retrieval of “Aregbesola’s stolen mandate.” Led by an Islamic cleric, Imam Abdul-Rauf Adenle (Jebe) both members, and non-members of the EBL, who gathered at Ede Town Hall to form a congregation, unanimously prayed for the protection of Aregbesola and members of the party throughout the state. Reciting different verses of the Holy Bible, the two pastors that graced the event, Pastors Kolawole Laoye and Awoniyi, reiterated their belief in God on the victory of the AC flag-bearer at the appellate court, describing him (Aregbesola) as the Messiah for the people of the state. The founder of the Forum (EBL), Chief Emmanuel Bankole Laoye, who is a member of the AC, saluted the courage of the party members for remaining steadfast despite the victimization from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. Laoye encouraged the party members and supporters to be their brother’s keepers, adding that prayer for Aregbesola’s victory should be the priority of every opposition party members in the state. According to Laoye: “The Forum was formed to reach out and encourage those people who are jobless and helpless, not to give up because we believe there is a brighter future for Nigeria and our youths are our future. That is why we need to encourage them that things would be better,” said Laoye. He lamented the PDP-led administration in the state, describing it as a disaster to the masses. “I am not happy with the administration of the PDP because I know they can do better. It is an opportunity for everybody to serve as a leader and when you are called to serve, you have to serve with the fear of God. “I have not seen anything that shows the present administration has the fear of the lord. “When someone becomes governor, he is a not governor of the party that produced him as a candidate. He is a governor of the whole people in the state, the father of all, irrespective of political affiliations. “I am not happy with the way the PDP is managing the affairs of the state, because all they know is the self-interest of their party members to the detriment of the masses” he lamented. Speaking after the prayer session, the state Coordinator of Ultimate Group, Pharmacist Israel Oyagbile, enjoined the people not to be deceived by the PDP, whom he (Oyagbile) said misinform the public on the outcome of the last proceedings of the Court of Appeal. According to Oyagbile, Aregbesola’s case remained intact and valid, revealing that all the needed evidences to prove the claimed irregularities in the last governorship election had been admitted by the appellate court as against the lies of the PDP. By ISMAIL USMAN

SSS Ejects Sacked Council Bosses From Office

Kola — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:33:27 +0000

The bid by the sacked 30 local government chairmen in Osun State to contravene the Court of Appeal order, which kicked them out of office, has been thwarted by the operatives of the State Security Services (SSS). It would be recalled that the Court of Appeal, sitting in Ibadan had dissolved the ousted council bosses and ordered that a fresh council election should be conducted in the state. The order was in pursuant to the appeal filed by the opposition political parties in the state against the state Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) on the ground that they were not given the 150 days notice before the election as required by the Electoral Act 2006. The appellate court turned down the verdict of the chief Judge of the state, Justice Fasaasi Ogunsola, who ordered the go-ahead of the poll on the basis that it was not necessary to give 150 days notice as required by the Electoral Act, since the state electoral body has given a mere notice to the parties in the election. After the delivery of the judgment, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Niyi Owolade, the PDP and the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola through his press secretary, Mr. Lasisi Olagunju in different statements on both the electoral and print media said that the sacked council bosses would still continue to stay in office, despite the order of the court. The statements gave the council bosses confidence, a situation that made them to be flexing muscle and defied court order, boasting that they would still remain in office despite the order. However, it was gathered on Tuesday that operatives of the SSS have started disallowing the ousted chairmen from forcing their ways into the councils’ secretariats. Reacting to the development, one of the Action Congress (AC) governorship candidates, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola’s media aides, Mr. Gbenga Fayemiwo commended the state command of the SSS for upholding the rule of law by later preventing the sacked chairmen and councillors from contravening the judgment. He said: “In their desperate attempt to thwart the verdict and render the rule of law a nullify, the defunct chairman and councillors decided to obey the instruction of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola that the status quo ante should be maintained. “This bid was halted by the SSS which operatives took a patriotic position of disallowing the chairmen from forcing their ways into the 30 council secretariats. “We are indeed pleased to receive this report from the field and use this medium to commend the leadership of the service in Osun State and Abuja for abiding by the law to discourage the lawless band of impostors” Fayemiwo said. By kazeem mohammed

AC Lawmakers Walk Out Over OSSIEC List

Kola — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:37:37 +0000

A game of absurdity was last Tuesday played out by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in Osun State House of Assembly as they approved the nomination of seven members of Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) without presenting their credentials and final screening. The development came up just as all the 11 Action Congress (AC) lawmakers in the House staged a walk-out on the floor of the parliament to protest against the shoddy approval of the nominees, describing it as abuse of parliamentary proceedings. The seven nominees submitted their curriculum vitae alone to the House without their Secondary School Certificates and other credentials, a situation that stimulated some lawmakers from the PDP and their colleagues from the AC to oppose the approval of the new members of OSSIEC. The names of the nominees were: Justice (Rtd) Titus Adewuyi (Chairman), Chief Akinboye Ogunola (Secretary), Messrs Rasak Adegbile, Gbolagade Adebisi, Remi Alabi, Bamidele Ishola and Ezekiel Folorunso. Only Adegbile and Adebisi submitted their full credentials to the parliament. Minority Leader of the House, Honourable Timothy Owoeye, opposed the approval of the nominees on the grounds that they did not comply with section 198 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Owoeye maintained that the House should not approve the names of the nominees without their credentials, which would prove the authentication of the CVs submitted by the nominees. Citing section 202 of the Nigerian Constitution, which stated that members of the commission (OSSIEC) should not be subjected to any directive from any authority, Owoeye urged the Speaker of the House, Hon Adejare Bello, to convince the members of the parliament that the nominees would not act under the directive of the state Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who nominated them. Five of the nominees claimed to be members of the ruling PDP, while the remaining two, Justice Adewuyi and Alabi claimed to be apolitical. Ironically, the Speaker of the parliament affirmed that: “He who pays the piper dictates the tune”. He said: “Why do you think His Excellency nominated these seven people? It is because they are loyal to PDP. When a person is having a goal he will put people that can help him to achieve that goal around him.” Maintaining that the seven nominees were nominated by Oyinlola because of their loyalty to the PDP and the state government, an AC lawmaker from Obokun State Constituency, Hon Samson Fafiyebi, said members of the OSSIEC are supposed to be independent and not politically biased. Fafiyebi stated that there could be no credible election in the state, as long as the ruling PDP still manages the affairs of the OSSIEC. Deputy Speaker of the parliament, Honourable Ropo Oyewole replied that the political affair of the nominees was not a serious issue, adding that they (nominees) would drop every interest they have in politics as soon as they resume at the commission. Basically, an AC legislator from Ife-North, Hon Ipoola Binuyo, criticized the nominees for not attaching their credentials to their CVs; questioning that on what grounds would the parliament approve the names of the nominees without their credentials. Binuyo maintained that the nominees, who did not submit their credentials should not be pardoned, revealing that Ogunola, Alabi and Bamidele, were former members of OSSIEC. But the Speaker, while using his discretionary power, said the lawmakers should not use the credential as a means to screen or stall the approval of the nominees, saying that he had used his power to shield the nominees on their credentials. Not satisfied with the action of the Speaker, Binuyo further asked the three former members of the OSSIEC on what qualified them to be re-nominated, saying that the December 15, 2007 local government council election they conducted was still a subject of litigation. The three former members, who were probating and reprobating on the question, were shielded by the Speaker, who said the OSSIEC members were not lawyers and only concerned withthe OSSIEC law on the last council election. However, all the AC lawmakers in the House objected to the approval of the nominees, stressing that the nominees should be ordered to produce their credentials before the House could approve their names. A PDP lawmaker from Ede South state constituency, Mrs. Idiat Babalola, also urged the Speaker of the House to order the nominees to produce their credentials before the house could approve their names. Ironically, the Majority Leader in the parliament, Prince Akinolu Adeyemi, moved the motion for the approval of the nominees without their credentials, which was seconded by Honourable Kunle Omolola from Ayedire State Constituency. However, the Minority Leader, Owoeye, also moved a motion to counter the approval of the nominees, which was seconded by Hon Ajibola Olaide. The speaker turned down the two motions and conducted a voice vote in support or against the approval of the nominees. He however, upheld the voice of the PDP lawmakers, who supported the approval of the nominees. Immediately, all the 11 AC lawmakers in the parliament staged a walk-out from the floor of the House before the speaker gave an approval for the state governor to inaugurate the nominees. The Minority Leader described the House approval of the nominees as a fraud, maintaining that “Osun State is yet to constitute new OSSIEC members.” Stories By ismail usman

First Nigerian Mining Engineer, Ifaturoti Dies At 88

Kola — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:05:58 +0000

THE first Nigerian Mining Engineer, Dr. Ezekiel Adekunle Ifaturoti has passed away on February 24, 2009 at the age of 88. The deceased was born on October 16, 1920, in Epe, Lagos State into the family of late Prince Emmanuel Adegbola Ifaturoti and his wife, Christianah Aina Ifaturoti ( nee George.) Pa Ifaturoti attended many schools, including Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, Methodist Boys School, Uzuakoli and Government College, Ibadan. He had a brief working experience with Shell Company Nigeria Limited, before moving to University of Glasgow, Scotland, where he obtained a degree in mining engineering, becoming the first Nigerian to obtain such degree. The deceased later joined the Federal Civil Service and worked in several parts of the country, before he eventually retired as the Chief Inspector of Mines, Federal Ministry of Mines and Power in 1969. After retirement, he set-up a consultancy firm, and became the Chairman of African Petroleum Plc; Amalgamated Tin Mines Company; Ajaokuta Iron Ore Smelting Company and Denham Management Limited. The Ilesa-born engineer was a one-time member of the Governing Council, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), a member of the Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Society (NMGS) and, also, the Pioneer Chairman of the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers & Geoscientists (COMEG). Since his peaceful death, eminent Nigerians have thronged his ‘ROCK HAVEN’ home in Ilesa to offer their condolences to the bereaved family. Among the visitors were; the Honourable Minister for Petroleum Resources, retired Supreme Court Justice, Kayode Eso, Osun State Deputy Governor, Erelu Olusola Obada and a delegation of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society. He is survived by his wife Tinuola, children, many grand-children and great grand-children His burial arrangements hold this week Thursday and Friday, March 26 and 27, 2009. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Prayer Points For Aregbesola's Victory On Monday, At The Appeal Court

Kola — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 07:31:37 +0000

For all those who have set apart today Sunday, 29th March, 2009, for fasting and prayer for the judicial victory of the 'Symbol of Oranmiyan', Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, at the Appeal Court on Monday, the following paryer points and prophecies are given to add to your prayers. This is similar to the prayer and fasting by our Muslim brothers and sisters on Friday, 27th March, 2009. It is also a complement to all the inter-denominational and fervent prayers for the triumph of TRUTH over falsehood and murderous deception orchestrated by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola administration.

We issue a spiritual quit notice against every power that has stolen the popular mandate of Osun people on April 14, 2009, in the name of Jesus.
O God Arise, in Your Mercy, and overthrow the stubborn goliath of Osun State politics, in the name of Jesus.
Every structure of sorrow, oppresing and enslaving the poor people of Osun State for the past six years, Hear the Word of the Lord, SCATTER UNTO DESOLATION!!! in the name of Jesus.
Contagious laughter and unspeakable joy, visit us tommorow at the appeal court sitting in Ibadan, in the name of Jesus.
O God, guide Justice Victor Omage and his judicial panel to proclaim the truth without fear and rule in favour of the Appellants, In the case of Aregbesola Vs. Oyinlola, tomorrow in Jesus mighty name.
O God of Elijah, let your fire fall and plague the enemies of Osun State with madness unto death, in tha name of Jesus.
Every evil plot asigned to frustrate divine justice being delivered at the appeal court tommorrow, BACK FIRE, in the name of Jesus.
Our Father and our God, annoint Rauf Aregbesola with oil of victory like you did for Cyrus in Isaiah 45:1-3, to shatter the gates of slavery and oppression in Osun State, so that prosperity and genuine development will be enthroned, in Jesus name.

This prayers was sent by an Oranmiyan supporter from Oman, please, add your own prayers too to trhe growing list of marathon prayers for victory for Engineer Rauf Aregbesola.

Breaking News: Oyinlola Going... Going... Appeal Court Upholds Aregbesola's Grounds of Appeal

Kola — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:16:48 +0000

Hon. Justice Omage: (11:21 A.M.) - Endorsed the grounds of appeal by the appellant, saying they are credible and satisfactory grounds. Hon. Justice Omage: (12:08 P.M.) - I am satisfied with the Police Security Report marked "SECRET". It is a public document and therefore it is accepted by this court. Hon. Justice Omage: (12:28 P.M.) - Forensic analysis reports by Adrian Forty, and Physical inspection by Tunde Yadeka are important and decisive as documetary support by petitioners to prove their case. We should not allow tecnicalities to batter the substance of the case. Hon. Justice Omage: (12:33 P.M.) - I hereby direct the case to the President of the Appeal Court to re-constitute a new tribunal to retry this case. From the accounts above, live from the appeal court sitting in Ibadan, this is a landmark case because, NARON TRIBUNAL HAS BEEN INDICTED, and AREGBESOLA HAS BEEN VINDICATED.

A Positive Step

Kola — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:59:18 +0000

•The Court Of Appeal Verdict Awakens New Hopes For Osun State

THE ruling of the Court of Appeal in Ibadan on Monday raised hope of obtaining substantive justice on the Osun State governorship election. It seems the mist is being cleared as the light is shining bright. The Appeal Court ordered fresh trial of the petition filed by Rauf Aregbesola, the candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in the April 14, 2007 governorship election in the state. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the incumbent governor, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the winner, on questionable grounds, when the facts and logic point to a different direction. Aregbesola was quick to approach the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal for redress, but, to everyone’s chagrin, and in what would go down in the annals of election petition in Nigeria as the height of travesty, the tribunal awarded the petition to Oyinlola. The tribunal in its judgment of July 15 last year had dismissed the witness of Mr Adrian Forty, a forensic expert from the United Kingdom, who was able to demonstrate through analysis of election materials that the elections in 12 local governments were manipulated. It became curious because the tribunal, ab initio, gave the go-ahead for the forensic analysis of Mr Forty but turned around to reject its admission as evidence. The Justice Thomas Naron tribunal also refused to admit as evidence, the police report on the election which corroborated Mr Forty’s witness on the ground that it constitutes official secret. But, in a unanimous decision delivered by the residing judge, Justice Victor Omage, the Court of Appeal held that the refusal of the tribunal to admit the two evidences amounts to a miscarriage of justice. In his words, “it is necessary to avoid a perverse judgment. The appellant should have been allowed to support his appeal with all the documents tendered. Documents are the best evidence in election matters, as they assist in determining the case”. On Forty’s forensic evidence, the higher court argues thus: “I have diligently looked at the interlocutory appeal and found that dismissing the application for submission of the report was wrong”. In concluding, the court directed a retrial of the petition afresh. Though the judgment is short of expectation, which at best is the declaration of the petitioner the winner and his immediate swearing in, or at a lesser level, that fresh election be conducted in the disputed 12 local governments, it is still a positive step which sets the tone for what to expect at the retrial. Considering that the two contentious issues resolved in favour of the petitioner are weighty and capable of tilting the case in his favour, there is hope that the cause of justice would be served. The judgment has also rescued the judiciary from opprobrium and ignominy which the blatantly partisan and skewed judgment of the tribunal was plunging it. The Thomas Naron-led tribunal had become the object of public ridicule since the publication of the call log of the conversation and text messages exchanged between members of the tribunal and Governor Oyinlola’s legal team. It is an indictment of Justice Naron whose conduct has brought the judiciary into disrepute. It is also comforting that science has been vindicated. Forensic analysis of election materials is an exact science that hardly needs a second opinion. The application of this technology to electoral disputes would have aided the cause of justice and this invaluable service would have been lost if its evidence had been rejected. The time is long gone and the petitioner could have been wearied, but with the Court of Appeal’s judgment, hope springs eternal. We hope that a new tribunal would be constituted as soon as possible, and the trial concluded expeditiously. Delayed justice could still end in denied justice. •Culled from THE NATION

New Tribunal May Arrive Osun This Week

Kola — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 06:29:13 +0000

INdications have shown that the new Election Petitions Tribunal that will re-try the petition of the Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola against the election of the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola may arrive in the state this week. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that though, as at Friday, the President, Court of Appeal, Justice Umar Abdullahi was yet to receive a copy of the judgment, it is expected that the same is expected to be received latest on Monday. After the Court of Appeal president might have received a Certified True Copy of the judgment on Monday and peruse same, the new tribunal members would be mandated immediately to proceed on the re-trial of the petition, a source at the Court of Appeal said. The source, who spoke in confidence, further stated that the relevant unit of the appellate court has been put on standby by Abdullahi to isolate issues on the judgment. It was further learnt that the unit has commenced work on the compilation of list of competent and reliable judges, who could dispense justice to all the parties in the matter. According to the source; “Although Justice Abdullahi has read about the judgment in the newspapers, he cannot act on reports in the media, as he was yet to get a copy of the judgment and peruse it. “The judiciary cannot be stampeded, as it is used to following due diligence in its activities. So, litigants have to bear with us,” the source added. The Ibadan Division of the appellate court, which ordered the re-trial, it was gathered, had been directed to quickly forward the list to Justice Abdulahi. A major challenge for the court this time around was that the court has to look for judges, who could dispense justice to all the parties within a reasonable time, it was further learnt. It would be recalled that the Court of Appeal that sat in Ibadan, Oyo State, which was led by Justice Victor Omage had set aside the verdict of the Justice Thomas Naron-led tribunal on the ground that the tribunal was partial in its decision. It subsequently ordered that the Court of Appeal President should set up a fresh panel to try the matter again. Since after the judgment, there had been calls for an urgent constitution of the new panel for the Osun governorship election petition. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

Truck Kills 2, Injured 9 In Ikirun

Kola — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 06:34:15 +0000

TWO people lost their lives while nine others were wounded in a trailer mishap that occurred last Thursday in Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Council Area of Osun State. The trailer, according to an eye witness account, had already parked by the road-side to offload its contents at the weekly Thursday market, when suddenly the long vehicle started moving backward. Narrating the incident, the witness said that the driver had already stepped out of the vehicle, which made it difficult to control the vehicle as it roled down the sloppy terrain. She added that the market which had already started to get busy for the day’s business was thrown into pandemonium as people ran helter-skelter for their safety. However, she stated that some traders and beggars, who were not alerted on time, were crushed by the moving trailer, saying that most of them died on the spot. Another trader in the market, who also witnessed the incident, disclosed that the horrible incident was very unfortunate, saying that all efforts to prevent the gory incident proved abortive, as the vehicle kept crushing all obstacles put in place to stop it, until it crushed all the victims. Meanwhile, the corpses of the deceased were conveyed to the morgue at Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo. Osun State by men of the security operatives. However, the nine others injured in the mishap had been taken to the State Hospital, Ikirun, for treatment. As at the time of filing this report, it was not certain whether those in critical condition were responding to treatment. In another development, a corp member assigned to Anglican Commercial Grammar School, Osogbo, Mr Adedeji Olayinka was crushed to death by a Toyota Camry car at the Military Cemetery area, Igbona area of Osogbo. The deceased, who was a graduate of University of Ibadan, according to an eye witness account, was standing by the road-side, anticipating crossing the road, when the vehicle reversing from the other end of the road knocked him to the wall of the cemetery. Olayinka (popularly called Rector) was reported to have given up the ghost thirty minutes later at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in the state capital. According to a corps member named Alex, the untimely death of the first-class graduate of Industrial Chemistry, was a monumental loss to his friends and aged parents By SHINA ABUBAKAR

MAGAZINE ON EDUCATION

Kola — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 06:58:14 +0000

The present state of facets of educational system in Osun State in the last six years, is an educationist’s nightmare with parents and students as a major casualty, reports ISAAC OLUSESI

BUT for the dictates of investigative journalism, writing on the state of education in Osun State has become quiet uninspiring and boring. Nearly twenty months after the take off of the University of Osun State, UNIOSUN, the verdict is that the multi-campus learning centre is a panicky measure, “a one-day wonder” that is still an educationist’s nightmare. Some explain away the university as a mere rationalization of political action hastily conceived and executed, others link the sorry state of the university to the state government’s free passion and insatiable thirst for indifference and antipathy. The reporter’s journey to the satellite campuses of the university is not personally a delight. It was a hell on earth from the palace, Aafin Aalaoye of Ipetu-Ijesa enronte Ifofin quarters, stretch of thoroughfare to the dusty Etioni road that leads to a campus of the university, and the reporter was immediately confronted by a huge signboard at the gate, standing far and above any of the structures on ground in the campus. Ipetu-Ijesa is a large expense of arable land, good weather and a population. The people are happy to plough the soil with their back-breaking holes and matchets, and the most prosperous natives have cars to cruise around. It is a rustic life but a life of blissful contentment. Everyone in the town knows where the services are available, everyone knows where to find the local shoe cobblers and the tailors who actually trained in the land but prefer to describe themselves as London-trained. This is the feature of Ipetu-Ijesa, a community in Oriade Local Government Council Area and home of the University’s college of education. Because of the political interest that UNIOSUN is supposed to serve, not enough thought is given to the planning and execution. It serves political expediency, or so it seemed to the university planners, that each senatorial district should have a campus of the university. And really, all of them do. But in establishing the university, little or practically no consideration is given to other criticals or fundamentals that have now made UNIOSUN a peculiar malaise. The reporter, who was also at the other campuses of the university at Ejigbo, Ikire, Ifetedo, Osogbo and Okuku, the homestead of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, found out that the pace of infrastructural development is dictated by the riotous political interests of the governor. Consequently, these is more noise than expected achievements, and more promises than anticipated fulfillment. There are no public-spirited goals, save cheap political ends of the university, the scenario that makes sensible analysis and projection of the contribution of the university to the society apparently difficult, if not out rightly impossible. The physical structures on the mult-campuses are not more than a few lecture halls that will soon be inadequate, rat nests staff quarters, and grandiose administrative blocks that confront visitors to the campuses. The gates in each of the campus are supported on both sides by perimeter fence that is only frontally completed. The level of construction of the structures, in all is dependent on the political servitude of the community to the whims and caprices of the governor. The students are a major causality of the university owners’ planlessness. The students still take lectures like in a nomadic school in a scanty or sparsely nomadic settlement and the observed inadequacies in the academic programmes are expected because the UNIOSUN project was inaugurated when the inputs were still being made to validate it. The fees payable by the students are widely condemned to be on the high side. Some of the students who spoke with the reporter described the state university as UNIOSUN PLC due its high fees. Student pay as high as N250,000 per session excluding several miscellaneous charges as they progress in their studies; the cut-throat fees actually scare many parents from allowing their wards to venture admission into the university. Both the students and their parent are enveloped in nightmarish fears, the academic and administrative staff are visibly caught up in the webs of inconveniences, while the Vice-Chancellor and Provosts of the university’s colleges cruise around in a chauffeur-driven sleek cars issued to them by the state government to drive home the government’s claim to superlative preparedness for the university projects. The evolution of UNIOSUN is a permanent reminder of the university’s violation of the philosophy of the revised National Policy on Education “integration of the individual into a sound and effective citizens” expounded by the men behind the policy formulation to mean that “education must seek to reach everyone in the society”. But today in Osun State, the university can no longer be wished away though the students and their parents have been mortgaged to fund the building of the university. At Osogbo main campus, the reporter found on ground, on ground, a gate house, fence, N10 classroom block, health centre, a 3-bedroom charlet, administrative block and studio apartment; at Ejigbo campus, a gate house, fence, health centre, a 3-bed-room charlet, and studio apartment; at Ikire campus, a gate house, fence, healthe centre, 8 classroom block, main building, studio apartment, and a 3-bedroom charlet; at Ipetu-Ijesa, gate house, fence, health centre, and a 3-bedroom charlet; and at Okuku, the main building, gate house, fence 1, fence 2, 8 classroom block, college building, administrative block, health centre, 3 bedroom charlet and a studio apartment. ALTERNATIVES TO UNIVERSITY EDUCATION The development of infrastructure in the state colleges of education, college of technology and the polytechnic, is found out to be highly determined by the level or degree of the ‘political love’ of the institutions’ host communities for the state governor. While all of them had varying type and number of laboratory equipment, medical equipment, computer units, educational technology equipment, vocational technology equipment, telecommunication equipment, sporting equipment, food science technology equipment, risograph digital equipment; not one of the tertiary institution in the state has had added capacity lecture theaters, office furniture for staff for improved teaching and research. Quite a number of indispensable structures are still not available in these tertiary institutions. The books in the libraries are found to be inadequate, and in most cases unsuitable to the needs of the students. Science, the nursery of invention and technology has been handled with levity, with the libraries not shelving contemporary textbooks and research publications in science and technology. Access roads and in-campuses road networks are very poor in all the state tertiary schools, with the perimeter fencing not yet fully in place in all these institutions. Abandoned blocks of classroom are everywhere in the schools, while alternative electricity, staff quarters are still a luxury for the tertiary institutions. Drinkable water is hard to come by, and at the polytechnic Iree where there is pure water” project, its mismanagement has made the venture fold up. Promised of boreholes, deep wells, mini-water scheme from the state government have remained a mere promise for a total of 1,260 non-teaching staff, over 30,000 students and teaching staff (number not available) at the College of Technology Esa-Oke; for 1,320 non-teaching staff, over 40,000 student and teaching staff number, not known) at the State Polytechnic, Ire; for 219 non-teaching staff, 233 teaching staff and over 9,815 students at the College of Education, Ilesa; and 215 non-teaching staff,205 teaching staff, and over 9,56 students at the College of Education Ila-Orangun. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS With a total number of 22,879 teacher in the state 330 secondary schools and 1,348 primary schools, teaching is done in a non-conducive environment, marked by recurring prolong strikes. Until last week, negotiation between the striking teachers and the state government was characterized by tough- talking and distrust over the teachers, demand for payment of their Teacher’s Salary Scale, TSS as one trying to wrest as much concession as possible from the other. Answering to questions from the reporter Engineer Rauf Aregbesola the Osun State Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate and arch challenger of Governor Oyinlola, said that teaching has become a profession in the proper etymological meaning of the word, He noted that the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has an admirable record of responsible trade unionism. The reporter who went round the state schools discovered the deplorable state of teaching and learning. Teaching practice which is a practical exercise every student- teacher must undergo to be adjudged to have met the requirement for the award of a certificate or degree in education has been relegated to the background administration in the state. Findings also showed that effective teaching which could only be guaranteed where adequate instructional in materials are provided and utilized is lacking in the schools in the state. A N2million contract awarded by the state government in 2004 and another of N3.5million in 2007 for supply of teaching aids to public secondary schools in the state, are contracts just on papers. Teachers who spoke with the reporter stated that no such instructional materials ever arrived in any of the schools in the state. The relevance of teaching aids is that they simplify the work of the student-teacher and facilitate the learning process on the part of the students. The instructional material are invaluable as they help to impart knowledge skills and attitude in the students, ensure active participation in teaching-learning process, and aid remembering of learned materials, and importantly the relevance of teaching aids lies in the aphorism: what I hear I forget, what is see I remember, and what I do I know. Students in primary and secondary schools in the state who have just resumed after the teachers called off their strike, are found out by the reporter, to devote much of their time to social activities at the expense of their academic work, with profound implication for their performance in examinations. Student should be able to indentify their priorities among competiting obligations within the sphere of 24 hours by the reporter, what most students do is reading when it should be studying which is learning to gain knowledge from books, a detailed investigation of a subject. SPECIAL EDUCATION Education in the state today is unfair to the exceptional children, children who deviates intellectually, physically, socially or emotionally and require modified teaching and environmental facilities to cater for their different exceptionalities. In Osun State, the School for the Handicapped in Osogbo, unfortunately has not had the attention of the government. The school operates with grossly inadequate special teaching materials and equipment, and special teaching technology. A visit by the reporter to the school showed that the school is not operating in special class arrangement. Simple materials like learning aids, mirror, bold-print material, Braille type writers and projected chalkboard are conspicuously not on hand. What government should do is to shop for teachers trained in special education methodology, create special class venues like a resource room, hospital room, or sheltered workshop, and provide facilities like wheel-chairs, crutches, bookrack, ramp, and rest areas could be provided for the orthopedically handicapped. The important international declarations quoted in “Education in the Commonwealth” and “Special Education in the Developing countries of the Commonwealth”, emphasize the education of exception children: “The child who is physically, mentally or socially handicapped shall be given special treatment, education and care required by his particular condition” Third Declaration of the Right of the Child. The other declaration states that “Education programme should take into account the special problems of disabled children and young person and their need of opportunities equal to those of non-disabled children and young persons, to receive education and vocational preparation best suited to their age, abilities, aptitudes and interest” -International Labour Conference. Quite a number of legislations favour the handicapped in Nigeria. The 1948 Education Ordinance, 1954 Western Region of Nigeria’s Education Law, 1957 Lagos Education Act, 1962 Northern Nigerian statute, and several others advocated that children with mild or severe disabilities should be educated in special schools. Special education for the disabled children if taken seriously in Osun State, will be giving real import to the notion of equality of educational opportunities irrespective of physical, mental or educational conditions. However, in Osun State, education for the handicapped is hampered by inadequate or lack of adequate specialist teachers, and this problem has apparently forced the state government to make use of regular classroom teachers who lack competence and skills necessary to cope with the handicapped. The situation is worsen by zero counseling provision available to the special students in the school that could help the disabled students overcome many obstacles that tend to limit them from realizing their full potentials, help them adjust psychologically and behaviorally to a variety of life process in role areas and in interpersonal relations. Appraisal instrument which can yield data about the disabled child is not available in the School for the handicapped. Such appraisal, the reporter found out, will help the student understand himself and help the school authorities understand the student, his abilities, interest, aptitude and personality variables: information gained will facilitate more rational decision-making regarding the student’s education vocation and personality. The new trend in vocational education is to provide the handicapped with contemporary education skills. The present day handicapped should acquire marketable skills in Electronics, Accounting, Computer Law, and so on. However, it is the opinion of the experts that mainstreaming the handicapped into the regular education in which the student spend same amount of time with non-handicapped peers in regular classrooms, can be most effectively used for educating handicapped children in the universal Basic Education Programme that is now in vogue. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY Educational technology which enhances competence of teachers and make learning more meaningful to children has not been fully applied in Osun educational system. Use of things like overhead projector, slide projectors, fallen projectors, tape recorder as players, computer assisted instructional devices, and other kinds of teaching machines, are still strange to schools generally in Osun state. Most schools are still practicing hieroglyphics, picture writing, and use concrete like stones, pebbles, cowries, beads and sticks to promote classroom communication and learning. Though the new National Policy on Education requires that government will ensure that all schools are properly equipped to promote sound and effective teaching. ADULT EDUCATION Another area for focus but which the government has not paid particular attention on is adult education. As a process that affords men and women relevant and desirable education, adult education increases individual capacity for economic development, and facilitates political and social changes in the society. In Osun state however, adult education in health, technology, socials, community development, and so on is treated as if it is not important for occupational efficacy. It is better for every child with a special need to be provided with appropriate educational programme regardless of the nature, etiology or prognosis of his educational needs. INDISCIPLINE IN SCHOOLS It is however found out that students performances in the state educational system do not meet up to the expectation of teachers, parents and the various examine bodies. The reporter was informed that group counseling, vocational counseling and group study can help improve performances level students. General attitude of the students in the state secondary school is a reflection of the public behavior of the politicians put in charge of public affairs. Those entrusted with the task of leadership in the state are not seen providing disciplinary climate and exemplary life style essential to boosting that quality of self- controlling and directing in the students. Undesirable acts like cheating in examination, certificate forgery, assault and insult, droping out, secret cultism, dishonesty, exams leakages, students unrest, bulling, fagging, arms, vandalism, games, lateness, illegal -noise making, stealing, apathy, smoking, gambling truancy, absentees’, fighting, drug abuse, defiance found among students are a result of institutional discipline within the government circle in the state. The phenomena in the state schools have brought both the school authorities and government into disrepute. A disciplined government will necessarily be mirrored in the school management and students behaviour. The reporter found out that both punitive and corrective measures can be a profound a solution to problems of indiscipline as are currently been encountered in the state schools. Attempts in the past at introducing use of detention, penalties like money fines, loosing test marks, non- promotion, physical force such as flogging, twisting the ears, knocking the head, and application of scolding, shaming, public embarrassment, manual labour during school as censure, have been found to be too punitive that yielded no expected behavior change. Parents and guardians who spoke with the reporter, would rather prefer emphasis on development of self- discipline. STRATEGY FOR IMPROVEMENT According to the parents and guardians, community interest groups and individuals should be mobilized to rally round and join hands with government in tackling the problems of education in the state. For now the state government has failed, and the failure is found in the deterioration of infrastructural facilities, disappearance of the most rudimentary of instructional materials and equipment, a degradation of standards and the quality of the knowledge and learning imparted. As consequence, a large chunk of children are coming out of the state schools with neither practical nor intellectual skills as they are hardly thought and the school environment is uninspiring. The children only learn within the square of the crumbling walls and blown off roofs. They have not quality books. Even where walls are still standing and roofs are on, classes are overcrowded. Teaching as is presently been managed by the state government, is degrading. It caries no social status or recognition such as is needed to motivate teachers and create a sense of commitment and devotion to the job. The reporter spoke with some retired grade 1 principals, and they prescribed enforcement of standards and sanctions, inspection to schools from time to time, posting of principal be based on outstanding leadership qualities and strong moral character, their credentials be thoroughly scrutinized, and the views of the parents/Teachers Association be taken seriously into consideration in the running of schools. Speaking with the reporter on phone, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, the Action Congress(AC0 Governorship candidate in Osun state opened up on his plans for education in the state “Our kind of education in Osun State will be education for economic value, education for social upward mobility, education for scientific technological advancement, and education for integration it is however saddening to observe that the situation as it is in the state whereby professionally qualified teachers are found unemployed, under-employed, or, idling away is counter-productive. “Serving teachers found to be lacking the cognitive and technical skills, and competences will be provided with requisite sound knowledge desirable for effective teaching performance relevant to the quality of education we intend for Osun State. “We will also encourage value clarification which is when teachers assist children identify their own personal and individual values, to help the pupils and students become more fulfilled and constructive members of the society. Every child will have equal educational opportunity be exposed to programs that correspond to the contemporary educational needs of our youths in comprehensive secondary schools in order to bring to limelight the varied talents of the children aimed at elimination as much as practicable of existence social and economic inequalities. “Physical infrastructure, furniture, relevantly qualified teachers and curriculum will be uniformly made available to all school irrespective of their locations”, Aregbesola said.

Ilesa AC Holds Prayer For Aregbe

Kola — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:01:22 +0000

ACTION Congress (AC) in Ilesa West Local Government Council Area of Osun State has blazed the trail again in victory prayers, as the party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state are set any moment from now to be horn-locked in a fresh legal tango over claims to the governorship seat in the state. The AC in the council area was the first to organize a prayer forum for the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, after the Appeal Court in Ibadan, Oyo State capital ordered a retrial of the petition against the election and return of the PDP’s Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the incumbent governor of the state. The party faithful, men and women, young and old, all believers in the sanctity of democracy and law had gathered last Monday, full of life and were exceptionally happy as they sang Islamic and Christian songs of praise and worship, thanking God Almighty for the way the appeal court’s judgment went. Both the Holy Bible and Holy Quran, whose contents cannot be argued-against on the parameter of logic or mathematics, were lavishly quoted, as the clerics told the prayer gathering that the decision by the appeal panel was “God’s project still in progress.” Presiding Pastor and Alfa captured the mood of Christians and Muslims at the prayer venue when the men of God declared that God has indeed answered the prayers of the masses of the state. Looking happy and radiating life, those at the prayer parley responsively raised their voices up and prayed every prayer-point like tender claps. The prayer forum coordinator, Honourable Azeez Isa Adesiji a.k.a Abundance For All, who is the party’s chairmanship candidate for the council area, was in an expansive mood. He beamed repeatedly even before the prayers began, ostensibly to infect others at the prayer to hope for victory, and not be discouraged. Adesiji enjoined his party faithful to believe that “God has done it for us,” stressing that “the seeming endless trouble you are seeing today is God’s trouble and it will be over, with the masses of the state as beneficiaries.” The prayer continuum was attended by the AC ward chairmen in the council area including Peter Adebayo Olowookere Ade, Taofeek Salam. Also present were Oladire Funke, Olajuke Ayode, Fatima Azeez and Modinat Badmus and several others. Pastor Peter Adebayo and Alfas Hussein Tijani and Ibraheem Oladimeji led the prayers for Aregbesola. By ISAAC OLUSESI

Adeoti Lambasts Landero Over Statement On Reality TV Studio

Kola — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:09:17 +0000

CHAIRMAN of Osun State chapter of the Action Congress (AC), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti has berated his counter-part in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Ademola Razak over a statement credited to him that the panel investigating the cause of the fire that gutted Reality Radiovision, Iwo recently, should focus its search-light on the opposition. Adeoti, in a release signed by him, urged the PDP-led administration to expose the miscreants in its fold, instead of trying to witch-hunt the opposition. He further stressed that the PDP should purge itself of its destructive tendencies, instead of fooling the members of the public crying wolf, where there is none, with a view to distracting attention from its numerous illicit acts. The Iwo-born politician added that it was a public knowledge that the party burnt the facility in anticipation of a defeat at the appellate court to cover up its records of fraud and misappropriation of public funds, with which it claimed to have equipped the burnt facilities. It reads: “In the past six years of Oyinlola’s administration, there had been fire outbreaks at OSBC, Oke-Baale, Oke Itaase, Ile-Ife and now it is the turn of RTS, Iwo. Instead of purging itself of destructive tendencies, the Osun PDP will rather prefer to fool itself by crying wolf where there is none, so as to distract attention from its evil conducts.” The state AC chairman also charged the party numerous supporters and the people of the state to continue to be steadfast, adding that the new Election Petitions Tribunal, when constituted, would expose all the truth covered by the previous compromised Justice Thomas Naron tribunal He reiterated the need for the masses of the state to always be courageous in the face of persecution, saying, very soon, their stolen mandate would be restored. He then asked them to continue to seek God’s divine intervention, so as to complete the good works He had started. Discrediting insinuations emanating from the PDP, the politician said that it was an unfounded truth, that the new tribunal would be on the case for another two years, before it concluds its hearings. While warning the PDP-led administration in the state, he stated that whatever they tried to cover would be revealed when justice is finally done in the gubernatorial litigation. He then insisted that the days Oyinlola spent at Abere was immaterial, as Aregbesola’s tenure only begins, when he takes oath of office. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Exposed! PDP Plots To Incriminate Osun AC Chairman, Adeoti And Others

Kola — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:37:18 +0000

Since the Reality Television House, Iwo, Osun State was razed recently, conscious and desperate attempts have been made to hang the crime on the neck of leaders of Action Congress (AC) by chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Our usually reliable sources have hinted that two of the remaining suspects in police custody are being prodded to implicate the Osun State Chairman of AC, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Hon. Mudashir Toogun, Alhaji Rabiu Gafaar and Alhaji Lateef Ogundele as those responsible for the inferno. We gathered that three suspects, who are members of the Odua peoples Congress (OPC) led by one Mr. Ayinla Osunwoyin popularly called Okebembe were employed by Mr. Banji Akanbi, one of the contractor handling the project. The OPC chieftains were arrested by the police because on the eve of the inferno, they allegedly demanded for the settlement of their arrears of unpaid claims. Okebembe, the team leader was released shortly after but the remaining two suspects are still being held in police custody till now. We learnt that it was in this process that the two detained men were being cajoled to implicate Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and other AC leaders of being responsible for the incident so as to align with the instant claim by the State Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Razak Ademola who told journalists immediately after the fire outbreak that it was done by the opposition. We have restrained form commenting on the inferno till now so as to allow the police do its investigations and reveal the true cause of the fire. Now that the real intentions of the PDP leaders has been defined and revealed, we are of the opinion that the whole nation must rise up to the situation in Osun State whereby the ruling PDP resorts to subterfuge and deliberate criminalization of the opposition for every negative issue. When the PDP chairman was attacked by armed robbers along Osogbo/Iwo road some months ago, his instant cry was that the opposition AC was responsible for his plight. It remained so until other victims of the robbery who also lost valuable to the men of the underworld proved to the police otherwise. The arrowhead of this deliberate criminalization of the opposition AC has been described as a retired uniformed service personnel (Names Withheld). We are urging the Osun State Command of the Nigeria Police not to allow its exclusive license for law enforcement and crime investigation to be hijacked by men of narrow but unpatriotic pursuits who are not concerned with the amity, concord and progress of Nigeria. We also call on the perpetrators to desist from their heinous plans immediately as the truth will search them out in the fullness of time.. Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and other AC leaders are men of peace and seekers of justice. Nothing must be done to lie against hem to justify the unrealizable ambition of zero opposition in Osun State as it is currently being nursed by PDP leaders. Gbenga Fayemiwo Media

Osun Monarchs Lose Value – Investigation

Kola — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:15:43 +0000

GONE were the days when traditional rulers were next to gods, as investigation conducted by OSUN DEFENDER in Osun State has shown that majority of the natural rulers have lost their prestige and cultural values, for partisan politics. Findings revealed that the partisan approach of some monarchs to issues relating to the development of their communities have turned the ancestral palaces to mere party secretariat annexes. It was learnt that some of the monarchs in Osun State have started attending political meetings of the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for various reasons that are not unconnected with personal gains. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the Oodua’s traditional home, Ile-Ife, currently occupied by Ooni Okunade Sijuwade has become mocked Ward ‘12’, where the political patronage from the PDP in Ife zone was said to be shared at the instance of the monarch. In the state capital, Osogbo, dominated by Action Congress (AC) faithful, the Ataoja’s palace has been mocked by some indigenes, who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER as an unofficial PDP secretariat. According to a high chief, who pleaded anonymity, “People of Osogbo are no longer defer to the palace, even for development issues or traditional matters because of their perception of the traditional institution; we recognize that there is a trouble. It would be recalled that the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Adedotun was in 2007 attacked by some political thugs at the state secretariat of PDP, when the monarch visited the secretariat for an undisclosed reason. However, investigation has further revealed that Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s administration has given more powers to the monarchs, to the extent that majority of the traditional rulers were made to select their choice candidates for PDP during 2007 council polls. Speaking on the development, former Osogbo Local Government Council boss, Alhaji Buraimoh Adeniyi stated that the investigation was very correct, saying that the PDP government has stratified the state into class war. “It is clear that our state is stratified today into have and have-out. People are no longer interested in our traditional rulers, because they have compromised their natural duties for partisan politics. I must say that this has taken toll on the respect for their stools. And I must also say that our religious leaders are affected too.” Adeniyi explained. By GOKE BUTIKA

Osun Speaker’s Shattered Dream Of Becoming Acting-Governor

Kola — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:37:52 +0000

AS at the time the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the Action Congress (AC) governorship flag-bearer, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola were waiting with bated breath for the judgment of the Court of Appeal that sat in Ibadan, Oyo State capital on March 30, 2009, the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Adejare Bello had another plan, as he laboured hard to assume the mantle of leadership of Osun State as acting governor; thinking that the court would declare a re-run of the governorship election. It would be recalled that the AC standard bearer had filed a petition at Election Petitions Tribunal headed by Justice Thomas Damar Naron, challenging the purported victory of the embattled Governor Oyinlola in the 14 April, 2007 governorship election. Aregbesola, insisting that he won the lawful votes cast in the state during election, employed the services of forensic experts to cross-check the multiple votings in 12 local government council areas, but was later rejected by the Naron tribunal under suspicious circumstances. Findings revealed that when the news filtered out that the Court of Appeal had admitted all the evidences presented by Aregbesola, the Speaker, a lawyer himself, had worked out the plausible outcome, and he had concluded that the verdict might order a rerun election in those councils challenged by the petitioner. It was learnt that the speaker had for long started preparing for the office of the governor, to the extent that he had started consultation with some PDP leaders on how he would govern the state within the stipulated period. OSUN DEFENDER learnt that Bello had already started a celebration of the new status, a scenario that played out when he was christening his new born child at the legislative quarters, as millions of Naira was squandered on drinks, assorted foods and desserts. It was learnt that Bello confided in some of his friends that he was having a double celebration, meaning the new baby and the awaiting acting governorship status. Checks further showed that the Speaker had been invited to a meeting inside the country home of the former Governor Isiaka Adeleke, in Ede, where his awaiting new status was discussed at the instance of the senator. In a dramatic dimension, on the day of the Judgment, it was said by our source from the Oke-fia Government House that Governor Oyinlola in an emotion-laden voice, spoke with the Speaker via a telephone conversation that he should be preparing to take the mantle of leadership, should the Court of Appeal declare a rerun election. However, in an atmosphere suggestive of ecstasy, the Speaker had reportedly commissioned some traditional drummers, who would cheer him up should the mantle of leadership falls on his lap; but when the judgment was read and his dream did not come to reality, he was reportedly down-cast. Information has it that the contracted talking-drummers safely tucked their drums under their flowing gowns of native agbada, while coming to Ede quietly. By GOKE BUTIKA

70-Year-Old Pensioner Collapses, Dies

Kola — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:18:03 +0000

TEARS flowed freely at the weekend following the death of Ahaji Husssein Ariyibi, an indigene of Ajase-ipo in Irepodun Local Government of Kwara State who slumped and died in the process of filling pensioner’s e-payment form as directed by the Federal government. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the deceased, was at the pensioners office in Ilorin to collect, fill and submit pensioners e-payment form before he collapsed and died at the vicinity. Ariyibi , it was gathered, retired from the state civil service as a government printer. Sources at the scene of the incident, while speaking with the medium, explained that when the deceased first started shivering, other pensioners then tried to assist by pouring cold sachet water on his head, but all their efforts proved abortive as the deceased eventually gave up the ghost. While commenting on the incident, officers who spoke under condition of anonymity observed that the directive by the Federal Government to all pensioners to fill e-payment forms had further compounded their hardship. They lamented that the risk some of them took from their various council areas before they assembled at Ilorin, the state capital, was too stressful, as such could lead to untimely death of pensioners. In order to avert a reoccurrence, they appealed to the Federal Government to extend the deadline of the exercise, as well decentralise it, so that they could fill the forms in their respective Local Government Council Areas. -LANRE LAWAL, Ilorin

419 Suspect Arraigned In Court

Kola — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:28:08 +0000

A 34 year old fraud suspect, Jelili Arisekola has been arraigned before a magistrate court, sitting in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on the allegation then he defrauded a businessman, Rafiu Adegoke of the sum of N180,000. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the litigation emanated from a business transaction between Arisekola and Adegoke, which later went awry. The charged sheet obtained by the medium last Wednesday also alleged that the accused person stole the money. According to the charge sheet, the suspect perpetrated the purported crime on December 21, in Osogbo the state capital. However, the accused person entered a not-guilty plea to the two count-charges of fraud and stealing, pleading with the court to admit him to bail on a liberal term. Defence counsel to the accused person maintained that the suspect was innocent of the allegation leveled against him, adding that the offences are bailable. The defence counsel promised that the suspect would provide reliable surety and would not jump bail, if granted. Police prosecutor, Sergeant Lamidi Omotosho did not oppose the bail application canvassed by the defence counsel. The presiding magistrate, Mr. Olalekan Ijiyode, granted bail to the suspect in the sum of N100,000 and one surety, adding that the surety must possess three years tax clearance certificates. However, Ijiyode adjourned the case till April 28, 2009 for hearing. In a related development, the Nigeria Police has charged a teenager, Chibueze Ume (19) and Chukudi George to court for allegedly assaulting one Victoria James. Ume and George were alleged to have beaten their victim blue-black at a filling station located at Orita-Olaiya Area of Osogbo, the state capital, on April 01, 2009. The accused person pleaded not guilty to the one count charge of assault, just as the police prosecutor, Inspector Isiaka Ajadi, did not oppose the bail application of the suspects. However, the accused persons, who were not represented by a lawyer, were admitted to bail in the sum of N20,000 and one surety each. The case was adjourned till April 15, 2009 for hearing. -ISMAIL USMAN

Furniture Maker Arraigned Over Manslaghter

Kola — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:31:30 +0000

A furniture maker-turned commercial motorcyclist, popularly called okada, David Oloye, ( 22) of No37 Danjuma Sreet, Akure has been arraigned before an Akure Magistrate Court, Oke-Eda for manslaughter. According to the charge sheet with number MAK/243/MT/2009, the accused was said to have caused the death of a man called Kola Oni in a fatal accident The accused, who is an indigene of Ijebu-Jesha in Osun State, was riding a Suzuki motorcycle with registration number ONDO 320 NND along Ilesha-Akure highway, when he had a head-on collision with the deceased on March 27, 2009 at about 6.00 pm. According to the Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Tanimowo Emmanuel, the one count charge committed by the accused was punishable under section 18(1) of the road traffic law cap II,Vol II, law of Ondo State of Nigeria 1978. After the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor then informed the court that he had intended to call three witnesses to prosecute the case. Meanwhile the presiding Chief Magistrate, A. Enikuomehin had admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties. He then adjourned the case to April 27, 2009.

Osun: Virus In The Brain

Kola — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:42:49 +0000

NOT only the ones that rave mad suffer from emotional strains. Olagunsoye Oyinlola, on the state television was heard saying: “Even if I am stopped now from being the governor, I am already doing it the third term. I did it first in Lagos State. In any case, I am the governor of Osun State today” apparently reacting to the recent Appeal Court judgment. That was Oyinlola’s emotional “self-compensation” as defence mechanism in a situation of a marked degree of his inner conflict against the political and legal challenges to his incumbency garb, which of couse he’s too uncertain of the final outcome. Forget that Oyinlola is a soldier. He is a human being and his emotional strains are a psychological and physical fear reaction in a condition of heightened consciousness of the steel determination of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, the state Action Congress (AC) candidate to wrest power from him. The reporter’s authoritative sources indicate that Oyinlola’s inner disturbances have stimulated changes in his cardiorespiratory rate and depth, perspiration, muscle tension, and gastrointestinal activity. But Oyinlola is not alone in the stress, anxiety and depression stimulated by the INEC-born political situation in the state over the April 2007 claims to the Osun governorship seat. That Monday morning, the Appeal Court judgment day, motorists writhed painfully like an enraged python inside a cage. Angry heads popped out of the sweating vehicles, tension-soaked hands lay disconsolate on the motionless strearing wheels, and the frustrated tempers of the commuters clashed under the sleazy carbon monoxide fumes. The traffic hold-ups in Osogbo, the state capital that morning, were the worst the road users had experienced. The different siren blaring police patrols multi-horn-locked on the Gbongan-Ibadan road, the road that leads to the Bola Ige House, the governor’s office, and the patrols found no inch to meander through. Orders from the regimented men to re-order the traffics went out uncoordinated, but no one obeyed any. Insults and assaults were thrown and returned by frustrated Okada operators in the congested space. The reporter, in the public offices that sultry Monday heard superiors shout down the subordinates, the subordinates behave unbogged. Pent-up furry everywhere in Osun over the April 2007 electoral robbery in the state, conflict of interests of the press reportage of the electoral heist, quantum of destruction and social deprivations as aftermath of April, miscarriage of justice by the erring Thomas Naron Election Tribunal, and the public uncertainty over the Appeal Court decision. Furry, still everywhere in the state, inputs virus in the brain of everyone. And everybody continues to join, on reflex the raving as emotional strains of stress, anxiety and depression breast the elastic limit. Everybody in the state is mad. Samuel Oyinlola, a public behavior psychoanalyst based in Ibadan in a phone interview told the reporter that the political situation in the state has spinned confusion, distress, anxiety, dissatisfaction, unhappiness and frustration. “There is no mental peace: people queued up in the scorching sun and in the wrinkling wet to vote for the governorship candidate of their choice, but the votes were rigged and results manipulated. Head or trail, it is the polity that is tensed up,” said the psychoanalyst. The reporter’s visit to a number of medical clinics across the state showed that the number of patients in these clinics who suffer from distressing psychological and behavioural consequences of the political and judicial complications in the state has continued to be in the ascending order. The patients cut across the political, social, education, business and professional elites, underscoring the massive political and social dislocations in the last six years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Olagunsoye Oyinlola government in the state. Findings by the reporter revealed that the individuals in the state now put up both the defence mechanism and escape mechanism to be able to either cope with the unpleasant poltico-legal realities in the state, or to escape from the unresolved judicial adjudication in the realities. Member of the households of the PDP egg-heads in the state capital who pleaded anonymity confided in the reporter that none of the party’s lords can any longer be alone with himself and his inner thoughts, stressing that some of the party brass who are otherwise healthy, now sleep for prolonged hours; some are strangely engaged in continuing social activities, partying, changing love affairs and seeking new friendships; while some now take to too much tennis and golf games”. At Ada Micom Gulf where member of the top echelon in the state government go for games, the reporter found out that displacement of emotional reaction onto innocent persons and objects, compensation to conceal a reaction by developing a superiority complex, identification to reduce tension by assuming the characteristic of one in authority, denial of the existence of displeasure, provocative behavior, rationalizations, reaction formation, repression of feelings, self appreciation, sublimation and repression are a defence mechanism, frequently on demonstration by the PDP chiefs on the games lawns. The situation in Osun is similar to the situation in Europe after the 1st World War. The dilemma then was the outcome of the predicament of a falcon that cannot hear its owner. The conflicts of life was a gyre that spinned anxiety and depression. The anarchy in Europe coalesced into the absurdist philosophy. Osun today, going by the absurdist philosophy is a mental wreck dotted by fear, stress, irritation, hostility and negative feelings over governorship election in the state. Dr. Emmanuel Adekunle Eegunranti, Consultant Psychiatric, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital Osogbo, stated that the mental wreck, if unmanaged constitutes an undue burden of sickness which can lead to loss of working capacity with quick trickle effect on the state economy and loss of permanence in social setting. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as not only the absence of diseases or infirmity, but a state of complete physical and mental well-being; and mental health defined as the total balance of an individual with his person, his body system and his environment”. According to WHO, about 45 percent globally, above the age of 18 suffer from schizophrenia at some points in life. Schizophrenia causes considerable disruption in thinking and feeling, affecting language, thought, perception and sense of self. It is often accompanied by psychotic experience like hearing voices or holding fixed abnormal belief known as delusions. Depressive disorders are also a major mental problem. Depressive disorders and schizophrenia, WHO says account for 60 percent of all suicides, a depressed person experiences depressed mood and loss of interest in pleasurable activities, the mood could alternate between elation and irritability. Alzheimer’s disease is a serious mental disease, a form of dementia which destroys brain cell. It is a progressively degenerative brain syndrome which impairs memory, thinking, behavior and emotion. The symptoms may include loss of memory, problems with finding the right words or understainding what people are saying. The patient has problem remembering the names of his children or may be unable to perform routine tasks he did previously and also has personality and mood changes. Epilepsy is a mental disease characterized by repeated seizures. These “fits” range from short attention lapse to severe and frequent convulsions. It is caused by trauma to the brain. Mental retardation is a halted development of the mind, impairing intelligence by stunting cognitive, language, motor and social abilities. Alcohol dependence is a mental disease which makes its victim have a strong and persistent desire to drink no matter the consequences. A guidance counselor in one of the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) in the states Mrs. Odunola Bibilari explained in details the mental state of Osun: “If one lacks rest of mind, or where everybody in a society as it is presently in Osun State becomes irritable, looses interest in the political and social happenings, then, everybody in the state is distressed. And depending on the degree and type of emotional strains, everybody in the state appears, substantially impaired by such reactions or responses as inability to maintain an adequate internal equilibrium within the body, homeostasis, and both biological and mental harms result. Such emotional conflicts and tensions can serve as etiological agent for diseases just as effectively as viruses and bacterial,” Bibilari told the reporter. The LAUTECH psychiatric consultant who defined neurosis as a mental harm or disorder, stated that persons with emotional problems and conflicts stimulated by either political, economic or social circumstance may assume certain characteristics which are generally associated with neurotic individuals. For example, the politicians or business men as the case may be, experience feelings of fear, anxiety and depression without knowing why. He mentioned varieties of neuroses as including anxiety neurosis manifested by physical signs-sweating, labour breathing, or angina-type pain, the individual feels extremely tense and irritable; conversion hysteria is when the victim suddenly develops a tremor or paralysis upon emotional conflict; hypochondria is a disorder of the mind expressed through a preoccupation of the mind; neurasthemia explained as a product of the patient’s imagination; neurotic depression described as a chronic depression reaching the point of melancholic with hopelessness, apathy, indifference, self- depreciation, embitterment, regret, suicidal impulses, as some of the symptoms; obsessive-compulsive neurosis as a situation when repressed, emotional impulses keep thrusting themselves into the victim’s consciousness despite attempt to keep them out; and phobia said to be a persistent fear of object situation or location which is in fact not frightening. The adverse effect of the emotional strains precipitated by the Osun situation brings to focus the health landscape of the state as nations celebrated World Health Day just last week. The reporter, at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Osogbo took on a psychiatric Nurse who has been on the job from Aro Neuropsychiatric, Abeokuta, through University Ilorin Teaching Hospital psychiatric ward. Listen to her: “Most of the people in this ward may look lonely, and insecured but behind the strange tiresome behavior is a likeable person who needs all the attention and help you can give to him. The first step to take when they are newly brought is to accept them just as they are. Don’t make any judgment. You may find their symptom distressing and frightening, but be prepared to like the person behind each of them. If you can genuinely feel this way, they will sense it in your voice and manner, and you will have made the first friendly link with them. “Most of them may have more than one symptom. A hysterical person may be depressed. A suspicious person may be excited. Ones with obsession symptoms may be anxious. If he has a panic attack, stop what you are doing and give him your full attention. It is no good telling him to pull himself together. You can see for yourself that he is sweating, trembling and grasping for breadth. Sit quietly beside him and keep your voice low. Tell him you are going to stay with him and he will soon feel better, “the LAUTECH nurse psychiatric said , noting also that” caring for the patients in the psychiatric ward or hospital involves your presence and calmness, “this she said will involve doing more than anything else to steady him”. One of the patients in her ward bantered freely on the corridors as the reporter passed by. She said, she is a fiery lawyer and she is battle ready to try the Justice Thomas Naron Election Tribunal. “Justice Naron must be made to face the wrath of the law of President Yar’adua for stealing the votes of my people”, the emotionally strained patient said to the air, gestulating but calmly like some lawyers address the court. Speaking on phone with the reporter on a healthy Osun state, a mother and wife of the AC governorship candidate, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola who identified inherited diseases, environmental influence, infectious process, living disease agents, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic disturbances and allegic disorders as factors contributing to ill health, however said “a healthy foundation for Osun communities lies in the safety and adequacy of food, provision of water and sewage disposal, public safety from bio- environmental threats, immunization, prophylactic vitamins, and education of the people for behavioral changes”. She said the AC government in Osun state will focus on the contemporary social economic and technologic trends in health care delivery. “Osun state will witness increased access to quality health that is computer programmed, for improved quality of life for the individual and family living under the AC government”, Aregbesola stressed. But government claim to commitment of the provision of quality health care to all citizens in the state is not seen to have brought about improved social, economic and productive life in the state. CONSTRUCTION AND UPGRADING OF HEALTH FACILITIES Some of the Comprehensive Health Centres, Infant Welfare and Antenatal Clinics Complexes, Mortuary Blocks and renovation of the Primary Health Care Centres that are constructed in some parts of the state are informed by political consideration. In some places, these structures are not only duplicated, they will remain for some time to come unused as they are unequiped. The reporter was at Ibokun, Iwo, Ilesa and Asubiaro Osogbo, Iragbiji, Otan Ayegbaju and found out that such facilities as x-ray equipment anesthetic machines, theater equipment; ward equipment, laboratory equipment, blood bank equipment and critical care equipment are not provided. PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRES (PHC) Findings by the reporter at the Primary Health Centres, PHC at Ikirun, Otan Ayegbaju, Ila-Orangun, Ilesa, and Ile-Ife indicated that micronutrient to 0-5 years old children and pregnant women, mass immunization against deadly diseases of yellow fever, hepatitis B, and cerebrospinal meninygitis, and treatment of cases of tuberculosis, leprosy and onchocerciacisis, considered as fundamental to effective primary health care have been partially done. Health information, education and communication materials that can serve to assist citizens prevent diseases and home accidents are hard to come by at some of these PHCs. Nursing mothers who spoke with the reporter explained that the only information they have on family planning materials and child health and adequate nutrition is available to them on the state radio “while the government says it invests millions of naira on printed health materials. She added that essential drugs for labour and delivery are not even available. “Nothing is indeed free as against the free health delivery of the government. At the caesarian section and in the pre-natal and post-natal, medication and materials to be used are listed up for the mothers who go out to procure them,” the nursing mother in a chorus told the reporter. The situation in the secondary health care is no different. In all the nine State Hospitals, two General Hospitals, two Dental Centres and forty Comprehensive Health Centres in the state, medication is not free, talk less of being qualitative. Where patients are to undergo surgeries, the charges by the government hospitals or clinics are incredibly high for the common man in the streets. It is only registration and, may be, consultation that can be said to be free, a 69 year old patient said on his hospital bed. Speaking on effective health delivery utilization for the state, Mrs. Grace Titi Tomori-Laoye, Osun State AC deputy governorship candidate said on phone, that the government of her party has plans to help the communities in the state maintain optimal well-being by evolving a positive life style or orthobiosis, that reduces high risk of illness, disability and premature death. “The individuals in the state will stay healthy and live long life”, she said, adding that “we will encourage practice of home self-care. You can, for example help your body to fight a common cold in its natural way by giving your body rest, fluids and vitamins like vitamin A&C, and by allowing the natural body defence to fight the viral infection. “We will organize free market place and town hall workshops on courses in first-aid and emergency care and on home self-care to help the individuals develop skills in administering emergency and home self-care. Most immediate care for illness and home accidents is really common sense, and everyone should develop and practice self-care skills”. Tomori-Laoye said that her party in government will encourage the sick to go and see a doctor early for periodic health screening and immunization, when the individual can not help himself. MATERNAL & INFANT MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY RATES The maternal and infant mortality and morbidity rates in Osun State have not shown any significant fall. Training on the promotion of exclusive breast feeding, and training workshops on Expanded Live Saving Skills Initiatives, ELSSI, Live Saving Skills, LSS, and modified LSS for Doctors, Nurses and several other trainings considered as germane to primary Health Care (PHC) are not getting the appropriate attention from the state government. PHC as provided by WHO is essential care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technologies made universally acceptable to individuals and families through their fill participation at a cost that a community can afford at every stage of its development. The scope of PHC suggests that health is closely related to total human development, the entire population being the target of health care. COMMUNICABLE DISEASES Both at primary and secondary health care delivery systems, the state government’s efforts at preventing communicable disease are grossly too inadequate. Not enough doctors and nurses have had their capacity improved, relevant projects in early child care and survival are not in place and the medical equipment and laboratory materials for diagnosis of tuberculosis, leprosy and other killer diseases in children and adult are not adequately available in the state and in the local government council health care delivery facilities. Investigation by the reporter showed that drugs for the treatment of these communicable diseases are not in the government’s pharmacy. Health facility workers are not empowered through training to carry our disease surveillance activities. ONCHOCERCIASIS AND AVIA FLU CONTROL Osun Government’s claim to treatment of over 498,037 people with river blindness disease cannot after all be true. The reporter was at the state central medical stores and found out that over 2million tablets of mectisan received from the Federal Ministry of Health may have found their way back into the open market. GOVERNMENT HOUSE CLINIC AND GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT STAFF CLINIC Apart from requisite facilities for health care delivery that can not be found in these clinics, the clinic in the government house has just one doctor, who is also the governor household physician, and who most of the time, is found chatting away with the members of the fist family in the state, and leaving the clinic to the nurses and corps Doctor. Staffs of the government House and their families have reportedly abandoned using the clinic. The 5-bed clinic located behind the Governor’s wife’s office has no sterilizers and drugs. PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES The existing pharmacists that dispense drugs to patients in all the state and local government health facilities are experienced and qualified. But the standing complain is that the drugs and medical consumables are available only on contract papers. Findings by the reporter showed that government expended N884,835, 007:45 on drugs and medical consumables only between 2003 and 2008, yet the state owned hospitals and local government council health centers cannot have drugs from the state central medical stores. Breakdown of the general expenses on drugs and medical consumable shows that N85.817,845:75 was spent in 2003; N161,831,935:05 (2004); N170,347,271:10 (2005); N178,561,075:30 (2006); N87,131,288:40 (2007); and N202,145, 604:45 in 2008. DRUG ABUSE CONTROL Drug is any substance that by its chemical or physical nature can alter the structure or function in a living organism. When abused mis-used, can alter one’s mood, feelings, consciousness, perception and behavior of the individual. The expert committee on Drug Liable to Produce Addiction, ECDLPA, of the World Health Organization, WHO, see drug addiction as psychologic (or mental) dependence on the drug but no physical withdrawal symptoms. In Osun State, the drug abuse committee’s attitude to its briefs reflects the attitude of the political party in power to the art of governance. Findings by the reporter showed that funds meant for the committee have always been misappropriated, and that has made the committee abandoned its enlightenment and education activities on responsible drug use and dangers in abuse or miss-use of drugs. The menace of drug abuse and elicit drug is still very much around in the state according to a source at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in the state. Those who indulge in abuse of such psychoactive drugs as narcotics, sedatives, tranquilizers, stimulants, and hallucinogens, do so to suppress feelings of inadequatly and other emotional conditions, and the youths in drug abuse enjoy the euphoria or excitement, or are made to believe that drug abuse can magically solve all problems. A NDLEA officer who would not want his name mentioned in the press, told the reporter that narcotics act as depressants to certain areas of the brain and other parts of the nervous system, and are capable of impairing intellectual functioning, coordination and reasoning, and constricting the pupil of the eye to pin-point size, while they inhibit penial erection and ejaculation. Heroin, codeine and morphine are a family of narcotics. Sedatives are said to reduce day time tension as anxiety, and stimulants described as drugs that relax the central nervous system. Most commonly abused stimulants are said to be amphetamine, cocaine and caffeine. Tranquizers are explained as agents that can act on the individual emotion. Hallucinogens, also called psychedelics, dysceptics or psychotominetics are known to be drugs capable of provoking changes of sensation, thinking, distorted perceptions, self-awareness and emotions. The well-known synthetic plant cannabis saliva aka Indian hemp or marijuana is hallucinogenic drug and is subject to abuse like any other dangerous drug”, the NDLEA sources said. HEALTH SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS (HSDP) Despite the HSDP, a credit scheme of the International Development Association to the Federal Government and all the states of the federation, to strengthen human resource capacity building in health matters. Osun State, as a beneficiary has however misappropriated that credit, a top official in the state ministry of health, who pleaded anonymity, told the reporter. HEALTH TRAINING INSTITUTIONS The three health training institutions in the state located at Ilesa, Osogbo and Ile-Ife have need for quite a number of structures, facilities and equipments that are not available. At the Nursing & Midwivery Schools, and Health Technology, students who took the reporter round, said they don’t have laboratory equipment, teaching aids and requisite educators that can enrich their capacity to deliver a health service after graduation. The reporter found out that the over N8m released for the preparation of the schools for accreditation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, and for purchase of teaching aids did not get to the schools. DRUG MANUFACTURING FACTORY The state Drug Manufacturing Company, situated in Osogbo had remained only at the level of a completed structure; though government claims that equipment for water treatment and fluid tableting have arrived. The reporter’s visit to the company site indicated that the location of the factory building is okay, but their design and construction cannot facilitate cleaning, maintenance and operation appropriate to drug manufacturing. The building should be such that has adequate space for the orderly placement of equipments and materials to prevent mix-up and contamination. What is on the ground at the site does not suggest any provision is made for identification, adequate quarantine gauge and adequate control and adequate laboratory operation. By the design of facilities as it is currently adequate guarantee cannot be given against objectionable microbiological contamination. QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE Although Primary Health Care Centres are subjected to some measure of checks on inspection before they are registered, routine and periodic inspections are being carried out before the certification is renewed annually, workshops organized for private medical practitioners, private nurses and midwifes, private medical laboratory scientist, and proprietary and patient medicine vendors have their license monitored and reviewed, findings by the reporter however revealed that the state government does little or nothing at ensuring quality control and quality assurance of its health delivery system. WHO Expert Committee on Essential Drugs states that the drug delivery system includes aspects of quality of medicines and intrinsic safety and efficacy of pharmacologically active substance. The patient-centred paradigm in contemporary pharmacy practice that combines the traditional distributive obligations and responsibilities toward the patient has been politicized in Osun State. Quality control which involves checking or testing to ensure that the drugs to be dispensed are of the quality required for their intended users is not taken as paramount over political consideration. Individuals who are party members and party thugs are given contracts to supply drugs, with the high risk of contamination, impurity and hazards. In ideal situation, the quality control will conduct surveillance, investigate, and evaluate drugs before they are distributed to the hospitals. Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, the governorship candidate in the state spoke on phone and said he is aware that the number of people with mild or severe mental disorders is far more than the number of psychiatrists in the state hospital service, saying “the net result is that most of the mentally ill people receive care from the general health sector if they receive any at all. The state government presently has no programme on mental health in its health priorities and plans. “We know the Federal Ministry of Health is the medium through which the federal government disburses funds and issues health policy directives to the state and local governments, within the framework of national health guidelines, and coordinates national health planning aimed at the development of health care service for all the segments of the population. “But our statistics with me shows that those with mental disorders presently receive no diagnostic assessment or treatment. By our data, the health care delivery system generally in Osun is decay, though the personnel on ground are professionally qualified and experienced. “We are aware that the cost of treating mental illness is significant in these days of economic melt-down and inflation. We are also quickly aware of the need to pay attention to mental health service to nip in the bud the income loss from incapacitation or sudden death of the otherwise able individuals, and loss of productive time of institutionalized individuals and outpatients”, Aregbesola said. He however stated that the AC government in the state will give desired support to the psychiatric unit of LAUTECH, and the unit will be created in the State Hospital and General Hospitals in the state to offer intensive and less expensive therapy and care for the mentally ill people. “Individualized counseling from experts will be stately encouraged”, he said.

Council Chair, Legislators, Others Clash

Kola — Fri, 15 May 2009 06:01:19 +0000

THE axiom of a house divided against itself played itself out in Ife East Local Government Council area last week, when the council’s career officers, the chairman and councillors engaged themselves in a free-for-all at Moore area in Ile-Ife. It was also revealed that not less than three vehicles were damaged, while four people were reported to have been admitted into various private hospitals for injuries sustained during the fracas. The medium’s gathered that the furore bordered on a N10million allegedly borrowed from one of the new generation banks by the council chairman, Honourable Gbenga Owolabi to off set claims of some career officers, himself and contractors. It was also reliably revealed to the medium, that on getting the loan, the council boss informed the leader of the legislative arm of the council his reasons for procuring the loan, which prompted the councillors also to ask him to pay some of their own entitlements as well. The legislators later discovered that the council boss did not approve the legislators’ claims, but decided to pay himself the sum of N2million out of the N10million loan procured and pay the claims of the career officers, which reportedly generated crisis. On getting to know the antics of the council boss, the legislators quickly wrote to the bank to freeze the council’s account, as well as not to make any payment from the loan to the council boss, an action which infuriated the career officers and resulted into venting their anger on the legislators. The career officers, reportedly alleged that the legislators were trying to sabotage their effort to get their claims from the council boss. They also accused the legislators of being illegal occupants of the council secretariat, since the Court of Appeal in Ibadan had dissolved all the local government councils in the state. At the meeting after the impasse at the palace of Oba Okunade Sijuwade last week, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the monarch at the peace parley condemned the actions of the legislators for freezing the council’s accounts. The prominent traditional ruler also chided the council’s boss for personally running the affairs of the council as alleged by the council’s legislative arm. He therefore, advised the council boss to pay the legislators’ claims as they demanded, a source told the medium. A source at the council secretariat hinted the medium that the legislators had stayed away from the secretariat since the incident. By Sola Jacobs

Tit-bits On Side Attractions At Osun Tribunal

Kola — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:17:58 +0000

THERE is no gainsaying that there are a lot of accusations and counter accusations on the police security report, one of the evidences presented by the Osun State Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, a scenario that hyped the sitting of the new tribunal beyond the normal proportion. It would be recalled that some controversial politicians from the state went to a Federal High Court, Abuja with a view to stopping the new tribunal from sitting on Tuesday, but were unable to achieve their mission, duo to the defect in service to key respondents in the matter. It was learnt that the politicians, who are still on the pay-roll of the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, masquerading as leaders of some non-functional political parties in the state under the umbrella of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), premised their action on the much-touted controversy over the police security report. It would be recalled that the Inspector- General had denied the existence of the said police report, while responding to a letter sent to him by the embattled Oyinlola, a situation that was described as a 'dangerous gamble and shameless afterthought', by the President of West Africa Bar Association (WABA), Barrister Femi Falana. However, OSUN DEFENDER in its Thursday 14, May, 2009 edition alerted that the embattled state helmsman had planned to recruit some hoodlums to cause commotion at the tribunal, by carrying placards with inscription that would be condemning the petition, and equally demanding for the non-sitting of the tribunal. In the report, it was disclosed that one Special Adviser to the governor, named Sangaruwa from Odo-Otin Local Government Council Area was given the task of giving N20,000 each to any student of the state-owned tertiary institutions, who wished to participate in the orchestrated protest. OSUN DEFENDER who was at Osun State High Court, venue of the tribunal sitting, spotted some placard-wielding people coming out of the Government House directly opposite of the court premises. Findings revealed that, the governor’s aides chose to keep the recruited protesters at the Government House, when it was clear to them that the security operatives at the tribunal may not allow the miscreants in. Though, they (hired demonstrators) made frantic efforts to carry-out their side of the bargain, the over-whelming presence of AC supporters within the Court premises frightened them to their cocoon. By GOKE BUTIKA

CPS As Senior Reporter - Tit Bits (2) from New Tribunal

Kola — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:43:37 +0000

CHIEF Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Mr. Lasisi Olagunju is one man who values his daily bread, and he knows his job. This can only be confirmed at the Election Petitions Tribunal. Olagunju, as the eyes and ears of the embattled governor was at the tribunal as early as possible, along with his reporter’s notebook and his ever-busy handset. Before the proceedings, the governor’s spokesman was busy looking for his lost sheep, he was visibly worried, when he could not spot one Osun State Broadcasting Corporation’s (OSBC) reporter, notoriously known as ‘Eko ose ojumimu’ (meaning things have gone awry) within his visible range, and one could only notice his worry right inside the court room. ‘Give Us A Larger Court Room, My Lord’ Obviously, Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s lead counsel spoke the minds of the people without resorting to drama of hide-and-seek that took place at the Court of Appeal that sat in Ibadan, Oyo State, the other time when he prayed the five-man panel headed by Justice Ali Garuba that the Court room earmarked for the tribunal was relatively small and choking, saying that they (lawyers) would appreciate it, if the panel could request for a larger court room from the state judiciary, for the sake of conduciveness. OSUN DEFENDER commended the Senior Advocate for his bold request because a battery of journalists and tens of lawyers watched the proceedings through the court window frame. Police: Apolitical Or Partisan? Remember, 24 activists on the banner of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) were arrested by the State Police Commissioner, Mr. John Moronike for demonstrating peacefully against the alleged corruption levelled against the first controversial tribunal headed by compromised Justice Thomas Damar Naron. It was a different kettle of fish on Tuesday when some recruited hoodlums were pouring out of the Osun State House with placards to demonstrate at the venue of the tribunal. Despite the fact that a retinue of police men were at the venue, no single hoodlum was arrested. ‘Give Us Our Share’ Osogbo, Osun State capital would have been treated to a drama of violence on Tuesday, should security operatives at Oke-Fia Roundabout had decided to look away, as some people suspected to be Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) hoodlums nearly engaged in a free-for-all over sharing of largesse suspected to be given to them by the government. The aggrieved PDP supporters were screaming blue-murder that they were brazenly cheated by some party chieftains, who were handling the money. They then threatened fire and brimstone, until they were dispersed by security operatives. All Government Machinery In Court IT was like, the governor read a riot act to all his aides, ranging from commissioners, special advisers and executive assistants, as they were all hanging around like late-coming pupils inside the court premises. OSUN DEFENDER noticed that the entire cabinet of the embattled Governor Oyinlola was in court. Commissioner for information was seen peeping through the window, before she could watch the proceedings, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Professor Muib Opeloye was seen making frantic calls within the premises, while some others were busy talking to their people.

Oyinlola, PDP Jittery About Newly Re-constituted Osun Tribunal

Kola — Sun, 24 May 2009 23:16:51 +0000

The inauguration of the re-constituted Osun state Gubernatorial Tribunal has sent jitters down the spine of impostor Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the PDP. This was evidenced by the hasty and panicky 'rent-a-crowd' demostrators hired by the PDP Governor to protest against the proceedings of the Tribunal on the first day of sitting. It was very shameful that Governor Oyinlola who purportedly claimed that he won the 2007 Gubernatorial Election in Osun state with his supporters staged a protest in the presence of the state High Court where the tribunal is sitting, to intimidate the honourable justices. We strongly feel this very shameful to somebody who claims he won the 2007 election. We know that the P.D.P and Oyinlola are very jittery and they know that his 'election' as manipulated by INEC can not stand the test of law, therefore doing everything to stop the tribunal and probably harrashing the members of the noble tribunal. This is SHAMEFUL and we demand that he should Resign now otherwise he will surely be disgraced out of office. We also want to call on the Commissioner of Police in Osun state to rise to his responsibility of maintaining law and order in the state, and not to be partial in his dealings. We wish to remind him that the same thing that P.D.P supporters did was what twenty-four nenbers of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) did on july 10th 2008, and they were arrested and charged to court. This is what we expect the Commissioner of Police to do. We stand by the mandate of our Symbol of Hope, Eng. Rauf Aregbesola, and no matter the frustration or disapointment we are not going to be discouraged for freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor but must be demanded by the oppressed. A.C Democracy for ever. OLAWUNI OLUGBENGA AKINLOYE AJIBOLA OLUSEYE ATAKUNMOSA EAST/WEST CONSTITUENCY OLAOLUWA STATE CONSTITUENCY CANDIDATE SPOKESPERSON SECRETARY, FORUM OF OSUN STATE AC HOUSE OF ........................................................................................ASSEMBLY 2007 CANDIDATES

Monarch Stops PDP Supporters From Singing In Palace

Kola — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:58:35 +0000

PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) supporters were last Saturday stunned at the palace of Aragbiji of Iragbiji, as Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi, publicly instructed them to stop chanting political songs in support of the party anywhere close to his palace. Oba Olabomi gave the order during the celebration marking his first coronation anniversary in his palace, telling the supporters of the PDP to stop singing and shouting PDP-oriented songs and slogans immediately. The monarch disclosed that the palace is open to all politicians of different party orientation, instituting that singing praises of a particular party was capable of inciting violence, should the other parties responded. The audience at the venue greeted the monarch’s decision with a thunderous applause, hailing his courage at curtailing the excesses of the PDP supporters at the venue. A popular drummer and a member of the board of Osun State Arts and Culture, Mr. Mukaila Okanjua and one of his colleagues, Bikebike left the stage immediately the monarch gave the instruction. PDP’s supporters in the state had often turned official and public functions in the state into avenues for political jamboree, where they sing-praise the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and many of the party chieftains. The party had always formed the habit of ensuring that all the state functions are jam-packed with its supporters, who are always on hand to unleash terror on anyone believed to be members of the opposition political parties. It would be recalled that the party supporters at the Oroki day celebration in 2006, turned the event into a battle-field over the presence of Action Congress (AC) gubernatorial candidate in the state, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, leading to the death of an 18 year-old Kehinde Salam. Some of members of the audience at the Aragbiji palace lauded the courage of the monarch stopping the PDP supporters from chanting PDP slogans at the event, which had members of the Action Congress (AC) in attendance. A personality among the spectators further berated the action of the state government that turns every social and official event into political jamborees, an act he described as unnecessary. He therefore called on all stake-holders in the state, especially traditional rulers, to use their position to unite the people of the state, being an institution which is highly respected in the Yoruba nation. According to the source, “it is very unpleasant that our traditional rulers have lost their dignity by venturing into politics, thereby taking sides, instead of rallying round anyone that come to them by virtue of the fact that they are fathers of all”. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

PDP’s Fresh Wicked Plans Against Aregbesola

Kola — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:05:21 +0000

Omo Osun By Kola Olabisi

THE definition that a profession is a body of knowledge unknown to a layman is manifesting in the administration of the state of the Living Spring under the leadership of the apparently confused retired Brigadier-General Simeon Ashola Olagunsoye Oyinlola who has known no peace since he, in a daylight robbery, stole the mandate freely given to the indomitable Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate, Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola. What is playing itself out in the quest to wrestle the political control of Osun State is a perfect example of oxymoron in the sense that while one of those jostling for the leadership of the state is trained to kill and destroy, the other one is trained to repair and construct. Events have shown that what one does in life outside one’s profession is influenced by one’s initial training in life. Without necessarily going far for instances, happenings in the political circle before, during and after the 2007 general elections were pointers to circumstantiate the issue at stake. While Aregbesola was prevailing on his numerous supporters not to resort to the laws of Moses in dealing with their political foes in the state, saying that he could not govern dead and wounded people, Oyinlola who has been flaunting the apparatus of government would go to any length in retaining his stolen mandate. There have been so much deafening media hypes on the insinuated fake police report on the 2007 governorship and house of assembly elections immediately the Court of Appeal that sat in Ibadan quashed the re-election of Oyinlola and ordered the President of the court to re-order retrial of the case. The judgment that secured victory for Aregbesola in that regard dealt a devastating blow on the leadership and followers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West in general and Osun State in general. One of the plans to shove up the morale of the PDP supporters was to make political noise on the police security report as if it was the only evidence of the numerous evidences in the repository of the AC. The PDP leadership in the state has so many reasons for embarking on attacking the police report which has been around for over one year. What is worrisome and dreadful to the Oyinlola-led PDP administration in the state is not even the face value of the police report but the content it addressed which expressly spelt out the criminal roles of the fugitives who are parading themselves as the leaders of the party in the state today. The fear of the PDP leadership is that the police report is capable of permanently nailing the political coffins of those indicted therein as some of them may be banned from holding any political office for life while criminal charges will be hanged on the necks of others. IT should be known to all and sundry that the battle to rubbish the police security report is not being fought by Oyinlola alone but all other stakeholders in the party who’s shameful and anti-democratic acts during the elections have been brought into limelight. Oyinlola is only the arrowhead of the political struggle to rubbish the police report; those who are actually co-funding and fighting the war are holed up in Abuja but are being haunted by their dirty past. Some of them know that with the security report, they can never hold any political office again while they have to tell the court what they know about the serial killings during the elections. The hues and cries about the police security report were merely political which the Oyinlola-led PDP has nothing to circumstantiate. This is the more reason why one of the Oyinlola lawyers who could not see beyond his nose was asked to quickly withdraw the suit so that the PDP’s dirty linen would not be washed in the public. The lawyer who apparently is not a politician did not know that the belated faulting of the insinuated fake police report is merely diversionary. One would have expected Oyinlola and some of his political co-travellers to know that his effort and enlistment of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro, to rubbish the police security report are afterthought which has no basis in the court of law. Any utterances taking place outside the four walls of the court is balderdash which do not hold water as far as justice dispensation is concerned. Information has it that the noise being made by the PDP over the police security report was one of the scripts written by retired Brigadier-General Oyinlola to get at his arch-rival, Aregbesola. Sources close to the Okefia Government House disclosed that it was not the controversial police report that is the issue but the stage-managed bomb blast in front of Water and Mineral Resources Ministry, State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, in June 2007. Oyinlola knowing full well that Aregbesola has sufficient evidence to retrieve his stolen mandate desperately wants him nailed. Part of the scripts written by Oyinlola is to get Aregbesola arrested in a manner that will appear as if he is arrested over the insinuated fake police report whereas the Oyinlola arch-rival will be slammed with the non-existing charge on the cooked-up bomb blast. During the period of the planned Aregbesola’s arrest and detention, he will be poisoned through the use of gas meant for the purpose. In order to pretend as if the planned assassination is natural, the killing will be made instalmentally as their intended prey would be allowed home after some time to go and die at home! But the wish of God is not that of man; it is only Aregbesola’s maker who can be his finisher. As usual, those who are scheming for this inhuman and anti-democratic approach to the genuine and legitimate aspiration of Aregbesola to govern his state would soon be rubbished in the trash can of history. The calculation of those behind this plot is that once the arrowhead of the struggle has been summarily dealt with, the usurper will then have a field day without challenges from any quarters. AS this piece was being put together, another disturbing information that filtered into the newsroom was that the monstrous PDP chieftains have resorted to another phase of their plans which is to engage in serial killings of prominent members of the progressive parties across the board in the South-West. It was authoritatively learnt that some notorious political thugs have been given the juicy contracts of eliminating the opposition voices and their supporters in the various states in the region. It was learnt that the elimination of the leading lights in the progressive camps was part of the resolutions at a South-West meeting of the PDP which was held in one of the states recently. It was gathered that it was unanimously agreed upon that the only option left for the PDP to sustain the control of the South-West during the next general elections is to give some of the opposition leaders the late Chief Bola Ige treatment. Chief Ige was killed in a bizarre manner few years ago as a prelude to the rabid invasion of the South-West by the PDP. In a situation shrouded with disbelief, some of the suspects arrested in the connection with the Chief Ige are holding juicy appointments not only in Oyinlola’s administration but at the centre in Abuja. During the trial of the Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal headed by the infamous and corrupt Justice Thomas Damar Naron in the petition instituted by the AC governorship candidate, Engr Rauf Aregbesola against the incumbent Governor Oyinlola, to the chagrin of all and sundry, one of the suspects in the Bola Ige killing was said to have arrogantly voiced out on April 14, 2007 during the governorship and house of assembly elections that he was ready to devour any member of the opposition who resisted PDP rigging in the local government, adding that “their leader, Chief Bola Ige, who was a strong voice of the opposition was severely dealt with, how much less, ordinary members of the party”. The statement spoke volume of what the level of involvement of the author of the statement might be which is an indication that the last has not been heard about the killing of the number one law officer of the federation because he was the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation. The Nobel Laureate could not be wrong when he described the PDP as a nest of killers. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos State governor, is one of the AC chieftains allegedly penciled down for elimination. IT is often said that it is not how far but how well; it was perhaps in this context that a one-year-old on the throne monarch in Osun State took off shine from all other members of the state council of obas when he courageously outlawed the chanting of political praises in his palace. The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Ayotunde Olabomi who gave the order during the celebrations marking his first anniversary in his palace was said to have taken the microphone and warned those singing PDP songs to stop forthwith. This is a rare royal feat in the state of the Living Spring which some notable royal fathers had bungled. Oba Olabomi shall go down in the history of this state as one of the upright monarchs that has ever mounted the throne of his royal fathers. This action of the oba was not only a pride to him; it is a pride to the entire people of Iragbiji wherever they may be residing in this planet. Events have shown that though not all obas are in support of the excesses of the PDP and its handlers but they are bereft of courage to tell the truth. Politicians are in temporary capacity wherever they may be serving at any level of government while monarchical offices are for life. So, why can’t our traditional rulers emulate the Aragbiji without minding whose ox is gored? This is an opportunity for some pungently partisan traditional rulers in the state whose palaces have become alternative secretariats of the PDP to change over a new leaf. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, is the most guilty of some of the royal fathers whose open support for the PDP to the detriment of all other parties has promoted tension in their domains. The Ooni should learn a lesson from the Aragbiji, taking into cognizance the fact that a royal father should be the father of all. Any monarch who openly flaunts a favourite among politicians from various political parties in his domain is courting disrespect. It is as simple as ABC. Oba Sijuwade has become an unofficial patron of the Osun State PDP as Governor Oyinlola has turned the Ooni’s palace to his second home. As if this is not enough, to the chagrin of the right-thinking members of the society, the Ooni was said to have watched the Court of Appeal proceedings that quashed the re-election of Oyinlola at MicCom Golf Resort, Ada, in Boripe Local Government Council Area of Osun State on March 30, 2009 on the television. This is less than dignifying and bereft of expected royalty.

Osogbo Beautification Project Failed - Investigation

Kola — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:27:48 +0000

Millions of Naira was found to have gone down the drain as efforts of Osun State government to beautify Osogbo, the state capital has not yielded any positive result. OSUN DEFENDER observed that some millions of naira spent on flowers, planted in the medians of some major roads in the state capital have failed to grow. The flowers were planted by the state government to beautify the state capital. Several millions of naira had been budgeted for the beautification project, which failed to come through in the last couple of years. It was noted that the Oke-Fia road, leading to the Government Reservation Area, where the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola resides, had been over-grown with weeds. The state government had began the beautification of roads through tree-planting some years ago, but some of the trees planted have died due to lack of care. Among all the state capitals in the South-West, OSUN DEFENDER observed that Osogbo, the capital of Osun State is the least developed. Refuse and human faeces were dropped indiscriminately on some major roads in the state capital based on lack of basic amenities and infrastructure. It was also noted that there were no public toilets within the state capital, just as some houses lack toilet facilities. Besides, residents of the state capital have been lamenting the gory state of road network,calling on both state and local government authorities to fix the dilapidated roads. The deplorable roads have claimed many innocent lives, especially commercial motorcyclists (okada riders). A Non-Governmental Organization, Osun Good Governance Forum (OGGF) earlier in April, 2009 pleaded with the federal ministry of roads and transportation to extend its activities to the state capital by rehabilitating the deplorable roads on of the state government. By ismail usman

NACOMYO CICS Holds AGM

Kola — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:07:11 +0000

MUslims have been enjoined to stay away from charging interest on capital (Usury) because Almighty Allah frowns at it seriously. A lecturer at the College of Education, Ilesa, Osun State, Alhaji Ganiyu Mustafa Adejumo, stated this while delivering a lecture at the 7th Annual General Meeting of the NACOMYO (CICS) at NACOMYO Nursary and Primary School Igbona, Osogbo recently. In a lecture titled “Spiritual: Development and the Interest-free Co-operative System”, Adejumo tasked Muslims to embrace Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to help solve human challenges. The acquisition of knowledge and economic pursuit, according to him, is very necessary which must be embraced by all Muslims, with a view not to rely on their fellow human beings for self-sustenance. The guest speaker reminded members that for any Muslim to enter Paradise, they need to empower their fellow Muslims by removing people from the poverty bracket. He emphasized the fact that Allah frowns seriously at interest on capital (usury), which he said would attract serious sanctions on the day of judgment. He called on the public who wanted to have access to capital without interest to join the society. Awards were presented to outstanding members in both units by Murtala Agboola, the AdministrativeManager of OSUN DEFENDER Newspaper on behalf of the society. NACOMYO (CICS) Osogbo has total membership strength of 182. New executive members were elected to run the affairs of the co-operative society for the New Year.

NURTW Clash: Police Arrest Five In Ibadan

Kola — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:10:58 +0000

THe leadership tussle between the Chairman, Oyo State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola and his deputy, Alhaji Lateef took another dimension on last Tuesday, as five supporters of the two groups were arrested by the Oyo State Police Command following a violent clash between the groups. About 10 people reportedly sustained injuries in the clash. The fight broke out around 8:30 am at Agodi area of Ibadan Tuesday. It was gathered that the clash was a fallout of a cold war between the chairman, popularly called Tokyo and his deputy, known as Elewe Omo, which may have been instigated by some political undercurrents. It was learnt that Elewe-omo had been a close associate of Tokyo until he fell out with his boss on Monday. However, attempts to reach both Tokyo and Elewe-Omo were unsuccessful. Confirming the arrest, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bola Bolanta, said the suspects would be arraigned in court. “There was a clash this morning (Tuesday) at the Gate Bus-Stop area but nobody was injured as my men rose to the occasion in time. “However, five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident and they will be arraigned in court,’ he said’.

Positive Changes Are My Honest Desire - Adedoyin

Kola — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:53:51 +0000

Prince Adewale Adedoyin is a politician who speaks his mind on issues with the forthrightness of a disciplined and successful operator in the private sector economy, Nigeria and Australia. He would always quake at the level of deficient legislative representation of his people of Ilesa West Constituency of Osun State. He spoke with ISAAC OLUSESI Q: Can you let us into your name and background? My name is Adewale Adedoyin, born in the early 1970’s to the family of Prince Adedoyin in Ikoti, Ilesa, in Ilesa West Constituency of Osun State, Nigeria. At age II, I lost my father. But my mother and God’s abundant Grace saw me through schools, and in 1995 I did the National Youths Service at the College of Education, Ilesa. After leaving Orire Ogendengbe Primary School, Stadium, Ilesa, and Cherubum & Seraphim High School, Iyemogun, also in Ilesa, I got admission into the University of Lagos where I obtained a degree in Geography & Planning (1994), and Masters degree in Transport Planning (1996 – 1997). In 2006, I left for Australia, Melbourne Victorial State. Before leaving the shores of Nigeria, I worked for two years as a graduate taxi owner – driver in Port Harcourt. I came back to Ilesa and had a stint with the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW Odo-Oro, Ilesa as a bus owner-driver. I left for Lagos and bought my first taxi, and soonest I had more than one hundred and fifty (150) taxis in my fleet, and on that seeming strength, I dived into haulage business with ten trailer trucks bought, owned and managed by me in the premises of the West African Portland Cement Company, WAPCO, Lagos. I also owned quite a number of industrial tippers. But all these were sold to all my drivers on hire purchase as a way of assisting them and thereafter, left with my family for Australia in the fall of 2006. In Austalia, I had courses in the science and art of Aged Care. Q: Some people believe that there is need to infuse young brilliant and dynamic Nigerians into today’s Nigerian politics to move forward. Do you subscribe to that? I am not totally an apostle of generation change. Our elders, our leaders within the family and in politics are still very useful, indeed very useful to the respective families and the nation. So, we cannot entirely do away with the older generation. What I know as a factly matter is that leadership evolves. But we also have young and dynamic Nigerians who have made their marks in their individual calling and sure to impact responsibly on the nation’s politics. Q: What is politics in Australia look like compared to Nigeria? There is so much poverty in Africa, so much poverty in Nigeria and politics should rather address alleviating the poverty level. Violence is another area of concern. Unlike what is globally reported of violence in Nigeria politics, Kelvin Rudd the Prime Minister of Australia won the election that brought him to power, and John Howard, a co-contestant stood up gallantly and congratulated him immediately. In Nigeria, lots of things are not in place in terms of democracy dividends. But in Lagos, quite a lot of changes have happened. It is no longer Lagos that I used to know in 2006 when I left for Australia. The changes I am seeing today in Lagos are changes I want to see in all the states of the Federation. Q: Precisely, any interest in a political post? By virtue of my education in Nigeria and Australia, and my continuing background in care for the aged as well as my keen observations of the Australia local, state and federal government modus operandi that is citizen welfare – centred, I believe I have a lot of things to do for my people in Ilesa West Constituency. Though I have no political post specifically in mind, I am a progressive, both in thought and action. The leaders of the progressives will decide if there is need for me to run for any elective post. Q: What is your idea of the primary function of the Osun State House of Assembly? The assembly primary function is lawmaking, and an ideal legislature should carry out people – oriented legislations. A legislature that should be responsible to people that put it in place. That is legislature and legislation in my candid opinion, and my experience in the various elective posts I had held, as I hope will be recounted in the course of this interview as already recounted fixes me up anyway. Q: But for now can you say that the people of Ilesa West Constituency have had their dues of parliamentary representation? I must sincerely say that they are indeed regretting. Nothing, not even smattering goodies that could be said to be here and there in the constituency. Q: How has your upbringing prepared you for any elective post? Like I have said, in the private sector, you don’t have any excuse not to deliver. To that extent, I should offer effective representation of my people. Besides, I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I am not a spoilt child. I grew up, and I struggle legitimately to have blessings stuck in my kit. I am constantly seeing poverty manifest in my constituency and I am all out to meet the most essential needs of my people by giving them effective representation. Q: What has been the response of the elders, leaders, women, youth and children in your constituency? You mean their response to me? Q: Yes, their response to your interest in the politics of your constituency? Their response is encouraging, direct and sincere. Q: What is your driving force? Do you have any pedigree that could be said to be political? I was a senior prefect in my secondary school days, and General – Secretary Geography, & Planning Department; Financial Secretary, Faculty of Environmental Science; Welfare Secretary, Jaja Hall; and Public Relations Officer of the Federation of Ijesa Students Union, FISU, all in the University of Lagos, Lagos. My driving force is honest desire to cause positive changes in the lives of my people. I want to be part of the history of my people. I want to contribute. I want to hear things said about me that I did this and that. Q: On Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reforms, there have been agitations for a complete adoption of the reforms but a section wants partial adoption. What is your position? Since the axiom of the “majority carries the votes” is sine qua non non to democracy and we all say we are in a democracy, if we are not going to be self-deceitful, then what the majority of the peoples’ opinion is on the Uwais reforms should field the day, to foster democracy, rule of law, human right and social justice. Q: So what type of constitution do you look up to as an ideal one for Nigeria? I remember that some people are still saying our current constitution is an Abacha constitution. I don’t think there are many defects in the constitution that should warrant its total discard. The constitution can still run Nigeria adequately, re-energize our collective actions, policies and programmes in the genuine interests of the peoples of Nigeria. Q: What is your take on the future of Nigeria? The future of Nigeria is bright. Nigeria is going to be a great country where everyone from everywhere in the globe will like to be visiting. Q: How often do you visit Ilesa from Australia? I visit Nigeria four times in a year, and of course, I come to Ilesa, my countryside each time I visit Nigeria, my dear country I still have my businesses in Lagos.

Aregbesola Can’t Be Tried For Sedition - Dr Wole Adetoro

Kola — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:23:38 +0000

AN Action Congress (AC) chieftain in Osogbo, Dr Wole Adetoro has enjoined Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to shed his rabid lust for retaining the governorship seat of the state as he is going about it as if there is no life without him being the governor of the state. Adetoro, who was the chairman at a special interdenominational prayer session for victory of Engr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, the state AC governorship candidate in the 2007 election, organized by Action Women Congress (ACW) at the party’s state secretariat in Osogbo on Friday, observed that Oyinlola, in an effort to nail his political opponents, has dug a needless deep circular hole round himself and it is inevitable that he would not be able to escape. He said it would have been better for Oyinlola, if he had not opted to combining the military tactics he acquired in his thirty years’ of soldiering with the dirty murky water of politics, as all his current activities to retain his controversial mandate have defied all known rules of free and fair contest. Adetoro, who doubles as a member of Osogbo Oranmiyan Dynamic Group (OODG) said he was surprised that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could descend so low as to be accusing Aregbesola of treason when in actual fact it was Oyinlola and his co-travellers who should be behind the bar now if we have a responsible and responsive government at the centre. The AC chieftain said it was demeaning and disturbing to have read in a national newspaper a petition that originated from the office of the state legal officer of the state PDP signed by one Adebisi Raimi, alleging Aregbesola of parading himself as the governor of Osun State. Adetoro submitted that whoever might be the author of the petition addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone XI, Osogbo, Osun State, proved himself to be a disgrace to the legal profession as he was aware that there was no iota of truth in what he was making the police and entire nation to believe. His words: “I wonder the reason for the selective accusation of Aregbesola of inscribing his name on a building in Osogbo without the author of the petition telling the world when the imposing billboard was erected”, adding that the “billboard has been in the campaign office of the AC governorship candidate before the 2007 general elections. “Someone who is proclaiming himself a governor would not put ‘Vote Action Congress – Support Aregbesola’ on the campaign billboard in question. Why is similar fuss not made against Oyinlola himself, the Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate, Akinrogun Tunde Odanye and one Honourable Olaitan of National Democratic Party (NDP) whose billboards are still adorning strategic locations across the state? “Instead of the Oyinlola-led PDP to join the crusade of his party to re-brand the nation by reprimanding and arraigning the old crook and a prominent member of the party who hails from Iwoland, who sponsored the burgling of a printer’s place in Shomolu, Lagos and stole the expected inauguration programme which was never distributed by Aregbesola, the Osun PDP has decided to wash its dirty linen in the open. It is clear that they resorted to this latest option when the insinuated fake police report failed. And this will also fail as usual”. Adetoro said he was surprised that a legal adviser of the Osun PDP could engage in misinformation of dubiously publishing: “That Mr Rauf Aregbesola lost the April 14, 2007 governorship election to Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the incumbent governor of Osun State, with very (sic) wide margin” when the chap who professes to be a lawyer was aware that Oyinlola’s re-election was quashed on March 30, 2009 by a Court of Appeal election panel that sat in Ibadan, Oyo State. The Islamic version of the prayer was led by Alfa Abdul-Akeem Tabatiada from Ansar-u-Deen Central Mosque, Osogbo, while his Christian counterpart, Prophet Sunday Adeogo of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Agbala Israel, Station Road, Osogbo led the Christianity version. In her words of encouragement, the leader of the group, Mrs Nike Oyewale, advised members of the group to be steadfast and resolute in the ongoing struggle to bail the state from the claws of the reactionary group in the state. By ISMAIL USMAN

'Masses Will Be Victorious In Osun Guber Case' - Prof. Olurode

Kola — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:28:54 +0000

A senior lecturer at the University of Lagos and human rights crusader, Professor Lai Olurode has disclosed that the democratic struggle in Osun State would be positively disposed-off in favour of the progressives, who he said enjoyed the people’s mandate in the state. He stated that no matter the antics of the People Democratic Party in the state to manipulate the will of the masses in the state, it would not see the light of the day, saying truth would always prevail in any difficult situation. The Don, who spoke at an annual June 12 lecture / symposium organized by Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People (CDRP) at Osogbo City Hall, last Friday maintained that the effort of the PDP aimed at frustrating the case of the masses, would not be successful, adding that it is a ploy to buy more time for an expired administration, Olurode stated that no government with a stolen mandate can enjoy the support and cooperation of the people, whose voice it tried to suppress. According to the Don, “Governor Raji Fashola is able to achieve landmark success in Lagos State because he is a product of the Peoples mandate, which is the reason why he was able to reclaim Oshodi from area boy’s without killing a single soul. Counseling the people on the way forward for the nation’s democracy, he urged them to detest election riggers and stop according recognition to electoral thugs and thieves in the society. He also admonished political parties to allow internal democracy in their parties, maintaining that it is essential for democratic principle in the country. “May 29 is a product of the struggle of the freest election in the history of the country, to this end, June 12 must be given recognition by the beneficiary of the struggle”, he said. He also urged the people to come forth for the emancipation of their mandate, claiming that God would only intercede for the people who are willing to stand on their feet for change. In his contribution at the symposium, a board member of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Mallam Lere Yusuf berated embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola for his inability to complete the dualisation of Akoda-Osogbo road six years after the inauguration of his administration. He also stated that celebrating May 29 as democracy day is a misplaced priority, maintaining that June 12 is the bedrock to the expulsion of the military from the nation’s polity. While quoting from the Holy Qur’an, he stated that God’s wrath await anybody that promised people what he cannot fulfill. Mallam Yusuf therefore urged the people and politicians to live a principled life, which he said is essential to living a fulfilled life. While defending the Peoples Democratic Party in his message, the Chairman of Egbedore Local Government Council Area, Mr. Bamidele Salam, said that the party is not as bad as portrayed by people, saying that other political parties have their own undoing. Salam however conceded that the PDP is made up of evil minded people but also consist of some good politicians. His words:” No party is completely made up of saints, and, also the PDP is not completely made up of devils.” By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Osun Airport In A Web Of Fraud

Kola — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:13:21 +0000

The seventy four-year-old Ido-Osun Airport said to be the first airfield in the West African sub-region over which the current administration in Osun State had pumped close to N5 billion for its reactivation has been left in the wing. ISAAC OLUSESI takes a look at the airport, and reports that efforts by the state government to bring the airport back to life are a charity caught in a web of fraud. IDO-OSUN. This town in Osun State, tucked away between Ede and Osogbo, the state capital, has a reputation that has travelled faster than many cities and towns in Nigeria. The aerodrome, an airport in Ido-Osun was reputed to have airlifted Africans who were conscripted, to fight in the Second World War (1939-1945). At a time in history, the airfield was said to have served as Nigeria Air Force base. Thanks to the foresights of the nation’s colonial masters. Under the British colonial rule, with Sir Donald Comeron, the 4th Governor– General of Nigeria, a huge portion of Ido-Osunland was forcefully acquired in the expansionist interests of the colonial masters. According to Pa Augustus Orisatunbi, 87 years old, the aerodrome at Ido-Osun was part of the quick response of the British Governor-Generals for Nigeria to the problems of shortage of manpower, poor transportation system, and lack of communication services in Nigeria. The octogenarian community leader who said the problems came to the fore immediately after the historic 1914 amalgamation of the North and South of Nigeria, recalled that the problems stared in the face the administration of Sir Creamer Thompson, Nigeria’s 3rd Governor-General (1925-1931). “By 1931 under Cameron, plans were afoot to have an airport at Ido-Osun in the defunct Oyo North, and by 1935 when Sir Bernard Boundillion became the 5th Governor-General of Nigeria, the Ido-Osun airport was commissioned”, said Pa Orisatunbi looking thoughtfully under his compact reading glasses into the reporter’s eyes, adding however that the aerodrome indeed served not only the political objectives of the colonial masters, but also their interests in commerce, trade, economy, and bureaucracy. People interviewed by the reporter in and outside the state, said the moribond airport at Ido-Osun, could by now have been at par with any of the international airports anywhere in the globe. The Ido-Osun airport, they stated would have brought about hotels, restaurants, post office, shops, police and security posts, fire department, medical centre, utility plants and several other modern day facilities important and useful for the airport liners, airport employees and the travelling publics, as well as the residents in the airport town and its surroundings, adding that automobiles, buses and taxis would have been carrying travellers to and from the airport passangers’ terminal. Findings by the reporter indicated that, vestiges of Ido-Osun airport’s terminal, control tower, runway, loading apron, taxiway, and ground parking are still everywhere in the airfield, almost a century after. HRM (Arch) Oba Aderemi Adeniyi Adedayo, the Sapoyoro Alaorede I Olojudo of Ido-Osun Alaiyemore Kingdom and Vice-Chairman, Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, who was not available when the reporter called, is believed to be the 46th Oludo of Ido-Osun and a direct descendant of Obalufon Alaiyemore who became the Ooni of Ife two times in history, according to the octogenarian in the town who spoke with the reporter. The Oludo of Ido-Osun neighboring Oba Iyiola Oyewole Matanmi III is the 15th Ataoja of Osogbo, and Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal, Laminisa I, the 16th Timi of Ede, implying that Ido-Osun had been long before any of the towns in the environs, if Professor I.A. Akinjogbon’s book; the “Dispersal from Ife” would remain a reference. One I. A. Alabi, described as the accounting officer of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) Aerodrome, Ido-Osun, Osogbo, was not prepared to speak with the reporter as he politely turned down all advances. Apparently dazzled and in search of answers to many questions sprouting at the same time, the reporter left for Room 209 Federal Secretarial, Ibadan, Oyo State, office of the Assistant General Manager, AGM, Meteorology, Southwest Inspectorate. The high-ranking officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that the AGM was away on an official assignment outside the state. A top-notch official at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) who picked the reporter’s phone call, explained, on condition of anonymity that the aerodrome at Ido-Osun is an area of land still having it’s building, installations and equipment for the take off, landing and ground movement of aircraft. He however said that “what are reportedly on ground at Ido-Osun are totally obsolete, and rusted beyond lubrication”. The reporter who was at Ibdan new Airport, and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, observed that the size of an airport and variety of its facilities depend on the character and volume of its flight activity, the volume of its air traffic, the number and type of aircraft that use it as a base, and the runway length, maintenance and protection areas required to accommodate the most demanding aircraft, likely to use the airport. The airport in Ikeja, Lagos has generally three components – the airside, the area where aircraft operates, and has taxiways, parking aprons and runways on the side of the airport terminal use only for take offs and landings; the landside consisting of the access roadways, the parking carages and a subway used by taxi and hire cars to deliver passengers and goods to the airport. “In the United State of America, USA, airports, most of the passengers arrive by cars, about 75 percent and 80 percent of the ground vehicles are automobiles and usually half of these are taxis”, according to Prince Jibade Onibokun, Osun State Action Congress, AC, chieftain, on phone with the reporter. Onibokun had stayed over three decades in the US. The third component the terminal connects the airside and landside and has a flow of passengers and baggage through a series of passenger – processing activities from the departing point to the boarding point. At the Ido-Osun airport, the reporter out of curiousity ventured into inside the “old school” terminal building, overgrown with wild ‘bushes’, and stumbled on archival evidence showing that the management of the aerodrome had departments of operations, maintenance, engineering, and security. Findings by the reporter showed that an airport requires more land far away from the centres of the cities the airport serves. According to the findings, a medium –sized city airport needs from 700 to 3,000 acres (280 to 1,200 hectares). The reporter’s findings further indicated that the largest airport in the world, King Khalid International Airport near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia covers 55,510 acres (22,464 hectare of land). Onibokun, who said he once read about the US airport development profile, told the reporter that Denver International Airport, the largest airport in USA has an area of approximate 34,000 acres (14,00 hectares). “There are 9,000 airfields operating in the United States and used mainly by the more than 200,000 privately, owned aircrafts and helicopters in the country’s general aviation fleet, compared to Nigeria’s 22 airports. What then is the problem of the People Democracy Party’s, (PDP), Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Osun that he has not, in his last six (6) years or so in government, thought of re-designing and re-constructing the Ido-Osun aerodrome’s existence if only to add to the number of the airports in Nigeria?” Onibokun quipped. Well after the 70 years of the Ido-Osun aerodrome, the passenger terminal building, where passengers used to begin and end their flights, is still standing till today. The airport terminals in vogue today however have loudspeakers, flight monitors and electronic message boards to announce flight arrivals and departures. What could not be found at the Ido-Osun airfield is the hangar in which aircraft used to be stored and repaired, located far enough from the terminal building to avoid interference with aircraft traffic nerve centre. Control towers at today’s busiest airports, the reporter was informed at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, are over 200 feet (60 meters) tall and may handle more than 200 landings and take-offs an hour during peak periods. The reporter’s findings revealed that in the towers, air traffic controller use radio communications and other radar to direct planes that are approaching and landing or taking off and departing. Most large airports have an Instrument Landing System, (ILS), that guides pilots to the runway in bad weather. The ILS, findings further showed, uses horizontal and vertical radio beams from the ground to press a control in the cockpit of an airline. By watching ILS, according the reporter’s findings, the pilot can tell his exact position in relation to the runway and so can make a safe landing. The runway at Ido-Osun airfield is still there and paved with concrete, the other was just a strip of mowed grass, spacious that allowed aircraft to take off or land without endangering people and property on the ground, though the runway could today be said to be too narrow for the sizes of the contemporary aircrafts. The octogenarian told the reporter that lights used to outline the runway at night and other periods of low visibility. The loading apron, airport tarmacadam, where the crew and passengers boarded the aircraft, and the taxiway used by the aircraft to taxi from the apron to the runway and from the runway to the hangar, are all still at Ido-Osun for anyone to see. The reporter was told by the octogenarian that taxiway at night was marked with light and any barrier or danger was marked by red light. Ground transportation at Ido-Osun airfield was paved with asphalt, still there, though completely peeled off, alongside the terminal building where in the contemporary time, vehicles could pick up and drop off passengers. Today’s airports maintain packing facilities, most large airports have multistory parking garages that provide a major source of revenue for the airports. So much the state and Osun people have lost to the policy directionless and institutional fraud that the state government under Oyinlola is irreversibly enmeshed, from the beginning, all through now. The reporter’s findings in the Processing Unit, State Ministry of Finance indicated that an amount of money, over N4 billion had been pumped into the reactivation work to remake the Ido-Osun airport into a General Aviation which serves all types of aircraft, business, charter and private aircraft as well as scheduled air taxis which carry passengers between towns, and to and from commercial service airports with the word international in their names. Airplanes provide the world’s fastest practical means of transporting passengers and freight. Millions of people depend on aircraft for swift transportation, businesses, and many industries ship their products by air. Airplanes have many other uses from helping fight forest fires, as major weapon of war, to carrying emergency aid. A serving pilot at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos who would not want his name printed, told the reporter that most large transport airplanes routinely fly 500 to 600 miles per hour (mph) (800.770 kilometers per hour (kph). The fastest airplanes which he called supersonic transport airplanes could roar through the air at about 1,350 mph (2,180 kph), explaining that such planes could carry passengers between London or Paris and New York City in less than four hours. The pilot described an airplane as an heavier-than-air, engine-driven machine that can fly through the air supported by the flow of air around its wings, and said that an aeroplane’s engines give it the power to move fast enough through the air to produce the lift needed for flight, noting that “any loss of control or system failure could have catastrophic consequences, not only for the passengers on the aircraft but also people on the ground”. Findings by the reporter indicated that flying an airplane differs from driving an automobiles. To make a U-turn in an automobile, for example, the driver simply turns the steering wheel. But to make a U-turn in an airplane, the findings revealed, the pilot must operate several controls at once. According to the findings, an airplane pilot follow two sets of rules when flying. When the weather enables the pilot to see clearly, the pilot usually follows Visual Flight Rules, VFR. He observes Instrument Flight Rules, IFR, when he cannot see the ground or other aircraft in the sky. The reporter who spoke with an American pilot at the Murtala Airport, Lagos, learnt that pilots have various navigation aids that help them take off, fly and land safely. The pilot said, that “in the US one of the most important aids is a series of air route traffic control centres operated by the federal government. Each centre uses radar to make sure all the planes in its vicinity are clear of other traffic”. The radar, according to the US pilot receives a radal signal from a control centre and transmits back a code assigned to the plane by the control centre, explaining that when the signal reaches the ground, it identifies the plane and makes the aircraft show up more clearly on a radar scene, regardless of the size of the airplane. “The pilot’s freedom to move laterally in three-dimensional space and routinely execute rotational motion around each of the three axes in normal flight complicates airplane flight enormously”, the pilot hinted the reporter. At the Murtala Mohammed Airport, the reporter observed an airplane moved forward, the air flowing, around its curve wings created a particular volume of air pressure above the wings, resulting in a lifting force. The faster speed increased lift, force that pushes airplane upward against the force of gravity, and the airplane began to climb. To get additional lift, the pilot increased the airplane’s angle of attack, the angle at which the wings cut through the air. The pilot used the controls that made the airplane nose point up and the wing was at an upward angle to the path of the airplane’s flight. Just as the reporter was observing an airplane lifting up, another plane was observed descending on gravity, force that tends to pull the airplane to the earth when in flight, as the pilot decreased the engine power. The propeller slowed down, reducing the plane’s thrust, the driving force exerted through an airplane’s propeller’s shaft, and the reduction in thrust also reduced lift and the airplane began to descend. The faster the propeller spins, the greater the force of thrust. Drag, total air resistance to the plane’s flight, also increased its own effect which further slowed down the airplane. The reporter at Ido-Osun airport town sounded out the mission of the aircraft that operated in the airport, to know the geometry of the aircraft. Speaking with the reporter, the octogenarian relieved his observations saying that the aircraft that used the Ido-Osun airport had essentially both civil and military missions. He explained that there was a particular aircraft that was then highly maneuverable, capable of executing rapid turns and sustaining high degree of forces while quickly gaining altitude. “That same aircraft used to be flight ready in a much shorter time, and displayed quicker turn-around time on the ground, and when airborne, it accelerated to high speed at low altitudes before climbing that enabled it maintain radar secrecy”, the octogenarian recalled, stressing that the military mission of the aircraft at Ido-Osun airfield included personnel and equipment transportation. He mentioned that the aircraft was used to transport Nigerians conscripted to fight during the second world war. He however noted that the Ido-Osun airport was also used for such civil mission as personal transportation, business and utility transportation, and for recreation. With the octogenarian observation and the reporter’s readings of the aircraft picture still hanging on the walls of the terminal building, it is convenient to configure the aircraft as having the wing that creates the lift to raise the aircraft off the ground and keep it in the air; the fuselage that extends from the nose to the tail and houses the engine, the controls, crew, passengers and cargo; the tail also called empennage is the rear part of the aircraft that keeps the airplane balanced in flight; the landing gear or undercarriage, consists of the wheels or floats upon which airplane move on the ground; and the propeller also called aircrews moves turboprop airplanes and airplanes with reciprocating engines through the air. Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA’s Director-General, Dr. Harold Demuren was not availaable, but the officials at the NCAA’s, Directorate of Airworthness and Operation Standards DAOS and Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, DAAS, who volunteered information, told the reporter that aeroplanes vary greatly in size, speed and function. Today’s airplanes can be divided into commercial transport planes, large and owned by airline companies, are designed to carry from 100 to 250 passengers and some cargo, weighing about 400 short tons (360 metric tons) when fully loaded, routinely fly 500 to 600 mph (800 to 970 kph); general aviation planes, smaller than commercial transport planes and can land and take-off at smaller airfields; military planes modeled after transport or light planes or are custom-made as bombers which mainly attack ground targets or as fighters which attack other aircraft. Findings by the reporter also indicated that some military planes are designed for tasks other than attacks on an army. The Lockheed C-54 Galaxy for example is an enormous transport plane that carries two battle tanks weighing 50 short tons (45 metric tons) or about 350 troops. Another Lockheed planes, the SR-71A is said to be designed to survey enemy forces and installation. It carries camera and other equipment. The SR-71A flies high as 100,000 feet (30,000 metres) and has a speed of more than 2,000 mph (3,200 kph) which makes it one of the fastest planes in the world. Seaplane can touch down and take off on water. The reporter’s findings showed that floatplanes equipped with long boats instead of wheels flying boats, have watertight body that floats in the water like the hull of a ship, and amphibian which can land and take off on both land and water, are flying boats with retractable wheels attached to their floats or hull. The pilot raises the wheels when operating the planes on water and lowers the wheels on land. According to the reporter’s findings, there are also Special Purpose Planes, for example agricultural spray plane, built for particular purpose, to spray their field with liquid fertilizers or insecticides. An amphibian plane made in Canada is designed for fighting forest fires. This plane can fly above a lake and draw more then 1,000 gallons (3,800 litres) of water into its tanks. The plane then flies to the fire and drops its load of water. The reporter’s findings further showed that aerobatics planes are a special purpose plane that perform difficult maneuvers. Aircraft called V/STOL’s are designed to take off and land vertically or on a short runway. The aircraft can land on small airfields near battlefields and on ships smaller than aircraft carriers. Findings by the reporter indicated that the first powered airplane flight was on December 17, 1903. The aircraft, known then as the Flyer, was designed and built by brother Orville and Wibur Wright-two American bicycle makers in Dayton, Ohio-culminating a century of theory, and experimentation continually to improve airplane design. By the late 1950’s, passenger planes had brought all countries within easy reach of one another and the world seemed much smaller than it was. The effect the over N4 billion has had on the Ido-Osun airport? Only two buildings are on ground, one serving as office complex and the other as meteorological base. The Ido-Osun airfield had grown fully into ‘airbushes’, ‘airtrees’ and ‘airweeds’, hibernated by dangerous crawlers and other wild creatures. The colonial residential quarters, six in number for the airport staff are still a delight to behold if only the state has been fortunate to have a responsible government in place. The government miscellenous N4 billions expenditure on the Ido-Osun airport, caught in the web of fraud, and government’s printed documents that “Oyinlola has attracted a Free Trade Zone, an Airport … for which several people have been benefiting”, have only kept the staff houses still as mechanic workshops and dens of men of the underworld and other miscreants. One of the quarters houses a nomadic primary school, with only four teachers and a total of fifty pupils spread over classes one to six. A teacher in the school who elected not to be named, told the reporter that the school is just six years old. Miss Rukayat Oyewusi, 17, a science student of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomosho and an indigene of the airport town, Ido-Osun, lamented the cold attitude of the government to the exigency to reconstruct the airport, describing the government attitude as “deliberate attempt to subject the people of my beloved town to continued hardships and regrets. “We are starting to regret the lots of our land that were acquired for the aerodrome and the economic deprivations, we have suffered as a result. “Our land, forcefully acquired without compensation to us, could have been useful to my parents and my people for farming and related activities, which means my people have been denied due sources of incomes. The Oyinlola government which oft-touts democracy dividends has not headed the clarion calls by my people to turn the airport into reality as done to the Reality Television at Iwo,” The LAUTECH student said. Speaking in the same breadth Oladejo Najimu Adegboye, 43, whose house is on the Ede-Osogbo gateway to Ido-Osun, flayed the Osun State government attitude to the airport, explaining that the airport has potentials to provide employment for the Ido-Osun indigenes and people from other towns and cities in Nigeria. Adegboye reminisced that Alafin Abiodun of Oyo, Ooni Adesoji Aderemi of Ife, and Orangun Ayeni of Ila, and other notables of the era, had at different times, used the aerodrome. And the reporter’s findings indicated that Nigeria’s Inspector-Generals of Police C.W. Druncan (1930-1935) and S.F. Trunthan (1935-1936) were among the several colonial officers who used the airport. Truly, the airport at Ido-Osun should by now be giving leases to restaurant, gift shops, hotels and car rental agencies. The leases would provide revenue to pay for the operation and further development of the airport. Apart from the incomes which the airport should be receiving from parking lots, and landing fees paid by the airlines. But the government in the state has remained block-headed.

Thumps-up for Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Thumps-Down for Osun Government

Kola — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:46:39 +0000

Prince Adewale Adedoyin was sighted at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. Dressed in dark navy blue suit and exuding humility, modesty, integrity, capacity, and insights to make a difference in the lives of the weak, the poor and the needy in his Ilesa Constituency of Osun State, he spoke with ISAAC OLUSESI, on the sanity in the nation’s airports. You said, you often travel by air, using Nigeria airports, what is the level of sanity and policing at our airports today compared to what the situation was some years back? The level of policing has really improved, with the drastic reduction in the level of touting, bribery and corruption especially at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, as against my observations when I first used the airport to travel out of Nigeria some years ago. You mean the airport users now have value for their money? Yes. not only the travellers, but also the airport and aviation services patrons. What do you think is responsible for the improved situation? The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, the body charged with the responsibility of ensuring safety in the aviation industry must have exposed the extortion and harassment by the airport touts and fraudulent officers of agencies operating in the airports. Specifically what are your observation? Well once you are negotiating to use any of the international airports to travel. I am very much familiar with the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, which I use most often, certain documents like Travellers Guide, Consumer Protection, Air Travellers Digest and quite many more are issued to every traveler. These documents are both confidence boosters and an eye opener on your rights at the airport. They are also vital documents that I think have greatly assisted the aviation objectives of the federal government, Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. How in your view do the travelling publics now feel? I want to think that no one now falls a victim in the messy webs of airport bribery, corruption, extortion and the likes except may be those travelling out for the first time whose ignorance stands to exploited by the airport fast guys, the misfits. Do you say you are from Osun State? Yes. I am from Ilesa West Constituency, in Osun State. You are now at the airport, are you on your way back to Australia? Yes. Something like that. Okay lets talk about the airport in Osun State. How do you feel about it? I remember my father once told me there used to be an aerodrome in Ido-Osun very close to Osogbo, I understand the traces of the airport could still be found in the place, what then has the government of the state be doing about it. At least for now who gets your kudos? It is the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, particularly its Directorate of Air Transport Regulations, DATR, for balancing the interests of the travelling publics and the airlines, and the NCAA generally for their regular and adequate enlightenment of the aviation users who are now saved of the risks of being exploited.

Residents Berate Osogbo Council Boss For Non-performnace

Kola — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 06:52:06 +0000

RESIDENTS of Osogbo, Osun State capital have disclosed that the performance of the chairman of Osogbo Local Government Council Area, Mr. Teslim Igbalaye is below expectation. The residents in separate interviews with OSUN DEFENDER described the attitude of the ALGON chairman to his responsibilities as the Executive Officer of the council area as lacking the determination to excel. Speaking with the medium on Thursday, Mr. Sherif Ahmed, a resident at Iludun Community described the chairman as a misrepresentation of the younger generation, who are clamouring for a change in the way the older generation approached leadership. He added that since his assumption of office as chairman of the council area, he had only been contributing to the personal development of politicians rather than improving the lots of the masses of the council area. In his own opinion, Pa Lawal Usman, a resident of Oke-Ayepe area of the state capital maintained that many people were not surprised at the non-performance of the council boss, saying he (Igbalaye) believed that no one voted for him, hence, his decision to take care of only PDP members. The elderly man also stated that the council boss who became the chairman by virtue of his late father’s influence, has nothing to offer the people, adding that not even a single road within the Oke-Ayepe axis has been rehabilitated in the last one year of his administration. Comparing the poorly-performed council boss with his brother at Olorunda Local Government Council area in the state capital, a student, Saheed Jelili disclosed that Mr Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa has been able to prove that western education does not make one a responsible and efficient leader. According to him, Ola-Oluwa, has, to a certain extent, shown that un-educated politicians when given chances can also perform to expectations. He however, added that what accrued to both council areas from the federation accounts during the oil boom is enough to transform the lives of the teeming masses of the council area. Meanwhile, during a media programme, a party chieftain, Mr Terigbade Mustapha in Osogbo Local Government Council area stated that the chairman would take the council area to an enviable height if the people are patient for another year, while the vice-chairman stated that part of the dividends of democracy is the construction of a maternity centre at Iludun community. However, the medium’s investigation at the community revealed that the people of the area purchased the land through communal effort for N250,000 and up till now, they are still waiting for the council to complete the maternity centre for the fast -growing community. It was also observed that the various roads in the community are not motorable, as most of the roads were opened up by tipper drivers who ply the road regularly. A community leader revealed to OSUN DEFENDER that the council even failed to remit its 10 per cent fee for the installation of transformers and cable extension in the community up till date. According to a civil servant who pleaded anonymity, it was disclosed that the council boss has nothing to offer the people, saying that he had always hidden under the excuse of having a greater responsibility at ALGON, while the people he claimed to be administering are suffering from lack of social infrastructure. The civil servant added that even when the council enjoys bigger statutory allocation from the federation account, nothing was done for the people, maintaining that now that the situation has changed, the people of the council should not expect any surprise from the council manager. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

VCs Blame Economist Brokers For Global Recession

Kola — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 06:03:28 +0000

AFTER analyzing the origin of the global economic meltdown and the roles played by economists and stock-brokers across the world, the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT), Prof. M .S, Audu and his counterpart at University of Ilorin , Prof. Isaaq Olanrewaju Oloyede have blamed the capital market operators for the suffering of people in the ongoing economic recession due to their speculation theories and policies that lack concrete facts and tradition. Audu, who stated his stand in Ilorin in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER after the opening session of 28th Annual Conference of Nigerian Mathematic Society (NMS) held at the Unilorin premises noted with dismay that inability of economists, brokers to provide figures that could be proved beyond reasonable doubts by people led Nigerians into economic hardship. The Vice- Chancellor, represented by the Head of Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Dr Niniola Ifeolu Akinwande explained that the speculative policies prescribed and adopted into national economic policies without integration of mathematicians into the system, who can foresee workability of the result of any ideas suggested, is responsible for the depression in the capital market that affected the nation’s economy. It would be recalled that earlier this year, the former Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) governor, Prof. Charles Soludo declared that the nation’s economy and banking sector are safe from the global recession. But the nation was with the depression, while prices of goods and services go beyond ordinary Nigerians. Examining the role of the Stock-brokers, Audu argued that if mathematicians were giving proper chance in the national economic policies, Nigeria and other African countries would not have been into this economic mess being experience currently. His words: “ I believe if the society is given opportunity to participate in the stock market, the recession would not have happened in the first instance. Because there is Financial Mathematics and some aspects of mathematics modeling, which could practically depict any ungodly economy speculation, if put into practice”. He added that speculative policies were dangerous and could cause a lot of havocs in the economy such as the ongoing global recession, maintaining that mathematicians could heal the wound, if allowed to be involved. This year’s conference theme was centered on ‘The role of NMS in the on-going global economic meltdown.’ Though, Prof. Oloyede declined to speak with journalists on the recent Supreme Court Judgment on sacked lecturers in his earlier remark, the Islamic don noted that the consequences of collecting and receiving Interest on cash and properties by the brokers which Islam forbid were what the world are going through. “We are now seeing the consequences of the market. We have seen how corruption in the pricing sector had dragged every one of us including the public sector to the mess we are now in. The way out is that, we should research because, if we look back we are facing the wrath of God. it is as if the worse has not come. The point here is that, we need to research on why we are here and what to be done to be out of it. “I am not good in mathematics, but I am confused beyond reasonable doubt that mathematics if properly applied can help us out of this global problem we are battling”. The National President of the Society, Prof. R. O, Ayeni in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER admitted that the society are not given proper role to play in the economic policy propagation stressing that at the end of the conference, they would forward their recommendations to the Federal Government. The Don also appealed to the government to Fund training and retraining of mathematics teachers in both primary and secondary schools so as to avoid inadequacy of these teachers saying “ without mathematics teachers, there would be no technological development”. -From LANRE LAWAL, Ilorin

AC Chieftain Buries Mum

Kola — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:07:43 +0000

AN Action Congress chieftain in Osun State, Lady Evangelist Olu Alebiowu last Saturday, June 20, bid a final farewell to her mother, Princess Florence Adekunbi (aka Iya Mistress). Princess Adekunbi who was committed to eternal glory at her Oke-Ese residence at Ilesa, Osun State left behind five children among whom was Evangelist Alebiowu. The deceased was a seasoned school teacher who started her teaching career in 1960 and rose to the position of headmistress before she retired in 1995. She had a grade two qualification before she proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where she obtained a degree in Education in 1986. After her retirement, she became a contractor supplying building materials and also a popular politician before her death on June 7, 2009. Mama was, according to one of her daughters, Gbemisola, a caring and loving mother up till her death, a quality she added, the whole children would miss. At the final burial ceremony were Action Congress chieftains in the state among who were, State Secretary of the party, Prince Gboyega Famodun, Director of Research and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, an AC chieftain, Alhaji Fatai Oyedele (Diekola), and State Women Leader, Mrs Temilade Oluwasegun

PDP Is Not A Party - Osun ANPP Chair

Kola — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:30:02 +0000

• Discredits CNPP CHAIRMAN, Osun State chapter of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Alhaji Sule Alao has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not a political party, but an amalgamation of self-serving set of people who came together to deprive the citizens of their rights. The ANPP boss, who doubles as the chairman of the Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) in the state, made the assertion during a chat with OSUN DEFENDER in Ede, Osun State on Monday. According to him, the calibre of people in the PDP were known for jumping from one political party to another, describing them as political prostitutes. Alao further stated that the people in the PDP were only staying in the party to share the largesse meant for the citizens of the state, saying that virtually all of them would leave the party when there is nothing for them to share any longer. He cited the instance of under-development in Osun State since the assumption of office by the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, adding that the political office holders in the state are known for “sharing formula theory”. He said: “PDP is not a party, but an association of a set of people who come together to deprive the people of their rights. They came together to milk the resources of the state. They came together to ruin the state. “I don’t see them as a party, because they are set of people that would say look, there is nothing again and we have to jump from here. None of them has the interest of the people at heart. But they are just there to share our collective patrimony. “Don’t be surprised that if there is nothing to share in that party again, they will jump from there into another party where they feel they could as well get something to share and that has been their culture”, Alao further stated. He further stated that the calibre of people in the PDP could not be considered as party men, describing them as “amala and gbegiri politicians”. Speaking on the actions of members of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in the state, Alao stated that they were disguised ‘PDP boys’, who see nothing wrong in what the Oyinlola-led administration was doing even to the detriment of the people of the state. He stated further that there was no longer CNPP in Osun State, saying the state chapter had died and buried for long and it has been replaced with ACPP, which is the alliance of the real opposition parties in the state. According to him, those that are parading themselves have no recognized political parties, saying that they were the same set of people who contaminated the conference, a situation that forced the authentic opposition parties to opt out and form ACPP. He said: “The so-called CNPP leaders are just government boys and they are doing Oyinlola’s biding. I don’t even like to hear about them. There is no CNPP in Osun State. The so-called CNPP in Osun State is dead and replaced with ACPP”. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

PDP Guber Aspirant’s Firm Shut Over Tax

Kola — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:41:31 +0000

• It’s A Lie – Bakare A governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Mr. Lateef Bakare got his first political gun from his new field, as it was learnt that his company, Nigeria Wire and Cable Plc, situated in Ibadan, Oyo State capital was shut for several hours by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS) for tax evasion last week. OSUN DEFENDER learnt that some officials of the FIRS stormed the head office of the company last week, with a view to sealing up the place for allegedly failing to pay up its tax, a situation that nearly held the workers and management of the company to ransom for some hours before the officials were persuaded to sheath their sword. According to information at the disposal of OSUN DEFENDER, the tax men decided to effect the closure, when it was clear to the FIRS that the company was not making any attempt to pay its tax amounting to N77 million. It was learnt further that the tax men arrived the company with the aim of creating a scene, which would draw the attention of the management and workers to their mission at the company, when they started demanding for the leadership of the firm in hush tone, suggesting that they were in the company to close it up. It was gathered that the chairman, who was not around, was contacted on telephone by one of the senior managers in the company, who used the communication to buy time for the arrival of his boss. Arriving the company premises, the chairman prevailed on the tax men to come to his office, where he reportedly explained the situation surrounding the unpaid tax, before he finally parted with #5 million. Speaking on the development, the chairman of the company, Bakare confirmed the story, but objecting to the rumour milling the round about the closing down of his company, saying that the closure was the wish of his detractors. He said that the tax problem was inherited from the former management of the company, confirming that it was up to the tune of N77 million, saying that there was a mix-up in the calculation of the FIRS, as according to him, the company had been shut sometimes in the process. “Let it be known that I am a chartered accountant, and I know the working of taxation very well. It was true that the officials of the FIRS came to my company, with the aim of collecting N77 million tax from us, but we have given them N5 million out of it pending the time we would be sitting together to work out the correct figure”, said the business mogul cum politician. Addressing some party youths at the state secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) in Osogbo, Osun state, Bakare disclosed that he was going into politics because he was willing to make use of his wealth of experience he has acquired over the years from different fora.

Aregbe’s Aide Buries Dad In Grand Style

Kola — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:20:49 +0000

ALL roads led to Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Council Area of Osun State penultimate Saturday when the father of a member of Engr Rauf Aregbesola’s political family, Barrister Gbenga Akano, did the final burial ceremony of his father, Alhaji Usman Alayande Akano with fanfare. The occasion which took place at Ansar-U-Deen Primary School, Iragbiji attracted visitors from across the state and beyond as the event temporarily swelled the population of the sleepy town. It was a day when members of the Action Congress (AC) thronged the ancient town to solidarize with Akano who is a chieftain of the party in the state. Akano’s colleagues at the bar and on the bench were also not left behind as many of them were jostling for opportunity to secure vintage position on the occasion. It was also an occasion when policemen and officers almost outnumbered the civilian patrons to the occasion as it was gathered that one of Barrister Akano’s elder brothers, Alhaji Abdulrahman, is a police commissioner. To this extent, apart from the fact that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr John Moronike led members and officers of Osun State Police Command to the occasion, some other senior police officers came from across the country. The traditional ruler of the ancient town, Oba Abdulrasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, the Aragbiji of Iragbijiland, who also graced the occasion enjoined members of the community to continue to live in peace among themselves and indigenes of the neighbouring communities in the interest of human development. The Aragbiji said the community would miss religious uprightness and steadfastness which the demise of Pa Akano has created, adding that it would be difficult fill the gap. In his own eulogy of the deceased, Senator Kola Ogunwale who is the Asiwaju of Iragbijiland, said Papa was a rare gem and a bundle of natural endowments whose type is almost difficult to come by. “Papa was unique. The whole community shall miss his fatherly advice while his intervention on some seemingly intractable religious and political issues will remain indelible in the minds of some of us, his admirers”, Ogunwale said. Barrister Akano who is the eleventh child of the deceased bemoaned the death of his father, saying he could not understand “why death should snatch away my father at only 108 years. Now, I am an orphan because I lost my mother in 1981. This life is difficult to comprehend. Well, may the soul of my departed father rest in peace” In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Iragbijiland and Chairman, League of Imams and Alfas in Boripe Local Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Olatoke Oyewole Ilufemiloye enjoined those who were still alive to emulate the good attributes of Pa Akano who was an embodiment of religious uprightness. The Chief Imam advised the children of the deceased to continue the good work of their father, adding “it’s one’s deed while on earth that could only form the basis of what could be said about someone after he might have joined the great majority”. By ROFIYAT ALI

Police Arraigns DIG For Shooting Wife

Kola — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:53:55 +0000

A former Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Yekini Jimoh who allegedly shot his wife for cheating on him in Ilorin on October 26, 2007, has been arraigned before the Ilorin High Court, presiding over by Justice Hannah Ajayi. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the accused DIG, suspected his wife to have been cheating on him and this however led to his shooting her before handing himself over to the police. The officer in charge of Criminal Investigation Department, Kwara State Police Command, ASP Sadiq Addo Danbata while testifying before the court last week stated that the pistol recovered from the retired DIG, fired the shell found at the hotel room where his wife, Folashade was found dead. He explained further that he found the exhibit at the Amir Suites, the scene of the incident with, “blood-stained walls and cloth.” “When I got to the scene of the incident following report by the management of the Amir Suites that there was uproar and confusion in their suites and that a woman had been shot, I found blood stains on the wall and cloth. “When I asked about the victim, the manager said she had been rushed to the hospital and inside the room, we found empty shells and ammunitions”, he said. The first witness led by the senior state counsel, Idowu Akande also identified the exhibits such as pistol, shell, ammunitions and photograph of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH). He told the court further that police findings revealed that the injury sustained by the deceased was as a result of the gunshot. Danbata further stated that their investigation also showed that the deceased was the matrimonial wife of the accused, stressing that the retired DIG accused of the crime handed himself over to the police after he had committed the crime. During the cross examination by the counsel to the accused, Mr Adebayo Adelodun (SAN), the police first witness admitted that he was not a ballistic expert, but the ballistic report revealed that the pistol fired the shell recovered from the scene of the incident was handled by the accused. The police second witness, ASP Bello Ayoola Taofiq told the Court that he took the pistol allegedly used by the accused to Lagos for examination and analysis and it was identified as the pistol already admitted as exhibit before the court as same he took to Lagos. “ I was part of the investigating team, and most essentially, I took the pistol recovered from the scene of the incident to ballistic office at Alagbon, Lagos for examination and analysis and I returned with the pistol after the conduct of the test on it. And the pistol in court is the same as the one I took to Lagos” he submitted. The trial judge however adjourned the case till July 8, 2009 for defence. It would be recalled that the accused was on October 26, 2007 alleged to have shot his wife, Folashade on the neck and thigh at the Amir Suites, a hotel along Adewole Housing Estate in Ilorin where they lodged over a disagreement which ensued between them due to “matrimonial cheating”. But the deceased gave up the ghost at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital where she was rushed to for treatment. From LANRE LAWAL, Ilorin

‘Suppressing Opposition Voice Cripples Democracy’ - AC (UK)

Kola — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:37:34 +0000

ACTION Congress (AC) in the United Kingdom, Lagos chapter has likened Nigerian stagnant democracy to the hostile nature of the ruling government to the voices of the opposition party in the country. The UK chapter of the party spoke through its Publicity Secretary, Mr Bob Olukoya, who is in the country to show solidarity with Senator Kola Ogunwale’s resolution to decamp to the Action Congress in Osun State. Olukoya disclosed that Nigeria is blessed with a lot of great politicians both at home and in diaspora, but stated that the polity is making a wrong use of them as most of them, who return home to join politics ended up on the wrong side. He added that the party in the UK was striving hard to ensure that progressive-minded politicians, who had the intention of serving their fatherland did not join the bandwagon of do-or-die politicians. He berated the embattled Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola over his evil design to stay in power against the will of the people, saying the strong motivation of Osun State masses would definitely push him out of office very soon. The UK politician also lauded the courage of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola for refusing to be intimidated with the gimmicks of Oyinlola and his ally forces, adding that he has really proved to be a symbol of truth and liberty. He further saluted the effort of former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu towards building a virile opposition and efficient democratic principles through his numerous activities aimed at sensitizing young politicians in the country and beyond. “Tinubu has shown that he is truly an icon of our present day politics as he takes position on issues without fear or favour, or to the detriment of anyone but in support of the democratic principles” stated Olukoya. He admonished politicians on the need to protect their integrity and dignity, maintaining that money is not worth throwing away one’s principle and integrity. While criticizing the PDP’s attitude to power at all costs, he added that democracy can only develop when the people’s votes are allowed to determine who govern them and not through selection by the power that be. He then stated that the Action Congress in the UK is very stable doing everything to support the cause of the party at all times, saying it is the only party in the country standing on its feet. Admonishing the masses, Olukoya enjoined them not to relent in their efforts to ensure that their mandate, which they voluntarily gave to Aregbesola is reclaimed through the legal battle. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Seek Retrieval Of Aregbe’s Mandate - Korede Tasks Group

Kola — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:45:46 +0000

"Seek ye the urgent retrieval of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola’s stolen mandate, all other things shall follow”. This was the message of an Action Congress (AC) chieftain in Ijeshaland, Honourable Michael Idowu Korede during a special prayer session for the realization of the mandate of Aregbesola, the AC governorship candidate in Osun State , organized by ‘Aregbesola Regains Mandate Group’ Ward 4 chapter in Ilesa-East Local Government Council Area of the state last Friday. Korede, popularly known as ‘Obama of Ijeshaland’, said with the realization of Aregbesola’s mandate, everything would work effectively in the AC. The AC chieftain who implored members of the group to remain resolute also enjoined them to give peace and unity a chance, adding that he has 100 per cent support for the candidature of the AC chairmanship candidate for the local government, Honourable Lanre Balogun. Korede reiterated that it was Aregbesola’s mandate that was a major key to all seemingly intractable challenges being faced by all the members of AC, saying that future political goals of individuals in the party were dependent on Aregbesola’s victory which should be their topmost concern. Another AC leader in the local government, Honourable Tunde Fagbemi, implored members of the party in the local government and beyond to remain cautious and steadfast, saying “AC is one in Ilesa”. Barrister Rotimi Agunlejika who is also a chieftain of the party in Ijesaland, appealed to members to continue to remain committed in the face of tyranny from members of the ruling party. Agunlejika, a prince in the ancient town of Ilesa said he was confident that Aregbesola would reclaim his stolen mandate at the ongoing election retrial tribunal. He disclosed that AC members who had just defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ilesa only went there to disgrace themselves as “AC would win convincingly at the tribunal”. Chief Abebi Arewa, Lobinrin Ilemo of Ilesa in her own address said it was apparent that “the AC is a party of the masses in Osun State at large and Ilesa in particular, judging from the way the party is being embraced by all and sundry”, saying “no reactionary party can thrive in Osun State”. Pastor Emmanuel Owoeye of Most Glorious Church , Ilemo, Ilesa, Pastor Ezekiel Ogedengbe of Church of Christ , Idio Street , Ilesa and Alfa Ganiyu Kareem, Chief Imam, Police Central Mosque, Ayeso, Ilesa prayed for urgent retrieval of Aregbesola’s mandate. The clerics unanimously said what Aregbesola should be praying for are wisdom, knowledge and understanding and the fear of God he would require to govern the people of Osun State . “The old Oyo State did not know peace until Osun State was carved out of the state. So, Aregbesola should ask for the type of wisdom given to Solomon in the Holy Bible”. Some of the dignitaries on the occasion are: Chief Ilesanmi Babatunde, Loriomo Ilemo of Ilesa, Honourable (Mrs) Eniola Ajinde, Mrs Adeoye Olusola, Honourable Busuyi Oladele, former councilor, ward 9, Honourable Suyi Adewumi, former councilor, ward 11, Honourable Gbenga Ayelade, former councilor, ward 4 and numerous others.

Decomposed Corpses At Osun General Hospital Displace Residents

Kola — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:25:25 +0000

RESIDENTS around Osun State General Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, the state capital, have deserted the area due to air pollution that has engulfed the area as a result of some decomposed corpses at the hospital’s morgue. The pollution of the air had reportedly forced some primary schools in the surroundings of the hospital to send back home their pupils and closed their various schools when they could no more endure the offensive odour, emanating from the corpses. Investigations by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the decomposition of the corpses was as a result of bad condition of the hospital’s morgue. Another reason attached to the incident by some nurses at the hospital, who craved anonymity, was the epileptic power supply and the recent strike action embarked upon by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) last week. Findings showed that the power generating set that is supplying electricity to the hospital was also faulty. Efforts by the hospital’s management to repair the morgue and the power generating set has, so far, hit brick-wall, as the state government reportedly failed to provide a sum of N250,000 which would be used to repair the engines. Apart from the epileptic power supply and the bad condition of the hospital mortuary, there was also congestion in the morgue, as it is reportedly full of abandoned corpses. However, some unknown corpses were recommended for mass burial by the hospital management, just as they were later packed in a local government service commission vehicle, which eventually took the corpses to an unknown place for the mass burial. They were reportedly buried in a forest within Osogbo Local Government Council Area of the state. When OSUN DEFENDER visited the mortuary of the hospital on Tuesday, two men were seen washing the trays that were used to carry the corpses. Most of the residents of the area have abandoned their various houses because of the bad odour emanating from the decomposed corpses. By ISMAIL USMAN

Fidau For AC Chieftain’s Widow In Ila-Orangun

Kola — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:51:20 +0000

ILA-Orangun, the heartland of Igbominaland in Osun State, became alive on Tuesday during the fidau (burial service) and ceremonies for the widow of an Action Congress (AC) chieftain in the ancient town, Pa Raji Adetoyi alias ‘Dongo’. Adetoyi lost his wife, Mrs Sifawu Atinuke Adetoyi, on July 14, at Ijengbe’s Compound, Oke-Ejigbo, Ila-Orangun. The occasion attracted dignitaries from the local chapter of the AC and beyond as the executive members of the party were on hand to commiserate and felicitate with the widower. Ijengbe’s Compound, the venue of the ceremonies, became a beehive of activities as family friends, well wishers and party faithful were exchanging banters in an atmosphere of conviviality. Commenting on the death of his wife at 68, Pa Dongo said the vacuum created by the death of her wife of so many years would be very difficult to fill. He prayed to God to kindly forgive her any offences she might have committed while on earth, with a prayer that she should be counted worthy by Allah to make paradise. Alhaji Jamiu Kewuyemi of Zumuratul Mumin who led a galaxy of Islamic clerics to the occasion enjoined those who were still alive to continue to think of how they could put smiles on the faces of their fellow men as it was only their character that would follow them to their graves. Kewuyemi implored the people to shun material wealth as no one would be judged after death with the quality and quantity of worldly materials gathered here on earth. Other Islamic clerics who accompanied Kewuyemi to the fidau are Alhaji Raji Balogun, Mufasir, Ila Local Government, Alhaji Salawudeen Elemona, Alhaji Hammed Kolawole, Chief Imam, Zumuratul Mumin and Alhaji Basiru Adebayo, Oniwasi, Zumuratul Mumini. Among the AC chieftains who graced the occasion were Alhaji Jimoh Olaniyan, the party’s acting chairman in Ila-Orangun, Pa Otitoola, Alhaja Rafatu Oyinloye, Women Leader, Alhaji Lateef Jayeola, Mr Gani Jope, Mr Saka Folorunsho, Mr Clement Akanni and Alhaji Gani Adegoke. Others are Pa Jimoh Ibitoye, Sulaimon Omotayo, Segun Awotunde, Ganiyu Adedayo, Pa Raimi Alabi, Mrs Adenike Adeniran and Mrs Adijat Rasheed. It was gathered that the deceased was an elder sister of the former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tafa Balogun but the ex-super cop was conspicuously absent at the Ijengbe’s fidau. Sources close to the family disclosed that Balogun who was dissatisfied over some reasons known to him and some other members of the family organized his own fidau service for her sister at Balogun Mosque, Iperin, Ila-Orangun at the same time with the one in the widower’s home.

We Are All Guilty

Kola — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:22:32 +0000

BACK UP With ADE OLUGBOTEMI EVERYBODY poses as an infallible being and all are quick to pass the buck as if personal emergence has not impacted the environment in the minutest way, positively or negatively. From all indications, everyone seems not to have contributed to the joy and comfort of fellow individuals. Rather, we have all plunged fellow cohorts into the deepest depths of woe. This has invariably brought us to the crossroad where all human problems have defied all solutions that man’s ingenuity can proffer. This is my motivator before I decided to now splash all and sundry with causal mud of attrition, believing that we shall all ponder on where each of us has gone wrong before the present woe fell calamitously on us. The sorry state is potent. The sorrow that fills our hearts must find vents through our remorse that will eventually ginger us to arise, and face the challenge headlong so as not to be consumed in ignorance and complacent melancholy. In Yoruba land, we have all become kings of misery. Our bones appear to have been bellowed because of the rage we have all inflicted such that the joints are no longer conducive places of succour for the strength of the frame. We all appear now as sorrowful images of suffering and we are being poured out like water, ready to be brought into the dust of death. Hell seems to have compassed us all about as if our creator has forsaken us. Every man on the street wears spectacle of grief. As it is, if we must regain our stability, it must be by contemplation of our strong steps; the contemplation of where we have missed it and the one that will cause us to reason together for the flood of obliteration to evaporate. It is then that the lots that our adversaries have cast on us can become inconsequential. The process of reparation in Osun State has so far appeared sisyphean. Very few people have genuine intention for the state to move forward, while the majority are sitting on the fence; yielding to gloomy anticipations. Nearly everybody is lost in the cloud of uncertainty without the hope that sea of circumstances that has caused many bowels to protrude will ebb out. People’s feet have got stuck in the mud of horrible poverty. Afflictions that the dearth of sustainable means of survival has inflicted only place on the people heavy tempest of despair that inflicts blurred vision. Our nights are no longer succeeded by days; there is no assurance that our springs and summers will be predated by flood occasioned by heavy downpour. A woman, whose home front is bereft of tidiness and more of appalling sight with nothing to relieve the eye will only capitalize on the demise of her husband to rationalize her filthy environment. That is why the governor in our state will explain away the hopeless situation in Osun State under the menace of economic meltdown. Because Osun people are gullible, the governor can tell us that the global economic meltdown is having its toll on the state; and as such, government cannot fulfill its obligations to the people. The much-talked about meltdown began in 2008, I therefore, don’t know the reason our governor is crying wolves over a meltdown that has not reduced the monthly allocation to the state, yet, inflation rate has been relatively stable. The only way the meltdown has affected us is the effect it has on the few politicians who are busy siphoning our scarce resources into foreign accounts and for personal merchandising. Few of us have cried ceaselessly, but we don’t have the means to push further our agitation. The local populace are presently under the yoke of repressive government of Governor Oyinlola, who delude them with lies that monthly allocation had dwindled. When we attempted to bring the matter to the national assembly especially as it affects the illegal deduction of local government fund by Mr Governor, the federal legislators turned deaf ears because they also do worse, and so, they have no moral justification to beam their searchlight. Expectedly, less than one half of the monthly allocation from the federation account to the local government actually gets to the desired destination. They have all remained impudent and hardhearted and they care less about the fate that circumstances have brought to the masses. People need to be reminded that Osun State is the navel of the Yoruba nation. The life in the Yoruba nation can only be sustained if Osun State gets its heart together and does it right. The navel that is infested can only bring the careless life to anbrupt extermination. But the politicians seem not to see any danger in that, so long as their subsistence endures. Historically, Osun State gave rise to the emergence of the entire Yoruba nation because it was from Ile-Ife that they got their derivation. So, in the spiritual realm, if Osun State gets it wrong, the other five Yoruba-speaking states and the remnants in Kwara, Kogi and Edo states automatically suffer for such omission. We are quick to lay the blame entirely at the doorsteps of the politicians. To me, this is a misplacement of judgments. The civil servants are equally culpable if not more. The politicians are hypersensitive of the fact that their stay in office is relatively ephemeral. The consciousness to make it quick is therefore in them. That must have accounted for the “get-rich-quickly” syndrome that has entered into the psyche of an average politician. Unfortunately, the situation with our civil servants is worse. Go to the civil servants for an honest assessment, findings will be disgustingly appalling, especially those in the local government. The assets of a Director of administration (DPM as they are often known) will instantly cause the deadness of one’s sub-conscious id. The situation with the Directors of Finance (DFs), the Directors of works (D works), Directors of Agriculture (DA), Directors of PHc, Directors of socials and the Auditors is not so different. Many of these people who are between grade levels 12 to 15 are apparent empire builders, because the lion share of funds disbursed for developmental purposes end up in personal purses and accounts. Some of them own hotels, housing estates, big farm settlements, hospitals and construction companies with heavy equipment which their entire life’s emoluments can least acquire. Unfortunately, our society accepts these people as having made it in life. We deify and eulogize them as if their wealth’s are amassed through legitimate means. People who are supposed to be ostracized for inflicting societal retrogression have their egos over-bloated, because we are a set of gullible individuals on the alter of gluttony. These things are causing some of us lassitude and debility, not because we are saints but because we feel there must be changes to the status quo. We feel that the mentality of seeming irredeemable conditions must no longer be allowed. We feel the death knell that our social intransigence has brought to our value system must not remain unchallenged. We must rise to secure our future and we must arise to reclaim our lost glory which distinguished us as rare enviable breed in the past. Nobody should be allowed to sit on the fence. We must all rise to the occasion and defend the legacy that our past heroes and heroins bequeathed: And the time for that is now. A lot has been said about the people in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They have been rightly described as the conservatives who have deviated from the social moral values that mark us out as special race within the Nigerian geographical entity. They have been rightly described as tight-fisted because their attitudes to money is unconventional to the belief system of the Yoruba nation that tilts towards egalitarianism. They have been rightly accused as being self-centred and parochial. Indeed, they have been rightly painted in many bad colours; and this they, themselves cannot fault because their deviousness is also making some members of their kitchen cabinet sick. It is more sickening to hear many members of the opposition speak. The same cake sharing mentality seems to have infested the consciousness of all the politicians of our days irrespective of their party affiliations. Those of them who should be regarded as party leaders in the opposition are already thinking about what benefits will be accruing to them when eventually victory comes the way of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola. Most of them are not thinking about how our state will be transformed as is being witnessed in Lagos State presently. Some of them are already thinking about who takes what eventually, and I fear that these are the people Aregbesola is coming to work with in the state of the Living Spring. I am aware that Aregbesola has worked for his testimonial that has earned him accolade amongst those who have not spoilt themselves with a plate of porridge. It has been attested to that the chunk of the money spent on electioneering campaign and the prosecution of election cases at the tribunals came from those who have benefited from his lack of passion for wealth and wealth accumulation. Be that as it may, I still feel for him that his laudable goal to transform Osun may be punctured by those who will eventually work with him. The Yoruba aphorism that says that a leaf that stays glued for long to a soap will eventually lose its natural identity to become soap itself, is still as potent as ever. That was the case when too much pressure was mounted on Chief Bisi Akande to lay off some workers who had not put in the statutory 35 years in-service, nor attain the age of 60 years. May it not happen that the inordinate ambition of these politicians will eventually rubbish the good name the “symbol of the down trodden emancipation” has earned himself. We must henceforth refrain from the mentality of anything goes. It is true that we have to hope in God who is the omniscient, our faith in Him must also go with the twin partner of work; because faith (in God) without work is death. We must always show our displeasure for excesses on the part of those in vantage positions; civilians and civil servants alike. It is high time we began to show those who got wealthy through dubious means that they stand rejected for all their wrongdoings and for the deprivation they have caused the innocents by embezzling the funds meant for developmental purposes. We are peculiarly indulged and bashfully silent when we should repudiate misgivings and reject evil concupiscence with utmost outcry. It is high time we saved our eyes from being blinded by the ophthalmia of greed and avarice. We must relinquish our principle that has turned us laughing stocks amongst the other tribes in this nation and bring to life our old principle that earned us acclamation from the dint of hard work and selflessness.

Radio Presenter Accused Of Fraud - Council Chairman In Trouble

Kola — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:55:09 +0000

A renowned radio programme presenter in Osun State, Mr Wale Dada, has been accused of defrauding a broadcaster (name withheld) of thousands of naira. Dada, according to a police source, obtained the money under the pretence of purchasing a car for the broadcaster, who is a staff of Orisun FM Radio Broadcasting station in Ile-Ife. The presenter turned-suspected fraudster, however did not buy the car and also failed to return the money to his victim for almost two-months, investigation revealed. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that when it became apparent that Dada wanted to dupe the broadcaster, he (victim) reported the case to the police, who then ordered the arrest and detention of the suspect at Oja-Oba Police Station, Osogbo. The alleged fraudster was detained for days before he was eventually bailed by the Chairman, Egbedore Local Government Council Area of the state, Mr Bamidele Salam on February 11, 2009. Before he was bailed, Dada had reportedly promised to refund the money, a development that convinced Salam to stand surety for him (Dada). However, to the dismay of the chairman, Dada, after he was granted bail escaped to the United States of America (USA). Palpable fear of being arrested by the police has however gripped Salam, who has been reportedly running helter-skelter to get in touch with Dada with a view to preventing his arrest. It was gathered that the presenter must have defrauded his victims in order to facilitate his trip to the United States. When contacted on phone on the matter, the council chairman (Salam) denied standing surety for Dada, adding that he said that he was not aware of the case. Similarly, another radio programme presenter, Seun Awodele, has been accused of issuing dud cheques to unsuspected members of the public. By ISMAIL USMAN

Attend Tribunal Sessions Or Lose Your Salary, Osun PDP Warns Appointees, Aides

Kola — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:18:46 +0000

PROMPT court attendance had been made compulsory for all political functionaries and aides in Osun State, if they must receive their salaries. The medium further gathered that each appointee must sign an attendance register stationed within the court premises, indicating when he come and leave the court. It was also gathered that no one could sign for others in their absence and anyone caught flouting the order would face severe punishments, one of the governor’s aides confided in the medium. A visit to the state government secretariat last Thursday by the medium revealed that the political appointee were not in their offices, as the medium was told that they had gone to court to attend the ongoing election petition retrial tribunal as mandated by the governor. Investigation by the medium revealed that the governor had, in recent times, been disturbed by the attendance of the Action Congress members at the ongoing election tribunal sittings and therefore decided to tackle the problem of dwindling attendance of hearing sessions by PDP members. The medium, during its attendance at one of the tribunal sessions verified the claims, as the political appointees and aides of the Peoples Democratic Party were struggling among themselves to sign the attendance register under the close watch of Barrister Sunday, Ojo-Williams, the state deputy chairman of the party in the state. While the political appointees and aides were signing the attendance register, other leaders and followers from different senatorial districts in the state were marking their presence in the ongoing election tribunal in their individual senatorial register, which was opened for such purpose. One of the party leaders from Osun East Senatorial district, who spoke with the medium about the mandatory attendance at the court session by the party leaders, said that PDP chieftains in the state were disturbed by the attendance of the Action Congress members at the ongoing retrial tribunal, despite the limitations of the party, hence, the compulsory attendance slammed on the PDP members to attend the tribunal sessions, if they must receive their salaries. OSUN DEFENDER investigation among members of the party revealed that it was widely believed within the party that the Action Congress candidate, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola brought some AC members from Lagos State to attend the ongoing election tribunal in Osun State. By SOLA JACOBS

Osun Retrial: How PDP Leaders Shot Five AC Members In Ife-South – Witness

Kola — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:22:44 +0000

ACTION Congress (AC) witness from Aare ward in Ife-South Local Government Council Area of Osun State, Mr. Azeez Oloyede told Justice Ali Garba-led Election Petition Retrial Tribunal on Thursday how five AC members were shot by a former Caretaker Chairman under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the council area, Mr. Akin Famuyide popularly known as ‘Jaguu’ during the April 14, 2007 election. Giving evidence before the tribunal on Thursday, the witness who acted as AC supervisor for the ward on the election day testified to the effect that he visited all the 12 polling units in the ward and witnessed how ballot boxes were snatched by PDP thugs, adding that there was neither collation of votes nor announcement at the unit and the ward levels. It would be recalled that the witness began testifying before the tribunal on Wednesday, but he could not conclude his evidence before the tribunal adjourned till Thursday. The witness testified to the effect that Famuyide (Jaguu) and Azeez (Awo) went berserk on the said election, as they were shooting at everybody they saw, or knew to be loyal to the AC directly, adding that the elections were disrupted as electorate scampered for safety. After the PDP thugs had chased voters away, they had a free day and carted away ballot boxes in the presence of policemen who were stationed at each of the polling units. The cross-examination of the witnesses by Oyinlola’s counsel, R.A. Lawal-Rabana (SAN) went thus: Oyinlola’s counsel: Will I be right to say you are an evangelist? Witness: I am not an evangelist. I am a muslim, but if it is in my deposition that I am an evangelist, it must be a typographical error. Oyinlola’s counsel: How many polling units do you have in your Aare ward? Witness: We have 12 polling units. Oyinlola’s counsel: Out of these polling units, where did you vote? Witness: I voted at Ose polling unit. Oyinlola’s counsel: How many of those units are in villages? Witness: Seven of the units are within Ifetedo township, while the other five are in the villages. Oyinlola’s counsel: Is your unit in the village or in Ifetedo township? Witness: It is in the village. Oyinlola’s counsel: After you had voted and left your unit, which unit did you go? Witness: I went back to Ifetedo and specifically, I went to Idi-Odan polling unit and that was where I saw Akin Famuyide a.k.a. ‘Jaguu’, a PDP man together with Azeez a.k.a. ‘Awo’ with thugs, snatching ballot boxes…… Oyinlola’s counsel: From Idi-Odan polling unit, where did you go to? Witness: Idi-Odan polling unit was where the PDP thugs led by Jaguu and Awo met me. In fact, Jaguu was sitting on the bonnet of a black jeep that conveyed the thugs and he was shooting into the air……. Oyinlola’s counsel: That is okay, we have heard you. As accreditation was being done in your unit, accreditation was also going on in other polling units in your ward simultaneously? At this point, lead counsel to Aregbesola, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) rose and objected to the line of the question. Immediately he rose, Oyinlola’s lawyer, Lawal-Rabana flared up and insisted that Aregbesola’s counsel should not have raised objection to the question, saying that he was at liberty to put any question to the witness. In response, Olujimi said: “It seems my learned friend did not have the grasp of what we are doing here. He should allow me to make my point. If I don’t make my point, what would my learned friend canvass for. It is settled that I can take objection to any issue”. The tribunal chairman called Oyinlola’s counsel to order and cautioned him to allow Aregbesola’s lawyer make his point and stop interjecting the senior counsel. Dissatisfied, Lawal-Rabana rose again and insisted that the tribunal should rule on the matter, saying that the objection was an attempt to suggest the answer of the question to the witness. The tribunal wondered and queried Oyinlola’s counsel: “You want us to rule on what? Let him make his point”. Olujimi then rose again and said: “My lord, it is shocking when you expect a counsel to follow procedure and comply with the order given by the court. My lords, I am shocked that this is not happening here now. He has not allowed me to make my point”. He then subsequently objected to the question, saying that the witness should not be asked to give evidence on the matter which he did not know, saying that the witness could not have known whether the accreditation was going on in other units simultaneously. In its ruling, the tribunal disagreed with Oyinlola’s counsel that Aregbesola’s counsel did not have the right to object to the question, saying that the counsel has the right to object to any question in a way that would not suggest an answer to the witness. The panel then allowed Oyinlola’s counsel to put the question to the witness. Subsequently, Lawal-Rabana apologized, saying: “I want to apologize to the tribunal over this matter. I don’t mean to be rude. I also want to apologize to my learned senior. At times, situation calls for such things”. Answering the question however, the witness said that accreditation did not start at the same time, because some polling units were closed to INEC office, while some of the polling units in the ward were far from the INEC office. The cross-examination continued thus: Oyinlola’s counsel: Do you know Suara Ajetumobi? Witness: I know him. He is a member of my party. Oyinlola’s counsel: He was the one you said was shot at? Witness: Even, he was not the only one that was shot at on that day; they also shot at Wole Oke, Gabriel Adekunle, Tope Oriade and Ogunremi. Oyinlola’s counsel: Do you report all these allegations to the police at the police station? Witness: All the atrocities were committed in the presence of the police that were stationed in each of the polling units. Oyinlola’s counsel: That means you and those who were shot at did not report at the police station? Witness: There was no way they could have reported at the police station because the police even assisted the thugs in carrying ballot boxes away. Even they were there when Azeez a.k.a ‘Awo’ came with a gun and shot at anybody he saw around. That boy is a bloodiest person (sic). Besides, the tribunal has given Oyinlola’s lawyers another opportunity, as it gave them additional 21 days for the inspection of the election materials used for the election in addition to earlier 14 days given to them. The order was predicated on the application brought by Oyinlola’s counsel, praying the court to grant an extension of time in addition to the 14 days granted for the conduct of the inspection. Arguing the application which prayed the court to grant an extension of time within which to conduct the inspection of the election materials used for the election in addition to the 14 days earlier granted, lead counsel to Oyinlola, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) argued that the paramount issue to be considered in the application was the interest of justice. According to him, the petitioners would not suffer any loss if the application was granted; neither would the granting of the application cause any hindrance to the smooth-running of the retrial of the petition nor compromised the expeditious hearing of the petition. Ayorinde referred to the ruling of the tribunal delivered on July 20, 2009, where the panel said that the essence of such inspection was to sustain and maintain a petition, adding that the tribunal should grant his application for extension of time with a view to defending the petition effectively. He said that the petitioner had done inspection for the same election materials for seven months, as “what is good for the goose, is also good for the gander”, adding that the reasons he gave in the application were credible, compelling and convincing. Opposing the application, Aregbesola’s lawyer, Olujimi argued that in considering the application, the tribunal has to be careful, “because it is a settled law that you (tribunal) can not overrule yourself”. Olujimi called the attention of the tribunal to its ruling where it granted the respondents application for inspection within 14 days, argued that the tribunal said in the ruling that going by Section 159 of the Electoral Act, the respondents have no right for the inspection, but still went ahead to grant the application in the interest of justice. He argued: “My learned friend has canvassed that ‘what is good for the goose is also good for the gander’. They can only say that at the Court of Appeal and I have not received any notice of appeal to that effect. “Though, they were not specific about the number of days to be given to them, but are they saying that your lordship should give them more than 14 days you have earlier granted, which will rubbish your earlier ruling?” The senior counsel added that the affidavit in support of the application of the respondents also offended the provision of Sections 88 and 89 of the Electoral Act, just as he relied on the case of Abiodun Vs CJ Kwara State, 2007, 18NWLR, Part 1065, at Page 109, at Page 145, Paragraph H and Page 154 to 155, praying the tribunal to reject the application. In its ruling, the tribunal struck out two grounds out of the three upon which Oyinlola’s counsel based their application, but upheld the third ground. It then granted the application for extension of time with additional 21 days, saying that the tribunal had observed that the granting of the application would have no damaging effect on the case of the petitioner. It ordered that the inspection should be conducted between 9.am and 6.pm everyday including Saturdays except Sundays. Meanwhile, due to the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) Conference coming up between August 17 and 21, 2009, the tribunal had adjourned the continuation of hearing till August 25, 2009. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

Protect Aramide Olufowobi in Prison Custody

Kola — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:26:22 +0000

Anxiety mounted yesterday over the safety of Mr. Aramide Olufowobi, the main suspect in the burglary of Bancord Nigeria Limited, Lagos who was on Friday, arraigned before a Somolu Magistrate Court and remanded in Ikoyi Prisons custody. Olufowobi was brought from the Force Headquarters , Abuja and detained at the State Criminal Investigations Department, Panti, Lagos from where he was driven to court and arraigned for burgling the facilities of Messrs Bankord Nigeria Limited. We wish to call on the authorities of the Nigerian Prisons, Ikoyi, Lagos, to ensure that no one, however highly placed is allowed to tarnish their high professional reputation of ensuring the safety of the Awaiting Trial Man (ATM). Our clarion call followed apprehensions of members of the public that some highly placed individuals who have been implicated in the burglary operation could be planning to get even with Olufowobi who has made useful statement under interrogation on how things happened and who sponsored him. While we trust the competence and judgment of the officials of the Nigerian Prisons to do a good job, we call for increased vigilance and surveillance on this highly-prized ATM who is expected to open a Pandora box when the trial begins. We are not unaware of the antics of those who allegedly sponsored the operation to cover their tracks by using all sorts of means to escape culpability and prosecution. Olufowobi is crucial to the determination and resolution of the case and as such should be safe and well protected while the case lasts. We trust the Nigerian Prisons that no matter the pressure, an ATM under their custody will not come to any harm. Gbenga Fayemiwo Media

Irewole Has Bad Representatives In Government

Kola — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:29:46 +0000

ACTION Congress chairmanship candidate in Irewole Local Government Council Area of Osun State, Prince Soji Ajayi has disclosed that the current set of political office holders from the council area are retrogressive, who do not contribute a quota to the development of their community. He stated this during a chat with OSUN DEFENDER in Ikire, headquarters of the council area last week. The grassroots politician stated that the local government was unfortunate to have bad representation in the current dispensation, adding that most of the politicians from the council area in public offices have deserted the community, as they rarely come home now. He lamented the gory situation of the various public schools and shortage of medical facilities in the council area, despite the huge constituency allowances given to both Federal and state lawmakers in person of Mrs. Foluke Etteh and Mr. Gbadebo Oyejide, who were both from Ikire township. Speaking further, the politician wondered what criteria were used to honour Mr. Lere Oyewumi, as the best local government chairman when he stated that the whole community is experiencing absence of governance. “All the various communities in Irewole local government council area are in shambles, infrastructural development is nothing to be proud of and the people are suffering governance, how then could Oyewumi be one of the best? “He queried. He also challenged all PDP public office holders to dare compete with the AC’s in a free and fair election in the council area and know which party has highest number of supporters, saying the political root of the council area is the progressive camp of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which he said, the town has re-associated with totally. While assuring the party’s numerous supporters on the optimism of the present political struggle in the state, he charged them to always pray for the protection of the symbol of the struggle, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola and to always have a unity of purpose among them. He further disclosed that the unnecessary noise made by the former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro could not vilify the police security report, but help it through human test and authenticate it. Ajayi then urged the various party supporters to always be law-abiding and eschew any negative act capable of jeopardizing the current struggle for the liberation of the state. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Youth Development: More Than Mere Rhetorics

Kola — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:38:59 +0000

MR Governor was busy as usual; but he was ably represented by no less a person than Erelu, whose preoccupation is to be a mouth piece but without a message to be delivered. Many dodgy disappearances have been made in the past few years on vital occasions by Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola under the pretext of numerous official engagements and self-serving trips out of the country. This reason is usually prettified with the appearance of the Deputy Governor, whose modicum has always been in jewellery display; with make-up worn to make a caricature of the true age. Ordinarily, the presence of the governor through a representative would not have made any difference, because the person must have been properly briefed by the principal as to what to say and what not to say at the occasion. The audience must also feel satisfied that the representative is indeed truly a representative, because the content of the message to be delivered will translate to concrete benefits to those who have graciously invited the governor. If such presence is a matter of state’s responsibility, then, the gathering stands a better chance to have derivative utilities as if the invited guest is physically present. That was not to be on Wednesday August 12, 2009 which is the day set aside for the youths all over the world. One should not be surprised about the turn of events if we consider the revelation from a programme that has become incorporated as normal schedule of governance, which has erroneously been christened OPEN FORUM, and usually comes up every first Saturday of the month to keep people informed about government activities and to showcase the score card of Governor Oyinlola’s administration. In one of the editions chaired by the Deputy Governor, Olusola Obada, it was clearly revealed that we are experiencing a polarized mode of governance in the state of the living spring. They actually shot themselves in the leg when a question from an overzealous supporter threw the Governor’s representative (who is supposed to know government policies and programmes inside-out as the Deputy Governor was thrown off balance. She was to tell the listeners what steps have been taken to fulfill the promise earlier made by the Governor in similar fora. To the consternation and disappointment of the listeners, the Deputy Governor became dodgy as she became evasive without a clear answer to what turned out to be a poser for the august representative who appeared to know next to nothing about the government where she claims to be the second in command. One could not but conclude that day that she was forcing herself to deal with what she did not know anything about. Immediately I was told that the ever busy Governor will not be available to address the youth on their commemorative day, I knew the youth would not get a substance that would erupt an elation. True to my position, the preposterous statements made by the deputy governor gave no ray of hope to the teaming youths that had expected a departure from the usual statements without substance. They were only reminded of a speaker, whose memory is fickle and frail, as the considered important content of the lengthy speech was a reminder of weightless OYIN CORPS who go home every month with bowed heads because of the pay packets hardly enough to take them back home, and the repugnant youth integrated agric scheme, which has been talked about over the years, but is yet to benefit the target youths, who in turn are expected to benefit the larger society through concerted efforts that will massively produce food for economic gains. A few days later, it became a celebrated jingle on Radio Osun that five participants have been selected from each of the thirty Local Government Areas in Osun State for training expedition to Benin Republic. Honestly, I see the step taken above as coming from a crop of people with confused minds. When one considers the scrambling that would have been involved amongst the privileged few, without giving due consideration to geographical spread and without necessary rumination over a better work plan that would have benefited more willing youths, who are only waiting for little encouragement here and there. The neighbouring Kwara State is already going beyond pilot stage in its agric revolution. The services of few experts would have been employed from the state to train youths massively in each local government. That would have led to significant reduction in youth unemployment and at the same time more food will be grown to sustain the teaming populace in Osun State, while the excess can be sold abroad for the benefits of the state. The motive behind the choice of the considered option might not be unconnected with the tendency to cover up on the amount of money that will be siphoned into private pockets to the detriment of the whole state. That was why Erelu Obada sounded euphonious in her narrative rhetorics in an attempt to please her pay master, to whom she has become mere stooge in the name of a Deputy. The readers of this column should please let us reason together, because it is detestable to continue to tolerate this government as far as youth development is concerned. I still don’t understand why a government should delight in only turning out youths as vagabonds and political thugs. The state resources are expended on groups that are not in any way productive. All power blocks in the political arena have designated groups who have nothing beneficial to contribute to the state except to be moving from one place to another in buses on daily basis, praise-singing their mentors and abusing perceived adversaries of their leaders and financiers. That is why you will find OMOLOSU LANDERO and other groups of miscreants who are serviced with tax payers money and maintained to become tools of evil machinations in election periods. Their latest enagement was in Ekiti State. They are always between 25 and 45 years age bracket but have chosen to be wasting away instead of getting engaged in productive activities. That this is happening under Oyinlola in the 21st century calls for serious concern especially in a situation when the Governor is entitled to get the prize for the best traveler Governor of The Federal Republic of Nigeria. He has touched almost all the continents of the world and yet cannot fashion a comprehensive development plan for the roving youths of the state of the living spring who are yearning for a prelude to their fulfillment. That I have a polemical standpoint is not in doubt and I have no apology for this. We have on business with a Governor and a Deputy whose treads are not nimble and whose grasps are not firm. These are indicators for a gloomy tomorrow which all of us must stand to fight into extinction. The greatness they are exhibiting is such that has little efficacy in them because they can at best generate dropping spirits with no vision to run for. This will only succeed in wiping away a generation of valiant youths who will sustain our enviable heritage that our past heroes have laboured for, but has become a serviette in the hands of Oyinlola and his cronies. We own our youths the duty of remaining sentries to protect the value system and identity ethos that mark us out as special breed for our relevance to be sustained our resilience can still serve our youths as ointment to their bleeding wounds and as bandage to their broken bones; with their waves of pain subsiding in an unwavering doggedness. Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola may be basking in the euphoria of the fact that his children are not victims of his misrule and loss of focus; he should remember the potency of the law of retribution. If it is a deliberate attempt to subjugate the children of the down-trodden to perpetually keep them under. Such attempts in the past have failed to achieve set pranks because God is merciful to fulfill His purposes in the lives of His creatures. People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has no programme for the masses: so, what is happening in Osun State is a reflection of what the party stands for, which we must all rise against before it destroys the future of our youths who are expected to succeed us. The breeding of armed rubbers, prostitutes vote robbers, and miscreants by Oyinlola should be halted by all legitimate means as against the hook or crook method which Oyinlola’s PDP believes very much in to fulfill inordinate ends. By ADE OLUGBOTEMI

Cleric Cautions Yoruba Obas

Kola — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:49:43 +0000

Stories By ISAAC OLUSESI YORUBA traditional rulers have been charged to concentrate their attention on how to preserve the ageless dignity of their exalted positions to enhance respect from both their highly and lowly placed subjects. The charge was contained in the sermon delivered by the Most Rev. S.A. Abe, Archbishop of Ondo province and Bishop of Ekiti Diocese at the thanksgiving service marking the 80th birthday of Major-General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) At the service held at the All Saints Church, Iyin- Ekiti, in Ekiti State last weekend, the fire splitting man of God said the traditional rulers in Yorubaland have floor-dragged their kingly crowns by their carriages in the corridors of the executive power of government at all levels. Hear the clergy: “You, our Kabiyesi we have the painful information of the mess you are subjected to, in the waiting rooms of the nation’s president, state governors and worst still, in the offices of the local government chairmen. “You cringe for contracts and all that, unware that there is no way you will not be insulted directly or indirectly to have the contract. “Let me tell you all today that the crown on your head at your coronation, is symbolic of the heavenly anointing on your head that must not be discreated. “But where you bring yourself to ridicule within the four-wall office room of a governor or local government chairman, the symbol of God on you is thinned out and what you get as a result is a significant drop in the respect you subjects have for you. “That is why today, a first class Oba will be passing sirened on a major street in his domain and no one cares to wave at him. That is the handwriting on the wall for you,” the cleric noted. The sermon from the pulpit could not be said to be out of place, as the Akire of Ikire, a paramount ruler in Osun State, recently had his ancient palace burnt down by the irate youths in his kingdom. The clergy urged the royal fathers to stop running after “these boys in the exalted political offices, who cannot be older than the last born children of most of you.” Reverend Abe who said that the Yoruba race could not today boast of having any tangible democracy dividends during the eight years that Olusegun Obasanjo, a Yorubaman, was president of this nation, however noted that “the Yoruba people cannot have a shot at the presidency in the next 50 years if the constitutional calculation is anything to go by.” He explained that the country has six geopolitical zones and the constitution requires each zone to produce a president who should have his two terms in office. The celebrant was not spared of the clergy’s sledge hammer. “General Adeyinka Adebayo, listen to me, go and withdraw from all ungodly societies and all societies with appearances of ungodliness if you belong to one, and the peace of God will not depart from your heart till your last days on earth,” the Anglican bishop said in his sermon. The church service was attended by Oba Adebayo Adewole, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adedugbe, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti; Oba (Justice) Ademola Ajakaiye, Oluyin of Iyin- Ekiti; and Elemo of Akure and Odopetu of Akure, both High Chiefs representing the Deji of Akure. Other dignitaries included Rt. Hon. Femi Bamisile, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly; Prof. Sam Aluko; Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Bamidele Olumilua; Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Chief. Omigbodun from Osogbo, Osun State leading other members of the Yoruba Council of Elders. First published, Monday 30 March, 2008

Thumbs Down For Osun Obas

Kola — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:57:14 +0000

BATTLED by the shameful role of the Osun State traditional rulers in the exploitation of the prospective students of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) and disservice to their parents, the people of the state have expressed conviction that the royal fathers do not deserve any honour and respect from members of the public. The people were reacting to those traditional rulers who accepted to be sales boys for the UNIOSUN admission forms. Findings by OSUN DEFENDER showed that the government had decided to spread the sales of the admission forms to all the local government council areas with the aim of achieving the 60 per cent admission quota for indigenes of the state. Authoritative sources, in the UNIOSUN admission office, however, alleged that high-tension pressures were put on the government by the royal fathers to be granted sub-percentage admission quota for the children of their domains. Some of these Obas penetrated Prof. Peter Okebukola through governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and requested admission forms for their wards” said a highly placed source. The royal fathers, the source further hinted, pleaded that forms sold out by the palaces should be considered successful for automatic admission into the university, “irrespective of the performances of the royal students and the pleas from the Oba were religiously accepted by the university authorities. “In fact, the Obas have more than a fair share of the final 5,500 intakes posted on the net out of over 200,000 students prospecting for admission into the university. It was found out that the fraud in the UNIOSUN admission process was entrenched with the active connivance of the traditional rulers, the supposed custodians of the accepted norms and values of everyday life. Palace sources who spoke with the medium on the condition of anonymity said some palaces in the state have become repositories of all forms of anomies, crimes and crises, a malaise that take on different dimensions and methodologies. Investigation indicated that contemporary political violence radiates around the permissive palaces of our monarchs and finds stimuli in the failure of our traditional institution to stop its assaults on the collective psyche of the people of the state. “We know those palaces where oddities walk on four legs and we know they cannot contain the impending backlash,” said some indigent applicants whose hopes for admission into UNIOSUN were dashed. It would be recalled that OSUN DEFENDER had reported how the sacred palaces of our traditional fathers were grossly and recklessly involved in aiding and abetting impersonation during the last JAMB examination in May, and findings were chilling, outrageous and monumental. Unknown that OSUN DEFENDER was in the palace of one of the frontline royal fathers in the Oyinlola’s Odo-Otin local government council area, the monarch angrily questioned a helpless boy, “did you buy your forms from me?” while reacting to the boy’s plea, for possible assistance for admission into UNIOSUN. Findings also revealed that the palaces in the state sold the university admission forms between N8,000 and N10,000 to the “lucky” students, a far cry from the official N3,000 cost of the forms. “The differential between the palace and official cost of the admission forms is the insurance for guaranteed admission into UNIOSUN,” a senior official in the university admission office, state ministry of education confirmed to the reporter. The official also pointed out the ignoble role of the royal fathers in the recruitment of academic and non-academic staff of the university that is promised to be Harvard University standard. In the palace, a source hinted the reporter, how much the admission forms were sold depended on the disposition and grab level of the royal fathers. “What level of discipline do you expect in a new university which students’ admission was railroaded by fraudulent monarchs in manners that threaten the very fabrics of the society,” the source queried. Some of the students who sat for the university entrance examination and their parents from very far and near, spoke on phone with OSUN DEFENDER. They regretted, a lot of money was invested on the admission into UNIOSUN and traveling risks undertaken, and had hoped that merit would take a prime place in the university that is just taking off. It was learnt that quite a large number of the prospective students from outside Osun State slept in churches, stationary vehicles, mosques, police stations, hospital premises, petrol filling stations, examination venues and cyber café centre pretending night browsing. A few rich students, put up the nights in the hotels and guest houses around. And they all said, those who had unduly influenced the admission into the university against their own chances, had struck a matchbox to light the tinderbox. First published, Monday 14 May 2007

Shameful Royal Act: “Apetu Led Thugs To Tear Ballot Papers,” - Witness Tells Tribunal

Kola — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:07:51 +0000

THE egregious level of depravity into which our traditional institutions have sunk was exposed, last Thursday when the Justice Hamma Barka-led Election Petitions Tribunal heard how a prominent Osun State Oba was involved in election rigging and violence. At the resumed hearing of the petition NA/EPT/OS13/07 Babajide Omoware (AC) and Iyiola Omisore (PDP) arising from April 21 Senate election in the state, the tribunal was told under cross examination from John Baiyeshea (SAN) counsel to Omisore, by a witness Ibrahim Kehinde in his disposition that voting in Isale Oladele polling unit ward 1, area of the state, was smooth and undisrupted, and collation of the election result was done in the town hall. But according to Ibrahim, Oba James Adedokun Adegoke, Apetu of Ipetumosdu in Ife North local government and one Jide Bamgbose later stormed the town hall and “personally began to tear the ballots into shreds. The PDP hoodlums quickly joined the duo in the shameful royal act until all the valid ballot papers were shredded. “At St. Augustine primary school polling units, the PDP thugs arrived mid-way into the election period and stole the ballot boxes with the connivance of the INEC officer and the police.” First published, Monday 28 January 2008.

Why Obas Support Oyinlola

Kola — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:24:42 +0000

UNDERGROUND threats of disgraceful seizure of staff of office from any recaltrant traditional ruler in Osun State are a factor responsible for the monarchs’ seeming support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP”s) Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, OSUN DEFENDER can now authoritatively reveal. A prominent traditional ruler from Osun East senatorial district, a leading banker, and a former minister in the military dispensation, did a psycho-analysis of the support of the state council of Obas and Chiefs, and stated that the public would be a gaped to hear that less than twenty percent of the traditional rulers in the state are truly pro-the ruling party. The monarch who was addressing an unofficial gathering of traditional and honourary chiefs in his domain, disclosed that the military instructs in Oyinlola, which he claimed, ran through the late General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s is maximum dictator, daily conveys to the Obas on the state as omen of brutality that could be unlashed in the direction of any royal confrontation. The royal father, who allegedly heads a parallel council of Ijesha obas, stated that obas in the state are concerned about the security of their tenure and dignity of their offices, adding that traditional rulers in the state presently feign loyalty to the government “to avoid harassment from the state political jobbers and eventual dethronement.” “If you are not pretending support for them then know that you cannot move around freely without fear of sudden harassment and attack from the PDP official thugs and brigands. “Few of traditional rulers that people know as anti-Oyinlola government have cultivated self restriction to their jurisdiction and it is their subjects that erect a protective fort around them, the financial management expert, revealed. The monarch confessed that the pretension of the state Council of Obas has made over sixty percent of the council members willing collaborators in the perpetration of the official oppression and intimidation of the opposition political parties in the state. He noted, the wanton political interference in the in the affairs of the traditional rulers in the form elevation of traditional rulers, state control of chieftaincy stools, and direct resolution of chieftaincy disputes by Oyinlola, had reportedly made the monarchs in the state chicken- hearted, unable to insulate themselves form partisans political activities of the state. First published , Monday, 1 Sept. 2008. The reporter also watched as the man generated a fixed and rigid connection between cause and effect that necessarily made specific outcomes. Failure of the expected outcomes, the reporter gathered may be explained by some errors in the ritual or by powerful counter spell. The audience around called the man a magician. OSUN PEOPLE Osun people mainly make their living by farming. Large number of them live in cities and work on family owned farms in the surrounding areas. Many make and sell craftwork items, including hardware cloth, wood works, and pottery. Women control the sale of crafts, subsistence farm products and still other work in technical jobs, businesses and in such profession as law, medicine, journalism, and public relations, among others. They practice Christianity and Islam, and traditional religion with its faith based on the life and teaching of specific individuals. Jesus Christ for Christianity, Mohamed for Islam. And the traditional religion centre on the on a supreme god and over 400 spirits called Orisas each with it own cults and priest. Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Yerokun told the reporter that people practice religion as it makes part of the heritage of their culture, tribe or family; gives many people a feeling of security, believing that a divine power watches over them; it promises salvation, happiness and in a life after death; gives meaning to life and sense of individual fulfillment; and provides answer to questions about purpose of life. Findings revealed that religions in Osun have shared characteristic that include belief in a deity or in a power beyond the individual; doctrine of salvation: a code of conduct; the use of sacred stories; and religious rituals, referred to as acts and ceremonies. PRINCELY INSULTS ON ROYALTY Let us detour. Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State must be raving mad, one suffering from acute emotional strains, anxieties and depression. A little time left for him, soonest to launch out in a market place. He was heard on the state television, last open forum, governor-public interactive programme, casting aspersions on the person and office of the Ijesa most paramount traditional ruler, Oba Dr Gabriel Adekunle Aromlaran, Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland. Ordinarily nothing about contemporary Okuku where Oyinlola’s father once reigned as king, attracts attention. Beyond the sleepiness of the community that is only conducive for a two-month crash reading to pass a NECO examination, no object in Oyinlola’s rustic home place that readily arouses curiosity. But like a boil on the buttock, the cottage town has become too difficult to ignore. Reason? Its most renowned son, Oyinlola, recently came off his pretentious respect for his father’s brother Obas, as Oyinlola came out uncharitable, against the Ijesa monarch. Indeed, charity begins from home. Oyinlola’s uncharitability is he’s father’s. Like son, like father, it could also be said. Like a loose canon, Oyinlola could as well go mad at any of the other Obas in the state. That Oyinlola prostrates publicly, not infrequently to Obas, in a state where he is the chief executive, is not an act of respect. Rather, Oyinlola’s public prostration to Obas, which everybody also sees Oyinlola doing since he become governor in 2003, is an intense struggle by him to dominate the royal fathers, subdue their subjects’ conscious and sub-conscious volatility, but all that has not improved his chances in any community political discourse, which still explains why it was incontrovertible that the electorate did not vote for him and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections in the state. Owa of Ijesaland, Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Akinrun of Ikirun, Olobu of Ilobu, Oluwo of Iwo and several other Obas in the ilk of Owa of Ijesaland, would not be deceived by Oyinlola lying flat before them with the tummy touching on the ground. These like-minded Obas know that outwardly there is a foggy terrain in the state chief executive prostrating in the public to greet an Oba, the terrain that defiles the status of the office and culture of official respect. Oyinlola’s prostrating act only depicts him as undecipherable who should be feared, and ought to have been ignored. His prostration is rather an expression of history of his public life, using, his today’s behaviour in office to assuage his monumental public life failures in the past. However those traditional rulers in the state who delightfully take Oyinlola’s prostration hook, line and sinker, spread out their hands to gather rheum from Oyinlola’s sneezes and lick with delictable royalty, rubbing the remnants on their clean shaven heads under their descreated crowns. At such palaces as the Ooni of Ife’s, Oyinlola’s prostration is entertaining like any palace court jesters who titillate royal nerves, court chroniclers who mangle history to please the royal ears, and like the court praise-ingers who shield the king behind a hyperbole of hypnotic tunes. All said, Oyinlola’s emotional strains are a psychological and physical fear reaction in a condition of heightened consciousness of the steel determination of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, Oba Aromolaran’s son, Aregbesola being an Ijesaman and Action Congress governorship candidate’s political and legal challenges to Oyinlola’s incumbency garb. Oyinlola’s rudeness to Owa Obokun is Oyinlola’s marked degree of his inner conflict against the challenges which course, he is too certain that the pendulum will swing against him and stop. Let the Ijesa foremost Kabiyesi look away from Oyinlola. The stress, anxiety and depression of Oyinlola the boy, are a consequence of the INEC concession of unearned victory to him in the April 2007 governorship poll in the state. The reporter was authoritatively hinted by the Government House Clinic that Oyinlola’s inner disturbances have stimulated changes in his cardiorespiratory rate, and in his gastrointestinal activity. Earlier in the morning of the public affairs television programme, the reporter learnt, Oyinlola, against medical advise was heard shouting down everybody under his roof, everyone behaved unbogged. Furry in Oyinlola, pented up from all fronts: home and re-trial election panel, have inputed viruses of anger, frustration and insubordination in Oyinlola. Oyinlola’s insults on the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland are a Oyinlola’s trait, his own cup of tea; not Olokuku of Okuku’s. Nether the Okuku community’s. Magic has not completely disappeared inspite of science and civilization. Findings showed that magic could be homeopathic using similarity between the action performed, like for example, by attacking the individual’s photograph, and the result intended; and magic could be contagious, assuming that, parts once connected will continue to affect each other, implying that influences could be exerted on a person by using his clothing, nail parings or locks of hair. The magician, who refused to give his name, further made a distinction between black magic that causes harms, and white magic which he said is curative. He added that magic could be used to serve both the individual and group ends. AN OBA, HIS ELABORATE COURT FEATURES Yoruba Obas are the custodians of the people’s culture including religion and shared values. At coronation, a ceremony at which a king, an Oba publicly receives a crown as a symbol of rule, and as insignia of official recognition, usually conferred on him by the state Governor. An Oba’s the crown whether Papal types, Cap dress type, indicating supreme types, Archy types, and medieval types, indicates supreme or exalted rank of a sovereign; and coronets almost denote a somewhat subordinate rank crowns worn by lesser kings and princes. Women With Native Hair Braids As the wedding reception lasted inside the palace, women with native hairdo sat in isolated groups, the hairdressing that appear to fulfill basic desire for traditional adjournment, that indicate their status and prowess in the palace affairs, impressesing the lowly and frightening the enemy. Elsewhere outside palace, hairdressing can indicate renunciation of the world as seen in the shaved heads of Christian and Muslim monks. The reporter’s findings showed that the single long lock on the shaved heads of Muslim extremists is believed, would be used by Allah to pull them to heaven. In other societies, hairdressing proclaim age and marital status. For example, boys in the ancient Greece cut their hair, and Hindu boys shaved their heads when they reach adolescence. Today with the general increase in wealth, improvement in mass communication, and the trend toward informality and individualism, men and women, boys and girls in all classes can choose the style and colour of their hair, best suited their needs. The women with traditional hairstyles in the sprawling Ife palace, also tattoo, permanent designs, creative expressions on their legs and hands, seemingly as sign of beauty. But one of the women, Yeye Agba in her 80’s told the reporter that the tattoos, for the spinsters in the ages past, are signs of beauty expressing patriotism and devotion to their loved ones, performed to the accompaniment of peers chanting and dancing which are intended to encourage others to participate. “In these days, a girl’s body from the waist to the knee was covered with a network of designs, also for clan identification,” the octogenarian said. But for the old women, especially in the palace, the marks on the skin is religious, means of obtaining magical protection against sickness, the evil eye pottery and a kind of initiation. Pottery In some other palaces in the state, women engage in pottery a valuable work of art made of baked clay to make dinnerware, vases and other simple household items. Pottery belongs to a large group of items called ceramic products, made from materials known as ceramic. Pottery is classified according to the mixture of clays that it contains and the temperature at which the mixture is fired. The firing temperature affects both appearance and strength. Earthenware, widely used hype of pottery made largely from a mixture of earthenware clays found in soil and with a colour glazy coating which is applied to it; stoneware is a hard, heavy kind of pottery made mostly from a mixture of stoneware clays; and porcelain the purest and most delicate type of pottery, hard paste porcelain fired at high temperature, including chinaware fired at lowered temperature. Chief (Mrs) Amoke Alarape told the reporter that pottery making involves preparing the clay by pressing and squeezing it with hands or by mechanical method; treatment that makes the clay soft and smooth, and eliminates air bubbles that could cause the clay to crack during the firing process; shaping that involves hand building in which the potters use only their hand to shape the clay; and solid forming, shaping a sculpture out of a lump of clay by coiling method, slap method, mould method, wheel method; and decorating and glazing by the potters pressing their fingers into the soft clay or by scratching lines into it, destroying elaborate designs on pottery using such colour substance as enamel, glaze and slip that will not be damaged by heat during firing. Mama Alarape pottery is fired in a kiln, an oven that makes pottery hard and strong, glaze sticked to clay and harden. Royal Beads Many of the Obas and chiefs, who attend the royal wedding at Ile-ife, wore either beads, or jewelry. The beads on the Obas, were spherical, tubular and disclike. At coronation, the Obas also wear beads as religious amulets or so it seemed, as the kings are veiled by headdresses fringed with beads with magical properties traditionally ascribed to the beads. While other Obas and chiefs wore, as adornment, jewelries traditionally of valuable materials and skilled workmanship and attractive designs. As others occasions, the traditional rulers wear jewelries to protect themselves from evil; and as a mark of status; and others including clergy wear jewelries to indicate their rank, honour or office. The pleasure of personal embellishment, the comfort of magico-religion belief and practical consideration were closely linked in a piece of jewelry. Findings by the reporter showed that beads are made of many materials ranging from natural seeds, shell, bone, coral, amber, gems and other stones to ceramic, glass, and plastic. Beads may be woven into bags and other articles. Strings of beads may be having as curtains in doorways, or used as rosaries as an aid to memory and concentration while praying. Prayer beads are of ancient origin and were probably first used by Buddhist in an attempt to combine vocal prayer with mental prayer. Early form of praying with a rosary began in Christianity during the middle ages. Spirit Trees In Ile-Ife, there is a tree that provides shades for Yemoolu. The tree and Yemoolu are sacred monumental sites in the Ooni palace. Not only in Ife. Certain trees in the other palaces are the abodes of the gods and religious ceremonies. Life and spirit are attributed to these trees, a belief known as animism or animatisms. According to the belief, a spirit guards the forest and others dwell in the tops, trunks, or roots of trees. When a hunter comes on a tree that might be occupied by a spirit, he makes an offering to placate if. At Ila-Odo in Odo-Otin local government aborigines believe that spirit in the trees seize wayfearers and that certain trees cause blindness. At Ajagunlase in Ola-Oluwa local government tree spirits are believed to cause sickness by entering people’s bodies and must be cast out by sorcerers; at Araromi in Ayedaade local government certain trees are thought to be inhabited by spirits that bring illness or death to those who fall asleep under the tree. Trees in the forest are particularly fearsome at night when spirits are believed to be most active. Cutting down a tree may be fraught with danger. People of Ita-Balogun, Ilesa, Ilesa-East / West local governments haste to fell the huge tree for fear of giving them pain. While the people of Adoodo in Atakumosa East asked for giveness of a big tree before cutting it. In Olalumoku, a few trees are usually left standing as a refuge for dispossessed spirit whenever they cleared a section of forest. Agbadai people are said to drive nail into a tree before cutting appealing to the vanity of the injured tree. And at MDS area Osogbo the spirit was lured out of the tree with palm oil before it was cut. In Osun and across Yorubaland, trees are sometimes thought to be the abodes of ancestral spirits At Olokun palace, snakes and other reptiles are objects or religious cult. They have been regarded as both malevolent demons that bring evil and godlike creation that bring evil. A number of seemingly miraculous traits account for the snakes, note in religion. The snake has the capacity to appear and vanish in the twinkling of an eye. It crawls footless through the dust and sheds and renews its skin. It has the power to poison on strangle. Cultural Sculptures In most palaces in Osun, particularly Osogbo, Ile-Ife, sculpture the process of shaping wood into decorative and sculptural forms, predominantly aesthetic and modern, used to decorate palaces. The sculptures, expressive of the decorative ingenuity of Yoruba artists, expresses visual and emotional responses such as respect, fear or pleasure. The sculpture represents and enhances the palace court life and authority of kings. The sculpture works observed by the reporter in the palaces of the Ooni of Ife and Ataoja of Osogbo, included portraits of number accounts of mythical or historical episodes and highly decorative thrones. The cultural sculptures in these palaces are, as a record of history, telling much about the way of life of the people, or period by physically representing the ideas and ideals of a civilization; as monuments and memorials, called commemorative sculpture, representing important people and great events’ as artistic expression to satisfy the artists creative need to communicate, to express their own ideas and feelings or supply to create on object of beauty; and as part of native architiculture. Decorative carvings on the palace buildings, shows the profound ingenuity of the artists in applying traditional modifications to human and animal shapes, reducing the shapes to their simplest geometric denominator and arbitrarily modifying natural proportions. The reporter’s findings showed that wood was used for many important works during the early dynasties of Yoruba. Figures of servant sand other minor chiefs intended to provide sustenance and activity for the deceased traditional ruler in the life after death were often made of wood because of the wood’s overpowering economic advantage over mental carving. And today, the use of wood has been revived for its ingratiating sensuous qualities of colour, finish, and texture. Ritual/Communal Dances Social dances, that can be called participatory, shared, communal dance, comes up at the palace during occasions. However most common forms of communal dances are ritual ethnic dances and folk dances. These two overlays but they differ in their appearance and purpose and in the occasion on which they are performed. According to Chief Ayanfunso S.O, the Areonakakanfo of Ikireland, ethnic dances performed to mark many different events such as initiations, rituals, funerals and certain seasons such as harvests and festivals. The reporter recently attended both the Oosa Obatala and Egungun Ladomi festivals at Ikire, Irewole local government, and observed that ritual ethnic dances are performed in groups rather than by solo dancers or by male-female couples. But groups of men and women usually dance separately. The movements of the men are often sharp and vigorous. Those of the women tend to be more subdued or subtle. A group’s chiefs and priests often dance more than other members of the group. Costumes or masks are often used for specific purposes and occasions in ritual ethnic dance. And at Ikirun, in Ifelodun local government, the reporter saw ritual ethnic dances performed in many arrangements, at the sprawling frontage of the palace of Akinrun of Ikirun, the most common being a circle. The use of the drum is another feature of ritual ethic dance that gives the dance its rhythm. But other instruments such as flutes, stringed instruments and horns are also used. In some dances, participants may work themselves into a frenzy or trance during which they believe a god or spirit takes possession of their body. Such dance may begin slowly and build to a hypnotic intensity, ending only when the dancers collapse in exhaustion. The most common movement is tamping the foot on the ground. Large group of dances shake the ground at the palace of Akire of Ikire, with this action. Other movements include graceful leaps, swirling motions of the pelvis, and wavelike movements or vibration of the entire body, with the arms, head and body held in a set position. Participants, generally join hand or hold each other by the shoulders or around the waist. Most of the dancers require only a modest amount of energy, with movement between a walk and a jog. Folk dancers often wear traditional clothing, building feelings of togetherness. Some folk dancers are earthly and vigorous, brisk and lively, sometimes feature rapid footwork. At palaces, music is used almost everyday, to welcome visitors to the palace, to convey the royal message or warnings, or in religious ceremonies, festivals and social rituals. People believe the music serves as a link with the spirit world. Drums are the most important instruments in folk music instruments. Some drums are made of animal skins and may be played with the fingers. Others consists of hallow logs that the performer beats with sticks. Palace musicians play Gangan Benbe and flute. One kind of drums, called Bata consists of a number of hand bell-like metal strips attached According to a community leader, Alhaji Adiatu Olaoye, from Ikire, palace music features complex rhythms. The musician creates these rhythm by combining different pattern of beats played on drum and iron bells, or produced by handclapping. “The palace songs have harmony, and in many songs, a leader sings a phrase and the chorus repeats the phrase or sings a refrain,” noted Olaoye, stressing that folk music, and communal dance in Ikire bear close relationship with such music dance and dance elsewhere in Yoruba, historically and stylistically. To Be Or Not To Be Obeyed Osun Council of Obas that ought to be most independent and most responsible, is unfortunately the most politicized, most ridiculed, most misdirected and most irresponsive to their subjects’ needs of self-reliance, equality, truth and justice, improved social environs and cultural archival in the respective domains. Indeed the behaviour 01 the Kabiyesis has stripped a good number of them of the respect and honour that traditionally they should be getting unhindered. Osun Obas at the inception of Oyinlola’s government were clearly in uncoordinated haste to be recognized, and as a result, became self cheapen that the council leadership in the Ooni of Ife, jump at every carrot from the state governor. Not contrastingly, Oyinlola saw in the Obas in the state somewhat unguarded and unguided thirst for roles for selfish reasons, in the affairs of the state governance. So much demand was made on Oyinlola and so much the Obas were pampered. Oyinlola depleted the state treasury to assuage the varied interests of the Obas. The governor, mindless of the fast dwindling economy of the state purchased cars for the over 45 members of the council of Obas in the state. The reporter at the auditor-general office in the state, met with a brick wall. A top ranking officer in the office, who volunteered information on the condition of anonymity, however said no department or unit of government could correctly quote the total cost of the cars purchased and distributed to the Obas in the state, disclosing further that the whole transaction was shrouded in extra-official secrecy. “May be you are not aware that Oyinlola also bought cars for the State first class Obas’ first ladies the Oloris on the bill of the state. Of course, the underlying reason is political,” the official enthused. A High Chief in Oriade local government, told the reporter on phone, that no government in the state ever politicized and over-politicized the Council of Obas in the state, as Oyinlola’s. “Imagine my chieftaincy status, “if I had belonged to the ruling party in the state, with a little pressure, from me, the government would have elevated me to the rank of an Oba without domain. “Elevations of these Obas were arbitrarily done, in most places without consultation with the paramount ruler in the area. Official presentation of staff of office and instrument of appointment as Obas, are at the whims and caprices of the state governor, who has, in several instances, continue to give the symbols of kingship to whoever he wills, or serves his political ends” the high chief who would not want printed, stated. The 2007 governorship election in the state and his “return” for the second term came with overwhelming filling of vacant chieftaincy stools in the state, and undue elevation of some traditional rulers. Of course, yes. The numerous overseas trips by the governor, have always had traditional rulers of his choice on board. Oyinlolas numerous needless “business” and “cultural” visits to China, Bulgaria, Australia, Brazil and other places too numerous, were not without Kabiyesis whose domain were believed to have raked incredibly ghost votes for him in the election. Witnesses at the election petition tribunal in Osogbo, Lawal Kamil and Aremu Taofeek gave an account of how the late Olufon of Ifon in Orolu local government, snatched ballot boxes at wards 4 and 7 during the April 21 National Assemby election; and one Ademiju Nasir of Iremo ward 3 told the tribunal that chief Omisakin, the Obalufe of Ile-Ife supervised the PDP thugs that disrupted the election process and carted away ballot boxes filled with illicit votes. Oyinlola’s penchants for satisfying the Oba to the detriment of the teeming populace in the state, know no bound. The state has hosted the national conference of traditional rulers in the state, that has so much gulped the state money. The last three of such confabs, the reporter gathered cost the state over five hundred millions of naira. Car gifts from Oyinlola to select chiefs in the state, renovation and furnishing of the official residences of select Obas are also a few of the state government financial misappropriation with reckless abandon. The governed, the subjects suffer most as a result. Our Obas ought not to be obeyed, under Oyinlola.

"You Lied!" - Aregbe’s Lawyer Tells Oyinlola’s Counsel

Kola — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:38:37 +0000

•Tribunal Admits Ballot Papers Against Oyinlola CHIEF Deji Sasegbon (SAN), one of the lead counsel to the Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola on Monday told one of the lead counsel to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) that he was making a false assertion over the inspection of the ballot papers used for the controversial April 14, 2007 election. Sasegbon expressed surprise that the counsel to Oyinlola was making a u-turn that they have not inspected some of the documents after they had done so and even signed off a space provided for lawyers on both sides to sign after the inspection. He was responding to the observation made by Oyetibo that in the course of inspection, it was discovered that some ballot papers were photocopied twice and same were inadvertently certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), noting that members of his team would have to go back and conduct the inspection all over again. This happened as the Justice Ali Garba-led Election Petition Retrial Tribunal, hearing the petition filed by Aregbesola against the election of Oyinlola sequel to the Court of Appeal verdict, admitted as exhibits, ballot papers used for the election in Odo-Otin Local Government Council Area of the state. When the petition was called for hearing, Sasegbon rose and said: “On the 7th October, when my Lords sat last on this matter, you made an order for mutual inspection of the documents we intended to tender. May I inform your lordships that both parties have done well so far and the documents, which we have inspected, have been kept with the registrar, so that we can now tender them formally. “So far, we are through with two local governments, Ife-Central and Odo-Otin local governments. May I therefore, ask for extension of time for us to be able to carry on with the inspection. In any event, the inspection is not going to affect the trial of this case”. In response, Oyetibo confirmed that the ballot papers for two local governments had been jointly inspected, but added: “At a later stage, we observed that when the inspection was being carried out on that of Ife-Central, some of the documents were photocopied twice and were inadvertently certified by INEC. The documents were marked A and B but they are duplicates of photocopies that were certified. “Members of our inspection team have seen the same traces when they were doing that of Odo-Otin, but their minds were not there, because they were only concerned with the certification. So, the team that did the inspection need to go back again and look at the documents one by one”, he said. At this point, Sasegbon rose up again and said: “When we left on the 7th of October, the reason why your lordships made adjournment was to ensure that all parties are satisfied. “It is now wrong for my learned friend to say that A and B are different documents. In contrary, B is the continuation of A but if they say they have now waken up and they want to inspect Ife-Central again, fine, but in any event, we can continue tendering the documents from Odo-Otin. “My lords, I must say here that I am surprised about what my learned friend is saying, because this Ife-Central and Odo-Otin local governments have been signed off by counsel on all sides, but if that is what they want, no problem, they can continue and we can continue with the trial. Subsequently, the tribunal ruled and extended the inspection time till October 19, 2009, while the trial would still continue. After the ruling, Sasegbon then sought to tender the CTC of ballot papers for Owode Market Square Unit of Oba Ojomu ward, Odo-Otin local government council area (885 ballot papers). When the documents were shown to Oyinlola’s counsel to look at, he collected it and transferred it to one other counsel behind him, Mr Wole Olukanni for counting. Suspecting a foul play, Sasegbon quickly called the attention of the tribunal to the move made by Oyinlola’s counsel and insisted that the documents be counted in an open place where everybody would see it, rather that exchanging it from one lawyer to another at the back. The counting was then done in an open place within the court hall. Therefore, at the time of filling this report, the tribunal had admitted as exhibits ballot papers used in the units of 11 wards of Odo-Otin local government council area of the state. The wards are, Oba-Ojomu ward, Okuku; Eesa Otun Baale Ode ward; Ore/Agbeye ward; Olunisa ward; Faji/Opete ward; Okua/Ekusa and Asi/Asaba wards. Others are Osolo Oparin ward; Oloyan Elemoso Eesa ward; Igbaye ward and Jagun Osi Baale ward. Four wards of Odo-Otin were however left to be dealt with. The tribunal then adjourned till Wednesday, October 14 for continuation of hearing. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

Juju Scare At Osun Retrial Tribunal

Kola — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:41:01 +0000

A mild drama crept into the ongoing Election Petitions Retrial Tribunal in Osogbo, Osun State Capital on Monday, as Engineer Rauf Aregbesola’s lead counsel, Barrister Deji Sasegbon (SAN) refused to shake hands with the respondents’ counsel at the tribunal. OSUN DEFENDER observed that Sasegbon, who had already sat inside the tribunal hall, acknowledged the greetings by Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s counsel, led into the court by Mr Kunle Kalejaye (SAN) by merely nodding his head, while his hands were tucked inside his pockets. Kalejaye however, stretched out his hand, insisting that the learned silk shook it as a sign of friendship. When it was obvious that the Ilesa-born lawyer was not getting the message from Sasegbon, he (Sasegbon) bluntly told him that the verbal greeting was enough as he could not risk being hypnotized by shaking Kalejaye’s hand, hence compromising the case he was at the tribunal to prosecute. The statement led to a situation where both counsel laughed; Kalejaye who however got the message quickly withdrew his hands, returning to his seat. It was believed that the petitioners’ former lead counsel, Chief Kola Awodein (SAN), was hypnotized before the discredited Justice Thomas Naron-led tribunal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through their legal team. Also, some AC members had alleged that the first time the new tribunal venue was put to use, a day after its commissioning, substances suspected to be charms were found at its entrance and its potency had to be neutralised by conducting an interdenominational prayer session at the venue. Furthermore, there had been allegations of the PDP contracting marabouts from far away Mali in its efforts to attack and compromise the prosecution of the petition spiritually, having failed in its effort to disrupt its hearing through its various antics. This, according to an AC chieftain, was why the party’s counsel were told to be careful of how they relate with the respondents’ team of counsel. Meanwhile, as the tribunal commenced its sittings and started admitting the ballot papers sought to be tendered by the petitioners in evidence, chieftains of the PDP at the tribunal were depressed as all efforts by their counsel to delay the tribunal proceedings failed. The state party chairman, Mr Ademola Rasaq (Landero ) who silently came into the court premises had to leave before the tribunal went on break, only to be followed later by his deputy, Mr Sunday Ojo-Williams who had always stayed at the tribunal until the end of its proceedings. It was observed that even other PDP chieftains who stayed back to witness the proceedings could not enter into the tribunal hall as they were seen outside discussing, while the seats were occupied by members of the AC. As the tribunal proceeding was going on, the inspection of some CTC documents, which the petitioners sought to tender were simultaneously being carried out by counsel to both parties, while a representative of the tribunal was also detailed to monitor the process, with a view to ensuring that the tribunal was not dragged into taking a wrong decision. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

AC Supporters’ Comment Jolts Oyinlola’s Counsel

Kola — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:33:53 +0000

ONE of the Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s lead counsel at the ongoing election petitions retrial trbunal, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) on Thursday felt jolted during the proceedings, as he complained to the tribunal about the murmuring of party supporters at every comment he made at the tribunal. Pinheiro who had been making tantrums all through the sittings met stiff opposition during the afternoon session, as the teeming AC supporters relegated him to size, when he made a foul comment with regards to the police report of the disputed election. The learned silk had stated that they were prompted to critically examine the certified true copies of ballot papers being tendered by the petitioners due to their experience with the security report. His statement drew the ire of the numerous audience in the court who drew his (Pinheiro) attention to the issue of the telephone call logs, shouting ‘call logs! Call logs!’ It would be recalled that some national dailies and magazines had published call logs records made available by a giant telecommunication company, showing exchange of calls and text messages between Mr. Kunle Kalejaye (SAN) and some members of the discredited Justice Thomas Naron-led tribunal, which led to the compromised judgment of the tribunal. The Lagos-based lawyer who felt intimidated by the development told the tribunal that the actions of parties’ supporters should be curtailed, saying a situation where counsel were verbally attacked by supporters should not be condone. The tribunal however told the counsel that it had done that on several occasions and it was the duty of the counsel to speak with their client’s supporters. This advice brought about relief to the learned silk, who withdrew to his seat. Meanwhile during the morning session of the proceedings, the numerous Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters who had, during the previous proceedings, abandoned the tribunal came to the court, following the party’s State Chairman, Mr. Ademola Rasaq (Landero) who did not wait for the completion of the proceedings before he left the court. Other party supporters also sneaked out of the tribunal after Landero, leaving behind few supporters, against the overwhelming AC supporters, who had always waited behind to witness every bit of the proceedings. As the tribunal began the day’s job, a PDP chieftain was seen harassing journalists, who he claimed sat on the party side in the tribunal and would reduce the number of seats reserved for their yet to arrive members. It however took the intervention of Mr. Gbenga Fayemiwo and Mr. Sunday Ojo-Williams who prevented the situation from escalating. However, as the petitioners’ counsel, Mr. Deji Sasegbon (SAN) finished with tendering of certified ballot papers already inspected by the counsel of both parties and asked for an adjournment till the following day, Pinheiro quickly rose to his feet, telling the court to adjourn till Tuesday. The tribunal later adjourned till Tuesday, but some AC supporters in their reaction to the adjournment disclosed that the respondents counsel were only buying time for their clients, who according to them, would eventually be brought to justice. Also reacting to the development, an AC chieftain, Mrs. Adeyinka Olanipekun decried the antics of the PDP regarding the petition, adding that the whole world has seen what the party was trying to hide from public glare. She added that it was now clear that what they were trying to do was to drag the already prolonged case to the benefit of the sitting governor, disclosing that “whether the PDP likes it or not, the case would be dispensed with and justice would eventually prevail”. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Rumpus As Two Die Of Poison In PDP Secretary’s Hotel

Kola — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:28:23 +0000

Iree, the host community of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, in Boripe Local Government Council Area of Osun State, witnessed a fresh tragedy last week, as two people died mysteriously in a hotel owned by the Secretary of Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Yinka Adeojo. The deceased included a Higher National Diploma (HND I) Business Administration student of OSPOLY, simply known as ‘Abbey’ and his friend identified as Lateef Abeeb. Abbey was the newly sworn-in Chief Coach of an Anti-Cultism group in the institution, “The Tantanium”, while Abeeb just reportedly returned from Malaysia penultimate Sunday. Unconfirmed information at the disposal of OSUN DEFENDER revealed that Abbey and Abeeb died of poison at Calvary Hotel, Poly Road, Iree, where they were invited for a party by some people suspected to be fraudsters popularly called yahoo boys. According to sources in the community, the deceased died after drinking beer suspected to have been poisoned. Investigation revealed that Abbey was the first person to complain of stomach aches while drinking the beer, while Abeeb reportedly sipped a small quantity of the same beer. It was further learnt that the two friends could not control their body movement again after drinking the beer, even as they were reportedly bundled into the hotel’s swimming pool by the people that hosted the party in an attempt to relieve them of their pains. The medium learnt that the deceased made attempts to get out of the pool, but before they could achieve their aims, it was learnt that their friends that hosted the party had fled the scene apparently in fear of possible arrest by the police. OSUN DEFENDER learnt from authoritative sources that the manager of the hotel, who happens to be one of the younger brothers of Adeojo and the hotel’s attendant, whose identities were yet to be confirmed as at the time of filing this report, came out to rescue the victims while they were still foaming in the mouths. The deceases however reportedly died before they were taken to the hospital. Investigation also revealed that the swimming pool in which they died had been ordered to be flushed by Adeojo, the day after the incident. Osun PDP Secretary reportedly refused to release his car to convey the victims to the hospital, saying that he could only assist them if only they would be put inside the boot of his car. However, the hotel manager and attendant, together with a young man who was found to have invited the victims to the party, another female student of Mass Communication Department (ND II, Part-Time) simply known as Doyin, who was said to have been with the deceased and one of those that hosted the party, simply known as Wale have been arrested by the police. Wale was reportedly arrested on Wednesday in Ilesa. When OSUN DEFENDER visited the hotel on Wednesday, armed policemen were at the entrance gate of the hotel mounting surveillance in the area. Adeojo has been consistently denying that the deceased were allegedly poisoned in his hotel, saying that they were just there to swim. He had gone to the Police Headquarters, Iragbiji, where the suspects were being detained on Wednesday to bail out his manager and the hotel attendant, but the Divisional Police Officer of the Police Station reportedly refused to grant Adeojo’s request on the grounds that the case was a sensitive one. Information also has it that Abeeb’s parents have signified their intension not to prosecute the case when they visited the DPO of Iragbiji police Headquarters on Wednesday and sought for the release of the corpse of their son. The parents, according to an impeccable source, claimed that Abeeb should have been buried the following day of his death according to Islamic rites. The DPO was also reported to have refused to release the corpse on the ground that the police needed to carry out investigation and conduct laboratory tests on the corpse to determine the cause of Abeeb’s death before it could be released. He said the case was between the police, the state government and the suspects. The case had since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Osogbo, the state capital.

PDP Governorship Tussle: Peter Power, Ex-council Boss Clash

Kola — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:10:38 +0000

AS the fate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osun State chapter is still hanging in the balance at the election petition retrial tribunal sitting in Osogbo, simultaneously, the party has an umpteen task to contend with, as different governorship aspirants on the platform of the party have started scheming to outsmart one another in the 2011 race. Findings have revealed that the clash of interests has started touching raw nerves of the political gladiators in the corridors of power, a situation that has started taking a dangerous dimension, as old political foes were reawakening the dead political rivalry, while friends were turning enemies with speed of light. According to an investigation conducted by OSUN DEFENDER, the Chief of Staff to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Mr. Peter Babalola also known as Peter Power is on his way to kiss political canvass, having lost his battle at the home front. It was learnt that the former Commissioner for Finance in the old Oyo State, Chief Abiola Morakinyo, penultimate week at the instance of Babalola, reportedly summoned a selected stakeholders’ meeting at the country home of Babalola in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Council Area of the state with a view to making a spadework for the ambition of his loyal governorship aspirant, Babalola. At the meeting that had the sacked Irewole Council’s chairman, Mr. Lere Oyewumi, some PDP chieftains from Isokan Local Government Council Area, state Commissioner for Education, Mr.jelili Adesiyan and others whose identities were not very prominent, but were considered grassroots politicians, Morakinyo, the oldest politician in the fold presided over the meeting, a scenario that made him to call for a voice from Isokan to move a motion for the adoption of Babalola as the PDP governorship candidate from their zone. Checks revealed that no sooner Morakinyo raised the motion for the adoption of the politician than one politician from Isokan called Alhaji Olorunesan rose up and flared up that the meeting was stage-managed for Babalola, describing the scenario as disgusting and unacceptable to his group. When the ex-Irewole council boss took his turn to speak, he expressed his disappointment in the septuagenarian Morakinyo, saying that if such a motion would have to be moved, it should be for him, having declared his interest in the governorship race before Babalola as touching the race ahead of 2011. After his remark, a source in the meeting disclosed that Oyewumi and his group stormed out of the meeting, before being followed by the group from Isokan, a scenario that made the meeting to end abruptly without any significant point. After the stalemate, Morakinyo reportedly told Babalola to look for an avenue to fix his home base, referring to the hostility of both PDP groups from Isokan and Oyewumi’s, charging him (Babalola) to warm himself into the minds of his political foes in Irewole, Isokan and Ayedaade Local Governemnt Council areas considered to be his territory. Findings also revealed that, Babalola in his desperate attempt to win the ticket, reportedly went to Apomu, to meet with Olorunsesan’s group, where he lobbied them to work for his ambition. OSUN DEFENDER further learnt that it was a full dose of embarrassment, when the ambitious politician stormed the residence of Oyewumi, as the ex-chairman and members of his household descended on Babalola, chasing him out of their house. All efforts to get in touch with Babalola proved abortive as his mobile lines were ringing endlessly as at the time of filing this report. By GOKE BUTIKA

Osun Political Struggle Is For Liberation - AC Chieftain

Kola — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:52:37 +0000

THE current political struggle in Osun State has been described as an effort by the Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate, Engr Rauf Aregbesola to liberate the state from a civilian dictators. This was stated by an AC chieftain, Chief Solomon Ogundola in Osogbo, the state capital during a chat with OSUN DEFENDER on Thursday. According to him, the insinuation being made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the AC and its candidate were desperate to rule the state, only showed that it (PDP) wants to continue its sit- tight in the state against the people’s will. He added that Aregbesola’s, who in he described as the symbol of the struggle, was only interested in improving the economy of the state. Speaking on the election petition at the tribunal, Chief Ogundola disclosed that the startling revelations, especially with regards to numbers of ballot papers from units in Ile-Ife, were astonishing. He further stated that with the way things were being exposed daily at the tribunal, coupled with the commitment of the members of the panel, the party was optimistic that justice would be done. Advising politicians, the elderly party chief urged them to always strive to have a good legacy rather than seeking material gains to the determent of the electorate. He also charged young politicians to emulate Aregbesola who he described as highly principled, God-fearing and hard working, who always discourages greed. Furthermore, he urged the masses to always be wary of politicians and political parties they vote for in future elections. He then called on the masses to continue to pray for the success of Aregbesola’s petition, as well as divine guidance for the members of the tribunal. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Council Boss Seizes Workers’ Salaries

Kola — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:44:36 +0000

ILLEGAL diversion of public funds into personal pockets, which had allegedly been the trends in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration of Osun State seems to be having continuous trickle down effect on the workers of Ifelodun Local Government Council Area of the state, as the sacked chairman of the council area, Mr Sarafadeen Awotunde was reported to have refused to pay the last two months’ salaries of health and medical workers in the council area and the new health workers’ allowances. It would be recalled that it was reported in one of the previous editions of this medium that the council boss allegedly issued dud cheques to the workers for the month of June, 2009, a situation that forced the bank, which the council workers were directed to, to dishonour the cheques and wrote ‘caution notes’ on each of them. It was learnt that the authority of the concerned bank (name withheld) subsequently went to the chairman and informed him that there was no money in the council’s account, a situation that took the workers a longer period of time before they were able to receive their salaries for the month of June. Meanwhile, earlier, the state governor was reported to have, through a circular letter, dated April 16, 2009, with reference number AD609/Vol 11/5 directed the council boss to look into the matters, with a view to clearing the outstanding salaries of the workers. Despite the late payment of salaries of the workers for the month of June, it was learnt that the workers had run into another trouble with the council boss, as their salaries for the month of July and August were also not paid. OSUN DEFENDEER further gathered that when the Excess Crude Oil funds for the council was released for the month of July and August respectively, the council made a request to the state Ministry of Establishment to clear the outstanding salary of the workers for the two months and other debts and the request was granted. Despite the approval from the state government, it was further gathered that the council boss only released the salary of the workers for the month of July, while that of August was reportedly still hanging in the hand of the council boss. When the workers could no longer stand the rigour of the non-payment of their salaries, they made a move to appeal to the council boss to fast-track the payment of their salaries, a situation that forced them to approach some political and opinion leaders in the council area to appeal to the council boss. It was then gathered that all the appeals made to the council boss by the leaders fell on his deaf ears, leading to suspicions that the salaries in dispute might have been diverted into the personal pocket of the sacked council boss. When the first move made by the workers could not yield any result, they adopted their second option by sending delegates to the family house of the council boss on October 5, 2009 with a view to prevailing on him to pay their outstanding salaries. The following day, it was gathered that the council boss summoned the Head of the Department and started lambasting him for sending delegates to his family house to prevail on him. As at the time of filing this report on Friday, it was learnt that the August salaries of the health and medical workers in the council area, were yet to be paid. One of the concerned workers, who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER under the condition of anonymity, alleged that the failure of the council boss to pay their salaries was a way of indirectly punishing the workers; he therefore, appealed to concerned citizens and the governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola to intervene. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

AC Berates PDP Over Destruction Of Aregbe’s Billboard

Kola — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:07:21 +0000

Osun State Chapter of Action Congress (AC) has said that the destruction of Aregbesola’s billboard s was a manifestation and attestation of the political intolerance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. A statement signed by the AC’s Director of Research and Strategy, Honourable Sunday Akere, stated that the destruction of Aregbesola’s billboards showed the desperation of the PDP to attack the AC touchbearer whenever he physically appears in the state. The statement, which was made available to OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo on Thursday also condemned the statement of the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Mr Lasisi Olagunju, which said Aregbesola was using the billboard to campaign for 2011 governorship election. According to the statement, Olagunju’s statement was a delusion, saying that the message on the billboards was clear and not a campaign message. It would be recalled that two bill boards bearing the picture of Aregbesola, which were erected at Oja-Oba and Ola-Iya junction, were destroyed by some political hoodlums, who were said to be loyalists of the PDP, last Wednesday. The destruction of the billboard had generated ripples and controversies among members of the two parties, just as loyalists of the AC rained curses on those who destroyed the billboards. Maintaining that the conduct of the PDP was not unexpected, the statement described the party as the party of intolerant souls. It said: “Prior to 2007 election, the PDP had been showing its intolerance by defacing and tearing Aregbesola’s billboards. We expected them to have mature, but they have refused to change”. The statement refuted the claim of the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Sule Adio, who said that Aregbesola and his party did not pay and follow due process before erecting the billboards. According to the statement, a chieftain of the party visited the office of the commissioner five times but was not given audience. It also revealed how the representative of the party, who was at the office of the commissioner, was told that the state government has nothing to do with their money and that they should go and remove the billboards. In the statement, Akere said: “The love and adoration the people of Osun State have for Aregbesola will never die, no matter what the PDP does to his image or himself. “Osun people are waiting for actualization and restoration of Aregbesola’s mandate and they remain undaunted in agitating for good governance”. By ismail usman

Innocent Blood To Wet The Ground No More

Kola — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:43:27 +0000

The need has arisen to avoid and avert one universal doom which neither the rich nor the poor can escape. The learned, the-not-so-learned and the illiterate must work assiduously to avoid yet another bloodshed. Our society is not lacking in the stock of the admired and the abhorred, the old and the vibrant young who are to ensure all important racial continuity: all must not be allowed to sink in one common ruin that may calamitously consume, if sitting on the fence is considered as an option. Dugbe dugbe to n bo loke, to ba lo jabo, kii se oro enikan. Nitorinaa, e je ka fura. Two events had followed themselves in quick succession that really require that we stand alert with all being all eyes. Slackness may turn a mission of suicide, if those events are responded to with levity as it happened in the past.That is the reason I feel obliged to set everybody with the feeling of urgency. Actually, this is not a time when silence can put on a golden toga because people may suffer deadly blows from our adversaries who pose as political leaders in the contemporary dispensation. It is no longer news that the appeal court that adjudicated on the case taken before it by the Action Congress (AC) senatorial candidate for Ife/Ijesa zone has sacked the erstwhile Senator Iyiola Omisore from the position he fraudulent snatched from the real winner of the election, Barrister Babajide Omoworare. What is of importance to the people of Osun now is the likely fall-out of the verdict, which was a little below expectation. No doubt, the legal team of the candidate (Omoworare) did real yeoman’s job in convincing the appeal court judges that their client was wrongly denied the mandate given to him by the people of his senatorial district through perfect connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission which announced Omisore as the winner, the verdict fell shot of expectation by the order of a rerun instead of an outright declaration of the petitioner as the winner. All the same, we have God to thank for not allowing the verdict to go hundred per cent the way of Iyiola Omisore, which would have prompted the people to once again say “God go judge”. As we know God’s judgment does not always come handy, and nobody dare question Him for doing things His own way. From the look of things, it is obvious that Iyiola Omisore has something up his sleeve, and from all indications, it may not be so palatable for the people he claimed to be leading or that he desires to lead. We all saw what happened in Ile-Ife during the April 2007 elections which led to the termination of at least one life. Omisore is quite aware that people are not oblivious of his bulldozing prowess when it comes to achieving a goal. The dust is yet unclear about the circumstances surrounding the death of our own uncle Bola Ige who meritoriously stepped into the shoes of the late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in continuation of the emancipation project which most Awoists have lived for, except those who disguise as such, whose true colours have shown to the glares of keen watchers of events in our midst. It is on record that Iyiola Omisore has the flare to portray himself in a larger than life posture, worse than the renowned SERUBAWON of the third republic. He considers himself as being above the law, and someone who cannot be restricted through man made laws and rules that often guide human conducts and principles. It is evergreen event in people’s memory that when Iyiola Omisore was the Deputy Governor to the former action Governor Bisi akande, he dared his boss by converting his personal cars into official use, carrying official number plates on them. Of course those personal cars turned official were more expensive and were objects of intimidation as if they were designed to force words out of Chief Bisi Akande who was always busy with the thought of turning the foturnes of Osun State around. By Omisroe’s nature, he does not let go easily. The moment he sees anybody competing with him or trying to cross his path, he goes extra mile to show that rare ingenuity he possesses. This is the best considered asset of Omisore that the People’s Democratic Party found handy before he was wooed into their fold. They invested heavily on him by way of subjugating popular will that eventually earned him a senatorial seat in the upper chamber of the National Assembly. People in Ile Ife turned this to a slogan that the fear of Omisore is the beginning of wisdom. He sees the no evil in all he does to ensure inordinate ascendancy, yet he experimentally flies like moths into its blaze without shuddering, irrespective of what divine arrangement is violated, or what pillars of commonwealth are pulled down. What horrifies a compassionate mind is a delight as a game as if everything ends here on the planet earth. The people in the Peoples Democratic Party derive great joy and delight as they laugh at evil’s fooleries, not regarding the direful doom it may bring or contemplate the punishment in eternal reprisal. He who kills by the sword shall surely die by the sword: this reality will soon dawn on those who regard killing, maiming and raping as pastime. It is in their midst that the unseemly principle whereby the servant, who is supposed to serve his people is exalted above his master holds sway. The residents of Osogbo, Osun State capital and the passers-by will not forget in a hurry the experience they had as a result of the deviant behaviour displayed by a man whose height betrayed him in an attempt to stand like a colossus. The veracity of the usual saying that a short fellow always seek for identity by being talkative expressly came to the fore. There is no doubt that the sacked Senator Iyiola Omisore is physically the shortest man amongst those who have already picked the intent form for gubernatorial ambition in Osun State within the infamous P.D.P. He has equally caused negative stirs than any of his co-contestants for the coveted seat of the governor in Osun State . He announced his arrival in Osogbo, the state capital that penultimate week with serious traffic pains that he inflicted on the populace. I had forgotten a very important article at home that fateful day that I had to rush home to fetch it when, on returning to my office I found myself in a serious traffic jam. I initially mistook the scene for accident’s because everything was at a stand still. I managed to pack my vehicle in a nearby compound so that I could alight to get the true picture of what was amiss. I was greeted with complaints from those who either wanted to travel out of town or were embarking on intra-city routes. I was told that it was the then senator Iyiola Omisore that caused the traffic hold-up. Many people were affected in so many ways and the extent of each person’s portion of the nuisance that was constituted determined the intensity of grievance expression. One man was so bitter that he started raining curses on those responsible for his plight: he was rushing to get the next commercial vehicle going to Ile-Ife from Osogbo to enable him attend an important interview. The situation was so tensed that the cyclists could not be allowed easy operations. Many people who could not afford the delay got down from their different vehicles (especially the commercial vehicle commuters) and started bargaining with their feet. Conservatively, more than five hundred vehicles (commercial and party’s) were involved in the entourage of the embattled sacked senator; all filled with individuals with ASO EBI which, I believe, must have been bought for them by the man who had only come to Osogbo to merely show his intention to pick a form that will allow him to contest for the party ticket before facing other contestants from the opposition parties at a later date which is known only to God who enthrones and dethrones, with His whims as the yardstick which no man can have any iota of determination over. That day, I was seriously bothered. My concern was not as a result of my being unable to take my car right to the office. It is not even because so many people were demobilized by reason of naked display of absolute insensitivity. I was concerned about what confidence was at play that prompted the hire of that large number of vehicles. As a senator of the federal republic representing Ife/Ijesa federal constituency, how many constituency projects has he executed? What democracy dividends has he bequeathed that really brought joy into homes and families? How many bills has he initiated in the senate of the Federal Republic that have impacted positively on the nation as a whole and Osun State in particular and that had gladdened the people he was then representing? How has he aided the economic revolution of the state that is already comatose under the impostor Governor Oyinlola? Many other questions are begging for answers that time and space may not permit in this piece. It is however clear that since 2007 when Omisore wangled his way into the senate; no federal presence has been felt at any level.Not even when the state has been dragged fraudulently into their mainstream calculation. There was a reported case of display of insanity in front of Aregbesola campaign office. Accordingly, Shittu Okanjua as he is fondly called actually displayed the stuff he is made of as he led some miscreants to stand still before Aregbesola campaign office, throwing up sachet water ostensibly to cause chaos if there was any spontaneous reaction from the people in the office in response to the abusive songs they were chanting. It is certain that with the condemnation that is daily heralding Oyinlola into his Abere office at Bola Ige house due to non-performance, that of Omisore is bound to be worse if Osun people will open their eyes and see Omisore (or any PDP person for that matter) have his way into the seat of power again even after Aregbesola must have completed his terms in office. If the wanton profligacy of Omisore has been reduced by half while in office as a senator, the people of Ife/Ijesa zone would have been better off remarkably. I am sure that the embattled Iyiola Omisore is a wounded individual now. His ego is surely at stake just as his finances and political pedigree have been seriously battered. Hence, he will be bottling some evil desires and intentions up within at the moment. I am also sure that INEC will also be hasty in their decision to have a rerun because the person involved is their partner in oddity whom they will want to aid back into the office at all cost. I feel concerned because this is my state. I am more concerned because the ground of contest is my constituency which must not be turned into a battle ground. The bloods of innocent people have been shed in the past because PDP wanted to win elections at all cost. The mother earth of Ife/Ijesa requires blood no more- not of those who want to exercise their rights of franchise. The PDP chairman in Osun State has adjudged the Egbedore rerun election as free and fair and so they will want to have a repeat of such. A repeat of such is a call to chaos and upheaval. It is a call to insurrectionary response from the majority who are thirsty for a change in the present form and structure. People’s dominant will must prevail for there to be peace in our land. Enough of foisted hegemony, enough of a rule by default. Those who make peaceful change impossible are definitely calling for inevitable violent change which embers may sweep away those who are hell bent in perpetrating minority rule in our land. He that has ears, let him hear what warning is doled out to the recalcitrant. Ade Olugbotemi

Letter to the editor

Kola — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:40:01 +0000

I salute the courage of the entire members of editorial team of your medium for the works you are doing, may the Almighty God protect you from the evil plans of the oppressors of the masses in Osun State . I write to remind the lords of our time of the law of Karma, which usually catches up with those that wield their over-bearing influence to the detriment of the weak ones. I sincerely give all due respect to the judiciary, which today happens to be the only arm of government, the masses look up to for their liberation from the shackles of the bourgeoisies of our nation. At least, the powerful Prisoner Bode George is now a star prisoner in this same country, where he wielded enomours power that even Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the then president could not call him to order. Karma has finally caught up with the garrulous Lagos Boy, whose dream of delivering the nation’s mega city to the occultic PDP could only materialize in kirikiri maximum prison. Also, the law of karma appears to be circling round our own prodigal and pro Abacha Senator Iyiola Omisore, whose election had just been nullified by the Court of Appeal. I believe by now, his camp and the PDP in Osun State would have started outlining plans on how to launch another series of attacks on the people, rather than campaigning their way into the chamber of the senate. Someone should inform the blood-thirsty Omisore and the PDP that if the people seem to have surrendered their hope, due to their weakness, karma knows no one, neither will it inform anyone of its visitation just like it happened to Tafa Balogun (former IGP) and his godfather, Prisoner George. I seriously beckoned on Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to x-tray his activities since 2005 to date and look ahead where he would be when the law of karma come calling, especially with the election petitions retrial tribunal in Osun State moving closer to concluding the case before it. The question is, would Oyinlola be bold enough to continue to live in Osun State should Engineer Rauf Aregbesola be declared the rightful winner of the election? If the almighty Bode George could become a prisoner in Nigeria , the Bragging Senator Omisore, sacked from the senate, I think Oyinlola and his allies should be on their heels, because karma is on the loose and no one would be spared in the new war against the oppressors of the masses. I finally beckon on the non-repenting PDP chieftains in the country to always look-over their shoulders for karma is on the loose! •Ibikunle Isiaka, Oke-Ayo Area, Osogbo, Osun State.

Osun Adamant On Judicial Workers’ Demand

Kola — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:42:53 +0000

•Aims To Frustrate Tribunal Sittings FOR those awaiting different courts’ pronouncements on their cases, especially those remanded in prison custody for one offence or the other, the road to getting justice to put an end to their ordeal seems to be getting farther with the on-going strike embarked upon by the judicial workers in the state. In its usual tradition of playing politics with everything, including issues that are paramount to the welfare of the citizenry, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration under Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Osun State had decided not to succumb to the demands of the striking workers of the judiciary arm of government in the state. Recent findings of series of investigations conducted by OSUN DEFENDER have revealed that chieftains of the ruling party in the state recently met at the party secretariat in Osogbo, the state capital on the need to prevail on the state governor, who is also the party leader, not to yield to any of the striking workers’ demands. According to a source at the meeting, the PDP chieftains had premised their reasons on the need to utilize the strike as an instrument of ensuring the indefinite postponement of the retrial tribunal sittings. The source revealed that it was in the opinion of the party chieftains that should the governor turns down the demands of the striking judicial workers, the tribunal would be left with no other choice than to adjourn its sittings indefinitely till when the strike action would be called off. To this end, a delegation comprising party leaders was dispatched to meet with Oyinlola with a view to prevailing on the governor not to yield to the striking workers’ demands until such a time the morale of members and supporters of opposition political parties would be waning. The ruling party chieftains were also gathered to have reasoned that should the plans to delay the governor’s approval of the striking workers’ demands work out, the party’s plan to hold on to power indefinitely would have been achieved to a greater extent. At the meeting with the governor, the party leaders in the state were reported to have stated their mission fully with Oyinlola reportedly supporting the idea fully and promising to hold the striking workers on a tight-leash by not acceding to their demands with a view to ensuring indefinite suspension of the tribunal sittings. It would be recalled that the state judicial workers, like their counterparts across the country, have embarked on the on-going industrial action to press home their demands for improved condition of service, while the Federal Government had mandated each of the states across the country to individually negotiate with their workers. The refusal of the state judicial workers to resume for work as a result of Osun State government refusal to yield to their demands had resulted into untold hardship for many whose cases are pending in various courts in the state in addition to the inability of the retrial tribunal to sit on its adjourned date. By SOLA JACOBS

Ifelodun Council Boss Diverts Allocation Again

Kola — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:38:32 +0000

•Involves Career Officers In Shady Deals The canker worm of corruption and diversion of public funds into personal pockets of some political office holders in Osun State has moved to Ifelodun Local Government Council Area of the state, as the chairman of the council area, Mr Sarafadeen Awotunde was alleged to have involved some career officers in the council area to perfect his corrupt acts. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that before the disbursement of the October 2009 allocation from the federation account to the council area, the council boss and his cohorts had allegedly obtained an overdraft to the tune of N20 million from the council’s banker (name withheld). It was gathered that when the allocation arrived, the authority of the bank where the council boss obtained the overdraft quickly deducted its N20 million that had been received in advance through overdraft by the council boss and left the rest of the allocation for the council to battle with, a situation that grossly affected the payment of salaries of workers among other things. As at the time of filing this report on Monday, findings showed that the July, 2009 salaries of the health workers had not been paid, while the October, 2009 salaries of the workers in all the nine departments of the council were also yet to be paid. Meanwhile, the council boss and his cohorts had allegedly returned to the same bank to obtain another overdraft in anticipation that the November, 2009 allocation and salaries of workers would suffer for it. It was learnt that the bank reportedly turned down the request of the council boss and his cohorts, a situation that had allegedly forced them to run to another bank, with a view to securing another loan. Instead of the senior career officers, who had allegedly been involved in the shady deal to come to the aid of other workers, they reportedly shunned the consequences and stuck to the council boss. It was further learnt that the career officers were receiving their salaries as and when due, apart from their shares from the illegal money from the council allocations to the detriment of other staffers. A source told this medium that the administration of the council area had tactically been moved to the local government staff quarters, where the council boss and the career officers were perfecting their shady deals. It would be recalled that it was reported in one of the previous editions of this medium that the council boss recently issued dud cheques to staff members of the health workers department of the council, after which they were returned by the bank, where the staff members had gone to receive their salaries. It was also reported in one of the subsequent editions that the council boss deliberately refused to pay workers’ salaries, a situation that forced the employees to be running helter-skelter to feed their families. It was however learnt that the council boss was nursing an ambition of securing a seat in the state House of Assembly, a situation that had reportedly forced him to be desperately looking for money whether legal or illegal to pursue his election. By kazeem mohammed

Students Berate Oyinlola, Lament Hike In School Fees

Kola — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:43:09 +0000

Students in Osun State-owned tertiary institutions have berated Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led government for using education to exploit the students and their poor parents. According to the students in a survey conducted by OSUN DEFENDER on Monday, Oyinlola had, since 2007 commercialized and turned education to a privilege for the masses. The students lamented the current hike in the state-owned institutions’ fees, saying that the fees were too outrageous to bear in a poor and civil servants state like Osun. Maintaining that the increment in the tuition fees had not improved the standard of infrastructural facilities on their various campuses, the students said the state government should look elsewhere to generate income rather than exploiting the masses through tertiary education. The students, who spoke to the medium at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Osun State Colleges of Education, Ilesa, and Ila-Orangun, decried what they called annual increment in the state owned institutions’ fees. It would be recalled that last year, students and their parents witnessed a steep increment in the tuition fees, ranging from N8,000 to N45,000 for polytechnics, and N6000 to N30,000 for the state-owned colleges of education. The increment, according to findings of the medium, resulted to mass dropout as most of the students and their parents could not afford the fees. The state government has again increased the tuition fees this year, a development that has generated ripples and criticism in the state. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the management of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, in Boripe Local Government Council Area of the state has been enforcing students of the institution to pay the outrageous fees, by giving the newly-admitted students a two-week ultimatum or their admission would be forfeited. An HND student of the institution is expected to pay N42,600, while each ND I student pays N37,600. Each of the HND II and ND II students pays N27,500 and N22,000 respectively. By Ismail Usman

Plot To Kidnap Osun AC Leaders Uncovered

Kola — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:46:00 +0000

Anarchy looms in Osun State as a plot to kidnap some leaders of opposition parties in Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District has reached an advanced stage ahead of the forthcoming rerun senatorial election speculated for early December. According to an investigation conducted by OSUN DEFENDER, some hoodlums on the payroll of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state have been perfecting strategies that would be used, while deliberations were still on the locations where the victims would be kept. Findings revealed that some loyalists of the sacked Senator Iyiola Omisore allegedly settled for the plan when it was clear to them that the return bid of the impeached deputy governor during Chief Bisi Akande led-administration was under threat as a result of multitudes of political intrigues within the PDP fold in the state. It would be recalled that the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State, late last month, asked Omisore to pack his personal effects out of the upper chamber of the National Assembly, before making use of the exit door of the senate, while at the same time ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct another election within 60 days in the senatorial district, describing the 2007 election that purportedly brought Omisore to the senate as a fraudulent one. Meanwhile, a source close to the camp of Omisore confided in OSUN DEFENDER that some governorship aspirants on the platform of the PDP have vowed not to work for the return bid of the Ife-born politician, arguing that working for him would be a political suicide for their political future. According to an investigation conducted by OSUN DEFENDER, some leaders of the opposition Action Congress (AC) in the state would be offered a lifeline to take huge sums of money and work against the interest of their party or risk the consequences of their remaining adamant. It was gathered that if any politician is kidnapped, he would not be freed until the election is over; while the victim would either be blindfolded or stocked in the boot of a car until he is parceled to a yet-to-be-discovered locations that would be used. It would be recalled that the main challenger of Omisore, Honourable Babajide Omoworare had been kidnapped by some faceless hoodlums before the 2007 general elections at Gbongan-Osogbo Junction while returning to Lagos from Osogbo, only to be dumped at a community very close to Oyo town, Oyo State 24 hours later. Reacting on the development, the AC senatorial candidate, Omoworare said as a prince in Ile-Ife, a bonafide citizen of Nigeria , he was not afraid of his opponent, arguing that he was not unaware that the PDP would be planning a serious evil for him and some leaders of his party, contending that “God’s security is the best. “I know that there must be a plan to distract my attention from the consultations that are going on in the senatorial district. I also know that the PDP and my opponent are up to a game, but I am cock-sure that our people would not rest on their oars”, Omoworare asserted. In his reaction, the state Publicity Director of the PDP, Mr. Adeolu Adeyemo said that his party was very strong in the senatorial district, reiterating that there was no need to kidnap anyone, for the party would win the district anytime. Countering his argument, the state AC Director of Strategies and Research, Mr. Sunday Akere said that the PDP has never won any election in the state, saying that the party only relied on rigging and violence to achieve its aim. “We knew right from time that the PDP has no base, but violence and rigging machine and the most unfortunate thing is that the party has a wicked partnership with the electoral body. We shall neither relent nor rest on our oars as touching the forthcoming rerun election”, Akere said. By goke butika

Osun AC To PDP: Don’t Attempt To Rig Rerun Elections

Kola — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:49:17 +0000

Osun State Chapter of the Action Congress (AC) has advised the state wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against any move to rig the rerun election ordered by the Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State recently. The appellate court had nullified the elections of Senator Iyiola Omisore and Honourable Akintunde Adegboye representing Osogbo State constituency and ordering a rerun. AC in a statement signed by its state Director of Research and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, warned the PDP not to seek the anger of the people by attempting to upturn their will. It disclosed further that the party was aware of the plans by the PDP candidate for Osogbo state constituency, to cause violence during the rerun election especially in Wards 4 and 5 with a view to smuggling in a well-prepared result. The party further alleged that the two PDP candidates in the rescheduled elections had already started assuring their supporters that there would not be any elections and they would be declared winners. It added that the PDP candidate in the Osogbo state constituency rerun had been informing his supporters at different meetings that the party (PDP) was fully ready to ensure that the people’s votes did not count. Furthermore, the statement disclosed that Senator Iyiola Omisore has been bragging about that the same number of votes that was allotted to him in 2007 would still be his score in the rerun election. The statement chided the sacked senator for instructing his sponsored political thugs that his opponent in the election, Barrister Babajide Omoworare should be attacked or kidnapped if seen in Ifeland. It also alleged that the embattled senator has recruited thugs, training them ahead of the rerun election in the senatorial zone. AC further berated a serving commissioner in the Oyinlola-led administration over his altercations at the appeal court premises that the rerun would be a festival of violence for Omisore to return to the senate. It reads: “The blood-thirsty commissioner and his ilks are warned to be prepared to pay the price, if they toy with the patience of the people.” It further warned that the masses of the state were ready to adopt the rig and roast agenda if anyone takes them for a ride, as done in Ekiti State . AC then called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police and other security organizations to take notice of the PDP’s candidates’ threats. It added that the PDP no longer has the interest of the masses and could do anything to cause violence, thereby causing chaos in the state. It also called on all stakeholders in the state to call the PDP to order with a view to ensuring the continuous existence of peace in the state. By shina abubakar

Ilesa Monarch Charges Tittle Seekers To Follow Due Process

Kola — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:54:18 +0000

Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran has called on the people seeking chieftaincy titles in Ijesaland to tow the path of honour and glory and pass through the proper channels and desist from jumping the fence. Aromolaran made the call at the presentation of staff of office to Oba Jethro Adesola, Olosu of Osu, last Saturday. According to the monarch, the people should follow due process, tows line of glory as it was the process during the time of their fore-fathers. The monarch also warned that any one jumping the fence to achieve what does not belong to him or her, stating that chieftancy titles obtained through the back door do not last. The monarch who delved into history said that the sixteen children of Oduduwa were the original owners of beaded-crowns in the country and beyond. Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who arrived the venue behind scheduled denied having any rift with Oba Aromolaran, while stating that the monarch was his father, and that he could not degenerate so low to having quarrelled with the paramount traditional ruler. Aromolaran, who put a beaded crown on Oba Jethro Adesole said that Oba Aromolaran I, his father appointed the father of Oba Jethro Adesola, the Loja of Osu, Atakumosa-West Local Government Council, stressing that Oba Aromolaran II now put the beaded-crown on Oba Adesola. The monarch, to the dismay of the people danced round the crowd with Oba Adesola, showcasing the new beaded-crown, as the crowd went into ovation. In his acceptance speech, Oba Adesola thanked Oba Aromolaran for being part of his promotion and presentation of staff of office to him, stating that he would ensure to queue behind Oba Aromolaran on all issues affecting Obaship institution in Ijesaland, while the development of Osu community would be his major focus and the state in general. Present at the occasion were traditional rulers from across Osun State and beyond, members of the state executive council, sacked local government council chairmen in Ijesaland, friends and well-wishers to Oba Adesola. By bisi adesoye

Intra-party Crisis Looms In Oriade/Obokun Constituency

Kola — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:58:27 +0000

•Over Lawmaker’s Third Term Ambition Intra-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis currently looms in Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency chapter of the party in Osun State over the intention of the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, Honourable Wole Oke to retain the seat for the third term. Oke, who hails from Esa-Oke in Obokun Local Government Council Area of the state, had, recently declared his intention to vie for the position for the third term, having obtained the mandatory nomination form of the party, after serving as the lawmaker representing the constituency for two consecutive terms. Two other interested aspirants for the same position, the incumbent Commissioner for Water Resources in the state, Mr Sola Komolafe, who hails from Ipetu-Ijesa and Dr Olusegun Ojo from Erinmo, both in Oriade Local Government Council Area of the state have also obtained the N1.5 million mandatory forms. However, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that those opposing the intention of the lawmaker to vie for the position were insisting that there had been an age-long agreement among party leaders in Oriade and Obokun local government council areas that make up the constituency, that no political office holder would retain any seat for more than two terms consecutively. It was further learnt that there had also been an agreement among the political leaders that the two council areas would be rotating the slot of the membership of the House of Representatives and commissionership in the area. According to a reliable source, the aggrieved camps, opposed to the lawmaker’s intention were also putting up arguments that in the last six years that Oke had been fraudulently elected into the House of Representatives, he had performed below expectations, a situation that formed part of the reasons for the aggrieved camps to vehemently rise against the re-nomination of the lawmaker. The aggrieved camp, it was learnt, had considered the intention of the lawmaker to vie for the position for the third term consecutively as an attempt to breach the age-long agreement of rotation of political offices in the two council areas that make up the constituency. Meanwhile, Oke and members of his camp, it was gathered, have insisted that there was no existing agreement that he would not vie for the same position for the third term, claiming ignorance of such unwritten agreements, a situation that had further infuriated the opposing camp. With a view to getting more supports, Oke was said to have bought cars for some traditional rulers and PDP leaders in the two council areas, as a way of encouraging them to approve his ambition to occupy the position for the third term. Besides, Oke’s intention to vie for the position is contrary to a purported proclamation made by Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Council Area at a PDP meeting that no political officer holder should dare go for third term of a certain office consecutively. An unconfirmed source had, however, revealed to this medium that the aggrieved camps have started considering the alternative of defecting to another political party, should Oke be nominated by the party leadership as a PDP candidate. However, Oke has reportedly been boasting across the length and breadth of the constituency that he would secure the party’s ticket by hook or crook means.

Charge Ibukun Fadipe For Robbery - Komolafe Tells CP

Kola — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:30:57 +0000

The founder, DHL International Nigeria Limited, Chief Ade Komolafe who was recently attacked with six members of his family at a petrol filling station in Ilesa, has appealed to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Moronike to hasten the process of charging the suspects of the attack with armed robbery. Komolafe who was speaking with OSUN DEFENDER in his Ilesa country home on Friday said the circumstances surrounding the attack could not be anything but armed robbery as the principal suspect of the robbery allegation, Ibukun Fadipe notoriously known as ‘Omo Oloka’ opened the bonnet of the jeep in which the victims were, with the intention to disposess them of the exalted car. Fadipe is the sacked but sit-tight council chairman of Ilesa-West Local Government Council Area of the state; he has history of numerous violent attacks in the area. The DHL boss wondered what could have been the motive behind Fadipe’s intention to open the bonnet of the jeep if not for him wanting to snatch it; moreso, when he found out that there were six women in the vehicle. He said, contrary to insinuations in some quarters that the attack had political undertone, it could not be true as he was not a partisan politician. Komolafe’s words: “The attack was pure robbery. It couldn’t have been politically-motivated as I am not a politician. I am not even a cad-carrying member of any political party. I did not even register for voting in any part of Osun State. It was in Lagos I registered. How come I could have been a target of political attack? “What pained me most was that my mother-in-law who was visiting my country home for the first time was subjected to public ignominy by the robbery suspects to the extent that she was assaulted to the point of forcing three teeth out of her mouth. If some rascals could do this to a 62-year-old grandmother, there is nobody who is safe in their hands. It was nothing but a robbery case. “If not that Ibukun was resisted by a 17-year-old boy who challenged him when he wanted to forcefully open the car bonnet, the principal robbery suspect and members of his gang would have made away with the vehicle. “In the interest of peace and tranquility, I am imploring the state police command to hasten actions in arraigning the suspects without further delay as any minute wasted could spell doom for other innocent people who might be similarly attacked and robbed. Help me tell the people out there that I am not a politician. It was not a political attack but robbery”. Last Sunday, Ibukun led some gun, machete and cudgel-wielding miscreants who forcefully wanted to open the bonnet of a jeep belonging to Komolafe at a petrol filling station in Ilesa. When Ibukun was challenged, he attacked and injured no fewer than six members of Komolafe’s family including the DHL boss himself. In the melee, Ibukun and his miscreants allegedly dispossessed the victims of various items like mobile phone machines, expensive trinkets and wrist-watches. Some of the victims of the alleged robbery attack are: Chief (Mrs) Bolaji Komolafe, wife of the DHL boss who was beaten to stupour; 62-year-old mother-in-law of Komolafe, Mrs Adijat Olagunju from whose mouth three teeth were forcefully removed; 21-year-old Mr Yinka Olagunju; 35-year-old Mr. Saheed Ahmed and Mr Tunde Olagunju. In a similar development, the issue at stake has started taking its toll on the extended family members of the alleged robbery principal suspect, according to information gathered from sources close to Ijesa Sports Club in Ilesa. It was gathered that Ibukun’s father who is a member of the prestigious Ilesa-based social club has been threatened with suspension because of the anti-social activities of his son against Komolafe, the patron of the club. Investigations showed that the unsuspecting father of the embattled sacked council chairman was in the club where he called for service but was denied based on the nefarious activities of his son It was also gathered that the club has been perfecting its papers with a view to suing Fadipe over Komolafe and members of his family, in a court of law. By kazeem mohammed

Workers’ Protest Paralysizes Olorunda Local Government

Kola — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:43:17 +0000

POLITICAL thugs loyal to the Chairman, Olorunda Local Government Council Area of Osun State, Mr. Gani Ola-Oluwa took over the council secretariat on Wednesday, as they laid siege to the council workers, who were protesting the non-payment of their salaries and leave allowances by the council boss. The health workers of the local government were reported not to have been paid their October, 2009 salaries, while none of the workers, it was learnt, is yet to receive November salary, and leave allowances as far back as March. The civil servants, it was learnt from a reliable source within the secretariat, had on several occasions, met with the council boss, with a view to resolving the matter amicably and appealed to the council boss to pay the owed salaries and allowances, but all to no avail, a situation that formed part of the reasons for the protest by the council workers. However, the workers had mobilized themselves within the council secretariat as early as 9:10am on Wednesday, after a meeting with the council boss by some senior civil servants, locked up the gate of the council, shouting ‘thief! thief!, and chanting solidarity songs. Subsequently, a woman, who was said to be a political appointee in the council secretariat flared up and dared the protesting council workers to go to hell and do whatever they liked with the situation on ground, just as she started boasting and raining curses on them, but the workers however ignored her as they continued with their peaceful protest. From nowhere, some hefty political thugs loyal to Ola-Oluwa numbering about ten, stormed the council secretariat in a violent manner and forcefully opened the entrance gate of the council that had been locked up by the protesting workers of the council. The arrival of the thugs created tension within and outside the secretariat, as some of the protesting workers and passers-by quickly dialogued with their feet, while the brave ones among the workers waited to see what Ola-Oluwa’s thugs would do. Sensing that the situation might get worse and some workers might be injured in the process, some leaders of the workers directed their colleagues to quickly march out of the council secretariat premises and move to Dugbe Police Station, with a view to avoiding being attacked by the thugs. Subsequently, the workers march to the police station to report the incident and the Divisional Police Officer of Dugbe Police Station dispatched some security operatives to the council secretariat to restore peace. While still at the police station, information reached the protesting workers that one of the protesters, who was still staying in the council had been attacked and beaten up by Ola-Oluwa’s hoodlums. Addressing journalists at the police station, the chairman of the council’s chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Alhaji Hassan Olabisi said that several meetings had been held with the council boss, all to no avail, as Ola-Oluwa always told the workers that there was no money in the coffer of the local government council. According to him, the chairman had made several promises to clear all the allowances and salary arrears, but fulfilled none of the promises, insisting that the council boss, rather than paying salaries and other allowances of the workers, had shifted his attention to frivolities. He further stated that both salaries and allowances owed the council workers worth about N10 million, while political office holders were still receiving their salaries and allowances as and when due. The NULGE boss then stated that from the police station, the workers would take their protests to the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi. Meanwhile, OSUN DEFENDER investigation revealed that virtually all the political offices holders in the council area received minimum of N2.5 million each and were given rams and bags of rice among others for the recently-celebrated Ileya festival from the council coffers, while the council workers were unable to celebrate the festival to their satisfaction due to the non-payment of their salaries and allowances. It was learnt that some of the bankers that used to grant loans to the council have refused to do so, as the council’s administration had on several occasions failed to repay such loans based on the terms agreed upon.

Armed Bandits Attack Ifewara

Kola — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:19:02 +0000

The people of Ifewara, in Atakunmosa-East Local Government Council Area of Osun State last Sunday night witnessed hell from hoodlums who laid siege to the people of the town, assaulting house wives and other women. The hoodlums, according to sources close to the community, spent over ten hours in the community, as they raided the houses one after the other and committing other atrocities including rape. The source further revealed that for over ten hours the hoodlums spent in the town, there was no effort from the police to come to the rescue of the community as the bandits left after 3a.m. last Monday night. A police source at Iperindo Police Station hinted that there was no report at the police station , stating that even if there was a report, there was no fuel in the only vehicle available at the police station. While speaking with OSUN DEFENDER in Ilesa, a middle-aged commercial motorcycle rider, Adeolu Ayotunde told OSUN DEFENDER in Ilesa on Monday that the suspected armed robbers arrived the town by 10pm and that during the period, there was power failure. He stated that no sooner the bandits arrived the town than they began shooting sporadically into the air to disperse people who were still enjoying the brightness of the moon outside their various homes. Ayorinde further revealed that as soon as the shooting subsided, the hoodlums gained entry into few houses in the town where they perpetrated various atrocities, while most of their victims were made to prepare food for them at gun-point. According to Ayorinde, men were also made to lie face down during the operation with their wives also at gun point. Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, it was not clear if the police had arrested any members of the gang of armed robbers that visited the community. By bisi adesoye

Comrade Ayodele from Amuwo Celebrates Iwude Ijesa

Kola — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:38:50 +0000

Osun Workers Face Mass Retrenchment

Kola — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:58:54 +0000

Indication has emerged on the plan to send hundreds of workers on the pay-roll of Osun State government home with a view to saving more funds for the running of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s administration in the state. It was learnt that the kitchen-cabinet members of the governor resorted to that plan, when the administration could not wriggle out of the financial mess it has been swimming in the last two years. Findings revealed that the state governor’s think tank revisited the retrenchment option when it damned on it that the banks granting credit facilities for the payment of workers’ salaries have started grumbling on the stiff directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on their cash management. Investigation revealed that the banks have hinted the government that the apex bank may outlaw issuance of bank loan for workers’ salaries at the end of the reform exercise. Further checks by the medium have shown that the government had already started consultations with labour leaders, traditional rulers and some sections of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders as touching the matter. According to a reliable source in government, the fear that the opposition may use the mass sack as a political tool to chase them out of power in the next general elections has been the only saving grace for the workers. The source confided in OSUN DEFENDER that the paucity of funds in the government coffers has necessitated the kitchen cabinet’s resolve to start dusting the retrenchment of workers’ file. Investigation has further shown that local government workers, judiciary workers and some senior civil servants who have put in 25 years in service may be at the receiving end. Findings revealed that the new pension scheme would be used as baits to quietly draw the senior civil servants out of service next year, while rationalization would be used against the council and judiciary workers. It was gathered that some offices with apparent overbloated work force have started compiling names of the victims secretly. Information also has it that the governor had met with the traditional rulers in the state over the issue, seeking their cooperation on the development whenever it unfolds, noting that the retrenchment was the only option open to the government if the cash crunch would not affect their allocations. Confirming the development, a source close to Bola Ige House at the state secretariat noted that the information was real and that the government was only tarrying on the implementation because of the fear of the opposition political parties.

The Sun Shines Brighter On Ijesas At Iwude Festival 2009

Kola — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:48:39 +0000

The Executive Chairman of EGBE-IDIMU LCDA of ALIMOSHO LOCAL GOVERNMENT of Lagos State, on behalf of my family and constituents congratulates the Illustrious and industrious sons and daughters of IJESALAND on this epoch making occasion of the IWUDE OGUN FESTIVAL. I also rejoice with Our Royal Father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, and our esteemed political leader and mentor, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, Action Congress Gubernatorial Candidate for Osun State. OBOKUN A GBE WA O!!!

NGO Chides Oyinlola Over Osun Indigenes’ Death In Jos

Kola — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:31:01 +0000

Several knocks have come the way of the rattled Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola for abandoning indigenes of the state in the Jos crisis in Plateau State , which has claimed many innocent lives. No fewer than four indigenes of Osun State had been killed in the crisis, including a son of a frontline traditional ruler in the state, the Eburu of Iba, Oba Ibraheem Bamgbade. A Pro-democracy organization, the Campaign for Genuine Democracy (CGD) chided Oyinlola over the death of the innocent indigenes of the state in the crisis, saying that the lives of the deceased might have been saved if the governor had responded on time to the rescue call by the trapped victims. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Lagos , Ekiti, Kwara and other states had rescued their various indigenes from the crisis-ridden town, when they perceived that the crisis was escalating beyond the control of the security operatives. According to the CGD, “the premature death of our brothers in Jos mayhem was purely a product of wicked silence of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola from issues that border on the lives of our people”. The National Coordinator of the CGD, Comrade Akinkunmi Asifat, popularly called Government, in a press statement made available to the medium recently in Osogbo, the state capital, lamented, thus: “The death of the helpless indigenes of the state in the Jos chaos was an attestation that Oyinlola has no interest in the safety of the common people in the state”. Asifat berated the state governor over what he called his nonchalant attitude to the welfare, yearnings, and safety of the unaided people of the state. He questioned the Oyinlola-led administration that claimed to be serving the masses, querying whether he is truly serving common people of the state, or his party, political brothers and godfathers?. The CGD boss stressed: “There is a clear difference between politics and governance. The duo should not overlap each other. “Politics can only be played during the electioneering campaigns, but when it is over, governance remains. In addition, we, in Campaign for Genuine Democracy {CGD}, an organization that is founded on the ideology and principle to agitate for positive changes from the satanic imperial capitalist civil rule to genuine democracy.” “We are charging the state governor to facilitate how the remaining indigenes of Osun State would be evacuated from Jos in a bid to save their various lives from untimely deaths. “We are equally calling the good people of this state to remain optimistic and continue agitating for good governance, which will pave way for pro-masses programmes for the benefit of the common people, not this kind of capitalist system of government that turns governance into business investment in the state.” By kazeem mohammed

Osogbo Council Workers In Dilemma Over Salary Payment

Kola — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:40:09 +0000

Workers in Osogbo Local Government Council Area of Osun State are currently at a crossroad, as it is no longer certain whether their employer (the council) could meet up with the payment of their salaries. OSUN DEFENDER investigation at the council secretariat at Oke-Baale in the state capital showed that the monthly deduction from the council allocation by the state Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has began to tell on the council purse. It would be recalled that the administration of Chief Bisi Akande created a joint account for the local government in the state with a view of taking care of zero allocation in some council areas at that time. However, when Oyinlola took over the mantle of leadership of the state in 2003, he embarked on regular deductions from the council funds in the joint allocation account. Findings revealed that the amount of money that was remitted to the council from the joint allocation account was N22 million, while the council currently owed some banks about N25million. Many council areas in the state including Osogbo have been borrowing from banks to enable them meet the task of paying the workers’ salaries. Faced with the problem of paying salaries, the council chairman instructed the Director of Finance (DF) to prepare half salary vouchers for the workers for the month of January. The workers however disagreed with the arrangement, believing that it was aimed at short-changing them, as they do not know where and how to claim the balance. They (workers) then suggested that the council should commence payment of salaries in arrears. Instead of paying in arrears, the council boss in conjunction with the HLA and DF insisted that the council would only pay half salaries and mandated that workers must cooperate with the council’s arrangement. Suspecting a foul play, the workers resisted the arrangement, believing that it would be to their (workers) disadvantage to collect half salary since this was not done in any part of the state or the nation. The council heads, instead of dialoguing with the aggrieved workers, resorted to intimidation of workers, who they believed were inciting others against the arrangement and such officers were queried. Reports made available to the medium showed that the council branch of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) is getting set for a battle with the council, having intimated the council boss of its members’ resolution on the half salaries. A member of the union confided in OSUN DEFENDER that the situation also affected the various political office holders in the council, including the council boss, Mr. Teslim Igbalaye. The source however added that public office holders know the way they tackle financial issues, against career officers, who the source claimed were at the politicians’ mercy. Speaking further, the source stated that the troubled council chairmen in the state knew that the amount Oyinlola has been deducting from the monthly allocation is outrageous, but could not react due to the illegal privilege they have been enjoying as council bosses in the state. Findings showed that the situation is the same across the council areas in the state, as some council workers were not even certain of getting their take-home pay. It would be recalled that the Osogbo council workers, late last year, protested the non-payment of their accumulated bonuses, holding the chairman to ransom, only to be rescued by a team of policemen and rough-looking thugs. Indications at the council secretariat showed that a workers’ crisis is imminent at the council, as top officials have been mandated to commence the witch-hunting of workers perceived to be stubborn and impeding the successful implementation of the half salary scheme. By shina abuabakar

How Awofisayo Breathed Life To Ife AC

Kola — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:43:04 +0000

•Preaches Hope Action Congress (AC) in Ife Zone area of Osun State came alive and kicking when the President of Oranmiyan worldwide, Prince Felix Awofisayo toured the zone with a view to delivering the message of hope and peace from the governorship candidate of the party in the state, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola. For those who value wild life movie, the wisdom of fox and strength of lion could be of interest. It is deduced that fox is so wise that it could not easily fall into a trap, while lion has the courage and boldness coupled with strength to tackle any adversary in the jungle. Awofisayo, a prince to the throne in Ile Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba civilization succeeded in combining the wisdom of a fox with the strength of the lion in getting the warring parties in Ife zone united with out a hitch. Penultimate week, the renowned Pharmacist-turned politician began the tour of peace undertaken on behalf of Aregbesola with Ife East Local Government Council Area of the organ of the party. As if the visitation was the needed tonic, leaders and supporters in the council area trooped out en mass at Okerewe Ile-Ife to welcome the son of the soil, who came to bring them the message of hope from the symbol of their progress, Aregbesola. Getting to the high table from the entry point was hectic, as members of the party held Awofisayo to ransom with dance of joy and political lyrics that cheered all politicians and entourage up; it took the intervention of the party leaders in the council area before the Oranmiyan chief was left off the hook to join other dignitaries on the high table. Opening the floor, the state Deputy Chairman of the party, Alhaji Muraina Iyiola expressed his satisfaction with the turn-out at the meeting, lauding the party leaders and supporters for their courage in the face of intimidation, saying that their perseverance has shown that the party has a future with them. Charging the party members to further stand firm and be patient for a little longer, Pa Iyiola reiterated that Aregbesola knew how to compensate people, who were in the struggle with him. “Let me, on behalf of our party chairman, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and others salute your courage and perseverance in the face of intimidation. We value your contribution to the development of this party and let me assure you that our symbol, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola knows how to pay back those who are in the struggle with him and so he is with you always”, said Pa. Iyiola. When he rose to talk, Awofisayo rendered a tune which electrified the hall that was filled to its capacity, before launching into his speech. The Ife-born prince began with the state of the nation, noting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has eventually pushed itself to the edge via its lust for power. He demanded to know why the ailing President Umar Musa Yar’ Adua could not transmit power to his deputy. Noting that the duo were from the same party and they could still not trust one another with power, saying that such was the fate befalling the PDP now, asking audience if that was the kind of political association that could liberate the masses, to which all chorused no! Reflecting on the state of affairs in Osun State , Awofisayo noted that there was an absence of governance in the state, submitting that what Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola was presiding over in the state was not government, but a passing phase that could be described as locust years. Delivering Aregbesola’s message, Awofisayo said the Ilesa-born colourful politician, who has brought novelty into Osun politics would have loved to meet them in person if not for the exigency of the situation, saying that whatever transpired at the meeting would be discussed with Aregbesola in Lagos . Disclosing the programmme of Aregbesola for the people of Ile Ife, Awofisayo said he was privy to the plan of the AC flagbearer about the blueprint to turn around the cradle city, informing the audience that through tourism alone, Aregbesola would be generating close to N18 billion with 18 months on the saddle. “If there is one man to salute for taking the interest of Ile Ife seriously, it is Aregbesola, because I was in the know of a blueprint on tourism alone that could generate not less than N18billion and the beautification of the cradle city should provide means of livelihood to the greater number of indigenes”, Awofisayo stressed. Tasking the leaders and members in the council area to give peace a chance, Awofisayo reiterated that the party is weathering a storm in so many fronts, noting that the enemies against the party were formidable because of their financial chest, saying that only good ideology and love of the masses were the saving grace keeping the party intact, reiterating that the battle at the retrial election petition tribunal was another phase of the struggle against the impostor and oppressors in Osun State. Calling the party members to settle their differences in peace and through dialogue, saying that if the party members start fighting one another, the enemies would permeate and break them and the result of their struggle would be in vain. He said: “We could not afford to be living in a divided house and so Aregbesola asked me to charge you on the need to maintain peace. Our symbol of hope also wants all hands to be on deck, because God has answered our prayer”. Speaking on Aregbesola’s petition at the tribunal, the Pharmacist submitted that with the evidence at the disposal of the tribunal as ordered by the Court of Appeal in Ibadan , Oyo State early last year, there would be cause to smile at the end of the day. The following day, the news of the visitation of the Oranmiyan chief to the Ife East council area had gotten to the party leaders and members at Ife South and that seemed to have facilitated the larger turn-out of the AC members in the council area. Alighting from his vehicle together with some state leaders of the party, Prince Awofisayo was heralded to the venue of the meeting with fanfare just like it was obtained in Ife East and on getting to the platform; different political songs rendered by the women wing of the party electrified the hall. Opening the floor, the Zonal Secretary, Mr. Fatai Owoyomi who stood-in for the Deputy State Chairman of the party lauded the members of the party for their turn-out, observing that the party leaders in the state were happy with them in Ife South. Asking the members to continue in their loyalty to the party, noting that there would be enough to share for all active members at the end of the struggle, Owoyomi said that the flag bearer of the party has designed a strategy to make life comfortable for tall and sundry. “Engr. Rauf Aregbesola has proved to be a blessing to our party, our struggle and our hope in Osun State ; he would love to see you all to be more active and more participatory in the struggle to liberate Osun State . So, please continue to support our party and stand firm on your loyalty”,Owoyemi stressed. Speaking on the state of the nation, Prince Awofisayo demanded to know why the Federal Government controlled PDP could not fix the epileptic power supply bedeviling the nation, saying that lack of commitment of the ruling party to the improved welfare package of the masses was the sole purpose that could have propelled the wickedness of the party. Charging the party members and supporters to work against the PDP in future elections, saying that if the ruling party was made to continue bulldozing its way to the corridors of power, the masses would continue to suffer. “Let us begin the analysis of our problem of power. The only thing I figure out that has not really brought steady power supply to us is sheer lack of commitment to our improved welfare package and that must therefore compell us to work against these people with all our strength to prevent them from the corridor of power, otherwise, average man on the street would continue to suffer”, Awofisayo insisted. Relating the message of Aregbesola to the people of Ife South, Awofisayo said that the council area would be a prime beneficiary of the Aregbesola’s welfare programme, saying that the council area, as an agrarian community, would benefit from the production of food and agro-allied industries of the new order, asking the party members to continue maintaining their loyalty. He said: “Aregbesola has a blueprint, which touches large-scale agriculture and massive production of food supply and I know that Ife-South Local Government Council Area is an agrarian society and it I am of the opinion that Aregbesola would make use of this place, but your loyalty matters in the scheme of things in the party.” Landing at Ife North Local Government Council Area, the AC chapter was more than ready for the arrival of Awofisayo’s train and the local drummers that heralded the Aregbesola’s man to the venue of the meeting at Yakoyo testified to the reality of the party faithful’s readiness. At a hall filled to its capacity, the State Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Muraina Iyiola, who hails from the council area, showed his gratitude to Aregbesola for sending the calibre of Awofisayo to the people, saying that the message should be well-taken by the party leaders in the local and the state levels. Speaking on the patience of the party loyalists, Pa. Iyiola noted that the spirit behind the building of progressive party was the love of the masses in the heart of the founding fathers, saying that the only way the party could be stronger was the faith of the members in it. Urging the party faithful to stand firm in the struggle, noting that despite the stealing in high places in the state, the members and leaders of the AC were still on top of their situation. “They believe in stealing our money to fund their party, but despite that, we are still better-off than them. So, it is hope and commitment to good governance that keep party alive”, Pa Iyiola reiterated. When he rose to speak, Awofisayo saluted the courage of the party members, promising them that their loyalty to the party would be tabled before Aregbesola. The Oramiyan Group President further disclosed that Ife North would not be left out in the scheme of things if Aregbesola regains his mandate, saying that interest of the council area was in the mind of the Ijesa-born politician. “We are encouraged by your support and turn-out today and I promise to tell my boss in Lagos that Ife North area is wonderful in all respect. Of course I know that our governor-in-waiting, God’s willing has his heart with you all and your contribution to the party’s building would be discussed extensively with him. Giving hope on the petition at the election petition retrial tribunal, Awofisayo in blue guinea brocade with a cap to match said that with the way Aregbesola packaged his evidence at the tribunal, the decision may be favourable in line with the submission of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Ibadan , Oyo State . He said: “Aregbesola has brought glamour and novelty to Osun politics via his forensic evidence and superb legal team that has given a good fight to the impostor in the state and I can tell you that with the way we are conducting our case we will win”. Responding, an octogenarian Barrister Bisi Amusan thanked the leadership of the party for making the visitation possible, asking the leaders of the party to mandate the elected members of the party to be attending meetings of the party in their respective places. It was a different ball game at Ife-Central Local Government Council Area chapter of the party, as the turnout of party members at the Oduduwa College venue of the meeting, was amazing, for the four walls of the central hall was sweating with the overloaded capacity it witnessed. Addressing members of the party, the state Deputy Chairman , Pa. Iyiola charged them to be up and doing, saying that the time of redemption has approached, given the diligent prosecution of the petition of Aregbesola at the tribunal. In his speech, Awofisayo lauded the members of the party for the turnout, commending them for their courage and steadfastness, saying that with the programme of action of Aregbesola in Ile Ife, the people of the city should prepare to celebrate the victory of Aregbesola soon. “Ile Ife is my home and I am a prince of the source, as a result, I was privy to the plan of Aregbesola for Ile Ife and I know that the plan to transform the city was of high magnitude. So, prepare to celebrate the victory of our symbol, God’s willing soon”, stressed Awofisayo. In fact, the tour of the Ife zone of AC was a big success in all its ramifications. By goke butika

Council Boss Arrests, Detains Councillors, Editors

Kola — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:50:04 +0000

The Chairman of Ife-East Local Government Council Area of Osun State, Mr. Gbenga Owolabi had effected the arrest and detention of six of his councillors together with editors of two community tabloids in Ile-Ife, Bojuri and News Focus” for allegedly reporting the financial recklessness and misappropriation of the council funds by his administration. According to OSUN DEFENDER investigation, the six councillors and the two editors were earlier invited to the Osun State Police Command for allegedly inciting the public against the council boss through their utterances and writings as being reported by the council boss. It was further revealed that the councilors with the journalists honoured the police invitation only to be remanded and subsequently refused bail on the order of the council boss, as the detained journalists and legislators were said to have been regarded as security threats to Owolabi. It was also gathered that immediately the council boss learnt that the journalists with his legislators had been detained, he immediately travelled to the United Kingdom , leaving an order to the police command not to grant bail to the accused persons. The plight of the victims of the council chairman’s high-handedness was later reported to Ooni’s palace on Tuesday by members of their immediate families, who were assured that their bails would be effected soonest On Wednesday, mother luck smiled on the detainees when the new police commissioner in Osun State , Mr Olusegun Solomon paid a courtesy visit to Oba Okunade Sijuwade in his palace during which the Ife monarch explained the plight of the council legislators and the two journalists to his visitor, who later ordered their release from police detention. OSUN DEFENDER contact with the freed legislators and journalists confirmed the report, but they maintained sealed lips on the development, claiming that the matter was beyond them, as the Ooni had waded into it. It was also gathered by the medium that the council boss had been intimated with the report of the release of the detained legislators and the journalists in the United Kingdom , which however did not go down well with him. It would be recalled that the rift between the council boss and his councillors started just immediately he was accused of running the council affairs as his private entreprise. The matter was alleged to have been tabled before Oba Okunade Sijuwade, whose mediation was to no avail. The issue of running the council as a private venture was also tabled before Osun State House of Assembly, where the council chairman was invited to give his stewardship before the House committee and was advised to close rank with his legislators and other political appointees in the council for the smooth running of his administration. The last straw that eventually broke the camel’s back in the council, the medium gathered, was the report of the Auditor-General of the state which indicted the council boss of financial recklessness to the tune of N5 million, which he alleged the councillors of publicizing through the community tabloids in Ile-Ife, and consequently ordered the arrest together with the journalists. It was also gathered that the council boss also accused the detained journalists of making public the monthly allocation of the council. In the reaction to the development, some residents of the council area regarded the council boss’ action as being power-drunk as all the detained councillors were from the same political party with him, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). By sola jacobs

UNIOSUN’s Abandoned Project Palaver: Assembly Threatens To Jail Erring Contractors

Kola — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:52:37 +0000

Osun State House of Assembly has began moves against some contractors who undertook abandoned projects in Osun State University (UNIOSUN), promising to jail any of them found wanton in the process of the fresh investigation that would be conducted on the condition of the projects across the five satellite campuses coupled with the main campus in Osogbo, the state capital. In an anger laden voice, the House Speaker, Honourable Adejare Bello on the floor of the House on Monday, stressed that the house would take the advantage of the remaining period of this dispensation to go all hog into the investigation of the abandoned projects, insisting that some erring contractors would be sent to prison for their failure to do things right. Bello then expressed his displeasure with the way some contactors have shortchanged the public by abandoning the projects they had been paid for after collecting money. According to him: “I would not mind seeing the back of some erring contractors in the state in prison, because if anybody is found to have shortchanged the public, because the law establishing the university was made in this house, representing the aggregate views of the people, the affected contractors must be prepared to face the music”. Warning other lawmakers in the house, Bello said that he would not listen to whoever comes back to him to plead for any erring contractor, arguing that some people take the state for granted because they believe that they are sacred cows. Raising an eye brow over the way and manner the erring contractors cheated the state, Bello disclosed that he was in the know of a contractor who got his full payment for the projects he bidded without putting any structure on ground, saying that the same person went for variation and he got it, but still refused to do anything on the projects. Lamenting the level of abandoned projects in all campuses, the lawmaker from Ayedaade State constituency, Honourable Femi Farounbi said that aside Osogbo and Okuku campuses that have semblance of university structure, other satellite campuses have nothing to show for the funds appropriated for the project as at the time of discussing the issue on the floor of the House. He said: “Mr. Speaker, it is disgusting and unacceptable the way other satellite campuses of UNIOSUN are riddled with abandoned projects. When you get to Osogbo campus, there is a semblance of the university, when you get to Okuku, there is a semblance of university, but in other campuses, there is nothing on ground to show for the funds appropriated for it.” Speaking on the matter, the lawmaker representing Egbedore State Constituency, Honourable Okun Obiremi argued that the case of abandoned projects should be criminalized by the law of the house. Expressing his concern over the development arising from the variation of the contracts, the lawmaker representing Irewole State Constituency, Honourable Gbadebo Oyejide expressed his reservation over the reason that could have led the government to succumb to variation of the contracts from erring contractors, demanding to know whether it was right for the government to indulge in such an act. The Deputy Speaker, Honourable Ropo oyewole then moved a motion calling for appearance of the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, all Provosts, due process office and office of Accountant-General with provision of documents relating to all projects, names of contractors, terms of payment and the list of the abandoned projects. The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Honourable Timothy Owoeye and was unanimously adopted by the house By goke butika

Tombolo Resurfaces In Ilesa, Rapes 13-yr-old Girl, Housewife

Kola — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:56:31 +0000

Palpable fear has gripped teenage girls and women in Ilesa as a notorious ritualist and rapist known as Tombolo has again resurfaced in the ancient town. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Tombolo had rapped no fewer than seven females both teenagers and housewives in seven days consecutively. Information at the disposal of the medium has it that the ritual rapist besieged his victims at midnights, raped them, used their pants to clean their private parts and then took the pants away. The areas that Tombolo had perpetrated the awful act were Imo, Kajola, Alejolowo and Ire-Akari streets in Ilesa. Narrating her ordeal, a 130-year-old girl, who was raped by Tombolo on February 04 in Ilesa said: “I was asleep when I discovered that somebody jumped on me and removed my pants. I was alone in my room. I tried to rescue myself but that person overpowered me and I could not shout. “He raped me and used my pants to clean my private part. He took the pant and opened the door. I then shouted and my parents rushed down to my room but they could not find him. We don’t know how he disappeared. “The guy was tall and black in completion. He covered his face. He covered his private part with a black wrapper. He did not say a word before, during and after he raped me”. According to the teenager, she was feeling pains in her private part while speaking with the medium. A mother of three, who was also a victim of Tombolo’s nefarious acts said: “I thought it was my husband when that person came into the room. I don’t know how he came in in the middle of that night. He did not open our door. Later, I noticed that the man was forcing me. My husband slept beside me on the same bed. I tried to wake him up but he was deeply asleep.” When asked if her husband had been sleeping like that, the woman, who spoke with the medium under anonymity said: “My husband is not known for that. I don’t know what happened to him at that particular night”. She stressed: “The man raped me and opened the door himself. Immediately after he opened the door, my husband woke up and saw me crying. We both ran after the man but we could not find him”. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the case has been reported to the traditional ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran. However, there was a rumour that Tombolo had been arrested by men of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) on Saturday. The incident had created fears in the minds of Ilesa people, most especially, females, as they were scared of falling victim of the ritual rapist. It would be recalled that Tombolo was arrested and detained by the police in Osogbo, in 2008 for doing the same thing in Ilesa. Also in the same 2008, students of Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH) suffered in the hands of Tombolo, who raped more than 20 female students of the institution in Ogbomosho , Oyo State . At Owode, a village that serves as a boundary between Osun and Ondo states, Tombolo, raped several women in the area before he was arrested by the OPC. By ismail usman

Broadcaster Absolved Of Fraud

Kola — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:58:26 +0000

Contrary to the impression created in some newspapers in respect of a popular radio presenter, Mr. Akinkunmi Alabi as a suspected swindler, information at the disposal of OSUN DEFENDER has revealed that he was a victim of job hazard. It would be recalled that Alabi was arraigned before an Osogbo magistrate court in Osun State together with one of his advertisers, Mr. Gbenga Oludele, the chairman of Dan Ayo Travel Bureau on a seven-count charge bothering on swindling Folasade Omigbona to the time of N424,0000. It was gathered that Oludele approached the famous Osun State radio presenter to advertise his partnership with Liverpool College of Management Science, London . Findings further revealed that Alabi then demanded proof from the travel bureau chief, which was presented and duplicated for the two parties before the former agreed to offer the former his programme as a vehicle for the advertisement. According to the lawyer to the radio presenter, Barrister Soji Oyetayo in a letter sent to the affected newspapers (OSUN DEFENDER not inclusive), Alabi was not privy to the transaction between the Dan Ayo Travel Bureau and his clients. Dragging the duo of the radio presenter and the Travel Bureau Chief to the court, Omigbona claimed that N424,000 was falsely obtained from her, but hurriedly withdrew her claim when Oludele reportedly refunded her. Reacting on the development, the radio presenter’s counsel stressed that: “There has never been a time that our client obtained any money from anybody in respect of admission into the said institution.” The lawyer further reiterated that: “In the course of the relationship between Mr. Olugbenga Oludele to Dan Ayo Travel Bureau with Folasade Omigbona, there was a disagreement between them in respect of the actual amount to be paid, which our client was not privy to at all.” Speaking on the development, the radio presenter maintained that he had never got involved in any fraudulent act, saying that he only offered his programme on the radio as a platform to advertise the partnership of Dan Ayo Travel Bureau based on evidence shown to him by Oludele. Alabi then disclosed that his lawyer had written to the affected newspapers with a view to explaining his own side of the story. He said”: I have read some reports in The Punch and one community newspaper and I have instructed my lawyer to tell our story as touching the development”. By goke butika

Outbreak Of Epidemic Disease Looms In Osun

Kola — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:24:22 +0000

The terrible situation of water scarcity in Osun State seems to have assumed a dangerous dimension, as outbreak of epidemic disease is looming. Investigation has revealed that hospitals across the state have recorded high rate of patients suffering from water-related diseases. Going round Osogbo, the state capital, OSUN DEFENDER has found out that water scarcity has forced hundreds of residents to be scouting around for unhygienic stream water for domestic uses. According to an investigation conducted by our reporter, some contractors who were given the task of supplying chlorine and other chemical for purification of the water at Ede water works had shortchanged the government. It was learnt that the Ministry of Water Resources in the state has allegedly swept the matter under the carpet, because some of the senior officials and a former political functionary who were saddled with the responsibility of supplying the multi-million naira water chemicals had been compromised. Investigation has further revealed that funds allocated to the ministry had long been embezzled by the same people in Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s administration, for they thought that the industrial chemicals bought by the administration of former Governor Bisi Akande would go a long way to keep the water flowing. Besides, checks have shown that the three machines that were used to power the movement of water had broken down, while the only one that was working was moving at a snail speed, making it difficult for water to flow to maximum capacity. Reacting on the development, a community leader in Osogbo, Alhaji Ahamada Tijani has expressed his displeasure about the water scarcity, saying that the negative effect of scarcity has manifested on the community. “We have started feeling the pains of the water scarcity in Osogbo and as I am talking to you, we are still fetching our drinking water from Ede Township , because we could not get water in Osogbo”, said Tjani. Speaking on the problem, Mrs. Rachael Alao lamented the bite of the water scarcity, condemning the poor handling of the water problem, saying that the government has not done enough to alleviate the problem. By shina abubakar

Obaship Tussle: Tension, Uncertainty Persist In Iperindo

Kola — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:27:42 +0000

Residents of Iperindo in Atakumosa-East Local Government Council Area of Osun State have failed to return to their various homes based on the persistence of tension and uncertainty that have gripped the sleepy community for almost two weeks, investigation revealed. It would be recalled that crisis engulfed the ancient town following the demise of the late Oba Oyekanmi Ogunrinde, the immediate past Timirin of Iperindo. Pandemonium broke out in the community when some irate indigenes protested the installation of one of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s political aides, Oba Funsho Olowu, as the new Timirin of the town. The aggrieved indigenes clashed with supporters of Olowu last week Friday, maiming and attacking each other with dangerous weapons. Four houses were burnt down and no fewer than 16 people have been arrested by the police in connection with the development. The indigenes of the ancient town accused Oyinlola of imposing a stranger on the people of the community, saying they could not be ruled by an alien. Victims of the crisis whose houses were torched at 11:30 pm last week Friday, included Mr. Ogunmokun Adesoji and Ogunmokun Adebangbe, who came from the same royal family in the community. When OSUN DEFENDER visited Iperindo on Thursday, only about 12 people were seen working around with vigilance amidst fear. Houses were locked up and some schools were closed. The residents of the area had fled to seek refuge in other neighbouring communities and they had since not returned. Security has been beefed up in the ancient town as anti-riot policemen, men of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and regular police officers, who had bombarded the area to forestall further break-down of law and order, were on red alert. Some of the police officers mounted road-blocks and they subjected vehicles to thorough search, just as some of them were patrolling the town with police Hilux vehicles. However, despite the presence of the security men, there was tension and uncertainty over likely fresh attack as residents of the ancient town have refused to return home. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the arrested indigenes of the community were still in the custody of the police at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Osogbo, the state capital. By ismail usman

How Oyinlola Fuelled Iperindo Obaship Crisis

Kola — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 10:34:39 +0000

Indications have emerged on how Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led administration in Osun State has been fuelling the obaship crisis rocking Iperindo community; headquarters of Atakumosa East Local Government Council Area of the state, as the state government has been accused of imposing a monarch on the community. There was violence in the community last week over the obaship tussle, as the irate youths of the town sacked the monarch, Oba Folorunsho Olowu, whom they accused of being an impostor. Olowu subsequently fled the community. Olowu was installed by the state government last year due to his alleged sympathy for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as against the wish of the people of the community, who reportedly wanted one Prince Adetunji Adeniyi as the authentic monarch of the town. At a press conference in Ibadan , Oyo State on Monday, five out of the six kingmakers in the town, who led members of the community, announced the official rejection of Olowu, saying that his installation was against the 1959 customary law and 1994 chieftaincy declaration of Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin Commission of Inquiry. The kingmakers – Chiefs Gbege Ibitayo, Abel Agbomobini, Amos Oluwadare, Lere Adebayo and Gbenga Oladunjoye – led scores of members of the community including victims of the violence that rocked the town over the obaship crisis to the press conference. Addressing journalists, Adebayo, who was a two-time commissioner in the state explained the reason behind the decision to address the press in Ibadan, saying that their decision was predicated on the belief that their lives would be under “serious threat” if it was held at the NUJ Press Centre, in Osogbo, capital of Osun State. The kingmakers claimed that the traditional ruler, allegedly imposed on the town was not an indigene of the town going by his personal data, adding that Olowu was not qualified to administer the town since he was from a neighbouring community to Iperindo. The ex-commissioner further alleged that Olowu was installed on December 22, last year, after the powers-that-be broke the locks of the palace, saying that the choice of the indigenes and residents of the town for the stool was Prince Adeniyi, whom, he said, was a 1984 Estate Management graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile Ife. From the personal data of Oba Olowu made available to journalists, the ex-commissioner said that the educational background of the monarch fell short of the expectations of the town. The indigenes also accused the local government chairman of colluding with the state government to clamp the sixth kingmaker, Chief Josiah Ogunsanmi, into detention on trumped-up charges over the matter. Reading the already prepared text, a member of the Otogun Ruling House, Prince Oluwole Awobiyi, said the community had, at an August 4, 2008 meeting, prescribed possession of a university degree or its equivalent as a minimum qualification for new oba in the community. Awobiyi recalled that the town’s elders had also resolved that the new oba must emerge from the Otogun family, being the next ruling house, adding that the candidate must be educated to the university level and be financially strong, attributes the imposed oba allegedly lacks. On behalf of the people of the community, Awobiyi then demanded the immediate reversal of the alleged imposition and referral of the selection to the kingmakers or the Ijesa South Traditional Council. He also demanded the immediate release of the sixth kingmaker and others who are now in detention over the matter. By kazeem mohammed

Ajibola Now AC Whip At Osun Assembly

Kola — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:42:29 +0000

It was a drama of sort at Osun State House of Assembly on Wednesday as the House Minority Leader, Honourable Timothy Owoeye declared the occupation of the seat of the former Action Congress (AC) Whip, Engineer Akintunde Adegboye by another lawmaker, Honourable Adeoye Adelakun as a show of robbery. Though, he did not mention Adeoye’s name, the statement glaringly unsettled the lawmaker representing Osogbo State constituency, as he was dazed with the outburst. Basking on the opportunity to notify the speaker about the resolution of the eight AC lawmakers in the house to appoint Honourable Laide Ajibola representing Olorunda State constituency, the AC leader said they (AC legislators) having faced with the exit of the robbed Honourable Adegboye, they had elected Ajibola as his replacement. Responding on the AC leader’s statement, Honourable Gbadebo Oyejide, representing Irewole/Isokan State Constituency raised an eye brow on the show of electoral robbery mentioned by Owoeye, saying that the statement should be declared as a foul language. The Speaker, Honourable Adejare Bello then declared the statement as a foul language, warning the AC leader against the outburst, saying that such a statement could degenerate into a brawl in some other circumstances. The speaker then enjoined the Minority Leader to withdraw the statement, to which he (Owoeye) rose to his feet and officially withdrew the statement. In a related development, Honourable Ipoola Binuyo, one of the AC lawmakers raised an objection to the timing of the notification made by the AC leader in the house as touching the election of the AC Whip. Binuyo confirmed that it was a unanimous decision that Honourable Laide Ajibola be made the AC whip, but questioned the timing of the notification, arguing that the matter ought to have been brought to the table earlier. However, the Speaker said that he had been informed about the development, saying that by his discretion, he was going to take the motion. The speaker then demanded to know if any of the AC lawmakers objected to the election of Ajibola as AC whip to which no objection was raised and the lawmaker representing Olorunda State Constituency was confirmed. By goke butika

NCP Chief Cautions Opposition Against 2011

Kola — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:20:14 +0000

Electorate in Osun State have been forewarned to prepare for legislative elections in 2011, so that the cabal that has been holding the country to ransom should not be allowed again to rig its ways to power. Disclosing this last weekend in Osogbo, Osun State at a lecture organized by a pressure group, Osun State Opinion Leaders’ Forum (OSOLEF), Osun State Chairman, National Conscience Party (NCP), Alhaji Waheed Lawal said the people must stand up to the election riggers in the coming polls. The rights activist turned politician stressed that the previous elections and rerun polls in the state had shown that there would never be a credible election in the country except the people rise up to defend their mandate. Lawal x-rayed the statistics of repression against the dissent voice in the state, saying that Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led administration has demonstrated its capacity to kill and maim for rigging of any elections in the state. “Let it be known that there would be elections in 2011 and we are all going to partake in it. That shows we have to brace up for the challenges ahead and find a way of tackling the regressive forces that would still want to unleash violence to bulldoze their ways to power again”, Lawal insisted. Speaking on the state of economy in the state, the NCP chief lamented that the government had deliberately pushed the 70 per cent of the population into abject poverty, arguing that lack of enabling environment was responsible for the poverty. He said: “You can see that only politicians in the corridor of power in the state are at the expense of the taxpayers, but it is saddened that the people that are bearing the brunt are left in abject poverty and I am of the opinion that that the cause of the poverty must be hanged on the neck of the Oyinlola administration in the state, because there is no enabling environment.” Reacting on the defence of the mandate, the state President of the group, Pastor Sola Ademubo said that the group believes in credible elections as the only way to elect leaders who would be responsible and responsive to the peoples’ plight. “We have realized that credible election is the only panacea to the leadership problem be-deviling the nation, particularly Osun State and we shall strive to achieve a credible polls in future”, Adebambo assured. The group then advocated total overhauling of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that the Professor Maurice Iwu-led administration at the commission had proven that it could not sufficiently conduct hitch-free elections in the country. By goke butika

OST Bemoans Low Education Standard In Osun

Kola — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:29:48 +0000

A socio-political pressure group, Odu’a Symbolic Team (OST) has called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration in Osun State to proffer immediate solutions to the continuous fall in the standard of education in the state. The group disclosed that the state of education in the state calls for critical resolutions, which the group believed the Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola government lacks the wherewithal to provide. It stated this in a press statement signed by the coordinator of the group, Barrister Kayode Tinubu made available to OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo last Monday. According to the statement, OST lamented that the education ministry in the state, in the last six years, has not been able to come about any feasible developmental programme for the dilapidating sector. It also condemned the multi-campus university project embarked upon by the administration when it is an obvious fact that it cannot fund a single campus university in the state. OST disclosed further that the amount of money expended on the project so far amounted to a waste of scarce resources, as some members of the administration were using the multi-campus nature of the school to siphon public funds into their private pockets. The group described the sorry state of the other four campuses of the university, saying the abandoned structures in the affected campuses are a reflection of the level of importance the administration attached to educational problems in the state. Furthermore, OST emphasized that the problems affecting the controversial world-class university is also affecting other public secondary schools and government-owned higher institutions in the state. It added that the government-owned institutions in the state recently increased tuition fees in the various schools by over 100 per cent without corresponding increase in the quality of services rendered at the various schools. The group then urged the Oyinlola-led administration in the state to stop playing politics with the education sector, saying he should replace the sacked education commissioner with a professional, who is capable of providing the needed change in the sector. “Now that the office of education commissioner is vacant, the governor should not play politics with education, he should be bold enough to admit the problems currently facing the sector and appoint a professional to solve the problems,” the statement added. Also, the group regretted that Osun State, which used to be a frontline state among her peers academically, is now ranked among the highest in examination malpractices in the country. OST then called on the state government to tackle the various problems in the sector and return the lost glory of education in the state By goke butika

Traders Protest Ministry’s Action

Kola — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:46:08 +0000

Roadside traders and temporary shop owners at Fakunle, Olaiya junction and Akindeko areas of Osogbo, Osun State capital last Friday took to the streets protesting the Federal Ministry of Works’ attempt, which they claimed was to swindle them. The protesting traders went to the office of the Ministry at Oke-Fia area of the state capital to express their grievances to the officer-in-charge. However, reports made available to the medium showed that the officer fled her office, believing that she may not be able to control the traders’ anger OSUN DEFENDER’s investigation gathered that the ministry officials had earlier approached the traders and reached an agreement with them on payment of certain amount of money annually as rent to the ministry. The ministry, according to findings, had in January, collected various sums of money from the traders individually, as annual rent for the space they currently occupied, depending on size, only for the ministry officials to reappear last week, telling the traders to be prepared to vacate the area within 14 days. They ministry officials were however silent on whether the ministry would refund the money earlier collected from the struggling traders, but rather insisted on the 14-day ultimatum, after which the ministry would embark on demolition exercise. This, according to findings, led to the peaceful protect embarked upon by the traders, who suspected that the ministry’s intention was to dupe them. The furious traders at the Oke-Fia office of the Ministry were not attended-to by any official and consequently directed their protest to the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi. At the palace, the traders prevailed on the monarch to come to their aid and secure their means of livelihood from being snatched from them. They also urged the traditional ruler to summon the officer-in-charge of the Ministry in the state to explain what happened to the agreement earlier reached with them and the money collected. The monarch later prevailed on the traders to calm down, assuring them that their grievances would be looked-into. As at the time of filing this report, the affected traders were asked to write down their names and the amount collected from them by the ministry officials. Also, the woman-officer in charge of the ministry was also said to have gone to see the monarch, but the outcome of their meeting was yet to be divulged to the medium. By shina abubakar

Osun Local Governments Can’t Pay Staff Anymore

Kola — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:23:59 +0000

To say the third tier of administration in Osun State has gone distressed today is to underestimate the severity of the colossal mismanagement of public funds by the lack-lustre Brigadier-General Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s administration. Virtually all the 30 Local Governments of Osun State are unable to pay the salaries and emoluments of their staff not to talk of embarking on any developmental projects for the benefit of their immediate constituencies. At the root of all this enormous problem of insolvency are sleaze, misapplication of public funds, misplaced priorities and outright mis-management of the State/Local Government Joint Account. The Oyinlola administration has been in the habit of compelling the 30 Local Government Chairmen to agree to deductions from the monthly revenue allocated to the Councils from the Federation Account. While the Local Governments are unable to meet their obligations to their workers, they are made to pay for equipment and automobiles which they do not need but are imposed on them by Governor Oyinlola from the state level. Under these arrangements, it is the state government that has been procuring vehicles and heavy duty earth moving equipment for Local Governments across the state which money is then deducted from source as soon as the monthly revenue comes from the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC). The resultant effect of all these deductions has been utter stagnation and retrogression in the third tier of administration in Osun State. Of course, the chairmen of the 30 councils have been conniving, colluding and collaborating with Governor Oyinlola since they owe their seats to his benevolence and not to the electorate of Osun State. The workers themselves are shell shocked top find out that the government that calls itself the “friend of workers” and which they assisted to emerge has neglected the need to pay their remunerations. Worse still, the workers are battle weary since they would not want to be seen again confronting and tackling the government they helped brought into office a few years ago. As at today, some of the councils have not paid their workers since last November while some have only managed to settle the arrears of imprest and leave grants for workers on salary grade levels 01 to 06. The situation demands urgent attention from agencies of the Federal Government charged with the responsibilities of ensuring fiscal discipline and health of any of the Nigerian federating units before the corporate interest of the Nigerian project is subverted further. The cesspool of corruption at the Local Government level in Osun State has now become a threat that must be addressed immediately before things go out of hand. When we called the attention of the general public to the sleaze at the grassroots level of administration in the past, the Chairmen under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) dismissed it as alarmist. Now that the cookies are crumbling, the truth is coming out like the sore on the nose that cannot be concealed anymore. Gbenga Fayemiwo Media

Fire Guts Plank Market In Ile-Ife

Kola — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:49:03 +0000

Properties worth millions of naira were lost to the inferno that destroyed the plank market in Opa Area of Ile-Ife, along Ife/Ilesha road last Wednesday night.. OSUN DEFENDER could not ascertain the cause of the fire that destroyed more than three hundred stalls in the market. Speaking with journalists about the ugly incident, the Chairman of the Plank Dealers Association of Opa plank market, Mr Lawrence Egbedoyin, stated that no one could ascertain the cause of the inferno, but the fire destroyed sawing machines, transformers, as well as three hundred stalls in the plank market, with planks worth millions of naira. Some of the victims of the fire incident, who spoke with the medium amidst tears, said that the fire outbreak started after the closure of the market and possibly in the middle of the night. One of the victim, Mrs Idiat Eluwole, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER amidst tears said she had lost all she had in the fire outbreak. She reiterated that the fire did not only destroy the planks in her stalls, but also, the money she kept in her stall. Another victim of the fire inferno Mr Joseph Ajomobi lamented his fate, as he said he had lost so much to the fire outbreak. OSUN DEFENDER investigation about the inferno revealed that the fire outbreak was caused by power upsurge from one of the machines which was installed in the plank market. It was also revealed to the medium that before the residents along Opa road knew that there was outbreak of fire in the plank market, the thick smoke and fire had enveloped the entire plank market. OSUNDEFENDER also learnt that the spirited efforts of some of the residents in the area prevented the spread of the fire to the residential areas in the community. Speaking about the inferno, the chairman of the plank dealers’ association had called on Osun State Government and the local Government in Ife, as well as individuals to help the victims of the inferno. He particularly solicited the help of the state Government in constructing stalls in the plank stalls and in replacing the electricity transformer back into the plank market. Mr Egbedoyin continued that some family lives had been paralysed by the fire outbreak, since they earned their living from the plank market. He therefore called on all and sundry to help in cash and in kind to put smiles back on the faces of the victims of the inferno. By sola jacobs

We’re Pleased With Anambra Election – Amadi

Kola — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:55:00 +0000

The Chairman, Ndigbo Community of Action Congress in Osun State, Chief Paul Amadi, has lauded the governorship election recently conduted in Anambra State. Amadi made the commendation in Osogbo during an exclusive chat with OSUN DEFENDER on Tuesday, saying that the election had shown that PDP was not a popular party in the state. According to Amadi, members of the Non-Indigenes Association of Action Congress (AC) were happy over the outcome of the election in Anambra State. He also stated that the election results have been able to prove that PDP has nothing to show in Anambra State and the whole of South-East geopolitical zone. “If people who are actually in control of PDP affairs could not win Anambra State, that means PDP should say goodbye to Anambra State.” He also stated that all members of the Ndigbo community in Osun State are in support of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola. Speaking further, they will not relent in their efforts to win the South-West geopolitical zone of the country for the AC. He also pointed at Professor Dora Akunyili’s statement that Anambra State eletion is not only a victory for Anambra people but also a victory to democracy. By sola aderinto

Student Threatens To Sue OSPOLY Over Unlawful Suspension Of Result

Kola — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:49:30 +0000

A student of Accountancy Department in Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Kazeem Muritala, has threatened to engage management of the institution in a legal battle should the school authority fails to reverse the suspension of his Ordinary National Diploma (OND) result. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the OND result of Muritala was placed on indefinite suspension by the management of the institution on the allegation of having committed examination malpractices. But the student claimed that he has never involved himself in any examination malpractices and other anti-social activities while pursuing his course of study in the institution. A ‘Notice Letter’ written to the school management by Muritala’s lawyer, Barrister Kazeem Badmus, described the allegation against the student as spurious, outrageous, and barbaric. According to the letter dated February 22, 2010, Muritala discovered his suspension when he went to collect his result on January 26, 2010 and he saw his name and matriculation number pasted on the notice board of his department for examination malpractice. The letter maintained that the allegation has defamed and injured the reputation of the student in the eye of the public. Investigation by the medium revealed that the management of the institution suspended the result of Muritala only because he was the Coordinator of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), an organization that the authority of the institution claimed to have been proscribed. Findings further showed that Muritala is being crucified for using the letterhead of the CDHR to write an article on a financial scandal that rocked National Association of Polytechnic Accountancy Students (NAPAS) during second semester of the last academic session. It was gathered that when the student went to complain the suspension of his result to the Dean of Students Affairs (DSA), Alhaji Ganiyu Adebisi, he was told that he was not suspended for examination malpractice but for failing to appear before a Students’ Disciplinary Committee (SDC), for acting under a proscribed organization. But Muritala said he was not aware of his invitation to such panel before he left the campus for his industrial Training in 2009. Adebisi reportedly apologized on behalf of the authority of the institution to Muritala on his suspension for examination malpractice, saying that he was never caught in such act. However, the letter, which was received at office of the Acting Rector of the institution, Mr Jacob Agboola on February 23, 2010, urged the institution’s authority to immediately take steps to resolve the issue by setting the records straight and formally absolving the student from the spurious allegation. The letter further appealed for the release of the OND result of Muritala, threatening that failure to do that would land the school authority in a court of law for redress. By ismail usman

Third Rain Wreaks Havoc In Osogbo

Kola — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:51:35 +0000

The third major rainfall recorded in some parts of Osun State on Sunday evening left disaster on its trait. Our reporter who moved round Osogbo, the state capital on Monday found that houses were damaged in Isale-Osun, Ita-Olokan, Ogo-Oluwa and part of Fakunle High school area. Roofing sheets of some houses in Isale-Osun were blown off, while walls of some other houses were pulled down, rendering scores of residents in the state capital homeless. Also, some locked-up shops along Ogo-Oluwa area in Osogbo got damaged; while a number of electric poles fell down, throwing the residents to darkness. Reports from Egbedore Local Government Council Area of the state have shown that Ido-Osun and Ofatedo, two communities in the council were badly affected. Information has it that some houses in Ofatedo lost their roofing sheets to the heavy rain; a situation that has forced many residents to seek refuge in mosques, churches and some of their relations that were not affected. OSUN DEFENDER further gathered that Ido-Osun also recorded some damaged roofs like other aforementioned communities. Meanwhile, Osun State House of Assembly has passed the amended bill on State Emergency Management Agency into law last week, waiting for the signature of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to take effect. The bill when finally becomes law would mandate the local governments to move with spirited effort to rescue victims of emergency situation in their respective domains, before the state or national arrangement is forthcoming. Speaking on the development during the deliberation of the bill, the speaker, Barrister Adejare Bello stressed the importance of the speedy passage of the bill, noting that natural disaster’s victims would be in agony if no help was forthcoming. By goke butika

Irewole AC Prays For Aregbesola

Kola — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:55:08 +0000

It was a rain of prayers in Ikire, Headquarters of Irewole Local Government Council Area of Osun State on Sunday, as members of the Action Congress (AC) in the council area held another round of marathon Islamic prayer session for the victory of the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola. For the prayer session, which was organised by the party leaders, led by a former lawmaker in the old Oyo State , Chief Rufai Oyebamiji to seek God’s intervention over the stolen mandate of the AC candidate, Islamic clerics led by Imam Jamiu Okin and Alfa Mohammed-Raji Omowale were invited to seek God’s intervention. At the prayer session, the invited Islamic clerics recited notable verses of the Holy Quran to seek divine intervention for the retrieval of the mandate of the AC candidate. At the prayer session, which was the 29th of its kind since the beginning of the struggle to reclaim the stolen mandate, a ram was slaughtered for sacrifice to corroborate the prayer session. In his sermon, Okin urged party members to remain firm and not to be discouraged, saying that once they have the fear of God in whatever things they do, their request would be granted by the Supreme Being. Speaking after the prayer session, Oyebamiji stated that the prayer organised by the party in the ancient town was part of the weapons to fight for the retrieval of the mandate of the people of the state, saying that the fight being led by Aregbesola was for the whole people of the state. He affirmed that the people of the state were indeed robbed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in favour of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola during the April 14, 2007 governorship election in the state. While reinstating the party’s belief in prayer, Oyebamiji enjoined the party members and leaders not to relent in praying for the retrieval of the stolen mandate, saying that soon the mandate would be retrieved. Another party leader, Chief Adiatu Olaoye lauded the party members for their steadfastness since the beginning of the struggle to reclaim the mandate freely given to Aregbesola. He expressed optimism that when the AC candidate eventually reclaims his mandate, the people of the state would be set free from the shackles of oppressive leaders in the state, adding that every citizen would enjoy dividends of democracy. By Kazeem mohammed

2011 General Elections: ACPP Battle-ready For Poll Riggers

Kola — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:04:39 +0000

Osun State Chapter of Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) has insisted on preventing the election riggers in 2011 general elections by all means. Delivering a speech in Osogbo on Monday, the state chairman of the group, Alhaji Sule Alao said the group was hell-bent in frustrating poll riggers in the forthcoming general elections. He noted that his group would soon embark on a sensitization drive of the masses; saying that riggers should prepare for the task. “We have realized that the poll riggers are unrepentant and daring, but their days of reckoning are here and we challenge them to change over a new leaf, because it would not be easy for them,” stressed Alao. The ACPP chairman who doubles as the state chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party further kicked against the way the National Assembly was handling the electoral reform. Alao noted that the masses would be mobilized against the law that cows the rights and priviledges of the electorate, insisting that the vote should be made to count in the future. “The National Assembly has started handling the Electoral Reform Bill and we know that some fraudulent politicians who found their way to the parliament would want to play funny,but I can assure you that it will not be business as usual again”. Speaking in the same vein, the state chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Comrade Rufus Oyatoro has asked the politicians to watch their attitudinal approach to the electoral reform, arguing that the attitude of the politicians would dictate the workability of the electoral reform. “We may be debating electoral reform, but I would want our politicians to watch it, because electoral reform without attitudinal reform is nothing to write home about,” Oyatoro said.

Man Docked Over N1.9m Fraud

Kola — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:42:01 +0000

Police authority in Osun State has arraigned a 47-year-old suspected fraudster, Adesiyan lanrewaju, for allegedly defrauding eight people to the tune of N1.9m. The suspect allegedly obtained the money on the pretence of buying shares for his victims between 2006 and 2007 in Osogbo, the state capital. The suspect was accused of fraudulently and unlawfully obtaining the sum of N741, 375 from one Afolabi Kehinde on the pretence that he would buy 1000 units of shares from Access Bank and 1,500 units of shares from Skye Bank, Osogbo branch, for the plaintiff. According to the charge sheet made available to OSUN DEFENDER on Monday at an Osogbo magistrate court, where he was arraigned, Olanrewaju allegedly obtained another sum of N500,000 from one David Adekeye on the pretence of buying shares for him in September 2006. Olanrewaju also collected the sum of N320,000 from Michael Adeogun, N60, 613.96k from J.O.Fagbile, N15,000 from one Olowu Motunrayo and N12,000 from Okewunmi Abiola, on the pretence of buying shares for them from Nestles, First Bank and Union Bank respectively. He also obtained the sum of N 276, 780 from one Adeniran Funmilola and another sum of N 10,000 from Mrs. Ajayi Omolara, on the same pretence. The charge sheet maintained that Olanrewaju defrauded the complainants and stole their money. All the money collected from the plaintiffs amounted to N1,935,768.96k However, the suspect entered a not-guilty plea to the 15-count charge of stealing and fraud. Applying for the bail of the accused person, defence counsel, Mr. Ebenezer Bolarinwa, maintained that Olanrewaju was innocent of the allegations until contrary is proved in a court of law. According to Bolarinwa, the allegations against the suspect were bailable, promising that Olanrewaju would stand trial. He stressed that reliable sureties would stand for the accused person and pleaded with the court to be liberal on the bail terms. The presiding magistrate, Mr. Adewunmi Makanjuola admitted the suspect to bail in the sum of N100,000 and two sureties, who must be Grade Level 08 civil servants with three years’ tax clearance. Makanjuola adjourned the case till March 30, 2010 for hearing. By ismail usman

Ifetedo Youths Boo Ooni

Kola — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:57:58 +0000

Hundreds of youths last Friday booed the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade at Ifetedo, Headquarters of Ife South Local Government Council Area, on sighting him at the official commissioning of Osun State University Campus in the town. OSUN DEFENDER investigation at Ifetedo revealed that the monarch and his entourage, who were on their way to Oniperegun Road, the location of the university campus were forced to abandon their vehicles and trekked to the campus location which is a distance of about 1000 metres as a result of the worsening condition of the road. Immediately the youths, who were mainly commercial motorcyclists, sighted the monarch and his entourage, they used their motorcycles to block the road and asked the convoy of the monarch to come down from their vehicles. As the monarch alighted from his vehicle, an eye witness account revealed that the cyclists began to jeer and boo him, telling him that the council chairman he imposed on the people in the area did not provide any infrastructure for the masses in which has been responsible for the deplorable condition of the road to the university campus. Also, the medium learnt that various abusive songs were rendered by the angry youths, but their protest, according to an eyewitness, was peaceful. Reacting to the protest, the medium learnt that the monarch regretted the condition of roads in the area and promised not to foist any leader on the community in the future. By our reporter

Crime Rate Increases In Osun –Investigation

Kola — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:18:50 +0000

Crime rate in Osun State in the past six months has been on the increase, as criminals have introduced new crime method with which they have been swindling their victims. OSUN DEFENDER investigation in some major towns across the state revealed that the highest hit towns include Ilesa, Ile-Ife and Osogbo, the state capital. It was gathered that between December last year and February 2010, criminal activities had been on the rise, with cases of shop-burgling, bag-snatching and mobile phone theft topping list of offences reported at police stations across the state. In Ilesa, cases of car theft and fraud were on the increase, especially during weekends. The medium gathered that exotic cars were stolen from places of worship, at social events and such cars were not always recovered by the police. Furthermore, in Osogbo, the men of the underworld introduced a new dimension to crime in the state, snatching victim’s belongings while riding on motorcycles. This leaves the victims helpless as the culprits would have made away with their (victims’) belongings before any help could come the victims’ way. Another form of crime on the increase in the state capital is shops breaking. Recently, the new Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Solomon Olusegun paraded sets of criminals in the state over various offences, assuring the people of the state of the command’s readiness to curb criminal activities. About a week ago, three members of a criminal gang from Ilesa were paraded before journalists at the State Command Headquarters of the police located at Oke-fia in the state capital. The groups, according to the commissioner, specialise in car theft and armed robbery, adding that they were also responsible for ambushing travellers along Ilesa-Ife-Ibadan highway. Speaking on the increase crime rate in the state, stakeholders prevailed on the state police command to intensify its war against criminals to make the state a safe haven for the people. Chairman of Landlords Association at Boluwaduro Community in Ilesa, Pa Wale Adewole, in an interview with the medium disclosed that the people of the community could no longer sleep with both eyes closed, saying the activities of criminals in the town has got to an unbearable level. He added that the community had decided to form a self-help group to keep watch over the community to ensure that lives and property are saved. Similarly, a community leader at Osunkunle Street, Pepsi-Cola area, Alhaji Musa Olohunlogaju also stated that inspite of the community’s effort of having employed private night watch men, yet shops were burgled two times within three weeks in the same vicinity. He attributed the high-crime rate to the level of unemployment in the state, saying, over the last six years, the Osun State Government has not been able to improve the socio-economic condition in the state. The elderly man opined that the increasing population of unemployed young men in the state is beginning to take its toll on security situation in the state. He then urged the PDP-led administration in the state to provide jobs for the teeming jobless youths in order to curb the increasing crime activities across the state. Furthermore, the community leader called on the state police command to increase its patrol of the various communities in the state with a view to curbing the increasing crime rate in the state. By shina abubakar

Tosin Ajakaye: Suspected Rapist To Celebrate Easter In Prison

Kola — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 19:18:08 +0000

The hope of a Peoples Democratic Party’s thug, Kolawole Obafemi, who was ordered to be remanded in prison custody by a state high court, sitting in Ilesa, Osun State, to regain his freedom was dashed on Wednesday as he was taken back to the prison in lamentation. Obafemi allegedly raped a 17-year-old girl, Tosin Ajakaye on September 15, 2007 at the residence of one of the PDP chieftains in Ilesa, Gani Oladiran at Ilase Street in Ilesa. Olaniran is also currently standing trial on the allegation at the same court. He had earlier been ordered to be remanded in prison custody on the previous day of adjournment by the presiding judge, Justice Abdulrasak Babatunde Abdukareem for failing to appear in court for more than two court sittings. However, when the case came up for hearing on Wednesday, Justice Abdukareem was absent, a development that impeded the trial of the case. The judge was said to be attending a meeting of high courts’ judges in the state in Osogbo, the state capital. The absence of the judge jolted Obafemi as there was nobody to release him from prison custody, therefore he was automatically sent back to the prison. Obafemi, who wore a jeans trouser, a sweater, a fez cap and a black pair of slippers, was lamenting the development in sorrow, saying that he had suffered a lot in the prison custody. His relations numbering five, who came to solidarise with him at the court, were also disappointed with the absence of the judge, just as they were consoling him. They however, promised to secure his bail before the next date of adjournment. The suspect’s major source of worry, according to findings, was that he would celebrate this year’s Easter festival in prison custody. A PDP chieftain in Ilesa known as James Mark also came to pay solidarity visit to the accused person. Lawyer to the suspect, Mr. Jola Akintola and the state prosecution counsel, Mrs. Rachael Ojinmi were present in the court. However, Obafemi was later taken back to prison custody as the case was adjourned till April 14, 2010 for hearing. Besides, the absence of Tosin and his lawyer, Mr. Tajuden Akingbolu, stalled the trial of the civil case instituted against the embattled chairman of Ilesa East Local Government Council Area of the state, Ibukun Fadipe, the state Commissioner of Police, Oladiran and other PDP members in Ilesa. Fadipe, Oladiran, Obafemi and other respondents in the suit were accused of complicity in allegedly raping, injuring, assaulting, harassing and violating the fundamental human rights of Ajakaye. The victim is praying the court to enforce her rights and compel the respondents to pay the sum of N100 million as damages. But Ajakaye and her lawyer, Akingbolu were absent in the court when the case came up for hearing on Tuesday at the High Court in Ilesa. It was gathered that the lawyer’s car broke down on his way from Lagos to Ilesa, which made him to come late to the court, while no excuse was given for the absence of Ajakaye. The presiding judge, Abdulkarrem had, on the last day of adjournment, ordered Fadipe to appear in court for cross-examination on the veracity of deposition contained in his affidavit dated November 10, 2008. However, counsel to Fadipe and Oladiran, Mr. Seun Ajoba, informed the court that the order had not been served on the council chairman, saying his mobile phone lines were also not reachable. Ajoba prayed the court to adjourn the case and subsequently, the case was adjourned till April 20, 2010. Also, the absence of Magistrate Olalekan Ijiyode of an Osogbo magistrate court, who is handling another version of the rape case against Obafemi, Oladiran and two other suspects in Osogbo, also impeded the trial of the matter. The case was adjourned till April 27, 2010 for hearing. Meanwhile, a loyalist of Obafemi, popularly known as Loja, who went to visit the suspect in prison on Sunday, was severely beaten by prison warders for attempting to give hot drink (Regal Gin) to his friend in the custody. Loja was handed over to the policemen at Ayeso Police Station in Ilesa where he was detained for three days before he was released on Tuesday. Information at the disposal of the medium has it that some PDP chieftains have been prevailing on the mother of the victim, Mrs. Debora Ajakaye with a view to settling the case amicably. The medium learnt that a PDP gubernatorial aspirant from Ilesa was set to give Ajakaye a huge sum of money in order to sweeping the case under the carpet. By ismail usman

Fafowora Delivers Dividends Of Democracy In Ilesa-West

Kola — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:47:21 +0000

Action Congress executive members of Ilesa-West Local Government Council Area of Osun State on Wednesday enjoyed dividends of democracy, as the lawmaker representing the council area in the State House of Assembly, Honourable Folarin Fafowora delivered a brown new audi car to the party chairman. The lawmaker also distributed standing fans to members of the local executives of the party in appreciating their support for him since he assumed office in 2007. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Fafowora stated that the token gift was to redeem the pledge he made at a similar programme where he presented motorcycles to youths of the party. He further informed the gathering that he was currently running a free tutorial programme for student aimed at preparing them for the forth-coming examination. Furthermore, the lawmaker expressed disappointment over the low turn-out of students and youths at the programme. He urged parents to mobilize their wards for the programme, saying plans were on ground to give university scholarship to ten students who perform excellently. He then berated parents and guardians for allowing their wards to be used for political thuggery over stipends, instead of mobilizing them for their future gains. The lawmaker then thanked party leaders and executives at the gathering, promising that more dividends would be delivered to the people. He also prayed for the success of the partys’ governorship candidate at the election petition retrial tribunal, saying his success was not only that of the party, but for the entire people of the state. Speaking at the gathering, Honourable Obisesan thanked party excos for their continuous support to the lawmaker and urged them to always settle grudges among them amicably. The elderly politician advised the party faithful to continue to show solidarity with the struggle to liberate the state, adding that everyone would benefit from the gains of the struggle. In his contribution, Honourable Kunle Odeyemi urged the members of the executive and party supporters to continue to pray for the success of the current struggle in the state, saying what the party has been able to achieve was by the grace of God. He also emphasized the importance of unity among them, insisting that it was only when the party members were united that success could be guaranteed. While appreciating the car-gift given to him, the local chairman of the party in the council, Honourable Gboyega Ajeleti urged the party leaders and party faithful to remain steadfast to the course of the party. He thanked Fafowora for deeming it fit to give him the car and prayed that God bless him abundantly. One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Sarumi Bose, the council Women leader of the party thanked the lawmaker for his gesture, urging other politicians to emulate such attitude. Also, Honourable Samuel Jegede eulogized the quality of Fafowora, saying he acquired what he learned from Engineer Rauf Aregbesola. The party organizing secretary urged AC supporters throughout the state to remain steadfast in the struggle, saying light was at the end of the tunnel. By shina abubakar

Controversies As Accountant Sacks, Suspends 20 Workers In Cocoa Products Industry

Kola — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:30:47 +0000

Controversies have been trailing the sack and suspension of twenty workers of Cocoa Products Industry Nig. Ltd., Ede, Osun State, as the affected workers have been seeking redress on the manner in which they were suspended. Ten workers of the company were placed on suspension, including Senior Security Officer, (SSO) Mr. Saka Oyediran Jimoh, while other ten staff were sacked by the Accountant of the company, Mr. K.A Shittu. The affected workers were sacked and suspended on the grounds that they were recently indicted in a police investigation into the circumstances leading to the vandalisation and theft of electrical cables in the factory. However, the SSO, refuted the allegation, saying that he was neither involved, arrested nor indicted in the investigation by the police on the vandalisation and theft case. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the culprits, who were involved in the vandalisation and theft of a power generating set belonging to the company had been arrested by the policemen at Dada Estate, Osogbo, charged to court and convicted in March 2009. The suspension letter given to Jimoh dated November 13, 2009, which was signed by the Accountant of the company reads in part: “It will be recalled that you are recently indicted in the police investigation into the circumstances leading to the vandalisation and theft of electrical cables in our factory.” A copy of the letter, which was made available to the medium on Monday, in Osogbo, the state capital stressed; “The management was disappointed with your dereliction of duty as well as your deliberate concealment of the ugly incident culminating in unreliability of your words and actions in the episodes. “In the circumstances, I am directed to place you on suspension with immediate effect pending the final determination of the case in line with the extant rules and regulations of the organization as laid down by Osun State Government”. However, Jimoh described the suspension as unjust and violation of his fundamental human rights, saying that he had done nothing to warrant the punishment meted on him. Investigation by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the action of the accountant was not unconnected with the action of the sacked and suspended workers, who were challenging him for allegedly withholding the sum of N3 million, which was meant for the payment of “essential workers’ salaries. Findings showed that the workers of the company, specifically, the “essential workers” on January 31, 2008, appealed to the State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to pay their salary arrears, which had not been paid since the company became liquidated. Essential workers of the factory are the security operatives, gatemen, power generation men, drivers, and others. Oyinlola reportedly released the sum of N60 million for the payment of six months’ salaries of the general staff and essential workers of the company. The accountant allegedly disbursed the sum of N 57m to pay the staff salaries and the essential workers, while he allegedly the rest of the money. Information has it that Shittu paid all the salaries of the general staff, while he allegedly paid the salaries of the essential workers to 2007 alone. After about five months of withholding the money, the essential workers reported the case to the Permanent Secretary of parastatal, Abere, but no action was taken on the matter, according to investigation. On September 10, 2009, the aggrieved workers wrote a letter to Oyinlola with which they complained about the non-payment of the rest of their salaries and as a result, the accountant reportedly paid some of the workers and still withheld the salaries of other 10 workers for no just cause. Findings showed that Shittu, who was not an essential worker of the company, has allegedly slotted his name among the workers with N 60,000 salary payment. As at the time of filing this report, the salaries of the suspended and sacked workers have not been paid. By ismail usman

Bank Robbery: Bank Officials, Suspect Accused Of Looting N25m, $18m

Kola — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:33:35 +0000

Operation Manager of Bank PHB, Ilesa, Mr. Tunde Agbabiaka (39) and one other official of the bank, Mr. Taiwo Onafowora, have been accused of looting the sum of N25, 313,340,00, $18,592, 512 and 6,100 Euros during a bank raid carried out by a gang of dare devil armed robbers in Ilesa, Osun State recently. Agbabiaka and Onafowora, were also alleged of colluding with one Ikechukwu Ihekwuba (37), Chikwendu Ogbe (23) and other armed robbery suspects, who were yet to be arrested by the police in robbing the two new generation banks. It would be recalled that a group of armed robbers stormed Ilesa in an 18-seater bus, attacked and raided the Bank PHB and Guarantee Trust bank (GTB) in Ilesa, Osun State on February 25, 2010. The bank raid claimed many lives as people were hit by strayed bullets fired by the armed robbers, who shot sporadically, while the Manager of one of the banks and policemen sustained gunshot injuries. On the day of the incident, two suspects were arrested by the police who laid ambushed on the armed robbers on their escaping route, while other suspects escaped with gunshot injuries. During the course of investigation, Agbabiaka and Onafowora, were arrested for alleged complicity in the crime. While parading the suspects before reporters few weeks ago, the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, Mr. Solomon Olusegun, said some bundles of money with the bank PHB stamp were found at the residences of the bank officials during search. However, the bank officials and other suspects, were arraigned before a Magistrate Court, sitting in Osogbo, the state capital, and subsequently remanded in police custody by the presiding magistrate, Mr. Olalekan Ijiyode, following the plea of the Police Prosecutor Counsel, Mrs. Bola Oguntayo, who said investigation was yet to be completed on the case. The accused persons were re-arraigned last Friday on a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery. According to the charged sheet made available to OSUN DEFENDER on Monday, the suspects looted the sum of N25, 313,340.00, $18,592,512 pounds and 6,100 Euros from the two banks during the raid. The charge sheet said the alleged offences were punishable under section 1 and 6 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R11, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004. The plea of the accused persons was not taken because the magistrate court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter. Nevertheless, the presiding magistrate, Ijiyode, ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till May 28, 2010 for mention. By ismail usman

Antics Of Osun Speaker

Kola — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 18:42:45 +0000

OMO OSUN With Kola Olabisi Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Human memory, in some cases is too short, the reason why some people engage in untoward activities. Experience has shown that power, position and money are potent yardsticks to measure the authentic character of an individual. If a man is still struggling in life, he appears submissive and perfect in character and behaviour; but immediately position and money increase the status of a man, he becomes a tin-god who craves to be worshipped by some of his colleagues of yesterday. But it should be noted that there are exception to the above traits; no matter the height of success reached by some individuals, such is not accompanied with noticeable negative attribute(s) of the fellows concerned. Immediately some people attain new status, they tend to forget where they were coming from, forgetting that power is transient. It is the same ladder through which one makes it to the top that leads to the bottom. It is required of national human beings to be careful, watchful and constantly engage in self-inspection and appraisal of their official and personal activities so that they would not derail from the narrow path. For the mere fact that we all originated from different genes, our attitude to life differs as the structure of faces of human beings differ. What however distinguishes some human beings from their fellows is their ability to deny themselves of certain worldly pleasures of this world to boost both their moral and spiritual well-being. Self-denial, to an extent has been found out to be a veritable attribute to achieve one’s set goal in life. A student, who does not deny himself enjoyment during the time of examination, won’t make a headway in life. One of the reasons why I cherish journalism as a profession is because it gives its practitioners the latitude to comment on any issues because a journalist is a professional who knows something about everything. Before one can comment on anything, he must be able to have knowledge, whether superficial or otherwise, of such issue. It is also incontestable that journalism is the only profession having the backing of the operational Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which conferred on it the title of the third estate of the realm. In some cases, policing and journalism are identical in the sense that both operate as a rainfall which has no enemy or favourite when it is time to perform its God-assigned role. The motive of a journalistic critique should not be misconstrued when it directly or remotedly affects an acquaintance, a relation or friend. Such is the nature of the profession. The nature of the profession if it is diligently and conscientiously practised is synonymous with flogging of mud with a cane; the affect of which may splash or stain some targetted apparel while others may be casualties by mere accident. Today, I am taking one of my acquaintances to the market square with a view to commenting constructively on some of his carriage of his official responsibilities as the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly. If I have the opportunity, I would have sat him down and exchange views on the issue at stake, but time and mood of the state are not auspicious for that kind of arrangement. I witnessed the house proceedings this passing week and what I saw there was an admixture of the bad, the good and the ugly. I could not have imagined that the speaker, Honourable Adejare Bello, who was once the minority leader in the same house when he was a member of All Peoples Party (APP) which later changed its name to All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) during the administration of Chief Bisi Akande of the then but now defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) could have graduated to a bully because of the fact that he’s in charge of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dominated assembly. It won’t be an understatement to say that Bello has become swollen-headed to the extent that he treats members of the opposition with observed disdain. It is a pity that he has allowed euphoria of his office to get into his head, forgetting that power is transient. Where are speakers who were dictating the shot at various times in the past assemblies in the state? One expects Bello, a lawyer, to be versed in history because whatever one does at any particular point in time, he is unwittingly writing or composing history. The present generation of officials in whatever capacity they are serving the state will sooner or later become part of history. Therefore, for one not to end up in the dustbin of history, it is advisable one threads softly. It is even pretty strange that Bello is playing God during the course of discharging his official responsibility by saying that his power was limitless. Has the speaker forgotten that he is on the speakership seat with a half lobe of his bottom as the Court of Appeal will give a definite verdict on his election on April 15, 2010? Bello should know that it was only God whose power is limitless. With his assertion on the floor of the assembly that his power was limitless, it is my observation that he has offended God’. It is on record that the speaker has not been giving the opposition of Action Congress (AC) extraction whose membership has been reduced from 11 to 8 through by-elections ordered by the Court of Appeal that sat in Ibadan, Oyo State at various of periods, fair chance in the assembly. I was surprised when Honourable Salinshile (AC), representing Iwo State Constituency was making his submission on the need not to rush the re-screening of seven-member Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) when the speaker himself suggested that he could walk out. Honourable Ipoola Binuyo, representing Ife-North State Constituency who is a lawyer tried all possible means on point of law to make the Speaker saw reason not to rush the re-screening exercise but he (the speaker) was adamant, roaring like a lion which was voraciously hungry and was desperate to devour its prey. Honourable Timothy Owoeye, representing Ilesa East State Constituency who is the Minority Leader and Honourable Laide Ajiboye, representing Olorunda State Constituency all tried in vain to make the speaker imbibe the path of reason why the re-screening should not be rushed. At the end, the eight AC lawmakers staged a walk-out and the controversial OSSIEC members were not screened. They were only allowed to take a bow, under the pretext that the AC lawmakers who insisted on their being properly screened had walked out of the floor of the house. I am mindful of the fact that staging a walk-out in any lawmaking assembly is an allowed process in a democracy. Even if an individual member is not favourably disposed to the reason for the walk-out, in the spirit of party faithfulness, he must abide without necessarily owing the leader of lawmaking body any explanation. Honourable Ademola Ajiboye, representing Ila State Constituency engaged in political heresy after his other seven colleagues had walked out and he was explaining to the house that he did not see any justification for the walk-out, adding that he was also walking out because his other AC colleagues had walked out. This was a clear case of anti-party. If Ajiboye could do this in the full glare of the PDP legislators who openly applauded his stance, one wonders what the kernel of his discussion would be when you and I are not there. What is good is not good; Ajiboye, on that day, was a bundle of disappointment. Has he forgotten that it was on the threshold of a party that he contested the election that earned him victory? Honourable Ajiboye’s disposition to the issue at stake is as good as concluding that he is AC in the physical but PDP in spirit. In a saner clime, Ajiboye’s sin is classified politically criminal which may invoke his outright recall by his constituents through whose votes he is legally authorized to be a member of the Assembly. An in-house punishment to be mapped out by other AC members in the house which would serve as a deterrent should be handed down to the recalcitrant lawmaker. A profession is a body of knowledge unknown to a layman. One thing that dazzles other professionals in law is the degree of discipline among its practitioners. A thorough-bred lawyer is not giving to frivolities while the presence of spirit de corps among its practitioners is a veritable source of envy to other professionals. It however beats me hollow when I heard a supposed senior member of the bar, hitting a colleague below the belt all in the name of politics, forgetting that this phase shall pass away. It was Speaker Adejare Bello again who used his qualified privilege to heap insults on one of his colleagues, Barrister Gbenga Akano. At the bungled re-screening of OSSIEC members few days ago in the hallow chamber of the State House of Assembly. Honourable Binuyo had told the Speaker that a letter written from the chambers of Barrister Akano had been served to his (speaker’s) office that morning on the issue at stake. Immediately Binuyo called the speaker’s attention to the letter, he (the Speaker) said he had not seen any letter. If he had stopped at this juncture, it would have been dignifying, but went further thus: “I am not afraid of any letter from any lawyer, being a lawyer myself. The letter is from the court. I am not afraid, moreso; when such a letter is from my course mate whom I made a better grade than when we were in school”. The above statement from Speaker Adejare Bello is less-dignifying, unhonourable, discourteous and inflammatory which can only come out from somebody suffering from diarrhea of the mouth, orchestrated by power-drunkenness and euphoria of office. If Bello had made such statement in the presence of Akano; there wouldn’t have been any need to make an issue out of it. But the fact that he made the negative remark without giving his opponent the right of reply amounted to hitting Akano below the belt. It is high time this is stopped because the race is not for the swiftest. Half a word is enough for the wise. Political Rumble In Ile-Ife Stranger than fiction events are happening at the acclaimed cradle of Yoruba race. In the last Monday, March 29, 2010 edition of Nigerian Tribune, an advertisement placed by Ife Traditional High Chiefs on ‘Selection of Gubernatorial Candidate For May 2011 Transition Election In Osun State’ further exposed the needless intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade. According to the one-page advert, the Ooni had saddled the 16 Ife high chiefs including four monarchs the royal responsibility of picking a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant out of many of them from Ile-Ife; and Senator Iyiola Omisore is their favoured Ife indigene. With this development, it is evident that it is the Ooni Sijuwade who is responsible for peace that has taken flight from Ile-Ife. What is the business of a monarch in openly dabbling into partisan politics? All the aspirants are supposed children of any monarch but contrary is the case in Ile-Ife. If the content of the advertisement is true which I want to believe because it has not been denied by all the so-called monarchs and high chiefs the advert is carrying, it means it is the beginning of many untoward political happenings to happen in Ile-Ife before the next general elections. If the content of the advert is true, it means the Obas and chiefs who matter in Ile-Ife have risen against the authority of the Ooni because a source close to the palace disclosed that Oon’s favoured PDP aspirant is Professor Wale Oladipo, a trained Nuclear physics teacher who was teaching at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, before he was made Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board in Osogbo. If on the other hand, the advert is totally ditched by its signatories, it means there is imminent rumpus in the political theatre in Ile-Ife against 2011 elections. My own advice is that the combatants should sheathe theirs words as unfolding events at the ongoing governorship election retrial tribunals in Osogbo is enough pointer to conclude that there won’t be governorship election in Osun in 2011. Osun Government House will not be vacant. Any incurable desperado can become governor of Ile-Ife. All I know and I am convinced about is that there cannot be two governors in Osun State in 2011. The AC candidate who was massively voted for in April 14, 2007 governorship election is still being awaited with ecstasy. So, why fighting over a non-issue. Period.

Prayer Jamboree For Aregbesola In Lagos

Kola — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:07:46 +0000

•••50 Clerics In Attendance Believing in the efficacy of prayer, no fewer than 50 clerics from different churches took part in a special prayer session organized in Lagos on Friday for the restoration of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola’s stolen mandate in the April 14, 2007 governorship election in Osun State. The prayer session which was organized by chairman, Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Pastor Kenny Okunmuyide, attracted dignitaries within the Action Congress (AC) in both Lagos and Osun states. The premises of the LCDA, venue of the event, was jam-packed by both the officiating ministers of God and admirers of Aregbesola who is challenging the re-election of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola at the ongoing election petition retrial tribunal in Osogbo, Osun State. While the event was in progress, it became a cynosure as passers-by could not resist the sound of the accompanied melodious and alluring song and music. Both Moslems, Christians and traditional worshippers took active part in the prayer session which its superb organization was capable of mistaking for a formal church assembly. The special prayer session was in segments of praise session, sermon and sounding of liberty horn which added colour to the occasion because a pastor armed himself with a horn to perform his own aspect of the prayer rites. In his sermon, Venerable Funsho Awe, Anglican Archbishop of Abule-Egba, Lagos State said the time has come for the materialization of justice because there was satanic government at the centre. In the cleric’s words: “We are not fighting for victory but we are fighting from victory to victory. “The God we serve is a God of justice; and there is no way falsehood will overtake truth. The trumpet of justice signifies liberation.” He cautioned that Nigerians would soon witness many bizarre events that would bail out the citizenry from the bondage of ceaseless oppression and repression from disgruntled and selfish politicians. The cleric prayed that God should not allow anybody to influence the judges who would preside over Aregbesola’s petition, adding that “any evil will not happen to Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori. “What makes democracy democratic is opposition and it is the AC that is providing that. If not for the AC, the nation would have been turned to a one-party state. “Whoever plans Aregbesola and his deputy’s death should die instead. If government moves to the hand of a righteous person, there will be abundant peace and genuine infrastructural development in the land”, he said. A chieftain of AC in Lagos State who is also a Celestial Church owner, Cardinal James Odunmbaku (a.k.a Baba Eto) also went into an inspiring and lengthy prayer session to the admiration of those in attendance. Earlier, the initiator and convener of the programme, Pastor Okunmuyide had said in his opening remark that it was because of his belief in the efficacy of prayer that fired his resolve to put the prayer session together. In a chat with him shortly after the event, the LCDA boss said nothing was too much for him to do for the retrieval of Engr Aregbesola’s stolen mandate. He said if he had the wherewithal, he could call the entire nation together for prayer in order for Engr Aregbesola to get justice and not mere judgment in his current political pursuit. Some of the clerics in attendance are: Rev. (Dr) Dele Asaju of Christian Apostolic Church, Ijaiye-Ojokoro, Lagos State; Rev (Dr) Alade; Superior Evangelist Josy Ayodele; Rev. Adeyemo of African Church of Epiphany; Rev Dayo Akinronbi, Anglican Church, Abule-Iroko; Prophetess Adetola Abosede Okunmuyide with others. Some of the dignitaries on the occasion are: Mrs Grace Titilayo Laoye- Tomori, Aregbe’s running mate; Honourable Oluwafemi Olubanjo; Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus; the G-11 of Agbado Oke-Odo; Honourable Sayo Oladejo; Honourables Kunle Odubela, M.A. Adam, Funmilayo Mohammed, Opeymi Akindele, Bolaji Dada, Mudashir Husein, Ipaye and Dele Ogunsakin. Others are Alhaji Waheed Orire, Prince Felix Awofisayo, President, Oranmiyan Worldwide; Honourable Yomi Tijani; Alhaja Ajaka; Honourable Bello Adebayo (Sunshine); Dr. Augustine Arogundade, Vice-Chairman, Agbado-Oke-Odo LCDA; Honourable Mafe; Oba Sule Odu Alabe, Alajasa of Ajasa and Chief Solomon. Mmebers of Oodua Symbolic Team (OST) were also not left behind as some of them were sighted on the occasion. Abiodun Okunmuyide, the chairman’s son, led the band of gospel singers that performed on the occasion that was carnival-like. By kazeem mohammed

Court Dethrones Orangun Of Ila

Kola — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:30:58 +0000

The Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, Bibre I has been dethroned by a State High Court, sitting in Osogbo, the Osun state capital, which declared the appointment of the traditional ruler as null and void, on Friday. One of the contestants to the vacant stool of Orangun, Prince Adekunle Ogunmuyiwa, had dragged Oyedotun before the court, challenging the selection and appointment of the monarch on the ground that he was not the right candidate to be enthroned. Ogunmuyiwa, who joined the then state governor, Chief Bisi Akande, the Attorney General of the state and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as co-defendants in the suit, said Bibire was not chosen by the Ifa Oracle, which remains till date the traditional way of choosing a candidate to fill the vacant stool of the Orangun of Ila. The six-year legal tussle finally came to an end as the court presided over by Justice R. A. Siyanbola, averred that the appointment of Oba Oyedotun by the Ila-Orangun kingmakers was not in conformity with the directive of the Osun state government and the 1979 Chieftaincy Declaration governing the appointment of Orangun of Ila-Orangun. Justice Siyanbola affirmed that Bibire was not picked by Ifa oracle, saying that his selection was contrary to the norms and practice of choosing new a traditional ruler in the ancient town. Justice Siyanbola, who based his judgment on the 1979 Chieftaincy Declaration governing the appointment of the Orangun, said the kingmakers erred in law by not following the directive of the oracle, which is a condition precedent in the appointment of Orangun. Quoting section 135 of the Evidence Act, the presiding Judge ruled that consultation of Ifa oracle is a prerequisite for the selection and appointment of the Orangun of Ila. Citing relevant authorities to back his judgment, the Judge affirmed that Ifa Oracle was consulted in 1967 to choose the late Orangun of Ila-Orangun, Oba Williams Adetona Ayeni and even his predecessors. He expressed displeasure on why the kingmakers could disregard traditional way of selecting new monarch for the ancient town in 2003, when the new Orangun was to be chosen. The court ordered the Osun State Government, Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Attorney General of the state and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to restrain from recognizing Bibire as the Orangun of Ila-Orangun. Oba Wahab Oyedotun Bibire was appointed in 2003 and coronated in April same year by the former governor of the state, Chief Bisi Akande who also hails from Ila-Orangun. By shina abubakar

Uneasy Calm In Ila-Orangun Over Court Ruling On Orangun Stool

Kola — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:24:19 +0000

By goke butika Tension in Ila Oragun, a prominent ancient town in Osun State was so fragile at the weekend that an unsharpened knife could cut it as a result of the court pronouncement which deposed Oba Wahab Adedotun last week. However, the former traditional ruler has said that he had instructed his lawyers to file a stay of execution order while pursuing an appeal to upturn the judgment, asserting that he is still the traditional ruler of the ancient town. In the contrary, the challenger of Oba Adedotun, Prince Adekunle Ogunmuyiwa has alleged threat to his life, saying that some people loyal to the deposed monarch had stormed his house last week and started raining curses on him and his family, noting that he would brief his lawyers about the development. It would be recalled that an Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, the state capital had, last week, pronounced a judgment against the former traditional ruler, deposing him for not passing through the traditional requisites which includes consultation of Ifa oracle. In the one and a half hour judgment read by Justice R.A Siyanbola, the kingmakers flouted the selection processes, which should lead to the emergence of an Oba of the ancient town, asking the state government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ministry to stop recognizing Oba Adedotun as the traditional ruler of the town, until fresh selection exercise was conducted in line with laid down procedure. Speaking from the palace of the ancient town during the weekend, the embattled traditional ruler said that he received the judgment with embarrassment, noting that he would still remain the traditional ruler of the ancient town till the matter is properly settled by the upper court. Speaking with journalists on the development further, Oba Adedotun stressed that he was attending a wedding ceremony in Lagos State when the judgment was brought to his notice, saying that he got worried about his family at home and he immediately put a call through to assure them of positive step over the matter. “Though, I received the judgment with embarrassment and I got worried for my family at home, because I was in Lagos attending a wedding ceremony when the judgment was brought to my notice. There is nothing much to it because I have instructed my lawyer to file a stay of execution while pursuing the appeal against the judgment and I know Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola as a lawyer would enforce the judgment for the circle has not been completed as far as the court process is concerned”, Adedotun said. Speaking on the chieftaincy dispute, an elderly man who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under anonymity, said the challenger, Ogunmuyiwa ought to have left the matter for the ancestors, noting that his action against the traditional ruler has brought shame to the stool of the Owa Orangun Aga, describing the judgment as an embarrassment of the highest order. However, Ogunmuyiwa, a retired Major of the Nigeria Army has said the judgment did not favour him, arguing that the court ought to have declared him as the authentic Orangun of Ila instead of ordering the fresh selection processes.

Police Retrieve 14-month-old Baby From Racketeers

Kola — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 04:01:28 +0000

A fourteen-month old baby has been retrieved from suspected baby racketeers which included the wife of a police commissioner, OSUN DEFENDER learnt in Ile-Ife, Osun State . The baby named Boluwatife by his teenage biological mother, Oyenike Ogunbiyi, was allegedly taken away from the mother by one Mrs Adegoju in collaboration with one Sade Shittu, who facilitated the transfer of the baby to the wife of the former police commissioner, whose identity was not ascertained as the time of filing this report. The medium’s investigation further revealed that the teenage mother, who was a student of Bethany High School in Ondo, was reported to have dropped out of school and ran away from the relation of his father, with whom she was living in Ondo. It was gathered that she later took up a sales girl job at a canteen inside Obafemi Awolowo University Campus, Ile-Ife where a man named Murphy deflowered and later abandoned her. Oyenike later took to the streets as she had no place to reside, until Mrs Adegoju took her into her home till she delivered at an health centre in the ancient town. In a chat with the teenager by the medium, Oyenike said Mrs Adegoju and one Shade Shittu later informed her after her delivery that there was one of their relations residing abroad who would like to adopt her baby in view of her financial status. She continued: “I was given a mobile telephone handset and some clothes with N60, 000 cash. “But one of my mother’s aunts later got to know later last year that I was living in a shanty house in Ile-Ife and that I had had a baby. “My aunt later traced me and asked after my baby and I told her that somebody had taken him away from me.” “Mrs, Adegoju was later contacted, but she did not take my aunt’s visit seriously until the police stepped into the matter.“ OSUN DEFENDERs visit to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ile-Ife confirmed the claims and revealed further that the said police commissioner’s wife had been contacted, while Mrs Adegoju had brought the 14-month-old baby to the police station for onward transfer to the biological mother as being requested by her family. Speaking with the medium, a woman police officer confirmed that child racketeering thrives especially in spiritual churches in Ile-Ife and its environs. By sola jacobs

Isokan Youth Solidarity Prays For Aregbesola

Kola — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 04:04:55 +0000

In a bid to ensure that the stolen mandate of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola is restored by the Election Petition Retrial Tribunal sitting in Osogbo, Osun State Capital, Isokan Local Government Chapter of Youth Solidarity (YS) last Sunday organised an inter-denominational prayer at Apomu, the council headquarters. The prayer session was well-attended by members of the group, party faithful, party chieftains and well-wishers in the council area. Reciting from the book of Psalms, Pastor Odetunde Julius of Christ Family Gospel Church , Apomu stated that whoever God gave his divine support to, would always triumph, no matter the effort of human beings. He also stated that the Almighty God has decreed that the will of the Osun State people would prevail and their desire would be granted. He also lauded the courage and perseverance of the members of the group, saying everyone would reap the fruits of his labour. Furthermore, he advised the youths on the need to emulate the virtues of Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, and should continue to work hard to defeat poverty. He stressed the need for the youths to strive to fight for the rights of the helpless in the society. Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, the coordinator of the group in the council area, Comrade Oyebola Majeed stated that the group would not relent in its efforts to enlighten the people on the need to safeguard their votes in future elections in the state. He thanked members of the group in the council area for their cooperation, saying the group would work harder to attract more membership in the council area. During the Islamic prayer session, Alhaji Abdulgafar Molade lauded the efforts of the group in organizing the prayer session, adding that it was the key that could open the door to all opportunities. He also recited some verses from the Holy Qu’ran, assuring the gathering that no matter the perfection inherent in lies, truth would always prevail in the long run. The Islamic cleric added that the usurpers have had enough time to repent, but have refused to do so, saying God has shown them enormous mercy, but would now show them His superiority over their different antics. He then urged the gathering to continue to pray and be united in purpose for them to be successful in the struggle. Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Honourable Ogundare Yakub, also the Action Congress (AC) chairmanship candidate in the council area, lauded the courage of the group for ensuring that YS had a structure in the area. He then urged them to continue to spread the tentacles of the group, until the majority of the youths in the council area become aware of its existence. Addressing the gathering, the National Coordinator of YS, Comrade Abiodun Kolawole (Arole) disclosed that the over three years’ battle to enthrone democratic government in Osun State was gradually coming to fruitfulness. He also counselled that the end of the struggle would definitely usher in another challenge in the life of the masses, urging the various groups in the state to be up and doing. Kolawole further revealed that the group would embark on re-orientation campaign across the 30 local government council areas of the state, with a view to enlightening the people on the friendly programmes Aregbesola intends to implement if declared the legal governor of the state. Others at the gathering were Honourable Taiwo Osuolale, Comrade Kodir Gafar and the executive members of YS in the state. By shina abubakar

Ilesa Bank Robbery: Police Arrest Suspects’ Armourer

Kola — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:36:41 +0000

Police authority in Osun State has apprehended an armourer of a 25-man armed robbery gang that robbed Ilesa branches of Guarantee Trust Bank and Bank PHB, on February 25, 2010. The suspects, Suleiman Ajani, was said to be in charge of stockpiling weapons for the suspects. According to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Segun Solomon, the suspect was arrested in possession of eight AK-47 riffles, 2,126 of AK-47 live ammunitions, 117 AK-47 magazines, one Beretta pistol, two locally-made pistols and two live cartridges. The commissioner disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the Zone 11 command of the police in Osogbo, the state capital on Thursday. He maintained that investigation was yet to be completed on the robbery case, promising that the public would be briefed on further development on the case. The police had earlier arrested and paraded the Operations Manager of Bank PHB, Tunde Agbabiaka (39) and another official of the bank, Taiwo Onafowora, for their alleged complicity in the crime. According to the police officers who conducted search at the various residences of the two bank officials, some cash with the bank stamps were found some days after the robbery incident, which they could not give satisfactory account on. Agbabiaka and Onafowora were charged to a magistrate court in Osogbo, where they were ordered to be remanded in prison custody. The charges levelled against the suspects stated that they looted the sum of N25.3m, $18,592,512 pounds and 6100 Euros. In a related development, four armed robbery suspects, who were accused of terrorizing the people of Ilesa, especially, travellers on Ibadan-Ilesa-Akure Expressway, have also been arrested by the police The suspected armed robbers were: Anayo Igwe of Sawmill Area, Iwo Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, Peter Eze, Monday Nwoke, known as Mark 4 and Sunday Agu. According to the police, the suspects were arrested on April 12, 2010 on the highway, while barricading the road for their operations. The armed policemen, who were on patrol, engaged the suspects in a gun battle, which made the suspected robbers to flee the scene. While pursuing the suspects, Igwe was allegedly arrested with a wood carved in form of a gun. The police said the suspects would soon be charged to court. By ismail usman

Pastor In Court Over Fraud

Kola — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 07:45:35 +0000

Nemesis has caught up with one Pastor Ezekiel Ogunbiyi who allegedly swindled an American businessman the sum of four thousand dollars. The pastor who was arraigned before an Osogbo magistrate court last Monday was accused of obtaining the sum of four thousand dollars under false pretense that he would purchase four plots of land for the complainants, a crime against section 419 of the criminal cap code. The charge sheet further alleged that the accused person stole the stated amount of money from the complainant, a crime contrary and punishable under Section 390 of the criminal cap code. According to the sheet, the suspect allegedly committed the stated offences sometimes in 1996 in Osogbo, Osun State capital. The accused person agreed that the allegations against him were true but opted for out of court settlement. Police prosecutor, Sergeant John Idoko also informed the court that an attempt was on to ensure out of court settlement subject to the cooperation of the accused person. He added that if the accused person was prepared to bring substantial amount of money to the court on the next adjustment date, there would be more progress towards settlement. However, when the accused person was asked if he would be able to come to court with substantial amount of money on the next adjournment date, he (accused) could not give a specific answer. He stated that he would try and if he could not get the money, he would report to the prosecuting officer. Counsel to the complainant also informed the court that the client was a busy man and would not be in the country for a long period of time. Ruling on the matter, Magistrate Olalekan Ijiyode adjourned the case till Monday May 3rd 2010 for mention. He advised the accused to try as much as possible to bring some money to the court on the stated date. By shina abubakar

Ajegunle AC In Prayers Galore For Aregbesola

Kola — Sun, 02 May 2010 06:31:49 +0000

The shout of “Amen” rented the air at the popular Ajegunle Motor Spare Parts Market of Osogbo, Osun State capital on Thursday, as Action Congress (AC) members in the market held a marathon inter-denominational prayer session for the victory of the AC governorship candidate in the state, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola over the pending judgment in the retrial of the petition filed by Aregbesola against the election of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. The Christian version of the prayer session was led by Pastor Oyedare Dele of the Eternal Sacred Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ogo-Oluwatedo, Ayetoro, Osogbo, while the Muslim version of the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Dugbe Central Mosque, Osogbo, Mallam Ismail Atilola. Over 1000 members of the party in the popular market attended the prayer session, which was directed at retrieving the stolen mandate of Aregbesola and protection of God on the tribunal judges. In his sermon during the prayer session, Mallam Atilola described Aregbesola as a symbol of God, saying that his activities had portrayed him to be a God-sent servant. Speaking during the prayer session, the party chairman in the market, Alhaji Wahab Oyewale described the AC candidate as someone who has the love of the masses at heart. He expressed optimism that very soon, the AC candidate would reclaim his stolen mandate and everybody would enjoy the desired dividends of democracy. Also speaking, the party leader in the market, Alhaji Sule Aderemi said that some people believe that it was impossible to chase Oyinlola out of office through legal means, saying that it is very possible for the truth to prevail in the state by chasing Oyinlola out of office. He recalled the case of Edo and Ondo states where the then sitting governors were chased out of office, adding that such case was possible in Osun and Ekiti states where judgments are still pending before the court. Aderemi then expressed optimism that the stolen mandate freely given to Aregbesola would be retrieved, just as he lauded AC members in the market for their steadfastness.

Osun NUJ, Aregbesola React To Upsurge In Murder Of Journalists

Kola — Mon, 03 May 2010 06:39:17 +0000

Sequel to the recorded spate of killings of journalists in the country, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council has tasked all security apparatuses in the nation to live up to their responsibilities by protecting the lives and properties of the citizens. Condemning the murder of journalists on the stable of THE NATION newspaper, late Edo-Sule Ugbagwu who was shot by unknown gunmen at his residence in Lagos State, the union demanded critical approach to the finding of the killers from the officers and men of the Nigeria Police. In a statement signed by the Assistant Secretary of the Osun State Council of the union, Prince Goke Butika, the union charged its members not rest on their oars as touching the investigative stories that would continue to hold public office holders accountable to the governed. Butika further stressed that no amount of death threats and killings could deter the members of the fourth estate of the realm from performing their constitutional duties as guaranteed by Section 22 of the nation’s constitution. Also, perturbed by the upsurge in the killing of journalists, Osun State Police Command has been charged to maintain high level of surveillance on newsmen in the state in a bid to protect their lives and properties. In a Press Statement signed by the media Assistant to the Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in the state, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, Mr. Gbenga Fayemiwo it has been observed that the spate of killings of media practitioners recently has become unacceptable and worrisome. He stressed that the development has reached a stage where every proactive measure should be taken to guarantee the security of lives of all journalists, in order to practise their profession in an atmosphere of freedom, liberty and constitutionalism. Four journalists including, Messrs Godwin Ogroko, Abayomi Ogundeji of Thisday Newspaper, Bayo Ohu of the Guardian Newspaper and Mr. Edo Sule Ugbagwu, of The Nation Newspaper, have been killed between 2009 and 2010. In another development, Fayemiwo has berated Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola for attacking reporters during his last press briefing held at the State secretariat, Abere, Osogbo the state capital last week. According to him, “Oyinlola’s hostility to media men at the press conference should not be taken with a pinch of salt; rather, it should be made a serious security matter”. Fayemiwo said: “Recent spate of murders and casualties in the media circle is becoming unacceptable and worrisome to the extent that every proactive measure should be taken to guarantee the security of lives for all journalists.” “When journalists are forced to write with trepidation, ultra-censorship and self-preservation as their first principle and watchwords, the security of such society is under great threat and cannot be sustained. “We are alarmed at the crudity and incivility demonstrated by the Osun State Governor at the press conference he addressed and worried that there is an urgent need to seek the protection for the lives of these media practitioners. He stressed: “We call on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to review the outburst of Oyinlola and his loss of temperament at the press briefing with a view to taking a second look at the security of lives of all journalists,” Fayemiwo insisted. By ismail usman

Uyo Varsity Mobilises 404 Students For NYSC

Kola — Mon, 03 May 2010 07:06:45 +0000

Reprieve has finally come the way of some aggrieved ex-students of Federal University of Uyo, Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun Centre, as a sizeable number of them have been mobilized for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The Provost of the college, Mr David Olasunkanmi, who disclosed this shortly after matriculation ceremony of new 3,500 National Certificate of Education (NCE) students of the college on Thursday, hinted that 2006/2007 results plus spill-over and supplementary results have been approved. He said the breakdown of the students mobilized for NYSC showed that 399 were fresh, while the list of revalidated was five, making the total 404 students. His words: “These are the students who have been mobilized for NYSC. They are going in June. The lists of the mobilized students have been pasted on the notice board of the college.” The provost however disclosed that the results of 2007/2008 set of students were being processed, assuming that the set would be mobilized for NYSC in September. He enjoined the matriculating NCE students to strive towards achieving academic excellence in order for them to become fulfilled adults in future. His words: “Hard work will ensure academic excellence; academic excellence can earn you scholarship from the Federal Government, bursary award from state governments, local governments or philanthropists. You need to note that academic excellence in this sense requires that your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is not lower than 3.0. “Also, you need this level of success to be sure of a place in any university after your NCE. From what we have said so far, you will see clearly that your fate is squarely in your own hands.” The Provost reminded the matriculating students that moral rectitude and adherence to the rules and regulations of the college would make them shun bad company, cult membership, examination malpractices and riotous behaviour. He enjoined them to shun rumour mongering among the various publics of the college, cautioning that if they relied on rumour, there was every propensity for them to be misled into joining recalcitrant groups of people, who were hell-bent in causing trouble in order to cover up their inadequacies, or to achieve their selfish ends.

Mass Welfare, Difference Between Progressives, Conservatives – Olurode

Kola — Tue, 04 May 2010 07:11:55 +0000

The role of the state in a democratic dispensation has been described as the major area of conflict between the progressive camp and the conservatives. This was disclosed by the Guest Speaker, Professor Lai Olurode at a seminar organized by the Progressive Youths Movement (PYM) in conjunction with Osun State Chapter of the Action Congress (AC) last Tuesday at the party secretariat, Gbongan Road, Osogbo. According to Professor Olurode, the progressives are concerned with using the state resources to provide for the well-being of the teeming populace, but the conservatives believe that individuals should struggle to fend for themselves irrespective of the enormity of the state resources. At the seminar, which was titled; “Political Conflict Among the Progressives: Management and Resolutions,” the guest speaker stated that the main causes of conflict are different ideas and values, as well as resources allocation. He added that conflict within the progressives fold was the level of discipline of individuals, saying greed was capable of inducing people to wrong values. Providing ways on managing conflict, Olurode disclosed that party structure should be strong enough to contain the cult of personality, saying this would prevent individuals from polarizing the party structure for individual interest. He also disclosed that party constitution should be supreme and binding on every member of the party, including the party leadership. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for parties to device a means of generating revenue as a measure of checking the excesses of members who might want to use money to hijack the parties, adding that a better way of doing this was to collect subscription from members. This, according to him, will give members a sense of belonging, knowing that they are also stakeholders in the party. Warning on the continuous decimation in the progressive camp, Olurode emphasized the need for the progressives to create awareness on the consequence of not having progressive government in terms of good governance and continuous increase of poverty in the land. He also stressed the need to generate platforms for a consensus to generate formidable rescue programme that would appeal to the masses, especially at the grassroots. On the issue of electoral reform, the University of Lagos professor stated that since election is the only means of choosing representatives, the electoral process must always reflect the freewill of the people through the recognition of one-man-one-vote. Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of PYM, Mr. Folaranmi Taofeeq stated that the major concern of the group was the inability of the progressives to manage success. He disclosed that PYM organized the seminar to allow the progressives know how to manage and resolve conflicts without allowing reactionary camps infiltrate its circle. Taofeeq then added that the aim of the movement was to create an enabling environment for progressive politicians to win elections and allow youths with progressive ideals to participate in electoral process. He added that the group only intended to bring about unity in AC without witch-hunting anyone nor rival with any group. Speaking at the event, Osun State AC Chairman, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti stated that conflict management was a major concern for the party, saying it has been concentrating on how to manage its success after the verdict of the election petition retrial tribunal in the state. He lauded the group’s efforts at providing a platform for the members of the party to enhance their understanding, urging them to continue to develop positive ideas for the progress of the party. Also, the chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Muraina Iyiola expressed happiness with the group, saying their effort has shown that the progressive ideology would continue to exist after the demise of the elders. He however, discouraged the youths from getting involved in political violence but intellectual discussion for the progress of the nation. He then assured them that soon Engineer Rauf Aregbesola’s mandate would be reclaimed judicially at the tribunal.

Doctor, Boyfriend In Court Over Abortion

Kola — Mon, 10 May 2010 21:06:14 +0000

A self-acclaimed medical doctor, Julius Olufemi has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital for allegedly aborting a five-month pregnancy. Olufemi was arraigned with a 30-year-old man, Olusegun Olayiwola for conspiracy. The accused persons were alleged of aborting the five-month-old pregnancy for a 17-year-old girl, Miss Abiodun Omotosho. According to the charge sheet, the suspects committed the alleged offence on April 15, 2010 at Anu Olu Private Clinic, Osogbo. The charge sheet said the offence was contrary and punishable under section 228 of criminal law of Osun State. However, the accused persons entered a not-guilty plea to the one-count charge of abortion, praying the court to admit them to bail. Their counsel, Mrs Olutoyin Arokoyo pleaded with the court to be liberal on the bail term, maintaining that the offence was bailable. Arokoyo, who maintained the innocence of the suspects, said the family of the victim and the accused persons were about to settle the matter amicably. Police prosecutor, Inspector Isiaka Ajadi did not oppose the bail application. The presiding magistrate, Mr Adebayo Ajala grated bail to the suspects in the sum of #100,000 and one surety the case till June 18, 2010 for hearing. Investigation by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that nemesis caught up with the suspects when the parents of Omotosho sensed that behavior of their daughter. The second accused person, Olayowola who was a boyfriend to Omotosho, alleged took her to the hospital where the aborted the pregnancy. It was gathered that when the abortion went a wry, Olayiwola allegedly abandoned his girlfriend at the hospital and fled. The parents of Omotosho reported the case to the police, who apprehended the suspects. By ismail usman

Exploring The Industrial Potentialities Of The State Of The Living Spring (I)

Kola — Tue, 04 May 2010 07:44:55 +0000

“What you have is enough” is a wise Biblical injunction. In this report, SOLA OLATUNJI takes a critical look at the vast untapped resources of Osun State. He sees the underpinnings of bad, visionless governance as the albatross that has made the state a laggard among its peers and counterparts. INDUSTRIAL growth and development are great parameters with which the rate, pace and level of advancement of a society are measured. As a matter of fact, no society or nation could brag to have secured a good standard of living for its citizens without having embarked on broad-based industrialization. Economies and nations that are prided today as advanced have once crossed the hurdles of getting gradually industrialized. In some of these economies, there were some significant eras marked with either violent or peaceful renaissance, usually called Industrial Revolution. It was a period marked by landmark monumental changes in the manner and procedure in which factors of production were accumulated, employed, controlled and organized, and in which rewards accruing to these factors were apportioned. Today’s dynamic transformation in the wherewithal of production and organization and ownership of factors of production are more rapid, and the rapid rate at which a society embraces new ways of doing things would determine how fast it develops. As horizons widened, societies became globalized, and our world got gradually reduced into a global village. With the emergence of new technologies, and their attendant effects on researches, information and computer technology, communication became more effective. The whole sectors of human endeavour have thus become remarkably improved and any society that chooses to maintain a backward place in the advance march world ever have itself to blame. Today, classification of nations as underdeveloped or developed depends largely on the rate at which they progress industrially. Some Eastern countries like China and India, which are working assiduously to launch themselves forward in the comity of highly industrialized nations, are also getting themselves a niche of securing their rightful place amidst developed economies. As a Nigerian, how often do you classify handsets by their countries of manufacture? If it is believed that Chinese handsets are inferior to others manufactured in Japan for instance, then, where shall we classify Nigeria, where attempts to reach out for the stars in the sky have not started at all with the slightest leap? For technological and industrial advancement to take off in a country, all enabling environment must be put in place. Also, all hands must be on the deck to see to the sustainable accelerated progress. The life of a nation is quite easily likened to that of an individual. A maxim says that “nothing is done without great men, and great men were great because they willed it.” Appropriating this to national development requires that nations that desire to reach the peak of greatness, social, political and economic prosperity, would spare no iota of resources to carry out researches. As they do so, manpower training and development takes topmost priority, as no nation ever reaches the peak and remains there without recognizing the all-important significance of respect for the worth and dignity of the individual. More important is how effectively work is organized to reflect positive action upon the above-mentioned recognition. Nigeria as a country is richly blessed with physical, material, financial and human endowments. In terms of physical endowment, our soils are good for various kinds of crop cultivation. Livestock farming is also found possible in most parts of our land. Our climatic and vegetational conditions are simply fantastic. As seasons change, weather conditions are found favourable for different activities. If therefore things do not work as providence would intend in Nigeria, then, God or Nature is not to blame. In any part of Nigeria, we have a good and well-balanced collection of intellectuals, comprising academicians, professionals, artisans, and technocrats in every aspect of human endeavour. What remains for the nation to fully actualize its dreams of becoming a united, strong and self-reliant economy and a land of full and bright opportunities for all citizens, is to fully accentuate his plans into workable policies and harness its resources such that waste is reduced to the barest minimum. The main problem with Nigeria as a whole and every subset thereof, is that redundancy and waste of resources are colossal. With better and more focused leadership and determined followership, Nigeria could explore its industrial potentialities to the maximum, thereby becoming one of the best economies at a non-distant future time. OSUN State got her name derived from the Yoruba goddess of water, worshipped in some parts of South West Nigeria. The state was carved out of the old Oyo State on August 27, 1991. Osun State has as its totem the State of the Living Spring. It covers an area of approximately 14,875 square kilometers, lies between longitude 04 00"E and 05 05"E and latitude 05 558" and 0807" and is bounded by Kwara State in the North, Ekiti and Ondo States in the East, Oyo State in the West and Ogun State in the South. The state is peopled entirely by the Yoruba-speaking people of several sub-ethnic groups, namely the Ifes, the Ijesas, the Oyos, the Igbominas and the Ibolos. The 1991 National Population Census put the population of the state at 2.2 million. There are more than 200 towns, villages and settlements in the state. Results of the 2006 National Population Census revealed that the state’s population had increased almost by double, as the figure was put at 3,423,535. With some of the major towns including Osogbo, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Ikirun, Iwo, Ede, Ila-Orangun and Ikire, others that are fairly large are Ipetumodu, Ejigbo, Ilobu, Gbongan, Inisa, Ijebu-Ijesa, Ipetu-Ijesa, Okuku, Iree, Ifon-Osun, Iragbiji etc. The political delineation of the state goes thus: 3 senatorial Districts, 9 Federal Constituencies and 26 State Constituencies. The state has 30 Local Government Councils and one Area office that comprise more than 300 wards. Having specified the indigenous sub ethnic groups of the state so succinctly, non-indigenes from all parts of Nigeria and foreigners reside in the state, living together in harmony. Yoruba and English are languages of the people for official and business transactions. Osun State is endowed with highly literate and articulate populace, who constitute a virile and productive workforce. Traditionally, the people engage in agriculture and produce sufficient food and cash crops for domestic consumption and as inputs for agro-allied industries and for export. Reasonable segments of the populace are also traders and artisans. Other occupations of the people include hand weavings, mat making, dyeing, soap making, wood carving, among others. The people of Osun State have a rich cultural heritage which is eloquently demonstrated in all areas of their lives. Their cultural heritage finds expression in their arts, literature, music and other social activities. It is marvelous being among the people and savouring the beauty of their well acclaimed cultural inheritance. The physical environment is quite auspicious as there are roughly 8 to 9 months of rainfall annually, with dry harmattan spell of about 3 months. This annual variation in climatic elements, coupled with abundant fertile soil favour the growth of a number of food crops, including vegetables, yam, orange, banana, plantain as well as cash crops like cassava, cocoa, rice, kolanut, and palm trees etcetera. There is expanse of grassland scattered across the state which favour animal husbandry. Tourist centres abound across the state. Some of the popular ones are the Oranmiyan Staff, Ife Museum, Obafemi Awolowo University Zoological Gardens, Ile-Ase, Yeyemolu and Oduduwa shrines and grooves, all at Ile-Ife. Others include Osun Osogbo shrine which is the venue the internationally recognized Osun Osogbo festival, the Mbari-Mbayo Hitage, Idi-Baba Cultural Centre, Adunni Susan Wenger Centre and Nike Arts Gallery, all based in Osogbo. There are also the Olumirin Waterfalls at Erin-Ijesa, Igbo Sango at Ede and the Ayikunugba Waterfalls at Oke-Ila. Tourists in Osun State are guaranteed maximum hospitality as there are standard hotels in the State which cater for their basic needs. They provide suitable accommodation and reader other hotel catering services at moderate charges. Some of the standard hotels in Osogbo, the state capital area Osun Presidential Hotel, Hotel de Charity, Heritage Hotel, and Concord Hotel. Others are Capital, Terminus, Adlis and Royal Suites Hotels and Royal Springs Hotels and Holidays Inn. Outside the state capital, there are other hotels and tourism/hospitality centres. Most popular among them is Mic-Com Golf and Resort Centre, Ada, which is a centre of attraction to tourists and travellers across the country and from foreign lands. Social service and public utilities exist in Osun State, to the extent to which they are provided at the centre in Nigeria. Postal and courier services are rendered in the state by the Nigeria Postal Services Limited (NIPOST) which is a Federal Government parastatal. Other private companies operate courier services in the state. In the same vein, telephone, electronic mail, fax and internet facilities are operated within the state. With the extinction of Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) nationwide, several private telecommunications operating in the country are in Osogbo, though there is vast room for many more. These private companies are operators of the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM). Gladly, this system has penetrated a considerable part of Osun State’s nooks and crannies. But great opportunities abound for expansion in network coverage of these telephone lines.

Man In Court For Killing Father

Kola — Fri, 14 May 2010 06:24:22 +0000

Chief Magistrate Adewumi Makanjuola on Monday remanded a suspect, Sunday Bamigbade, 26, for allegedly killing his father, Mr Caleb Bamigbade. According to the charge sheet, the suspect beat the septuagenarian with Cocoa club till he died. It stated that the suspect unlawfully slain his father contrary to section 316 and punishable under section 319(i) of the state criminal code. The crime, according to the sheet, was committed on April 5, 2010 at Olomu Farm in Obokun Local Government Council Area of Osun State. His plea was not taken in the court. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Isiaka Ajadi disclosed that police had concluded investigation into the matter. In his ruling, the chief magistrate stated that the suspect be remanded in prison till his arraignment at a proper tribunal and before adjourning the case till July 1st, 2010 for mention. Similarly, a man Monsuru Olawale 25, suspected to have attempted to defile a six-year-old girl was arraigned before Magistrate Olalekan Ijiyode. According to the charge sheet, the suspect attempted to defile the under-aged contrary to section 218 of the state criminal law. It also stated that the accused person committed the alleged crime on May 2, 2010 at Isale-Osun area of the state capital. The accused person pleaded not guilty to the crime and agreed that his case be tried at the court. Defence counsel urged the court to grant bail to the accused person, saying he would provide credible surety to stand for him. The magistrate admitted him to bail and adjourned the matter till July 5, 2010 for mention. By shina abubakar

Sexagenarian In Court Over N.7m Theft

Kola — Fri, 21 May 2010 19:42:11 +0000

POLICE Authority has arraigned a 62-year old suspect, Mr. Olatunji Clement before an Osogbo Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing N680,000. According to the charge sheet, the accused person allegedly obtained the money from one Obinna Okeke. The charge sheet alleged that the accused person obtained the stated cash from the complainant under the pretence to sell a plot of land to him at Ogo-Oluwa Area of the state capital. It also disclosed that the accused person stole the stated amount of money, property of one Okeke contrary to section 388 and punishable under section 390 (9) of the state criminal law. Furthermore, the sheet showed that the accused person unlawfully obtained the stated amount of money from the complainant with intent to defraud him, an offence contrary and punishable under section 419 of the criminal code. The charge sheet further showed that the offences were committed in September 2009 at Ola-Iya junction of the state capital. The accused person agreed to summary trial and pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. Defence counsel, Taiwo Awokunle, prayed the court to grant his client bail on the most liberal terms, saying the offences levelled against him were bailable ones. He argued that since his client had pleaded not guilty, he should be considered for such until found guilty by the court, citing sections 118 and 36 (5) of Osun State law in support of his case. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Isiaka Ajadi objected to the application, saying the accused person was likely to jump bail considering the amount of money involved. In his ruling, Magistrate Kolawole Ajala upheld the argument of the defence counsel and admitted the accused person to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum. He added that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means and must be residents within the court’s jurisdiction. He then adjourned the case till June 4th, 2010 for mention. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

Retributive Justice

Kola — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 08:34:51 +0000

If it is true That the world talks too much; then lets all keep quiet and hear the eloquence of silence If it is true That the world sees too much; then let’s close our eyes and see the inner vision Beneath the closed eyes If it is true That the world hears too much; Then lets wax our ears and listen to the chastity of the inner music that defies betrayal by the wayward wind If it is true That the world moves too much; then lets stand statue still and imitate the stubborn will of trees that moves without being peripatetic For the dumb don’t tell lies For the blind can’t be peeping tom For the deaf cannot eavesdrop For the crippled can’t trespass” As if the poet, Richard Ntiru is still living with us in this part of the world, his poem titled: IF IT IS TRUE related above is very instructive, apt and applicable to the recent happenings around us. Just penultimate Friday, the retrial election petition tribunal which sat in Osogbo, Osun State capital fraudulently gave its judgment to the incumbent after much pressure behind the curtain, but the blind could see that justice is still elusive in all intents and purposes. When I had the opportunity to see the copy of the judgment, I began to ask myself about the meaning of life and the purpose of man in it and I must tell you, I could not find one that led me to my books for search; luckily for me I laid my hands on one titled: MANKIND’S SEARCH FOR GOD, but most of the philosophers who spoke in the book could not provide me answers. I almost resign to fate when I listened to Leigh Danton in his novel: YESTERDAY’S SPY which says: “It is late. It is rather too late. If we want to do a total job for this society, we are already too late.” But, Rochefocauld called me back with his submission: “Nothing is impossible; but there are ways that lead to everything. If we have sufficient will, we will have sufficient means. It is an excuse that we say things are not impossible.” Weeks ago, former Osun State Commissioner of Police, John Moronike met his waterloo from the authority of the Police Force in the country and as at the time of writing this piece, the former number one police man in Osun State had been disciplined for gross misconduct alongside with his other partners in crime. That compelled me to reflect on the recent past of this man, a situation that offers me the lesson of retributive justice. Remember the book of Abu Rasheen’s The Grail message titled: IN THE LIGHT OF TRUTH. The book treated retributive justice as law of sow and reap. He said, man shall reap where he sows and what he sows, but shall also reap in quantum. No sooner the police commissioner left Osun State than he began to reap the seeds of discord and absurd he sowed in this part of the country. Why am I so concerned about the self-inflicted plight of this man? Two reasons could be given: one, I had the opportunity of meeting this handsome ex-senior police officer in his office as Osun State Police Commissioner and we were able to discuss his family problem which might be another consuming factor. So, one way or the other, the man got acquainted with me and we had a pleasant rapport before he left the state, but very unfortunate for him; those who brought him into the loop of compromise and conspiracy theory in Osun State politics could not save him when he needed them most and that is life we are talking about. When Moronike, who hails from Kwara State was in Osun state, he carried out his duty with overzealousness with a view to pleasing his paymaster there. He was a complete story of stooge to the governor, despite the fact that he took orders from the Inspector- General of Police. No wonder, he was caught slapping the members of human rights groups who were having a peaceful procession within the State High Court premises, Osogbo, when the groups were demonstrating against the compromise of the first election petition tribunal headed by Justice Thomas Naron. He had forgotten his primary assignment in the state that he was saddled with the responsibility of protecting the government and the governed without fear or favour. Rather, he chose to be an errand boy of the power that be to the extent that he represented the governor on so many functions, a situation that forced the opposition to see the police force in the state as an extension of the Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola government. On the day his deployment to the force headquarters was announced, people nearly danced on the streets and I knew the number of people who saw him off with curses. In the law of sowing and reaping; Moronike persecuted the innocent and armless whilst in Osun and the reward came in manifolds: he lost his prized job, he lost his coveted position, he lost his toil and spoil of office in the process. The sage says: “Eni to ba laya ko si ka; eni to ba laya ko so otito; eni to gbo iku Gaa yoo pariwo” meaning: let those who are brave continue with their atrocities; let the brave ones summon modicum of courage to tell the truth; whoever hears about the unpleasant death of Gaa, the Prime Minister of old Oyo Empire, would surely lament. In contrast, another man in person of CP Solomon Olusegun who is now occupying the coveted office of Moronike in Osun State is a man blessed with wisdom. Just like Moronike of the old days, I have had the opportunity to listen to him and I could see a police chief who will at the end of his career retire and live in peace thereafter. The way and manner he handled the security formation at the tribunal showed that there are still good men in uniform. Osun State is noted for one thing, the people in power know how to bribe angels to turn against God if there is any chance for it. If a good man could not decipher the terrain and he chooses to love money above integrity, the evil people in power would assist the destruction of that fellow. Moronike came and he chose to start working on a clean slate, but today, he might have lost favour and friendship with the people he sacrificed long years of service for on the altar of conspiracy now. Let it be known that Moronike still has the chance to reflect on his misdeeds and retrace his foot-steps, but where will the late Chief Judge of the state, Justice Fasasi Ogunsola get such an opportunity? The answer lies with the religionists who had studied the teachings of the celestial realm. Our people have frightened the daylight out of us that we should not speak ill of the dead, attributing it to the belief that we will all answer the call of nature one day. True, we must answer the call of nature, but history will have its record. I could not claim to have spoken with the late Chief Judge whilst he lived, but I knew that he could not be separated from the conspiracy theory in Osun State . Take a look at the way he parried the fundamental question on what to do about the 2007 local government election in the state, knowing full well that the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) under retired Justice Adedotun Sijuwade was not right to have shut the opposition parties out; nevertheless, he gave the judgment at eleventh hour in favour of the ruling party; making it possible for a one way election and the judgment had long been reversed by the Court of Appeal. If truly, judges are representatives of God on earth, Ogunsola might have scores to settle before his God. Unfortunately, he had no chance to make it right before he breathed his last. What I am driving at is that the wrath of God is descending slowly against the conspirators of the masses and more casualties would be recorded in a record time and according to Alan Parton: “The men that are doing the work cannot be perpetually kept down”.

Industrialist, Osun NUJ Chair Advocate Credible Leadership

Kola — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:17:38 +0000

A renowned industrialist, Chief John Agboola Odeyemi, has tasked the electorate to insist on credible leaders in Nigeria come 2011. Speaking at the 19th Anniversary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council on Monday at the Press Centre, Osogbo, the Ile-Ife-born industrialist said it was high time the country elected credible leaders to manage its affairs. “We need leaders to manage this country, leaders who have the mind of service, who must go out to serve, not leaders who will steal public funds,” said Odeyemi. Acknowledging the role of the media in the place of opposition to bad governance, Odeyemi lauded journalists for exposing corrupt politicians and bad governance. He said in another clime, opposition ought to be putting the ruling class on its toes, noting that there was feeble opposition to check the ruling class in the country now. “If not for the media, there would be no opposition in the country to check the excesses of the ruling class. So, those who are advocating multi-parties have failed to have lived up to the role of the opposition and it is the press that is performing the role now. “We want elected officials who can develop our infrastructure, who have the vision to drive our state to greater heights and I appeal to journalists to do more,” Odeyemi reiterated. In his speech, the State Chairman of the NUJ, Alhaji Ismail Ayodele demanded credible elections in 2011 general polls. Ayodele reiterated that the new leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should strive to conduct elections that would bring integrity into governance. “It is the desire of the NUJ to see the new INEC leadership conducting credible polls in 2011, because that is the only way integrity could be brought to governance,” stressed the NUJ chairman. By GOKE BUTIKA

Monarch, Others In Court Over Stealing

Kola — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:33:42 +0000

A royal father, Azeez Olanrewaju, was on Monday arraigned with other suspects before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court over alleged theft of palm fruits and pineapple valued at N300,000. The suspects, Azeez Olanrewaju, Amodu Adewusi, Sarafa Olanrewaju, Ilutoye Olayode, Kehinde Olayode and Kehinde Ajiboye were also alleged of forcefully entering into a parcel of land belonging to one Adeyemi Oyedemi, contrary to and punishable under section 81 of the state criminal law. According to the charge sheet read in the court, the suspects perpetrated the offence on August 4, 2008 at about 10:00am at Igbon, via Ejigbo in Ejigbo Local Government Council Area of the state. The accused persons who were represented by a defence counsel, Mr. W.O. Wemimo pleaded not guilty to the two-count charges of the preferred against them. In his application for bail, Wemimo prayed the court to grant the accused persons bail in the most liberal terms. He stated that the offence the accused persons were arraigned for were bailable. He added that the suspects were ready to provide substantial sureties to stand for them throughout the trial. Wemimo then promised the court that the accused persons would not jump bail if granted. Police prosecutor, Mr John Idoko did not object the bail application, In his ruling, the presiding magistrate, Mr Olalekan Ijiyode admitted each of the accused persons to bail in the sum of N100,000 and two sureties, who must swear to an affidavit of means. Ijiyode added that one of the sureties must be a civil servant not below grade level 6 and the other surety must be a blood relation to the accused person. All their address (es) should be verified. He then adjourned the matter till September 9, 2010 for hearing. By KEHINDE ADEAGBO

Aregbesola Mourns Ataoja

Kola — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:34:35 +0000

ACTION Congress governorship candidate in the April 14, 2007 election in Osun State, Engr Rauf Aregbesola, has described the death of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi as a ‘huge gap’ in the cultural evolution of the Yoruba race. This was contained in a statement signed by the AC torch bearer, which was made available to OSUN DEFENDER few days ago. He stated that the monarch, apart from being a peace lover, was committed to the preservation of cultural heritage in the country. Aregbesola disclosed that the monarch’s dogged commitment to the promotion of culture was evident in the promotion of Osun Groove as an international cultural centre. Beside his commitment to cultural and traditional promotion, the politician added that the late monarch ensured the peaceful co-existence of various religious group in the state capital. The statement reads: “His effort contributed in no small measure to the elevation of the annual Osun Osogbo festival to a UNESCO- recognized cultural event. It is also remarkable that Osogbo, his domain, was peaceful and prosperous through his sheer commitment to the development of man and his environment”. He, however, stated that the news of his demise was received with shock and disbelief, saying it came at a time when his services were required for the development of the state. Aregbesola stated further that the late monarch worked tirelessly for the development of Osogbo. The statement added that the Ijesa-born politician prayed for the repose of the monarchh’s soul and provide the town a successor, who will take the people to the next level. He also commiserated with the Matanmi Royal Family and the entire people of the town, praying that God would grant them the fortitude to bear the irrepairable loss. By SHINA ABUBAKAR

PDP Suspends Ife-North LG Vice Chair

Kola — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:41:30 +0000

THE tussle between the Chairman of Ife-North Local Government Council Area of Osun State, Mr. Caleb Akinola and his deputy, Mr. Kunle Bello, has reached a climax, resulting in the Peoples Democratic Party executive in the state slamming a suspension order on the latter. OSUN DEFENDER investigation in Ife- North revealed that right from the inception of Akinola’s administration, the relationship between him and his deputy had not been cordial. The investigation revealed that their enmity started right from their primary elections, whereby the two candidates were presented by leading monarchs in the council area before the chairmanship seat was conceded to the incumbent chairman. The illiterate posture of the chairman of the council, who was reported to be a primary six certificate holder, was one of the reasons, which made his deputy, Kunle Bello to object to Akinola’s stance of being the boss of the local government council, a stance that was also supported by majority of the members of the PDP in the council area. The source continued, that some politicians of PDP extraction had cashed-in on the deficiencies of the chairman to loot the council’s treasury which had led to the invitation of the council boss by the EFCC and ICPC, while accusing fingers had been pointed at the vice chairman of the local government council as the brain behind the EFCC’s invitation of the council boss. In view of this development, it was revealed that an assassination attempt had been made on the life of the vice chairman before the matter was resolved at the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife sometime ago. It was gathered recently that the impasse between the council boss and his deputy had snowballed into physical attempts on each other’s life, resulting in the duo confronting each other with guns, while traditional rulers in the council area had admonished the leadership of the party in the state to wade into the crisis. OSUN DEFENDER investigation revealed that an undisclosed amount of money reportedly led to the crisis between the duo, as the refusal of the council’s vice-chairman to let the matter rest, as the party executive in the state had directed, led to his suspension from the party. The letter of suspension served on Bello from the party, according to the medium’s investigation, was signed by the state Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Rasaq Ademola. All efforts to speak with the suspended council’s vice-chairman proved abortive, while the council boss, denied that there was any rift between him and his deputy. The chairman also declared that he was not aware of the suspension of his deputy. By SOLA JACOBS

Ewi Humiliated Over Partisanship At Fayemi’s Swearing-in

Kola — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:05:56 +0000

All roads led to Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State on Saturday as thousands of people trooped out en-masse to witness the swearing-in of Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olayinka as the Executive Governor and Deputy Governor of the State. The Pastor Adeboye Prayer Ground at Iworoko Road, Ado-Ekiti where the ceremony was held, turned to a cinema centre as both old and young to catch a glimpse of Fayemi, Olayinka and prominent politicians, who graced the ceremony. Hardly could one see the ground while standing at the programme venue as a result of the overwhelming crowd. It was jubilations galore in the state capital as commercial motorcyclists, popularly called ‘Okada riders’ rode acrobatically to show how happy they were on the declaration of Fayemi as the governor of the state after three years of struggle and litigation to reclaim the mandate freely given to him by the people of the state. While political leaders and eminent people that graced the occasion were welcomed whole-heartedly to the programme by the people of the state, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufu Adejugbe Aladesanmi III was molested by the momentum crowd at the venue by some angry youths who were protesting the partisan, unroyal and unfathering roles of the monarch during the dark days in Ekiti State. The arrival of the traditional ruler provoked the Ekiti people, who diverted their attention to the monarch and held him hostage for over thirty minutes in his vehicle. Shouting “thief; thief; thief” on the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, the aggrieved people warned the monarch not to step down from his car or else they would descend on him mercilessly. The protesters accused the monarch of unroyal roles and dealings during the struggle to reclaim Fayemi’s mandate, adding that he colluded with the ousted governor, Mr. Segun Oni, to oppress the people of the state. According to the people, the traditional ruler, who was described as a gluttonous leader, was an instrument used by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to manipulate elections and other satanic jobs. All efforts to appease the irate crowd proved abortive as they all stood their grounds on beating up the monarch should he step down from his car, even as the officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corpse (NSCDC) guided the Ewi’s car from being smashed. However, the traditional ruler alighted from his car after over thirty minutes amidst tight security and vigilance. The arrival of former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Niyi Adebayo, dispersed the aggrieved people, who embraced the presence of the former governor at the occasion. Amidst momentum crowd came another former governor of the state, Chief Ayo Fayose popularly called ‘Ishoko’ by his supporters. The arrival of Fayose at the event added more to the crowd as he entered the venue of the ceremony on foot with hundreds of his supporters. The tune of the event changed with the governors from Lagos, Edo and Ondo states, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, former Governor of Lagos State, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Presidential aspirant of the ACN, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu at the occasion. The people ecstatic were not deterred with security officers’ harassment, just has they overpowered the men of the State Security Service (SSS), policemen and other security men and pulled down the stage-fence used to barricade the surroundings of the stage to gain entry into the premises of the stage. There was congestion at the entrance gate of the stage as there were too much prominent people struggling to enter with their aides. The crowd scampered to see Governor Fayemi and his Deputy, Olayinka, on the podium when they were about to take their oaths of office, just as they kept on shouting “Fayemi, Fayemi, Fayemi”….. The governor took the Oath of office in company of his wife and children, while his deputy took the oath in company of her husband, Architect Lanre Olayinka. Photo-journalists also slugged it out with one another to get their various shots of the governor, his deputy and other prominent politicians that graced the event. Political leaders at the occasion included the National Chairman of the ACN, Chief Bisi Akande, the leader of the socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Fasanmi; governorship candidate of the ACN in Osun State, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, former Governors of Oyo, Ondo, Anambra and Ogun states, Chief Lam Adesina; Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua; Dr. Chris Ndige and Chief Segun Osoba. Others included human rights activist and lawyer, Comrade Femi Falana; the National President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Mr. Olasupo Ojo; Senator Ibikunle Amosun from Ogun State and Senator Abiola Ajomobi from Oyo State, Opeyemi Bamidele among others. The popular Fuji musician, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde entertained the audience with his music at the event By ismail usman

Ex-Osun SSG Escapes Death

Kola — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 14:58:42 +0000

A chieftain of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government Council Area of Osun State, Chief Sola Akinwumi, cheated death by the whiskers when his country home at Ilobu was invaded by some hoodlums on Monday. Akinwumi, who was former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under the administration of ex-Governor Bisi akande narrated his ordeal to OSUN DEFENDER at Ilobu on Tuesday, saying four armed young men carried out the dastardly act when he was attending to some visitors in his sitting room around 11.00am. He said the four thugs who strayed into his sitting room were armed with cutlasses, Dorman sawing machine, stones and juju, stood few metres away from him, saying that they were sent to eliminate him. Akinwumi’s words: “Unknown to the invading thugs that I was armed; I pulled out my gun with a stern instruction that if they advanced further, I would open fire on them. They then beat a retreat. It was at this point that they ran out of my house. “Few minutes later, the hoodlums regrouped again and destroyed my house. You can see the main gate of my house with different sizes of machete cuts. I deliberately left it in order not to jeopardise security investigation of the incident. “I don’t know why some people are not comfortable with any existence. If I was not armed, I cannot say what would have happened to me. Perhaps, you would have visited me in the hospital. No, God forbids bad thing. “It was because I saw how our political role model, the late Chief Bola Ige was killed cheaply in Ibadan, Oyo State some few years back that informed my decision not to give in easily and cheaply to the invading urchins. The development is strange because such had never happened in Irepodun Local Government Council Area.” The ex-SSG said he would have settled the score permanently with the invading youths, but for his social and political standing in the community, adding that the thugs were mere emissaries of their sponsor because they told me that they were instructed by their sponsor to give me ‘Chief Bola Ige’s treatment’. During the period OSUN DEFENDER was at the scene of the incident, there was a flurry of sympathisers from the community who were raining curses on who might be responsible for the anti-social way of settling scores. Akinwumi said he had incidented the incident at the police station at Ilobu and that some police officers had come for on-the-spot assessment of his destroyed property. It would be recalled that the late Chief Bola Ige, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, was killed in a similar manner in his Ibadan home in Oyo State, some years ago; those responsible for the murder are yet to be apprehended.

Osun Governor thanks the press, says no death was recorded at inauguration

Kola — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 23:02:32 +0000

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, has expressed immense gratitude to the press for their full coverage of his inauguration in Osogbo, the state capital, last Saturday just as he corrected media reports that no death was recorded. He also expressed joy and deep appreciation to the people of Osun State who trooped out in countless numbers to grace the occasion where he took the Oath of Office as the Elected Governor in Osogbo, the state capital. Governor Aregbesola was happy that despite the huge and unimaginable crowd of people who graced the occasion, no death was recorded. The huge, unprecedented attendance at the ceremony was a further confirmation of the popular mandate conferred on Aregbesola by the electorate of Osun State on April 14, 2007. As we settle down to the herculean task of revamping, reconstruction and re-engineering of Osun State, Governor Aregbesola has called for understanding and unflinching support from all people so that together, we shall achieve our target of a balanced and well-developed state. We are happy that in spite of the unprecedented crowd that attended the ceremony, no death was recorded. Though the platform on which the Fuji Maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1) was entertaining the crowd collapsed due to over-population, only a few people sustained various degrees of injuries. We like to state that in anticipation of eventualities, a full complement of medical corps led by Dr. S. B. Adejare from Lagos and the Chairman of the Committee on Ethics and Practice of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the former Chairman of the body in Osun State, Dr. Niyi Oginni, were on the ground to care for immediate health care needs of anyone who needed attention. Under this proactive plan, six full-fledged mobile clinics were on the ground before the commencement of the ceremony. Available records showed that six people suffered Exhaustion (hypoglycaemia) were treated by the medical team. 20 others who suffered laceration were treated and allowed to go while 12 people who had bruises were also attended to. A total of 16 people were treated of sprains just as 30 people approached the medical team to complain of body pain and headaches. As opposed to the claims of death, we want to state that two members of Wasiu Ayinde Marshall who were perching under the platform when it collapsed sustained critical injuries. The two persons are Sule Raji and Solomon Ajayi who sustained spinal cord injury and fracture respectively. When their conditions were assessed to be critical, the two injured persons were immediately flown to Lagos in an helicopter. Sule Raji is now responding well to treatment at the Lagos University Hospital (LUTH) while Solomon Ajayi is currently receiving treatment at the Orthopedics Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos. The Chief Consultant of the Osun State Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, Dr. Gbenga Adepoju, confirmed that no death was recorded nor reported at the ceremony. We call for greater understanding and continued co-operation with members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm whose support for us while we were seeking redress at the temple of Justice. Gbenga Fayemiwo Head, Media & Publicity

ACPP Condemns Mark-Omisore Plot To Impeach Aregbesola

Kola — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:20:53 +0000

The Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) has condemned the alleged attempt to instigate the impeachment of the Osun state governor, Engr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola by some self serving individuals who mistakenly found their ways in to the country’s political democratic space as leaders. In a statement issued by the Chairman and Secretary respectively, Alhaji Waheed Lawal and Comrade Rufus Oyatoro stated that it is rather sad that those who emerged great losers in the recent judicial earthquake that shoved the illegal and illegitimate Oyinlola led PDP government out are planning so early to use the impeachment on the Governor Aregbesola who was yet to spent a month in office after his victory. They declared that the alleged step amounts to treason as such is capable of disrupting the democratic growth and the emerging courageous judiciary, thus urge the president to direct the security agencies to thoroughly investigate it and recommend the culprits, if found culpable, for required punishment. According to Lawal and Oyatoro, it is rather offensive to God, general human reasoning and the integrity of the people of Osun state that some people are already thinking of impeaching a governor whose only action yet was taking briefings on the status of things inside of government. Lawal and Oyatoro said it is certain that the architects of this unholy contrivance intends to manipulate the system, through blackmail and or financial inducements of the state legislature and follow it up with “do-or-die politics” that has come to be the basis of existence and sustenance of the evil behemoth called the PDP. The Chairman and Secretary noted that it was not surprising that the trio of Iyiola Omisore, David Mark and Namadi Sambo are the ones said to be behind the treacherous plot as they purely anti people and anti democracy in all of their past and are always interested in their selfish interests alone. They said they could not blame the devilish trio for contriving the evil plan against democratically elected government because they have never believed in genuine democratic governance and had been beneficiaries of the electoral heists that had been foisted on the country since 2003 by the PDP godfather and initiator of “do-or-die politics”. “None of them had won any free and fair election before. Omisore had managed to ride on the name of Afenifere to be Deputy Governor, David Mark and Namadi Sambo had enjoyed the manipulative electoral culture of PDP to be elected. Nigerians are witnesses to the judicial manipulations which had benefited Iyiola Omisore in the case of Uncle Bola Ige’s murder, David Mark’s appeal tribunal which confirmed him Senator even when he lost seven out of nine local governments that constitute his Senatorial district while Namadi Sambo was fingered in the Ekiti tribunal debacle that wrongly awarded victory to illegitimate Oni administration.” “It is obvious that these anti democratic selfish individuals who information said tried everything to compromise the appeal tribunal got disappointed that they decided to be courageously upright and declare the genuine winner of April 14, 2007 election in Osun state which left in comatose for one month and in deep desperation, thus thought of the extreme solution impeachment proposal.” “These democratically outlawed individuals should be called to order by the President, Goodluck Jonathan whom we observe is interested in entrenching acceptable democratic practices in Nigeria and deserves the support of all men of goodwill to succeed. Charlatans such as David Mark who once said Nigerians are too poor to use telephone, Iyiola Omisore who was alleged to be perfidious to his boss as deputy governor and Namadi Sambo who was equally alleged to be treacherous to his predecessor are unfit for Nigeria’s nascent democracy and ACPP wants everything done to get rid of them.” The ACPP leaders also called on the members of the Osun State House of Assembly who are representative of the people and had been said to the instrument to be used for the evil plot, to be wary of these democratic quacks and extremely selfish human beings with huge empty ego, and reject their evil wish and contrivance which is capable of destabilizing Osun state and possibly Nigeria. Lawal and Oyatoro noted that the recent uncovering of the evil plot by the desperate trio give credence to the contention that the initial spate of series of petty crimes unprovoked attacks and some serial robberies that occurred immediately after the inauguration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola were the handiwork of the evil men in PDP and may have had the evil trio as the backbone as sponsors since they have the means to promote emergency rule which would have been the result of the security lapse and the crisis that could follow. They stressed that the people of Osun state, despite the deliberately planned armed robberies and unprovoked attacks surreptitiously carried out on the people and some PDP stalwarts by PDP thugs in the name of revenge by ACN party members, have found peace since the inauguration of Gov Rauf Aregbesola about a month ago and would not want to be returned to the dark days of Oyinlola led PDP government when people were sent to jail for pasting posters and for protesting against allegation of corruption pasted on the clearly compromised Naron tribunal. Lawal and Oyatoro said they were sure that the trio and the canon-fodders they intend to use for the ungodly job should think twice as the people of Osun state, who patiently but resolutely waited for three and a half years will not watch and allow some power mongers who have nothing to offer them to be killjoys to their newly rescued hope of good governance. ALHAJI WAHEED LAWAL, COMRADE RUFUS OYATORO, CHAIRMAN. SECRETARY.

Aregbesola defies Senate president

Kola — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:30:41 +0000

The disagreement between the governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, and the Senate president, David Mark, deepened on Wednesday with Mr. Aregbesola describing Mr. Mark as "a loud noise maker". Reacting to statements credited to the senator, where he demanded an apology from Mr. Aregbesola and advised him to "behave like a governor and not like an area boy", the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader in Osun State disclosed that he is out to make history in the country. "It is not my business joining issues with them for I have told Nigerians what I’ve found out about them; let him deny or affirm what I have said. Name calling is unbecoming of any statesman. All I know is that I am making history. He is making a loud noise," said Mr. Aregbesola during a brief interview with reporters at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos. No apology President of the Senate, Mr. Mark, through his chief press secretary, Paul Mumeh, on Tuesday requested for an apology from the Osun State governor over allegations of plans to destabilise the state. Media reports had quoted Mr. Aregbesola as saying that prominent Nigerians including the country’s vice president, Nemadi Sambo, and the president of the Senate, David Mark, were involved in a scheme to raise funds of up to N1 billion aimed at destabilising his new administration. The Osun State governor further argued that in due course, the Nigerian public will decide who among the warring factions is a man of honest report. "My response again is this; we will be making history while they will be making the noise, and it is left to you gentlemen of the press to decide who is the man of honour and integrity and who is not decent, honourable, and a man of civil disposition," he said. Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, the 2007 governorship candidate on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, was last month proclaimed winner of the Osun State elections, putting an end to the seven-year government of the former governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Fashola Carpets INEC

Editors Online — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 22:18:23 +0000

Fashola Carpets INEC Leadership Ime Akpan, Lagos Saturday, 22 January 2011 02:10 The Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, has said he is unimpresed by INEC because of complaints about the commission. He challenged the commission, to ensure that the entire state is covered in the ongoing voter registration which enters its second week today. Governor Fashola, who spoke yesterday at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, said he had received complaints that there were no Direct Data Capture, DDC, machines in some densely-populated areas like Mushin, Alimosho, Ikorodu, Ayobo and Ajegunle, among others. He also said that many of the new estates in Ojokoro, Ifako Ijaye, Ibeju-Lekki, were not covered in the exercise. “INEC has to do more to impress me and this is based on the daily complaints that we are getting. Particularly, many of the new estates that are springing up are not even identified to create polling units there. So, one queries the kind of data and distribution of polling centres. Is it being suggested that no new settlement has been created in Lagos in the last four years? That cannot be the case. We have built several hundreds of housing units and people have moved in and construction work is going on. So you can’t leave those people behind; we are collating and tabulating the complaints,” he stated. He added that the DDC machines had broken down in some places thus making it difficult for a large number of people to be registered. “In some places like Coker Aguda, eight machines broke down; they have taken them away and they haven’t brought them back; In wards D and E in Badagry, they are having problems with 11 machines. The problem cuts across; if we really want a free and fair election, we can’t disenfranchise people,” said Fashola. Besides, the governor said there was also the problem of people not getting the right document after registration. “In some places, some of the reports we have got is that some people are being issued with duplicate copies of the print out. What is happening to the original? These are issues that INEC must also speak on, so that there are consistent policies and the citizens are aware. If citizens have information, they will be emboldened to participate in the process and ask legitimate questions and also insist on their rights. If they are entitled to have the original copies at all cost, then they will demand and take it and will not settle for a duplicate,” he stressed.

Atiku is a businessman with a mind in politics, says Bisi Akande

Editors Online — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:30:13 +0000

By Bamigbola Michael 234Next

The national chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Adebisi Akande, speaks on the party’s controversial consensus method of picking its candidates, its chances on the national level and the choice of Nuhu Ribadu as its presidential candidate. The choice of Nuhu Ribadu as the consensus presidential candidate of the party In August last year, our party decided to migrate from using the old hands and resolved to make use of the youth. That was why we encouraged the youth to pick our forms for elections. We felt that the youth of this country have been denied the opportunity to be in the forefront in the political life. So we wanted them to be able to come forward and showcase their stuff. So our party is determined to create opportunity for the youth to partake in elections and governance. As a result of this, we allocate enough space for the youth in our party. It is our desire to see the youth operating while we are still alive and we are trying to accomplice that. Therefore, because Ribadu falls within that bracket, he was able to get our ticket for the presidential election. I need to tell you that among the three persons that were presidential aspirants on the platform of ACN, there was unanimous decision that Ribadu should be the candidate. We thought there was going to be an election by the delegates to elect one of the aspirants, but when the three of them spoke, they came up with a decision that Ribadu should be the candidate. So, none of the remaining two, Bafarawa and Malami is aggrieved over Ribadu’s emergence. The chances of an opposition party defeating the PDP at the national level Honestly, we are very optimistic that we can win the presidential election in the forthcoming April poll. When we felt that our party may not be able to do it alone, we are trying to form alliance with other parties of like minds. We are discussing with CPC and ANPP and we hope that with such people in those parties, can easily strengthen the opposition and defeat the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party. The discussion is really progressing and I want Nigerians to be very assured that we are going to chase the PDP out of the presidential villa in Abuja this year. Conduct of the general election Considering the leadership of the INEC, I think one can say the election will be free and fair but we are not sure of the role that the police will play yet. The inspector general of police needs to come out with his agenda and convince Nigerians on his own commitment to ensure free and fair election. Protests within ACN over imposition of candidates We are in a democracy. So, what do you mean by imposition? It is the same democracy that is being practiced in England and Canada as well as India. The style they are using there is the style ACN is using here. It is only in America that they use primary election in choosing candidates. You cannot tell me that the American democracy is superior to that of the British. Such style practiced in America has the tendency of splitting the party into pieces. The British democracy is the oldest in the world and you cannot see political parties there conducting primary elections before choosing their candidates. They do it by picking competent hands that are trustworthy in the judgment of the party. So, we believe that election under a democratic setting is when we are contesting with other political party during polls. If election within our party is what you are trying to describe as internal democracy, then we reject such ideas. Nobody should accuse ACN of imposition because that is our style. Anyone that is not comfortable with that should go and contest in another political party. So if you see anyone carrying placard around, he is wasting his time. We know the efforts we made before the party became what it is today and where were they when we were making the efforts. It is when they saw that the party was popular that they were attracted to it and we don’t expect them to come and hijack the party because of their dirty money. We don’t allow anyone to hijack our party and that is why we take the decisions in the interest of the party. Possible return of Atiku to the ACN camp Atiku is a businessman with a mind in politics. He thinks politics could be played the way business can be managed. If he is not careful, he will soon become a rolling stone that gathers no moss. The earlier he realizes this, the better for him. However, if he wants to come back to ACN, he is welcome. If Atiku comes back to our party, we will remind him, had you know, you would not have gone back to PDP again. So, anybody can join our party from their wards in their local governments and no one can prevent them. His long romance with politics I will die in politics. It is not possible for me to quit. Even when I become older that I cannot move around again, my soul will keep playing politics. Don’t forget that politics is ordained by God and it is through politics that you will be able to help other people in the society to be better. When you are in politics, you are an apostle of a kind. Oh! I love politics very much. I’m not going to quit. Salary of lawmakers and political office holders The nation’s constitution does not allow legislators to regulate their earnings and emoluments, but it is a lawless act coming from sheer impunity which is the major characteristic of the PDP government. As far as I’m concerned, it is looting. My party does not support such a thing. Instead of benefiting the generality of people of this country, they are busy enriching themselves with public fund. That is what we call self aggrandizement and it is naked stealing which is not acceptable to our own political party. That is the reason why our party is striving to make sure that those who will serve the public through our platform must listen to the party leadership. We are trying to make sure that those elected on our party’s platform don’t misbehave or steal. We are making them to realize that the party is superior, irrespective of the power that their offices give that after the elections. So, they must listen to the party. That is why you see governance in Lagos and Edo, because we don’t allow the governor to put themselves above the people. Monitoring ACN lawmakers in the national assembly It will be a little bit difficult. We cannot give such instruction because it will provoke crises within our party. Our representatives in the National Assembly know our attitude on this matter and they know that we are not comfortable as far as the issue of jumbo pay is concerned, but our lawmakers are helpless. They are human beings and it may be difficult for them not to take the money when their colleagues from other political parties are collecting theirs. We can stop that aberration when our party takes over the presidency through the next election. The emolument for members of the national assembly would be fixed by using what the labour wage and in consideration of the revenue that is generated by the country. PDP unhappiness with ACN of Osun I don’t think the judiciary did anything wrong by taking away the stolen mandate from the election riggers and return it to the rightful owner, Aregbesola. When the same judiciary gave it to PDP in Ogun and Oyo state, Omisore did not complain. However, I don’t blame him. The young man is frustrated. As you can see, he was very ambitious and his ambition just crashed. So, he is overwhelmed by the development and he was saying rubbish because he was confused. Choosing between Obasanjo and Tinubu Obasanjo is confused, while Tinubu is a focused party manager. Tinubu has some people he listens to while Obasanjo has nobody to fear.

CPC/ACN Alliance: The Last straw to break PDP’s back?

Editors Online — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 23:23:16 +0000

CPC/ACN Alliance: The Last straw to break PDP’s back?

By: Maikudi Abubakar Zukogi

At the close of count and the declaration of the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan as the flag bearer of the PDP in the April polls last Thursday January 13, 2011, it became clear to the opposition political parties that they will need to brace up for a gargantuan fight. The scenario is clear and not any different from 2003 when Atiku, the man who challenged Jonathan to a distant second position, shouted himself hoarse all over the country to install his former boss Obasanjo for a second time in power. PDP, it would be recalled, through the voice of Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, its deposed former chairman, vowed to rule the country for the next sixty years. Also, as in 2003, Chief Tony Anenih, former chairman of BOT of PDP sounded a similar warning recently in Asaba that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2011. He followed this statement with an even more stringent warning to the southern delegates never to vote for any candidate beside their own, President Goodluck Jonathan. Therefore, if the ruling party detest internal democracy to create space for other contestants within its fold, how do we trust, in spite of the rhetoric, that it will allow for a level playing field and deliver a free and credible election in April, 2011? With this haunting reality steering the opposition political parties in the face, it is certain that the road is already laced with mines, and the only way out is for the parties to look inwards and bend backwards to come up with an acceptable and formidable alliance to wrestle power from PDP. It is with this in mind that I see great prospect for achieving this seemingly impossible task in the proposed CPC/ACN alliance. Although not holding power in any state and barely one year old, CPC has created positive impact and sympathy in the minds of multitude of Nigerians, especially across the stretch of the north and beyond. The ANPP under whose flag General Muhammadu Buhari contested the 2003 and 2007 massively rigged presidential elections no longer seemed a trusted platform to carry on the struggle of delivering the Nigerian people from the suffocating shackles of PDP, having immersed itself into the PDP government in the bare deceit called government of national unity. Therefore, it is not unexpected that as soon as Buhari left the party, his sympathisers and supporters left with him to pitch their tents with CPC. Indeed, it is as a result of the party’s association with General Muhammadu Buhari, who has been given a unanimous nod to fly the party’s flag in the presidential election that CPC has incredibly prospered in so short a time. Buhari’s support has remain phenomenal and is well received everywhere across the country especially among the mass of Nigerian people who have been deprived, pauperized and completely denied the means of decent living as a result of twelve years of PDP misrule. Buhari, for the truly deprived masses of Nigeria, has come to represent the symbol of hope and a beacon of honesty, integrity, transparency, accountability, equality and social justice; virtues which are absent in the polity today. By every standard of measurement, Buhari has had a fair share of opportunity in life, beginning with military command postings, through to his appointment as governor, minister, and finally as Head of State. In all these, he has distinguished himself as a selfless, hardworking, principled and incorruptible leader. His most recent land mark achievement remains the PTF, which story and contribution is still being felt till today. It is thus not surprising that in politically active states of the north such as Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Bauchi, Niger and Nassarawa, CPC has become a household name and its support is increasing by the day. The other party which is equally receiving large following as CPC is ACN. By the last count, the party now has four states-Lagos, Edo, Ekiti and Osun- under its control, no thanks to the political acumen and sagacity of one of its founding father, Chief Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos state. Tinubu has proved himself over time as a consistent and principled politician whose contribution to the improvement of the human and critical infrastructures of Lagos is a point of reference. He fought epic battles with President Obasanjo as an active opposition state governor over several issues including the withheld Lagos local government funds. His many recent successes which include the takeover of Ekiti and Osun states from PDP, shows Tinubu as a dogged fighter and the emerging political leader of south west Nigeria, edging out the duo of Bode George and Obasanjo. Although its impact is restricted formerly to the south western states, ACN is gradually making in-roads into northern states by the day, with a legion of politicians vying for various elective positions under its banner. In the coming days, it will be increasingly clear the extent the ruling party can go to consolidate its hold on power. The just concluded PDP presidential primary is a clear signal that the incumbency factor cannot be wished away. In fact, for the serious opposition political parties, the fear of the incumbency factor should be the beginning of wisdom. The opposition parties must take the assurances of the provision of a level playing field and the conduct of a free, fair and credible election with a pinch of salt. They must go the extra mile to demonstrate that they will not accept anything short of these assurances. But do they have the muscle to do this when many of them seemed like age grade or community associations than political parties? Have they thought over the gargantuan task of wrestling power from an incumbent government that is not willing to wish the power away? Whether or not they think of these, Nigerians are desperately looking for a glimmer of hope, a distant help to come and break this vicious circle of hopelessness, poverty, insecurity, unemployment, extreme plenty in the midst of extreme want. In the coming days, we look forward to the formalisation of alliance between CPC and ACN- these two parties sure hold the ace to the much awaited emancipation of the Nigerian people from the inhibiting, even debilitating chains which ties them down these past twelve mournful years. CPC/ACN alliance is the much awaited change that Nigerians have been waiting for. History beckons these two great parties to be flexible on certain points and to come out and announce their blossoming into that truly mega party to put back smiles on the faces of Nigerians, north, south, west and east. Truth is the ruling party fears this alliance and will do everything possible to scuttle its realisation. The two parties share so many things in common compared to other parties. Both parties are gaining more supporters in droves who genuinely believe in the principles and philosophy guiding them. Both parties are people oriented- have the mass of the Nigerian people as its target for comprehensive social welfare programme and the entrenchment of social justice. Both parties have nominated two great Nigerians- Buhari and Ribadu- to fly its flags in the April presidential elections. For these political parties to believe in these two great Nigerians who don’t have millions of naira and dollars to spend on delegates goes to show that they have set out to demonstrate a difference, a change and truly, a breath of fresh air in the way politics is played in Nigeria. So, these two parties have so many things in common than they have against each other. Nigerians are waiting patiently, obstinately to this unmistakably divine alliance. In this alliance will emerge the leader not ruler, the servant not master, the Noah who will steer the Nigerian ship to safety from where it is precariously held? Maikudi Abubakar Zukogi can be reached at mandzukogisawaba@yahoo.com Culled from: NVS

Aregbesola, Alao-Akala Trade Words over LAUTECH

Editors Online — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 07:45:22 +0000

Aregbesola, Alao-Akala Trade Words over LAUTECH

This Day

By Yinka Kolawole

23 Jan 2011

Mr. Rauf Aregbesola

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has called on his Oyo State counterpart, Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala, to desist from giving out illegal directives to staff of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) College of Health Sciences and its Teaching Hospital, currently sited in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, Aregbesola said the warning became necessary following what he called reckless issuance of directive to staff of the institution by Oyo State Government.

It would be recalled that Oyo State Government gave a directive to staff of LAUTECH College of Health Sciences and Teaching Hospital to report in Ogbomosho by last Wednesday.

But Aregbesola, who maintained that LAUTECH and its Teaching Hospital are jointly owned by Osun and Oyo states said, “It is regrettable that Governor Alao-Akala has been acting as if LAUTECH was established on whims and caprices rather than by charters of law.”

Aregbesola, whose text was read by Professor Sola Adeyeye, said most recently, Lautech College of Health Sciences and its Teaching Hospital are being taken hostage by the reckless impunity with which the Oyo State Government has undermined the running of these institutions.

“Faculty and staff have been illegally transferred to Ogbomosho despite the fact that the College of Health Sciences and Teaching Hospital were cited in Osogbo by an act of law,” he said.

The governor, while alerting Nigerians that neither LAUTECH College of Health Sciences nor its Teaching Hospital has been ceded from Osun to Oyo State, maintained that “buildings per se constitute neither LAUTECH College of Health Sciences nor a Teaching Hospital.

Aregbesola said the institution still belonged to Oyo and Osun states and “neither Oyo State Government nor the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria can disposses Osun of the medical school and teaching hospital... Neither has the authority under the law to alter the location of these institutions without the consent of the people of Osun and its elected government.” The governor said since the National Universities Commission (NUC) recognised that LAUTECH College of Health Sciences and its Teaching Hospital were located in Osogbo, other approving authorities should steer clear of its illegal relocation.

Time To Amalgamate Northern And Southern Nigeria

Editors Online — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:00:58 +0000

By Gomiluk Otokwala

January 1, 2014 – about three years from today – will mark one hundred years since the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria were amalgamated to form what is today the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Sadly, almost a century after that merger, Nigeria still remains essentially two separate countries welded precariously into one. In this short piece, I argue that unless steps are taken to perfect that amalgamation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as currently configured) can hardly make any meaningful progress. To be sure, there are at least three hundred ethnic nationalities in Nigeria almost evenly spread across the landmass of the country. In the old Northern Region dominated by the Hausa/Fulani, very many ethnic minorities exist, many of whom do not as much as understand the Hausa language. The same is true of the old Eastern and Western regions, both of which constitute the former Southern Protectorate. Across the country, many of these ethnic groups are as similar to each other as the French are to the Chinese. However, as divided as Nigeria is by virtue of its breathtaking plurality, there is no other dimension of division as strong as the North-South dichotomy. This sense of dichotomy is not a recent phenomenon. History books document that when in 1953 the late Anthony Enahoro moved the historic motion for Nigeria’s self-governance, it was widely supported by the southern parliamentarians (the Western and Eastern Regions) and opposed largely by the North. The January 15, 1966 coup, which swept away the First Republic, was also perceived as a southern (particularly eastern) ploy against the north. The counter-coup that followed was essentially motivated by a desire to get even. And to a large extent, an undercurrent of liberation from repression may have fanned the dastardly Civil War, which started one year later. In recent times, the north-south dichotomy has one of its clearest expressions in the clamor for the exclusive right of the North to produce the next president. And the division is not about to abate. What is particularly disturbing is how little Nigerians from either side of the divide relate with or know about the other part of the country. For example, on Facebook, most Nigerians’ friend lists are stuffed overwhelmingly with people from only one half of the country. Most young people from the South think of all northerners as Hausas (generally called "mallams" or "aboki"). Many Hausas think of everyone from the old Eastern Region as Igbo, even when you insist you are not. Many people from each side have not crossed to the other side of the divide, in some cases out of paranoia. Many grow old and die without doing so. For a child growing up in the south, the first contact with the north is likely to be with shoe cobblers, nail trimmers, water vendors, herdsmen and petty road-side shop keepers. That is, apart from the very wealthy babariga-brandishing politicians on TV. It is so easy then to grow up in the south with the image of a poverty-stricken north etched in one’s brain. And many young ordinary northern kids, I imagine, are most likely to have had their first ‘southern’ contact with the ubiquitous Igbo trader and his family, and TV images from Nollywood full of America-fond mostly-southern movie stars. When confronted with a little more exposure we realize how much ignorance we’ve been wallowing in. A friend of mine recently got posted to Katsina for the mandatory youth service. She is so full of admiration for the simple ways of her hosts, the very clean streets and the more humane existence than she experienced in Lagos and some parts of the East. Another friend from Kaduna impressed me terribly by his eloquence and brilliance when we met at the Nigerian Law School. Though he’s not Hausa, most of us branded him one because he had to be if he hailed from Kaduna. Another one from Bauchi, with whom I later studied is one of the most brilliant young Nigerian minds I have met. And the list is endless. Fortunately, I hail from the South-South, studied in the East and the North, and worked in the Southwest. Because not many young Nigerians follow a similar trajectory, many remain in the regional closet by no fault of theirs. This should not be so. There is a lot the government can do to weld the two "Nigerias" into one and create the much-needed common sense of nationhood in all of us. The National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC), before it was terribly abused, was one such scheme. It enabled (and I mean the past tense seriously) people from one region to do community service in a region different from theirs, mostly across the north-south divide. Unfortunately, these days, only those who are thoroughly helpless or who, though powerful, do not mind, get posted to undesirable places. Also, because violence of all kinds has virtually become a recurring decimal in some parts of the country, fewer people are willing to go on national adventures. Even worse, there are concerns about the employment advantages the service year gives to people from otherwise arid locations. For example, by the time a Port Harcourt resident returns home from national service in a remote village close to the border, the "corpers" who served in the oil companies have already stayed back to take up the few available spaces. All of these have defeated the NYSC’s objectives. The actual amalgamation of northern and southern Nigeria requires conscious effort on the part of the federal government. One good step might be to require federal schools to retain a certain quota for student applicants and lecturers from the other half of the country. That way, I would not study law for five years in a class of over 400 with only three Yoruba’s and no Hausa, simply because the school is located in the South-East. Similarly, as widely condemned as it is, the NYSC could be restructured and put to better uses. One way to do it might be to make the service year part of undergraduate training, but one year before graduation. That way, the competitive disadvantages that people suffer because of where they served should disappear. Of course that also assumes the government would take bolder steps against religious bigotry and mindless killings in some parts of the country. Also, the curriculum especially at secondary and primary school levels should be overhauled to teach more about other parts of Nigeria. And all schools could be encouraged to organize trips to, and exchange programs with, the other half of the country. One more thing: can we think more seriously about conferring benefits accruing to "indigenes" at state level primarily on the basis of where one is born or has lived instead of just where your great-grandparents migrated from. This write-up is based on the assumption that there is a national consensus to keep Nigeria as one indivisible and indissoluble nation. I believe we are better off as one large, diverse and resource-endowed country. Some disagree. True, some northerners are "so different" from most southerners, but so too are many southern peoples from one another. The present generation of Nigerians will have to erase the mentality of a north-south divide. Of course there will always be the need to strike some kind of balance in a plural system such as ours. However, any crusade hinged on "North versus South" only keeps alive the ghost of Lord Lugard and pushes further away the Nigeria of our dreams. Even worse, it keeps us from pursuing a merit-driven agenda for the common good. Gomiluk may be reached at: gomiluk@gmail.com

My Suffering Is Worse Than Yours

Editors Online — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:05:39 +0000

By Okey Ndibe

Little worries me more about the state of affairs in Nigeria than the rise of a relativist sensibility as a response to the nation’s malaise. Many Nigerians – too many, if you ask me – have become acclimated to the idea that their lives, of necessity, must be woebegone. They have developed a sad habit of announcing that their problems are worse than yours, that they have suffered infinitely more than you have, and (by some perverse logic) that they are more authentically Nigerian. Put differently, it’s as if many of us have come to embrace suffering as the defining gift of Nigerian citizenship. It’s as if we insist that, for one to prove one’s mettle as a Nigerian – one’s Nigerianness – then one must show the rest that one’s suffering is worse than theirs. The gradient of woes is, for many of us, a measure of the authenticity of our identity as Nigerians. The contention goes something like this: If you can’t prove that you have suffered mightily – in other words, that you have suffered more than I – then, my friend, you must shut up! I was always aware of this troubling acceptance of suffering as a national value and bequest. I once told a Nigerian civil servant that it was wrong that a state governor had not paid salaries for two months. Her response? "The man is trying," she cried, as if the non-payment of her entitlement was some kind of brilliant statecraft on the governor’s part. Then she reminded me about a previous governor who had owed workers more than ten months in unpaid salaries. On a different occasion, a man told how police officers at a checkpoint had dealt him a merciless beating with batons and butts. His crime was to complain aloud that there were too many police roadblocks. Without pausing to digest the man’s narrative, one of his listeners blithely said, "You’re lucky and you should thank your God." Then he told the victim about a driver and his conductor, both brothers, who had been shot dead for refusing to "settle" the police with twenty naira. The haste to compare travails is becoming reflexive. Tell some Nigerians that you lost all your money to armed robbers, and they’d say, "Ah, you’re blessed! I know somebody who gave all his money – and yet the robbers killed him." Lately, I have encountered this predilection for measuring suffering in a more personal way. Many Nigerians were upset to learn that the Nigerian government has me on a list of "enemies" to be stopped at airports and taken to the offices of the State Security Service (SSS). But some other Nigerians – apologists for state power as well as "suffering" relativists – have sought to make light of my experience. These apologists, fed by hate for the messenger or some sinister notion of real suffering, have focused on the fact that I wasn’t beaten, detained for weeks, or "tortured." They have brought up such names as Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Gani Fawehinmi – crusaders who suffered multiple detentions and other privations – to question my experience. Their perverse contention: Unless and until you have suffered as these [two] men suffered, you may not speak. They can’t seem to grasp that, in accepting the small abuses, we fertilize the bloodier ones. They are unable to see that an innocent citizen should neither be detained for a minute nor locked up for weeks. They don’t realize that the point is – must be – to achieve a nation where criminals alone, not those who flay crime, should be subjected to arrest, detention or other restrictions. Some of these apostles of "real" and "unreal" suffering are consistent. They speak out of that pernicious idea that to be a Nigerian is to demonstrate a capacity for being a "sufferhead." They believe it is unNigerian to raise your voice in protest when your suffering is far from the harshest, your fate less than the cruelest. Don’t speak about a mere headache when there are people with migraine in the room; and don’t mention migraine, either, if there’s somebody racked by cancer around. But there are others, it seems, who are driven by more personal impulses. They can’t stand the noise about the brief detention of a mere columnist and teacher! Since I had made a career of being a public critic, why, the state reserved the right to put me in my place. Some have even censured me for refusing to heed the dictate of the director-general of the SSS – to write a formal petition pleading for the removal of my name from the list of "enemies." They miss the point: that, in the end, it’s not about whether my name’s on the list or not. It’s about whether a state should maintain a punitive list of those who have broken no laws – unless it’s a crime to insist that one’s country can, and must, rise to realize its potential. Those who misrule Nigeria thrive on the witting and unwitting collaboration of unthinking citizens who believe that suffering is validated only when it’s established itself as the utmost. These misrulers get away with ineptitude because some Nigerians are content to point to a more inept misruler. Let me illustrate. During his eight years in office, former President Olusegun Obasanjo accumulated a huge personal fortune while frittering away Nigeria’s. He acquired a huge stake in Transcorp, and then sold some of the country’s most prized assets to that corporation. He collected billions of naira in the name of his library from a coterie he’d enriched from public funds. Though financially wretched at the time he took office in 1999, he’s since built himself a hilltop mansion to rival that of his "competitor," Ibrahim Babangida. And he’s become so loaded with cash that he recently donated a church to his god! In a society that treasures the principle of accountability, Mr. Obasanjo would be compelled to answer for the source of his stupendous cash. Instead, his apologists remind us that he’s not the most corrupt ex-president (they tag Babangida as the champion). And they also contend that he’s not the worst performing (they name Umaru Yar’Adua as the leader in this category, forgetting that Yar’Adua was elected not by Nigerians but a "doing-or-dying" Obasanjo). Instead of making excuses for Obasanjo, why don’t we insist that he and Babangida as well as other public office holders account for their assets? Another illustration. I was in Nigeria when most of the political parties held so-called primaries. With little exception, the events were farcical. A delegate who attended the ruling party’s presidential primaries in Abuja confided that it was a dollar-fest. Each delegate, he said, came away with close to $20,000 in cash. "My brother, we voted for the highest giver," he said cheerily. The story was much the same with other political parties. In the Action Congress of Nigeria, one or two "chieftains" basically handed out tickets to their favorites – disdaining the wishes of the membership. In Anambra State, a longtime member of APGA told me that two or three men, including the state governor, decided who got the tickets. And that there was no room for principled dissent. In three months, Nigerians will go to the polls again. Everybody I spoke to – in Lagos, Asaba, Awka, Enugu and Abuja – was certain that fraudulent elections could spell lasting doom this time around. Yet, after witnessing the impunity that passed for party primaries, it’s difficult to be hopeful in the prospects of credible elections in April. My fear is that it won’t be enough to say that the rigging under Attahiru Jega is not as bad as Maurice Iwu’s. And there’s another terrible prospect. What if Mr. Jega goes down in history as the man who gave Nigeria its worst election ever? What then?

The Emperor Has No Clothes

Editors Online — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:13:11 +0000

By Professor Buchi Chuks

When I read about the preparations made by INEC for registration of voters and the timeline involved in the delivery of the DDC computers utilized, it was obvious to me that the registration process is another disaster in the making. Anyone who has ever managed a project will outright tell you that the outlined registration cannot be successfully done even by Professor Peller (Magician). Just like the story of the Emperor that was conned by a transient Tailor who claimed he was making the Emperor new clothes that will be invincible to stupid folks and would only be seen by intelligent folks. The Emperor, not wanting to look stupid, inspected his new (invincible) attire and praised its array of colors. The Emperor’s Advisers, not wanting to look stupid, joined in the praise of the Tailor and his choice of colors. It was only a "loud mouth" young boy on the street corner that found it strange that the Emperor was parading down the promenade with no clothes. In his shock, the young lad screamed that "the Emperor has no clothes". The rest is for the story books. I am sure that more than 100 million Nigerians knew ahead of time that this INEC-Jega registration project is just going to "piss away" almost one billion U.S. Dollars and will be a failed project. I read where registration machines were being delivered the week of registration of voters. What time do those (Youth Corpers) expected to use the machine have to familiarize themselves and "debug" the computer or work out "kinks" attendant in almost every new computer you deploy ? If INEC is closing down schools and working on a tight timeline, shouldn’t INEC have been ready to "hit the ground running" ? The systemic problems in Nigeria is just beginning to manifest itself to a conscientious observer. Let me be more specific. In the mid 1980s when the petroleum industry faced daunting economic downturn, investments dried up. Universities and similar institutions deployed resources where returns were better. Schools stopped funding petroleum related programs and training. When the Industry picked up post-gulf war , there was shortage of skilled labor to fill the need and to respond to massive capital coming back into the petroleum industry. The vacuum still exists over a decade later. With this analogy as background, Nigeria has lost a generation (or more) to mediocrity due to lackadaisical attitude to maximizing her human capital. My unscientific assessment, based on my interaction, with Nigerian University graduates is that substantial percentage are "functional illiterates" who have been forced into a corner by a defective system that mandates a post-strike examination without lectures or conventional classroom education. As the parable goes, if the bird learns to fly without perching, the hunter learns to shoot without aiming. Our leaders of tomorrow have been forced to survive in a prima facie defective system. The people that should care---including our dear (University) Professor Jega has even ordered that the carcasses we label schools should be closed until he concludes his unplanned and mind-boggling ad hoc experimentation. If those put in office to manage Nigeria’s limited resources, including the naked Emperor himself, realize how limited the resources are, then they ought to have conscience not to brazenly waste these resources. Jega may be a saint and I will even give him the benefit of the doubt that he has not kept a Kobo for himself, but his handling of the resources entrusted to him through INEC is grossly negligent and reckless. If he were to be Asian, would resign and lean on his Samurai sword. But we know such will never happen in Nigeria, instead every local government will jostle on who will give him the most remarkable chieftancy. For those who think Nigeria has money, our budget is not close to annual sales of second-tier corporations in industrialized countries with less than 20,000 employees. Yet, Nigeria could possibly be flirting with a population of 200 Million people dependent on depleting resources. Unless we start majoring in major, instead of majoring in minor, the future is very predictable for Nigerians living in Nigeria. I will end with this example. A friend of mine owns a business in the U.S.A. He was asked by a friend to hire a Nigerian lady that just arrived with American VISA Lottery and was unemployed. Hesitantly, he hired this remarkably beautiful lady as his office receptionist. By the second week he noticed her tardiness and disregard for timeliness. The third week, a client called him on his mobile phone at about noon and said that he is outside the office and the office was still in darkness and the doors locked. The "oga" left his meeting and rushed back to take care of the client and to comply with the landlord’s requirement that all offices must be open and functional between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. When he called the Receptionist at home to ask why she was not in the office or why she did not call-in that she would not be at work so proper arrangements could be made. The Receptionist started hailing abuses at the "oga" chastising him for not first inquiring about her welfare. She asked the "oga" how about if she was dead or unconscious in the hospital ? She told "oga" that all he cares about is his stupid job and that she would come-by whenever she has time to return the office key. "Oga" was dazed and had not recovered when he narrated his experience to me. As most people know, most owners and investors in America do not live in the city where their businesses are located. They set policies and the businesses run on auto-pilot. If you go beyond your delineated authority, you are fired and may even go to jail. So your conduct is guided accordingly. Until you have accountability, from top to bottom, our Emperors will continue to have no clothes and surround themselves with intelligent folks until a loud mouth "stupid" kid screams the word.. .. Oh, about the Receptionist. I saw her in court six months later with a judge ordering a constable to throw-out her stuff from her apartment for owing three months in rent. Yes, people live under the bridge in America---few of them are Nigerians who carried on "business as usual" attitude in a land that practices "Rule of Law". • The writer is a lawyer and a Part-time Professor of Law© 2011

Arewa rejects Jonathan

Editors Online — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 06:28:16 +0000

The Nation

Tony Akowe

Anthony Sani

AFTER a stormy meeting of its National Working Committee, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday rejected the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary, which produced President Goodluck Jonathan as the candidate. The ACF is widely seen as the North’s voice. In a communiqué at the end of its meeting, which members described as the “toughest” since the establishment of the ACF about 11 years ago, the Forum said it was disappointed with the conduct of the primary election of the ruling party and those of other major parties because, according to the organisation, they fell short of the expectations of Nigerians. The communiqué, which was signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Anthony Sani, said “the emergence of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as a presidential candidate of the PDP was legally and morally wrong”. The socio-political group said: “The emergence of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate is legally and morally wrong because it is a violation of that party’s constitution, which clearly requires that under the zoning/rotation formula, a northerner be returned as candidate in the 2011 general election. In this regard, and in the light of its principled stand on fairness and rule of law, the ACF rejects the outcome of the PDP presidential primaries.” The communiqué said that “following an extended review of the just concluded primary elections in the country, the meeting came to the conclusion that the process within most of the major political parties fell short of the expectations of Nigerians as they were thoroughly compromised by an appalling lack of internal democracy within the parties, manipulations, intimidation and other illegalities”. The ACF said: “These practices undermine our democracy and make it impossible for otherwise credible people to participate in the electoral process in the future … In the circumstance, ACF calls upon all Nigerians who are eligible to vote to ensure that they get registered in order that they could elect candidates in accordance with their considered judgement and conscience. “INEC should address all serious technical problems that have bedevilled the process so far and ensure that all Nigerians who wish to register are allowed to do so by all means, including extending the time.” The communiqué expressed concern about the growing ethnic and religious animosity among the people of the North and “noted with deep regret the current provocative sermons and preaching going on in some mosques and churches in parts of the North as well as the circulation of hate messages through text and other electronic media”. It added: “ACF wishes to remind all northerners who are being misled into attacking fellow northerners because of differences in tribe or religion that they are working hand in gloves with evil-minded people. “The Forum urges all northerners to recall that they are members of the same family with the same fate and destiny and should remain together in this critical period. They should deny cheap victory to those seeking to divide them in order to rule them. “The meeting further considered the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the country, which has already led to the near total breakdown of law and order in some states. ACF urges Mr. President, as the Chief Security officer of the nation, to take stern measures to end the conflicts. “Unwarranted delays and indecisions have allowed disturbances to fester and escalate, especially in the flashpoints of Plateau and Borno states. Failure to take timely actions in the past have made resort to the most drastic measures inevitable. “Beyond this, ACF urges all citizens to step forward and to begin to rebuild trust, confidence and peace within their various communities. They must find a way to achieve true forgiveness and reconciliation as this is the only condition under which genuine peace and security can be sustained.” Before the communiqué, said a source, the meeting was stormy as members rose against the Chairman, General IBM Haruna, for allegedly supporting the President against the northern consensus candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Some moved to unseat Gen. Haruna, who was attending the meeting for the first time since the Forum decided to adopt zoning. Tempers rose immediately the meeting began at about 10.00am at the ACF’s Sokoto Road, Kaduna headquarters, with members moving a motion for the impeachment of the chairman. The meeting was called to take a position on the next line of action, following the emergence of the President as the PDP’s candidate. Other presidential aspirants from the North were invited. The Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Gen. Mohammadu Buhari and his Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) counterpart, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, did not attend the meeting or send representatives, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate Ibrahim Shekarau sent his Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Yakkasai, who doubles as his campaign co-ordinator. Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo sent Ambassador Hassan Adamu. Buhari sent a solidarity message. The Nation gathered that as soon as the meeting was convened, some aggrieved members openly challenged Gen. Haruna for what they called his anti-Arewa posture and immediately moved the motion that he should be removed from office. The action elicited wide reactions from both pro and anti-Haruna members. The elders threw caution to the wind, shouting on top of their voices. The former Secretary of the forum’s Political Committee, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahaman, defended the chairman. Mohammed, it was learnt, that the agenda was not to discuss the Chairman’s behavour towards the Forum and his alleged anti- Arewa stance on political issues. “It took the wisdom of some of the elders to make sure that there was no pandemonium during the meeting, and they later suspended discussion on General Haruna’s removal from office to concentrate on the issue of the day,” the source said. A chieftain of ACF and member of the Executive Council of the Forum, Alhaji Ahmed Hassan Alghazali, accused President Jonathan of breaking the political bond between the North and the South by, according to him, imposing himself as the PDP’s presidential candidate. Alghazali, who is the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Medical Centre, Azare said: “Against our will, we allowed Obasanjo to contest the presidency in 1999 in order to allow the rotational presidency take root. When Obasanjo misruled this country for eight years and it came to our turn and these people turned the blind eye and said ‘no’. “If Jonathan is voted in the next presidential election, he will not vacate power ... “We cannot continue like this because for everything there is a beginning and there is an end. This is the end of the fraud in Nigeria. The only option now is for them to extend time for the election and go back to the normal primary election system whereby members of political parties are allowed to decide candidates to vote. PDP did not have any primaries at all.”

Tinubu’s mum urges Nigerians to register

Editors Online — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 06:34:27 +0000

NNEKA NWANERI

Alhaja Mogaji (left) and Mrs Tinubu...yesterday

PRESIDENT-General of Market Men and Women Association of Nigeria (MMWAN), Alhaja Abibat Mogaji yesterday urged Nigerians to register and vote for candidates of their choice in the forthcoming elections.

She said it was important for every Nigerian to exercise his civic right despite the challenges.

Alhaja Mogaji spoke when the Lagos Central Senatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, visited her Ikeja, Lagos home.

Madam Mogaji, who received Mrs Tinubu in the company of hundreds of market men and women, said Nigerians could only push out those she considered “stealers of votes”; if they register and subsequently voted.

She said in Yoruba: “E lo regisita kee lo dibo” (Go and register so you can vote).

Madam Mogaji also described Mrs Tinubu, as her daughter and not just her daughter-in-law; adding that Lagos residents should please vote for her because their votes would be in good hands.

Responding, Mrs Tinubu praised Madam Mogaji’s giant strides in the market; saying Nigeria needs more of her likes.

She said she knew that with Mama’s backing, she has nothing to fear. She also reiterated her pledge not to let the people.

Jonathan Appoints Bianca Onoh-Ojukwu Special Assistant

Editors Online — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:52:58 +0000

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THEWILL 26/01/2011 10:21:00

Bianca and Dim Ojumegwu Ojukwu

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 26, (THEWILL) – As the April general elections draws nearer, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan today made an unexpected appointment; he named the wife of Dim Odumegwu Emeka Ojukwu, Mrs. Bianca Onoh-Ojukwu, a Special Adviser on Diaspora Affairs. A release by Presidential Spokesman, Mr Ima Niboro said the appointment takes immediate effect. Also appointed Special Advisers are Hon. Kingsley K. Kuku as Special Adviser, Niger Delta Affairs; Amb. (Dr.) Zakari Ibrahim as Coordinator, Anti Terrorism; and Oyewole Olugbenga Leke as Senior Special Assistant, Maritime Services. The Ikemba of Nnewi, Dim Ojukwu is still recuperating in a London hospital following a stroke. The statement in full reads: President Makes Appointments President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the following appointments: Hon. Kingsley K. Kuku as Special Adviser, Niger Delta Affairs; Amb. (Dr.) Zakari Ibrahim as Coordinator, Anti Terrorism; Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu as Senior Special Assistant, Diaspora Affairs; and Oyewole Olugbenga Leke as Senior Special Assistant, Maritime Services. The appointments take immediate effect. Ima Niboro, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity.

Nigeria’s economy has collapsed – Ribadu

Editors Online — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:57:39 +0000

Headlines Jan 26, 2011

By EMMA OVUAKPORIE ABUJA—FORMER Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and presidential flagbearer of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has raised alarm over the depletion of the excess crude account (sovereign wealth fund) and the nation’s external reserves.

Malam Nuhu Ribadu

Malam Ribadu make this known against the backdrop of the steady rise in the price of crude oil which is almost hitting $100 per barrel but with a steady decline in the country’s excess crude account and external reserves. He observed that as at 2007 when late President Yar’adua was in office, the excess crude account stood at $17.3billion but had continued to decline steadily to less than $1billion, while the external reserves had dropped from $34.27 in December to $32.32 this month. According to him, the excess crude account is meant to be savings set aside for the rainy day, while the sovereign wealth fund is for big investments that would create jobs. External reserves, excess crude account on the decline He wondered why the fund was being squandered on meaningless ventures and importation, while millions of Nigerians were living below the poverty line, with growing unemployment and insecurity in the country. Ribadu also expressed concern over the neglect of the agricultural sector which is capable of employing millions of Nigerians, saying the time was rife for government to turn around the fortune of cocoa farmers in the south western part of the country by taking advantage of the decline in output from Cote d’Ivoire. The ACN flagbearer was of the opinion that the nation’s economy would have performed better if there was a better economic team on ground to proffer alternative sources of revenue instead of the over dependence on oil as the mainstay of the economy. He promised Nigerians a turnaround in the fortunes of the economy if voted into office this year. “The key thrust of our economic policy will be to create jobs and provide employment for our people, especially the youth. We shall budget within our means, reduce over-spending, and plan for a steady and attainable economic growth rate of 7-8% per year for the next five years and 8-10% per year for the years following that,” he said.

Obasanjo in comic fit over Jonathan’s victory

Editors Online — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 22:15:18 +0000

Yunus Abdulhamid, Lagos

[caption id="attachment_11382" align="aligncenter" width="165" caption="Olusegun Obasanjo"][/caption]

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos displayed subtle excitement at President Goodluck Jonathan’s victory at the PDP primary.

Though he chose to use sign language in response to reporters’ inquiry about his reaction to the result of the primary election, Obasanjo raised his hands up. The former president arrived the presidential wing in company of his friend, Chief Tunde Oshunride, who is a member of the PDP Board of Trustees. He entered the comic lane when aviation reporters presented him a pictorial almanac of the recent PDP presidential primaries in Abuja. The almanac of the PDP primaries christened, " Naija Chronicle: The Final Battle , PDP 2011 primaries, depicted how the incumbent president defeated his rival and former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar at the PDP presidential primary held on January 13. Obasanjo, who looked excited, asked reporters: "Where did you people get this from? Ah, you people are very wicked." The almanac showed a muscular Jonathan punching Atiku in a 12 round boxing bout, where Jonathan hit Atiku and there was a knockout. Obasanjo was also featured holding Atiku by the neck and cheering Jonathan to victory, saying, "I still de laugh." Responding to a question on how the incumbent president defeated his former deputy, Obasanjo raised his hands to the sky. On whether he was favourably disposed to the emergence of Muhamadu Buhari, the flag bearer of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Obasanjo said, "You people are very wicked. Buhari?" Also responding to a question that some former heads of state including him could go into exile if Buhari wins the next presidential election, Obasanjo said, "You boys are very wicked. Ah!" The former president was on his way to Abuja aboard a presidential jet marked with registration number 5N-FGO.

How Not To Register Voters

Editors Online — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 22:47:25 +0000

By Emmanuel Onwubiko

In my previous article titled ‘Jega and the fading optimism’, I dealt with the excruciating experiences of Nigerians trying to register their names as voters in the ongoing registration of voters by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headed by the erstwhile vice Chancellor of the Bayero University Kano, Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega who incidentally came to national limelight during the military regimes when he headed the reputable Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

I raised a number of issues which cropped up at the announcement last June by President Goodluck Jonathan that he has approved the appointment of Professor Jega to head the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Before Professor Jega was named as the chairman of the electoral body, that institution had attained the notorious status of the worst and most corrupt public institution in Nigeria because of the show of shame that characterized the 2007 general elections which rank as the worst election in the political annals of Nigeria. This writer also stated that with the difficulties experienced by Nigerians in getting their names registered as voters in the ongoing registration of voters’ exercise due largely to the gross display of ineptitude and inefficiency by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, then the optimism raised by a cross section of Nigerians that the appointment of Professor Jega will restore public confidence in the electoral institution will be rapidly eroded. I got several calls from all across Nigeria and unfortunately, some of my professional colleagues in Journalism who are now working in either the Independent National Electoral Commission or are indeed very close to Professor Jega, accused me of attacking the chairman of the electoral body. A particular caller, who happens to be a man I respect so much, went to the pedestrian level of saying that it was wrong for me to attack Jega since we are in the same civil society community. A fact that most of these callers forgot is that section 22 of the constitution makes it mandatory that journalists ought to use their media to serve as the conscience of the nation and to raise objections whenever officials of government are derailing or failing to discharge their constitutional duties creditably. Section 22 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that; "The press radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people". My last article as aforementioned was not an attack on the person of Professor Jega but was meant to point out the inherent danger to Nigeria’s democracy if officials of the electoral body are left alone to mess up the ongoing registration of voters which in any case is to last for only two weeks which means that Nigerians have only forty eight hours or slightly more to register their names as potential voters. The problems, difficulties and hindrances faced by Nigerians in getting their names registered in order to obtain the voters’ cards are still very much pronounced in virtually all registration points. I have been inundated with calls from across the country from Nigerians who told me that for over four days or more, they have being unable to register. I also have a painful personal experience in Abuja while attempting unsuccessfully to register because I discovered that hundreds of potential voters usually troop into the registration point from God knows where, in Wuse two, adjacent former Choscharis motors’ office as early as 1am [one O’clock in the night] in the wee hours of the night to compile their names into a list that would be handed over to the officials of the electoral body whenever they showed up during official times to carry out the exercise which is constantly marred by failure of the Data capturing machines. I visited that particular registration center for three consecutive days and each time I made effort to ask the security operatives from the police and civil Defence attached to the registration center I received the same reply that the list for that particular day had already being compiled the previous night and so I have to report the next night if I ever hope to be registered. It is a shame that Nigerians have resorted to desperate measures of rushing to the registration centers in the wee hours of the night all in a bid to put down their names for an exercise that ought to begin by 8am each morning which is the commencement of official working hours for the Independent National Electoral Commission. It is also a shame that touting has manifested its ugly head in some of these voters’ registration centers in Abuja because some touts have now hijacked the process of compiling list of people to be registered as early as early hours of the night and the only other way any one coming by 8am can succeed in joining the ‘book of life’ or rather the already compiled list, is to bribe of those persons already entered in that day’s list of those to be registered so that you can take his place and that person who has now received gratification will disappear from the scene and re-appear the next day to also book his name in another new list. I am also aware that some persons go as far as bribing the security operatives who in turn will bribe the registration officials to facilitate the smooth and speedy registration of that patron who has paid his or her way to obtain voters’ registration card. Bribery, corruption, touting are all negative attributes of the ongoing voters’ registration exercise because either by omission, commission or design, the data capturing machines deployed by the electoral body in most parts of the country are not working optimally and so the corrupt minded officials are now hiding under the excuses that the machines are not working to perpetrate illegalities. At the registration point in O.A.U quarters, in Maitama, the officials of the electoral body who are supposed to report to duty by 8am every day disappeared for twenty four hours that is the whole of Friday last week [January 21st 2011] and only reported the next day by 12 pm after this writer had put several phone calls to officials working with the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Unfortunately, by the time that the registration officials showed up, over three hundred names of potential voters have being compiled as persons waiting to be registered. For the whole of that day however, only twenty persons were registered but were not issued with their cards because the inks for printing out the cards had finished, according to officials of the electoral commission. INEC must register every eligible Nigerian voter and the way to go about it is to borrow the suggestion made by the president of the Nigerian Bar Association Mr. Joe Daudu (SAN) to the effect that before the expiration of the two weeks meant for the exercise, a list of all eligible voters must be compiled manually by the electoral body and another one or two weeks period used for recording the finger prints of all those Nigerians that have their names already compiled manually by accredited INEC officials so as not to disenfranchise millions of Nigerians who are unable to register because of the poor state of the data capturing machines deployed by the electoral body. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be told in black and white that it is a breach of the fundamental rights of citizens if some Nigerians are denied their right to be registered as voters. Article 25 of the international covenant on civil and political Rights states that; every citizen shall have the right to the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions to (a) Take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives; (b) To vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the elections; (c) To have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in his country. Disenfranchisement of a greater percentage of voters in Nigeria will amount to a gross violation of Article 26 of the international covenant on civil and political rights which provides that; "all persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. In this respect, the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status": Section 42(1) of the Constitution states that; "a citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not by any reason only that he is such a person (a) Be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force (including electoral law) or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religious or political opinions are not made subject to". In chapter 11, Section 14(1) (2) (c) of the Constitution it is provided that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice. It is hereby, accordingly, declared that; (c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this constitution. INEC must get it right and ensure that all eligible Nigerian voters are registered. * Onwubiko heads Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria.

Party primaries: Aggrieved Reps in arms against Bankole

Editors Online — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:49:20 +0000

Vanguard

BY : TORDUE SALEM

ABUJA — An outpouring of disaffection arising from the failure of the majority of the members of the House of Representatives to win re-election tickets is threatening the continued stewardship of Speaker Dimeji Bankole over the House. Disgruntled House members are accusing Speaker Bankole of failing to protect the interest of the House members during the recent round of party primaries during which some claim that as much as 80 per cent of House members failed to secure their party return tickets. The disharmony in the House and the bid to avoid an open eruption of discontent, Vanguard learnt, was the immediate reason for sending the House members back on holidays once they resumed from the Christmas and new year holidays last Tuesday. The angst against Speaker Bankole, Vanguard learnt, is however, moderated by the bitterness of the aggrieved House members against the Senate and the Presidency. Members who have been meeting in strategic sessions since last Monday blamed the Senate for failing to adopt the Electoral Act amendment proposals passed by the House which would have allowed members of the House to dominate the National Executive Committees of the parties and as such influence the party primaries. The House members are equally in arms against the presidency for its purported inclination to the governors who the legislators are blaming for their problems. Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Idowu Bankole, however, denied any uprising even as he affirmed that Speaker Bankole protected the interest of the house members during the primaries. "There is no impeachment threat against the Speaker, none to my knowledge," Mr. Bakare said in a text message. "Its also not true that he failed to protect members during the last primaries as alleged by you. The well being of members has always been of utmost concern for the Speaker." Some members are well aware of measures taken by the leadership and he has consistently campaigned for high return rate for parliamentarians at all levels. He believes that the parliament institution can only grow when members capacity is retained," Mr. Idowu said in reference to the efforts of the Speaker to protect the members during the primaries. Speaker Bankole’s efforts nonetheless, a sizeable majority of the House members including some of the most popular names in the House failed in the bid to win the party primaries to return to the House or for other positions. among the most famous names that lost out were the spokesman of the House, Rep. Eseme Eyiboh, the Deputy Speaker of the House Usman Nafada, who failed in the PDP gubernatorial primaries and several prominent House members including Halims Agoda whose senatorial bid was as at yesterday still on suspense in Delta State. The lawmakers had returned last Tuesday after the heavy bruising they received during the primaries prepared for an onslaught against the leadership but the rug was pulled from under their feet when the speaker immediately announced a fresh two_week break ‘to work on the budget’. A member of the Integrity Group who was a staunch supporter of the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act, 2010 that sought to make National Assembly members automatic members of political parties’ NEC told Vanguard yesterday that the members have vowed that there will be no "let down this time around on impeachment". The outpouring of disaffection which reportedly spreads over to the Senate according to one source could cause negative consequences for the presidency. Over 75 members attended a meeting in the Central Area of Abuja on Tuesday night after the House session where strategies on how to pile pressure on the leadership were reportedly articulated. That night meeting was, allegedly a follow up to an earlier meeting in the Apo Legislators’ Quarters hosted by the leader of the group. One of the resolutions adopted at the meeting it was learnt, is to delay the passage of the 2011 appropriation bill. ‘I can assure you that the 2011 budget will not see the light of dayl. Nobody is going to pass the budget if our part of the bargain is not met. The speaker is aware of this and you could see that he did not emphasise on the need to expedite action on the budget before declaring additional two weeks break," one of the aggrieved members said yesterday. ‘I want you to know that the break is not for voter registration as he (speaker) would want you people to believe. It is just a way of trying to douse tension in the House because there is fire on the mountain and we are serious about this move’ Another strategy adopted by the aggrieved lawmakers is to revive "Old Issues" in the house as a way of pilling further pressure on Speaker Bankole. Another lawmaker from one of the South East who defected from the PDP to the ACN and was also a promoter of the ‘toxic’ Electoral amendment confirmed to our correspondent that the impeachment threat is real. "No, it is true. In fact, we are not making any pretence about it. They can’t use and abandon us. We had a gentleman agreement to massively support the leadership and the President in return for automatic tickets but what did we get in return?" ‘The leadership of the House did not protect our interests. They allowed the Presidency to connive with some governors to scheme us out of the race. We can’t just give up without a fight. We must take our pound of flesh’, he assured. The group also wants to investigate the funds used by President Goodluck Jonathan in the recently concluded presidential primaries as well as open up debate on the N500 million allegedly contributed by some state governors to his campaign. When contacted yesterday, Rep. Eyiboh the spokesman of the House said ‘as much as I’m aware that most members are aggrieved on the various set back they suffered during the political parties primaries, that is purely political party affair and I doubt if it has anything to do with governance issue, which the House of Representatives as an institution represents. ‘However, it is important to state that there is a nexus between political parties and governor’s affairs, which requires strategic management. In the days ahead, I truly believe that stakeholders in the unfolding issues will place the interest of the nation in their considerations before arriving at any decision. For the House of Reps and its leadership, there is a subsisting commitment for us to work as a family in the overall interest of the Nigerian people’.

We need young, brave leaders today, says Momodu

Editors Online — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:57:48 +0000

By: Joe Adiorho

THE presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), journalist and publisher of the Ovation magazine Bashorun Ayobamidele Momodu spoke with JOE ADIORHO on his reasons for aspiring for the nation’s highest office.WHAT does your emergence as the presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) mean to you? I feel very elated. When you have achieved what many others could not achieve, you must be grateful to God Almighty for making it possible. I have always been underrated in my life and many people didn’t believe I would go this far. When my mother was pregnant with me, she was told she would not be able to deliver the baby, but she did. People came to see if the baby had any deformity because they thought my mum was a bit old before she had me. My mum lived in an Aladura Church throughout the pregnancy, praying and fasting. So I am actually a child of destiny. I have never doubted. In any other country, my entrance into politics would have been a big deal, but I am happy that it took this long for me to ignite the fire of my involvement in politics. Now everybody is congratulating me. My friends and colleagues in the media had written me off in their analyses. I don’t know why the journalist would feel inferior to other professionals. Maj.-Gen Muhammadu Buhari was a soldier before he came into politics, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was a Customs officer before he came into politics, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was a police officer before he came into politics. I was a journalist and publisher before I came into politics.Are other professionals more strategic? The founding fathers of Nigeria - Awolowo, Azikiwe were media practitioners. The late Anthony Enahoro also involved in the media. The late Chief Moshood Abiola was a media mogul. Is mine different? I am happy that today the story is different as so many of my colleagues in the media are now offering their support. I need it so badly because I am the poorest among the candidates. The other candidates have been in power in one form or the other. I have never been in power. As a journalist, a watchdog of the society, it is certain that a lot will be expected from you.Do you feel such a burden? Nothing is ever a burden; I love challenges. I didn’t wake up one day to say I want to be President of Nigeria. I did my research and consulted far and wide. I knew that my coming into politics would generate a lot of interest, and controversy, because Nigeria is a place where people believe that you must be core politician to venture into politics. Elsewhere, people don’t care about these things. Nick Clegg, who is the Deputy Prime Minister of Great Britain today, was never a politician. He was a journalist. Silvio Berlusconi, the Prime Minister of Italy was a media baron like Moshood Abiola.Around the world, most presidents are either lawyers or journalists. You left Labour Party (LP) for NCP, and won the presidential ticket. Was it that easy? In any other country, I would be an important member of the polity. I have operated in over 60 countries and there is nowhere I have been that people did not know me. We live in a society where people belittle achievements. If I were a lawyer, I would have been a Senior Advocate many years ago. I love to do my things well. I am not easily intimidated by position. When former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida said he couldn’t find any young man in Nigeria who could lead this country, I felt insulted. His message just galvanised me into action. When I came out, his press secretary said all kinds of things about me and they tried to ridicule me. But, today we know who is where. But how do you contend with the reality that many young people like you do not have the experience, especially when they have never held elective position? Chief Abiola never held any elective position, but he won a presidential election. No other candidate has my experience in business. Leadership is not about politics; it is about management of people and resources. The reason Nigeria is in a mess today is because those who never managed N1 millionaire in their lives suddenly found themselves in power through godfathers without any personal experience of life.From Port Harcourt to Yenagoa is the worst road on earth and yet experienced people are running things. What is the usefulness of that experience? What have those who have been in power all along achieved? More than ever before, we need fresh people with courage and integrity, fresh ideas and vision. What do you think that past leaders failed to do that you want to accomplish? Most past leaders have not been transparently honest. They looted the treasuries shamelessly. We live in the most expressive ghetto in Nigeria. There is no part of the world where you have an oil rich nation living in the kind of squalid condition that we live in Nigeria today. These people lack vision and patriotism. If you love your country, you would not live the country the way it is now. I don’t know what is responsible, but they have not been able to fix anything.What has the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) achieved in the last 12 years? Nothing. Everything they have touched has turned into ashes. You have friends in the PDP… Most of my friends are not from there but as a journalist, my job is to meet people. I know all the ministers and all the governors, and nobody can say I came for a contract. All I practice is journalism, if I am talking to a governor, the only reason I am talking to him is because I am a journalist and he will accord me the respect of a publisher. I don’t know of any journalist in Nigeria who will not know a governor. Even if I have friends, I must be able to tell my friends the truth. I have written over 2,000 essays on issues affecting my country and I have never minced words. When the cabal of the late President Musa Yar’Adua was harassing President Goodluck Jonathan, I was one of those who demonstrated. I have never gone to Jonathan to say I demonstrated for you so give me anything. I don’t know if he meets me on the road he will know me. I fight on principles and not because one is a friend or not. Politics is a game of numbers, negotiations and horse-trading.What plans do you have to make any kind of impact in the April elections? What makes the ruling party look strong is their unrestrained or unrestricted access to our common wealth. They can do anything with our money and nobody will hold them accountable. I can say that you can’t find two million registered card carrying members of PDP in a country of 150 million. I challenge PDP to come out and prove me wrong. We are targeting more than 80 per cent of those who belong to the floaters party, which to me is the biggest political party in Nigeria. These people are not carrying the card of any party; they don’t care which party is in power, they praying for a good leader who will take them out of the woods, a leader who will banish poverty, give their children good education, provide good health care facilities and provide better means of public transport. We are looking for such a leader in Nigeria.Are you thinking along the same line with those parties jostling to form an alliance to throw out PDP? I am the only candidate who is going from campus to campus, campaigning to students. I will not waste my money and time on people who cannot be changed. All the hard core politicians, professional politicians are waiting for is money and this is their season; unfortunately, I won’t be their customer. You said you are the poorest among all the candidates. How do you plan to run a presidential race without money? Money is important, but money cannot answer all things. If it were all about money, nobody can beat Jonathan, money for money. He has the key to our treasury. So if it is about money, why are we wasting our time conducting an election, because he has already won? You must have sponsors or godfathers then... My godfathers are the ordinary people and God the father. The American president, Barack Obama has taught us that a little drop can make an ocean. The first person that donated a vehicle to my campaign did not know me and I have not met him to shake his hand and thank him. A lawyer in Abuja, he gave me a GMC van. I say the world has changed, and those who want a change must invest in the change. I am appealing to Nigerians to invest. It is not a question of having a sponsor or a godfather. By the last count, 10 presidential candidates are in the race... I am grateful that I am among the top four. What do you tell the people, especially the students to convince them to vote for you? I tell them that I am fresh, bright, brave, have exposure, good education, integrity, vision, quality and the grace of God. All these will make me a better president than those jostling for it now. Most of the other people have been tested and they have failed, they are corrupted by power.Who are your role models in politics? I have been greatly inspired by Nelson Mandela. It is a story of courage and tenacity for a man who was behind bars for 27 years. He is the greatest statesman in the world today. I was behind bars for just a couple of weeks and I know what I suffered. One other model should be Chief Abiola, who fought for democracy and died for democracy in Nigeria. Yet another model is Chief Abdulganiyu Oyesola Fawehenmi, the founder of my party. You will hardly find people like that anywhere. If Nigeria was like South Africa, Gani would have been our own Mandela, but they didn’t allow him to win an election and that is why we are carrying on from where he left the struggle. Of course, I like the story of Obama. I was one of those who said Obama would never win the election. I was in the United States on November 4, 2008, the day of the election, and I left that very night because I was sure that by morning Obama would have lost and maybe there would be riot in America. I was on the aircraft going to London when the captain announced that John McCain had conceded defeat. That remains one of the greatest miracles of our time. How do you rate your chances when there is clamour for a northern president and a call for zoning? That has nothing to do with Nigeria; it is a PDP agenda. At my primary, I did not lose one northern vote; in fact the northern caucus met and agreed to support me. The delegates were proud of my achievement as publisher. People will be shocked at what will happen in April. I am the only candidate who combines two geo-political zones. My father hails from Edo State (South-South), and my mother is from Gbongan in Osun State (South West). No other person has a combination of these two big blocs. My grand parents were Muslims, my parents are Christians and I combine both religions. It was like God was preparing me for a special mission in Nigeria and we will see what will happen.What will be the first thing President Momodu will tackle in office? The first thing is the issue of leadership, because Chief Abiola used to say, ‘if you want to know if a fish is rotten, smell the head.’ If the head is bad, then the whole body is gone. It is the same thing with leadership, once the leader is good, there would be joy and dancing on the streets. Trust is very important in leadership. The followers must trust their leader; he must be transparently honest, because until we have honest leaders, we cannot tackle corruption. A corrupt leader cannot preach to the people on corruption, because that would be a case of ‘do as I say, and not as I do.’ I will declare my asset and compel all public officers to do likewise. On the economy, we will have fiscal discipline. The kind of rascality going on in Nigeria today where politicians are earning atrocious remunerations will stop. We must stop it so that our economy will be strong. If the economy is not strong, we cannot do anything. Nigeria is rich enough to do most of things that we need to do. Abiola, said ‘there is enough for the needs of every Nigerian but there is not enough for the greed of some Nigerians.’ That has been our problem and we will cap the greed of that minority who are holding the majority hostage. The issue of infrastructure would be prioritised because Nigeria is the only oil rich nation that looks so ugly. We are living in a colony of monkeys and that is unacceptable. The issue of electricity would be tackled. In Ghana where I also live, I don’t have a generator. There are so many ways of generating electricity these days and those things are available to us here. Whether we want solar or nuclear, we can achieve it. On health, I would never go abroad for medical treatment. There is no reason we cannot have good hospitals in Nigeria. In most hospitals in Europe and America, the doctors there, the best surgeons and dentists are in Nigeria. It is a shame that the president of another rich nation will now go to another rich nation to find doctors. You don’t have a running mate yet… I will pick one before the deadline for submission of nomination papers on January 31.

Registration centres in evil forest

Editors Online — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:20:06 +0000

• Deputy Gov, REC shocked • INEC gets extention nod as Reps amend Electoral Act Shock and disbelief could best describe the mood of Anambra State Deputy Governor, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, yesterday when the duo led security operatives to discover four registration centres located at a shrine in a deep forest.The four centres which are in the deep Nziko forest at Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area, were manned by registration officers and had, at the time of the discovery, registered only about 200 voters since the commencement of the exercise 10 days ago. Following security reports made available to Governor Peter Obi, his deputy and the REC led security operatives to the forest where the startling revelation of the four centres with the accompanying Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines was made. On arrival at the forest which took about 40 minutes drive from the nearest residential area, the registration officers, mainly corps members, were idle and gazing at the machines with virtually nobody to register. Reacting to the incident, the shock-stricken Prof. Onukaogu, described as painful, the discovery of four centres serving nobody in a thick forest when there were not enough machines for potential voters in places like Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Adazi, Agulu and others. He said: "I have heard of floating/flying polling booths. Today, I have seen one. I am sad that there are four machines wasting here, whereas there are no machines in Onitsha, Eke Awka, Ozubulu, Nnewi and parts of Anaocha where thousands of people are waiting to be registered." Onukaogu noted that the four centres had registered only about 200 voters since the exercise started 10 days ago, when the same machines would have registered several thousands had they been located in densely-populated areas. He said the irregular location of the centres also posed grave risk to the registration officers and the machines, questioning, "how will I evacuate men and machines in the event of danger?" The REC boss alleged that the centres have been secured by an influential politician from the area, who would want to use it to rig election, but assured that he would remove three machines and leave one behind, just as he would need to meet with the registration officials before taking action. Onukaogu stressed that he was constrained by the fact that the "floating registration centres" deep in the forest were documented from the INEC Abuja headquarters and assured it would be corrected. Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, who expressed shock at the location of the registration centres, said: "We have shortfalls in machines. But in the forest here, there are four machines lying idle. All the people we met here are not up to 10. But if you go to some other places, you will find thousands of people waiting to be registered". Describing such registration centres as what people use to perpetuate electoral fraud, the deputy governor said: "This, I can assure you, is part of the rascality of the past which the present government under Mr. Peter Obi is trying hard to stamp out of the state." However, a former deputy chairman of Oyi Local Government, Chief Samuel Offorkansi, who is overseeing affairs at the voting centres, insisted that the place had been serving as voting and registration centres since 1998, stressing that contrary to what the people think, the centres were in the midst of densely populated villages.

Corruption: Jonathan should resign based on PAC findings – Ribadu

Editors Online — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:13:52 +0000

Vanguard

BY EMMA OVUAKPORIE

ABUJA—Following the findings of the Presidential Advisory Committee, PAC, headed by retired General Theophilus Danjuma, that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was engrossed in corruption and high level debt profile, media team of the presidential flag bearer of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has called on the president to resign. In a statement by Ribadu’s campaign organisation and signed by the Head of Media and Communication, Ibrahim Moddibo, Ribadu stated that the PAC, which was set up by President Jonathan himself on January 20, presented a report to the president which raised alarm over widespread and substantial increase in the level of corruption in all sectors of government. The report claimed that as a result of the high level of corruption, Nigeria had remained internationally uncompetitive and that it had hampered the implementation of several policies as vision 20-2020. The media team said the committee also raised concerns over the depletion of the Excess Crude Account at a time of rising oil production and prices and excessive expenditure on the legislature. "We are baffled that despite the common knowledge that corruption is the bane of the country’s growth and development, President Jonathan has allowed this menace to thrive during his administration. "It is even more compelling that it is the president’s own advisers who are not only admitting this, but apparently chastising the government for its inactions by calling on the president and his administration to be more proactive in the fight against corruption," the media team stated. The campaign team suggested that since Jonathan was asking the Minister of State for Health to resign on corruption charges, "the president, who seems to be helpless in the face of this national problem, should also resign on the grounds of the findings of the PAC. "Part of the vision of Malam Nuhu Ribadu is to tackle corruption head on. Being someone who understands the damage corruption does to the psyche and economy of Nigerians, Ribadu would ensure that he uses his past achievement of successfully fighting corruption to tackle the menace."

The Pastor Bakare vice presidency

Editors Online — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 01:22:02 +0000

Punch NewsPapers

By Abimbola Adelakun

The touted choice of Pastor Tunde Bakare as the running mate of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is a smart one even though it shows some pandering to ethnic and religious sentiments. For a man like Buhari, who has been labelled as a Sharia fundamentalist, choosing a pastor and an activist – a relatively younger one for that matter – as his deputy is all he needs to dispel the vicious image.

Not just that, I see the Buhari/Bakare ticket as a repetition of history. During the first coming of Buhari, it was widely believed his non-smiling deputy, Gen. Tunde (another Tunde!) Idiagbon, was the real power behind the throne. Buhari might just be choosing another man, who will do the real job of cleaning Nigeria’s murk, while he does what he has been wanting for years: wield executive power. Bakare is fiery, brilliant and understands the issues that afflict our nation. He will be a great boost to Buhari’s candidacy whose ambition to be Nigeria’s civilian president has been defeated twice.

So, should Pastor Bakare run?

All eyes are on him and he says his are on God. Personally, I feel the idea of waiting on God to decide whether to run or not should be completely overhauled. In Nigeria, this is a too familiar line and, has been used in dishonest circumstances by politicians and military rulers.

Another Pastor, Chris Okotie of the FRESH Party, insists his candidature is God-sponsored even though he has repeatedly failed in his ‘divine’ quest for the presidency.

President Goodluck Jonathan didn’t pretend he was waiting on God but implied he would think about it. While doing so, all manner of voices came and impersonated God’s. Today, Jonathan is running as president. Nobody in Nigeria, who has ever waited on God, has ever turned down the opportunity to run for a juicy position. For somebody like Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, who made it clear, very early in his administration, that he was not going to be listening for God’s voice and he would hand over to a democratically elected president, ‘God’ (or his human agents) never erected hoadings or start several associations to whisper ‘Run, Son, run’ to him. From my experience, once you begin to toy with the desire, God’s voice will come saying what you want to hear and the voice of the people becomes the voice of God.

For Bakare, the questions are legion: So, is that what the Save Nigeria Group and all the activism are all about? Did he become an activist in order to gain political advantage? Is his trenchant denouncement of all the previous and incumbent administrations, self-serving or done in the interest of the public good? The stories of $50,000 by President Jonathan’s men will no longer seem like that of a honest man but one who simply wanted to put down a rival.

For somebody who has been a consistent critic of politicians, his new position is no longer that of a critic but a competitor.

There is also the issue of whether Nigerians will trust a critic as a leader. The last time a critic like late Gani Fawehinmi became a politician, for all his goodness of heart and contributions to the Nigeria of our dreams, Nigerians still didn’t vote for him en masse. The same Nigerians whose right he fought for on many fronts, was imprisoned several times for and, frightfully, died as a consequence of his prison sufferings didn’t think he could be their leader. Come election time that year, more Nigerians, like a woman, who craves an abusive lover, voted for people who had brutalised and plundered their economy.

As an aside, this idea of a Christian/Muslim ticket for political office should be de-emphasised. Anybody, regardless of his religious persuasion or lack of it, should be able to aspire to political leadership without having to pretend to belong to Christianity or Islam. Most leaders, who have come in the name of God, built churches and mosques in the state house have turned out to be largely frauds.

I have heard argument in some quarters that Pastors should not be involved in politics. People, who tow this line of reasoning only say so because they have not been involved in church politics. From my experience, I can say their politicking is as full of intrigue as that of Peoples Democratic Party and Action Congress of Nigeria, if not more sordid. When the leaders of national religious bodies are to be elected, the way they sometimes go about it makes one wonder if God would be given a chance to present His candidate at all. There have been instances when succession crises in churches have been taken to court even though the Bible expressly forbids this.

I followed the Christian Association of Nigerian Presidential election last year and I could not get over the intrigues that attended the process of choosing the leader.

If Bakare wants to take a chance of taking the politics into a more heterogeneous arena, good luck to him as long as he can do it and remain Pastor Bakare.

There are two things that are likely to happen if Bakare should say ‘yes, I do’ to Buhari: one, they might run and win. Whether Buhari tries or not to run a second term, Bakare might want to be president from that point.

Two, they might lose. The very things that stand as Buhari’s advantage are also his disadvantages. He is older (68 and by 2015, will be 72) and he has been trying too hard to be president. In Nigeria, those who desire to be president never seem to make it. As the instances of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, MKO Abiola and lately, Atiku Abubakar have shown us, it takes much more than ambition and good intention to make the presidency. Conversely, those who appeared initially reluctant like Olusegun Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and Jonathan went farther.

Another minus for Buhari is that he was a dictator who was able to achieve some discipline during his first coming because he ruled by military fiat. In a democracy, can he repress people the same way to get them disciplined? I doubt it. He has been out of leadership for 25 years and that is a long time in the life of a nation. But will Pastor Bakare’s no-nonsense image boost all the areas in which Buhari’s candidature flags? The next 10 weeks will tell.

One good thing is this: Bakare’s personality will boost the political arena that is currently flat. Thank God for Atiku, the PDP primaries would not have been worth watching the way Sarah Jibril ended up as a metaphor of one woman one vote. With Pastor Bakare’s emergence, the bar will go higher and maybe the other candidates, who have concluded that the presidency is a done deal, might even get more creative and finally begin to talk about issues. In that case, I think Bakare should not just go for VP-ship. It might not be worth the amount of effort he would be putting in the campaign simply to light it up. In fact, if he would be criticised for turning activism to political advantage, he should go all the way and not short change himself by accepting to be a VP. He should go for the presidency instead.

ACN to Nigerian Tribune: your editorial a poorly-executed hatchet job

Editors Online — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 07:58:11 +0000

The Nation

By Sunday Omoniyi

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described yesterday’s editorial of the Nigeria Tribune as a poorly-executed hatchet job. It said the newspaper put on the garb of a partisan and made no pretences to professionalism while castigating the ACN. Nigeria Tribunewrote an editorial in which it castigated ACN on alleged imposition of candidates at the party’s primaries.Former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu has described the Nigerian Tribune editorial of yesterday which attacked him over the conduct of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) primaries as the height of editorial irresponsibility and the climax of editorial rascality. ‘’It is common knowledge that the Tribune’s fortunes have taken a nosedive in recent years, but the newspaper hit a new low yesterday by throwing all pretences to the wind to act as a front for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),’’ ACN’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in a statement in Ilorin, Kwara State. The party said: "Even if the PDP had written that editorial, it could not have been so recklessly partisan, so undisguisedly biased and so devoid of any professionalism. Simply put, the so-called editorial fails to meet the attributes of objectivity, balance and fairness.’’ ACN said even though the editorial was supposedly on the party’s primaries, the Tribune could not hide its real reason for writing it. ACN noted that Tribune veered into the party’s recovery, through the courts, of its stolen mandates in Osun and Ekiti states, what the paper thinks the party’s fortunes will be in the forthcoming elections and unrestrained personal attacks against the party’s leadership. ‘’This has shown us that the real reason Tribune threw caution to the wind is that it has lost its two cash cows in Osun and Ekiti, in the form of dwindling advertisement revenue from the patronage offered the paper by the usurper governors who were eventually sent packing. ‘’But we hasten to say that the worst is yet to come. When Oyo and Ogun fall to the camp of the progressives in April through the peoples’ votes, Tribune may have to look elsewhere for patronage, since there will be no more room for cash and carry editorials, and fully-paid for front page stories,’’ the party said. ACN said contrary to Tribune’s assertions, the party held primaries to pick its candidates for April’s general elections, adding that it (ACN) remains the most transparent and democratic party in Nigeria today. ‘’Yes, the primaries may not have been perfect, but this whole process remains a learning curve, meaning things can only get better with time. At least we did not resort to bare-faced stealing of votes like it happened during the PDP presidential primary in Abuja and was attested to by no less a PDP stalwart as Senator Joseph Waku. It is common knowledge that governors coaxed delegates with dirty money and chaperoned them to the polling booths!’’ it said.It is height of irresponsibility, says Tinubu In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olakunle Abimbola, the former governor said: "Our attention has been drawn to the the Nigerian Tribune editorial of January 27, in which the paper launched a blistering attack on the person of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, under the guise of critiquing the alleged mishandling of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) primary elections. "First, on the technical level, it is really a thing of shame that Tribune, which used to boast excellent and incisive editorials during the era of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, has cascaded to such depth that it made bare-faced hatred and condemnable bias the basis of its editorial, when editorials are anchored on logic and not emotions. That is the only reasonable way the scurrilous attacks on Asiwaju Tinubu, and the professionally outrageous manner the editorial was written, could be interpreted. If the oldest newspaper in Nigeria has to be taught the basics in editorial writing, then the house that Awo built is in great danger and it needs urgent rescue. "Besides, if the editorial is the most sacred voice of a newspaper, every newspaper must be wary of profaning that voice with old wives’ tales; hence it is a matter of time before it totally destroys itself, the path of perdition that Tribune has already embarked upon by devoting all its energy to reactionary causes. "The paper claimed that Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN was humiliated for months before he was endorsed for second term. It also lamented that the ACN dropped Princess Sarah Sosan as Fashola’s running mate. But when did naming a party’s gubernatorial candidate and dropping a deputy become the business of a newspaper? Is that evidence of editorial idleness? Besides, what sort of newspaper would serve creative speculation as hard evidence and go on to put such in its leader article? "But by far the editorial’s most dangerous insinuation was that ACN folks were crying wolf on fears about Asiwaju Tinubu’s personal safety, given the murderous desperation of his political opponents in the Tribune’s beloved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). And the wild claim that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has questioned Asiwaju Tinubu’s source of wealth – but how so? "Might it be said Tribune’s editors do not again understand simple English? As to the lazy attempt to dismiss fears about Asiwaju Tinubu’s safety as hoax, even a first time visitor from Mars, if he is told the long list of unresolved political assassinations in this clime, would learn not to be smug about any conspiratorial alert. But then, Tribune we fear, is too far gone! If the Tribune editorial had kept to criticising political party primaries, and kept to facts and trend, it would still have had legitimate rights, no matter how adverse its judgement had been on any party. Everyone after all, has an opinion on things. "But hiding behind the primaries to attack the integrity of a private citizen, simply because the Tribune harbours partisan sympathies against that citizen, is the height of editorial irresponsibility and the climax of editorial rascality. "Such rascality does grave injury to the memory of the great Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who founded the Tribune and whose name this newspaper is dragging in the mud by its reckless partisanship."The party said accusing it of nepotism is to turn the meaning of the word upside down, adding: ‘’Since when did it become a sign of nepotism to give everyone a chance to seek an elective post on the platform of a party? Does being a former governor’s child bar any qualified person from contesting election? ‘’On Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, she is more than qualified to run for the Senatorial seat she is seeking, using whatever criteria there are. "She has paid her dues and made sacrifices for the democracy that has given some hack writers to say whatever catches their fancy today. For five years, she was in exile with her husband. Later, her New Era Foundation gave her the much-needed platform to touch many lives. Unless of course Tribune is arguing that being Tinubu’s wife disqualifies her from seeking any elective post. ‘’And we make bold to say that if Grace Bent from Osun State can contest Senatorial election in Adamawa, the Ogun-born Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu can represent Lagos State in the Senate,’’ the party said. It also accused Tribune of publishing half truths by saying Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti dissolved the local government councils in the state without following the law, when indeed the governor dissolved the councils in accordance with the law promulgated when the PDP held sway in the state. ‘’For Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, it was the right thing to do by waiting for the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, that the local government elections conducted by the usurper Olagunsoye Oyinlola administration violated Osun State’s electoral laws, before dissolving the councils,’’ ACN said. The party wondered why a paper that sees nothing wrong in a PDP stalwart openly and crudely casting aspersion on the integrity of Court of Appeal Justices will resort to writing the kind of balderdash that was foisted on hapless readers as an editorial. ‘’But we are aware that this kind of editorial can help to lay the groundwork for rigging in the forthcoming elections. However, we dare anyone to rig the next elections and see whether he or she will live to tell the story’’, ACN said.

Retrial Tribunal Sacks Osun Speaker, Stops Omisore From Rerun Primaries

Editors Online — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 10:39:32 +0000

From Tunji Omofoye,Osogbo (Guardian News)

PDP Panel Disqualifies Omisore From Osun East Senatorial Contest THE senatorial ambition of Senator Iyiola Omisore, Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation may have suffered a setback as the Electoral Appeal Panel set up by the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disqualified him from the re-run senatorial race in Osun State. Also, a retrial Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo has nullified the election of the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Adejare Bello. Shock gripped the entire courtroom when the tribunal nullified Bello's seat, which he had occupied for almost two terms. The appeal panel had ordered for fresh primaries in Osun East Senatorial District following a petition filed by one of the aspirants who participated in the recently concluded primaries, Prince Francis Fadahunsi. Omisore was declared winner during the primaries. According to the panel, Omisore was disqualified on the ground that he did not actually vie for the Osun East Senatorial race, but governorship seat in the state. The PDP Panel while giving its report on a petition filed by Fadahunsi ordered a re-run of the primaries in Osun East and at the same time barred Senator Omisore from contesting in the re-run poll. In the report of the panel dated January 27, 2011 addressed to the Acting National Chairman of PDP and jointly signed by Ugwu Chinonso and Nasir Chakis, Chairman and Secretary of the PDP Electoral Appeal Panel respectively, the party cancelled the results of the primary election held at Ilesa Grammar School on January 7, 2011 due to alleged misleading of delegates, intimidation and thuggery. The Panel held that Chief Fasasi Atoferu, the Senatorial leader for Osun East Senatorial District, acting in conjunction with Senator Omisore misled the delegates by directing them to Oluorogbo Grammar School, Ile-Ife instead of Ilesa Grammar School. "There was frequently repeated radio announcement that the primary election will be held at Oluorogbo Grammar School, which genuinely misled many voters, many people also gave evidence before the panel that they were held hostage and prevented from voting'', the report read. "Although, while addressing the Panel, Senator Omisore did not refute his governorship bid nor the radio announcement and other affiliated complaints by Fadahunsi, his clearance certificate was not also presented or tendered to the Primaries. The panel said, "Senator Iyiola Omisore did not show up nor express intention to contest for Osun East Senatorial District. He is hereby disqualified from participating in the re-ordered party primaries." "The PDP Primary for Osun East Senatorial District held on January 7, 2011 is cancelled forthwith. Another fresh election for Osun East Senatorial District is hereby ordered", the report said. The Panel noted that it called Omisore to testify adding the senator did not refute the allegation but only stated his position as a party leader who wanted something good for the party. The panel said the evidence before it shows that Omisore vied for Osun State Governor seat and not Osun East Senatorial seat. The sitting venue of the appeal panel was the PDP party secretariat, Osogbo, Osun State. The panel physically saw the posters and banners of Senator Omisore for governor of Osun State. The report was copied to PDP Chairman, Osun State, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), the state Police Commissioner, Director of State Security Service (SSS) in Osun, Senator Omisore and Fadahunsi. In another development, the election tribunal led by Justice Patrick Elechi, in its judgment, held that election into the state house of assembly held on April 14, 2007 was marred by violence, multiple voting and over-voting. Arising from these findings, the tribunal declared the declaration of Adejare Bello null and void and ordered that a rerun election be conducted within 30 days. Bello, who had been heading the Osun State Parliament since the 2007 poll as the Speaker was representing Ede-North State Constituency, and had been in the saddle as Speaker since 2003. Alhaji Kamordeen Akanbi, the candidate of the Action Congress (AC) had approached the Justice Thomas Naron-led Tribunal, with a petition challenging the propriety of Bello's election with majority of lawful votes. While the first tribunal struck out Akanbi's petition, the petitioner headed for the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, where the decision of the lower tribunal was set aside for miscarriage of justice and a retrial was ordered. In its ruling yesterday, Justice Elechi held that the petitioner had proved the allegation of irregularities and election malpractices and nullified Bello's election.

Are Nigerians Ready To Fight For Democracy?

Editors Online — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 19:16:07 +0000

By Reuben Abati

THE point has been made elsewhere that the enthusiasm and passion that Nigerians have shown in the course of the current voters' registration are proof positive of their commitment to democracy and their willingness to defend their freedom. In the light of fresh revelations, however, is this really the case? Is there something more fundamental to the exertions that we have seen across the country that needs to be deconstructed beyond surface indications? It would appear that surface realities mask subterranean truths more particularly in this case. Anyone looking at the voters' registration exercise would immediately conclude that the average Nigerian is an apostle of democratic governance. Before the one-week extension, there were reports of persons arriving at the registration centres as early as one am. Would-be voters in Lagos, Abuja and elsewhere chose to sleep at registration centres! Some didn't get registered until after days of trial and failure, and hundreds never got a chance at all. Security officials who had been deployed to maintain the peace began to issue tally numbers to persons on the queue and the people willingly paid for the slips. Where there was no electricity, and this was nationwide, poor voters brought out their small generators (the type popularly known as I-better-pass-my-neighbour) and gave them to INEC officials free of charge. Landlords converted their compounds and living rooms to registration centres without demanding any rent. In many states, those who felt they were being disenfranchised organised public protests, including women in hijab insisting on their right to wear the hijab. Has anyone thought of how the process could be easily compromised by women in veil whose identity cannot be properly established? In Ikorodu, pregnant women collapsed while queuing up to be registered. In many places, physical combats broke out on the registration queue, with the most dramatic being the photograph of two young ladies who fought over tally number in Gwagwalada, Abuja. The pictures (front page, National Mirror and The Nation, Friday, January 28), showed one of the ladies trying to pull off the other's blouse and strip her naked. The photographer didn't wait for the blouse to be prised loose before clicking the shutter (very unprofessional!) or may be the editors deprived us of the more telling exposure for reasons of decency. Why would anyone risk going nude for democracy? In so many other places, would-be voters threatened to beat up registration officials for arriving late. They even offered money, food and other incentives to the officials to motivate them to do their work. On the surface, this shows determination, love of democracy, altruism and patriotism. But maybe not. It is important to check the demographics of the people who seem to be desperate for democracy. These are mostly poor, struggling people, whose interest in the voters' registration exercise may be driven not by commitment or patriotism, but fear and opportunism. The people are desperate to register, they are willing to fight to get a tally number and even pay for a voter's register, not because they want a particular candidate in power, but because they are afraid of what they will lose if they do not register. In many states, the state governments have made it clear that the failure to have a voter's card could result in the loss of access to state-controlled privileges. In Ekiti state, civil servants have been told that those who do not get a voter's card will not receive a salary at the end of the month. In Bayelsa, the Governor told intending pilgrims, about 1, 000 of them, that if they cannot get a voter's card, they could as well forget the idea of pilgrimage. Which is curious because pilgrimage is supposed to be a private affair and the state has no business meddling in religious affairs; rather, it should maintain the neutrality of the state. In some other states, the threat has been subtler, but no less effective. People are afraid that if they do not register, their children may not be allowed to return to school, or their spouses may not be allowed to use public hospitals or their pensions may not be paid. Who knows? The marriage registry could even ask for a voter's card! Immunisation centres may do so, and spouses may be asked to show a voter's card before they can be allowed to sleep in the same room with their partners! In a country where tomorrow is forever uncertain, persons who still depend on the state for services and opportunities are certainly not likely to take chances. They would rather lose sleep, dignity and money in order to protect themselves. They know that the Nigerian state can be cruel, and that it is. Necessary measures have to be put in place to ensure that the people embrace democratic processes in Nigeria, not because they are afraid of reprisals, and not because they are protecting ethnic and religious interests, but because they genuinely believe in the democratic process. The state's emphasis should be on the people's voluntary ownership not coercion or blackmail. Is it any wonder that the Nigerian middle class is entirely non-challant about the current voter's registration exercise? Most of the ladies who have been pulling at each other's bras, and the men who have been having registration-queue erectile dysfunction, are all poor people who need the voter's card as a means of relevance and advancement. Members of the middle class have largely shunned the exercise, and the few who deign to show up at the registration centres consider it infra dig to pay for a tally number or to queue up for hours. The structural exclusion of that critical mass from the registration exercise automatically renders it ineffectual. Of what use is a democracy that is ignored by the country's middle class? The Nigerian middle class is condescending perhaps because it has nothing to be afraid of: it is not under pressure to patronize public schools or hospitals, it is not in any way dependent on the state, and so its members can afford to ignore the state and its processes. Where the tragedy lies is that there are many in the Nigerian middle and upper middle classes who may not even be aware that a voters' registration exercise is taking place in the country: they belong to a class of local aliens who do not read local newspapers nor do they watch local television, and who do not care who wins a Nigerian election. It may be added that a bulk of the voters' registration enthusiasts are not animals of fear but opportunism: in this category, we locate those who are selling and receiving and buying at the registration centres because for them everything Nigerian is a "business", that is an opportunity to make quick profit, and the voters' registration exercise looks like a good business. Here you would find the security men who have turned the exercise into an opportunity for the sale of tally numbers, the touts who sell positions on queues, and the would-be voters who are desperate to get a card so they too can sell it when it is election time. The latter reason explains why there have been reports of double registration, with people travelling from one state to the other to register, convinced that INEC is so disorganized and its machines so weak, their impunity cannot be detected. Politicians, for example, are said to be monitoring the process and they are already buying up the cards ahead of election week. State governments are also bribing INEC officials openly and claiming that this is "African hospitality". Where are the intelligence agencies, then? What have they done or are doing to check this blatant a priori rigging of the 2011 general elections? There is an inherent paradox that the country lacks 24-hour power supply, and those who provide electricity to electoral agents can be freely opportunistic. The question of citizenship has also not been fully addressed; hence voters' registration only offers a random sample of people living in a particular area. If Nigerians are incensed by the poor performance of the last 12 years, they have been relatively restrained, but the temper for outrage could be ignited explosively. In Iran, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, and Egypt, we have seen how people's rebellion could be triggered by seemingly ordinary circumstances. There has been a copy cat outbreak of people's revolt in Gabon also in the last two weeks, which all African leaders should note carefully. It may be said that people's revolt is not unknown in Nigeria but it is noteworthy as an example, that the struggle against military misrule in Nigeria, 1993 – 1999, was in its resolution (content and outcomes) treated more as an ethnic dilemma rather than an ideological, principle-based issue. There are lessons to be learnt from the kind of protest that is on-going in the Middle East for it is in reality, a people's earnest demand for change. Unfortunately, the Nigerian power elite has lost sight of the more basic lessons. The current voters' registration exercise is being conducted under the veil of ethnic and religious objections. The country is practically divided with regard to the choice of Presidential candidates, especially in the ruling party. Efforts need to be made now to ensure that the battle over the April polls will not be about ethic or sectarian differences, but democracy as an ideal. The present seeds of religious and ethnic polarisation may prove to be far more destructive than envisaged. What we need clearly is not an electorate that is ritualistically enthusiastic about voters' registration, out of fear or opportunism, but an electorate that is determined to defend its freedoms. Nigerians like events and episodes. Every event in their lives is a festival to which they are willing to devote maximum energy. But if the people are truly interested in democracy and its ideals, they should at all times carry a banner for human freedoms, which are under major assault in the country. By this, I mean that the kind of passion that we should seek is an electorate that is ready and willing to ask questions beyond the value of the voter's card in their possession. This is the surest antidote against the constructive omissions at the heart of the Nigerian democracy. Nigerians show much interest during voters' registration and elections but thereafter they go to sleep. They all admit and conclude that the public arena is for people who want to steal nor do they feel compelled to expose same. The middle class that is supposed to do so is so disenchanted it cares only about its continued survival. Whereas, a vibrant electorate has a duty to monitor electoral outcomes and their ancillary consequences and insist on the people's votes being made to count. That is the next level for Nigeria. By now, there should have been protests on the streets over the killing of innocent people, with political affiliations in Borno state. 50% of the Senate members have lost their tickets and close to 80% of the Federal House of Representatives members will not return. Nigerians should be dancing in the streets. These are the same lawmakers who earned more money than the work that they were doing on behalf of the Nigerian people. The Nigerian electorate appears disconnected and it is why the enthusiasm on the voters' registration queue, cannot be easily taken as a positive indication at face value. There is no real democracy where the people are driven by fear and opportunism. The operational reality of conducting an election in April has been compromised in too many ways at this pre-election stage. INEC must be willing to do a proper audit of what has gone wrong, with a view to learning necessary lessons.

Why Ribadu Matters

Editors Online — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:45:07 +0000

By Feyi Fawehinmi

Nigerian politics is not yet at the point where democratic institutions have taken deep root so the 'type' of leader we have sends a lot of 'signals' down the food chain which in turn gives the government whatever character it is seen to have. So Shagari was seen to be incompetent and spineless, this was a signal to men like Umaru Dikko and many others in that government that you could pretty much take whatever you wanted from the commonwealth with impunity. Likewise when a few days to the 2007 elections, President Obasanjo described it as a do or die affair, this was a powerful signal to every politician, especially those in the PDP, that whatever barriers to rigging that were in place previously had now been removed. The result was that we had a shame of an exercise that must never be referred to as an election. The examples are endless. After Murtala Mohammed became Head of State, civil servants were said to be reporting at their desks by 7am. Fast forward a few years and our civil servants are more likely to be found watching Africa Magic or hawking all sorts of wares in the office. The President does not need to patrol every ministry unannounced to make our civil servants sit up at their desks. He only needs to send a strong enough signal, in word and in deed, that things will no longer be as they have and people will sit up. Similarly, we need leadership that will send a strong signal to the rest of the world that things are different now so we can attract the quality foreign investment we need along with the skills transfer this would bring. But most of all, we need leadership that sends a strong signal to every Nigerian that things have well and truly changed and after so many false starts, our country can finally get going. One man cannot unwind our totally corrupt system but he can at least introduce punishment into the system so that people know that there will consequences for robbing the nation. A system whereby people facing trial for corruption are awarded multi million naira contracts sends out all the wrong signals to the clerk in the ministry. Nuhu Ribadu's candidacy excites me. For one, I know that the ONLY way he can be President is if Nigerians come out in their numbers to vote for him. Perhaps in my lifetime, this will be the first real transfer of power from the people, via a mandate, to a man they have deemed worthy of presiding over the affairs of the nation. He cannot rig his way into office neither can he buy his way to the Presidency. I am also excited by the fact that this candidacy is getting a lot of its power from those who will own this country tomorrow. Those who will be called next. I need not bore you with the man's biography or achievements. His Wikipedia page has all the information you need. A foolish consistency they say, is the hobgoblin of small minds; the time for doing the same thing 'one more time' hoping for a different result is gone now. It is getting boring even. I watched the PDP primaries in 2003 that handed Obasanjo the party's presidential ticket to contest that year's elections. It promised so many surprises to the point where I stayed up till very late in the night listening to Tom Ikimi repeat 'Oba-sanjo' again and again till I was nearly in a trance. And then a few weeks ago, I watched again as 'Jonathan' after 'Jonathan' was called out. This time I didn't wait very long before going to bed. We are being asked once again to vote for a candidate delivered by the exact same system that has produced his predecessors because after 12 years, this time it will be different. I leave you to imagine what signals will come out of Aso Rock in 4 years if we are to continue with the PDP. No word has been as much abused as the word 'change' especially when it comes to politics and campaign. And because Nigeria cries out for change so obviously, change has become a single door through which a throng of politicians try to run through at the same time whenever elections approach leaving the race not to the best but to the most thuggish. But I can make my decision based on those who indeed brought change when they had the chance to do so...anyone can brandish a credit card with change written all over it. At some point, real cash will have to be involved to complete the transaction. My name is Feyi Fawehinmi and I am 32 years old. If I had been born in the east end of London, in my lifetime I would have seen Canary Wharf rise from the ground from a part of London that was no more than a glorified marsh. And I would have grown up with a vision that no longer sees the obstacles in front of me but the possibilities. Or if I had been born in Beijing, I would have watched in my lifetime as my city was completely transformed into one of the most developed cities in China good enough to host the Olympics. And I would have grown up not being overwhelmed by the problems but excited by the possibilities. I could have been born in Atlanta, Georgia and I would have watched my city transformed by the 1996 Olympics and seen life spring up from empty spaces all over the city turning the city into a world class town. And with that, never again will I look at an empty dark space the same way again. And when Barack Obama says 'we do big things', I would nod in understanding. As it turns out, I was born in Nigeria so the gutters that have been open for as long as I can remember remain open till today...filled with quite possibly the same stagnant water. I might therefore think that covering gutters (which will in turn reduce mosquitoes that still kill our people) is such a big deal. And when I travel round the country and see open gutters everywhere, I am more likely to be overwhelmed by the scale of the problems that have been left to fester for forever. The inimitable Pius Adesanmi put it best when he said; "You are not likely to consider constant electricity in the 21st century a right that must be fought for if your mental universe is such that you want to mount the pulpit on Sunday and give testimony that you went to the lord in prayer and fasting and came against the spirit of darkness and, behold, “NEPA did not take light during the naming ceremony of my child!" In other words, because I am a Nigerian, my idea of development and advancement is completely warped (not different, warped) and I have come to view certain things as perhaps acceptable. We underestimate how far behind we are from where we should normally be. And we forget that the world is not sitting down somewhere waiting for us to catch up. We cannot continue to flirt with a party that is more likely to produce a Peter Odili as governor than it is to produce a Rotimi Amaechi. We are all partly to blame for where we find ourselves because as much as we have had the misfortune of being ruled by the most clueless of generals, there have been those moments when an olive has been offered us and we turned it down. We could have perhaps voted for Awolowo instead of Shagari and our story might have been different today. Or maybe not. The important thing to note is that we had a choice then and we have a choice once again now. A wise man once said that the reason why God gave us Mondays was so we could start again even after a very bad week. I am voting Nuhu Ribadu because Nigeria is crying out for positive change and nothing says change like his candidacy...not just a change in the choice of headgear. We are at a point in our nation where we are being sold second hand sophistry packaged in a new wrapper. That the presidency is defined by a man who would be nowhere in the reckoning were this to be anywhere near a serious open contest. That a man propelled to the top of the nation's leadership by a series of events that would make Lemony Snicket green with envy apparently had all the solutions inside of him all along. That a man, just like his late boss, who had never been known to aspire to the highest office in the land is now the best man for the job...presumably after having seen what the job entails and declaring it to be only slightly more difficult than a cakewalk. It is important that we pause and listen to the arguments being presented to us. Yours truly is an accountant and I work in a firm where I report to a Director. If something were to happen and my boss couldn't make it in to the office one day, I could probably cover for him for a couple of days using whatever knowledge I have gleaned from working with him. This does not however automatically make me a director. If my boss were never to return to the office again, the reasonable thing for the company to do would be to call for applications for the vacant role and if I felt confident enough to apply, I would do so like everybody else. I would not expect to be treated differently even though I might have an edge. But in Nigeria we have created a system whereby, as long as you are able to reach the Presidency by whatever means, you automatically become the 'best man for the job'. To sit on the chair is to be. And invariably the country is dragged to your level of competence...usually downwards hardly ever upwards. Nigerians are once again faced with a choice and we can be fixated on the person sitting on the chair to the detriment of every other person. We only postpone the evil day in that regard. So when I look at all the candidates running for office, I comfortably come down on the side of Mr. Ribadu as the best man for the job. I am not moved by luck or chance. I choose to remain clear eyed when making such a serious decision. It is practically impossible to talk about the candidacy of Nuhu Ribadu without talking about Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos state and ACN chieftain. Without mincing words, I am no fan of the Asiwaju mainly because I think he lacks the intellectual capacity to come up with a vision as leader of the Yorubas, never mind Nigeria, as he is seen to be these days. But unto Asiwaju what is due Asiwaju. Wole Soyinka once said that 'records are not kept to assist the weakness of memory but to serve as guides to the future'. So a quick recap will suffice. Olusegun Obasanjo got elected in 1999 in an anomalous fashion in that he lost his entire constituency (South West Nigeria) but went on to win the Presidency. In a parliamentary system such as the UK, David Cameron would no longer be Prime Minister if he were to somehow lose his constituency of Witney in Oxfordshire. Four years later this anomaly was seen as a weakness for Obasanjo and there was much grumbling directed at him from within the PDP. Invariably having learnt the lessons of politics, he needed to correct this problem. So by hook or crook he needed to 'deliver' the South West to the PDP from the AD. This was achieved in various ways from outright rigging to giving false assurances to men like Segun Osoba. Yes it is true that Lam Adesina was considered to be pretty much useless by the people of Oyo state but today they have Adebayo Alao-Akala in his place, a man who has plumbed the depths so far that the only place left to go is for him to drop out of the earth's bottom. Yes it is true that Olusegun Osoba was seen to be disconcertingly haughty by the people of Ogun state but he was replaced with Gbenga Daniel who is never far away from the gravest of allegations ranging from murder to theft. Yes it is true that Bisi Akande and Adebayo Adefarati were seen to be old and lethargic by the people of Osun and Ondo states respectively but they were replaced by Olagunsoye Oyinlola who never once let anything stand in the way of his enjoyment around the globe and Olusegun Agagu who performed so woefully in Ondo state that he saw fit to hire Mike Tyson, Michael Jackson and such like to aid his re-election in 2007. Yes it is true that Adeniyi Adebayo in Ekiti state was seen to be a spoilt and privileged daddy's boy but he was replaced with Ayodele Fayose who spent billions of naira on a shameful poultry project in the state where not ONE single chicken was ever seen. In the end, the PDP hostile takeover of the South West in 2003 was a self serving move led by Obasanjo using his patented brand of do or die politics. Now pause for a moment. And imagine if the PDP had completed a clean sweep and taken Lagos state in that same 2003. The APP/ANPP had also been decimated by the PDP from 9 states down to 2 states. Today the ACN is in control of 4 states and has more than a good chance of capturing at least 2 more states in April. The ANPP remains stuck on 2 states and is likely to remain at that after the coming election. There is therefore no doubt that the ACN is the #1 opposition party in Nigeria today. And it would never have been possible if the Asiwaju didn't somehow stand firm in 2003 to repel the PDP juggernaut. The only hope we would have an opposition worth the name today would be us waiting for the PDP to implode and spin off a new arm. Then there is of course the question of legacy. No amount of garnishing can turn a plate of frog meat into something palatable that one would want to eat. However if push came to shove, one would at least make a choice in favour of the frog with an egg inside it....so says the Yoruba proverb. Obasanjo and Tinubu were motivated by the same selfishness when they were picking their successors in 2007 but it is hard not to imagine that Babatunde Fashola is in fact the frog with an egg inside it when placed side by side with the late Umaru Yar'Adua. The ACN as the main opposition party in Nigeria today presents the most realistic vehicle for Nuhu Ribadu to achieve his aim of change. Politics always comes in packages; It is not a Christmas hamper where you can take what you want out of the basket and abandon the rest. This is the reason why Barack Obama rose out of the same party in the same state of Illinois as the hopelessly corrupt Governor Rod Blagojevich. To repeat; this is not a defence of the Asiwaju...he comes with baggage. But the office of the Nigerian president does not tolerate a godfather for too long and I am confident that Mr. Ribadu will be his own man and set the agenda as President. Because I know he at least stands for something. I believe a new Nigeria is possible. And on April 9th I will vote for Nuhu Ribadu as the man best able to deliver the vision of Nigeria I have when I close my eyes and imagine the possibilities. But I will also abide by the choice of the Nigerian people. Whoever wins will be recognised as my President. And not a drop of any Nigerian's blood will be shed in the name of any politician, Ribadu included. And I am confident that our votes will count. And the people's voices will be heard. But I do not love any one candidate more than I love Nigeria to the point where I believe he has to win or nothing else. Presidents will come and go but Nigeria will endure. I will vote my conscience and I will accept the result. I am not afraid.

Where Is That Bastard

Editors Online — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:16:56 +0000

By Pius Adesanmi

"Where is the bastard? I say where is that bastard?" "Baba, baba, baba, take it easy now. Bastard wo l’en wa kiri sir? We are in a church for thanksgiving o." "Church my foot! If not for Olagunsoye Oyinlola who has been thanking God per second per second since he left office in Osogbo, I wouldn’t be here in Okuku to risk being insulted by that boy a second time. The last time Oyinlola thanked God for a successful tenure of office, that bastard boy came here to abuse me." "Baba, e ni suru sir." "No, mi o le ni suru rara at all. I’m in no mood to dey kampe today. Now that we are here again to thank God for Oyinlola at sixty, that bastard may barge in at any time and disgrace me again. Imagine that boy calling me names the other time. I wonder who gave him pounded yam and told him that egusi soup was a cakewalk." "But Baba…" "Don’t but me any buts my friend. Do I look like I dey laugh to you? If I don’t deal with that boy once and for all today, he may be rude to me if Oyinlola invites us here again next week to thank God for his senatorial ambition." "Baba, stop worrying about him for God’s sake. He is not here. He is running for the Senate and is busy campaigning in Ekiti." "Is that not part of the nonsense that we are talking about in this country? We are planning to send all of our outgoing PDP governors to the retired governors’ pension home that is the Senate and that bastard is trying to do the same thing in the Labour Party. Can you imagine a boy who called me a father of bastards planning to retire to the Senate in this country?" "Baba, please stop worrying about that Ekiti rascal. Even if he wins, he will not get to Abuja. Se b’awa ni. Let’s worry about the Emperor of Oke Mosan who is thumbing his nose at you in Otta." "See me o. That is how this country treats elder statesmen. Emi si Gbenga! Because he has a richer wardrobe than his elders, he now imagines he also has more rags than his elders. I will teach that boy a lesson he will never forget. Good thing Oyinlola did not invite him here today." "Shhhh, Baba, the Pastor is looking at us o. Let’s listen to the sermon…" My brothers and sisters, distinguished chieftains, stakeholders, and elder statesmen of the PDP gathered to celebrate and felicitate with our brother, His Excellency General Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, you are most welcome to our church. I say unto you all: nothing happens by accident. Everything is of God and has been pre-ordained by Him. God pre-ordained things and that is why you conquered this nation and captured power in 1999, 2003, and 2007. I tell you, nobody shall dispossess you of your possession in 2011 for I saw your dominion over this nation spread till eternity in a vision. For it is written in the book of Deuteronomy 7: When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. For thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. Distinguished chieftains, stakeholders, and elder statesmen of the PDP, even as it happened unto the chosen ancients in the Bible, I command it today that so shall you smite and vanquish the ACN, the ACPN, the Labour Party, the CPC, and all the other enemies of your sixty-year inheritance in 2011…" "This is a good Pastor o. He is talking a lot of sense. Where did Oyinlola rent him? We need to do something for this church. How much seed should we sow during offering?" "Ten million naira should be enough, Baba." "Ok, I will do it but remind me to collect my money from the PDP national secretariat o. I am not sowing the seed in my private capacity o. Anyway, we were talking about Gbenga…" "Yes o, Baba, since all these small small boys with a little change in their pockets are challenging us and rocking the boat left, right, and centre, what are you our elders doing about it in the Board of Trustees? Since Jonathan is always doing sme sme, I don’t think you should entrust him with our do or die strategy as we approach April o." "Who will trust that woman with do or die? He has messed up every do or die assignment thus far." "Baba, which woman are you talking about?" "Goodluck Jonathan of course. Didn’t you just say he is always doing sme sme like a woman? Ordinary to transfer and neutralize Justice Ayo Salami of the Court of Appeal, Jonathan and Katsina-Alu have bungled that vital anticipatory do or die strategy of ours. We have the Supreme Court firmly in our pockets because Katsina-Alu and Ogebe are our boys but that Ayo Salami won’t let us have the Court of Appeal." "Baba, knowing Jonathan and his sme sme, the BOT should not have entrusted him with that delicate assignment." "I didn’t want to give that assignment to Jonathan but Andy Uba, Chris Uba, Ahmadu Ali, Tony Anenih, and other party elders persuaded me to let the president look presidential by appearing to be in charge of things. We told him that Ayo Salami needs to go if we are to secure a landslide of judicial victories after April. He handed that delicate assignment over to Katsina-Alu and see what they have done." "What would you have done, Baba?" "I would have gotten my friend, Ban Ki Moon, to find him something at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. An important UN position that the stubborn judge would not have been able to resist because that would translate to Nigeria losing that slot at the international level. I have asked Jonathan to look into that possibility since the promotion to the Supreme Court option has blown up in our faces." "Baba, move closer and let me whisper an idea into your ears… what about…em … em… I mean what about the Esa Oke protocol? We are still the PDP, aren’t we? Our anticipated landslide victories will never be safe after April so long as that Ayo Salami is allowed to hang around o. My only fear is that if we use the Esa Oke protocol, that restless Professor who wears a white mane will go about calling us a nest of killers." "Is that why you are whispering? This is a family gathering. Babangida is here. Alao Akala is here. Segun Oni is here. Segun Agagu is here. That Ekiti bastard is not here. Only our inner caucus people are here. There is nothing we cannot discuss openly in Oyinlola’s sakani." "Baba, the wall has ears." "What is the world coming to? You are throwing proverbs around in front of an elder without permission. Is that how you were raised?" "Apologies, Baba. Ah, the Pastor is looking our way again. I think we are talking too loud. Let’s join the hymn." Count your blessings name them one by one Count your blessings see what God hath done Count your many blessings Name them one by one And it will surprise you what the lord hath done "Baba, as I was saying, we cannot talk with the full complement of our mouths here because the wall has ears. Baba, this place is infiltrated by the ears of the Asiwaju o." "Ehn, Asiwaju ke?" "Yes, there are suspicious elements in this church. Asiwaju will go to any length to infiltrate a gathering like this." "This Oyinlola has gone soft o. How can he allow Asiwaju’s ears to infiltrate this space? Are you sure that Kayode Fayemi, Raji Fashola, and even Rauf Aregbesola are not here?" "Haba Baba!" "That is why I was looking for that bastard Ekiti boy. If only he had come here today. I came prepared for him." "Baba, this Pastor will drive us out of his church today o. He is frowning at us again. Let’s listen a little." …in conclusion of my ministration today brothers and sisters, let us all rise up and say in unison to our dear brother, His Excellency General Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, even as he places his new political direction in the hands of the most high at sixty, let us all say to him along with the prophet Isaiah: "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you… "Remind me to recommend this Pastor to Jonathan as the next chaplain of the Aso Rock chapel. He is a man of God in whom I am well pleased. He knows what to say." "Okay Baba, I will remind you. As I was saying, forget the Ekiti rascal. He is not here. Only his wife came to represent him." "Ehn, iwo omode yi, what did you just say?" "Oh, Baba, I said that his wife is here." "At this thanksgiving service?" "Yes, Baba." "Why didn’t you say so! And we have been here talking politics and Jonathan and Ayo Salami. I will never understand you boys of nowadays. Always leaving the best wine until past the midnight hour." "Em, Baba, I don’t understand why you are getting so excited o." "Didn’t you just say that the woman is here alone?" "Yes, Baba, she is here to represent her husband. I think Oyinlola asked the Ekiti rascal to stay away out of respect for you so he sent his wife to represent him." "And she came here alone? All by herself?" "Yes, Baba." "Lovely. Wonderful." "Baba, I don’t understand." "No, my son, you don’t understand." "Baba, I hope it is not what I’m thinking. Why must you think that every woman’s destiny is under your loins? Even Femi Fani-Kayode said that Saminu Turaki and co were supplying…" "You see now? In the end, you are no different from that Ekiti boy who insulted me. You dare to open your rotten mouth and talk about my loins." "Baba, I’m just saying that you should control it and not think that every woman, married or unmarried, is..." "You are a bastard."

President Jonathan, His Unbridled Tongue And South West Rascals

Editors Online — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:20:08 +0000

By Adepoju Paul Olusegun

According to Microsoft Encarta, speech is a learned system of communication requiring the coordinated use of voice, articulation, and language skills. Although many animals are physiologically able to use the voice for communicating a wide range of simple messages to others of their species, only humans are able to produce true speech (as opposed to the skills in speech mimicry of such birds as parrots and mynae). In a broad sense, speech is synonymous with language. When delivering a speech, a speaker endeavours to pass his or her thoughts and opinions across; and at the same time, he or she ensures that the listeners really understand what the speech is all about. The success or failure at speech delivery is often pivotal to the achievement of set goals in almost every area of life. For instance, a sales representative must be very eloquent and convincing in order to secure his job and climb the professional ladder, a lawyer must be good at delivering speeches before he can get the judge to nod in the favour of his client. And politicians all over the world are always in search of the right words to use, that would convey their plans to the electorates. According to Bob Lehrman, leading Democratic strategist and speechwriter, the secret to good political speeches is simple, a politician must get to the point – quick, make his speech simple, be filled with humours, get the people to his side, and drive home his points. Respected politicians who are also eloquent public speakers often follow this rule. They say, "Here's a problem, here's why things are terrible," and in the second part, "Here's what we can do to make things better." In the problem section, they are strong — to alarm people, and to show they understand it's a real problem, as they do, and so their solution will make sense to the people. President Barack Hussein Obama is one of the numerous previously less known politicians who rose to the top as a result of his prowess and mastery of the art of public speaking. Speeches like Martin Luther King’s (Jnr.) "I Have A Dream", John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation, Lyndon Baines Johnson’s "We Shall Overcome", Ronald Wilson Reagan’s "A Time for Choosing", and John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s Civil Rights Address are some of the timeless speeches with words that remain relevant even today. To those who heard the speeches first hand, the speeches were inspiring, insightful, thoughtful and motivational. No wonder they are regularly consulted archived materials, unlike those of Nigerian politicians. Since the end of the Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa and Nnambdi Azikwe era, the polity in Nigeria has fall short of inspiring words that motivate Nigerians to resolve to do all within their power to serve their fatherland to the best of their abilities. The rationale behind this generational anomaly cannot be unconnected with the poor crop of leaders that the nation has had – people who seek authority, not to serve, but to access common wealth. Hence the words proceeding from their mouths often necessitate the need for Nigerians to look elsewhere – often to religious leaders, when in search of good leaders that would take the nation to higher horizons. Literate illiteracy and the suboptimal educational attainments of most Nigerian leaders are additional reasons that are often given as being responsible for the inability of Nigerian leaders to utter inspiring words from time to time. And over a long period of time, Nigerian politicians have become notorious with their boring presentations that only journalists listen to. Lots of prominent Nigerians cannot greet well without reading from the script (somebody like Patience), and when they attempt to talk "from the heart", grammatical blunders that initiate IBB (Independence Bomb Blast) reminiscence, indenting statements that fail to indemnify the well battered ego of the citizens, and divisive utterances that pitch one camp against another become the order of the day. The best moment to assess Nigerian leaders is when they are not reading prepared speeches with croaky voices. It is worthy to note that the most unforgettable statements by current Nigerian leaders were uttered when they weren’t reading! One of such is Obasanjo’s credited declaration that the widely condemned 2007 elections would be a do-or-die affair, especially in Lagos. He also gave us "I dey laugh" slang at one of such uncensored sessions. In both instances, his purported lousy comments proved to be extensively ostensible as Tinubu and Governor Fashola had to go all the way to ensure victory in Lagos; and Atiku was ridiculously defeated at PDP presidential primaries; all according to Obasanjo’s comments. Unlike the developed world where party members are usually unaware of the strategies that their party executives and hired political mercenaries are planning to unleash at the polls to catch the opposition unawares, every Nigerian has well informed details on what and how Nigerian political parties intend to clinch victory, thanks to the frequent "high moments" when Nigerian leaders become lousy with their unbridled tongues. President Goodluck Jonathan is the most recent Nigerian leader who lost the key to his speaking faculty in the ancient city of Ibadan. According to PUNCH Newspaper’s headline story of Wednesday, February 9, 2011, Mr President, surrounded by three ousted governors, made the following utterances that only synergistic effects of alcohol intoxication and sheer brutishness, tinged with several shots of paraga could force out of the mouth of a true president of a nation with vision for the future. "We (PDP) must take over all the states in the South-West. The zone is too important to be left in the hands of rascals. We shall take over Lagos, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states. . . South-West is the most important zone where all Nigerians come. It is a mini Nigeria and it is very unique. . . It is true that we have our challenges in the zone, but we are on top of them all. We shall resolve our differences in our way." He went on to say that PDP leaders "will not sleep" until power was wrested from the Action Congress of Nigeria in Lagos state. This unforgettable high moment of Mr President is an insight into his perception of Nigeria, democracy, politics and indigenous African tradition of courteous human relations. It is disheartening to note that decades after adopting the presidential style of government which put an end to regional administration, Mr President still belong to the school of thought which believe that one region is more important than the other. How should people living in the "less important flash point regions" up north respond to this matter-of-fact statement by the president? In a country that is loosely held together by sinews that are weakened daily, the President of all people, ought to know that unity as boldly emblazoned in our coat of arms, should be the theme of his speech, not divide-and-rule. Is the president trying to say that the Boko Haram crises in the North; perennial burning, maiming and killing in Jos and Benue; bombings near his official residence in Abuja and Bayelsa, kidnapping in Aba and the entire South Eastern region, as well as oil militancy in his hometown are all less important? Like Obasanjo rightly said, President Jonathan is still under tutelage. The president’s speech also put the nation’s nascent democracy on the same pedestal as wrestling where two contestants try to force each other’s shoulders to the floor, thus scoring a fall and winning the match. GEJ advanced Obasanjo’s wish of having Lagos under PDP’s umbrella. Like a stray bird hunter, Jonathan wants PDP to capture Lagos state. He clearly and eloquently shifted attention from the people, and bestowed power on his party, the ruling party. He enjoined the party faithful to "legally" use every resource within their reach to get Lagos state’s candidate Mr Dosunmu declared as the next governor of Lagos state. Like his predecessors and political mentors, President Jonathan’s perspective of democracy is a battle between parties, not a political system in which the people rule through any form of government they choose to establish. Instead of addressing issues and presenting better plans for the South West under PDP, the president walked the inglorious path of preaching politics of calumny and bad name calling. Never in the history of modern politics had a seating president referred to anyone in the opposition as rascal, until President Jonathan spoke at the famous Mapo Hill in Ibadan. What happened to leadership by example? Is it now normal and socially acceptable for politicians to refer to one another as rascals, even if they are? What about mutual reverence, respect and role modelling? Is the president trying to tell us that he has problem on those essential qualities of leadership? His religion, faith, principle and belief are also on the line here. Mr President fraternizes with popular pastors. He took a soul lifting picture that humbled unbelievers with Pastor E. A. Adeboye when he knelt before the clergyman for prayers. Many took him as a good Christian who put God first. But didn’t Mr President remember the Bible verse which goes thus: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers" President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan clearly went out-of-line with his utterances. While his camp might do damage control by claiming that he was quoted out of context, had a slip of tongue or used the wrong word to express what he had on his mind; many Nigerians are now watching the president very closely. They are of the opinion that he seems to be showing his true colour after several years of being a deputy. Only God knows what else is hidden under the President’s signatory hat. In the culture of the people of the South West, utterances are taken serious. Hence for Mr President to have had his tongue unbridled is greatly frowned at by the people of the South West, just like other parts of Nigeria. Hence just like Mallam Nuhu Ribadu rightly said, the president owes people of the region numerous apologies. When supporters of a PDP governor and supporters of a PDP senate leader engaged in a gun duel in the same Ibadan killing three people, the President did not refer to them as rascals. He was dead silent. When minority PDP state legislators in Ogun, in an historic feat, sacked the majority members of the parliament, the President did not call them rascals. Even in the President’s home state of Bayelsa, when supporters of the PDP governor attacked supporters of Mr. President’s former adviser, killing six people, the president did not refer to anybody as rascals. On what basis can he now refer to anyone as a rascal? Not being ruled by PDP or losing control over one’s tongue? Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)

When Courageous Tunisian Meets Moronic Nigerian

Editors Online — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:23:35 +0000

By Taju Tijani

Brave heart Mohammed Bouazizi’s self immolation in Tunisia will continue to remain the stuff of revolutionary legend in his country and an indictment to every oppressive government around the world. He never courted his gruesome but courageous death. Painful deprivation and climatic resignation catalyzed him into a murderous action that sent him to his eternal home. He realized in the oasis of his gently exhaling life that his leaders, the menacing scoundrels in the government house, would not listen to his bemoaning despair. African leaders are genetic apparition with no common touch for common people like Mo Bouazizi. He is the kind of citizen Africa hates: a protesting, baying and murderous youth who is ready to sacrifice his life for the true freedom of Africa from barbaric servitude unleashed by his own people. In Tunisia, there is millions of Mohammed Bouazizi who are yet to be enticed by death as bedmates in a covenant of perpetual sleep. Before he turned himself into a human canon ball, Mo must have ruminated on the manifest and festering wrongs he was forced to endure as a young man. He must have philosophised like the ancient philosopher Anacharsis who likened laws to cobwebs-strong enough to contain the weak and too weak to restrain the strong. Mo was the delicate tinderbox and the policewoman who slapped and confiscated his fruits turned out to be the matchbox that helped him in his untimely journey of no return. The policewoman is the strong arm of the law that is too strong to contain by a Mohammed who had been contained and pulverized both in body, soul and spirit. Mo lived in the despotic universe of repression and theocratic Arabized political orthodoxy. Beyond the virulent oppression are many symbols of Maghreb bravery like suicide bombings, self-immolations and massive irruptions against dynastic tin gods who rule over them. Iran, Iraq, Palestine and Egypt are the ancient symbols of courageous resistance in the face of feudal tyranny. Only last week, Egypt was turned into a theatre of war by rampaging mobs. In spite of all the chafing restrictions against their freedom, they hardly enter into an agreeable docility with their oppressors. The Arab mind is not colonized by ephemeral things like Jeep, a house in Lekki and billions in First bank but consumed with the noble grail of martyrdom as seen in the life of Mo Bouazizi. When pushed to the wall and with the death defying mantra of "Allah Wakbr" chanted, an Arab is likely to turn into a nihilist of thunderous dimension. This is not to say that I am glorifying purposeless death, rather I am celebrating martyrdom with a purpose. Bouazizi’s purposeful martyrdom brought about a political shift that led to the overthrow of corrupt regime of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. Ben Ali and his cohorts in many African capitals are murderous villains who have deprived, maimed and killed the destiny of their people. Comparatively, we fared worse in Nigeria than in Tunisia. What the moronic Nigerian lack is the Bouazizian tragic route to protest, revolution and martyrdom. There are more Bouazizis in Nigeria than the naira but we have to isolate courage from the Nigerian Bouazizi and what is left is an empty shell of dozy, zombie, docile and thoroughly moronised fake Nigerian Bouazizi. Everybody wants to drive a Jeep and none wants to die! Now, look across your streets and you are faced with bedraggled Bouazizis on his ‘Jincheng’ and "Boxer" okada. These are the wretched victims of Nigeria’s greed and psychic cruelty. Look again, you will find around the ever busy T-junction a black-clad Nigerian police officer dehumanizing further the pitiable condition of our local Bouazizi through extortion laced with such commanding language fit only for a captive slave. The Nigerian Bouazizi, a graduate, accepts all insults directed at him with studied silence. They all love to feast on humble pie. Daily, our acquiescing groove is ‘God dey’, ‘I leave it with God’, ‘Nigeria na wa’ and with such jellyfish accommodation of ‘mugunism’, tyranny, poverty, police brutality and social anomie, we in Nigeria must forthwith celebrate the uncommon courage of Mohammed Bouazizi. We have to begin to unravel the centuries of our celebrated shameless docility and acceptance of all political and social evils of our leaders. It is an atrocious scandal that we accommodate the corruption of our demented leaders without finding a closure through sweeping revolution to the aberration. The ‘okada’ riders, recharge card sellers, jobless youths, thugs, motor park touts, ‘Bolekaja’ drivers, armed robbers, hungry artisans, yahoo yahoo 419ers, gay hunters, ‘gbajumo onijibiti’, ‘olori ebi gbajue’, pure water hawkers, prostitutes, female Aristos and masked assassins are Nigeria’s own Bouazizis but all lacked the inner fire to set off a revolution. A common, passable, innocent and minor police infringement against Bouazizi brought about a timely ‘revo’ in Tunisia. In Nigeria, we are daily being bludgeoned to death, not only through police brutality, but also by governmental corruption and neglect that cry for the spirit of Bouazizian martyrdom.

Obasanjo rejects ‘compromise list’

Editors Online — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 01:32:21 +0000

Vanguard Headline

The battle for the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor Gbenga Daniel took a dramatic turn when Obasanjo, reportedly, rejected the ‘compromise list’ of candidates for the party in the state for the April polls. The chief of staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadome, and the PDP national secretary, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, said to have witnessed the former president’s action, were stunned. The scene, according to a report, was the residence of Obasanjo in Abeokuta on Thursday. The report, was, however, denied, yesterday, by a factional chairman of the Ogun PDP, Basorun Dayo Soremi. He said there was no ‘compromise list’ from the Ogun PDP on the April polls. The factional chairman described the report as sponsored. Report of the ‘compromise list’ came just as Daniel was reportedly, persuaded, at a meeting convened by Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday night, to get his group to concede the governorship slot to the former president’s faction. Ogun State information commissioner, Mr. Kawonise, yesterday, dismissed the report that any such meeting held not to talk of his principal being asked to get his group to concede the governorship ticket. Obasanjo was reportedly livid with anger that Oghiadome and Baraje had the effrontery to present to him a ‘compromise list’ of candidates for the PDP in Ogun State for the April polls when the party could have adopted wholesale the list from his group. He told the team, raised to broker a truce between his faction and that of Daniel by Jonathan, that the only list of candidates acceptable to him was the list which emanated from the primaries put together by him in his private library in Abeokuta. However, Obasanjo declared that the only elective office he would concede to Jonathan is the Ogun East senatorial seat which had already been picked by Daniel. Sunday Vanguard was told that the ‘compromise list’ presented to the former president by the team from Jonathan was the product of "very carefully, well thought out attempt" to put paid to the growing discontent over the list of candidates for the Ogun State chapter of the party for the polls. The list was said to have been structured in a manner as to give both warring sides a sense of belonging. Of the three senatorial seats in the state, Obasanjo’s faction was allegedly allotted two seats while Daniel’s faction was given one – interestingly, the Ogun East senatorial slot initially conceded to Daniel. In terms of the list for the House of Representatives, the proposal gave Obasanjo another two thirds majority of producing six of the nine prospective members – that would leave the governor’s faction with just three members. For the governorship, the Daniel faction was handed the ticket while Obasanjo was requested to forward three names of possible running mates to Gboyega Isiaka, the Daniel factional candidate, to pick from. The reason for this, according to the proposal, was because the governor would have to work with his deputy and, therefore, would need to be the one to make a choice. The state House of Assembly, which had been a theatre of the absurd since 2008, was shared with Daniel’s faction allotted 75% of the total seats while Obasanjo’s faction was given 25%. This, a source said, was with a view to ensuring that the G-15/G11 scenario, which had crippled effective legislation in the state, was avoided. After perusing the list, Sunday Vanguard was informed that the former president rejected it. It was further gathered that the two persons Jonathan sent to Obasanjo’s Abeokuta residence, Oghiadome and Baraje, practically went on their knees begging the former president. Obasanjo was said to have insisted that apart from the Ogun East senatorial seat which Daniel already had, he was not willing to relinquish any other name on his list. After about two hours, the team departed Abeokuta for Lagos en-route the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to report back to the president. Jonathan was said to have launched fresh troubleshooting efforts at the weekend on the Ogun PDP crisis. The crisis actually started when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, insisted that it would recognize the list submitted by the Obasanjo faction to it, in obedience to a court order which barred the commission from accepting the primaries conducted and supervised by the PDP national headquarters but which had in attendance the factional executive chaired by Chief Joju Fadairo. Daniel had signaled the possibility of dumping the PDP for another party. But Jonathan quickly dispatched Anenih, Oghiadome and Baraje to Daniel’s Asoludero Villa residence in Sagamu. The Ogun governor flew into Abuja on Thursday with a view to holding a meeting with the president on Friday to discuss the outcome of the ‘compromise list’ presented to Obasanjo. No ‘compromise list’ —Factional chair Denying that any ‘compromise list’ existed, Ogun factional PDP chairman, Soremi, yesterday, in a press statement, said: "our BOT chairman and international elder statesman man has absolute respect for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which he had occupied as a military head of state and as a two-term civilian President. "We wish to state categorically that there were no two lists of candidates in Ogun PDP other than the one submitted by the harmonised executives and approved by the national leadership of our party. "The list containing our party’s flag bearers have been submitted and accepted by INEC. The only alteration we made was the accommodation of Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, as directed by President Goodluck Jonathan." Daniel under pressure Meanwhile, Daniel was reportedly under pressure, yesterday, to get his group to concede the gubernatorial ticket to the Obasanjo faction. Reports said that, at the end of a meeting held at the Aso Presidential Villa, on Friday night, between Jonathan, some members of the PDP National Working Committee, NWC, key party stakeholders and those involved in the Ogun PDP crisis, the governor was asked to concede the governorship candidate position to the former president’s faction if peace must return to the party and the state. Reacting to the reports, last night,however, Ogun State information commissioner, Sina Kowonise, said his governor did not attend any meeting in Aso Rock Villa on Friday night. Consequently, according to him, Daniel did not make any concession on the controversial Ogun PDP candidates lists.

We Are in ACN - Senator Amosun

Editors Online — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 01:34:22 +0000

Our attention has been drawn to media reports insinuating that our supporters and I have left or are on our way out of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Even one of my close associates was quoted as confirming the false report. After careful investigations, it was discovered that the report is the handiwork of some politicians from the crisis-ridden Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who would love to find bed-fellows in the ACN. They will definitely be willing to gloat over an imaginary crisis in the ACN. They are in for a shock. Our teeming supporters and I are in ACN and we are even more determined to strengthen the party further for the great task of ensuring that the present inept government in our dear state is BOOTED OUT in April. We owe the people of our dear state that duty and we will not be involved in anything that can rupture the goal. I wish to appeal to our teeming supporters all over the state to remain calm and steadfast. Our party leader, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, the state executive members, myself and other stakeholders in the state are still operating on the same platform in our determination to rebuild our dear state from the ruin the PDP has caused. We are together in our quest to, through the ballot box, oust the PDP from our dear Gateway State, and no one can stop the wind of change powered by the ACN from blowing away the mis-governance in our state. The time has come for the good people of Ogun State to experience good governance as epitomised by the BROOM revolution being experienced by the good people of Lagos, Osun, Edo and Ekiti States. Signed Alhaji Bola Adeyemi On behalf of Senator Ibikunle Amosun

Osun Ecological Funds 2003-2010: Lost To Lust; Lost Forever?

Editors Online — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 22:43:51 +0000

By Niyi Olasinde

In most states of the federation, citizens have different tales of woe to tell as to how Ecological Funds appropriated to their states are expended. Osun State has one of the worst tales as the people became almost entirely swept off by the same murky waters which the funds should have mopped up for them. During the past siege, the captors of the people invested the funds in caving the dam of fate which drowned them all in the end. NIYI OLASINDE sheds light on Ecological Funds and how it got lost to the lustful bargains of sacked captors. GLOBALLY, natural disasters are diverse and of varying kinds, degrees shades and intensity. They range from flood, water erosion, fire disasters, storms, earthquakes and landslides to much newer dimensions like tsunami and eroding continental shelves. It is an effort taken in needless statement of obvious fact that these disasters are enormous and costly; more so, as they claim several millions of lives annually and destroy properties of inestimable value. Down the ages, concerted efforts have been made not only to forestall the recurring decimal but also to mitigate the painful effects that they engender. Even when disasters are human-induced, they are equally, if not more destructive and life-threatening. The high investment outlay incurred in prevention, remedy, relief, reconstruction and cushioning the causes and effects of these disasters are, to say the truth, worthwhile, necessary and responsive. In Nigeria, there is no exception to the occurrence of disasters-natural or otherwise. The thirty-six-state geographical expression has its own fair share of these disasters. In other words, Nigeria is plagued with many and diverse ecological problems, which vary widely in their magnitude. In the Southern part of the country, for instance, the people are being ravaged by flood and gully erosion. In the past, it was a different ball game entirely in the Northern part, where people had the menace of desertification, deforestation and drought to grapple with. Today, however the trend is changing as considerable parts of the Northern part are also being plagued by flood and erosion. These call more rapidly for intervention to preserve the people and secure for them life that is more abundant, secured, prosperous, fulfilling and glorious. Available statistics culled from the latest report from the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development has the following declaration, that: “Land degradation remains the greatest probe in Nigeria. In addition, the country still witnesses high levels of water and air pollution while efforts to reduce the rate of natural resources depletion and desertification are yet to yield significant results.” Further contents of the above-quoted report reveal that above 90 per cent of the total land area of Nigeria is under severe sheet, rill and gully erosion; with the severest gully erosion accounting for 80 per cent of Nigeria’s total land mass. In effect, sheet erosion brings about impoverishment of the soil as nutrients are washed away, loss of livelihood as farmlands become wasteland, thus increasing the menace of rural-urban migration and pollution; and silting of available sources of drinking water. Rural-urban migration, in particular, brings about over-congestion of urban areas with its attendant negative effects on the standard of living of urban dwellers. The report showcases other aspects that we can confirm by ourselves as negative side-effects of flood and erosion: Human lives and properties, buildings in particular, are endangered as they collapse into gullies. Already now, there abound over 2,000 active gully erosion sites spread across the country. The dastardly effects of gully are most prominently noticeable in Abia, Imo, Anambra and Bayelsa states. Coastal erosion wrought its own havoc along the nation’s entire coastline, the approximate distance of which is 853 km, having estimated mean shoreline retreats of 2-30 metres per year. This shows a grave danger of rapid eroding of our continental shelves. It is placed on record that worst-hit areas along Nigeria’s coastline include Victoria Beach in Lagos, Awoye/Molume in Ondo state, Ogborodo/Escravos and Forcados in Delta state, Brass in Bayelsa state and Ibeno-Eket in Akwa Ibom State. In addition to the severe environmental challenges earlier-mentioned for the far-North in this report, wind erosion is a common land degradation factor which frequently sweeps away the top soil. This is due mainly to the fact that in Northern Nigeria, vegetation cover is scarce. In the past, several attempts have been made to arrest this escalating rate of disasters in Nigeria. First concerted effort, which is supported by proper documentation, was made by the Federal Government through an Act of Parliament enacted in the year 1981. Through this Act, the Ecological Fund was established as a provision from the Federation Accounts. Subsequently, the Act has witnessed two remarkable upward review or modification. These came in apparent response to surges in the occurrence rate of disasters. Decree 36 of 1984 and 106 of 1992 took care of those trends. More recently, the Allocation of Federation Accounts Modification Order of 2002 did justice to the Act. The Fund, which originally constituted 1 per cent of the Federation Accounts, was upwardly reviewed to 2 per cent in 1992. Later on, 1 per cent of the derivation allocation was added, thus bringing the total percentage value to 3 per cent. The breakdown of the amount constituting this percentage is given as follows: 48:5 per cent of it goes to the Federal Government while 24 per cent and 20 per cent are reserved for states and local governments respectively. Since its establishment 20 years ago, the Ecological Fund has been riddled with much shocking revelations as to its wrong conception and committance. In other words, rather than serving as a veritable tool for addressing the country’s myriad and ever-increasing ecological problems, it has been embroiled in endless controversies, mysteries and shroudedness. These dimensions are a reflection of gross mismanagement of the fund by helmsmen at the various tiers of government. The first bombshell came in 2006 when the former Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Joshua Dariye opened cans of worms by the revelation that an amount of N1.6 billion Ecological Fund meant for his state had been diverted to sponsor victory for the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2003 Presidential Elections. His disclosure came at the instance of receiving the Plateau Consultative. Assembly in Jos. He further gave details of beneficiaries of the Ecological Fund meant for Plateau State, which included the PDP South-West (N100 million); PDP South-South (N100 million); and Plateau PDP (N800 million); among others. In August 2009 however, the Federal Government introduced a new modality into the Fund in a bid to restore sanity to the management of its disbursement and use. Thus, the Federal Government approved a new guideline for the disbursement of the Ecological Fund after due consultations and taking into cognizance all the issues affecting its management and disbursement. Under the new modality, Drought and Desertification Control was to receive 60 per cent; soil erosion, flood/gully control - 25 per cent, pollution control - 5 per cent; while the administration of Ecological Fund Office/National Committee on Ecological Problems and other emergencies was expected to gulp 10 per cent. These funds were to be disbursed at the discretion of the President. As contained in the new guideline, the impetus for the review was informed by the need to maximum mileage with the utilisation of the fund, on basis of which the Federal Government’s intervention measures was to be focused on areas of natural environmental disasters. Months after the release of the new guideline, specifically in December 2009, the National Economic Council expressed serious reservations over the disbursement and management of the fund. The council headed by the Vice-President of the time, now President Goodluck Jonathan; with all the governors of the 36 states of the federation as members, had stated that about N200 billion belonging to the Ecological Fund had been spent on questionable projects. The NEC lamented that the stipulated amount was wasted on projects that were either non-existent, shoddily executed or were awarded without due process. In June 2010, the House of Representatives’ Public Accounts Committee queried the EFO (Ecological Funds Office) on the disbursement of N146.594 billion out of its account balance of N199.3 billion. The lawmakers’ inquiry came on the trail of the financial statement the EFO forwarded to it which showed curious withdrawals and loans to agencies and persons totaling N146.594 billion not relevant to objectives of the fund. Later afterwards, at the maiden edition of the Eco-Fair held in Abuja in 2010, the management of the Ecological Fund came under severe criticisms from stakeholders, including the federal and state governments. For instance, the governor of Anambra State was reported to have criticized that the management of the fund had been characterized by official corruption. He further alleged that the Federal Government awarded contracts under the Ecological Fund without informing the states or even requesting the states to make inputs, even in sites that were more critical. Since that time, lots of controversies, accusations and counter-accusations have kept trailing the management of the fund over the disbursement and committance of the fund. In most states, it has been alleged that powerful individuals from the states go to the Federal Government and are awarded contracts for erosion projects, which are either non-existent or outside the priority areas begging for attention. It has also been a source of concern that due to lack of transparency in the execution of ecological projects across the country, the fund has not achieved the objectives for which it was set up. Other anomalies which have continued to mar the effectiveness and impact of the fund are attitude of contractors hired to remediate some of the ecological problems in the country, poor standards of projects executed and misappropriation and/or diversion of fund. BUT all the foregoing criticisms are far less than the problems imposed by governors of states for which the funds are meant. Most of the times, these state governors siphon the funds, which are diverted to other uses, especially for political purposes, electoral fraud or compromising judgment in court litigations. The saddest part of it is that in most of these states, the share of the fund that rightly belongs to the local government councils are never disbursed there. The effect is that no ecological project could be implemented at that level that is closest to the grassroots. It is the local government that should be in best position to accurately appraise situations on ground and determine which particular ones require priority attention. In Osun State, the people felt the devastating effect of this untoward practice for an upward of eight (8) years that the administration of the ousted impostor ‘Governor’ Olagunsoye Oyinlola lasted. As a matter of fact, there is nowhere or no other state where this absurdity has taken its ugly toll than in Osun State during the siege. The recurring flood and erosion disasters and attendant loss of lives and properties, and the accompanying infrastructural decay deepened due to negligence caused by misappropriation of Ecological Fund allocated to the state and its local government councils from the Federation Accounts, courtesy of the Oyinlola-led administration. For a complete period of Seven (7) years, confirmed sources revealed to OSUN DEFENDER Magazine that the reason for recurrent flood and erosion disasters in the state could not be divulged from the fact that Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola mismanaged accumulated Ecological Fund for that period to pursue hideous agenda that could not in any way touch the lives of the citizenry positively. According to impeccable sources, the entire accumulated Ecological fund that accrued to the state and its 30 local government councils, with the inclusion of the Ife East Area Office ran into about N30 billion in seven years. This attitude portrays Oyinlola as a monster who does not care in the least for the welfare and good living of citizens, so far as his selfish needs are fanned. Authentic sources confirmed that Oyinlola’s approach to the issue of Ecological Fund was just to notify the council bosses, who were his hand-picked prefects and puppets, whenever the fund was appropriated. He would then inform them that he had borrowed the fund for executing some vital projects which in actual fact were phoney projects not traceable anywhere. This was the same fate that befell all illegal deductions from other categories of monthly statutory allocations accruing to the council areas and illegal deductions from workers’ monthly salaries in the state. One strange use to which the Ecological Funds of the Oyinlola days were put was to prosecute his illegal perpetuation in office. The first in the series was how he spent fortunes out of the funds to prosecute the first Governorship Election Petition Tribunal led by Justice Thomas Damar Naron. About N3 million of the fund was squandered to rub the palms of the judges on the tribunal panel in procuring a compromise of justice by the Tribunal. In addition to this, a whooping sum of N1 Billion was spent on luxury cars which he doled out as parting gifts to the judges. Also, in getting justice perverted during the trials of the first appeal suit filed by the ACN gubernatorial aspirant in the state, Engineering Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, the former impostor ‘governor’ allegedly spent another N3 million. By these serial lavish spending, Oyinlola proved to have seen victory at the trials and his continuous stay in office as a factor that was larger than life. This is more sacrosanct when the opportunity costs of these diverted funds are considered. The spirits of lives lost in the disasters he should have spent the funds to forestall and the sweats of innocent, law-abiding and responsible citizens whose valuables were lost in the various disasters shall haunt him till eternity. Even during the Election Petitions Retrial Tribunal sittings that followed the compromised first appeal, Oyinlola behaved to type as a ‘squandermaniac’ once again by lacing the pockets of the Justice Ali-Garba-led panel of judges with N6 Billion. These looting and spending sprees stand Oyinlola out in history as the public enemy number one in Osun State. Posterity will not forgive him for his disservice to the State of the Living Spring.

Those Flooding Terrains of Yesteryears: What Made Them Inevitable?

Editors Online — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 23:16:46 +0000

By Niyi Olasinde

THE environmental ambience of Osun State is an endowment given by Nature. The fact that the state’s totem prides it as the State of the Living Spring proves this fact beyond reasonable doubts. With an impressive number of rivers, springs and streams, the massive arable land that the state has remains adequately cultivable and tillable, being sufficiently watered all the year round. In addition, the state witnesses an abundant annual rainfall, which, apart form making it well-drained, also lends credence to its amiable and congenial climatic and weather conditions. The annual rainy seasons, spanning up to eight (8) months are a great relief from the harshness of sunlight currently experienced in many parts of the country and the world at large. Other climatic conditions, which are adjudged hostile and unpredictable in almost all parts of the country today, are very kind to the State of the Living Spring. With sunlight well regulated, the vegetation conditions of the state are suggestive of the Rain Forest Belt. What this translates to is the fact that there is good, fertile land of various kinds and texture. The soil types consist of loam, silt, sand and clay; which subsist in many parts of the state in favourable admixtures. Thus favourably endowed, Osun State enjoys the rare grace of great agricultural potentialities. This factor, traditionally, had a compelling preponderance on the people, who in their large numbers, engaged in agriculture. Even today, a sizeable number of the populace engages in agriculture, through which they produce sufficient food and cash crops for domestic consumption, for inputs for agro-allied industries; and, even for export. Apart from the fact that agriculture, an enterprise that is given impetus by the favourable climate and environmental conditions, engages a reasonably large percentage of the populace as occupation, great portion of others who are engaged as traders, artisans, civil public servants or in other career callings in the white-collar or blue-collar categories, are farming practitioners of either subsistence or commercial scale. The foregoing is intended to illustrate the benign, hospitable ambience that the State of the Living Spring radiates. This is to the effect of shedding light on how kindly and benevolently the natural, physical environment could deal with man in his sojourn and exertions on earth! While dwellers in many other parts of Nigeria, and the world at large, are crying foul over the extremities of the invisible, insurmountable hands of Nature, Osun State has all the components and elements of environment and climate smiling radiantly at it. Carved out of the Old Oyo State on August 27, 1991, the present-day Osun State, located in the South-Western part of Nigeria, covers a land area of approximately 14,875 square kilometres. In terms of location, Osun State lies between longitude 04 00’E and 05 05’ and latitude 05 558" and 08 07". The state is bounded in the south by Ogun State; in the North by Kwara State; in the West by Oyo State; and in the East by Ondo and Ekiti States. This diversity in its boundary delimitations has much positive benefits to exert on its environmental proximity. The advantages are prolific. In similar situations, contemporary events have proven that rather than flexing muscles, dissipating energy, time and enormous resources on boundary disputes, states that share physical land boundaries could cooperate to develop their territories to a cosmopolitan status. The present-day Lagos and Ogun States, at most of their bordering points, appear to be inseparable. Judging by the amenities on ground, the two states have an impressive share of industries, good road networks and other social infrastructure which are fruits from interactive and peer-control contribution. Even today, when the two states are under the governance of separate political parties, these political differences are inconsequential to the efforts by their governments and people to put in place an enduring, time-tested fast-tracked development. At creation in 1976, Ogun State was worse than a civil service state. Granted that the state took the first position in the production of technocrats in all fields of human endeavour in Nigeria, as far as Western education is concerned, this fact alone is not sufficient to get a state developed. Today, the state is reaping a prolific harvest of its proximity with neighbouring Lagos State, with an impressive number of industries taking solace and recourse to that Gateway State. The environmental conditions of Ogun State as a gateway to Nigeria from many West African countries, coupled with its vast land, other climatic conditions which are friendly to investors gave fillip to this monumental achievement. More than these, the successive governments in the state view development as desirable and worthwhile. Thus, they pursued it with all priority. In terms of climatic conditions, vast land area and other natural endowments, Osun State is as blessed as, if not more than, its counterpart, Ogun. Why then the retarded progress in face of these multiple blessings? To all the South-Western states in Nigeria, agriculture is a legacy that is God-given. Today, Oyo State is in the front position in the nation-wide supply of food items, especially fruits. You know this easily if you observe how many lorry loads of fruits are carted out of the state in due seasons. Ondo and Ekiti States still keep the legacies of their illustrious ancestors by providing a good supply of cash crops, consisting of cocoa, kolanuts, palm produce and timber, to mention just a few. This is not to mention aquatic, livestock and agro-processing products, especially, the local gin, which is used mainly by industries based in Lagos. Ogun State, in spite of its earlier-traced industrial focus in recent times, has not forsaken its agricultural antecedents. Even Kwara State, a savannah state that has become an enclave of the aristocratic and feudalist class, is fast improving its agricultural base. Where exactly has the Oyinlola years of sloth and waste led Osun State to among its neigbouring states? The ousted administration, upon all its boastings and ranting had a vast expanse of undeveloped land area overgrown with forests to show. Another benefit that should have accrued to Osun State in those years of lethargy by virtue of its boundary proximity to five states is enhancement in commercial activities and facilitation in exchange of goods and services. These were not to be, as various problems encumbered full exploitation of these benefits, hinged majorly on bad leadership by the PDP-led administration. Even though a sizeable number of unemployed youths migrated to the neigbouring states for a “greener pasture”, they did so out of frustration the inter-state roads remained bad. The good ones that are in good order were constructed under the latter military regimes in the state and the. Alliance for Democracy (AD) controlled administration of Chief Bisi Akande. The derelict state of things inherited from the misadventure of 2003 to 2010 is unfortunate. Lastly on this note, Osun State’s vantage position, in terms of its conspicuous location and its proximity to five different states, was abused and underutilized under the wasted years of last administration. Many roads which would have facilitated the maximization of the state’s accelerated progress from its ample location remained abandoned; while many of them were claimed to have been constructed/rehabilitated in yearly budgetary allocations. This conspiracy throve under the vicious grip of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The background traced above is for the purpose of reminding readers of the depth of devastation which the state and its people suffered under Oyinlola’s pernicious ‘regime’. In other words, what we had in the area of flood management, erosion control, sanitation and environmental protection could not be surprising, since that administration obviously lorded itself over us to plunder us and destroy our land and its people. In this segment of this report, OSUN DEFENDER Magazine shall shift focus to specific misdemeanour of the ousted administration. These collated facts are products of reflections and observations of experts, consisting of civil engineers, architects, sanitation experts and environmentalists. To be continued

Court restrains Alao-Akala

Editors Online — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 07:11:25 +0000

By Bisi Oladele

•It’s frivolous, says Governor

The Federal High Court, Ibadan yesterday restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State from presenting any candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the April general elections based on the primaries held last December, pending the determination of a suit before it. Elder Wole Oyelese, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo and Alhaji Hazem Gbolarumi, who were governorship aspirants, joined by 34 others, went to court to stop the governor and his followers from presenting themselves as the party’s candidates for the election. In a short ruling, Mr Justice J. Shakarho restrained the governor and his followers from presenting any list of candidates to INEC. INEC, said the court, should not accept any list presented by the governor’s group, pending the determination of the dispute. The congresses were held on December 29, 30 and 31 but the faction led by the plaintiffs insisted that they were inconclusive due to the gruesome killing of a factional leader of the state’s branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Salako (aka Eleweomo). Joined in the suit were INEC, the PDP, the party’s factional state chairman, Chief Dejo Afolabi, and the governor. Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Micheal Lana, sought an order of interim injunction restraining PDP and Alao-Akala from presenting any candidate of the party to INEC based on the results of the congresses held last December. They said the congresses did not comply with the Electoral Act. Hearing of the substantive matter was adjourned until February 10. Alao-Akala described the injunction as "the height of frivolity."

INEC rejects Daniel, others

Editors Online — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 07:17:25 +0000

Jide Babalola, Abuja and Isaac Nwokolo, Abeokuta

•Obasanjo’s faction wins Ogun PDP battle

MEMBERS of the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were thrown into a frenzy yesterday, with the news that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s faction will field candidates for the April polls. But the Governor Gbenga Daniel faction insisted that it had received the blessing of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to present the party’s flagbearers. The INEC stand on Ogun PDP was not its only shocking move yesterday. About 20 political parties, which will not field any candidate, will be deregistered. The other moves are the: •non-receipt of a court order stopping Enugu Governor Sullivan Chime, contrary to reports yesterday; •endorsement of only the Benjamin Udeazor-led executive in Anambra; and •denial of speculations that INEC rejected the congress that produced Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala. But in Ibadan yesterday, a Federal High Court retrained the PDP from presenting any candidate to INEC, based on last December’s primaries, pending the resolution of a dispute before the court. According to INEC’s Director of Political Parties’ Monitoring, Mrs Regina Omo-Agege, only 43 parties submitted forms and other documents concerning their candidates before the 6 pm deadline on Monday. According to Omo-Agege, no political party, including those that wheeled in "Ghana-must-go" bags of documents into INEC’s Abuja premises shortly before midnight, should expect INEC to entertain their disregard of deadline for submission of lists of all their candidates. Also yesterday, there were clear indications that former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Bello Masari still stand a good chance of running as INEC withheld endorsement of the primaries which "produced" Alhaji Garba Lado as the Congress for Progressive Change’s gubernatorial candidate in Katsina State. INEC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umenger, who spoke with reporters in his office on Monday, shed light on the developments. He said: "In Ogun State, there is a court order compelling INEC to recognise a faction other than that of Governor Daniel. We are a law-abiding body and we will abide by that decision. However, if there is any counter-directive from a superior court, we will comply with that. "As for Enugu State, we have not received any court order or official communication (about stopping Governor Sullivan Chime’s nomination). As soon as we receive such, we will act on it. "In Anambra, there are two factions of the PDP; one is headed by Benjamin Udeazor and it is the faction that the court has ordered that we should recognise. We are acting on that order and we have given recognition to it." Another top official, who requested for anonymity, said INEC never ruled Alao-Akala out of the race, adding that the speculated sanction on the congress that produced him had been reviewed. The thick cloud of confusion over who – between General Tunji Olurin and Mr Gboyega Isiaka – flies the Ogun PDP’s flag may have disappeared. It was learnt that the approval of Olurin’s candidature followed a Federal High Court, Abuja’s order on INEC to accept the former military administrator of Oyo State, based on the outcome of the congress conducted by the harmonised executive committee of the PDP, headed by Bashorun Dayo Soremi. The order barred PDP and the electoral umpire from recognising and accepting Isiaka, who emerged in a parallel congress held at the MKO Stadium, Abeokuta by a faction of the party headed by Elder Joju Fadairo. Olurin, who is believed to be backed by Obasanjo, hails from Yewa. Isiaka, who is also from Yewa, is supported by Daniel. In a telephone interview yesterday, Olurin told The Nation that he remained the authentic candidate. He said: "I have been declared the gubernatorial candidate. And you have to believe INEC and not what the other faction is saying. Wait patiently for INEC to release the list of candidates and, very soon, it will be out." But, Isiaka said Olurin had not told the public the true position of things. He described him as a "drowning man" who, "in a fight for survival, would hold on to anything, even if that happens to be a straw". Speaking through his Media Assistant, Mr Bolaji Adeniji, Isiaka said he submitted his form at INEC’s Abuja office in company of the PDP National Legal Adviser and wondered how INEC could have approved Olurin as candidate.

Aregbesola’s Govt Ready To Rebrand Osun

Editors Online — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:50:38 +0000

By Kazeem Mohammed

Osun State government has put machinery in motion to rebrand the state with a view to giving the state a new look. The governor of the state, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, who disclosed this in Osogbo, the state capital on Thursday said that at the rebranding ceremony, which has been slated for Sunday, February 6, a new coat of arm, flag, slogan and the description of the state would be presented. Explaining the basis for the day chosen for the event, Aregbesola said that the significance of the day was to remind the people of the day in 1952, when the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, assumed the head of government business in the then Western Region. He said that the event would take place at the Black Heritage Centre Auditorium. The governor added that the event was significant to celebrate the efforts of Awolowo in bringing the region to the superior state that it ultimately got to as at 1959. “If it is true that the momentum strive to bring our region to the superior state that we ultimately got to in 1959 was started by that opportunity for which Yoruba man must be remembered, it will tell us that the time has come to review the march to greatness”, Aregbesola stated.

Has The PDP Federal Government Given Up?

Editors Online — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:45:14 +0000

By Muritala Agboola

Tel: 0806-119-7897

The primary function of any government is to protect life and property. Government came into being in the first place by individuals surrendering their rights to a person (monarch) now an agency to protect their collective rights. It is a fundamental function that must be performed by all governments. Modern governments owe it a duty to protect their citizens wherever they reside. If there is threat to the lives of citizens, in other countries, the government evacuates its citizens as a measure of protection.

In Nigeria, the federal government has abdicated this fundamental objective. Recent events in the country give room for much concern. Violence erupts frequently in the North especially in Jos, Plateau State, Maiduguri, Borno State and sometimes in Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna States. The macabre in Jos seems to have defied any federal government’s solution. Some analysts have described the killings in Jos as cultural, others say it is religious. Whatever it is, the government is utterly clueless. A State of emergency was declared in Jos during the regime of Mr Joshua Dariye by the Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo. Major-General Chris Alli was appointed the administrator for a period of six months. From available evidence; nothing was achieved. For the past two weeks there have been killings on daily basis without any clue to the solution. Top police brass has been deployed for their inability to contain the situation. The police and the secret service do not seem to have any solution.

In spite of all the security apparatuses available, the government is not doing enough to counter the violence. As if the havoc caused in the plateau is not enough, the violence in Maiduguri and Bauchi gives room for serious concern. The Boko-Haram has taken over effectively in the Maiduguri metropolis. Governor Ali Modu Sheriff is as helpless as his counterpart Mr Jona Jang in Plateau State. The leader of the Boko Haram was killed by the Police last year after he was captured and handed over to them. The police were not able to extract vital information from him which could have assisted them to know the root cause of their anger before killing him extra judiciously. Policemen have since become their target.

Now that the brother of the sitting Governor, Alhaji Modu Fanami Gubio of Borno State murdered together with the All Nigeria Peoples Party’s candidate of Borno State one hopes that both federal and state governments would do something serious about it. The President, who was away to the African Union Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ordered a high powered investigation into the dastardly act. Bauchi State is not left out of the violence conundrum. Whenever it happens, the government easily explains it away. The government sets up panels to unearth the causes of the problem, yet nothing tangible comes out. In the case of Plateau State, both the federal and the state governments set up commissions, the outcome of which was not comprehensively implemented. If we cannot unearth the fundamental cause of the crises in the trouble spots, then it would not be out of place, if we solicit the assistance of security officials from Britain or the United States of America (USA).

The Niger-Delta problem was not handled properly by the previous federal governments especially the Obasanjo regime before it degenerated to kidnapping. The government is neither proactive nor sensitive to the problems of the masses. The masses would eventually react negatively if pushed to the wall. We should learn lessons from what is happening in Tunisia and Egypt. Governments, both federal and states should be ready to spend money on what causes frictions in the states. It is when this is done that the real solution can be found. The Independence Day twin bomb-blast was not properly handled by the Presidency. There was an alert by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) that bomb will be detonated.

True to the alert the bomb went off at the Eagles Square killing some people and injuring others. The first reaction of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was to absolve of complicity MEND. It later turned out that, two people; a brother of the Mend leader Charles Orkah and one other member are now facing trial in Abuja in respect of the Abuja twin bomb-blast on Independence Day. On would have expected that the President would be circumspect about the bomb blast since he is from the Niger Delta.

The way the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has handled violence in Nigeria is not impressive at all. The former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ogbonnaya Onovo is believed to have been forced into compulsory retirement because of the kidnapping of some prominent journalists in the South-east. Problems are supposed to be tackled at initial stage to prevent them from being overblown. Until recently Jos, the Plateau State capital was a haven of Peace and tranquility.

Little wonder that the sobriquet for the state is peace and Tourism. The climate is friendly and the environment is serene. The Anglo-Jos, a highbrow area of Jos in the 50s was inhabited by the Europeans who mined tin in city. I was attracted to do my university education in the tin-city in the early 80s because of the fame of Jos. That was then; today the serene environment has given way to burn buildings and loss of lives on daily basis. Any time I read the horrible news from the city, I become petrified as if I am there. The Ogbomosho’s have made the city their second home. Footballers like Segun Odegbami and Mikel Obi were brought up in the city not forgetting the talented twin artistes, P Square (Peter and Paul Okoye).

If for security alone, power should be taken away from the PDP. Nigerian voters should try the opposition particularly the Action Congress of Nigeria given the track record of their Governors. Lagos inhabits the largest population in Nigeria. The President as well as the state Governors are entitled to security votes which is expected to be spent on security matter, and which is not subject to legislative oversight functions yet the governments are not doing enough. The PDP federal government can learn from what is happening in Lagos State to the benefit of the country. The government of Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos state has brought stakeholders into the loop where they offer advice and contribute monetarily to the benefit of the State. Nothing can be done if there is violence all over the place. Rather than being proactive by intelligence gathering so as to preempt criminals from carrying out their nefarious activities, the security officials wait until the havoc is done. The government sets up as usual “a high-power investigating team to unravel the cause of the violence. With time everybody forgets it and the crime continues. This period offer us a good opportunity to assess presidential candidates on their ability to tackle this primary function of government.

Presidential candidates have to explain to Nigerians how they intend to tackle this cancerous problem. Nigerians would examine their leaders based on how to handle some of these issues which seems to have defied all PDP solutions. We are waiting with bathed breathe. The PDP is living in the past and looks incapable of bringing the expected relief to Nigerians. Nigerians shine your eyes in the next election.

Court truncates Daniel’s bid to upstage Obasanjo

Editors Online — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:49:17 +0000

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From By ABEOKUTA – A Federal Court sitting in Abeokuta Friday truncated the bid of the Governor Olugbenga Daniel faction of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] from recognizing the candidates of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo group in the recently concluded primaries of the party. The Daniel faction with Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka as its governorship candidate had yesterday approached the Federal High Court seeking an Ex-Parte order to restrain INEC from recognizing the Obasanjo faction with Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin as it governorship candidate. Counsel to the Daniel faction; Dr. Yemi Oke prayed the court to restrain INEC from recognizing the other faction and from substituting the name of the candidates submitted by his faction with other names from the other faction. But while moving the motion; Counsel to the Obasanjo/Martins Kuye group, Mr. Ajibola Oloyede called the attention of the Presiding Judge, Justice Rita Ofilli-Ajumogobia to an application he had earlier filed challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to entertain the suit. In her ruling, Justice Ofilli-Ajumogobia noted that the matter involved only a single political party, directed that the appellants must be properly served and a proof of service should be brought before her. According to Justice Ofilli-Ajumogobia the Ex-parte was capable of creating confusion in the judiciary adding "I will like to avoid confusion on this matter. This is a matter that affects a single party and other parties in the matter have to be put on notice. "As soon as they are put on notice and a proof of service is secured. The court will fix the date for further hearing". Reacting to the development, the Counsel to the Obasanjo/Martins-Kuye faction; Mr. Ajibola Oloyede described the step taken by the other faction as an act of dragging Judiciary into political confusion saying that it wanted to "turn judges against one another". Oloyede further stated that Joju Fadairo-led faction miscalculated by taking their case to a judge that knows his onions by putting them in their place, by quickly dismissing their application" In his own reaction, the Counsel to Joju Fadairo-led faction Dr. Yemi Oke lamented Ajumogobia’s position on the application saying that the application was to restrain INEC from taking further actions by substituting other names contrary to the ones earlier forwarded to it (INEC) and duely signed by National Chairman and the Secretary of the party.

Nigeria, Switzerland to conclude migration partnership

Editors Online — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:02:45 +0000

By Daniel Osunkoya

Switzerland and Nigeria will formally conclude a migration partnership in less than two weeks, Andreas Baum, the ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, has said. Mr. Baum, at the inauguration of a new factory by Nestle Nigeria in Ogun State on Thursday, said the partnership will be concluded during the planned visit of Odein Ajumogobia, the foreign affairs minister, to Berne on February 14. "The memorandum of understanding on a migration partnership has a pioneering character which will bring cooperation between Switzerland and Nigeria to a new level. The partnership, which is designed to acknowledge both the opportunities and challenges of migration, is the first of such agreement between Switzerland and an African country," he said. "It became clear that both Nigerian and Swiss partners were aware that capacity building - including in the field of training and education - should be an area of joint cooperation," the envoy further said. Mr. Baum said the Swiss Embassy looked into private initiatives and training projects by business operators and found Nestle’s Nigeria Technical Training Centre in the Agbara factory an excellent opportunity to build upon because it targets at developing young people and contributing towards the growth of Science and technology in Nigeria. "I am, therefore, happy to make a formal announcement that Switzerland has decided to establish a scholarship for five students annually at the new Nestle’s Nigeria Technical Training Centre," Mr. Baum said, adding that the scholarship will provide vocational training in the field of Electo-Mechanical-Automation Engineering. "The sponsorship is one of the key outcomes of the exploratory talks the Embassy initiated with Swiss companies operating in Nigeria," he said. Furthermore, the five best students from each promotion will have the opportunity to participate in an additional training module of several months in Switzerland, in the framework of training programmes of Nestle’s headquarters. Meanwhile, at the inauguration of the new factory, which was also attended by Namadi Sambo, the nation’s vice president and Gbenga Daniel, Ogun State governor, the chief executive officer of Nestle South Africa, Paul Bulcke, reiterated the company’s continuous contribution to Nigeria. "Nestle has been operationally present in Nigeria for 50 years, bringing meaningful value to society at large. This latest investment is proof of our commitment to Africa," Mr. Bulcke said. With an investment of N12 billion, the new factory, Flowergate, is Nestle’s 27th in Africa and is key to its growth in Nigeria. Nestle’s activities in the country is worth about N59 billion, with over 3,000 employees.

Fashola approves new salaries for Lagos workers

Editors Online — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:11:16 +0000

Vanguard

by Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

LAGOS — Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, announced a new salary package for the state civil servants. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu, who was flanked by the state Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe and the Special Assistant to the governor on media, Mr. Akeem Bello at a press briefing at the Bagualda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja. Sanwo-Olu said: "The decision to increase the Lagos State civil servant salary was arrived at the special Executive Council’s meeting completed some minutes past 7p.m. He did not reveal the details of the new structure but promised to announce the details next week. According to him, "the civil servants affected include teaching and non-teaching staff, core civil service profession, medical , dental and other health workers in the state." He added that all necessary recommendations had been taken care of in the new salary structure. Sanwoo-olu emphasised: "The new package will take effect as agreed upon with all the various unions from the first of January 2011. What this means is that in tandem with the 2011 budget approval. We will also be doing a one month arrears of this package."

Egypt/Tunisia: It could happen here

Editors Online — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:18:31 +0000

By Reuben Abati

　 IT all started in Tunisia with an aggrieved vegetable and fruits seller, Mohammed Bouazizi, 26, setting himself ablaze in protest against bureaucratic dictatorship. Bouazizi will now be remembered forever as a martyr whose death drew fresh attention to fault lines in governance in the Arab world. Bouazizi died because he was fed up with government officials asking him to pay bribe and all kinds of charges, ostensibly to go into the purse of a state that has not been able to offer him a life, or perhaps into the pockets of cruel state officials. One of the four agents who accosted Bouazizi slapped him, another kicked him in the face, he begged but they would not listen to him. His goods were seized. He went to the town hall and asked for the return of his goods, he was refused; he also later went to the main government where he was again, rebuffed. He insisted on seeing the governor. The police said No. He cried and begged. Nobody listened to him. Bouazizi at that point resolved that there was no point remaining alive. His frustration took him to the tipping point. He left government premises. Then, he went and bought a bottle of petrol with which he set himself ablaze. He was not the only unemployed person in his family, or in Tunisia, but his encounter with the Tunisian state alienated him further and turned him into a lighting rod for revolt. "We are all unemployed", his sister said. Unemployment rate in Tunisia is 13.3%. Sounds like Nigeria? Yes, in every material particular, except that the unemployment rate in Nigeria is even higher, the figure in Nigeria is about 19.7%. Almost half of 15 to 24 year olds living in urban areas in Nigeria are jobless. More than 70% of the population lives on less than a dollar per day. As was the case in Tunisia, state officials ask for bribe in Nigeria, they brutalise people, and our Governors are so important they are not likely to leave their offices to attend to a man complaining about cruel Vehicle Inspection Officers or other officials of the state. Revolutions have been ignited by seemingly simple causes: like famine/poverty in France, disenchantment in Brazil, anger in Poland, protest in Ukraine, Iran and Burma. But always, social revolutions are an amalgam of pent up grievances exploding in one historical moment. What has happened in Tunisia has resulted in a wave of protests in the Arab world, with young people in Iran, Burma, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, trying to seize on the moment to articulate their grievances. In Gabon, there has been a muffled imitation drama staged by those who consider the sitting government illegitimate. What has been demonstrated so far is the similarity of concerns about governance issues across national boundaries. There may be an undertone of the threat of Islamic fundamentalism to the protests in the Arab world, but clearly, what we have seen is the people's yearning for freedom and change. In Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan, Algeria, indeed from the Maghreb to the Middle East, we have seen a rejection of poverty and dictatorship by the people. The same issues could pose a serious challenge in sub-saharan Africa where beyond the mild protest in Gabon, there could be similar explosions in many of our countries. It is indeed curious that the contrary view has been expressed that the kind of people's revolt in Tunisia and Egypt cannot happen in sub-saharan Africa. Such a statement is definitely ahistorical. It is more important for African leaders to learn the right lessons from the crisis in the Middle East. The myth for example that religion is a binding factor that makes the Middle Eastern population easier to control and dominate has again been exposed for what it is: a myth. Even Saudi Arabia is worried about the on-going "Lotus Revolution" in Egypt. The King of Jordan so concerned about the swell of youth protest quickly dissolved his cabinet in deference to the popular yearning for change. The reverberations have been felt even as far as China where the authorities have banned online discussions and pictures of the Egyptian unrest. Number one lesson: people everywhere are the same: it does not matter what weapon is used to suppress them, one day they may insist on change and their own freedom. Number two lesson: increased local poverty in the midst of national wealth and wide gaps of alienation could trigger social unrest. African leaders and Nigerian leaders in particular must see the protest in Egypt and Tunisia as a reflection of the likely fate that awaits them. Egpyt's Mubarak, ruler for 30 years, who had been grooming his son as a successor, has suddenly been told by the people that he should pack his bags and leave, today. Members of his family have fled. Mubarak may be struggling to buy time, bluffing the people, and pretending that he is in charge, but for him, the game is up. His government or whatever remains of it has practically shut down the country. The people are being denied the basic necessities of life. A curfew has been imposed. Mubarak's agents/"supporters" have killed over 300 persons in ten days; still, the protest march is unstoppable. The people are defying every attempt to stop them. We have seen a similar type of revolt before now in Thailand, Brazil, Ukraine, Haiti, Czech Republic. The honourable option for Mubarak is to leave. He is defiant, proclaiming that he will die on Egyptian soil. Fine, he can go and do so, in his private home or in jail, but not as President. His insistence that he will remain in office till the September polls smacks of arrogance and contempt. He has been told by his government's strongest allies, the United States, that the time for change is now, but still like other sit-tight African leaders (Cote d'Ivoire's Houphouet-Boigny, Malawi's Kamuzu Banda, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Libya's Muamar Ghaddafi, Cameroon's Paul Biya, and Gabon's Omar Bongo), before him, he is refusing to read the handwriting on the wall. When his government falls, the winners will be the people and the ideals of freedom and change, and hopefully, the political forces behind the wind of change in Egypt, will see the urgent need to stabilize the country. Tunisia's Zine Ben Ali has fallen after 24 years in power, Mubarak, even if he continues to sit tight, has been thoroughly discredited. Those, like Mubarak who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable. It sounds trite, but it is the truth. And indeed it can happen here. Another lesson is the futility of big powers like the United States supporting sit-tight leaders against their people due to selfish sovereign considerations that benefit that the super-power. The time for the United States to turn off its life support for Hosni Mubarak is now. It is worth noting that Tunisia and Egypt are far more efficient states than Nigeria, and many other countries in sub-saharan Africa. Unemployment rate may be high in Tunisia and Egypt, but the people enjoy regular electricity and the quality of life is fair. In Tunisia, there is even a social insurance system that provides maternity payments, family benefits as well as disability and old age insurance. Pensioners in Tunisia are paid on time; there is also unemployment benefit, the women enjoy civil and political rights. The country recognises equal pay for equal work! The major problem is prevailing poor human rights practices in the shape of arbitrary arrests and the torture of detained persons, and poverty - the cause of significant alienation. The quality of life and the economy in Egypt and other countries of the Middle East where protest is raging are also far better than what obtains in sub-saharan Africa. If people who enjoy all these privileges can still go onto the streets, then, Nigerians must be a special breed indeed. Bouazizi killed himself because no government official was willing to listen to his grievances. Nigerians are used to that. In fact, they do not expect any kindness from public officials. Bouazizi refused to give bribe. In Nigeria, the people are willing to offer bribe to civil servants and public officials. Tunisian policemen brutalized the Tunisian street vendor and he felt he should lodge an official protest. In Nigeria, the people are used to being beaten by policemen and other uniformed officers, rarely do we have such a case as that of the lady who took the Nigerian Navy to court when naval ratings brutalized her. In Egypt, the soldiers have refused to shoot the people on sight; in Nigeria, the conduct of the military remains unpredictable in a season of turmoil. There may be no doubt that Nigerians have shown a remarkable capacity for resistance in the past and the history of protest in our land is rich and varied. Recent examples will include the protest against military rule, and the principled objection to former President Olusegun Obasanjo's attempt to extend his tenure in office. The revolt in the Niger Delta and the Boko Haram insurgency in Northern Nigeria also point to distortions within the Nigerian system, and the anger of an aggrieved segment of the populace. However, local protests are not always targeted at misgovernance or the people's yearning for change and progress; often they are coloured by religion and ethnicity making cases of sustained objections occasional and episodic. What Nigeria needs is the kind of revolution, once recommended by Professor Ben Nwabueze, which is driven by the people and their faith in human freedoms. There is no universally prescribed method of revolution, but where the quality of human life is trampled upon and the people's rights are routinely abused, the people as a collective have a duty to stand up and declaim: "Never Again!" Poverty and alienation which are central themes in the ongoing protests in the Maghreb and the Middle East could provide such common language that is spoken by protesters. Nigerians would like to see their leaders provide good governance and show greater responsibility in office. While hoping that the possibility of a Nigerian setting himself or herself ablaze in protest is remote, Nigerian leaders should nevertheless do everything to ensure that the April polls are transparent and credible, lest they provide a trigger for widespread rebellion in the land. 　　

Abel Guobadia, ex-INEC chairman dies at 78

Editors Online — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:32:58 +0000

Vanguard

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Dr. Abel Guobadia died yesterday in Benin, aged 78. Dr. Guobadia died on a day a fellow citizen of Edo State, Chief Anthony Enahoro was being buried. He passed on at a private hospital in the city of an unknown ailment. His first son Ibude ws being expected from Abuja at press time to issue a statement on his demise. However, one of Dr. Guobadia’s chidlren, Chris told newsmen that the decease was here on Sunday and was okay until Wednesday when he complained of not feeling too well and went to the hospital. And he died this morning (yesterday). He was supposed to celebrate his 79 birthday in June this year. We are waiting for the son to come back and that is only when we will be able to give you further statement”. Dr Guobadia was appointed chairman of the INEC by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He served between 2000 and 2005. Reacting to his death, former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, said “it is ad we are losing another personality at this time of the year. Dr Guobadia was a respected Bini leader and did his best as INEC chairman. He did his best while he was incharge of the electoral body inspite of all the pressure. We pray God to receive his soul in perfect peace” State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, described the loss as unfortunate as his experience would be needed for April elections. “I think it is a big loss to the state and the nation especially at this time when his wise counsel is needed as we prepare for general election. He successfully conducted general election with very little acrimony, he was a very honest and patriotic Nigerian and his level of patriotism was reflected in his areas of service to this nation, we pray God to grant him eternal rest”. The Benin National Congress (BNC) in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity and Intelligence, David Ekomwenrenren described the death as “another great loss to the Binis and Nigerians at large”. The statement described him as a meticulous Benin intelligentsia who believed in merit than tribal influence”. Reacting to the news of his death, President Goodluck Jonathan expressed shock and sadness and recalled that Dr. Guobadia “dedicated his life to the service of Nigeria, in various capacities, but most notably as Chairman of INEC from 2000 to 2005.” The President “praised the stewardship of the Late Guobadia, noting that the country has lost an excellent public servant and diplomat”. He stated that Dr. Guobadia passed on at a time his experience in election matters was most needed, as Nigeria prepares for the national elections in April, 2011. Reacting to the news of his death, President Goodluck Jonathan expressed shock and sadness and recalled that Dr. Guobadia “dedicated his life to the service of Nigeria, in various capacities, but most notably as Chairman of INEC from 2000 to 2005.” The President “praised the stewardship of the Late Guobadia, noting that the country has lost an excellent public servant and diplomat”. He stated that Dr. Guobadia passed on at a time his experience in election matters was most needed, as Nigeria prepares for the national elections in April, 2011.

National security is Jonathan’s weakest spot

Editors Online — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 13:12:57 +0000

By Levi Obijiofor

How many more Nigerians does President Goodluck Jonathan need to see massacred in Jos (Plateau) and parts of Borno State before he is roused from his slumber to act as a president who has the constitutional obligation to protect the lives of Nigerian citizens? I ask this question because for many weeks and months now, gangs of youths have continued to roam the streets of Jos and Borno, including surrounding communities, like drunken hunters engaged in unrestrained shootings of innocent citizens which have led to unnecessary deaths and injuries inflicted on innocent citizens. Jonathan and members of the National Assembly seem to be unworried by the mass murders that have occurred and are still occurring in parts of Plateau, Borno and Bauchi states essentially because their focus is on how to win the forthcoming elections. Everywhere you go in these states, the body count continues to rise. And we have a president who prefers to watch rather than use the powers conferred on him by the constitution to bring order to parts of the country that have been on fire for a long time. And we have an apathetic National Assembly whose members are preoccupied with the pursuit of their selfish interests, rather than prevail on Jonathan to stop the bloodshed in Plateau and Borno states. In Jos, human life is of no value. You go out in the morning and you are not sure whether you will return home alive or maimed or dead. In various neighbourhoods, people retire at night but no one is sure whether they would be butchered while at sleep or whether they would be among the lucky ones to rise from their sleep. Students of the University of Jos have turned to vigilantism and are no longer committed to their studies but to the safety of their fellow students. Law and order has collapsed and civil society has no idea whom it should turn to for protection. The growing instability in parts of the country raises serious questions about Jonathan’s capacity to defend the lives and property of ordinary Nigerians. When people refer to Nigeria as a failed state, they point to the ongoing carnage in Jos and Borno as evidence to support their claim. In Borno, murderous gangs flying the flag of Boko Haram devotees wander the streets freely, shooting aimlessly, slashing and burning unarmed human beings, setting on fire residential property, churches and police stations, thus making life difficult for everyone. In those states that share boundaries with Borno, the fear of Boko Haram thugs is the beginning of wisdom. Last week, the governorship candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Modu-Fannami Gubio, was brutally murdered along with six other persons. And all we hear from the state governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, and federal politicians is that the security agents are working to smoke out the killers. Across the country, there are so many unsolved murders that the citizens no longer believe the police and politicians when they pledge to apprehend criminals and marauding gangs who commit all manner of crimes in the name of religion or ethnicity. Federal Minister of Information and Communication, Labaran Maku, said in his automated response to the growing insecurity across the country: “The Federal Government is saddened with the insecurity incidents in Jos, Borno, Bauchi states. They have become a source of concern to government. The Federal Government would unmask and ensure that those behind this violence are brought to book. The Police and the State Security Service are working to fish out those behind last week’s killing of the ANPP governorship candidate in Borno, Alhaji Modu- Fannami Gubio.” This is a distinctive response the federal government offers to the nation whenever a high profile politician is murdered or whenever crime seems to be getting out of control. If the Information Minister recognises the serious nature of the situation and if he believes that growing insecurity has become a “source of concern to the government”, he should be telling everyone how the government plans to solve the problem. We have heard this kind of half-hearted expression of sorrow before. Soon after the murder in July 2006 of Anthony Olufunsho Williams, the frontline governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, President Olusegun Obasanjo led a team of official mourners to express sorrow and outrage over the manner in which the man was murdered. Obasanjo said his government would do everything possible to unmask the killers of Williams and to bring them to justice. Obasanjo said: “… we are determined to get and bring to book those who killed Funsho Williams. I believe that if this killing is left unresolved, the killing may continue. We can’t allow such to happen.” Four years after the murder of Funsho Williams and three years after the termination of the government that Obasanjo led, the killers of Funsho Williams have not been found, apprehended or successfully prosecuted. So much for high level pledges from politicians! On Monday, 31 January 2011, Labaran Maku, the Information Minister seemed to be reading from a script prepared by Obasanjo. In his reaction to the murder of the ANPP governorship candidate in Borno State, Maku said: “The Federal Government would unmask and ensure that those behind this violence are brought to book.” Another empty talk that offers no relief to the family of the bereaved! There have been suggestions that Jonathan should declare a state of emergency in Plateau and Borno states to demonstrate his government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and to make the point that murderers will not go free in a democratic Nigeria. However, a presidential source quoted by The Guardian this week said that “Despite the unwarranted killings of innocent citizens, President Jonathan doesn’t want to declare a state of emergency bearing in mind that if he does, it is the State Houses of Assembly that would be sacked.” The presidential source also said: “If you ask me, a state of emergency has the potential of creating bigger problems… The President does not want to encourage illegality by sacking all the whole apparatus of government. This is why he has hesitated in declaring a state of emergency in those states. So those criticising the President over this matter should go and look at what the law says again. This is not a democratic practice and the President would not be seen committing illegality.” This presidential spokesperson is certainly a man who lacks basic knowledge of the subject he has chosen to dwell on. It is absolutely incorrect to suggest that the declaration of a state of emergency in Plateau and Borno states would amount to the president taking some kind of illegal action. Within our current constitution, there are historical precedents. During his time as president, Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau State in May 2004. Two years on, Obasanjo again declared a state of emergency in Ekiti State in October 2006, following the impeachment of Governor Ayo Fayose. The two instances cited here indicate that Jonathan will not be the first president to declare a state of emergency in Plateau and Borno if he deems it fit to do so. It will also not be illegal for Jonathan to take that action. If a state of emergency will check the gruesome massacres that have continued to occur in parts of Borno and Plateau states in the past months and years, I am all for it. Unfortunately, Jonathan is too timid to take actions that will protect the lives of innocent Nigerians. The deployment of soldiers to restore law and order in Plateau and Borno suggests the collapse of the police as an institution established to protect the lives and property of the citizens. The capacity of the police to detect and prevent crime has been severely diminished. The Inspector-General of Police cannot expect Nigerians to believe him when he says the police is well equipped to protect everyone. As events in Plateau and Borno have shown, it is the police that have been caught one step behind the murderers and criminal groups operating in these areas. In the current state of instability, there is no redemption in sight. As events unfold in Plateau and Borno, the impression you get is that there is no effective government in Nigeria. The government must show iron determination to restore law and order across the nation. It must send a message to all groups that people who commit crime can expect to be arrested, tried and jailed. What the nation needs is an immediate end to the pogrom in Plateau and Borno states. A radical approach by the government is required to reassure everyone that murderers are being rounded up and put in jail where they belong.

Daniel, Bankole, Abiola-Edewor lose out

Editors Online — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:56:22 +0000

Vanguard

By Kolade Larewaju

ABEOKUTA- THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the list of candidates for the forthcoming polls with the names of Governor Olugbenga Daniel, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole and daughter of the acclaimed winner of the June 12 1993 elections; Bashorun MKO Abiola, Mrs. Lola Abiola Edewor conspicuously missing from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) list. The Obasanjo faction completely swept all the candidacy with Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin as the Governorship candidate with Tunde Oladunjoye as his Deputy, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo Bello emerging as the senatorial candidate from Ogun Central. From the Ogun East where Daniel contested came Mohammed Tahir Adetunji and Chief Babatunde Fadun from the West Senatorial District. Others who lost out in the PDP list include the Deputy Governor, Alhaja Salmot Badru who was replaced by Capt. Musa Kehinde Borokini for Ipokia/Yewa South Federal Constituency, Bankole was replaced by Peter Olusegun Alawode in Abeokuta South Federal Constituency while Mr. Gbenga Oduwaiye a current member of the house of Representatives was replaced Salami Muideen Adegboyega in Odogbolu/Ijebu-Ode/Ijebu North east Federal Constituency. In the Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN] list, Senator Ibikunle Amosun was listed as the Governorship candidate white Prince Segun Adesegun as running mate while the former Deputy Governor of Ogun State Alhaji Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka picked the Senatorial Ticket for Ogun East. Olugbenga Obadara picked the Ogun Central Senatorial ticket while Babalola Kamar Odunsi picked the Ogun West Senatorial ticket. Also on the list are Olumide Babatunde Osoba who picked the House of Representative ticket for Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode and Odeda Federal Constituency, Samuel Olusegun Williams picked ticket for Abeokuta South, Abayomi Hunye [Ipokia/Egbado South and Odeneye Kehinde Olusegun [Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East Announcing the list in Abeokuta, the Resident Electoral Commissioner Deacon Martins Okunfolami said that 33 parties submitted nominations in the state with eight of them nominating only Presidential Candidates and running mates while the remaining 25 submitted nomination for various offices.

Tinubu: Akande did not lose for sacking workers

Editors Online — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:03:49 +0000

Soji Adeniyi

The Nation

A FEAST OF RETURN: From left: Prof Omole, Prof. Soyinka, Mrs Aregbesola, Ogbeni Aregbesola, Asiwaju Tinubu, Mrs Laoye-Tomori and Chief Akande ... yesterday. PHOTO: SOJI ADENIYI Former Governor of Lagos State Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday said Chief Bisi Akande, former Osun State Governor, did not lose his governorship because he sacked workers. Akande was rigged out by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tinubu said. The former governor was reacting to a speech by the Speaker, House of Assembly, Adejare Bello, who said Akande’s tenure from 1999 to 2003 exemplified great democratic ideals, but that he lost the governorship because he sacked workers. The Speaker praised Akande’s administrative skills. Tinubu said it was wrong for the PDP to make such insinuations. He spoke during the presentation of the governor’s seal and the state’s new coat of arms at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo. It was a day of exciting cultural displays and moving, but short speeches – all preaching the noble ideals of Omoluabi the state is trying to reawaken in the citizenry. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader said Akande established the foundation for good governance and sound administrative strucuture. The ex-governor said: "The members of the Poverty Development Party have always said Akande lost out at the 2003 governorship election because he sacked workers, but I want to tell you that it was not so. Akande lost to rigging perpetrated by the PDP. "We are witnesses to his unbeatable achievements. Akande’s tenure will remain a reference point in Osun State. Akande was loved by the people. They could feel his passion for their welfare. So, it is wrong to say Akande lost because he sacked a few workers," he said. Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the new administration had come to rescue the citizens from the bad administration of the last PDP government. Aregbesola said: "Politics is a process; the fine art of leadership cultivation and recruitment. Most of the great leaders the world has ever seen emerged through politics. It was the political process that threw up leaders, such as Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Nnamdi Azikiwe and our own Obafemi Awolowo. But politics is not an end in itself; it is a means to an end: service to the people and the promotion of their welfare in every way possible. "Chief Awolowo put this succinctly in his address to Western Leaders of Thought in 1967 when he said: ‘The aim of a leader should be the welfare of the people whom he leads. I have used ‘welfare’ to denote the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the people. We didn’t see much of this in the past in this state. "Politics was conducted as a means for self-aggrandisement to the detriment of our people. The scarce resources that should have been used to develop our people were frittered away, either to acquire power illicitly or to defend a stolen mandate." Also present at the event, entitled: "A Feast of Return", were Prof. Wole Soyinka, Chief Akande, Deputy Governor Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Senator Femi Okunronmu and Prof. Akinwumi Ishola. Others were Prof. Sola Adeyeye, Chief Wunmi Adegbonmire, Amb. T.A.O. Otunla, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Prof Oye Ibidapo-Obe, Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN), Mr. Mohammed Fawehinmi, Alhaja Ganiat fawehinmi, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, Elder Peter Babalola, Dr Wale Okediran, Chief Tony Adefuye, Dr. Muiz Banire, Chief Remi Olowude, Prof Ropo Sekoni, Chief Kunle Odeyemi, Chief Yemi Elebuibon and Mr. Muyiwa Ige. Aregbesola said the state has abundant human and natural resources for wealth creation. To him, leadership has been the missing link. His administration has come to fill that gap. "We have chosen today because it is significant in our history. On Wednesday, February 6, 1952, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the leader of the Action Group (AG), was inaugurated as the Head of Government Business in Western Region. He was the first person to be so elected in Nigeria," Aregbesola said.

No surprises in INEC list: Daniel heads to court

Editors Online — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:45:01 +0000

Vanguard

*Daniel rejects political solution, heads to court today

LAGOS—MORE than 18 hours after the legally prescribed deadline for the release of candidates list for the forthcoming general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, belatedly released the candidate lists in several States. Among the States outstanding as at press time were Anambra, Kaduna and Niger.

This came as the Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel’s faction, was expected in court today to vacate the order that made it compulsory for INEC to display former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s list.

The list released from INEC State offices showed little surprises with the conspicuous omission of Speaker Dimeji Bankole of the House of Representatives and Governor Gbenga Daniel and his loyalists who lost out in the list of nominees standing on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for various state and federal offices in Ogun State.

Governor Sullivan Chime, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and those aligned with them, however, came out from the cold to emerge as candidates of the PDP in Enugu State while Mohammed Abacha, son of erstwhile Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, made the list as the gubernatorial candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in Kano State.

All three serving Senators from Adamawa State including Senate Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Mohammed Mana were missing in the PDP list published in Yola. The Daniel camp was, however, hopeful of a reverse of fortune as inside sources told Vanguard last night that Governor Daniel was at a meeting with President Jonathan till about 8pm trying to solve the Ogun state puzzle. The option of a political solution that would have seen members of the Daniel camp surrendering their tickets to the Obasanjo camp was broached but Daniel immediately dismissed saying that even if he would surrender his own senate ticket but he could convince others in his camp to surrender theirs. The outcome according to the sources is that Daniel’s faction will be at the courts today to vacate the order that made it compulsory for INEC to display former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s list. According to the source; "things will start to happen from that point and the right list from Ogun State will be displayed" Meantime, the major event slated for the President’s visit to the South_West tomorrow – the presentation of leadership flag of the PDP to Speaker Dimeji Bankole – will still hold in Ibadan. Several constitutional lawyers nevertheless flayed the INEC inertia as a fundamental breach of the law. They were, however, not agreed on to the extent the violation could affect the dates already fixed for the election. Little surprises The list released from INEC State offices showed little surprises with the conspicuous omission of Speaker Dimeji Bankole of the House of Representatives and Governor Gbenga Daniel and his loyalists who lost out in the list of nominees standing on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for various state and federal offices in Ogun State. Governor Sullivan Chime, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and those aligned with them, however, came out from the cold to emerge as candidates of the PDP in Enugu State while Mohammed Abacha, son of erstwhile Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, made the list as the gubernatorial candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in Kano State. All three serving Senators from Adamawa State including Senate Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Mohammed Mana were missing in the PDP list published in Yola. Several constitutional lawyers nevertheless flayed the INEC inertia as a fundamental breach of the law. They were, however, not agreed on to the extent the violation could affect the dates already fixed for the election. While Mr. Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, told Vanguard that the list of candidates had been dispatched to the States and the FCT prior to the Sunday midnight deadline, a number of the States were at press time still holding on to the list contrary to the Electoral Act. Other Resident Electoral Officers hurried to release the list with a couple of them blaming the INEC headquarters for the delayed release of the nomination list. Section 31(3) of the 2010 Electoral Act stipulates that: The Commission shall within 7 days, of the receipt of the personal particulars of the candidate, publish same in the constituency where the candidate intends to contest the election. Violation of Electoral Act Constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, berated INEC for violating the 2010 Electoral Act by not publishing names of candidates that are to contest the 2011 general elections as stipulated in the Act. He said: "Definitely it is in violation of the 2010 Electoral Act. They (INEC) are supposed to have published the names by now so that those whose names that should have been there but are not out ought to have corrected it. So that where there is need for legal challenge, they can take steps to challenge it. There is also need for people to look at the names and those not qualified or that which makes him or her not fit to be an elected person, will be taken to court to restrain such person." Another legal practitioner and human rights crusader, Mr. Bamidele Aturu, argued that though the commission erred by not publishing the names of candidates, the error should not be considered as a fundamental violation. Said he: "There is no doubt that INEC has violated the Electoral Act but one should ask whether the violation is a fundamental one or not. In this case, I think the violation is a fundamental one but I must also state that, INEC has violated the law. But this violation does not necessarily need to lead to the cancellation of the whole election. Having said that I will advise INEC to be careful next time not to violate the law." OGUN In Abeokuta where the list was published last night the Obasanjo faction dominated the PDP list for Ogun State with Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin as the Governorship candidate and Tunde Oladunjoye as his Deputy. Senator Iyabo Obasanjo_Bello emerged as the senatorial candidate from Ogun Central, Mohammed Tahir Adetunji displaced Governor Daniel as the senatorial candidate for Ogun East while Chief Babatunde Fadun emerged as the candidate for Ogun West Senatorial District. Others who lost out in the PDP list include the Deputy Governor, Alhaja Salmot Badru, who was replaced by Capt. Musa Kehinde Borokini for Ipokia/Yewa South Federal Constituency, Bankole was replaced by Peter Olusegun Alawode in Abeokuta South Federal Constituency while Mr. Gbenga Oduwaiye a current member of the house of Representatives was replaced by Salami Muideen Adegboyega in Odogbolu/Ijebu-Ode/Ijebu North east Federal Constituency. In the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, list Senator Ibikunle Amosun was listed as the Governorship candidate with Prince Segun Adesegun as running mate while the former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaji Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka, was listed as the Senatorial candidate for Ogun East. Olugbenga Obadara picked the Ogun Central Senatorial ticket while Babalola Kamar Odunsi picked the Ogun West Senatorial ticket. Also on the list are Olumide Babatunde Osoba who picked the House of Representative ticket for Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode and Odeda Federal Constituency, Samuel Olusegun Williams picked ticket for Abeokuta South, Abayomi Hunye, Ipokia/Egbado South, and Odeneye Kehinde Olusegun, Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East. Submission of nominations Announcing the list in Abeokuta, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Deacon Martins Okunfolami, said that 33 parties submitted nominations in the state with eight of them nominating only Presidential Candidates and running mates while the remaining 25 submitted nomination for various offices. The Daniel camp was, however, hopeful of a reverse of fortune as inside sources told Vanguard that Governor Gbenga Daniel was at a meeting with President Jonathan till about 8pm trying to solve the Ogun state puzzle. The outcome, according to the sources, is that Daniel’s faction will be at the courts today to vacate the order that made it compulsory for INEC to display former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s list. The source said: "Things will start to happen from that point and the right list from Ogun State will be displayed" Meantime, the major event slated for the President’s visit to the South_West tomorrow – the presentation of leadership flag of the PDP to Speaker Dimeji Bankole – will still hold in Ibadan. KWARA Senator Gbemisola Saraki was listed as the gubernatorial candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, and is to face Muhammad Dele Belgore, SAN, of the ACN, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed of the PDP, Gbenga Olawepo of DPP, and Alhaji Bolaji Khaleel of the ANPP in the coming gubernatorial election. Outgoing Governor of the State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, was listed as the PDP senatorial candidate for the Kwara Central Senatorial seat being vacated by his younger sister, Gbemi while Senator Simeon Ajibola of PDP for Kwara South was cleared to contest for third term while former governor Muhammed Shaba Lafiaji was listed to contest from Kwara North. The Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, has Architect Lola Ashiru to contest for Kwara South Senatorial District, Alhaji Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi, Kwara North, and Yisa Rukiyat Ajoke also of the ACPN will slug it out with Governor Bukola Saraki of the PDP from Kwara Central. DELTA The list of candidates as released by Delta INEC REC, Dr. Gabriel Ada, showed that the Governorship race would be contested by Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, PDP; Great Ogboru, DPP, and Nkwoala Emeka, Labour. The list of ACN candidates was, however, not released last night. Contesting on the platform of the PDP for the Senate are Senator James Manager, Delta South; Okowa Ifeanyi Arthur, Delta North, and Ighoyota Amori, Delta Central. The senatorial candidates of the DPP are Ned Nwoko, Delta North; Ogwilaya Ufuoma, Delta South, and Ewherido Akpor Pius, Delta Central. ENUGU Governor Sullivan Chime of the PDP made the list of ten governorship candidates released by INEC for the April election in Enugu State. All the Senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly candidates elected by Governor Chime’s faction of the party, including the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, also made the list against speculations that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had accepted the list of Chief Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu as the PDP governorship candidate as ordered by an Abuja Federal High Court. But the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Josiah Uwazuruonye, explained after releasing the list of candidates that the PDP list displayed was not final as the commission was awaiting the final decision of the court in Abuja regarding the list of candidates from the two factions of the party before taken final decision on the candidacy. He said the list from the Governor’s faction was displayed based on the commission’s belief that the ex-parte order of the court stopping it from accepting any list of candidates other than that containing the names of Onwuegbu and 38 others was deemed to have expired after seven days. Uwazuruonye said: "I have not read the Court order on the Enugu PDP list but the list we have here came from our office in Abuja. But I can tell you that from what I have read in papers, we are aware there is an order of the court regarding Enugu PDP but since it is an interim (ex-parte) order it elapsed after seven days. We are waiting for the final decision or an interlocutory order of the court on the matter to enable us determine the actual candidate of PDP in the state." In the list of governorship candidates displayed at the INEC office at about 2 pm yesterday, were Barrister Sullivan Iheanacho Chime (PDP), Chief Okey Ezea (Labour Party), Dr. Daniel Chukwuma Shere (People for Democratic Change, PDC), Pastor Ikechukwu Venatius Omenkeukwu (Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN), Charles Ibe (Congress for Demcractic Change, CDC), Chief Jonathan Nweke (Hope Democratic Party, HDP), Nwokedi Ofor (Africa Liberation Party, ALP), Chinonyelum Odumejemba (National Conscience Party, NCP, Ichie Paul Okafor, ANPP, and Chief Emma Ugwu, CPC. The list of other candidates including those of Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly were displayed at the various constituencies by the Local Government Electoral Officers of the Commission. IMO No fewer than 18 persons were listed by INEC to run for the April 2011 gubernatorial election in Imo State. A critical look at the INEC notice board in Owerri revealed that only the list of presidential candidates and governorship candidates fielded by 18 out of all the registered political parties approved for the contest. The list for the remaining elective positions, including the senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly were not pasted and no official of the establishment was ready to give any reason for the omission. Those listed to contest the gubernatorial election in the state include Governor Ikedi Ohakim and his running mate, Professor (Mrs.) Viola Onwuliri, for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, who will run with his deputy, Chief Noel Agwuocha-Chukwukadibia on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The names of Chief Rochas Okorocha (APGA), Chief Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba (CPC), Chikere Dennis Ihenacho (Freedom Party), Onyedika Paulinus (MPPP), Victory Ashamole (NTP), Chief Robert Opara (DPP), Ihemadu A. Nkemjika (FDP) and Chief Ike Ibe (Social Democratic Mega Party). Others are Ihenacho Gerald (CDC), Scholastica Emerole (APN), Martin Chikere (BNPP), Nkem Maduabuchi (PRP), Egbuna Ihenacho (ALP), Chikere Chinedu (FPN), Lemchi Ahamefula (ANPP) and Ononaji Nnanyereugu (DFPF). ONDO INEC Administrative Secretary, Dr Folarin Awuojuola, blamed the late arrival of the list from Abuja for the delay in the display of the list. Awuojuola said the sorting was carried out till late on the same day and that only the lists of candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives were ready. He said that the list of the House of Assembly candidates would be made public later. In the list displayed the ruling LP is parading the likes of Prof, Ajayi Boroffice (Ondo North) Akinyelure Ayo (Ondo Central) and Kunlere Boluwaji (Ondo South) for the Senate while the PDP is parading former Governor Olusegun Agagu (Ondo South), Senator Bode Olajumoke (Ondo North) and Senator Gbenga Ogunniya (Ondo Central). The ACN is parading two defected members of the LP Akintade Michael (Ondo central), Olu Agunloye (Ondo North) and Paul Akintelure (Ondo south). ADAMAWA Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa, Barrister Kashim Gaidam also blamed the late arrival of the list from Abuja. While all three serving PDP senators were omitted on their party list, former Governor Boni Haruna emerged as ACN senatorial candidate for Adamawa North. The released Governorship candidates and their parties are as follows: ACN has Markus Gindiri as governorship candidate with Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi as running mate; All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA has Prof. Joel Dada as governorship candidate with Alhaji Aminu Hammanjoda as Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Usman is the Governorship candidate of ANPP and has Syinbiatu Umar as Deputy while the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, has Mohammed Buba Marwa as the flag bearer with John Manasa as Deputy. Maurice Vunobolki is the candidate of National Transformation Party, NTP, with Sani Ahmed as his Deputy, MPPP has Albert Watal Chidaus as the flag bearer without a Deputy running mate, while the Labour Party has Adamu Muazu Moddibo as the governorship candidate with Engr. Lynn Nathan, a one time Deputy Governor in the defunct Gongola state as his running mate. Also released is the governorship candidate of PPN in the person of David D. Barau without a Deputy, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has Murtala Nyako as the flag bearer with Barrister Bala James Ngilari as running mate. Kowa party has Salihu Butu as its candidate with Mr. James Obadiah as Deputy Governor. The Senatorial candidates cleared has Ambassador Fati Balla Abubakar, Boni Haruna and Mohammed Koiranga Jada , all of Action Congress of Nigeria for Adamawa central , North and South respectively. ANPP has Mohammed Abdullahi for Adamawa Central, Alhaji Haruna Lawan Duhu, North and Major Elone Raymond for the South; CPC has Engr. Hayatu Murtala Mohammed North and Ahmed Abubakar M for South even as APGA has only Aminu S. Umar for Adamawa central as its candidate. Labour Party , LP has Alhaji Dahiru Bobbo for Central, Mauzu Abdullahi North, Umar Bello Jada for South, National Transformation Party , NTP , has Alhaji Muazu Bakari Umar; Musa Bulama and Reverend Habila Istifamus as its Senatorial and South respectively. PDP has for Adamawa Central, Bindo Umaru Jibrilla for North and Ahmed Barata for the South, while the MPPP has Yerima Midala for Adamawa Central and Arthamus Guri for South as its senatorial candidates. NIGER Eight gubernatorial candidates from eight different political parties were listed in the gubernatorial election for Niger State by INEC yesterday. Governor Babangida Aliyu of the PDP was listed as his party’s gubernatorial candidate while erstwhile Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Bawa Bwari was listed as the gubernatorial candidate for the ACN. Two of the parties, ANPP, and African Renaissance Party, ARP, however, could not produce running mate for their gubernatorial candidates. The final list as endorsed by INEC also put to rest the controversy on the two factions of ANPP existing in the state with the electoral body giving recognition to the faction led by the 2007 gubernatorial candidate, Barrister David Umoru. Other candidates are Ahamed Ibrahim Khalid of ARP, governorship candidate. Alhaji Daiyabu Suleiman governor for Citizen Peoples Party (CPP) and Engineer Yakubu Abubakar as his deputy, Mr. DS. Galadima, governor for National Transformation Party (NTP), Amodu John as governor for Social Democratic Mega Party, Ibrahim Bako Shettima is governor for CPC with Alhassan Bako Muhammed as his deputy. AKWA IBOM Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Maria Owi, said that only 21 parties have filed candidates for one elective office or the other in the state. For the PDP, the governorship candidate for the state is the incumbent, Governor Godswill Akpabio, while his deputy for the 2011 elections is Obong Nsima Ekere who displaced the incumbent deputy, Patrick Ekpotu. Chairman, House of Representatives committee on Rules and Business, Ita Enang, was listed as senatorial candidate for Uyo senatorial district, the incumbent Senator Aloysius Etuk, for Ikot Ekpene senatorial district and a new entrant Mrs. Helen Esuene for Eket senatorial district. Nine out of ten candidates for the PDP House of Representatives were also on the list while there was none for the Uyo Federal constituency, and 26 members for the twenty six seats in the House of Assembly. The ACN, has Senator John Akpanudoedehe as its governorship candidate and Chief Ime Umanah as his deputy. The ANPP has Samson Ewang as its governorship while the CPC has Lawrence Esin as its own governorship candidate. Both the ANPP and CPC, however, did not list gubernatorial running mates. APGA has former ACN state chairman, Comrade David Ekanem, as its governorship candidate and Nkereuwem Peter as deputy. SOKOTO The parties listed yesterday are AD with Alhaji Buhari Mohammad and Alhaji Suleiman Aliyu as Governor and deputy governorship candidates; Advanced Congress of Democrats, ACD, with Alhaji Shehu Muhammad Dankina as the governorship candidate; ACN with Alhaji Isa Bajini Galadima as governorship candidate; ANPP with Alhaji Bello Gazobi and Ibrahim Shehu as governor and deputy ; APGA with Alhaji Nasiru Aliyu and Alhaji Abubakar Saidu as governorship and deputy respectively. Others include African Renaissance Party, ARP whose governorship and deputy governorship candidates are Umar M. Faruk and Kasimu Muhammad Sokoto; CPC with Engr. Abubakar Aliyu Yabo as governorship candidate; DPP with Senator Garba Ila Gada as the governorship candidate; LP with Dahiru Bello and Zayyanu Ahmad as governor and deputy governorship candidates; Movement for the Restoration and Defense of Democracy, MRDD with Kabiru A. Mohammed and Alhaji Isa Abdullahi as governorship and deputy governorship candidates. The National Movement Progressive Party, NMPP has Alhaji Bello Abubakar as governorship candidate; the National Solidarity Democratic Party, NSDP, has Alhaji Ibrahim Babajo Ahmed and Murtala Sani as governorship and deputy governorship candidates. PDP has Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as governorship candidate; the PPA has Hajiya Salamatu Isa Abdullahi and Sanusi Bawa Gandi and Peoples Progressive Party, PPP has Alhaji Ahmad Ja’o as governorship candidate while the United Nigerian People Party, UNPP has Aminu Samaila Abdulkadir as governorship candidate. Senior Public Relations Officer of the Commission, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Sokoto, told Vanguard that the list for State Assembly candidates were being pasted at the various local government headquarters while list of candidates of other political parties, were still being sorted out and released simultaneously. FCT Those whose names were shown displayed at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, yesterday, were: President Goodluck Jonathan of the ruling PDP; former Military ruler, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the CPC; Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau of the ANPP, and Alhaji Mahmud Waziri of the People for Democratic Change, PFDC. Others include Mr. John Dara of National Transformation Party, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu of African Renaissance Party, and Pastior Chris Okotie of Fresh Party. For the lone senatorial seat, the list on display include those of Mr. Kayode Ajulo of the Labour Party, National Conscience Party has Ms Celestine Amaka, while Hamza B Abdul is contesting on the platform of the Better Nigeria Party. The PDP candidate for the poll, Hon. Philip Aduda’s name was not on the display yesterday. INEC list Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin Tunde Oladunjoye as his Deputy; Senate Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello Ogun Central; Mohammed Tahir Adetunji, Ogun North Chief Babatunde Fadun, Ogun West. Reps Capt. Musa Kehinde Borokini, Ipokia/Yewa South Peter Olusegun Alawode, Abeokuta South Salami Muideen Adegboyega, Odogbolu/Ijebu-Ode/Ijebu North east ACN Sen Ibikunle Amosun (Gov) Prince Segun Adesegun, (Dep) Senate Alhaji Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka, Ogun East; Olugbenga Obadara, Ogun Central Babalola Kamar Odunsi, Ogun West Reps. Olumide Babatunde Osoba, Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode and Odeda Samuel Olusegun Williams, Abeokuta South, Abayomi Hunye (Ipokia/Egbado South) Odeneye Kehinde Olusegun (Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East) Kwara State PDP Alh AbdulFatah Ahmed Alh Isiaka Gold as his deputy Governor Bukola Saraki, Kwara Central ; Simeon Ajibola, Kwara South, Muhammed Shaba Lafiaji, Kwara North ACPN Senator Gbemisola Saraki and Mr. Awan Moses Bio as deputy; Senate Architect Lola Ashiru for Kwara South , Alhaji Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi, Kwara North; and Yisa Rukiyat Ajoke, Kwara Central ACN Muhammad Dele Belgore (SAN) gubernatorial candidate DPP Gbenga Olawepo Alh Bashir Muhammed Lawal (dep) ANPP Bolaji Khaleel and Alhaji Idris Abdullahi as his deputy ENUGU STATE, PDP Sullivan Iheanacho Chime (Gov) Labour Party, LP, Chief Okey Ezea (Gov) Peoples for Democratic Change, PDC, Dr. Daniel Chukwuma Shere (Gov) Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Ikechukwu Venatius Omenkeukw (Gov) Congress for Democratic Change, CDC Charles Ibe (Gov) Hope Democratic Party, HDP Chief Jonathan Nweke(Gov), Africa Liberation Party, ALP Nwokedi Ofor (Gov), National Conscience Party, NCP Chinonyelum Odumejemba (Gov), All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP Ichie Paul Okafor (Gov)) Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Chief Emma Ugwu (Gov) Imo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Ikedi Ohakim Mrs. Viola Onwuliri, (Dep) Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Chief Noel Agwuocha_Chukwukadibia (Dep) All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA Chief Rochas Okorocha Congress for Progressive Change, CPC Chief Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba Freedom Party Chikere Dennis Ihenacho Mega Peoples Progressive Party, MPPP Onyedika Paulinus NTP Victory Ashamole Democratic Peoples Party, DPP Chief Robert Opara , FDP Ihemadu A. Nkemjika Social democratic Mega Party, SDMP Chief Ike Ibe Congress for Democratic Change, CDC Ihenacho Gerald APN Scholastica Emerole BNPP Martin Chikere Peoples Redemption Party, PRP Nkem Maduabuchi ALP Ihenacho FPN Chikere Chinedu. All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP Lemchi Ahamefula DFPF Ononaji Nnanyereugu Ondo State Labour Party, LP Ajayi Boroffice Ondo North, Akinyelure Ayo Ondo Central Kunlere Boluwaji Ondo South REps Akinlaja Joseph Ondo East/West , Omosule Eniolorunda Owo/Ose, Ifedayo Abegunde Akure North/South, Debo Ologunagba Akoko South East/South West, Nomiye Rapheal Ilaje/ Eseodo, Bakare Abiodun Idare/Ifedore, Olatunji Oladele Okitipupa/Irele Ganny Dauda Akoko North East/North West Johnson Adeoba Akintola Ile Oluji/ Okeigbo/ Odigbo Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Olusegun Agagu for Ondo South , Bode Olajumoke, Ondo North Gbenga Ogunniya, Ondo Central Reps Omolafe Adedayo for Akure North / South, Lad Ojomo Owo/ Ose, Gbenga Elegbeleye Akoko North East/West, Niyi Jones Akinyugha Idanre/ Ifedore Fawehinmi TemitayoOndo East/ West, Agboola Ajayi Ilaje/ Eseodo Fasawe Olusegun Odigbo/Ileoluji/Okeigbo, Fidelis Omowa Akoko South East/West Akintoye Albert Okitipupa/ Irele. ACN Akintade Micheal,Ondo Central, Olu Agunloye, Ondo North Paul Akintelure Ondo South Reps Gboyega Adefarati, Akoko South East/South West, Emmanuel Adedeji Ile Oluji Okeigbo, Akintimehin Adewale Okitipupa/Irele, Adekanmbi OlufemiOwo/Ose, Boboye Falilat Akure North/South, Rawa Felix Ilaje/Eseodo, Ogundolie Patrick Ondo East/West Ayodele Akinmoyo Idanre/Ifedore. CPC Senate Egamosi Atenuberu Pius Olubunmi Akinluwa Henry National Transformation Party Falusi Olufemi Jimoh Akinsola Reps: Ogunlalaka Gabriel Odutola APGA Ogbu Chika, ARP Ranti Fawehinmi. ACPN Reps Ibitoye Joseph SDMP Reps Akarakiri Thomas Abbey Johnson, The CPC presented only seven candidates for the nine Federal constituencies. Adamawa State Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN Markus Gindiri (Gov) Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi (Dep) All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA Joel Dada Alhaji Aminu Hammanjoda (Dep), All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP Alhaji Ahmed Usman Syinbiatu Umar (Dep) Congress for Progressive Change CPC Mohammed Buba Marwa John Manasa (Dep). National Transformation Party Maurice Vunobolki Sani Ahmed (Dep), MPPP Albert Watal Chidaus (Gov) Labour Party Adamu Muazu Moddibo Engr. Lynn Nathan, (Dep) PPN David D. Barau (Gov) Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Murtala Nyako Barrister Bala James Ngilari (Dep) Kowa Party Salihu Butu Mr. James Obadiah (Dep) Action Congress of Nigeria Senate Fati Balla Abubakar, Boni Haruna Mohammed Koiranga Jada All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Senate Mohammed Abdullahi Alhaji Haruna Lawan Duhu, Elone Raymond Congress of Progress Change, CPC Senate Engr. Hayatu Murtala Mohammed Ahmed Abubakar M All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA Senate Aminu S. Umar Labour Party , LP Alhaji Dahiru Bobbo Mauzu Abdullahi Umar Bello Jada National Transformation Party , NTP , Senate Alhaji Muazu Bakari Umar; Musa Bulama Habila Istifamus Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Senate Bindo Umaru Jibrilla Ahmed Barata MPPP Senate Yerima Midala Arthamus Guri

Obasanjo justifies preference for Jonathan’s candidacy

Editors Online — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:25:40 +0000

By Ola Ajayi , IBADAN

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has vowed that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party would do everything to get all the states in the South West zones from ‘rascals’ before 2015 as former President Olusegun Obasanjo justified why he preferred President Jonathan to other aspirants who contested with in the primaries of the party at the Eagle Square, Abuja. Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State, President Goodluck Johnathan, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, vice President Nnamdi Sambo and PDP Ag. National Chairman, Alhaji Bello Mohammed at the PDP South West Rally in Ibadan. The President, who talked in an unusual manner, said this at the flag-off of his presidential campaign in the South West. According to him, the ruling party must control Lagos State which has been in the firm grip of the Action Congress of Nigeria. The well attended rally by party chieftains both at the national and in the zone held at the ancient Mapo Hall where security agents had hectic time controlling the mammoth crowd. The coordinator of the Goodluck/Sambo Campagin Organization in the South West, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and the Senate leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola were conspicuously absent. Their absenteeism may not be unconnected with the failure of the party to present them or any other candidates for the April poll. Vanguard gathered that Ogun State radio was making repeated announcement on Monday that the rally would not hold again but the announcement could not be traced to the aggrieved governor who has gone to court to challenge the party on the controversial list of the candidate displayed by INEC which did not contain any of his choice candidates. Describing the South West as the most important in the country because of its political antecedents, the president, said the zone was too educated, civilized to be left in the hands of rascals. Though, he did not mention the name of any person in particular, he stressed that Lagos, as a commercial nerve centre in the country was very important and the party must ensure that it controlled the state after the April polls. On the two states in the zone-Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States that have already been taken over by the ACN, he promised before 2015 when he would steer the ship of the country if given the mandate, all the states in the zone would be taken over by the ruling party. President Jonathan said, "Lagos is a commercial centre and the ruling party must control the state. We will take over Ekiti, Osun and Ondo States. Before 2015, we will take over the South West. South West is too educated and civilized to be left in the hands of rascals". While speaking on the security situation in the country, he promised that no stone would be left unturned to ensure the security of lives and property. According to him, the era of committing crime with impunity is over and everything would be done to improve on the security situation in the country. He promised the country that most of our industries would be reactivated and steps would be taken to enhance the economy. On the power generation, he noted he was aware of the important role that power plays in the economy of a nation and as at now, the country is generating about 4,000 megawatts which would be improved upon. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo justified why he preferred President Jonathan to other aspirants who contested with in the primaries of the party at the Eagle Square, Abuja. He said, South South zone, having suffered neglect and marginalization over the years, it would be proper to give them a sense of belonging so that things can move forward in the country. Chief Obasanjo said, "with the political history of our country, the unity will be strengthened if a person from the minority group from South-South. With the things happening, we have been proved right". He, however, warned the party not to take things too lightly. "Nothing should be taken for granted. We do know that there are areas crying for attention-security, unemployment of youths, corruption and infrastructure. These can’t be neglected. As for me, I take solace in the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan who has gone through the period of tutelage would work". The host governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala assured the president that since previous presidents who visited the ancient Mapo Hall won their elections, Jonathan’s would not be an exception. He boasted that it was not possible that he, the president would contest election and lose. Towards the end of the rally, the acting National Chairman of the Alhaji Bello Haliru Mohammed who was flanked by the National Vice Chairman, South West Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo handed the party’s flags to Governor Akala, Mr. Adegboyega Dosunmu, Adetunji Olurin as PDP governorship flagbearers for Oyo, Lagos and Ogun States respectively. Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole received the party’s flag on behalf of the candidates for the lower chamber. Other important dignitaries at the rally were Mrs. Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, former Governor of Ekiti State, Engineer Segun Oni, Former Military Governor of Lagos State. Raji Rasaki, and other dignitries.

Daniel might dump PDP

Editors Online — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:30:08 +0000

Vanguard

ABEOKUTA – There are hints that the embattled Governor of Ogun State, Governor Olugbenga Daniel might dump the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] Addressing members of the party, who thronged his "Asoludero "country home in Sagamu, after a meeting with all his candidates who were dropped by the ruling party, Daniel said that his new party of choice would be announced on Wednesday. Addressing the huge crowd who came to prevail on him not to attend the Presidential Campaign flag off in Ibadan, Daniel after detailing how the PDP had continuously being ruined in the South West said "if they want us here, we will stay; but if they don’t want us, we will not. But I can assure you we will break our fast tomorrow. "We did conduct the primaries; they sent people from Abuja. Security came, INEC came and one week after they started everything and INEC listed those who did not participate in the primaries as the candidates. Since I have been taking you around, have I ever directed you wrongly? "After fasting, it would be broken. We have fasted and we will break our fast tomorrow [Wednesday] then you will all know where we are going. This is Ogun State where we have been truthful"

Internal Democracy: Exit, Voice and Loyalty

Editors Online — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 01:37:21 +0000

Anthony A. Kila

The list that came last week with the names of candidates for the forthcoming political elections should be the final lists of flag bearers that will contest on behalf of the political parties registered by INEC. It should be so not because we like or dislike any of the candidates on the list but simply because electoral regulations (according to section 31 (3) of the Electoral Act, 2010) clearly states that the list needs to be published within seven days of the receipt of the now famous form CF001. For the few engaged participants and the very many affected citizens, the list should finally tell us who is still fighting as a candidate and who is out for now. Lest we forget, waiting for such list is not normal. In normal democratic systems and countries, politicians and indeed their supporters do not need to wait for days to see a final list from their electoral regulators to know who has won or lost primary elections. They know who their candidate is going to be just a few hours after the primary elections and those who care to wait around get to know the results right where they voted. The results they get are also the final ones and in most cases, these results tend to match expectations that emerge from polls and popular views. The accepted idea that unpopular politicians can and readily elbow out popular aspirants or that even after primary elections, some politicians can still hope and scheme to get their names on their party list is a clear indication that intrigues, violence and manipulations carry far too much weight in than votes our systems. Such democratic imbalance is dangerously to the detriment of a qualitative selection of those that will eventually rule and it works against the good governance the country desperately needs. The mere fact that politicians and their followers have to wait for a final list from INEC’s headquarters to know their fate and decide their next moves is another clear indication that a lot is not well with the Nigerian political system. To understand their next moves, given that no mainstream political party can honestly boast of a complete and sound internal democracy, I got in touch with those who had access to and practical understanding of our political system. My most articulate contact was a Lagos born Prince who is also a Security and Development expert. Conversations with him led me to conclude that Nigerians politicians, after the primaries, are faced with three options: Exit, Voice and Loyalty. Many of those who feel betrayed, cheated or muscled out of their tickets are very likely to leave their party i.e take the exit option. Elsewhere, it is difficult to see politicians easily change parties not because the law prohibits it but because those politicians are normally bounded to their parties by values and ideologies. In a system where the unifying element is all but ideological and the bond is equivalent rather than covalent politicians are more likely to easily migrate from one party to the other. The parties that receive them should not be blamed for doing so but leaders of their former parties should be evaluated also in terms of what damage decampees can do with their departure, just like a coach that allows a player to go only for that player to make his new team win the league. The second possible option is to stay in the party and voice your concern. This tends to be the attitude of big players who will eventually make history as reformers. They stay in the party because they see themselves as stakeholders not just fans, followers or boys of the leader rather they think with the right strategy they can correct the leaders or one day challenge and vote him out. They are motivated by ideas and principles and they tend to be self reliant or at least not dependent on just the leader for resources. The loyalty option tend to be for those politicians who don’t complain and just suffer in silence because they don’t believe they can do anything about what is wrong, they wait for someone else to do something about the mess on ground. Others take the loyalty option because they genuinely believe the leader is right, pragmatic or because they are so dependent on the leader that they cannot foresee a future without or against the leader. Save for some exceptions here and there, the recently concluded primaries have been far from transparent and democratic, to get the much needed good governance, Nigerians need to pay more attention into internal democracy, till we get that right, our politicians have to exit, voice or remain loyal. We the voters too have our choices to make. 　

Accidents, stampede claim lives at Jonathan’s PH campaign

Editors Online — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 01:40:22 +0000

BY GEORGE ONAH & JIMITOTA ONOYUME

Two separate accidents, yesterday, involving the convoy of some governors, occurred in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when President Goodluck Jonathan visited the state to launch his presidential campaign in the south-south.

L-R Governor Rotimi Amaechi Rivers State Governor; President Goodluck Jonathan; Arch Namadi Sambo Vice Prreseident; Governor Godswill Akpabio Akwa-Ibom State Governor; Senator David Mark Senate President and Governor Emmanuel Udughan Delta State Governor during the PDP South-south Presidential Campaign and handing over of PDP Flagg to PDP South-south Governors yeaterday in Portharcourt Rivers State. Photo:Nwankpa Chijioke

Whereas the accidents occurred along Aba Road, 10 persons were allegedly crushed in a stampede at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, the venue of the president’s rally, when policemen on horseback, after the event, rode into a crowd of people who were scampering for Naira notes thrown into the air by a political bigwig.

Four reportedly died on the spot while six gave up the ghost at the hospital where they were rushed to, after the stampede. However, Rivers State police PRO, Dr. Rita Inoma-Abbey (a DSP), said no one died during the stampede but that "people only suffocated and fainted and no death was recorded. I have been to the hospital, no corpse has been deposited there".

Sunday Vanguard observed that police vans carried what appeared like lifeless people as they drove away from the stadium premises, even as some people laid motionless outside the gate of the stadium after the stampede.

It was also noticed that people wailed as the police vans drove along Elekahia community, which hosts the stadium, just as some people rushed to the stadium to ascertain the whereabouts of their relations who had gone to the rally.

A morgue attendant at the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital who did not want his name in print said "some policemen brought some corpses a few minutes ago and they said the people died during the president’s visit".

Meanwhile, the president has assured the people of the south-south that his presidency would bring about transformational change in the region. Addressing the zonal campaign in Port Harcourt, Jonathan said he would sit with governors and leaders of the party from the region to evolve a concrete development plan for the area after he is elected in the general elections.

Promising that any project started by his administration in the region would be completed, the president pleaded for cooperation from youths and people of the region. According to him, no development comes up overnight.

He also said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was already in talks with those to invest in the petrochemical industry in the region. Jonathan said his presidency would strive to address the challenges of unemployment. The president stated with the local content law already in place people from the region would emerge key actors in the oil and gas sector.

Noting that his ticket along with his vice president, Namadi Sambo, signifies national unity and positive changes, Jonathan thanked the region for voting for him and his deputy massively at the last presidential primary election of the PDP in Abuja.

The acting national chairman of the party, Dr Bello Muhamed, presented flags to the PDP governorship candidates in the five states of the region where election would hold in April this year. They include Governors Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa , Senator Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta.

Other speakers at the event lauded the Jonathan/Sambo ticket, expressing the hope that it would take the country to greater heights.

Tinubu’s critics are ignorant - Akande

Editors Online — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 01:45:19 +0000

The Nation

Against the backdrop of criticisms trailing the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) primaries in Lagos State, a chieftain of the party in the state, Chief Ayo Akande, has taken a swipe at the critics of a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu saying they are ignorant and uninformed. Chief Akande made this observation in an interview at his Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos residence while reviewing the conduct of the primary elections for flag bearers of the party. According to him, "Containment of a political party needs a team of loyalists who are front liners of that party. Loyalty is very crucial to the success of any political party. If the members or front liners of the party are not loyal, such a party is bound to fail. Every politician needs those who are loyal to him to make a build-up of his working team. It is the build-up of this loyalty that sustains the leadership". He further noted that the primary elections of the party that were recently concluded in the state were better than that of 2007 since ballot boxes were used and votes counted. The party chieftain said in areas considered to be volatile and highly sensitive because of the numerous aspirants for one elective post, "it becomes imperative on the leadership of the party to manage the situation in such a manner that will secure lives and properties without interfering with democratic principles". Speaking on the senatorial ticket given to Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, Chief Akande said it was unfair to castigate Asiwaju Tinubu for fielding his wife who is a loyal member of the party as a senatorial candidate saying, "loyalty is part of the dynamism needed in politics and nobody could be more loyal and trustworthy to Asiwaju Tinubu than his wife." Chief Akande, who observed that Asiwaju Tinubu had committed his resources and determination at improving the cause of humanity and recovering the lost glory of the Yoruba race, said, Tinubu "deserves commendation rather than vilification. Asiwaju Tinubu is the guardian of the philosophy and ideology of the A.C.N. which is based on humanity. A good politician needs to combine loyalty with his philosophy and ideology in order to bring people together to achieve democratic objectives. This is what had been sustaining the A.C.N. without being polarized into factions like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is now running adrift." Akande added that it would be foolhardy for anybody to criticize the leadership of the party like the A.C.N. which challenged the existing social order and fought for the emancipation of the people.

Eliminating Voter-apathy As A Method Of Completing The Square Of Electoral Reform

Editors Online — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:41:19 +0000

By Babatunde Ajilore This work is by no means a supplementary write up to my preceding work of evaluation of the tango of knowledge and power in Osun State as the metaphor of the struggle for power between Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the spent governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Having concluded that what we Nigerians got as proceeds of governance were the consequences of our attitude of voter apathy, this piece comes to evaluate the concept of voter apathy; its inherent measure of destructive capacity to our psyche of pride in apoliticism; the prognosis of its endemic infectiousness in our polity flowing from the measured dosage of electoral reform so far; and the paths to eliminating it from our social system. And no other time could have been more auspicious for this motivation talk than now that we have another opportunity to tackle our electoral challenges with this ongoing voters registration. In his speech on “Good Governance, Democracy and Sustainable Development” delivered at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, University of lbadan, a couple of years back, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Governor Emeritus, Lagos State, listed the required parameters for good governance to include participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, concensus-orientedness, equity, inclusiveness, effectiveness, efficiency and accountability. All these, he said, are lacking in Nigerian polity to cause the failure of democracy to put appreciable dividends on the laps of Nigerians thus far. The fact of this assertion is not in the opinion of Tinubu alone, but the empiricism of time-tested sociology of man as a political animal. Apportioning blame for the failure of democracy in Nigeria as the case study, this authority (Tinubu) said: “The problem is more with the elite and politicians than the generality of our people”. But given the premise of his inference as the lack of “critical values of election and accountability”, the crux of this piece is to show that the problem begins with generality of our people to pave way for the impunity of the elite and the politician to reign supreme as the dominant problem. Ironically too, every recorded speech on electoral reform, including the submissions of Uwais Panel, hardly had expanded shades beyond Tinubu’s line of perspective. Ideally, compressing Tinubu’s ten elements of good governance to distributive socio-political responsibilities, the past electoral processes and the elections of the USA and Ghana have given experience to justify the empirical facts that every election can be free and fair only when processed on the tripod of the major constitution stakeholders: (1) transparent electoral commission; (2) responsible government to sustain rule of law without a tamed instrument of coercion and; 3) interested electorates (please take cognizance of the adjectives of every stakeholder). Whereas the first two are valuable systematic issues, the last is the uncompelling ingredients of individual factor, which when is absent creates the vacuum that politicians and the elite tend to fill with pseudo-legal game of number. And the extreme of that game is barefaced thuggery for ballot stuffing as a progress from subtle impersonation. Whereas foreign examples abound in the significance of interested electorate to credible elections, Nigeria, despite her oxymoron of bitter sweet democracy she has managed to taste so far, has two good case studies too. In 1983 general elections, it was the endless transition, more than the pain of the Structural Adjustment Programme, of Gen. Babangida that culminated in an effective sensitization of the electorate to influence the voters’ passion for the anticipated democracy. That election, eventually acknowledged as the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria electioneering, also claimed the noble glory of highest voters’ return so far. According to the post-humous declaration of Chief M.K.O. Abiola as the winner of that election, analysis given by the coward head of the transparent electoral commission, Humphy Nwosu, had it that about 60% of the registered voters exercised their rights. In 1999, even though voters’ apathy was markedly significant, the general interest of the electorate was still overwhelming – at least, enough to affirm the imperative exit of the military juntas, but limited by the fear of a possible hegemonic character of annulment. And such was the overwhelming of the people’s interests that it delineated the territorial spread of the three political parties - AD, APP and PDP - along the ethnic base that was consistent with their constituent formations. In 2003 general elections, interests of the informed Lagos electorate saved Tinubu from the tide of electoral upset that swept across the Southwest geopolitical zone. And in 2007 if the electorate in Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and the latest Osun were not resolved on kin interests in the politics of their states and had boycotted the elections with exasperation from the supremacy of the ruling politicians and elite, the decisive legal hour of sifting fake vote cast from valid ones would not have offered the opportunity to return their interests: the restoration of their mandate to their victor governors. Of course in all, it was the fear of the growing interest of the electorate, which Obasanjo did measure with the barometer of his failed third term agenda, that caused his declaration of ‘state of emergency’ in electoral conduct with the code name ‘operation totality’, and the theme of that 2007 elections as a ‘do-or-die affair’. Consequently, in Lagos and Abia states, the voters’ interest were purely to vote against Obasanjo as the visage of PDP, and not for any verifiable evidence of better alternatives (as it were then) in Babatunde Fashola {SAN} or Theodore Orji presented by the ruling AC and PPP respectively. About ten years ago in Ghana, President John Kufor’s ruling New Patriotic Party {NPP} had the overwhelming interest of the Ghanaian electorate simply because the scary face of Jerry Rawling’s military background obscured any good that could be lurking around the corners of his political party’s blue prints for continuity of governance. But the marked improvement of that party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), in the elections of 2008, eight years after – with increased parliamentary seats from 92 in 2004 to 116, and drawing the ruling party to a run off before it eventually picked victory only depicted the growing sophistication of the interested electorate: that the electorates’ interest had overgrown the mundane phobia for every potential leader offering to serve as corrupt personality, which is the primary base of mutual distrust between the ruler and the ruled in the African political setting; but rather hitting on mutually beneficial altruistic issues for the politics and the polity. And when you juxtapose this with American’s it would be difficult to fault the argument that Ghana is getting there with the growing interest of the electorate in the politics around them. But as we stand today, granted that the Uwais electoral reform has been artificially significant in taking us to the current process, what would still likely be the bases of participation and interests of the electorate - having regards to the past of ethnic distrust, the said mutual distrusts between the aspirant and the electorate and mundane pre-election financial gains as the primary basis of interest? This question naturally defines the imperative to clarify the essence of my perspective (solving the problem of voter apathy) as a mere complementary addendum to Tinubu et al’s. While theirs may have focused on systemic reform, mine can be appreciated as an individual approach to complementing the square of that systemic perspective in reign of the constituted electoral reform body, which indeed must be acknowledged as supreme. However, my argument is that this concept of individual perspective must have a total fitting synergy with the systemic for a complete polity conducive enough for credible election. In other words, the systemic solution must have a place for the role of civil society operations in the mobilization of the electorate for considerable voters’ interest. How? There are both the long-term and short-term measures to addressing the problem of voter-apathy. While voters’ orientation is the solution in the short-term, education will perfect the system on the long run. The operational mechanism for the voters’ orientation Programme is total and massive enlightenment campaign. The campaign can be total if, and only if, its blueprints has a core strategy for winning the souls of the illiterates, artisans, market men and women, and early sensitization of youths of post-primary school age. You may want to fault it, but it’s a fact that this group of people dominates the larger percentage of the social dilemma called voter-apathy. Define it as the relative voters’ return to registered voters, this class of people adds to voters register for a purpose of their conviction rather than for election: that the voter’s card could be an eventual direct pre-requisite to accessing government patronage and social services. And could this be their fault? No! Rather, it is our unscientific manner of mobilizing the public for the obligation of voters’ registration that has crept into our psyche as an electoral norm. So, at every election season, majority of the people registered to get the card for their children’s education, access the poor health facilities bandied as the gains of the past, and even for the civil servants to get their salaries – as a dimension added in the recent age. And make no mistake about it, voter-apathy is even more of a discreet encouragement by the politicians because it’s a blessing to them. It often becomes a legitimate approach to filling the gap created by the apathy to get the required winning figure. It was the sophisticated version of it that we encountered in the voters’ register of Ondo State, where the like of Michael Jackson, Cecilia Ibru, and Bill Clinton et al appeared as voters. Harold Smith, a former Nigerian colonial officer, provides a case study for this in reference to the 1959 elections which he confessed was rigged in favor of the North thus: “The North had plenty to hide…(While) voting registration was voluntary in the East and West, in the North tax rolls were used to ensure maximum (such that) in the crucial 1959 general elections, voting in a backward, largely illiterate, desolate region, a percentage poll of 89.2% was achieved”(Tell, 07/03/05 pg. 38). In reality, this bug had since caught up with other regions down the course of our electoral history. Therefore, the envisaged massive enlightenment could not be one of government’s projects but a commission of the government for the regulation of a coalesced civil society with vested interest in electoral issues. I mean where a government-led campaign would always be tilted in favor of the ruling party, the civil societies would be result oriented. Consequently, the enlightenment campaign envisaged is not one of ad-hoc constitution for any forthcoming elections, but one with systemic establishment requiring huge financial commitment to put the private sector contribution to task, far more than can be expected of government, in corporate social responsibility. The implementation should entail a setting up of Independent National Committee on Voter-Apathy (INCOVA) in one structure similar to National Action Committee on Aid (NACA) – alongside with states and local government counterparts. The fight against AIDS is being won today because the campaign has been pervasively persistent, consistent and in continuity. Thus commit billions of naira into INCOVA today and you will see an investment in electorate’s interest in the nation’s political process yielding trillions of naira in values of balanced and credible electioneering It may be argued that a similar function already exists in National Orientation Agency (NOA); but does the agency function in magnitude of commitment being witnessed in NACA? Beside, being government – local or international – or private sponsored, anti-HIV/AIDS campaign is ideological based? And this is the expected premise for my concept of anti-voter-apathy too, which pro-government NOA can hardly consummate. It should also be noted again that foreign donor funding for NACA could underscore the paraded success: to mean that the private sector-led funding is the primary requirement in the INCOVA too. But selection of beneficiary civil society must be cautious and dependent on its feasibility of independent continuous existence without accessibility to the donor funds at era of dry-up – being the post-election period when electoral issues are at the lowest ebb. Let me acknowledge that Professor Attahiru Jega, Chairman of Independent Electoral Commission, did score a point on this with the recent invitation to the eligible civil society group for peculiar mission in this electoral process. The other clime of the enlightenment campaign has its extended relevant values well discernible in the word of Thomas Jefferson: “I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion”. A good perusal of Jefferson’s assertion could disclose an expansion of voter-apathy stratum to the educated but uninformed wallowing in defeatist excuse of distrust in politicians for lack of interest in politics. It is not uncommon to see professionals showing apathy for voting exercise on Election Day in the believe that their vote could never count. So, they ultimately came down with exasperation from bad governance in the rule of idiots they have given the latitude to dominate the control of their welfare, to wit their destiny. These people need to be confronted with the consequences of their peculiar actions. In fact, it should constitute the nucleus of the project for easy multiplier effect in neighborhood information gathering. However, the education as a long term measure finds a role in the correlation between literacy level of a state to the quality of her electioneering process and the consequent democratic values. And this is where Thomas Jefferson was coming from in sequence from the above quote. He had asserted that mediocre in power tend to be at peace with large illiterate electorate because it’s the potent weapon to “restrain (them) and deprive the people of their liberties only while they were ignorant”. Education of the citizenry will enlarge the latitude for informed electorate. Thus the education could be seen as an investment in the mind of the citizenry with a consequence of quality democracy. A democracy that will prevail on the aggregate of individuals’ actions, based on enlightenment enough to synthesize information – ‘however barred, conflicting or incomplete’ - for making informed decisions that put them in control over, and indirect responsibilities for their political and economic destinies. To get it right in this wise, the subject of citizenship and current affairs must find its way back to the classroom with meaningful teaching that finds useful application in significant reduction in our pervasive apoliticism. And for impressive result in the systemic establishment, the curriculum must be integrated with rudimentary at primary school age of basic-3 level. In other words, the subject must find parity with Maths and English so that at secondary level not only students of government would know the relevance of politics to man. And at tertiary level, politics and governance must be entrenched in the minimum of 2-units course per semester as a General Study (GS). The solution hour is now, when the political consciousness of the people have been fully awoken by the imperfections of our ‘nascent’ democracy - as the chicanery players often use to justify the parody. So, by 20011 and beyond, the goal is to bend the dry fish: to raise the interests of membership making up the about 57 million potential voters purportedly making up Iwu’s last electronic registration model, but not without modification through forensic scanning to wipe out the fictitious contents. A review of the voter register in the post-Iwu era can do the magic. This indeed is the on-going now. Grace is to the Almighty. In all, the campaign against voter-apathy should underscore and important caveat entrenched in the reality of Claude Ake’s maxim: that ‘good governance should result in reduction of gap between the rich and the poor’ is feasible only when the electorate eliminate the vacuum opportunity for rigging by reducing the gap between the voter registration and the returns in the election.

Care Taker Committee: Between Integrity and Sophism

Editors Online — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:44:21 +0000

By Ade Olugbotemi

My intention is not to draw people’s attention to the muchness or lack of it between two individuals. Rather, this attempt is geared towards an exposition that will cause those engaging in cobweb politicking at the detriment of our own dear state which is seriously begging for efforts at moving her forward. It is in my candid opinion that enough damage had been done in Osun State, and as such, every right thinking person however passive his occupation may be in space and time must have his or her mind occupied with the possible positive moves to bail her out of the doldrums. Ogbeni Aregbesola did not show any pretence about his determination to change the fortune of Osun State before and after he became the governor. Unlike his predecessor who only engaged in needless grandstanding for public applause, he knows his onions and he has told his political associates that it is no longer business as usual when governmental process was regarded as moonlight child’s play. It appeared a bitter pill when he told the people of Osun State that he is the governor of, and for all, irrespective of political difference and divergent viewpoints. I think this is the correct mind set for a leader that intends to succeed. Honest disposition to this standpoint will definitely see everybody to the promise land. I am not Aregbesola’s advocate. I cannot qualify to be one because he has many in Sofunde and Co, but I most point to a current phenomenon which is creating serious ripple amount the rank and file of the members of the ruling party in Osun State. When the first batch of the recruits in Aregbesola’s twenty thousand jobs’ advocacy was released last week, the list was greeted with surprises and unbelief, simply because the list contained the name of known members and loyalist of the recently sacked People’s Democratic Party in Osun State. The infuriation became more intense when some of those who felt, as major stakeholders in the ruling party (ACN) they should call the shots, and have gone ahead to assure their followers and co-loyalists that their names would be shortlisted. I am not saying they do not have the right to demand for this legitimate democratic dividend; as a matter of fact, considering the marginalization, intimidation and humiliation they suffered in the hands of the immediate past government, they have that unalloyed audacity to demand for a “totalitarian” government that will favour first the party faithful and then the masses. Governor Aregbesola also is not oblivious of this fact; but he is also not oblivious of the fact that the so called beneficiaries of PDP extraction are integral part of the masses that should benefit from his government. He is also aware, I am sure, that it should not be at the detriment of those who had suffered one injustice or the other in the hands of sacked Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and his cronies. Good enough, the disgruntled party members stand the chance of being assuaged both in the current exercise and future edeavours. Aregbesola is a man who believes in justice and fair play. He will do everything humanly possible to ensure that everybody gets his or her due share in his effort to move the state forward. I was not surprised when Hon. Adejare Bello, the speaker of the Osun State house of assembly showered encomiums on Governor Aregbesola because I know a little of Aregbesola’s sterling qualities. I however, heave a sigh of relief at the confession that they (Adejare & Co,) had a wrong impression about the personality of Ogbeni Aregbesola. According to Adejare Bello, “They now know better that Aregbesola was different from the kind of person they have been taking him to be”. In my own opinion, this is a correct assessment and that of a great opportunity to work closely with the man of vision to change the fortune of the bewildered state. There are three arms of government viz: the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. The three arms are supposed to develop symbiotic relationship for the general good of the masses. As a matter of fact the three arms are to work in tandem with one another so as to reap the maximum benefits of democratic rule. No one should gag the other. An attempt to do so will generate serious tension and dislocations that will remain antithetical to the expectations of the people. Any anti people government by all intents and purposes is despotic and in a same society, such government cannot endure because it will be voted out of relevance at polls as it happened here in Osun in 2007. It is very astounding and disappointing to see the recent moves by the PDP controlled Osun State house of assembly under the leadership of Adejare Bello aimed at frustrating the efforts of Governor Rauf Aregbesola whom the same Adejare Bello had acknowledge as a man of integrity and vision that will move the state forward. When it was being speculated that Adejare Bello would evolve as the leader of PDP in Osun State after the ousted Olagunsoye Oyinlola, I felt God has really answered the prayer of Osun State because, in my whims, if Adejare Bello who is now favourably disposed to Governor Aregbesola is from a different party, it will be easier for the governor to unfold his agenda with the full support of the state assembly to bring them to reality. The latest moves have however tended towards an opposite direction. For the state assembly to want to stand on the way of the governor in his effort to constitute the third tier of government, which is the closest to the people at the grassroot, is not only misconceived, but it is most unfortunate. By PDP’s disposition, I know that the people therein cannot give the opportunity they demanded for from ACN government if they are still in power. It is further surprising to know that he state assembly is allowing a discredited party, to which majority of them belong to prompt them to put a clog in the wheel of progress of the state any further. One gets more confused when the leader of PDP in the state, in person of Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi has already paid a courtesy visit to the governor, acknowledging at the same time the quality that the governor is equipped with. There is supposed to be constant relationship between party leadership and party members in government, in whatever capacity. If there is party discipline, those in government must draw inspiration from the leadership of the party. The latest development is however at variance with this, because the anointed PDP leader has pledged his loyalty to the state governor as Adejare Bello did a few months back. Why then is there any act of sabotage emanating from the official constituency of the same person who had openly confessed that Rauf Aregbesola is a man of integrity capable of moving the state forward? I think the latest development calls for serious brainstorming. The decay and dilapidation at the grassroot level now call for urgent attention, and this can only come from a constituted authority that is democratically empowered to do so. For the state assembly to have maintained a hard stance on the screening of the members of the local government caretaker committee under the guise of one frivolous court injunction is most unfortunate. It is true that nobody will like to be ridiculed. This consciousness is in the PDP - dominated legislative arm, having realized that the caretaker committees will be out to outwit the former regimes at the various council areas going by the pedigree of the man at the helm of affairs in the state. The fear has gripped the legislators of PDP extraction and so they are looking for ways either to delay the takeoff of this all important tier or frustrate the composition through undue admixture of their party members, which to me is really not significant to prevent the incoming caretaker governments from performing. I am using this medium to educate the legislative arm about one fact that they need to know; and that is that everything is ephemeral. Whether they like it or not their tenure will end one day and Osun State will remain forever. It is whatever they do now that will form a record of reference for them tomorrow. The fact remains that Aregbesola will be in the saddle for the next four years and whatever quota they add to the success or otherwise (God forbid any failure) of this regime will be a reference point later and what to accord them in form of respect or humiliation will be determined by today’s action or inaction. The people of Osun state are very expectant. People are clamouring for rebirth, people are clamouring for reparation; and people are clamouring for different ways of doing things, so that real democratic norms can be institutionalized. This in turn will generate reorientation that will create in us that consciousness for sacrifice and hard work that will form the bedrock and fulcrum for a greater tomorrow. Nobody, however highly placed must constitute a hindrance to the smooth sail of this state to a bay of comfort where everybody, irrespective of political leaning will feel proud to have either originated from the state or chosen the state as a place of abode.

Osun To Reveal Plan For 2010 Civil Servants’ Promotion Exams

Editors Online — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:47:19 +0000

By Kazeem Mohammed

Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has said that he would make his position known on the 2010 promotional examinations for civil servants in the state, as soon as the state Civil Service Commission make its submission to his office over the matter. The governor disclosed this in Osogbo, the state capital on Friday, while addressing members of the commission, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, saying that for as long as there is no contradiction between the government objectives for the state and the submission of the commission, there would be no any crisis over the issue. The disclosure followed the request of the commission made by its Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Adebisi, asking the governor to order the commencement of the 2010 promotion examination, which he said, was already due. Aregbesola however said that it was not his style to just give sensational response to issues as complex as the status of the civil servants, whom he described as the heart-beat service in the state, adding that he could not make any categorical statement on whether to go ahead with the promotional exams or not until submissions are made before him. He however demanded the submission from the commission, an action which, he said, would influence him on what to do accordingly; adding that what would determine how the government progresses on the matter was unity of purpose of every stakeholder. “For as long as there is unanimity in our perspective; for as long as harmony on our objective, be rest assured that there will be no crisis at all and you will have the best of relationship with me. Whoever is interested, committed and willing to serve the people of the state would be encouraged by us and would be seen as a partner in the effort to revamp the economy of the state”, the governor said. On the question of political difference between him and members of the commission, Aregbesola stressed that he had sworn on oath to be fair to all categories of people irrespective of their political or religious background, saying that he would not do anything to contradict the oath he had made. Speaking earlier, the chairman of the commission commended the maturity, sense of good leadership and the governor’s strong will to succeed for retaining members of the commission despite their political differences with him, saying that they would do everything possible to support the administration. Adebisi also commended the efforts of the present administration to involve the people in communal effort, saying that the idea would go a long way at ensuring rapid development and harmony in the state. He then urged the governor to order the commencement of the 2010 promotion examination of the state civil servants, just as he described the state civil servants as God-fearing and hardworking people, saying that with care, they would work hard to ensure successful implementation of the government policies.

Osun State, Justice And The Paradox Of Honey

Editors Online — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:51:46 +0000

A house built of the blocks of spittle can never stand the frank judgment of an early morning dew. – Yoruba proverb The echo of the judgment of the Court of Appeal that ushered in Engineer Rauf Aregbesola as the Governor of Osun State on 26 November, 2010 still reverberates. This time, it is not the people of Osun State, who conferred the mandate that informed the judgment, who are feeling the reverberation, but those who have stifled justice and stalled growth and development of the State for years for selfish and self-serving goals. Having suddenly realized that the judgment signifies the end of the road to their looting spree and diabolical political ambitions in the state, they have turned to cheap blackmail by lampooning the integrity of the Judges of the Appeal Court, who gave the judgment. Initially they set out with writing articles in the newspapers under spurious names, raising all sorts of unintelligible posers. But when all these were not having the desired effect, the big masquerade himself came out in flesh and blood, pasting all sorts of advertorials in the newspapers, abusing and making wild allegations of unproven graft against the judges. He also threatened to leave no stone unturned to get to the root of the matter. What is more, he attempted to sponsor impeachment against the governor. Interestingly, this very important big masquerade is Senator Iyiola Omisore. Some people have even asked the question, why is this man crying more than the bereaved Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who the Court of Appeal sent packing as governor? But looking at the political profile of the man, should anyone be bothered that he is embarking on this self-destructive path? Without going into details, Senator Omisore remains till date incomparably the only award-winning candidate, who won an election from maximum security prison. Considering this, should anyone expect any better thinking from him? He is feeling the most aggrieved today because he believes his big achievement has not been given due recognition. This man hitherto believes he is the anointed heir to the throne that he and the others in the PDP have installed in the governor’s office at Abere. Before the verdict, he had hung on each lamppost across the state his portrait-sized campaign billboard that bears his half-headed picture with an underneath statement in Yoruba language – Eniyan iyi ni wa ni ipinle Osun. The self-introductory statement bears dual meanings in English translations – “We are important personalities in Osun State” or “We are all followers of Iyiola in Osun State”. With all these efforts, to suddenly wake up and realize that his ambition has been neutralized by a “mere” court judgment was a blow he could not take. And that this has forced him to go and obtain a return ticket to the Senate is an insult rubbed on his sore. More so, the next trip to the Senate may not be that easy because the usual rigging machinery of the PDP this time is under the threat of the mortal attack of the progressive people of Osun. But if you ask me whether the good people of Osun are swallowing the balderdash pouring out of the senator, I will say no. And I am going to illustrate this by an analogy that has struck a chord in me since the verdict of the Court of Appeal. This I call – the paradox of honey. Honey is a substance of an intriguing nature. In Yoruba, it is called ‘Oyin’. It is sweet but sugar-free. In the medical world today, it is regarded as a medical wonder for its healing efficacy on wounds and other diseases. Also it is said to be used in performing some surgeries. Not only this, because of its sugar-free nature, it is used in the production of some drugs. The reason it is a desire in some hospitals and not a few herbal homes or businesses are smiling to the banks today. Even in some homes, it serves as a flavour for foods such as tea, pap, garri etc. Nevertheless, as valuable as this substance is, the unhealthy, human effort in our society has made it a paradox – sweet and bitter. However, this honey is a product of a creature, an insect known as bee. This bee is more of intrigue than the honey it produces. By its nature, it has two-sidedness of life – sweet and bitter. The honey is its sweet side. The sting is the other side, and this, no one ever prays for. Anyone who has experienced the sting of a bee will understand this. As small as a bee is, its sting is heavier than a bag of ossified cement. In other words, the sting of a bee can reduce a giant to naught. With the sting, a collection of bees can ravage a community. And the bee, its honey, and its sting are all the creations of God. Human beings, generally though, cannot create bee, but in our own part of the world, they have created their own type of honey with a sting. And this honey is the carbon-copy (the adulteration) of God’s own – the original. Unfortunately, this fake honey is more available in our society than that of the original. Here lies the paradox of honey. That Osun people had tasted both brands under the two previous successive governments headed by Chief Bisi Akande and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola respectively is not an overstatement but more of a reality than a fact. Though, when the original honey came in a disguise under Chief Akande, many people of Osun could not discern it. However, Prince Oyinlola whose name incidentally means honey is wealth (and enjoys being called Oyin) opened their eyes when he gave them the full dose of the sting of the other brand. They now could see the reason Baba Akande would want to save more money for the State instead of going a borrowing as Oyinlola did; the reason Baba Akande would rehabilitate many roads and Oyinlola would not; the reason Baba Akande would execute many projects by direct labour, while Oyinlola would instead award the same to contractors, who would subcontract them to the contractors that would give him ten percent and at the end of the day, the contract would remain undone; the reason Baba Akande would choose an ascetic lifestyle instead of Oyinlola’s profligacy; and so forth. Therefore, the difference was what the people of Osun waited for to express in the 2007 elections. But this came with a more brutal price. Before Aregbesola came to contest the governorship election, Oyinlola and his PDP party had completely gagged the opposition in Osun State via violent intimidation to erase any sense of alternative. It was, therefore, a big sigh of relief when Aregbesola came with a perfect traditional sense of history and a lot of political intelligence. And it did not take long when he became a ‘symbol’ not only to his political group, Oranmiyan, but to all the people of Osun. When the PDP leaders grasped that his coming might signal their end, they started waging war. As a symbol of the struggle to liberate the people, Aregbesola, therefore, faced many trials. Where can one start to recount: was it the Oroki Day’s experience where attempts were made on his life when he was shot at in his private vehicle several times, or other several attacks on the members of the Oranmiyan group and later AC (Action Congress)? Or the several killings of AC members and massive manipulations of votes during and after the election, which threw up Oyinlola as a winner for the second term? Even the judicial balance that the people of Osun later hung their hope on did not help their matter initially. So much judicial abracadabra (courtesy of (in) justice Naron, the extra cool judge and his likes) was foisted on the people. It took three and a half years before God gave approval to their prayers through His messengers in the garbs of Court of Appeal judges. If these Court of Appeal judges had taken the inglorious path of Justice Naron and his co-travelers, the PDP by now would have been celebrating them to the high heavens. To the likes of Omisore, they would have become the doyens of the judiciary and the heroes of their time. Therefore, after seven and a half years that people of Osun had waddled through the rough sea of dashed hopes and survived through the struggle led by the Symbol of hope, Rauf Aregbesola, there is no doubt that they have known the difference. They have grown wiser like a woman who, after trying two successive suitors, has known which is better. Therefore, the lesson they have learnt as regards honey is such that it does not have to come as a name of a leader before they can enjoy the original honey under him. This is what Omisore and his breeds are afraid of. That the people of Osun can now identify a fake leader from the original one has turned to a ghost of their past now hunting them about. Moreover, that the current Governor, Engineer Aregbesola, is carrying on in a peaceful manner without witch-hunting anybody – the grace the PDP does not have – has become their ‘Harmer House of Horror’. The reason they cannot rest anymore like a swivel chair on a permanent spin. When the Court of Appeal declared Aregbesola the winner, three things elated me. One, that we are gradually getting do-or-die election behind us in Osun state. That, at least, the election riggers should see the handwriting on the wall that this is not going to be business as usual anymore. Two, that one party system will be a scrap for the dustbin of history. Because a system without opposition is as good as a system whose security is in the hands of armed-robbers. And the third, this is the one that elated me most. That come 2011 elections, Osun will not witness another round of bloodshed by the agents of do-or-die. That is, innocent souls would not have to die defending their votes. However, with the recent development, I am not that optimistic anymore. Senator Omisore is not someone who threatens you and you go to sleep. He does not have only proclivity for violence, he has an assured history in its tactics and strategy. Somebody like him is like fish out of water during peacetime when his ‘boys’ will remain unemployed. More so, he is in PDP where sense of reason has taken flight right from its creation. It is of note that before the judgment arrived, the members of PDP in the State had started attacking and killing one another in their rallies – a prelude to what they can do and would have done to the opposition if the judgment had gone otherwise. They have not slept. The anacondas are still wide-awake, only hibernating. This is the lesson to learn from Omisore’s defective grenade-launcher. The reason the euphoria that greeted the victory ought to have died down; and the time for jubilation ought to be over. It is the time for people to be on a red alert to guard the victory and support the Governor to make a success of it. However, with what has happened so far in Osun State, I have the strong conviction that in the end, sword is always conquered by the mind. •Jubril is a social and political analyst.

Hurray! INEC Learns From Osun Governorship Election Petition: More Promises From Aregbesola’s Democratic Governance

Editors Online — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:56:42 +0000

By Femi Egbeyinka

Recently and to be precise, as reported in most Nigerian daily newspapers on February 1, 2011, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the frontline opposition party in Nigeria today, gave a poser to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on their incapability to detect double/multiple registration of voters. Some commentators on this issue were of the opinion that the ACN has again come with her criticisms. In his quick response, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said ACN’s alarm was unjustifiable. Earlier before this, INEC’s arrowhead, Professor Attahiru Jega, was summoned by the upper chamber of National Assembly to come and explain some issues on why there were problems with voters’ registration. In one of his responses to one of the questions asked, he said that INEC has facilities in place that could be used in detecting multiple registrations. I am quite sure that this our professor was sounding confident in the face of Nigerians based on the information given to him by his ICT experts. Has he on his own practicalised it? It should, however, be noted that it was the same array of experts under his nose that certified those problematic Direct Data Capturing Machines imported to Nigeria. Raising alarm now by the ACN is an eye opener to the Jega-led INEC for corrections not to be too late. We can easily forget things in this country as it affected the 2007 general elections under the chairmanship of Iwu. While preparing for the elections, we were all alive when INEC displayed state-of-the-art equipment in Abuja to execute the elections. One of the presidential candidates then said with what we saw on the ground, things were in order, but no one could predict what next. What we saw later was failed 2007 elections output as attested to by even our past president of blessed memory. The challenge before INEC now is to prove the ACN wrong at the end of the day. The more it proves the ACN wrong by delivering standard voters’ registers with error margin of +5% to Nigeria, the better. At the end of the day, Nigerians, including the ACN members, in future would crosscheck that assurance. Hence, we would be able to take good care of Nigerians in diaspora. Again, it should be recalled that during the voters’ registration before 2007 general elections, INEC took individual photographs to identify multiple registrations. But now, having learnt from the effectiveness of biometric analysis of ballot papers used in Osun State gubernatorial election petition championed by the Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, INEC now introduces the idea of taking the prints of the voters’ ten fingers. In the development of science, scientific laws have their roots from hypothesis before developing to theory and finally law. No sooner than later, as it was noted during the period Aregbesola’s case was in the courts, this scientific approach will finally take its root properly in our electoral laws. The development introduced by INEC in this registration process has sent a lot of panic into the systems of vote-riggers especially in Osun State. It was funny to hear Senator Iyiola Omisore of Osun State asking Proffesor Jega on the floor of the Senate about those who interchange DDC machines from one place to another in his constituency. Smart Jega said it was not possible and that the machines have been coded. One cannot actually blame Iyiola because he knew why he was asking such a question in the full glare of Nigerians who knows where he was coming from, where he is and where he is going. According to the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister in one of his tracks, he said he who wants to know how to sing Fuji music should come to his Fuji chamber for music injection. Iyiola should for once sit down and learn how to play modern-day politics rather than thinking of cutting corners. There is no way anyone can include an imaginary DDC machine anywhere without the knowledge or cooperation of Jega or his boys. So, our distinguished INEC boss must carefully watch this trend. Those who are deeply involved in the use of palmnuts in place of their fingers have been put on their toes because the ACN, by the wealth of democratic experience she has, is only doubting the level of INEC’s ability to maximise the use of the opportunity they introduce now to give Nigeria a voters’ register that will serve as the beginning of positive democratic change. Meanwhile, let us now go to the drawing board. What are the things INEC should do for it to have good outing at the end of the day so as to have a laudable voters’ register? Firstly, apart from the hardcopy paper printout to be displayed and given to each registered party, they must make available softcopy version of the voters’ register. This would be in a storage facility that cannot be edited in any form. I mean a highly protected copy. Lists of voters’ register should be genuinely posted to INEC website. Secondly, INEC said it has a facility that can detect double registrations. While believing its hypothesis for now, we are challenging INEC to publish all their findings with details including the names of the individuals, passport photographs, states, local governments, wards and units where such malpractices took place. This will deter any other potential defaulters in the nearest future. Nigerians will not be pleased with ordinary sketchy information or data that will be fictitious. Apart from the above, it is recommended to the INEC to bring those machines used for registration at every pooling unit out in addition to the hardcopy data on every individual on the voting days to use them as means of accreditation before voting starts. This is very simple, for anybody to be accredited, placing any of his or her fingers on the finger detector; the machine will simply bring out that individual’s data. Alas! I fear the hardware sensitivity and software inferiority of these machines. Genuinely, INEC on the day of election, especially presidential election to start with, should electronically transmit election results live on National Television Authority (NTA) immediately the results are ready in every state. We can learn from Obama’s election. Repeat of what happened in 2007 elections should be minimised. INEC promised to be texting the election results from each polling unit directly to its headquarters in Abuja but the arrangement was planned to fail. For the election results order than the presidential election, there is nothing bad in transmitting the results live on any state broadcasting television once they are collated from each local government or as deemed fit. Finally, this innovation has clearly taken its launching pad in Aregbesola’s forensic analysis in the 2007 electoral petition. More of democratic training ground is on the way by virtue of the type of government Osun State governor is putting in place. So, it is not enough for INEC to say ACN’s position on the voters’ register is unjustifiable, but rather for INEC to justify its own side. It has an historic duty to present a standard voters’ register for this country which will serve as a veritable benchmark not only in the forthcoming elections but for this political generation and ones yet unborn.

Students Storm Education Summit - Plead For Reduction In Tuition Fees

Editors Online — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:07:32 +0000

By Goke Butika

Thousands of students across Osun State tertiary institutions trooped out en-masse on Monday to attend the Education Summit organised by the state government under the leadership of Governor Rauf Aregbesola. According to Aregbesola, the motive of the summit was to look into and amend the decay, dilapidation and abysmal situation of the rotten education sector in the state. The students, who expressed their satisfaction on the summit, saluted the governor for his readiness to ameliorate the problems facing education in the state, saying that the sector needed an urgent proactive action for improvement. Led by the Chairman, National Association of Nigerian students (NANS), Osun Axis, Comrade Seun Abosede, the students called on the present administration to review all education policies implemented by the defunct administration of the ousted Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Presenting a memo to the education summit committee, the students demanded for immediate reduction in the tuition fees of all the state-owned tertiary institutions. They threatened that the fees reduction demand, if not met, would be capable of bringing the whole system to disrepute, collapse all education structures and widen the gap between the students and the government and breach the trusts, confidence and optimism that the students, parents and other people of the state have in the present administration. According to the students, education in the state is not accessible to common man, maintaining that the state education is in shambles. The students said: “Under a healthy situation and as proclaimed by Awolowo, education should be free at all level. The UNESCO recommendation of 26 per cent of annual budget of every state government for education should be put to play. “Before the advent of the illegal government of Oyinlola in 2007, we used to pay the sum of N7,000 in Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and College of Technology, Esa-Oke and the sum of N5, 500 in Osun State College of Education, Ilesa and College of Education, Ila-Orangun in the state. “On the pretext of economic backwardness, Oyinlola in 2008 arbitrarily increased the tuition fees to N30, 000 and N21, 000 respectively. This is the hardship that the already suppressed people of Osun State that could not boast of additional sources of income due to the government’s ineptitude aimed at bringing innovation to commerce and industry in the state. “A week before the inglorious exit of Oyinlola, he arbitrarily increased the tuition fees to N42, 000 across all levels. As at today, pre-ND-HND II students of Polytechnic will pay N42, 000 and Year I-Year IV students of colleges of education will also pay N42, 000”. The students further lamented the inadequacy of lecture halls, non-availability of hostel accommodation in any of the state-owned tertiary institutions, adding that the laboratories, libraries and health centres of various institutions were bereft of equipment, books and drugs. Commenting on the performance of the lecturers across the state-owned institutions, the students maintained that the lecturers were nothing to write home about, as they were not effective in discharging their duties. They stressed that some of the lecturers were appointed with partiality and favouritism by the past administration through the Governing Councils and managements of various institutions, just as they called on the governor to review all appointments and education policies implemented by Oyinlola. “The various authorities in the institutions were also appointed not on merit, but on political alliance and they reflected the unfriendly policies and continue to introduce unacceptable charges to further oppress the students. “In 2007 Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s ICT charges was introduced in all the state institutions and each student had since been paying N5, 000 for the ICT centres, which have all been found not to be functioning across all the campuses. “Other increased extortive charges in the institutions included: outrageous acceptance fee, sport levy and presently, a particular case in Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, where the management of the institution, without the students’ consent, introduced an insurance policy, forcing the students to pay the sum of N1, 600 each.

ACN/CPC, Don`t Do This To Us!

Editors Online — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 20:36:49 +0000

By Suraj Oyewale

At the conception stage, I wanted to title this piece, ‘ACN/CPC Alliance: An Autopsy’. This was shortly after news broke that the proposed alliance between the fast growing Congress for Progressive Change(CPC) and the dogged Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) had finally collapsed. The statement credited to the national chairman of ACN, Chief Bisi Akande, further put to rest the death of the alliance that would have done Nigeria good. But with General Muhammadu Buhari coming out the next day to say that there was still room for electoral understanding between the two parties, I concluded the coffin has not been nailed and the alliance may still be revived. I only hope I am not daydreaming. In my almost three decades on earth, half of which I have spent actively following Nigerian politics at the national level, I have never been so concerned and involved in who emerged the president of this country. When civil rule returned in 1999, though underaged, I was, like my Awoist family, a staunch supporter of AD’s Chief Olu Falae. In 2003 and 2007, with PDP’s rigging machinery at its best, fighting the PDP, a party that has shown that it has nothing to offer this country, was like hitting one’s head against the rock. Apart from the electoral system clearly tilted in favour of the ruling party, the opposition was also very weak. The solid national structure of the party, compared to other parties, capped its chain of fair and foul advantages. Then came 2011, run-up to which started with the removal of rigger-in-chief Maurice Iwu and appointment of the radical university teacher, Attahiru Jega, as the nation’s chief electoral umpire. Some of us that had lost interest in the system began to make a rethink. We watched as things began to look better. With other factors like the cracks in PDP leading to mass exodus from the party, increasing reliability and credibility of the judiciary in handling election petitions, the expanding tentacles of ACN, poor performance by PDP sitting president, waning influence of PDP garrison commander Olusegun Obasanjo, and increasing political awareness among the masses leading to widespread dissatisfaction with PDP across the land, PDP’s invincibility began to look more imaginary than real. Then the next question: how do we dislodge PDP? The strategy, every concerned Nigerian acknowledged, will largely depend on the understanding between the opposition and the candidate fielded. Clearly, we all knew that no single opposition political party in Nigeria can defeat PDP on its own. An electoral relationship, preferably in the form of merger or alliance, among the major political parties is needed. The major opposition parties, namely ACN and CPC, seemed to realize this early enough, and began to work out the possibility of both going to the poll under one banner against PDP, to the pleasure of those of us non-partisan followers of Nigerian politics who want PDP out. On the other critical issue of suitable ticket to confront PDP, various combinations were thrown up: Buhari-Fashola, Ribadu-Fashola, Buhari-Okonjo Iweala, Ribadu-Okonjo Iweala, Buhari-Tinubu, Buhari-Ngige etc. The issue of who should fly the joint ticket as presidential candidate was not so contentious as majority of the analysts believed Buhari stood a better chance of giving PDP a run for their money than Ribadu. Dogged fighter and big crowd puller that he is, Tinubu would have been a good choice as running mate for the incorruptible General. But when weighed against the ethnic and religious sentiments that cannot be divorced from Nigerian politics, the ticket may not fly, many watchers also acknowledged. But more importantly, let the alliance be consummated first, so we wished. Just when we stayed glued to the news media expecting an official announcement of the consummation of this hopeful alliance, came the shock that the talk had collapsed and both parties will now go to the field separately. How disappointing can things get! The fault, as the loquacious ACN chief put it, was Buhari’s. I’m inclined to believe this, even as a die-hard Buhari fan. ACN, to me, has displayed enough understanding by agreeing to concede the presidential candidate slot to CPC’s Buhari. Demanding that CPC’s platform be used, as Buhari reportedly did, is clearly a case of asking for too much. ACN is a tested and experienced party, having participated in presidential election in the past, not to forget the fact that aside PDP, the party is the second most national party in Nigeria, actively present in almost all the states in Nigeria. The party has five governors(Ondo’s Mimiko’s mind is clearly in the party) , did well in gubernatorial elections in states like Anambra and Kwara and appears positioned to do well in Oyo and Ogun states in the coming guber, what more can one bring to the table? CPC, on the other hand, though extremely popular in the North-West and fairly in the North East, is practically non-existent in the entire South. It is therefore only reasonable that ACN’s platform should be used. If I’m correct, the fear of the CPC chieftains is that majority of their supporters are the barely literate talakawas of the North, who may have had CPC imprinted into their minds and may not want to hear anything apart from CPC in the forthcoming elections. This fear appears understandable but this can be surmounted if Buhari himself can do the magic by visiting these states to make the public declaration in the week between guber and presidential elections. Mai gaskiya(the man of truth), as he is fondly called by his teeming admirers in that part of the country, is a man whose word is highly respected over there. Olusola Saraki has done this many times in Kwara. In 1999, aggrieved that he was not given APP presidential ticket, he waited for guber election to hold where his APP won before declaring(which I personally heard over the Radio on that day) that his teeming party supporters should vote for PDP at the national election and PDP won in the national election. He had earlier done the same thing in 1983. So CPC’s fears can be allayed. ACN and CPC should, for the sake of change-wanting Nigerians, come back to the negotiation table and seal this alliance. Even if they lose at the end, history will judge them as men who strove to extricate Nigeria from the stranglehold of the devilish behemoth called PDP. This is a golden opportunity to sweep away PDP. Those of us non-partisan concerned Nigerians cannot do it alone, neither can ACN or CPC . An alliance is inevitable. To defeat PDP is a task that must be done. Suraj Oyewale, VI, Lagos

As President Jonathan Comes To Lagos To Campaign

Editors Online — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:46:35 +0000

By Joe Igbokwe

As President Goodluck Ebere Jonathan comes to Lagos on Tuesday March 1^st 2011 PDP to sell his Party’s manifestos to 20 million Lagosians there is need for all and sundry to apply wisdom, diplomacy, caution, common sense, and tact. It has become necessary for us to say this because of what has happened during such campaigns in some States recently. For instance, since President Jonathan kicked off his Presidential campaigns in Nasarawa State few weeks back, it has always been from one trouble to the other. In Nasarawa there were fracas, booing and throwing of stones. Many people were injured. In Kaduna it was low turnout of Party supporters. The President was so disturbed that he had to call the Vice President Namadi Sambo to offer some explanations. In Ibadan, President Jonathan while trying to please his master, former president Obasanjo called ACN leaders and their Governors rascals. When the campaign train moved to Port Harcourt it was greeted with stampede, accidents and deaths. Almost 20 Nigerians died when the dust settled. Nigeria is a democracy no matter the problems associated with our own brand of democracy and we all know that democracy is synonymous with freedom of speech, freedom of association, liberty, rule of law, justice, equity and fair play. Democracy has its own beauty, its own elegance and its own limitations. And these limitations have been road blocks created by human beings to rubbish the best form of government that has its origin from Athens, Greece nearly 3000 years ago. This writer is a living witness to these limitations in Nigeria for 17 years we have practiced democracy out of 51 years of existence as a nation. Since Lagos State was created in 1967 it has always been in the hands of progressives anytime we are in a democratic dispensation for instance from 1979 to 1983, and from 1999 to 2011. The conservatives in the defunct NPN could not get Lagos in 1979; they could not succeed in 1983 even with their so-called landslide victory all over the country. For 12 years since 1999, the PDP controlled federal government has tried without success to control Lagos and they have always failed to achieve their wild and uncoordinated dream. In 2003, former President Obasanjo came to Lagos with his pet project called Political Tsunami and tried to steal Lagos from the Alliance for Democracy, AD and that mission failed woefully. In 2007 he came again, and this time he was desperate with yet another pet project termed, Do or Die politics to conquer Lagos by all means. It became indeed another failed mission, and to make matter worse for Obasanjo, additional two States, Osun and Ekiti stolen from the Action Congress of Nigeria were recovered recently. In 2011 and in his very eyes the States his PDP stole in 2003 and 2007 are likely to return to its original owners. In 2011, another Presidential candidate of PDP, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is coming to Lagos to replay the jokes Obasanjo performed in 2003 and 2007 without success. But this time the game may be completely different. Why am I saying so? A good friend Feyi Fawehinmi said recently “that a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds. The time for doing the same thing one more time hoping for a different result is gone now. It is getting boring even” PDP is coming to Lagos to seek the votes of the wise Lagosians after 12 years of unmitigated disaster in terms of leadership. PDP federal government has made more money from 1999 till date than what this nation had earned from 1960 to 1999, and without shame, without remorse and without consideration frittered away all the opportunities they had to transform this country. PDP is coming to Lagos when Nigerians think they have forfeited the right to continue to govern this nation because Nigerian’s continuous failing or somersault as a civilization continues to worry us. President Goodluck Jonathan’s PDP is coming to Lagos to ask Lagosians to vote for them when Lagos under ACN government led by Governor Fashola is witnessing massive transformation in almost every sector. With sound vision and mission, coupled with dedication, strong commitment the man Fashola has clearly defined leadership in Nigeria and things will never be the same again in this country. President Jonathan is coming to Lagos in the era of one man one vote, one woman one vote and if we walk our talk, it means that every vote must be fought for and nobody is going to steal anybody’s vote. We wonder what the President and his followers will tell the wise Lagosians. President Jonathan is coming to Lagos with PDP’s band of men and women who seek power without responsibility and wealth without work in the age of change. Nigeria is lying prostrate in the age of progress and the change that we seek is the change that will sweep PDP out of power by all means humanly possible. Nigerians do not believe that PDP has anything to offer Nigeria after 12 years of empty promises and failed governance. Again President Jonathan will be coming to Lagos after calling Governor Fashola, Fayemi, Adams Oshiomole, Aregbesola and leaders of ACN in the South West rascals inside Mapo Hall in Ibadan. Nearly one week after the unpresidential diatribe, the sitting president who is coming to the political headquarters of Nigeria has not deemed it fit to retract his infamous statement and apologize to the Yoruba nation. No one knows what President Jonathan will tell Lagosians at Tafawa Balewa Square after abusing their leaders. President Jonathan may have forgotten that there is power in the word. Words can kill. If the President’s uncouth statement had come from any of the PDP leaders, it would not have not have raised too much eye brows but coming from anybody that is privileged to be called the president of everybody in Nigeria, we think that it is very unfortunate and unbelievable. President Jonathan may still remember Mrs. Gillian Duffy’s encounter with PM Gordon Brown in April last year’s UK elections. For the benefit of those who do not know, PM Gordon Brown had an encounter with Mrs. Duffy during campaigns in matter not unconnected with immigration. Gordon Brown could not convince the woman and as he entered his car he did not know that the microphone was still on when he said the woman was “bigoted”. The world picked the news and when Gordon Brown saw the colossal damage done to his person and his party at a crucial and decisive time he ran back to Mrs. Duffy but it was too late. The rest is history. Gordon Brown lost the election to David Cameron. Evil communications corrupt good manners. President Jonathan’s statement in Ibadan was scandalous, uncharitable, disturbing and unacceptable. It is indeed terrible and at best, stupid. Until he tenders an unconditional and unreserved apology to the ACN Leaders, his mission to Lagos is an exercise in futility. Feelers from those who should know better tell us that President Jonathan is not feeling comfortable coming to Lagos without the company of political thugs from Oyo State and others because he sensed danger in Lagos after calling Fashola, a Nigeria hero, a rascal. The truth is that President Jonathan should be wise and discard this stupid idea because importing thugs into Lagos to help PDP is an open invitation to chaos and disaster. It can lead to revolution. Let us put on our thinking caps and try to be wise this season of bloody revolution in the Middle East. In Lagos we do not run away from challenges, we do not run away from problems, we do not yield to blackmail, and nobody can intimidate 20 million enlightened and very sophisticated Nigerians. If in doubt, please go back to history even in the years of the locusts and cross-check facts. We expect that Campaigns in 2011 should issues driven. Name calling and using abusive language should be relegated to the background. We have passed that stage. After 12 years of renascent democracy 150 million Nigerians are asking questions why things seems to remain the same except in Lagos and few other states. We challenge Nigerians to take a dispassionate look of the Federal Government controlled by PDP and Lagos State controlled by CAN, do an honest assessment of development on ground and give their verdict. In 2011 nobody is going to deceive anybody with rhetoric or sweet talks. Hard questions will be asked on how we have frittered away trillions without anything to show for it. Nigerians would not want to be provoked further judging from the rot confronting us on a daily basis. What they need is an admission of failure and to show concrete plans on how to get us out of the woods. Anything short of this is unacceptable. Let us get serious. Joe Igbokwe Lagos

Osun State: New Era, New Beginning

Editors Online — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:33:23 +0000

By Olufemi Oyedele

Relief in the people and hope for meaningful developments now permeate the length and breadth of Osun State as Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola becomes the governor of the state. The people of the state are investing their confidence in Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the emancipator as they have seen issues that have "feel good factors" since he resumption. Before the ascendancy of the governor to the coveted office, the people's hope for development has been dashed, their right of good living was lost and their yearning was for a liberator to come to their aid and improve the record of the immediate past anomalous government. People have renegade and joined the bandwagon of development. Ogbeni Aregbesola in the beginning of an epoch in the history of development of Osun State promised, in "My Pact with the Good People of Osun State through my six point integral action plan", to banish poverty, to banish hunger, to banish unemployment (create work/wealth), restore healthy living, promote functional education and enhance communal peace and progress. These are the basic needs of the people of Osun State that will endear them to the government. Strategies have been mapped out to implement this plan. These are fascinating programmes that will see the light of the day despite the numerous challenges in the state. Ogbeni Aregbesola will not renege. Since he became the governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola has established a system that will ensure there is progress during and after his beneficial tenure. He has provided templates that will ensure accountability and glaring development to the people. This is the true dividend of investing in democracy. He promised to run a "people friendly government and this he has established. People, both politicians and non-politicians from Osun State, flock his office anytime he is there to intimate him of their predicaments and find solutions to them. His house is a Mecca of sort to all and sundry. Osun State government now exists surely for the welfare of the people. To banish poverty, Ogbeni Aregbesola has recruited 20,000 people under the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES pronounced Oh yes). These youths, who have started training, will work in six departments which are: Public Works Brigade (PWB), Osun Paramedics, Osun Sheriffs, Sanitation Czars, Traffic Managers and Green Gang. The train-the-trainers session marked the beginning of the scheme to ensure that the human resources are knowledgeable in their fields. The training will also psych the people and put them in the right frame of mind for the job and their future endeavour. Reputable organisations have shown interest in the success of this scheme. This is the result of a credible goodwill of the new government. Osun State has a lot of potentials begging for attention. There is steel in Osogbo which can makes it rank like Ajaokuta in the manufacture of steel in Nigeria. There is gold in Atakumosa and Ilesa, while there is comparatively steady supply of electricity in Osun State. The labour is abundant, economical and qualitative as Osun State has over ten tertiary institutions. Transportation network is above average in the country as there are train and road networks covering a larger part of the state. Soon, air transport will be added as Ido-Osun airport will be developed. Lack of airdrome and other basic infrastructure is demeaning to the good people of Osun State. Ido Osun has the first aerodrome in Nigeria when the British colonial master constructed this airdrome to airlift Nigerian contingents to the Second World War which lasted between 1939 and 1945. In 1945, the West African Frontier Force landed in Ido-Osun after the war. This aerodrome still has the first "control tower" in West Africa which is still intact in the site and can be conserved as centre of attraction for tourists. This will definitely be a cynosure to locals and foreigners. Art Museums, promotion of arts and culture and art training are potential income earners in Osun State based on its rich history in this field. It is heinous to abandon the good works of people like Susanne Wenger (a.ka. Adunni Olorisa) in the area. To promote healthy education, the state, under the coordination of the Deputy Governor, Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori, is organising an Education Summit to address the problems of education, tagged "Resolving Education Crisis in Osun State". At this summit which will be Professor Wole Soyinka as the Chairman and other eminent scholars from home and abroad. Solutions to the education problems of the state will be proffered. Osun State has been lined up to be a "food haven of the nation" with the provision of food merchants centres in Osun State and other states like Lagos and Abuja. It is disingenuous to pretend that we do not know that Osun people are good in merchandising. These will be exploited to the advantage of the people. The Osun State government has re-branded the state as a beginning of a new era with fun and fanfare on Sunday, February 6, 2011. It is evolving "a comprehensive social package and re-engineering of the state". The state will also "evolve a cultural renaissance of Late Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo days", of which Osun-Osogbo is an integral part. The concept of Omoluabi as the core value of the Yorubas will be re-energised. This is simply imbibing the culture of a good citizen and a representative of a good family who has good name to protect. It is a revivalism measure and will inculcate moral instruction into our people. It is a way of instilling discipline in the good people of the Yoruba state and is starting from Osun. This will ensure peace and progress. There are various challenges which bothers on lack of infrastructure and misdirected investments embarked upon by the last administration before this government. The state's indebtedness is a burden and still being established. It is noteworthy that the pragmatic governor has successfully renegotiated the cost of fund to an acceptable level in some financial institutions. Most jobs under construction, for example, the Osogbo Stadium, are shoddy compared to the standard people expect in the state of the living spring. Remembering the martyrs who paid the almighty price for the liberation of the state is also a big challenge. Towards this end, Hassan Olajoku Park will be constructed at the Gbongan junction of Osogbo-Ibadan Road. There are people-friendly programmes in place to ensure there is banishment of hunger. Agricultural programmes like rejuvenation of farm settlements, agriculture micro-finance scheme and cooperative finance of food production to ensure food security and sustained income have been established. The children in primary schools across the state will have lunch as a result of adequate food production. The state has resolved the issue of National Examination Council (NECO) and students have the opportunity, once again, of sitting for this body's examinations. The government is positioned to make the state a force to reckon with in education as it has comparative advantage. It will be heinous not to exploit this area. There are also projects to banish unemployment. Establishment of vocational centres in all the nine federal constituencies in the state is one of these. Both industrial and residential estates will be established in this state which can become the capital of Yoruba State due to its central location. The commercial axis of the capital will be redefined through Central Business District (CBD) development and management. The standard of living of the people of Osun State will be improved through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme that has started rolling out in different endeavours of the state. PPP will be used with investors who have serious proposal to develop the state. Industrial development will be given priority. Road construction will be unparalleled while the reconstitution of the Osun State Water Corporation has being done in earnest. The corporation will pump water from Ekoinde, Ejigbo, Ila, Okinni, Erinle Osun, Iwo, Esa Odo and Ede dams. More means of potable water production will also be embarked on in due course. Artisans and tradesmen are being partnered in a mutually beneficial relationship. In the production of kits and dresses for the participants of OYES, the artisans in Osun State will benefit most. The tourism potential of the state will be exploited starting from 2011 Osun-Osogbo festival. It is a matter of days and not months or years that Osun State will join the League of developed states. Osun a dara.

Tinubu to PDP: Nigerians say enough is enough

Editors Online — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:00:54 +0000

Yusuf Alli and John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday said it is time to vote out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because the party has brought hopelessness to Nigerians. He also said that trump up corruption allegations against him cannot stand because he has nothing to hide. Tinubu, who spoke at the one-day colloquium and presentation of the manifesto of the Action Congress in Abuja , said PDP can be defeated at the polls in April. He said: "Today, we have to sweep out the hopelessness brought by the PDP and their present umbrella. Let our diversity be our power to reform not to destroy and divide Nigeria . Enough is enough of this hopeless party called PDP. "If you are not tired I am tired. And we can do it. We can send them packing with strong determination. Anybody that is still in doubt tell them no. We are not doubtful about PDP’s preparation to pack. We are not exporting because we have a party which claims to have 2020 vision plus one minus one. They have no agenda for our country. Infrastructure is zero in the last 12 years. You cannot travel any longer; your car cannot travel by road any longer. "We will sweep away the government that is not performing. The oil will become a blessing and　　 with this we will remove beggars from the streets to the classrooms. "We　have a party of fat cats, feeding fat on the nation, ruining　the nation. You say, this　is　a nation of milk and honey. Yes, but who is taking the milk and honey?　 The Poverty Development Party, (PDP)　the fat cats. Have they developed the nation at　all? No, they haven’t! 　"This is a government that spends 75 per cent　on recurrent expenditure and they share the money; even the 25 per cent allotted to capital expenditure, they still share it and borrow to meet up on capital expenditure. "When you have a government borrowing, when crude oil prices are soaring, tell them they have no business in government. They should pack and go." The ex-governor said the presidential candidate of the ACN, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has what it takes to transform Nigeria. He added: "We say ours should be a generational shift. Go and check our presidential candidate, he is able, courageous, well-educated. He stepped on many toes in the past because the toes　were infested. I was the most haunted by the ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s jackboot　 democracy. By all means PDP wanted to boot me away; they wanted to remove me. "They told you that I will not even be in Nigeria to hand over in 2007. Till tomorrow, they will tell you that I have 16 accounts all over the world but nobody has been able to prove one. " But Ribadu investigated me several times over . The day I was invited to the EFCC, we had a whole day from 10am to 7pm. With all their searchlight, they didn’t find anything dirty against me, they left me alone. "He did not manufacture any case against me even as his boss hated me. This is the man I am proud of. This is a party of idea; we are different from selective compliance PDP. "Immediately they blackmail you they　say join us,　 we will sweep your case away. What kind of government is PDP? Blackmailers, liars, let’s sweep them away. We will chase them out . Let us ask them a question, no case has been proven against our members . Those cases are used as mechanism to scare our people away. "Can they tell you how many cases have been taken to court that have been thrown out as frivolous…It is either they have plea bargain or plead guilty or surrender. In some cases they even struck them out. Ask them: If you are corrupt, what do you have to fear?　 Tinubu unfolded plans by the ACN　to transform Nigeria within 12 months of being in power at the centre. He said: "You heard about the Rome and the social contract. We can create employment. I urge our governorship candidates and party leaders, legislators; senators to be strong and keep the message of hope that the party will change　the agricultural policy of this country within the next 12 months of our being in power. "First of all, we are going　 to change from　 a party of procurement policy, of fertilisers buyers, to a government that would revitalise agriculture. This isn’t　 a matter of rhetoric, we are going to do it. We have to change from the procurement policy of fertilizer buyers to 　policy making that will put money into the pockets of farmers. "In our educational sector, they complaint of brain drain. This party, in the first six months, will have the first educational summit that will reform the education system . We will change it from brain drain to brain gain. Yes, we can change it and give better future to our children because this is the country that produced Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka . Yes we can change it and give a better future to our children." Also on the occasion Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola explained why the PDP has failed to transform the nation . According to him, PDP does not have the manifesto to galvanise the civil servants for transformation. The governor noted that the PDP does not seem to understand the language of the civil servants. He recalled how he did a research in his state before planning and implementation. Fashola, however, lauded his predecessor for laying the foundation for infrastructural development. 　 Ekiti State Governor, Governor Kayode Fayemi He said: "It is a way of demonstrating without confusion what the party stands for. ACN is pushing for 　ideology of transformation and not transaction. This is exemplified from Lagos to Edo , Ekiti to Osun states to show that it is a party of radicals not rascal." said the colloquium was a unique way of articulating the party programme of the party without reducing it to a jamboree. Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole , said labour is always interested in how a government emerges. He urged the electorate to be the driving force behind good governance by holding the government accountable to explain the decision it takes. He added: "In　 a democracy, the people should not just be spectators, they are supposed to be drivers as well. We must have a government and such a government must be accountable. "Democracy is both a mean and an end in itself. From the point of view of organised labour, the end does not necessarily justify the means." He urged Nigerians to face the challenges of job creation. Oshiomhole claimed that although the PDP-led government had always proclaimed job creation, it has only succeeded in closing down factories. He advised the Federal Government to reclaim the factories that have been shut down. "We are always criminally silent on job creation when we discuss economy. Without job creation you cannot wish poverty away. Everything is job creation, which can even make the people to look after their families," he added. Oshiomhole　 criticised the inconsistent fiscal policies of the Federal Government, which he says send conflicting signals to manufacturers and investors. He said: "In the morning, you prohibit the importation of item X and in the afternoon you legalise it. By the following day, you have changed the policy again. So, it is difficult for those doing business to formulate long-term policies on the basis of the policies that government turns out every day. "I think the challenge for the now and the foreseeable future is that we must put in place well-thought-out policies that would put Nigeria back to work. We must reclaim those industries that have been shut down" A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Audu Ogbeh said promises being made by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan are empty and unrealisable. He also faulted this year’s budget and claimed that it is capable of bringing decline in development. He however expressed regrets that parties are suffering from issue definition. He said government had no money to implement its promises to Nigerians. Party stalwarts at the occasion were a former presidential aspirant, Alhaji Saidu Malami , Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and a former Governor of Anambra State Chris Ngige. Others are all ACN governorship candidates including Abiye Sekibo (Rivers), Senator Baba Tella (Bauchi); and Mohammed Belgore (. There were also National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly candidates,　 a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi; ex-Governor Saminu Turaki; Senator James Kolawole, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. "We are realistic in our assumptions. The current tilt in Federal budgeting will only bring about increasing decline in development. With a 75 per cent recurrent against a 25 per cent capital layout, nothing impressive can be achieved in any of the sectors desperately needing attention. "We will achieve nothing in education, health, agriculture to mention just a few if we do not allocate a minimum of 20 per cent to each. "We have an example to give and the resulting effect: Lagos State where there is good balance in budgetary allocation of 40 per cent recurrent and 60 per cent 60 per cent capital. The result is obvious to all . Go to Lagos.

Rival candidates dazed, wait on INEC

Editors Online — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:02:08 +0000

By DAYO BENSON, EMMANUEL AZIKEN, AUSTIN OGWUDA, DAPO AKINREFON, SAM OYADONGHA & UMAR YUSUF

LAGOS — CONFUSION and shock was still hanging over the political course of opposition gubernatorial candidates in the five or six States affected by the Wednesday High Court judgment extending the time in office of their governors. Erstwhile Presidential aide and leading gubernatorial candidate for Labour Party in Bayelsa State, Timi Alaibe, after reviewing the High Court judgment with his close supporters in his country home in Opokoma, Bayelsa State on Wednesday relocated to the federal capital, yesterday morning to strategise over the matter. Other opposition gubernatorial candidates in the five states similarly affected by the judgment were believed to be converging on the federal capital where they are believed to be piling pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to appeal the judgment. While a couple of Senators expressed shock at the court judgment, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, told Vanguard that the National Assembly had proactively moved to check the flaw in the constitution by the amendment to Section 180 of the 1999 Constitution to ensure serving Governors who win re_run elections only serve for four years. Opposition pitched in battle While opposition political parties pitched in battle against the five Governors separately called for immediate appeal of the judgment, INEC on its part not in a hurry on the issue. Asked how long it would take the commission to react to the development, Mr. Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, said: "As long as it takes to understand the implications and act on it." It has also emerged that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State who was swept into office after last January’s re-run election has gone to court for an interpretation of his own tenure. However, Uduaghan’s participation in the court judgment was being clouded by the fact of his inauguration. Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari also added his voice to the clamour for higher judicial interpretation yesterday. Opposition political parties in Delta were insistent that Governor Uduaghan would not benefit from the judgment despite his fresh inauguration last January. Their claim was, however, dismissed by Chief Paulinus Akpeki the Delta State Commissioner for Orientation and Public Communication. Akpeki excited Akpeki said: "I am very excited, I am happy and I have been vindicated." Opposition elements in the State led by Chief Great Ogboru, the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP gubernatorial candidate in the 2007 election and the forthcoming election said the Governor must face a fresh election next May. "Uduaghan filed his own case for term extension at the Federal High Court, Asaba, on February 14. Yesterday’s bad judgment in Abuja doesn’t affect him at all as he wasn’t a party in that case, he is afraid of elections but the April governorship election must and will hold in Delta," Chief Great Ogboru, the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP gubernatorial candidate said in a statement yesterday as he advised Deltans to prepare themselves for the election. Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the State, Mr. Edward Ofomona, also addressed party leaders and supporters yesterday assuring them that the party was going ahead with preparations for the April elections. Ofomona said his party was ready to oust the PDP led government come April, noting that the PDP government had allegedly failed Deltans in delivering the dividends of democracy. Sen. Bassey Ewa-Henshaw (PDP, Cross River) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he was baffled by the judgment. He said: "If I remember correctly, the Supreme Court had already taken a decision on the matter that if you were the incumbent and you had to go for a re-run and you win, your tenure continues from where it stopped. This judgment is a bit baffling to me and I need to be able to look at the two judgments to know what the judges used as a foundation to arrive at their decisions. In his reaction, Sen. Sidi Ali (PDP,FCT), said that although the judiciary had the power to interprete the law, it also had the duty to put things straight. "It is the duty of the judiciary to put things straight. The judiciary must have seen a conflicting issue with the constitution, perhaps some loopholes here and there, before coming out with such a judgment." He said that the judgment would impact negatively on the arrangements being made for the forthcoming elections in the affected states. Speaking in the same vein, Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora (ACN,Lagos) and Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, said that the judgment did not take into cognisance the provisions of the Electoral Act as amended. He said: "The pronouncement must have been in line with the provisions of the previous Electoral Act and not in the context of the New Electoral Act passed by the National Assembly. It seems to me that we are in for a rough time. Conflicting judgments is not good for our democracy. Conflicting court pronouncements creates crisis and instability in the system and we are constrained by time. We must begin to get serious in all that we do." Mixed feelings in Sokoto The judgment was equally received with mixed feelings in Sokoto State as the State Chairman of the CPC, Abubakar Chika Ainu said that the party and the people of Sokoto state are not happy with the judgement. He said: "We are not happy. The people of Sokoto state are not happy. We have held meeting and we are going to challenge the judgment at the Appeal Court. There is no reason that the Court could not stand by the Constitution as amended." Also lamenting, Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma said: "This judgment is not in the best interest of the generality of the people of Sokoto State. Of course, we cannot fold our arms and see justice being perverted by the same institution that is supposed to uphold it. Just wait and see what we will do." The judgment was, however, welcomed by the Attorney-general and Commissioner for Justice in Sokoto State, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir saying that the people of Sokoto state are happy with what the Court has done, adding that the law has been defended. "The law cannot be enacted today and you expect it to be back-dated. The law is not and can never be retrogressive. It must be proactive and this is what the court has confirmed," Abdulkadir said. The CPC gubernatorial candidate believed that the appeal is the right thing to do as he is in the race to unseat the Murtala Nyako led PDP government. "Looking at the issue of stepping down the election this year, one will wonder that the 8 months served by the Governor is a bonus. Then what about all the huge expenditures and agreements reached during the period? Are the agreements not binding on the state? What about the laws enacted which he (the Governor) signed and are in force? he queried. Buhari reacts Mr. Yinka Odumakin, spokesman to the Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari called on the apex court to deliver a higher judgment to lay to rest the issue of tenure elongation. He told Vanguard on telephone: "I see that there are two conflicting judgments regarding the tenure of the affected governors. In the first place, there was an earlier judgment after the Ekiti State governorship rerun during Segun Oni’s time. The judgment stated when his tenure would end. As far as we are concerned, there should be a higher judgment to restore sanctity to Appeal Court and the judiciary as a whole." When contacted by Vanguard to get his party’s position, National Publicity of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said "we are still studying the judgment after which we will make known our position." Legal opinions were divided on whether the Federal High Court Abuja judgment which extended the tenure of five governors beyond 2011 applies to Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan who was sworn-in afresh January 10 following his victory at a re-run poll which held January 6. Curiously, Uduaghan was sworn-in same day President Goodluck Jonathan assented to the amended 1999 constitution. Section 18 (c) of the amended constitution reads: "In the determination of the four year term, where a rerun election has taken place and the person earlier sworn-in wins the re-run election, the time spent in office before the date the election was annulled shall be taken into account." However, constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, said the judgment delivered by Justices Adamu Bello, automatically applied to Uduaghan pointing out that the judge merely followed Supreme Court verdict in Peter Obi vs Andy Uba. Another Lagos lawyer Mr. Bamidele Aturu argued that Uduaghan could not benefit from the judgement since he took his oath of office the same day the president signed the amended constitution. Ozekhome on Uduaghan Ozekhome said: "Although the judgement affects five governors without Uduaghan being mentioned. Constitutionally and legally, the judgement has rubbed on positively on him. Although Uduaghan was not a party to the suit, the ration set down by Justice Adamu Bello applies with as much force to him as it does to the five governors. What a lot of lawyers don’t understand is that Justice Adamu Bello was not saying anything new." Disagreeing Aturu said: "Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State is not covered by that Abuja Federal High Court decision extending the tenure of five governors. The judgement cannot be retroactive if he was sworn in the same day the amended constitution was signed by the president. Even if he took the oath of office earlier that day before the constitution was signed, it would be difficult to prove the time he was sworn in. So, in law, he is deemed to be preparing to face the electorate in April.

Bloody day in Oyo

Editors Online — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:13:18 +0000

Bisi Oladele and Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

A bloody day it was in Oyo State yesterday. Seven persons were killed in two incidents. An attempt by officials of the state government to demolish the secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at Olomi, Ibadan, led to a two-hour shooting duel between the police and NURTW men. When the smoke cleared, two people lay dead. The NURTW faction led by Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a Tokyo) is locked in a running battle with the government, which is backing the late Lateef Salako (alias Eleweomo) faction. Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala proscribed the NURTW and vowed to demolish its secretariat, an action that the Tokyo group resisted yesterday. Also yesterday, five supporters of Alao-Akala died in a road accident at Moniya in Akinyele Local Government Area. They were on their way from Oyo where the governor, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, launched his campaign. The bus in which the victims were travelling, shidded off the road and somersaulted twice. The five people died on the spot. The Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) at Moniya, Mr Adebayo Francis said 15 others were injured. The commercial bus is registered XU479 KSF Officials of the Ministry of the Environment allegedly led a team, consisting of over 200 riot policemen, to the one-storey NURTW building as early as 8:20 am. Sources said the team came with five Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), a lorry and trailer conveying a bulldozer. They were said to have fired teargas canisters and live bullets when the Tokyo men resisted their forcible entry. The deceased were identified as Nurudeen Azeez and Ismaila Agbojo. One person was injured. He was taken to an undisclosed private hospital in the city. After the government team left, the NURTW members protested the assault on their premises. They made bonfires on roads leading to the area. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was blocked. There was a massive traffic jam. Motorists detoured; shop owners hurriedly closed down and ran for safety. The lorry and trailer brought by the demolition team were burnt down by the protesters who also vandalised the bulldozer. Spokesman of the Tokyo faction Yunus Olatunde urged the Federal Government intervene in the crisis. He said the governor should respect last October’s court order, which restrained the government from demolishing the building, pending the determination of the case. Commissioner of Police Adisa Bolanta said the command assisted the government with some policemen. He said police vehicles were sent to the premises for security purpose. Bolanta said the command sent a new batch of policemen to quell the violence following a distress call from the government team. Residents were still in fear yesterday. But the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Oluyole Local Government Area Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, assured them of the safety of their lives and property. Olaosebikan, in a statement, condemned the clash between the NURTW men and the police. The chairman praised the police for standing up to the union members. He said "the government will continue to protect the lives and property of the citizens". The Rashidi Ladoja Campaign Organisation condemned "the unnecessary shedding of blood and promotion of violence in Olomi." The Accord Party governorship candidate, according to a statement, said Alao-Akala has no legal right to interfere in the internal affairs of the NURTW. 　　　

As Thousands Defect In Ayedaade, Irewole, Isokan LGs

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 18:43:45 +0000

By kazeem Mohammed

As the campaign train of the Osun State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) moved to Ikire, headquarters of Irewole Local Government Council Area of the state on Thursday, it was another harvest time for the party, as no fewer than 3,000 members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) joined the ruling party in the state. The governor of the state, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, received the decampees in thousands in Gbongan, Ayedaade local government and Apomu, Isokan local government at separate ceremonies before moving down to Ikire where he also received another batch of decampees. At the rallies of the party in Gbongan, Apomu and Ikire which recorded a mammoth crowd of ACN members and sympathisers, Aregbesola presented the party’s candidates for the next general elections and called on the people of the council areas to ensure that they vote for them. The candidates are Honourable Mudashir Hussein candidate for Osun West Senatorial District); Alhaja Ayo Omidiran (candidate for Ayedaade/Isokan/Irewole Federal Constituency) and Yemi Taiwo (Ayedaade State Constituency); Addressing the mammoth crowd in the three locations, Aregbesola said that the ACN was a party that could fulfill its campaign promises and meet the yearning of the people, just as he recalled how he has been able to fulfil his promise of empowering 20,000 unemployed youths within his first 100 days in office. “The PDP administration spent about seven and a half years in office, but the result we saw was embezzlement, theft, hunger, poverty, violence, killing and maiming of our people. In the contrary, within three months, we have been able to employ 20,000 youths and that is a sign that we belong to the party that keeps promises and ready to serve the people”, he said. While speaking on comments of some politicians of the PDP extraction which faulted the judgement that ensured his victory, Aregbesola said that the politicians were trying to fight God again after they had fought Him and lost. He said: “They are shameless; they would not have made such stupid comments, because we all witnessed how they injured and killed people; they denied the people their right of voting through snatching of ballot papers and violence. Meanwhile, we believe that the process of voting should not have caused violence and brigandage. They should rather bury their heads in shame. “Eventually, God came and revealed their illegalities through the court, but they were making baseless allegations and fighting God. But whether they like or not, our victory is the work of God and nobody can fight God and win, rather they would perish. Don’t panic, this is the work of God”, he stated. He then reiterated the commitment of his administration to the development of the state with the support of the people, just as he called on the electorate to vote ACN candidates to all positions in the next general elections with a view to getting more hands into developing the state. Earlier, the people of Ayedaade, Isokan and Irewole local governments trooped out en masse to welcome Aregbesola to their council areas with fanfare. The youths, who were employed under the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), added glamour to the event, as they dressed in their white uniforms, praise-singing Aregbesola as a way of honouring and welcoming him to their various council areas. The legion of PDP decampees in Ayedaade were led by one Alhaji G.T Bello and Mrs. Aduka Raji; those from Isokan local government were led by Alhaji Isiaka Ayandiran (Solex) who was the immediate past Executive Assistant to ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola between 2007 and 2010; while those from Irewole local government were led by Alhaji Lateef Lawal, the chairman, Yuppy Group of the PDP.

Aregbesola Appoints Ex-ACN Chairs Liaison Officers

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:09:59 +0000

By kazeem Mohammed

The Governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has appointed all the outgoing Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chairmen in all the 30 local government council areas of the state as his liaison officers in their various council areas. Aregbesola declared the appointments at the state Government House, Osogbo on Friday at a reception held in honour of the outgoing chairmen of the party, saying that the chairmen would be serving as his representatives in all the council areas. He noted that whoever that would want to see him from any council area would only do so through the party leaders, who have just been appointed by him, saying that the party leaders had worked hard to sustain the party and the time has come for them to reap the fruits of their labour. According to him, the appointment was prompted by the contribution of the party leaders who had held the party firmly in their various council areas and remained steadfast during the struggle to reclaim the stolen mandate given to the party but stolen, saying that the appointment was a well-deserved one. He added that the party chairmen stood firmly during hard time and they could only be rewarded by not abandoning them after they might have stepped aside as party chairmen in their various council areas, calling on them not to abandon the affairs of the party after they might have stepped aside as party chairmen. While challenging them to use their experience to support the party leadership in their various council areas, Aregbesola called on them not to embark on any vengeance mission, rather, they should be leaders by example that would bring every party member together and act as his representative across the state. The governor, who frowned at the attitude of some party members, who have been giving bad impression about the party and the government, said that the party members should be faithful and they should always remember that they were no longer in the opposition party. He stressed that every party member in the state should always speak with one voice and work together to ensure victory in the next general elections at all levels of government, with a view not to allowing the ‘impostors’ to take over the mantle of leadership in the state again. While describing the just-concluded voters’ registration exercise as a successful one, Aregbesola said that whoever had perpetrated illegality by registering twice should not bother to complain if his or her name was not included in the voters’ register because such a person might land in jail, saying that such person had automatically forfeited his or her vote. He then urged the party members to verify their names on the voters’ register and make necessary complaint to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) if need be. Speaking on the performance of the outgoing party chairmen, the acting state chairman of the party, Elder Adebiyi Adelowo; the deputy state chairman, Alhaji Muraina Iyiola and Alhaji Gbadebo Ajao lauded the party leaders for their contributions towards the development of the party in the state, just as the party chairmen were urged not to stop their contributions to the development of the party in their various council areas. Responding on behalf of the outgoing party chairmen, Chief Orisawale, the outgoing party chairman in Orolu local government council area, commended the governor and the party leadership for the recognition given to them, promising that they would do everything possible to ensure that the party remains firm and control the political affairs in the state.

Bomb Blast: Court Absolves Osun SSG, ACN Chieftains Of Complicity

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:16:55 +0000

By Ismail Usman

Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and chieftains of the state chapter of Action Congress (ACN) have been absolved of murder and complicity in the controversial bomb explosion that rocked the state Secretariat, Abere Osogbo on June 14, 2007. The defunct administration of the sacked former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola had accused Adeoti and other chieftains of the ACN of being the masterminds of the bomb blast which had landed the stalwarts of the opposition party then in prison custody. Delivering his judgment on the case on Tuesday, Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe of an Osogbo High Court, quashed the matter on the ground that it lacked merit and that all the six witnesses called by the prosecution did not actually link the ACN chieftains to the bomb blast. Justice Aderibigbe averred that there was scanty of evidence to prosecute the accused persons and that proof of evidence could not be established against the suspects. He subsequently dismissed the case and absolved the ACN chieftains of complicity in the bomb blast. The accused party stalwarts included: secretary of the party, Prince Gboyega Famodun; Director of Research and Strategy of the party, Mr. Sunday Akere; Minority Leader, Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Timothy Owoeye; his colleague, Honourable Folarin Fafowora and Assistant Director Press, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Fayemiwo. Others are: Former Commissioner for Health, Mr. Lai Oyeduntan; elder brother to the state deputy governor, Otunba (Mrs.) Titilayo-Laoye Tomori, Mr. Sunday Laoye and Alhaji Gani Olayiwola. Speaking with journalists after the matter, counsel to the ACN chieftains, Mr. Wale Afolabi, commended the courage of the judge in dispensing justice fairly on the matter, saying that the verdict has set the record straight on the controversial case. Afolabi maintained that the judgment has overthrown a ruling of another court which had earlier said the chieftains of the party had case to answer, adding that the case of the bomb blast has been put to rest with the submission of the verdict of Justice Aderibigbe. Only the prime suspect, Mr. Richard Abayomi, who lost his left eye to the explosion, is being tried on the case, said Afolabi. The bomb blast, which had generated rumpus in the state, shattered one of the occupants of the exploded grey Peugeot 505 car, Mr. Taiwo Henry.

Osun World Summit Of Mayors’ Confab Begins Friday

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:25:55 +0000

By Ismail Usman

The 2011 World Summit of Mayors International Conference being organised by Osun State government would begin on Friday (February 25, 2011) in Osogbo, the state capital. According to the chairman, Local Organising Committee of the programme, Professor Siyan Oyeweso, the conference would provide an opportunity to enhance the individual capacities of local government leaders, scholars and professionals throughout Africa and Africans in Diaspora with the objectives of restoring, strengthening and uplifting working relationship and collaboration among the various participating leaders. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Oyeweso stated that the conference would look into how good governance could be achieved in Osun State in particular and Nigeria at large. Oyeweso maintained that the conference sessions would provide a chance to augment individual capacities of local government to discuss and develop strategies to solve universal problem such as housing, tourism, education, good governance, gender equality and others. Speaking at the press conference, the Black Mayors International Conference’ s Consultant, Dr. Abubakar Momoh, said the programme would foster unity between Osun State and the United States, of American-Government. Momoh stressed that Mayors were saddled with the responsibilities of improvement of grassroots development, saying that the conference was about exchanging of ideas that would benefit all and sundry in the state and the partnering nations. The theme of the conference is “Global Engagement of Local Leadership for Universal Progress” and its venue is Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Abere, Osogbo. All the major artists in the state are expected to participate in the programme while the Federal Government of Nigeria is participating actively in the confab. The Local Organizing Committee, according to Oyeweso, was partnering with the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON). The chairman of the conference is former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu; the Chief Host is the Executive Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola while a keynote address would be delivered by Professor Wole Soyinka. All the state governors and their followers across the South-West are expected at the conference

Behind every successful president...

Editors Online — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:46:38 +0000

By Terfa Tilley-Gyado When Fola Adeola was belatedly announced this week as the ACN running mate to presidential candidate Nuhu Ribadu, it completed the campaign roster of the four main candidates vying for president. Almost as important as the presidential candidate, the role of a running mate cannot be underestimated. As the country’s number two citizen, the deputy’s credentials must therefore be just as strong as the presidential candidates themselves. The architect and the academicThe debate had raged, ever since one-time university lecturer Goodluck Jonathan was named acting president, over whether he would appoint a number two. That discussion became moot when he was eventually named as substantive president. His decision to pick Namadi Sambo can be described as a surprise at the time. Apart from the fact that there were more prominent contenders, Mr. Sambo’s three-year tenure as governor of Kaduna had not seen any great distinction. Expectations were high in 2007 when he was elected into his first major political role. He trumpeted an 11-point agenda which he promised would reposition Kaduna as a national force. Promises were made to revive the state’s health and educational sectors as well as improve water supply, infrastructure and roads. As of May 15, 2010, when his name was submitted to the National Assembly, no significant inroads had been made in any of these areas. Mr. Sambo did record significant success in cleaning up Kaduna’s image as a hotbed of ethnic clashes. He is widely credited as the brain behind Operation Yaki, an innovative task force which combined the strengths of local vigilante groups, the police and even the armed forces. The security force has been responsible for reducing crime in the state and preventing the spillover of clashes that have occurred in Plateau and Bauchi. Prior to his life in the public sector, Mr. Sambo was a businessman of some renown. He still owns three companies and developed a reputation as a very prominent architect in the 1980s. A quiet, unassuming character, he is not the most inspirational of speakers and will probably connect only with his constituents. The banker and the policemanThe Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) were the last major party to name a presidential running mate. The delay bordered on the absurd after at least three names were on the verge of being announced before being pulled at the last minute. It was hardly heartening to supporters of the party that Sunny Ugochukwu, Ngozi Okonji-Iweala and Chris Ngige were all considered before former banker Fola Adeola was eventually named this week. The delay also exposed the underlying rift that lay between Nuhu Ribadu and Bola Tinubu. The setbacks notwithstanding, Fola Adeola will join the campaign trail from Monday and appears a popular choice amongst party support. With Nuhu Ribadu at the helm, the ACN are using the ‘progressive’ tag as a mantra and, on paper, Mr. Adeola certainly fits the bill. The chartered accountant was the founder and managing director of Guaranty Trust Bank until he retired in 2002. His professional life has been largely without scandal and GTB was one of the banks that avoided the banking crisis of 2009. In spite of his impressive CV, Mr. Adeola comes with no real political experience. This is not for a lack of trying. As a PDP candidate, he contested in the 2007 elections for the Ogun Central Senatorial district but eventually lost out to Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello. In 2003, he was reportedly offered the position of finance minister in President Obasanjo’s regime. He refused for reasons that remained undisclosed. He has played a prominent role in the National Pensions Commission but has never been involved in frontline politics. What he may lack in political sense, he makes up for in strong rhetoric. Where Mr. Ribadu is more reticent, his running mate is a trained motivational speaker. His speeches, however, are usually aimed at high-level professionals and executives. It will be interesting to see if he can adapt his style when addressing grassroot voters. As a Muslim, he and Ribadu echo the Abiola/Kingibe ticket in 1992’s annulled elections. Supporters point to the overwhelming popularity of that particular duo. Critics, on the other hand, suggest that ethnic and religious tensions have heightened somewhat since then. The pastor and the generalMany of Muhammed Buhari’s critics have expressed concerns about his inflexible style, expressing concern that this may extend to his religious views. The former general has been at great pains to deny suggestions that he has an underlying radical Islamist agenda. It is believed that this counted against him in the 2003 and 2007 elections. It was always likely, therefore, that he would pick a Christian southerner as a running mate, but he went a step further by naming a bonafide pastor in Tunde Bakare. It remains to be seen if the move is a masterstroke for the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) but Mr. Bakare is an immensely popular personality. Although not a politician, the head of the Latter Rain Assembly, has never been shy about criticising the government. So vehement was his criticism that he was detained and questioned by state security officials in 2002 for speaking out against President Obasanjo’s administration. He famously called the former president ‘a false messiah.’ A fiery character, the Pentecostal pastor has achieved great success through his brand of ‘televangelism’ both domestically and internationally. He also started an advocacy group, Save Nigeria Group, which played a pivotal role in organizing protest rallies during the late President Yar’Adua’s protracted absence. The pastor created a stir last year after his group visited President Jonathan last year and reportedly declined a $50,000 gift. His lack of political clout is an obvious disadvantage but, like Mr. Adeola, he can speak directly to a crowd, thanks to his background as a lawyer and pastor. Mr. Buhari is occasionally labeled as being aloof but his running mate talks in a language that people can identify with. Although an intriguing choice as running mate, he is similar in many ways to Mr. Buhari. The two men can be described as radicals who often hold extremist views. Neither has yet displayed a capacity to show great flexibility in their approach. As a firebrand character, Mr. Bakare’s presence in the campaign team will not counterbalance the public’s view of Mr. Buhari. The governor and the governorAt 71, John Odigie Oyegun is the oldest of the men seeking to be vice-president. As the All Nigeria People’s party (ANPP) presidential candidate Ibrahim Shekarau’s running mate, Mr. Oyegun does however possess some political pedigree. In 1992, he was elected as the first civilian governor of the newly-formed Edo state but was removed when Sani Abacha seized power. A development planner by training, Mr. Oyegun had previously been in the employ of the federal civil service and had served as a permanent secretary across several ministries. ANPP’s strategy is clear. The plan is to use Mr. Oyegun to capture votes in the South-South where the party has no foothold. Although Mr. Oyegun is remembered favourably from his 20-month stint, he has little clout in the region. He is the party’s deputy chairman in the south but his appointment may lend little value to the chances of the ANPP. Mr. Oyegun is a highly knowledgeable and eloquent individual but his age might be a disadvantage. With the rigours of a political campaign to consider, this could prove a crucial factor for a party still struggling with its identity.

Political parties and INEC's Code of Conduct

Editors Online — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:43:41 +0000

Reuben Abati

INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega seems to be taking last minute steps to save the April polls from further degeneration, to assert the authority of the electoral commission, and to promote best practices. Some of these include the decision to appeal the Federal High Court ruling on tenure interpretation/ elongation (a case of INEC acting as a busy body!); Jega's reading of the riot act to the commission's officials that whosoever amongst them that is found guilty of aiding and abetting electoral fraud will be prosecuted (very good declaration, considering the threat that corruption within INEC poses to the electoral process), his complaints about the abuse of ex parte orders by the courts (a well articulated protest), and fourth, the decision to get the 63 political parties to sign a code of conduct, to guide both inter-party and intra-party relations during the polls. The latter is the focus of this commentary. The conduct of political parties during elections is a matter of law, hence there are express provisions in the Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Criminal Code, and other pieces of legislation which can be invoked to check reckless conduct. Specifically, Part VIII of the Electoral Act 2010 (sections 117 -132), deals with a broad range of electoral offences with stated penalties for malfeasances. Other sections of the Act such as sections 99 – 102 also prescribe penalties with regard to campaigns and media broadcast. Section 91 places a limitation on election expenses. It is also a notorious fact that all forms of violent conduct during elections are frowned upon and duly criminalised by extant laws. If this is so, why would INEC insist that a Code of Conduct must be signed by the political parties, with a proviso that once 50% of the political parties sign the document, it is taken as binding on all. The Political Parties Code of Conduct 2011 is the product of a recent meeting between INEC and the political parties held in Calabar, it is an updated review of an existing Code of Conduct which the political parties also signed in 2006. A few days ago, there were reports that some of the political parties, the PDP and eight others (including the African Renaissance Party, Fresh Party and Social Democratic Mega Party) refused to sign the document at a meeting in Abuja. The PDP claimed through its National Secretary, that it was not allowed to make inputs into the document. INEC says all parties are free to amend the Code further even after signing it. Some of the party leaders also observed that many political parties are already violating the Code. Damian Ogbonna, National Chairman of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) declared instructively that "The code of conduct is useless as far as I know because party chairmen are not taking it seriously, and it is not enforceable. So whether the parties sign it or do not sign it, it has no impact because it is useless." Still, 51 political parties have so far signed the Code. But do we need a special Code of Conduct for the political parties? What is the guarantee that this Code will not fail as that of 2006 did? Shouldn't INEC bother about more important things rather than collecting signatures for a Code that nobody intends to respect? In principle, INEC's attempt to define a Code of Conduct for the political parties, mutually composed and agreed upon, is in line with its functions as defined in Section 2 of the 2010 Electoral Act, including "(a) conduct voter and civic education, and (b) promote sound knowledge of sound democratic election processes." A Code of Conduct that is agreed upon by the political parties may well "promote sound knowledge" as well as check impunity. As the INEC Chairman puts it, there is indeed a need "in the next few weeks remaining that we bring new attitude and mindset for the respect of rule of law". He adds that "the signing of a code of conduct would add value to the moral persuasion of all." Codes of conduct have their uses, no doubt, but a lot would depend on the people or parties submitting themselves to such codes and the mechanism for ensuring compliance as has been well demonstrated in India, Canada and South Africa where such Codes exist. Nonetheless, a Code of Conduct for political parties that cannot be enforced is bound to be almost useless particularly in Nigeria, where even the enforceable Code of Conduct for public officers (Fifth Schedule, 1999 Constitution) is routinely observed in the breach. INEC's now controversial Code of Conduct 2011 may be useful for its enlightenment and persuasive authority, but perhaps it is belated, almost an afterthought; for already, many of the stipulations in the Code have been or are being violated. Those who have designed the Code are the party Chairmen and Secretaries at the national secretariats, the Code remains unknown to the political parties' rank and file. For a Code of Conduct for Political parties to be useful even as a tool of moral persuasion, its content needs to be widely communicated within the parties, their commitment should not be a matter of mere signatures, there should be a sense of ownership at all levels which is lacking. In virtually all of these political parties, there are alienated groups of interests, and gaps between the National Secretariats and the local constituencies. Very few politicians of whatever colour have seen the Electoral Act 2010; they are mostly uninterested in understanding the laws governing elections. The average Nigerian politician even in 2011 understands only one message: to win an election by any means possible. A reality check is therefore necessary, and it is as follows. The Code of Conduct for Political Parties, coming barely three weeks to the elections, and still being debated, requires the politicians to "adhere to all existing laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to elections as well as the provisions of the extant constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria." Well, is there any political party out there that is respecting "laws, rules, and regulations"? Not even the regulation on election expenses is being respected, as various candidates insist on advertising election campaigns as very expensive. Across the country, the candidates go about with thugs, and party chieftains have been quoted in the media saying that thugs are major stakeholders in the Nigerian electoral process. There have been complaints about the abuse of human rights. The Code further states that political parties shall provide all persons equal opportunities to participate in electoral activities, and that the parties will ensure internal democracy in selecting candidates at all levels. During the primaries, the Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria announced publicly that the party hierarchy reserved the right to choose and impose candidates because that is the policy of the party. In the PDP, the primaries resulted in further factionalisation of the party in Ogun, Enugu... The Code also states that political parties will not engage in any form of violence, and will assist the security agencies to apprehend any of their members who is involved in election malfeasance. In Nigeria? One other provision is that political parties will desist from holding rallies, meetings or demonstrations "close to one another at the same time." With the way the PDP and the ACN have been tailing each other around the country, holding rallies at the same time, in the same cities, clearly this section of the code is not making any difference. On election day, parties are required to tell their supporters and members not to carry weapons. In reality, party leaders are the ones buying dangerous weapons for their thugs and supporters! The Code also says "political parties shall endeavour to send congratulatory messages to their opponents who are announced as duly elected." This is an alien tradition in Nigeria, politicians are likely to call each other names, resort to foul language and threaten fire and brimstone: "rascals, drunken fisherman, we will capture, we will eliminate, we will bring a tsunami to your state..." In countries where such Codes of Conduct exist (India and Canada, for example); they are enforceable, political parties are encouraged to blow the whistle on each other, and there are sanctions for violations. The Electoral Commission is also pro-active in protecting the legal framework for its work to check reckless conduct and corrupt practices, and to ensure that the professional political class is committed to national progress. This is a function, however, of the particular country's level of political party development. In Nigeria, our politicians do not love the country; they want access to public wealth. The parties are underdeveloped, out of 63 parties, not more than six are viable. Reckless political conduct has flourished because there has been no determination on the part of the authorities to check impunity. With the ruling party encouraging all forms of infractions, the voter, the politicians and the political parties are encouraged to take the laws into their hands, knowing that in Nigeria, anyone can get away with anything. Nigerian politicians cannot be trusted to "honour their commitments in the true spirit of democratic practice"; or a voluntary Code such as this, even when they agree on the need to "establish a new political culture and electoral environment." INEC should devote more energy to monitoring the political parties and liaising with the law enforcement agencies to ensure that electoral offenders are apprehended whoever they may be, and are made to answer for their misdeeds. What Nigeria needs is an assertive Electoral Commission, like the Electoral Commission of India, with the courage to enforce the code of conduct for elections, not a commission that seeks to rely on the good sense of the politicians. What kind of Code are we talking about when some candidates openly use government vehicles and government media to promote their ambitions? And on election day, political parties offer free food and free bus rides to voters? The Political Parties Code of Conduct 2011 provides for an Inter-Party Advisory Committee in charge of "implementation, monitoring and enforcement", but the IPAC is at best toothless. Nigeria will succeed in raising the bar for achieving free and fair elections only when election-related laws are enforced without fear or favour. 　

SSS moves against Northern Elders

Editors Online — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:17:17 +0000

By EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor, EMMA UJAH & HENRY UMORU

ABUJA -The reconciliation move between the Mallam Adamu Ciroma-led Northern Political Leaders Forum , NPLF, and President Goodluck Jonathan was severely damaged, yesterday, as the State Security Service, SSS arrested two key operational staff of the Forum. The scribe who has just been released, said his arrest was political, as it was in connection with his comments on zoning. The NPLF in a terse reaction said the President was not ready for peace though the State Security Service, SSS, which picked the men said the arrests were unconnected with politics. NPLF secretary, Mallam Abdulkadir Bello, was arrested, Wednesday, a day before the scheduled meeting of the body where the key decision of whether the NPLF should support the President or not was to have been taken. Another operational staff, Mallam Bibi Farouk, was arrested while the meeting of the NPLF was going on. Confirmation of Abdulkadir’s arrest The State Security Services, SSS, which confirmed the arrest of Abdulkadir, however, said their arrest had nothing to do with politics. There were indeed inferences of a fifth columnist working to sabotage the envisaged reconciliation between the President and the NPLF. Yesterday’s meeting which was ongoing at press time followed the arrival from abroad of former Vice-President Abubakar on Wednesday evening. The meeting was believed to be deliberating on the work of the seven-man joint committee jointly constituted by the President and the NPLF to bridge differences between the two sides. Vanguard learnt that a communiqué of the meeting would be released today. SSS spokesperson, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, while admitting the arrest of the NPLF secretary, however, insisted that it had nothing to do with politics saying that membership of an organization was not a licence to carry out illegal activities. She told Vanguard that Alhaji Abdulkadir was arrested as Alhaji Abdulkadir and that it had nothing to do with his position as Secretary of NPLF. Ogar said: "Alhaji Abdulkadir was arrested as Alhaji Abdulkadir, not as Secretary of NPLF. People must not bring politics into this. Nobody should think that he will be allowed to do just whatever he likes because he is a member of any organization. It must be made very clear that this matter has nothing to with his position in the NPLF." She, nevertheless did not give the reason for the arrest. The Ciroma-led NPLF had recently softened its denunciation of President Jonathan’s presidential aspiration and had met to take a decisive decision on whether or not to support the President. The breakthrough followed the meeting early last month between President Jonathan and elements of the NPLF where it was resolved to set up a seven-man joint committee to articulate a working document to guide rapprochement between both sides. The seven-man joint committee chaired by Magaji Dambatta was supposed to submit its report for the consideration of the President and the NPLF. NPLF sources, however, expressed regrets that possible reconciliation may have been put on hold with the arrest of the duo. Sources said that Abdulkadir was arrested on Wednesday by operatives of the SSS in Abuja and taken to the headquarters of the security agency in the Asokoro area the same day. He was still being held by the SSS at press time yesterday. Farouk was arrested while the meeting of the NPLF was on-going. It was, however, not confirmed whether he was arrested at the venue of the meeting. Denouncing the arrest, yesterday, the NPLF in an unsigned statement made available to Vanguard said: "This is in bad faith and tells a lie to President Goodluck Jonathan’s attempt for rapprochement with Northern Political Leaders Forum."

Daniel begs Obasanjo

Editors Online — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 23:48:21 +0000

By Kolade Larewaju, Abeokuta

EMBATTLED Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, yesterday, beat a retreat in his supremacy battle with former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the control of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and begged him for forgiveness.

Governor Daniel who was taken to the former President’s residence in Abeokuta by a class mate of Obasanjo and the Olubara of Ibara, Abeokuta, Oba Jacob Omolade; Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) and Pools Magnate, Chief Kessington Adebutu, admitted that he had begged Obasanjo for forgiveness. His faction of PDP had sought to edge out the Obasanjo faction in the battle to pick the state executives of the PDP and its governorship candidate.The Obasanjo group won, forcing supporters of the governor to join an unknown Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN. But Daniel, after yesterday’s meeting which lasted about three hours during which he was said to have prostrated and begged Obasanjo passionately, said: "Let me say this to you, I am a true Yoruba son, and in Yorubaland it doesn’t matter who is right or who is wrong. It is the younger that will beg the older person. So I have begged Baba and I will continue to beg him" He also said he had accepted General Idowu Olurin, who was picked by the Obasanjo faction as the candidate of the party and that all those who went to PPN would return. "Of course, Olurin is the governorship candidate of PDP", he said, adding, "well in all things we have to give thanks to God. And I think what has happened today is a manifestation of work of God and I want to seize this opportunity to thank the elders and to also thank Baba for the opportunity of the meeting. I don’t have any doubt in my mind that we can work things out. What we have started to do today is a manifestation of better things to come. As you have always been aware, it is true that a large number of our supporters feel disenchanted and I think even if we have to sit down and begin to find a lasting solution that is what we have started today. "I have no doubt in my mind that we will talk to ourselves. PDP still remains a very strong and united party. And you know that there was never a time that I left. The people who left felt very aggrieved. And we are starting the process of reconciliation. Former President Obasanjo confirmed that Daniel had begged him saying "well, you know one thing, if you are a true Christian your prayer would be: Our father who hath in Heaven, and you will end up with forgive us our trespasses and those who trespass against us whether knowingly or unknowingly. "Of course, as long as I pray to God to forgive me my sins, I forgive people who sin against me, particularly those who ask for forgiveness. Then I ask God to deliver me from evil and deliver those who sin against me." One of the facilitators of the peace meeting, Chief Afe Babalola said, "we are happy to say we have settled the rift in PDP and it has been properly resolved today. And Governor Daniel will be at the airport tomorrow (today) as PDP governor with PDP members to receive the President. We are happy that all problems are amicably resolved."

Nigeria must get it right or be doomed – Oshiomhole

Editors Online — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:34:23 +0000

Vanguard

Auchi- As build up to the April 2011 intensifies, Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, said in Auchi that the country must get it right this time or be doomed.

The governor, who led the ACN campaign train to Edo North, said the April poll would determine the future and unity of the country.

He added that the world was interested in the conduct of the elections.

Addressing the crowd that gathered at the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, the former labour leader urged Nigerians to resist any attempt to impose leaders on them.

"Anybody who is planning to impose himself or herself at any level that person is daydreaming.

"Nigerians will never accept again any assemblyman who is not elected by his people, never again shall we have lawmakers who break the law to assume office, never shall will accept a commander- in -chief that is not elected.

"From now on, Nigerians are determined that those who wish to govern us must be product of the ballot box or nothing else.

"This election will no longer be a case of half bake. It is either we have a democracy or nothing. Issue of one man one vote must be translated," he said.

Addressing the governor and the party’s candidates earlier at his palace, the Auchi monarch, Alhaji Aliru Momoh said politicians must not be heard to say one thing while doing the other.

He cautioned them against practices that were capable of flawing the April poll.

Momoh urged politicians to at all times uphold divine truth and make sacrifices that would turn the country around. (NAN)

Osun’ll Appoint Professionals - Deputy Governor

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:44:48 +0000

By Sola Jacobs

The current administration in Osun State is such that believes in professionalism and is therefore bent on putting round pegs in round holes in all appointments in the state. This statement was made by the Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, at the executive council chambers, Osogbo, during a courtesy visit by the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the institute’s executive members and other members on him in his office on Wednesday. Receiving the members of the institute and its executives on behalf of the state’s helmsman, the state Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs.) Grace Laoye-Tomori explained that one of the reasons, the present administration in the state was not in a hurry in making political appointments was to ensure that competent professionals were considered for appointments in their various fields of endeavours. Aregbesola observed that the accounting professionals’ ideals of honesty, transparency and accountability exemplify what the newly-branded state of Omoluwabi depicts. He further disclosed that the new administration in the state was committed to training and re-training his workforce in order to sharpen their professional competence for meaningful service delivery. Earlier in his address, the president of ICAN, Major-General Sebastian Owuama (rtd), had recommended that the finance department in the state civil service should be separated from the administration department so that there could be adequate internal control, transparency and accountability in the civil service. He further advised that the state government should take the advantage of the world class expertise for which chartered accountants were acclaimed by appointing them into key executive and political positions at both local and state government levels. Major-General Owuama argued that when professionals were saddled with the task of resources management, optimum result would be obtained at minimal cost, as waste associated with inefficiency and learning would have been eliminated. Highlights of the visit included the exchange of packages of gifts by the ICAN body and the state government. The occasion was attended by the chairman, State House Committee on Appropriation, Honourable Femi Farounbi, Alhaji Moshood, Adeoti, the SSG, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the State Head of Service, Elder Segun Adewusi and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Biodun Akintaro and other civil servants in the state.

That The Agricultural Revolution In The State Will Not Be A Failure

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:54:56 +0000

By Idowu Olasupo

Agriculture is expected to be the mainstay of the economy, particularly in creating jobs and in generation of income. However, the reverse is the case. Agriculture in Nigeria is still much underdeveloped, on many occasions we have to depend on importation to be able to feed our fast growing population. Agriculture contributed more than 75 percent of export earnings before 1970.Since then, however, agriculture has stagnated, partly due to government neglect and poor investment, business as usual syndrome, lack of vision and on the other hand due to ecological factors such as drought, disease, and reduction in soil fertility. By the mid-1990s, agriculture’s share of exports had declined to less than 5 percent. Once an exporter of food to nearby countries, Nigeria now must import food to meet domestic demand. Nigeria’s major crops include oil palm, cocoa, rubber, and cotton, all of which were once exported but are now sold mostly locally. Also grown are sorghum, millet, maize (corn), yams, and cassava among others. It is on this note that the Executive Governor of Osun State, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola came up with a thoughtful campaign to revive agriculture in the state and to embark on mechanized farming in the state through OYES program. What a wonderful idea! Our affable governor should be commended. However, as good as the plan is, we must be cognizant and sentient of those factors that may deprive the program the much desired success. It is possible to have success on the short run but not on the long run if some important factors are not considered. Hence, our plan must ensure sustainable development in agriculture for the state i.e. agriculture that will meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of the future generation. Some of the challenges which have to be taken care of that may militate against the success of the program either at the short run or on the long run include the following among others: · Improper planning for sustainable agricultural development This aspect has to be emphasized to ensure sustainability development in the state agriculture. Sustainable development is defined as “meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of the future generation” (Nosike, 1996:53). In the next ten years or more, the soil if not well plan now will not be yielding as expected and i doubt if we can still get such hectares of land in any local government again. This will lead to heavy dependent on inorganic fertilizer (nitrate fertilizer) with the nitrates polluting our water and this has been found to be responsible for reducing bloodstream oxygen to dangerous level in infants. This we all know is already a problem in many developed countries now, and that is why they have different selling price for the same products based on whether grown by organic or inorganic fertilizer. In other words we must grow our crop through perfect mixture of both organic and inorganic fertilizer depending on the crop and the nature of the soil. Other farm practices that can be of help are suggested in my proposal to the governor. Organic farming, crop rotation etc. must be giving serious attention to preserve the land for long. · Inability to produce agricultural produce at competitive price Another likely challenge may be in our inability to produce at a very competitive price at the beginning. With the nature of soil here and several other factors, it may be very difficult to produce at a lower cost compared to other producers like the northerners. For example, production of a basket of tomato may cost northerner N250 while producing the same basket of tomato may cost us in Osun state N300 or more to produce the same quantity, majority of consumers are rational when it comes to demand, and they will prefer to buy more of commodities at lower price. This mean at the beginning of this program, we will have to be strategic in our marketing, but there is always a way through it or round it. · Poor vertical and horizontal agricultural integration plan For the state to be developed there must be effective horizontal and vertical agricultural integration in the state. This entail a deliberate growing of agro-allied sector to process the farm produce in the state. The plan is to have a mechanized farming which portends that large output will be churning out from our farms. Selling out raw agricultural produce without effort to process as many produce as possible will only encourage our backwardness with time. One of the key things that bring about development is industrialization and these rely so much on agricultural raw materials for this to happen. Gerashchenko introduced the concept of relative backwardness, in which the development path of a late industrializing state will, by the virtue of its backwardness, differ fundamentally from that of the leading industrial state. He theorized that the late industrialized state or country will displays the following characteristics: an emphasis on producer goods (goods used to make other products) rather than consumer goods (products sold directly to consumers); a stress on large-scale plant and enterprise; reliance on technological borrowing, and probably on financial assistance and a passive role for agriculture. We may keep ourselves in an inferior position by producing and selling all our raw materials to the industrial state, thus hindering our attempts to become manufacturing economies which can make us to attain the feat of state like Lagos in the nearest future. How to achieve this is also suggested in my proposal. · Not separating politics from business To make this project a success, all efforts must be made to ensure that politics is completely separated from business. Line should be drawn to indicate where the activity of one stopped and where that of other begins. This problem frustrates the Songhai project. Politicians were sent to Songhai for a purpose not achieved. The youth’s selection for the program was politicized and many that are not interested in agriculture were involved in the program. To achieve success in agricultural program of OYES I will strongly advised that people should not be selected on blind dating or random manner approach, but rather those that indicate their interest should be involved for the success of the project. · Generating as more problem as success achieved Care should be exercised in the process of achieving success in agriculture so as not to create more problems for the future due to effect of global warming. Global warming otherwise refers to as climate change can be referred to as, measurable increases in the average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and landmasses. Scientists believe Earth is currently facing a period of rapid warming brought on by rising levels of heat-trapping gases, known as greenhouse gases, in the atmosphere. At the same time, the number of trees available to absorb this excess carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases been released into the atmosphere through photosynthesis has been greatly reduced by deforestation, the widespread and indiscriminate cutting of trees for lumber or through opening and clearing of land for agriculture or urban development African countries in which Nigeria and Osun state belong may have the most to lose from continued global warming if necessary precaution is not taken now. Because much of the developing world occupies warmer regions, where many species of crops and domesticated animals live at the upper limit of their natural temperature tolerances, higher temperatures could lead to widespread livestock declines and crop failures. Moreover, unlike the industrialized world, most developing nations lack the capital and infrastructure to develop new varieties of heat-tolerant crops and animals, build flood control systems, and deploy disaster relief when needed. Droughts, heat stress, heavy rains, or floods would be compounded by absence of agricultural information networks and education and assistance programs. In many developing nations crop failure could lead to widespread famine like we have in Niger. Many dry regions near the equator are already at risk for drought and famine, which may be spreading fast if global warming is on the increase and, with few resources with which to adapt agricultural practices, these regions are likely to be hit hard by climate change. However, this is not to say that we are not going to invest in agriculture heavily as this is one of the greatest potential the state has, but we must plan to stem down the tide of global warming by invest heavily in planting of economical trees in every region in the state and ornamental trees within our towns to stem down the effect of warming. It is in an attempt to contribute my quota to my state towards ensuring that the program is successful that i wrote a proposal titled “Revolutionizing agriculture, agro-allied services and green plan in Osun state submitted for governor’s reading and action. However, I’ve not receive acknowledgement of the proposal till date. I categorically stated my readiness to play any giving role in the process to achieve desirable success in the project. I concluded the proposal by saying that I realized why the governor is fond of saying that “I cannot do it alone, together we shall do it”. The tasks are onerous; the promise land is far ahead, the berthing point still far. I agreed he cannot do it alone, we shall do it together. I’m offering myself to join him and others to do it together. Till we get to our promise land, it is neither time to roll out drums nor time to wear our “agbada” but time to roll our sleeves and put all hands on deck to steer the ship of the state to shore of hope. Long live Action Congress of Nigeria, long live Osun State, and long live Nigeria.

ACN: Resuscitating Politics Of Ideology

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:59:08 +0000

Before now, the leadership of the All Nigerian Peoples Party had always found it convenient to refer to the party as the largest opposition party in Nigeria. It was a correct statement, especially when one considers the fact that the party used to have at least seven governors and a large number of its members in the National Assembly. But all that has changed. No thanks to the defection of some of the governors, this now leaves the once booming party crawling behind the Action Congress of Nigeria. After retrieving its mandate from the People’s Democratic Party governors in Edo, Ekiti and Osun states, the ACN has overtaken the ANPP as the biggest opposition party. With four governors, unlike the ANPP, which has three governors, Nigerians are looking at the ACN to see if it could wrestle power from the PDP, which seems to have taken the electorate for a ride because of its size and the number of governors in its kitty. The PDP controls 27 states. Perhaps, having read the mood of its supporters, who crave for a change in the leadership of the country, the national leadership of the ACN, including its presidential and other candidates in the forthcoming elections were in Abuja on Wednesday, where they unveiled the party’s manifesto and agenda for the country. It was a gathering of who is who. All the four governors elected on the platform of the party – Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Adams Oshiomole (Edo), followed their presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to the event. Besides, there were also the governorship candidates of the party in all the 36 states of the federation. The occasion allowed the party leaders to throw punches at the PDP-led Federal Government and also sell the candidature of Ribadu to the electorate. First to speak was the former national chairman of the PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh. The former minister of agriculture, who was the chairman of a five-man committee that re-examined and re-energised the party’s manifesto, said other political parties were mere machines for vote catching. He said unlike what was obtainable in the Second Republic when the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria and the National Party of Nigeria were known for free education and housing respectively, no political party apart from the ACN was known for anything in the country now. He said, compared to the Second Republic, parties today suffer from what one may call an issue definition deficit. “In the Second Republic, the UPN was known for free education while the NPN was defined by its emphasis on housing and agriculture. Since then, political parties have hardly been definable and in most circumstances, not even party leaders can freely and readily make any reference to their manifesto and its main targets for society’s transformation. “To fulfil all righteousness and meet the mandatory requirements for registration, every party can show a small booklet called manifesto to which little or no reference is ever made. After each election, all governance is left to the whims and caprices of the elected and to happenstance.” The ACN, he said, did not endorse that situation, adding that a political party could not be a mere rallying point for vote -catching. He did not stop there, as he added that, “Today, there are not few in politics who say, without shame, which they are in politics to promote their businesses. Others say they are merely there to earn a handsome living and cannot be bothered about issues. “For them, there are only two concerns – money and power. We invite any such person to hear us loud and clear and read the notice at the entrance to our domain: ‘Seek accommodation elsewhere; this is no place for you.’ “In other words, bring what you have to this party for good governance. Do not come to take what you lack.” He listed issues that the party would implement if elected into power to include job creation, housing and urban development, education, small scale business, defence, national security and public security. Others include robust foreign policy, reform of the public sector, youth, sports and culture, war against corruption among others. On how the party intends to achieve this, he said there was the need to cut spending on few individuals by the government, which he said the ACN-led government would do. He also said the party would pay more attention to capital projects and also re-examine the issue of third tier government, adding that the amount of money being allocated to the local governments was not showing in their performances. In his own submission, the National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, said the PDP had shown that it was not competent to handle the nation’s problems. The former governor of Osun State, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the party would use the performance of all the governors elected on the platform of the party to campaign. For Ribadu, the PDP-led government was an abysmal failure in governance. He said only the ACN was poised to lead the mission of change in Nigeria. He called on the President Goodluck Jonathan-led government to be ready to leave, since, according to him, it had not been able to lead Nigeria satisfactorily. Nigerians, according to the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were tired of rhetoric. He said, “It has become fashionable for everyone to talk mechanically about change in the country today, even those who have inflicted the worst injury on our treasury, and our best values speak glibly about change. But for us, the distinction is clear as daylight; the change we talk about begins with a leadership that is transparent, accountable, competent, experienced, and virile. “In the face of its shoddy report card from over two decades of abysmal failure at governance, the PDP can at least be self-respecting to excuse itself from the dignified gathering of the true apostles of change. Since the ACN has exhibited evidence of competent leadership in the four states, it is administering, we clearly earn the historic responsibility of leading the mission of change. The ACN is the only party that can fight corruption. We will not allow corrupt people to fight corruption. From the day we come to power, Nigerians will see a new Nigeria.” Ribadu pointed out that the problems of corruption, insecurity, and economic failure needed urgent attention for the revitalisation of the economic and social sectors, adding that corrupt leaders were not in a position to fight corruption. Above all, he said the leader that Nigerian needs now must answer the call to address three fundamental ills that plague the Nigerian society, which are corruption, insecurity, and economic failure. “As these ills are tackled, the economic and social sectors will be revitalised such that the chronic problems of power, infrastructure, social amenities, and unemployment get the true attention they deserve,” he added. The biggest jab of the day, however, came from a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who asked Nigerians not to think that Ribadu would be vindictive if elected president. The ACN presidential candidate, he said, is a not hurtful person like former president Olusegun Obasanjo. Tinubu said there was no toe that Ribadu stepped on while serving as the EFCC that was not rotten and challenged those arraigned before courts during Ribadu’s reign at the commission to defend themselves. He said the ACN was a different political party from the PDP, which he sarcastically christened Poverty Development Party. •Culled from THE PUNCH Before now, the leadership of the All Nigerian Peoples Party had always found it convenient to refer to the party as the largest opposition party in Nigeria. It was a correct statement, especially when one considers the fact that the party used to have at least seven governors and a large number of its members in the National Assembly. But all that has changed. No thanks to the defection of some of the governors, this now leaves the once booming party crawling behind the Action Congress of Nigeria. After retrieving its mandate from the People’s Democratic Party governors in Edo, Ekiti and Osun states, the ACN has overtaken the ANPP as the biggest opposition party. With four governors, unlike the ANPP, which has three governors, Nigerians are looking at the ACN to see if it could wrestle power from the PDP, which seems to have taken the electorate for a ride because of its size and the number of governors in its kitty. The PDP controls 27 states. Perhaps, having read the mood of its supporters, who crave for a change in the leadership of the country, the national leadership of the ACN, including its presidential and other candidates in the forthcoming elections were in Abuja on Wednesday, where they unveiled the party’s manifesto and agenda for the country. It was a gathering of who is who. All the four governors elected on the platform of the party – Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Adams Oshiomole (Edo), followed their presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to the event. Besides, there were also the governorship candidates of the party in all the 36 states of the federation. The occasion allowed the party leaders to throw punches at the PDP-led Federal Government and also sell the candidature of Ribadu to the electorate. First to speak was the former national chairman of the PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh. The former minister of agriculture, who was the chairman of a five-man committee that re-examined and re-energised the party’s manifesto, said other political parties were mere machines for vote catching. He said unlike what was obtainable in the Second Republic when the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria and the National Party of Nigeria were known for free education and housing respectively, no political party apart from the ACN was known for anything in the country now. He said, compared to the Second Republic, parties today suffer from what one may call an issue definition deficit. “In the Second Republic, the UPN was known for free education while the NPN was defined by its emphasis on housing and agriculture. Since then, political parties have hardly been definable and in most circumstances, not even party leaders can freely and readily make any reference to their manifesto and its main targets for society’s transformation. “To fulfil all righteousness and meet the mandatory requirements for registration, every party can show a small booklet called manifesto to which little or no reference is ever made. After each election, all governance is left to the whims and caprices of the elected and to happenstance.” The ACN, he said, did not endorse that situation, adding that a political party could not be a mere rallying point for vote -catching. He did not stop there, as he added that, “Today, there are not few in politics who say, without shame, which they are in politics to promote their businesses. Others say they are merely there to earn a handsome living and cannot be bothered about issues. “For them, there are only two concerns – money and power. We invite any such person to hear us loud and clear and read the notice at the entrance to our domain: ‘Seek accommodation elsewhere; this is no place for you.’ “In other words, bring what you have to this party for good governance. Do not come to take what you lack.” He listed issues that the party would implement if elected into power to include job creation, housing and urban development, education, small scale business, defence, national security and public security. Others include robust foreign policy, reform of the public sector, youth, sports and culture, war against corruption among others. On how the party intends to achieve this, he said there was the need to cut spending on few individuals by the government, which he said the ACN-led government would do. He also said the party would pay more attention to capital projects and also re-examine the issue of third tier government, adding that the amount of money being allocated to the local governments was not showing in their performances. In his own submission, the National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, said the PDP had shown that it was not competent to handle the nation’s problems. The former governor of Osun State, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the party would use the performance of all the governors elected on the platform of the party to campaign. For Ribadu, the PDP-led government was an abysmal failure in governance. He said only the ACN was poised to lead the mission of change in Nigeria. He called on the President Goodluck Jonathan-led government to be ready to leave, since, according to him, it had not been able to lead Nigeria satisfactorily. Nigerians, according to the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were tired of rhetoric. He said, “It has become fashionable for everyone to talk mechanically about change in the country today, even those who have inflicted the worst injury on our treasury, and our best values speak glibly about change. But for us, the distinction is clear as daylight; the change we talk about begins with a leadership that is transparent, accountable, competent, experienced, and virile. “In the face of its shoddy report card from over two decades of abysmal failure at governance, the PDP can at least be self-respecting to excuse itself from the dignified gathering of the true apostles of change. Since the ACN has exhibited evidence of competent leadership in the four states, it is administering, we clearly earn the historic responsibility of leading the mission of change. The ACN is the only party that can fight corruption. We will not allow corrupt people to fight corruption. From the day we come to power, Nigerians will see a new Nigeria.” Ribadu pointed out that the problems of corruption, insecurity, and economic failure needed urgent attention for the revitalisation of the economic and social sectors, adding that corrupt leaders were not in a position to fight corruption. Above all, he said the leader that Nigerian needs now must answer the call to address three fundamental ills that plague the Nigerian society, which are corruption, insecurity, and economic failure. “As these ills are tackled, the economic and social sectors will be revitalised such that the chronic problems of power, infrastructure, social amenities, and unemployment get the true attention they deserve,” he added. The biggest jab of the day, however, came from a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who asked Nigerians not to think that Ribadu would be vindictive if elected president. The ACN presidential candidate, he said, is a not hurtful person like former president Olusegun Obasanjo. Tinubu said there was no toe that Ribadu stepped on while serving as the EFCC that was not rotten and challenged those arraigned before courts during Ribadu’s reign at the commission to defend themselves. He said the ACN was a different political party from the PDP, which he sarcastically christened Poverty Development Party. •Culled from THE PUNCH

My Injury For PDP's Pains

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:17:35 +0000

Many wonder that my language is still the same about one fundamental issue that has raged for close to eight years in the state of Omoluabi. I also ruminated about my standpoint till the wee hours of Tuesday 22nd day of February 2011 in an attempt to know whether I should agree with the “objectivity” of my sympathizers which has put much pressure on my subconscious id, to for once, have a rethink which might spur me to tilt a little to the left, for some of my arch-enemies in the political circle to desist from their negative opinion about me. I actually was almost giving up as I got embroiled self-pity, when suddenly I realised that some group of people have one lesson or the other to learn from my experience. I know myself to be a progressive to the core. I sure can recollect that no contemplation for a change of ideological leaning had crossed my mind in the last thirty two years; and this I can say with all vividness. It is still fresh in my memory, how in 1978, I stood up to tell all the people in a political meeting, which my father was hosting, that any efforts to plant another party other than UPN in the South West, Nigeria would be in futility. This statement was to the consternation of many at the gathering because they could not imagine that the biological offspring of a contestant under Late Azikiwe’s All People’s Party (APP) could be so audacious to say it point-blank that their efforts in rallying support for my father, albeit under the platform of a party, other than, Awo’s unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), would be a fiasco. My father went ahead to contest for the House of Representatives then but could only get three hundred and twenty two votes; excluding my own. Today, I remain the same hardliner. It was so painful to me, when in 2003 my political mentor: Chief Bisi Akande told us at a campaign rally at Alekuwodo, Osogbo that we should cast our votes for the erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom I have always seen as a personified anti-people politician. At the point of casting my vote for him, I felt certain discomfort deep inside me because, in my own opinion, I was being forced to act against my personal drive for the first time in history. Probably, I supposed, that accounted for the monumental failure of Obasanjo as a second-term president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; maybe not. I still feel vindicated, even now that I have only veered in strict compliance to the instruction of a political mentor. It is historic that God has taken the people of Osun State back into the fold of the progressives. To many, it was quite unimaginable that the reins of government could be wrested from the monstrous people who once loomed larger than life and towered above all as almighty folks. Rauf Aregbesola is in the saddle and honestly, I felt a serious vindication within me that one has not laboured in vain. Nobody needs to tell me that I am an extrovert. The quality is inborn and I consider it too late for anybody to want to re-orientate me. I think it is hereditary too, because I see some semblance in my biological father. Everybody in my neighbourhood knows my political safari, because more than two years before I saw Rauf Aregbesola, I had identified with him and there was no hiding place because of my tenacity. I have been bruised and battered in many respects because people feel I am closer to Aregbesola than I really am physically, although emotionally, I am deeply attached. I am inundated with calls on daily basis to know what solution I can proffer to one problem or the other, which should directly be laid at the doorstep of the Governor. No one is to blame; because perceptions at times do motivate to assume rightly, but in an outrageous dimension. People have got serious relief from the oppression of the draconian regime of the People’s Democratic Party. I am sure the prayer on the lips of everybody in Osun State today is “May they never resurface on our political landscape again”. If only to think about the psychological incarceration that people went through, with the uncertainties that pervaded the atmosphere throughout the time PDP held sway, no sane person will want a repeat of the experience that the people of Osun State went through in the foreseeable future. The current atmosphere of peace and tranquility is unparalleled. Commercial activities are picking up gradually and the rate at which people visit physicians has reduced considerably. These are enough for people to bask in for the state to move forward. The Governor has put paid to his promise on creating twenty thousand jobs for the youths of Osun State within one hundred and fifty days in office. The fortunate ones are already undergoing training to gain requisite expertise in their areas of specialisation and it is noteworthy that a sizeable number of them are known PDP faithful’s, who benefited immensely from the ignoble rule of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. When many of us are still smarting from the illusion that we would be full beneficiaries because of our identities and sacrifices of the past which have turned inconsequential, the discredited Party at all levels of governance (PDP) can boast of their (un)fair share of the total number. It is on record that none of my family members has been so fortunate to scale the hurdle of shortlisting and this has remained a big surprise to us and many others who are bewildered by this fate that has befallen us. Yet we do not feel crossed because we know that the processes involved in the whole exercise were well intended. We are happy that the exercise was all-inclusive since the Hausas, Igbos and some other minority groups can beat their chests that they are beneficiaries of Aregbesola’s youth empowerment scheme. I am now imagining what would have happened if the PDP stalwarts are in my position. The Governor now feels fulfilled that he has satisfied all segments of the society. That is right to some extent because some measure of neutrality and impartiality was maintained. For a government that wants to succeed, that is the best way to handle matters of such sensitive nature. The loopholes that might have been observed may the attributable to the fallibility nature of man, since nobody is perfect. Everybody in the state must be happy that there is a God-fearing man at the helm of affairs in Osun State. Anybody that claims to be genuine democrat must join hands with the Governor to move the state forward. One prime factor that can ensure success for any political party is the identification of past mistakes and the resolve to avoid such pitfalls in the future. People are quite aware that some pitiable errors have been committed by PDP when they held sway and by our nature we forgive so easily although we may not forget so quickly for reference purposes. If an error is committed, the best way to be free from the effect of such error is to own up and make amends after apology might have been penitently tendered. That is the option left for the PDP to explore at the moment. It may not even be for victories at polls. If only to assuage the offended and the injured, they need to apologize to the people of Osun State for the injustices of the past, which have plunged the state and its people into untold hardship and pains. I am still hopeful that better days lie ahead, when all will feel satisfied that God has been beneficent to the people of Osun State by sending a man out of his comfort in a land of sojourn to rescue his people from slavery and trauma in which PDP intended to keep us perpetually. Patience should be our watch word at the moment because the time between November 27, 2010 and now is too short for any meaningful turn around to be made in a system that has been willfully damaged for almost eight years. There is no gain without pain and I am sure the pain of the moment is that of impatience, which will fizzle out, as more benefits unfold from the lofty moves of one man, who has been ordained to turn around the destiny of a people for good. People in the People’s Democratic Party may remain adamant, but this posture will only do more damage to their already dented image and it is only penitence and its twin brother, decorum that can redeem it.

Letter To THE EDITOR: Lesson From Ataoja’s Removal By The Court

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:21:48 +0000

I salute you for your courage and fearlessness which your editorial team has sufficiently demonstrated over the years. Haven said that, I would be glad if you can publish my view on the court ruling that recently annulled the installation of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun. I am not interested in the fall of the embattled Olanipekun, so I could not have rejoiced over his set-back at the court of law, but the whole scenario taught us a lesson we must never forget. Let me recall that when the man purportedly ascended the throne, he could not even hide the politics behind the drama, when he disclosed openly that it was one Mr Tajudeen Oladipo, the National Vice Chairman (South West) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that made it happen. Besides, the embattled Olanipekun made it public in his acceptance speech that he was not fit, but got elevated by some powerful forces (won ripe ese e tinrin, won wa ba mi lopo mo ese to tobi) Funny enough, it was a statement of fact that the ousted governor, Mr Olagunsoye Oyinlola took the advantage of the public holiday to install him, despite the fact that one of the ruling houses had earlier approached the court on the matter. So, I was not surprised just like the larger proportion of Osogbo indigenes to hear that the court of law has nullified Olanipekun installation as Ataoja of Osogbo, because the whole processes that brought him to power was a short-cut characterised with dangerous politics of selected few. However, it is disheartening to see the situation going that ugly, because the cosmopolitan city of Osogbo is more strategic to the development of the state. As a result, the credibility of the headship of the ancient city should not be in doubt. At the same time, the Osogbo ruling house which brought the matter to court should be commended for its civil approach to the matter. The lesson therein is that merit and tradition must not be betrayed for politics of Obaship in this part of the country, because it will have attendant consequences. •Tunde Arowomole, Osogbo.

Aregbesola Warns Civil Servants Against Partisan Politics

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:29:24 +0000

By kehinde abdul-afeez

Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has enjoined civil servants who are interested in playing partisan politics to withdraw from the public service to actualise their ambition. Governor Aregbesola counselled the civil servants at a retreat held at the Royal Spring Hotel, Osogbo, on Monday for top public officers in the civil service of the state. The governor, who was represented by the deputy governor, Chief (Mrs.) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, delivered an address titled “Managing Strategic Change for Sustainable Development in Osun State” and also declared that his vision was to provide leadership backed with integrity in the state. Aregbesola said: “The hallmark of the civil service is its non-partisanship, loyalty and anonymity. I therefore, enjoin you to leave politics for those of us who are politicians. If for whatever reason, you are interested in playing politics, you should toe the path of honour by withdrawing from the public service to join the political train.” Aregbesola stated that the retreat, which was consummated by the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria under the leadership of retired Major-General Leo Ajiborisa was very apt to the present situation in the state, which he noted was undergoing a transformational change. The civil service, he explained, was being restructured to face the modern challenges of public administration, assuring that there would be no loss of jobs by anyone He stressed further that the implementation of his vision required men and women in the state public service who are committed to the welfare of the people of the state. His words: “My vision is to provide leadership backed with integrity in Osun State. My administration will therefore require men and women in the public service, who are not self-serving, but committed to the welfare of the people of the state”. According to him, it was in the realization of all these that made him to approve the retreat for Permanent Secretaries, Heads of non-Ministerial Departments, Executive Secretaries, General Managers and Directors to prepare them for the changes inherent in the ongoing reform of the public service of Osun State. Aregbesola told the gathering that: “I demand for a public service that is visionary and ready for change towards modern trend in public administration. “As men and women in the upper echelon of the public service, you must provide leadership that will efficiently and effectively drive the service delivery to the good people of Osun State”. Having provided the policy framework to move the state forward, the governor called on all public officers in the state to faithfully and sincerely implement the policies of his administration for the benefit of the good people of the state. He assured further that all entitlements, salaries, allowances and promotion of civil servants will not be denied them. “This administration will create a conducive atmosphere for public officers in the performance of their duties. In addition, I will ensure that your entitlements in terms of payment of salaries and regular promotion are not denied. I will strive to improve the capacity of the workers to facilitate quality service delivery”, Aregbesola said. The governor used the opportunity to declare that the reform would not witness any loss of jobs assuring that “no worker will lose his or her job in the context of the reform being carried out in the state civil service. The essence of the reform is to change our mindset on service delivery and to improve our services to the people of Osun State”. He therefore, charged the civil servants to embrace the principles of stewardship, trust, loyalty and professionalism in the discharge of their various duties saying: “Whatever position you are, it is held in trust on behalf of the people. You are therefore accountable for your stewardship. “As men and women of various professional callings, you should carry out your assignments according to the ethics of your profession. You are also enjoined to observe the code of conduct for the civil service with a view to giving quality service to the good people of Osun State”, the governor counselled them further. Aregbesola then enjoined the bureaucrats to observe the code of conduct for the civil service with a view to giving quality service to the good people of Osun State.

Aregbesola Vows To Stop Osun Council Funds’ Deductions

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 23:05:31 +0000

By kazeem mohammed

The governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has declared that his administration will stop “all unlawful and unreasonable deductions” from local government council funds in the state with a view to repositioning the councils to provide effective municipal governance. Aregbesola made the declaration in Osogbo, the state capital, on Friday at the flagging off of the 4th World Summit of Mayors International Conference, being hosted by the state government with the theme, “Global Engagement Of Local Leadership For Universal Progress”, saying that the deductions has created a serious problem for the council areas to perform their basic functions to the people at the grassroots. According to him, the local government council area would play major roles in the developmental programme of his administration, which, according to him, would bring succour to the lives of the people at the grassroots. While frowning at how local government council areas were being forcefully committed to finance state projects by the state government, Aregbesola said that such practices would automatically prevent the councils’ administrators from having any people-oriented project to showcase as an achievement towards the development of the people in their respective area. He said: “Councils have become cash cows as council funds are always within reach. State governments commit council funds for all kinds of projects and at the end of the day, there is little or nothing left for them to embark on anything tangible in their domain”. “Some council has been so impoverished by their governors that they had to borrow in order to pay salaries. If there must be leadership and responsibility at the local government, all these obnoxious practices must stop”. “Few weeks ago, caretaker committees were put in place at local governments in the state and we charged them to be responsible and responsive to their people because we are determined to hand over the local government back to the people as their properties. “The local government is going to play an important role in our development programme; we are going to stop all unlawful and unreasonable deductions from council funds and position our councils for providing effective municipal governance to the people”. “The local government system still looms large, therefore, as a coercive and hostile agency impounding vehicles and signboards, extorting money from traders, obstructing vehicular traffic and constituting freelance nuisance”, Aregbesola said. Aregbesola who connected the problem of underdevelopment in Nigeria to leadership, said that once leadership are lacking at the national and state levels, there was no way it could be available at the local government level, adding that if there must be leadership and responsibilities at local government level, all the acts of committing the councils to finance the state government project must be stopped. He added that poor management of human population has also contributed to underdevelopment at council level and human population, if properly managed and creatively organised, would consequently promote wealth, saying that society with more population would consequently be richer than those with less population. Declaring the conference open, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Alhaji Abubakar Sodiq, said that problem of leadership at the local government, state and national levels must be confronted with seriousness and dedication to service. In view of the effects it has on the people of the country and various sectors, he said, that there was no better time to discuss the leadership problem than now when its followers were yearning for good governance. Also speaking, the President, National Conference of Black Mayors, Mayor Robert Rowser, said that the summit was an avenue to celebrate brotherhood, leadership and commitment towards provision of good health, infrastructure and good education among others. While calling on Africans to come together for universal progress with a view to rebuilding the nation and Africa as a whole, Rowser said that collaboration and innovations were needed to ensure that Africans play a major role in the global involvement and development. The Executive Director, National Conference of Black Mayors, Ms. Vanessa Williams, in her own commended the leadership style of Aregbesola for hosting the conference, just as she expressed the readiness of the mayors to partner with the state government and bring their resources down for the development of the state in the area of agriculture among others. She said that at the end of the five-day conference, it was hoped that the mayors and the council chairmen in the state would sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which would assist in the development of their various council areas. In his own, the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, who was the chairman of the occasion, commended the Osun State government for hosting the conference which was focusing on leadership, saying that the conference would go a long way in addressing the problem of leadership in the country. Tinubu who was represented by Professor Adebayo Williams called on the participants to be fair in their deliberations, with a view to ensuring that the purposes of the conference are satisfied.

Jubilations, As Local Government Caretaker Committees Take Charge In Ilesa-East, Atakumosa-West

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 23:07:55 +0000

It has been continuous jubilation galore in Osun State as the newly-appointed members of the Local Government Caretaker Committees recently sworn in by the Governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, in their respective local governments inaugurated their executives amidst rekindled hope and optimism, signaling a new dawn in the state. On Friday, the 18th of February 2011, Honourable Falade, the chairman of Ilesa East Local government inaugurated his executives with loyal party men, women and supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ilesa community singing, dancing and praising God for a new political era that has brought a promising democratic life in the state. Scores of party faithful as early as 10 am were already trooping into Yemogun, the seat of the local government secretariat. Inspite of the fact that the programme would not start until 2pm, the party men and women did not wear any stressful look as one of them declared in Yoruba “agbo ojo kii gbojo kan ti, meaning they have dedicated the whole day for the programme. One of the party faithful who spoke to the OSUN DEFENDER said they have been deprived of their joy for the past seven and a half years since they had no access to the dividends of democracy. But now, the smiles had returned as a result of the Action Congress of Nigeria’s (ACN) victory. The chairman urged the new caretaker members to discharge their responsibilities as expected in order to move the state forward. In Atakumosa-West Local government, Honourable Disu Oyedele inaugurated the executive members of the council in his secretariat at Osu, on Monday with all the members appearing in white fabrics which became a cynosure of a sort of admiring supporters of the party who came to witness the occasion. Jubilant crowd who turned in, in their hundreds to witness the occasion could not hide their joy as they continued to show their excitement through singing and dancing. As at the time the programme started, the hall was full to the brim. The chairman, in his address congratulated the entire members of the ACN on the restoration of the stolen mandate which was given back to the party by the Court of Appeal on the 26th of November 2011. He further said that ‘there was a divine wind of change currently blowing across the length and breadth of the state. He enjoined the recently sworn in caretaker committee members to serve and work together as a team in order to achieve the goals of the party. Oyedele the career officers in the local governments to support in making the dividends of democracy available at the doorsteps of the people of the state. “Be an Omoluabi in all that you doing”, steer clear from troubles that could drag the name of the state and the party to the mud” he said. The new chairman also advised the committee to plead with the people of their community to desist from disturbing the peace and serenity of the state as the government would not condone any act of indiscipline. Members of the committee are: Messrs Elijah Oriowo, Benjamin Fatukasi, Tosin Ogunjuyigbe, Olusegun Adetutu, Ademurewa Adenigbagbe and Hon. Taofeek Kareem.

Why I Dumped PDP for ACN - Dr. Omotosho

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 23:22:14 +0000

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ede-South Local Government Council Area of Osun State, Dr. Adeleke Ademuyiwa Omotosho, has dumped the party for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Omotosho said his defection from the PDP came on the heel of his discovery that the party was deceitful, dubious and anti-people. Omotosho also attributed his decamping to his plan to bring good governance and dividends of democracy to the people of Edeland and its environs, which, he said, would remain a mere dream if he fails to dump the PDP. He described the ACN as a party of progressive ideology, adding that the six point agenda of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s government convinced him to join the party. While berating the PDP for “tormenting Nigerians through bad governance and lack of internal democracy,” Omotosho maintained that he was misled to join the party by its leadership in Ede, who told him that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the only Yoruba leader in the country. Omotosho stressed that he discovered that the PDP’s leaders were being mischievous and deceitful when he noticed that the party has nothing to offer the people and its nonchalant attitude to the welfare of Nigerians. He said: “When I wanted to join politics when I returned to Nigeria, I was misguided by PDP leaders in Edeland. I asked about the party that beliefs and promoting the ideology and system of government of Baba Awo and Chief Bola Ige. I told them that was the party I believed in and intended to join. “But this people told me that Obasanjo was in charge that he was the one representing the Yoruba race and that his party-PDP’s ideology was that of Baba Awo. Since I was new in Nigeria and Edes’ politics, I easily bought their lies.” Other PDP leaders in Ede-South who decamped to the ACN with Omotosho included, Chief Supo Fadare, Alhaji Musibau Akanni, Mr. Olusegun Durotolu, Alhaji Waheed Olatunji, Prince Murtala Olagunju, Mr. Abiodun Koleoso, Alhaji Jimoh Adetunji, Mr. Tiamiyu Eniola and Deacon I.O Afolabi. Welcoming the decampees to the party, the deputy governor of Osun State, Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori reiterated the commitment of the ACN government in the state to the development and welfare of the people. Laoye-Tomori said the decampees would not regret dumping the PDP for the ACN, adding that they would be more encouraged with the performance of the present administration.

Candidate Nominations By Political Parties In A Democracy

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 23:40:06 +0000

Being Chief Bisi Akande’s address at the ACN-USA Annual Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America on Saturday, February 12, 2011 in his capacity as the National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria. Democracy, in my own understanding, is a culture of governance based on constant debates, deliberations and discussions among leaders of a polity in parliament. The practice of Direct Democracy which started with direct citizen participation from the ancient Greek city-state (500 BC) and which continued with the church reformation in the middle-ages, particularly during the European cultural reawakening called Renaissance (1200 – 1600 BC) metamorphosed into Representative Democracy. Consequently, Britain adopted a Bill of Rights -Magna Carta (1215 BC). French too enacted its own Bill of Rights through a political Revolution (1789 – 1799) while United States of America also promulgated a Bill of Rights in 1791. In recent times, Representative Democracy developed steadily into ideological contradictory debates which led to political party formation. Historically, most aged democracies lend credence to the assertion that political parties were unnecessary in making democratic political system work. History is known to have recorded few activities of political parties until the 19th Century; therefore, political parties are recent phenomenon of the democratic political system. What we are saying is that a political system can still be a democracy without the use of a political party or parties. However, certain events led to the prominence of political parties in the 19th and 20th centuries which include increased urbanization resulting from technological and industrial expansion, disagreement over authoritative allocation of resources, human disagreement about the role and nature of government, the growth of voluntary organizations etc. If the word democracy means ‘rule by the people’, history has proved that a political philosophy whose goals were to ensure individual equality and freedom and whose ideal include equal protection of the persons, possessions and rights of every citizen to political participation was practicable without political parties. In other words, in a democracy, it was possible for individuals to have equal opportunity to live their lives and pursue their careers and to enjoy freedom from undue interference and domination by governments or by any other persons without any political party. History also revealed that political parties are known to have begun in Europe as a voluntary organization of political leaders who invariably always attracted active elites with a view to acquiring and exercising political powers based on a manifesto spelling out political programmes that define the leaders’ stated ideology and setting out the agenda to be pursued if they gain power. Under this system, the political party constantly monitors and controls the activities of its governments by applying the instrumentality of what was usually being called ‘parliamentary whips’. Such ‘parliamentary whips’ were applied on the government of Mr Babatunde Raji Fasola of Lagos State sometimes in years 2009 and 2010. While the Fasola government saw those regimes of ‘parliamentary whips’, which is always a daily practice in the British democracy, as an opportunity for learning governance in a Nigerian democratic setting, the uninitiated political youths and followers – particularly the media houses – saw the application of the ‘parliamentary whips’ as a political crisis between Fasola and his political leader - Tinubu on the one hand and between Fasola and the Speaker (Tunji Kuforiji) on the other hand. Political parties have developed therefore as responses to the needs of modern political systems for performance of the varied linkage and communication functions and particularly for the performance of those functions which no other existing institution seems to be able to perform adequately. Parties are merely created to accommodate elites of some ideological class. It is not necessarily a democratic apparatus. It is not supposed to be the affair of all citizens. It is designed as an elite apparatus to power. Therefore, parties exist in every political system primarily, of course, because political elites have found them to be useful tools to maintain power hegemony. It is also because the elites recognize the value of the functions they perform in a representative democracy, where elections are the norm. In practice, in most representative democracies, political parties develop into ranks and files and candidates are selected and nominated only among the hierarchies of initiated members depending on the strength of aspirants’ adherence to the party manifesto. If certain ideological positions should be accepted for governance, representations in such government are always not permitted to be hijacked by people of other persuasions. Otherwise, such ideologies would become blurred and the political party would lose identity and potency and ‘money politics’ would take over. The organisation and the structure of a political party must reflect the ecology of the political system and must ensure the need to make the party relevant in the whole system of candidate selection and must engender close monitoring of such candidate’s performance in line with the ‘purpose’ or ideal of the party once elected. However, the history and environment of specific political parties reflect the nature of the political ecology of the country in question. Thus, there are a wide range of practices universally accepted by parties in Britain, USA, Norway, Israel etc., and the post-colonial states of the third world. It is therefore the global trend that political parties have evolved into a channel of control. Political parties worldwide do provide some political leaders with a new channel through which to exert control over other leaders. It is the political trend in the 20th and 21st centuries. The party is an organization that binds a sizable group of political leaders together with a sizable number of ordinary citizens. It is the only sort of organization that continually performs this role. In the process, it spreads extensively both within the array of political leaders and transverse out into the mass of people. It offers an excellent channel for power through which political leaders can control the actions either of other political leaders or of the citizens. As a channel for controlling other political leaders, the party is supreme in so many ways because it has the weapon of stick and carrot (e.g. nomination for various offices, support in passing legislation, and advancement to more powerful positions within the party and the government). Party Membership Rules In most democracies, other than the USA, political parties are considered purely as private organizations. There are few, if any, laws regulating their internal organizations and decision-making processes. Under the rules adopted by most non-American parties, people become party members, usually of a ward or branch organization near where they live, by formally applying and being approved by a local party council or leader. They assume some obligations to the party, particularly to pay regular dues. The main privilege that they receive is participation in party activities, notably selection of candidates for public office. Let us examine parties in certain democracies in turn. The Parties system in Britain Conservative and Liberal Parties The methods employed by the conservative and liberals on the one hand, and the labour party on the other in the choice of candidates in the constituencies also differs. The conservative and liberal associations are somewhat similarly organized. They are run by executive committees elected at the parties’ annual meetings. The local associations through their executives choose the candidates for the parliamentary elections. They may ask the assistance of the central office if there are no strong local candidates. After interviewing the prospective candidates, the local executive makes a recommendation to the general meeting, or leaves the general meeting to make the final choice. In making the final choice, the local association may be influenced by the candidate’s personality, his acceptability in the constituency, the strength of his conviction in the party policy and residence in the constituency. His ability to assist with the campaign expenses will count less than formerly, as experience has shown that the party ‘s fortunes will be better served by a ‘live’ (sellable) candidate rather than by one whose chief qualification is wealth. The recommendation of the party headquarters will be considered, but the local associations sometimes select ‘unknowns’ (but ‘live’ and ‘population asset’) and pass over well-known figures. The Labour Party The choice of a labour candidate is achieved differently. To select a candidate, the local executive committee asks the affiliated bodies to submit names from among which it makes a selection and submit its choice to a general meeting to be endorsed by the national executive committee. The Executive Committee will not give its assent unless the candidate agrees to abide by the standing orders of the party, including a rule that prevents a labour member from voting in a parliamentary division in a manner contrary to the decisions of a private meeting of the party. Other Democratic Systems With respect to party nomination process and democracy, it must be noted that the universal methods of nomination differs from system to system. Since the candidates represent the party, party control is normally exercised during the nomination process and even after the candidate had been elected to official position. In Norway, each party list of parliamentary constituencies depends on provincial conventions made up of delegates from the party’s organizations in the constituency’s cities, towns and rural communes. The decisions made by the provincial conventions are final. The Israeli example, typifies a situation where the entire nation constitutes a single parliamentary constituency and each party submits one national list of up to 120 candidates for the Knesset. The choice of particular names and of their order on the list is entirely the prerogative of the party’s national executive committee or comparable inner circle. The primary election system is common throughout the USA but less so in other democracies. Primaries have negative impact on party strength and unity because they deny the party vital nomination functions and cannot ensure that the candidates appearing on a party’s ticket are in fact loyal to the party’s program. It is for this reason that most democracies, apart from USA, use party nomination system instead of primaries. This is the democratic trend in emerging democracies that requires party cohesion, discipline and loyalty to party programmes and policies. The parties system in USA The USA situation is quite different. It is only in American democracy that political party membership is extended to all citizens without membership fees and without any initiation to adhere to any manifesto and where parties are mere platforms consisting of alliances of interest group organisations. While the Republican is the platform for the business communities of the wall streets, banking and oil industries etc., the Democrat is the platform for labour, the professionals, the minorities etc. The qualifications for party membership are defined by law, in order to control who can vote in a particular party direct primary elections. To qualify as Republican in a closed-primary state, qualified voters must publicly state their party preferences to a registration official; then he receives the Republican primary ballot. The laws usually permit a party representative to challenge the voters’ good faith but the latter only need a sworn affidavit of their sincerity, and there the matter ends. In open-primary states, they can vote in the primary of any party that they choose without even having to state their choices publicly; therefore neither the American Democratic nor the Republican parties possess effective control of its own legal membership and there is no formal distinction between member and supporter. This accounts for the loose and informal organisation of American political parties. The rise of television as the political medium of propaganda by politicians and voters, the domination of nominations by the direct primary and the increasing individualism of already weakly-bridled-legislators make American politics, in recent times, more candidates centred and less party-oriented. Candidates always enjoy more independence of operation in USA than in other democracies. Therefore, candidates who depend upon a citizenry that has characteristically looked askance at parties have always become less party-oriented. American parties, in national committees and congresses, have tried to rise to these challenges by sophisticated techniques of television electronic campaigns. US congress has also given new authority to the instrumentalities of the party rather than the rampant individualism of a few years ago. Additionally, parties have adapted to new realities by turning their organizations into candidate service centres. For instance, parties are assisting candidates rather than controlling them in the electoral process. These political organizations too have become more centralized at the national level, overcoming a long tradition of decentralisation and localisation in party politics. Pushed into the periphery by PACs and individual donors as dispensers of campaign capital support, the parties in the USA have responded by performing as ‘match makers’ in bringing donors to the candidates; to also counter the centrifugal tendencies of individualism, the legislative parties have invigorated their party caucuses rather than extend powers to party officials. Sam Rayburn, who was for many years the leader of the Democratic Party in the US House of Representatives used to caution new members, ‘To get ahead, get along’. To advance within the House hierarchy, obey orders.’ Party system in Nigeria In most human societies, there are complex incompatibilities. In traditional Nigerian societies, these complex incompatibilities are compounded by ethnic and religious oriented clans and communities. It is a common knowledge that both ethnicity and religion are matters of emotional bonds. The colonization of the Nigerian people which began with slave trades and all other forms of economic exploitations resulted in much delicate inter-communal resentment and distrust. This situation has been compounded by Nigerian transition from agrarian feudal politics under the native kings since the past fifty years to a complex parasite economy under the political brotherhood of corruption. It has been illustrated above that a political party can accommodate every citizen by law in USA and has been demonstrated also that, in other democracies, parties are created puritanically to accommodate the political elites. In Nigeria, political parties were formed by political leaders who attracted to themselves amalgams of different social, intellectual and occupational communities within every locality in the country. Of resent, most political position aspirants saw political parties as mere employment centres. To make a difference, the Action Congress of Nigeria introduced membership fees to qualify anybody to obtain membership cards as licenses for membership. We estimated and printed two hundred cards per ward within all the almost 800 local government areas. The new trend was that the party became extraordinarily populated by political position aspirants who jostled to buy memberships for their adherents in order to outwit other rival aspirants that may want to enter into competition with them in the party. Candidates’ nomination thereafter is now posing a problem for the leadership. Therefore, our new leaders – particularly political youths at home and abroad, must learn to appreciate that there are different types of approaches for political parties to practice internal democracy - no matter what perceptions are created in the public minds by media journalism. It has been shown by universal practice that there are variants of party nomination processes based on experiences of the democratic system in question. While Israel has a most closed arrangements, USA has a most open system. Other democracies like the British, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Norway, India etc. are some degrees between open and close candidate nomination approaches. We are yet to be told which of these polities has the most superior democracy. Certain countries might choose to follow the American examples while many others followed the British systems. The present spread of Representative Democracy has been made possible by the faith in the power of education. While the British democratic system can be successfully practiced in an environment of well spread high education, the American system of Democracy can only thrive admirably where high level of education are combined with higher incomes and high standard of living. In Nigeria, the spread of high level education, incomes and wealth is still abysmally relatively low among the citizenry in such a manner that a costly open primary system needs be properly re-analysed and examined. For these reasons, the Nigerian enlightened leadership will, for some time, continue to wonder if American system of party open primaries can be easily achieved without frauds and violence. Ladies and gentlemen, this convention of the civilized members of ACN in the USA is hereby being called upon to deliberate on why political parties in Nigeria should be regimented by legislation into a uniform candidate nomination approaches now euphemistically being christened as ‘Internal Democracy’ Thank you so much for granting me the honour of an invitation to preside over this year USA - ACN convention in Atlanta. It is our wish and prayers that the Action Congress of Nigeria shall win powers in next April Nigerian general elections and for the ACN’s government to be so formed to use the powers to attract all Nigerians in the diaspora back home to participate in building a Nigeria of our dreams. Please, ladies and gentlemen, permit me now to declare this convention formally open.

Who Is Afraid Of Wind Of Change?

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 23:44:07 +0000

Who Is Afraid Of Wind Of Change? “If one man offers you democracy, and another offers you a bag of rice, at what stage of starvation will you prefer rice to vote?”- Silhouettes in Satire by Bertrand Russell (1958). That great Economist and philosopher, David Ricardo, says: “In the long run, all factors will become variables. Truly, the once upon hypothesis of the man has turned out to be a law of reality which the entire human race has to contend with. For those who have the knowledge of science, in chemical reaction, ‘X’ is an unknown factor, but it may blow at any time, because it is an explosive. In Nigeria, politics can be regarded as an explosive device which has started giving a sign of blowing up as a result of unscrupulous politicians who are yet to contend with the law of reality propounded by Ricardo. Yes, some impostors in the South-West in the recent past offered to give rice for their votes, preaching that the proverbial rice was only available at the mainstream, where the sharing formular is holding. They posited that the people of the region have remained in the opposition for too long; so there was need to move to the party of the centre. As a matter of fact, the leader of the pack, who has never hidden his deep-seated hatred for progressive politics played by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo took a step further, by using his military fashion draped in deceit to hijack the region from the progressives. For over seven years, the impostors reigned supreme in power, they laid their hands on huge money, but failed to assert themselves as agents of change, rather, they saw government as till of opportunity that must be exploited to the last drop. In the process, they exposed themselves to the sophisticated people of the region as prodigal sons (Akotileta). By 2007, people were fed up with their beggarly politics, and decided to move back to their groove, but the impostors behaved to type, employing the slogan of their mentor, “That we have put brass bangle in the wrist of a priest, to which nobody has the audacity to remove it”. (A ti koje bo lorisa lowo, oku baba eni ti yoo bo.) Forgetting that, if it could not be removed, people have the capability to severe it. And that was exactly what happened when the long arm of the law began to severe the wrists of the impostors in the region. Listen to this, one American political philosopher; Thomas Payne, seems to be addressing us: “these are times that try men’s souls.” Besides, the 18th Century revolutionary, at the eve of the war of America’s independence from the British stressed: “Tyranny like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. It’s dearness that gives everything its value”. However, the impostors and their cohorts have chosen another indecent path to set the house ablaze for not having their way in the ambush of justice. Lately, the face-off between the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Ayo Isa Salami and Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Alloysius Katsina-Alu was the handiwork of the regressive elements who are obviously upset with the political tsunami that swept them out of power. They embarked on massive blackmail of the PCA, who refused to compromise his duty as minister of the temple of justice, and they equally descended on Justices of the Court of Appeal who sent the impostors packing from some Government Houses, and they have vowed to ruin their careers at any price. Well, information has it that the repressive People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which is gradually destroying the judiciary has the backing of the CJN. Though, I have no proof except the affidavit sworn to by Justice Salami and that is enough to believe anything about the corrupt tendency of the CJN, because the way and manner the Sokoto election judgment was arrested and dispensed with by the Supreme Court was evident. This week, I intend to reflect on the statement credited to President Goodluck Jonathan and one Honourable Wole Oke that what happened in some parts of the world cannot happen in Nigeria. I began to ruminate on the statement and false confidence expressed by the people who ought to draw a lesson from the life drama of peoples’ power raging on in the Arab world. When Filipinos (people of Philippine) began to complain about the impunity and extravagance of President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, the men of power then did not take it serious. In fact, Marcos categorically dismissed the opinions of the people as touching his misrule and mismanagement of the economy. Then, Mrs. Marcos had entire whole building for clothing and shoes; she had a room to store gold trinkets of different karat, while the husband was stupendously rich, richer than his country. In 1986, Filipinos took to the streets, demanding for the resignation of their President, but Marcos felt his government could not be challenged, just the way Jonathan thought aloud. He ordered his soldiers to crush the anti-government protesters; many people were killed. Soldiers killed to the extent that they dropped their guns and fled. Eventually, Marcos was chased out of power. Last Thursday, Filipinos celebrated 25th anniversary of peoples’ power. Yes, ousted President Ben Ali could not have thought that one young man would ignite the provocation of the people who would chase him out of power he was enjoying in the last 23 years, but when the late Mohammed Boazizi, 23, got frustrated when he could not get job to cater for his old woman, he set himself ablaze, and the entire country rose against Ali. Today, the same man who ruled Tunisia for 23 years unchallenged is hibernating in a hospital in Saudi Arabia. Of course, the wind of change blew in Egypt and after 17 days of peoples’ rage, Hosni Mubarak who had expended 42 years in power was chased out for the same reasons which could not be divorced from corruption and mismanagement of economy. When the wind of change roared in Libya, the embattled President Muamar Gadhafi and sons could not believe it, because they thought they had made some people comfortable, and when the reality was dawning on them, they began to threaten that they would destroy people and resource of the country. Of course, Gadhafi is living up to his words, he ordered his Air force to bomb his citizens through air strike. Check it out: in 1970, life expectancy was 54, but in 2011, a clear 41 years after life expectancy is 48 years. The poverty index was 45 per cent at that time, now, poverty is 70 per cent; unemployment was 15 per cent then, it is now above 60 per cent. In 1966, when the military took over government, they accused politicians of being corrupt, taking 10 per cent of projects as bribe. In 1983, military struck again, giving excuse that the bribe from projects had gone to 20 per cent. By the time Olusegun Obasanjo took over from the military in 1999, the bribe had gone to 90 per cent; now funds voted for projects have not only gone higher than normal, but they are being paid into personal accounts. In the global ranking, Nigeria stands 158th position out of 177 countries, on the human development index rating. This is sorry 10.7 per cent score, judged against the nation with highest rating. Besides, Nigeria is 108th position of the 131 countries examined. Again, 10.2 per cent success compared with the best. In 2009, 90 per cent was recorded as failure in the secondary education. Yes, the Presidency under the watch of Jonathan had ordered the establishment of nine Federal universities, but it is obvious that the existing ones are not in good shape. Fifty-one years ago, Nigeria was ranked with Asian countries as developing economies, at that material time, Nigeria had all potentialities to be greater and possibly top the ladder, but poor leadership suppressed the forward movement, and countries like China, Malaysia and some others picked gauntlet against encumbrances that could retard them. Today, China has overtaken Japan as the second largest economy in the world. I have stated my facts premised on pedestal of reality. Let President Jonathan and Wole Oke come up with their reasons why what happened in some countries where people are currently expressing anger against their system could not happen here. But they must come with facts and statistics to convince us about the statement credited to us; else, I will believe that they are afraid that people have been taken for a ride for a long time. Anytime from now, people may demand for a wind of change. If that happens, the status quo will change, and the country will not be the same again. For those who are still in doubt of the facts I place before the world, lay your hand on the keynote address of Professor Wale Omole at Great Ife 2010 International Reunion which he delivered in Washington North Hotel, Belts ville, Maryland. See you next week.

2011 Presidential Election: The Major Candidates And Critical Issue of Selection

Editors Online — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 14:33:49 +0000

By Kunle Durojaiye and Idiare Atimomo

In view of the forthcoming April 2011 elections, Nigeria commenced the voter’s registration exercise on the 15th of January, 2011, with an estimated timeline of about 2 weeks. Owing to various issues, unprecedented and otherwise, the duration of the exercise was extended to enable a greater majority of citizens register. Rating the whole exercise as successful or not may be much of a debatable item. Nonetheless, INEC must acknowledge the collaborative efforts of the media, the entertainment industry and most especially, Nigerian youth in general. There are verifiable accounts of various young artistes who personally motivated their fans and followers to get registered. The campaigning was done via social networking platforms and offline. Having ‘successfully’ concluded this first phase of the Register-Select-Vote-Protect (RSVP) process, all eyes are set on the next phase – the critical issue of selection. In every aspect of life, people are faced with a variety of options and are constrained to choose or select, in what we commonly refer to as decision-making. The bedrock of selection is the availability of viable options. Where there are credible options, it is then left to the individual to comparatively analyse, and ultimately select. Taking a look at the Nigerian political scene today, we are faced with what seems like a plethora of options – 63 registered political parties, all fielding candidates for various positions. The question is how viable are these options? With the spotlight currently on all the presidential candidates, there are some that immediately strike the common man as being the key contenders: Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (Peoples Democratic Party) He is the incumbent President of Nigeria, native of Bayelsa State, Christian, born in 1957. He holds a PhD in Zoology (University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria). His work experience includes civil service and lecturing in biological sciences in Rivers State. He worked as an Assistant Director in OMPADEC (Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission) from 1993 – 1998. 10 years back, no one would have predicted his rise to political prominence. This was initiated by his advent into full politics in 1998, and a consequent emergence as the first deputy governor of Bayelsa state in 1999. He was sworn in as governor in 2005 after the impeachment of Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. Jonathan was then selected in 2006 as the running mate to Umaru Yar’Adua for the PDP presidential ticket. The duo won the subsequent elections in what was described as one of the most disputed elections in Nigeria’s history. After 3 years of rule, Umaru Yar’Adua took ill and eventually died in May 2010. Dr Jonathan was sworn in as the current president on May 6, 2010. He has been described as a man who has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Dr. Jonathan set out to uphold the ‘rule of law’ mantra of his predecessor, declaring a war against corruption, kidnapping and militancy in the oil rich Niger-delta. It is not quite clear what the extent of success in this campaign currently is, with pending unresolved high profile cases like Willbros, and Siemens. The anti-corruption agencies (EFCC specifically) under his government seem unable to replicate the quite impressive performance demonstrated between 2003 and 2006. There is also immense concern on accountability regarding the excess crude account which is reported to have been depleted from $20bn (Sept 2008) to as little as $500m (Sept 2010) and $2.2bn currently. Nigeria’s population today is dominated by the youth (over 40%). Dr Jonathan, aged 53 years, seems to fit well as a generational bridge between the crop of older generation politicians and the swarming upwardly mobile youthful populace. His focus on the use of electronic social networking tools to propagate his thoughts and vision, has positioned him within the immediate reach of the upwardly mobile Nigerian youth both at home and abroad. There are immense national challenges that have faced the country for decades. These include constant power supply, proper maintenance of highways and access roads, and basic infrastructure. Nigerians are eager to see new and innovative solutions to these prolonged problems. How innovative has Dr Jonathan been in response to these issues? Does he have the required potential for generating new, fresh ideas to create solutions? Goodluck Jonathan’s current campaign is centred on providing good governance, power and energy, food, education, health, land and transport, unemployment, security and the Niger-delta. Besides these high level goals, there are no specific action plans identifiable in his published manifesto online. There is also the alleged threat or limitation of him not being his own man; of not being assertive enough – will he be a second fiddle to a godfather or cabal? General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) (Congress for Progressive Change) A native of Katsina State, Muslim, born in 1942, Buhari was 7th head of state of Nigeria (1983 – 1985. His initial military training was at the Nigerian military training school and military college, Kaduna. This was furthered at the Officer's Cadet School (UK), Army Mechanical Transport School (UK), Defence Services' Staff College (India), and United States Army War College. His previous work experience includes: Governor (North- Eastern Nigeria, 1975), Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources (1976-78), Chairman, NNPC (1978), Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF, ‘95 – ‘99). Within 2 years of military rule, Buhari implemented a number of measures, some of which were considered extreme, hence his reputation as being authoritarian. Nigerians were forced by whip- brandishing soldiers to queue up at bus stops; tardy civil servants were subjected to ‘frog jump’ punishment, and press freedom was restricted. In a bid to grow the economy, imports were cut, resulting in a rise in commodity prices and ultimate inflation. However, in 1995, he was appointed chairman of the PTF by the Sani Abacha administration. There is a general perception that he handled this excess oil revenue fund with transparency and efficiency. Relative to the political scene, Buhari is certainly not a newcomer. In 2003 and 2007, he contested the presidential elections on the ANPP platform and lost in both cases to the ruling party, PDP. He unsuccessfully challenged both election results in court. He is judged to be a man who commands a sizeable level of followership and respect, especially in some northern circles. This may not be unconnected with the successful implementation of an anti corruption and indiscipline campaign during his military rule. Many Nigerians still see this effort as having instilled the highest level of order, discipline and perhaps accountability in the nation’s history. On the global front, Buhari is reported to be well respected. It is on record that he and Nelson Mandela were the only private African individuals invited by the White House to Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony. To the average Nigerian youth, Buhari falls into the older generation category. While he also has employed the use of a website and electronic social networking as campaign tools, it is not clear whether he will fit well to bridge the generational gap between past leaders and the current crop of upwardly mobile, technology-enabled Nigerian youth. Regarding national issues such as accountability and governance, he proposes the concept of an online budget monitoring and performance system. He has set a target to generate and distribute at least 15,000 MW of electricity by 2015, achieve a real GDP annual growth of 10%, transform the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to a commercial business, and progress the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). A critical point of his manifesto is to make information technology, manufacturing, agriculture and entertainment Nigeria’s key economic drivers. Are these goals a possible recycling of old political promises or do they portend fresh and innovative resolutions to issues? General Buhari’s current campaign is centred on providing good governance, economic recovery and infrastructure development, power and energy, agriculture, education, health, land and transport, women empowerment, security and the Niger-delta and unemployment. These goals with sub- activities are identifiable in his published manifesto online. The dichotomy of his person still poses the question - military or democrat? Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (Action Congress of Nigeria) Native of Adamawa State, Muslim, born in 1960. He was executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC, 2003 - 07). He holds a Masters degree in Law (Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria) and was called to the bar in 1984. He also had a stint in strategic management at Harvard Business School, and is a fellow at Oxford University (UK). He worked with the Nigerian Police Force for a period of 18 years (1985 – 2003), serving as key operational officer in the General Investigation and Force Criminal Investigation departments, eventually rising to become the head of the legal and prosecution department. Ribadu’s political experience seems to have been initiated by his appointment as the pioneering boss of the anti-graft agency EFCC. While executing this assignment, he served as a member of other strategic committees including the Economic Management Team, National Committee on Public Service Reforms and the National Cybercrime Working Group. He is widely perceived to have wielded such commitment, drive and passion in his various assignments. In September 2010, Ribadu made a formal declaration to contest the presidential elections on the ACN platform. This is the first time the former EFCC chief will be contesting for a prominent political post. Between 2003 and 2007, the Obasanjo government earned a great deal of nods and accolades for its apparent success at initiating and implementing the war against corruption. This war was spearheaded by Nuhu Ribadu with many notable results. Under Ribadu’s administration, supposed ‘sacred cows’ were not spared. The EFCC charged governors, ministers, party members, and 419 (advance fee fraud) offenders. Of notable mention is the conviction of the then Inspector-General of the Police Force, with the recovery of N20 billion. Many have viewed the success of his corruption war as being hinged on strong support from the executive arm of government. Others allege that he was a political tool in the hands of his boss, Obasanjo, to get rid of his perceived detractors, while sparing those considered as allies. While these allegations remain unproven, his previous performance in the force, with awards received, quells questions about his capabilities. Aged 51 years, Nuhu Ribadu appears to fit very well as bridge between the older generation politicians and youthful populace. He is perceived to command a strong youth appeal and is quite active in his personal use of electronic social networking media as campaign and feedback tools. His campaign goals include the plan to invest in coal (utilizing existing national coal reserves), wind, solar and biomass as alternative means of power generation, create 30 million jobs, achieve a real GDP annual growth of 8% within 5 years and 10% in 10 years, and reduce fiscal deficit to 3% of the GDP. A critical point of his manifesto is to expand the economic hinge to include non oil sectors. As regards food and agricultural production, there is a commitment to create a system of providing an egg and a glass of fruit juice or one glass of fresh milk to each child in school by 2014. Summarily, Nuhu Ribadu’s political campaign is premised on developing human capital and infrastructure, growing the economy, good governance, youth employment, food and agriculture, foreign policy, security, defence and the Niger Delta. These goals are clearly outlined with detail in his published manifesto online. If voted into office, will Ribadu be a man of his own? Will he then be empowered to bring all corrupt public officials (both previous and current) to book? Chief Dele Momodu (National Conscience Party) He is the acclaimed publisher of Ovation International magazine, raised in Ile Ife, Osun State, Christian, born in 1960. He holds a Masters degree in English Literature (Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria). He lectured briefly at the Oyo State College of Arts and Science (1982-83), and later served as a civil servant in Ondo State. In 1986, he honed his managerial skills running Motel Royal Ltd, Ile Ife. An avid writer, Dele Momodu quickly rose to prominence in the media industry, working as news editor for the Weekend Concord (1989). Having worked as editor to the celebrity magazine, ‘Classique’, in the early 90’s, and as founding editor of ‘Leaders & Company’, Dele eventually started his own production of Ovation International, in 1996. Chief Dele Momodu’s foray into politics can be traced back to the second republic when he was appointed as private secretary to the deputy governor of Ondo State (1983). Ten years later, Momodu joined the campaign organisation of Chief MKO Abiola, a presidential aspirant in 1993. Hewas arrested and detained for his activism and pro democracy activities and eventually fled into exile in 1995. Ovation International was birthed during his exile years. Dele Momodu is renowned as one of those Nigerians who have built a global brand out of humble beginnings. In 2010, he declared his intention to contest the presidential election and was elected as the National Conscience Party candidate in January 2011. This will be his first electoral contest. Declaring his assets and compelling public servants to do the same is Chief Momodu’s first stab at tackling the scourge of corruption in the land. He has vowed to maintain a transparent and accountable government. Dele Momodu is seen to have a strong connection with Nigerian youth. Generally respected for his achievements in the media industry, he is also viewed as a big brother figure to many young Nigerians. Fondly called Bob Dee, he portrays himself as an ordinary Nigerian like any other, without the cover of godfather-ism. Aged 51, he fits very well as generational bridge and maintains strong relationships with the youth through his deft use of electronic social networking tools. He proposes to address national issues by implementing innovative solutions including the creation of a financial system that provides mortgage facilities to young graduates, building a light rail system to provide easier access to different parts of the country, replicating the Milton Keynes city project in developing new cities out of Ogun State, diversifying the economic base by providing incentives to motivate youths investing in agriculture. He is very emphatic about building infrastructure and creating an atmosphere that supports the growth of local entrepreneurs and investors, ultimately improving production and increasing GDP. In summary, Dele Momodu’s political campaign places emphasis on infrastructure, economic growth, transparent governance, youth empowerment, food and agriculture, foreign policy, national security, and the Niger Delta. His campaign website provides further detail in this regard. Will his skills in business development, together with his erudite and influential personality be sufficient to steer the Nigeria’s wheels through the many challenges ahead? In conclusion, it is apparent that the lines are gradually being drawn and redrawn, and aspirants are propounding their ideologies and goals of governance. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also successfully completed the registration of 67 million eligible voters, against a target of 70 million. This has now shifted the onus to the typically apathetic Nigerian, and more than ever, the dissatisfied and complaining youth, to view the available aspirant options, compare and contrast across board, analyse strengths and possible threats, and make that informed decision – SELECT. http://kunledurojaiye.wordpress.com http://idiarejones.blogspot.com

Kirikiri gets the Bode George effect

Editors Online — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 01:41:56 +0000

By Allwell Okpi

Kirikiri, the relatively quiet town in Lagos State which gives the famous prison its name, woke up last Saturday to a crowd that had turned out to celebrate the release of Olabode George, the former chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, who ended his prison term that day. Over 1,000 George supporters, dressed in ‘uniform' traditional attire popularly called ‘aso ebi' along with elaborate headgear, flocked to the sleepy town. Stella Onyekwere, a fruit seller, said that there were so many visitors that it was difficult to get through them to her home near the Kirikiri Medium Prison. "The number of people that came here today, I have not seen it in Kirikiri before," she said. "They were plenty. You see them with different uniforms. See the women with their gele. People full everywhere." A few residents said that the unprecedented turnout made them afraid. "Come and see the security people that came to guard him (Mr. George)," said Mrs. Onyekwere. "They were many and they were wearing their black. That black suit is not ordinary o. If you see the kind of guns they arranged inside the suit, you will fear." According to another Kirikiri resident, who identified himself simply as Samuel, some of the supporters of the released prisoner had been in the neighbourhood since Friday night to beat the restriction of movement due to the Lagos State monthly environmental sanitation. "In fact, they have been busy since yesterday night; that is when many of them came," he said. "So this morning, they were ready. Many politicians were here. I saw this Alao-Akala (Oyo State governor) and other PDP governors. Even (Goodluck) Jonathan, came here in the night around 3am." "But seriously, this is not good now," Samuel went on to say. "Somebody that stole billions of naira, they were coming to celebrate him like this, but there are many innocent people inside there (Kirikiri Prisons). If it was a poor man that stole money, they would have left him to die there and they will bury him there. That's why you can't blame people who are doing everything possible to make money." Hours later, the release of Mr. George from prison was the talk of the town. At each stretch of shops, restaurants, and bars, people were discussing it, either quietly condemning the jamboree or loudly telling how they scrambled to pick the cash that Mr. George threw in the air for his supporters. Posters bearing the image of Mr. George were posted on walls with the People's Democratic Party (PDP) logo and the inscription, ‘The Joseph of our Time.' While the fanfare was going on, restaurant owners made a killing by doubling food prices. Eno Akpan, who runs a restaurant in the area, said she regretted opening her shop late after the environmental sanitation. She had sent her daughter ahead, who sold plates of rice for N300 instead of the usual N150. "If I knew it will be like this, I would have prepared everything," she said. "I can even sell a plate for N1,000 and they will buy."

Bode George, God, and a Priest

Editors Online — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 01:54:54 +0000

By Okey Ndibe

Bode George, ex-military man and ex-chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), left Kirikiri prison last Saturday – having served a two-year sentence for corruption and earned the addition of ex-convict to his CV. From prison, Mr. George headed straight for the Cathedral Church of Christ in Marina, Lagos. He was reportedly joined at the church service by, among others, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun, Minister of Defense, Adetokunbo Kayode, and numerous former governors. That trajectory – from jail to a church – turned out to be profoundly instructive, though not for the reasons one might expect. A prison is where convicted criminals do time, atoning to society for violating one law or another. A church is where sinners, through acts of contrition, seek to make themselves spiritually whole. In church, a penitent beseeches God for grace to stay on the path of righteousness. Mr. George, who is often addressed as a PDP chieftain (even though thieftain applies far more aptly to him), was dispatched to Kirikiri, Nigeria’s most famous prison, to pay for crimes he committed whilst overseeing the NPA. In simple language, he and five other (equally convicted) board members gutted the agency’s accounts. The former NPA chairman’s trial was, from beginning to end, the stuff of high drama. Mr. George was vacationing abroad when the investigative website, SaharaReporters, wrote that he had fled Nigeria to elude officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who had compiled a dossier on his quick-fingered, illicit financial deals. Days after the report’s appearance, Mr. George, ever brash, boastful and chest-pounding, arrived in Nigeria. Addressing a press conference, he ridiculed the notion that a man like him would ever run from anybody. He dared the anti-corruption agency to arrest him. The EFCC took up the offer. It mounted a vigorous prosecution of the ex-NPA chairman. Mr. George, used to fawning deference, apparently did not take his trial seriously. In fact, he turned the courtroom into a sartorial circus show cum carnival. He arrived in court each day with a retinue of women adorned in gaudy, lavish dresses, complete with ceiling-brushing head ties. A man with an apparent hedonistic temperament, he seemed to have mistaken the courtroom for another party venue. Sadly for him – but wonderfully for Nigerians – the strutting embezzler was in the hands of Justice Joseph Oyewole, an intrepid judge who didn’t find foolish show-boaters funny or interesting. On the day of the verdict, the former NPA chairman showed up with his usual contingent of women, determined to make it the most colorful, exuberant outing yet. Justice Oyewole rained on good ol’ George’s parade. He found Mr. George and his co-conspirators guilty, gave them a dressing down, and ordered that they cool off their heels in Kirikiri for two years. It was a fitting comeuppance. Yet, Mr. George went off to Kirikiri in an ebullient spirit. In a country where the high and mighty operate by a different set of rules, he was all but certain that some appellate court would strike down his conviction. Alas, no appellate justice was impressed. As Americans are wont to say, the man had done his crime, he had to do his time. That time ended last Saturday. The style of George’s exit from prison buttressed the deep ethical blight that reigns in certain quarters. The performance – for the man’s release was every bit a veritable production, conceived, designed and staged – that performance was part-farce, part-tragedy. To read about the festive air that surrounded Bode George’s release, you’d think that this certified rogue was Nelson Mandela’s moral mentor! A country where a criminal emerging from jail is greeted adoringly is not simply in deep trouble – its case is grave and perhaps terminal. Doubtless, many of the PDP officials who thronged the prison to embrace George are hardly different from him. In a society that respects law and order, they, like George, would be jailbirds too. But the George release was also carefully choreographed to leave the impression that a thief was a heroic figure. The Punch of February 26 captured the unseemly spectacle. In a report titled, "Go and sin no more, priest tells Bode George," the paper wrote that George walked out of prison "looking very ebullient and refreshed." The paper reported, "Clad in white flowing lace with his luscious moustache and sprinkle of grey hair on his head, the bespectacled Peoples Democratic Party chieftain who was jailed two years ago on corruption charges beamed with smiles as he breathed air of freedom once again" (sic). For a man whose impulse pushes towards material possessions, it is appropriate that the paper paid attention to the "convoy of vehicles" that welcomed Mr. George, plus the fact that "he waved to his supporters before entering a metallic black Toyota Land Cruiser". A writer – I believe it was the late Ken Saro-Wiwa – once suggested that many Nigerians had become conspicuous consumers of other people’s ideas. In treasuring metallic black Toyota Land Cruisers, the Bode Georges of our world hardly remember how puny they appear in the eyes of those whose disciplined hard work and enterprise we fuss over so. If Bode George’s prison gate drama was a sorry spectacle, his outing in a church combined the sublime with the absurd – and even broached the profane. Thank God that the presiding prelate, Tayo Aduloju, addressed words of courage to the ex-convict who came calling. The Punch quoted the priest as admonishing George: "If you are involved in any shady deal; if you are found anywhere elections are rigged; and partake in any form of manipulation, it means you have not learnt anything from your experience. Real power belongs to God. It does not belong to PDP. It does not belong to any president. "As from today, you are expected to represent Christ. You are an ambassador of Christ. Never again will the name of God be soiled through you." As exhortations go, this one was clear and direct. But Mr. George, its recipient, appeared to have other plans. If he learned any lessons in prison, he took care to conceal them. Instead, he was in a hurry to serve notice that his time in prison was comfortable if not luxurious. The Punch wrote that Mr. George told journalists that Nigerians made him comfortable by visiting in prison everyday. These prison visitors "had made me to reposition my mind. I will reposition my mind and serve my party normally." What does "normally" look like to George? The clue lies in his words: "Now there is a job at hand for us to do and now is the time for us to win Lagos State with this kind of loyalty we have seen. President Goodluck Jonathan will be around on Tuesday, we have to cause tsunami in Lagos so that other parties will (get the) jitters." The foregoing language bespeaks a man who is far from repentant – and even far less reformed. Mr. George comes across as a man seized by messianic complex. He and his ilk sound as if mastery of the art of pillaging a nation’s resources is an exemplary form of virtue. Mr. George may delude himself that he is a tsunami-triggering colossus. Who’s to blame an ex-convict who’s given a welcome worthy of a minor rock star? Why won’t good George bask when he’s about to resume his seat as a member of his party’s sanctum sanctorum, a man who shares a podium with Mr. Jonathan? Emboldened by the cheers of fellow thieftains and a hired crowd, the ex-prisoner must think that the people of Lagos are in a haste to entrust their lives and cash to his care. However, voters ought to leave no doubt that they neither share George’s delusion nor wish to see a felon taking charge of their future and (mis)shaping their lives.

April polls: ACN, CPC, ANPP plan to stop PDP

Editors Online — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:13:44 +0000

Yusuf Alli

Three key opposition parties have returned to the negotiation table for a formula that will end the 12-year reign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The parties are the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Leaders of the three parties met in Abuja on Sunday night to discuss a three-point battle plan for the April general elections. On the cards are: •how to work together to ensure that votes count in all polling stations; •the shape of alliance the parties may adopt in case of a presidential run-off against the incumbent President; and •how the three parties can work hard to win majority seats in the National Assembly and form a parliamentary alliance. It was learnt that the three parties weighed the options, following the emerging trend of a likely presidential run-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and other candidates, such as Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (ACN); Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (CPC); and Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau (ANPP). The presidential candidates of the three parties are from Adamawa in the Northeast (ACN); Katsina in the Northwest (CPC) and Kano in the Northwest (ANPP). Ribadu may earn substantial votes from the Southwest and Northeast; Buhari may control much of the votes from the Northwest. Shekarau has a firm grip on Kano, his political enclave. INEC has released a provisional figure of 67.7million eligible voters for the April polls. Of the total figure, the Southwest; the Northeast and the Northwest account for 43,301,974million (representing 56.49%). The breakdown is as follows: Southwest (14,318,356); Northwest (18,900, 508); and Northeast (10,083,110). Following the resentment in the Northwest and some parts of the Northeast and Northcentral against the President, the opposition is banking on a run-off. Section 134(2)and (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) says: "A candidate for an election into the office of President shall be deemed to have been duly elected to such office where, there being more than two candidates for the election - (a) he has the highest number of votes cast at the election; and (b) he has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the states in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. "In default of a candidate duly elected in accordance with sub-section (2) of this section, there shall be a second election in accordance with subsection (4) of this section at which the only candidate shall be-(a) the candidate who scored the highest number of votes at any election held in accordance with the said subsection(2) of this section and (b) one among the remaining candidates who has a majority of votes in the highest number of states, so however that where there are more than one candidate with a majority of votes in the highest number of states, the candidate among them with the highest total of votes cast at the election shall be the second candidate for the election. A source, who spoke in confidence, said the three parties are still talking. He added: "Do not foreclose a working alliance because the race is still open. Nigerians will know soon after the first presidential ballot. "The opposition is really anticipating a run-off poll going by the political mood nationwide. "That is why we have opened fresh discussion. We are bound to agree and disagree on this alliance but the interest of the masses is paramount. Nigerians are tired of the PDP and we will do our best to forge an alliance to dislodge them." A top official of the CPC and two-term member of the Senate, Senator Abu Ibrahim, confirmed the fresh alliance talks by the three parties. He said: "It is true that there was a meeting yesterday (Sunday) of the ACN, CPC and even ANPP. The three parties have started planning ahead in case we come into a stalemate and the next President could not emerge through the first ballot. "We foresee the likelihood of the presidential election moving into the second round. Therefore, if we are talking now, it makes it much easier because the moment we become friendly, it will become easier. "We are also thinking of parliamentary alliance. The presidency is important, but there are other areas of interest that we cannot foreclose. We have been meeting on how to work hard to ensure that the three parties secure majority in the National Assembly and check the tyranny of the PDP." 　

Ribadu, Adeola promise change

Editors Online — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:18:47 +0000

John Ofikhenua, Kolade Adeyemi and Eunice Bosua, Dutse

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) will provide a new leadership, if it wins the presidency in April, its National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, said yesterday. He promised that the party would use its human and material resources to flush out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Aso Villa – the seat of the government. Akande said Nigerians had been going through pains in the last 12 years as a result of what he called PDP’s misrule. The former governor of Osun State spoke in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, during the commencement of the ACN’s presidential campaign. Former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is the party’s standard bearer. His running mate is renowned banker Fola Adeola. Yesterday’s rally was also to open the party’s campaign in the Northwest. Akande said the combined efforts of Ribadu, renowned for his relentless fight against corruption, and that of his running mate, an economic expert, would rescue Nigeria from the economic woes into which the PDP has plunged it. The ACN chair told the huge crowd that turned out at the Aminu Kano Triangular square that over 20 million youths are unemployed and are roaming the streets without any future. He said the ACN would reverse this by creating jobs. Amid shouts of "Sai Ribadu! Sai Ribadu!!" Akande handed the party’s flag to Ribadu and Adeola. The chairman pleaded with the electorate to use their votes wisely by electing Nigerians with credibility in April. Akande said: "I bring to you the victory of Nigeria through a new brand of leadership today in Dutse. This is in response to the problem created in the country by the PDP over the years, which has to do with corruption, insecurity, unemployment and general pains to the Nigerian people. "We have been pondering as leaders over these problems and we are convinced we have the answer, but waiting for the opportunity to be in control. We have the materials in Ribadu, our presidential candidate, who has spent the greater part of his career fighting corruption. We also have the resources in terms of knowledge to do battle with all these vices in the vice presidential candidate Adeola who is a renowned economist." Ribadu and his running mate promised to lead the country out of the woods if elected. "We will lead with the fear of God, if we are given the chance," Ribadu said, adding: "Time for change has come. This is the beginning. This is the moment of change. This is the opportunity we all have be waiting for. Time has come to claim our country back and this is what we are doing at the moment." Adeola promised: "We will focus on those aspects of life that provide gainful employment to the Nigerian people." ACN National leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the party has assembled a new team of technocrats who will wrest power from the PDP, which, he claimed, has put Nigeria in perpetual poverty and in darkness. He said the ACN, having restored hope in Lagos, Edo, Osun and Ekiti states, would re-enact the feat nationwide. He urged the Northwest to vote massively for the ACN so that the party could spread the dividends of democracy to all nooks and crannies of the country. Tinubu said: "Today is a great day for Nigeria and Jigawa State in particular. We bring to you a fresh hope, such that will change the lives of the people positively and wipe their tears of sorrow. Today, we shall see Ribadu and Adeola as a new hope for better Nigeria as these two men will send packing, the government of greed and dictatorship. "We promise that we will change the government that believes only in rigging and we will not give them the chance to perpetuate rigging any longer; and when the ACN forms the Federal Government, we will carry out reforms in all aspects of our national life, including the police, education and agricultural sectors as well as provide all other necessities of lives. "You know how to make this change? You have registered 1.56 million people in Jigawa. You have registered 18million people in the Northwest. If you cast these votes for the Action Congress of Nigeria, change will be your help. Go and deliver it. God bless you," Tinubu said. The governorship candidates from the zone – Deputy Governor of Kano State Abdullahi Gwarzo (Kano) and Dr. Usman Bugaje (Katsina) – were presented to the large crowd of supporters. The campaign train held the crowd spell-bound as the party chieftains arrived the venue at about 3.00pm. It was difficult for the dignitaries to alight from the buses as the sea of supporters surged to catch a glimpse of the candidates. The buses were decorated with ACN logo and Ribadu’s photographs. The grounds were filled to capacity. The vehicular movement on adjoining roads was at a snails speed. Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) also addressed the rally. Others who spoke included Senators George Akume and Saminu Turaki. Both of them are seeking to return to the senate. At the rally were: Dr. Audu Ogbeh, Mallam Sanni Zorro, a House of Representatives candidate, Bauchi State governorship candidate Senator Baba Tella and Alhaji Lai Mohammed, among several others.

ACN promises free education, unfolds manifesto in Imo, Jigawa

Editors Online — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:11:00 +0000

From John Akubo (Dutse) and Charles Ogugbuaja (Owerri)

Wants INEC to delist Zinox AHEAD of the April polls, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has promised free and compulsory education at all levels for every Nigerian citizen of school age if voted into power. Meanwhile, the Imo State chapter of the ACN yesterday in Owerri, unveiled its party’s manifesto with a firm promise to introduce free education in the state if elected into power. Also, the party in the state has called on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, to delist ZINOX Technologies because the company’s chief executive, Chief Leo Stan Eke, donated N1 million in last Thursday’s fund raising for presidential and Imo State governorship candidates under the platform of the PDP. Former Governor of Lagos State, Ahmed Bola Tinubu disclosed this yesterday at the flag off of the Northwest Presidential campaign at the Aminu Kano Triangle in Dutse , Jigawa State capital. He said education was a necessity because it is the bedrock of civilisation, adding that the party would ensure that security outfits in the country were repositioned through a well planned remuneration package that would discourage them from collecting bribes. He said it was dangerous to give peanuts to the police because such an action would be counter-productive at the end. Tinubu stressed that the ACN would not allow the PDP any breathing space to rig the April polls as had been the case since 1999, adding that the party had remained undaunted despite the intimidation unleashed by the ruling party on the opposition. He said the party had come to Jigawa to sweep away the PDP and bring about the change necessary to give employment to over 20 million unemployed Nigerian youths. The ACN chieftain pointed out that since Jigawa was an agrarian state, the farmers in the state would benefit from its programme that will give them subsidies and improved implements that will increase their yield and put more money in their pockets. In his welcome address, the chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Abubakar Hassan Fulata said history was being made in Jigawa with the event that carried along the message of generational change. The party’s governorship candidate in the state, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and the immediate past Governor Achike Udenwa, now the party’s Imo West senatorial candidate, promised that the party would adopt the system practised in other Southwest states where the party was in power, urging the people to give the party chance. Ararume defended the promise to introduce free education, stating that funds would be sourced from various sectors of the economy. According to him, tertiary institutions’ fees would be reduced to the barest minimum. Ararume said his government, if elected, would fight crime to a standstill, provide necessary basic infrastructure including "real access roads in all nooks and crannies of the state’s 27 councils.’’ The ACN’s governorship candidate promised to channel the present annual N5 billion security vote to meaningful areas of need in the state. Speaking earlier, the state chairman of the party, Chief Charles Uba disclosed that the issue of unveiling manifesto was upper most, stressing that it would provide the direction of the party. Briefing journalists in Owerri at the weekend jointly, Uba and the Director General of Senator Ararume campaign organization, Dr. Alex Obi, regretted that by that donation Eke had violated the Company and Allied Matters Act, stating that as an interested party who supplied some of the Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines, he should not identify with a party. The duo also decried the alleged refusal of the State government to use the Owerri and Orlu Stadia for their public rallies and campaigns, accusing that each time they make applications to the appropriate authorities or ministries, audience will not be given by the relevant officials. But the Special Adviser to Governor Ikedi Ohakim on Political Affairs, Chief Rex Anunobi, said that the ACN was crying foul, asking the officials of the party to make their impact felt in the state as the PDP was achieving. Anunobi said it was a well known fact that Eke was a registered member of the PDP, stating that his membership and donation he made had nothing to do with the machines he supplied.

Afe Babalola calls for laws to sue govt on bad roads

Editors Online — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:50:29 +0000

OLA AJAYI, IBADAN A legal icon, Are Afe Babalola (SAN) has called on the legislative arms in the country to amend relevant laws that would empower Nigerians who sustain injuries from road accidents caused by bad roads to sue and claim damages from government. To him, the deplorable roads in the country are responsible for daily occurrence of auto crash and to check this, caution should be exercised before people are allowed to drive on our roads. He said this just as he suggested compulsory medical test for those who demand driver’s licence so as to reduce carnage on our highways. Babalola made the call at the 33rd annual general meeting/international scientific conference of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria which held in Ibadan Thursday. At the conference entitled "Road traffic accident: The place of commercial bus drivers, motorcyclists and its health implications, he said the step would prevent issuance of driver’s licence to those who were not qualified to have it due to their health challenge. While calling on the 774 local governments across the country to pay premium to community insurance, he advised the government to ensure that all vehicles plying our roads were measured to ascertain their weights. If this step could be taken, bad roads occasioned by heavy weight of vehicles would last longer than what we witnessed in the country. To reduce death and pains of accident victims, he advised that mobile hospitals/clinics were built on our major highways to enable them have quick access to medical help. In his speech, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who was represented by Dr. Folake Majekodunmi tasked all agencies which are saddled with responsibility of ensuring strict compliance with traffic regulation to live up to expectation so that incessant deaths as a result of accidents could be nipped in the bud.

Akunyili, re-branded ex-minister, seeks political renewal

Editors Online — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:56:25 +0000

By Levi Obijiofor

Former Minister of Information and Communication Dora Akunyili has offered reasons for her decision to jump ship from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). In an essay published in The Guardian of Thursday, 3 March 2011, Akunyili also explained her rationale for contesting the Anambra central senatorial seat under the APGA flag. The reasons advanced by Akunyili may not be as logical and convincing as she might have assumed. In her essay, Akunyili sounded so accommodating, so polite, so reconciliatory, so generous and ever so ready to contest a free and fair election. She cast herself as a woman who cherishes politics without bitterness, a political philosophy that was espoused in 1978 by Second Republic politician and leader of the Great Nigerian People’s Party (GNPP), Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim. That was an idea intended to refine the way we practise politics. Compare Waziri’s principles of politics without hostility to the current do-or-die politics that underpins our way of life. Akunyili did well in her essay to acknowledge the formidable nature of the political opponents she will be facing in the battle for the Anambra central senatorial seat. Among prominent Anambra citizens who have already cast their hats in the ring of that senatorial contest are former Anambra Governor Chris Ngige, a man who still enjoys popular support in the state owing to the quality of roads and other infrastructure he built when he served as governor. Ngige is flying the flag of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Also contesting the Anambra central senatorial seat is seasoned politician Annie Okonkwo, a man who believes that any political position is conquerable with proper planning, regardless of the calibre of the opposition. Annie Okonkwo is the official candidate of the Accord Party. Ngige and Okonkwo are determined to give Akunyili a good platform for reality check. It will not be an easy challenge. Each of the politicians boasts a string of achievements. It will be interesting to see who, among the three key contenders, will emerge victorious at the senatorial election scheduled for 2 April 2011. In her essay, Akunyili revealed the main reason that propelled her to seek a senatorial seat under the flagship of APGA. She wrote: "My sole motivation for contesting the April 2011 senatorial elections is my desire to use my wealth of experience to attract more attention to my senatorial district, to Anambra State and to the South East geo-political zone, as well as to make Nigeria a better place through robust contributions to the lawmaking process and in performance of my oversight functions as a Senator. My ambition is not driven by the desire for pecuniary gains but by patriotic considerations and a strong desire to contribute more meaningfully to positively touch the lives of my people..." I have a problem with men and women who claim that their involvement in politics is not driven by financial rewards. Politics is not a charity or trust. And I am yet to find one Nigerian senator who is in politics for altruistic reasons. I would have thought that her ministerial post would have offered Akunyili the best opportunity to transform the lives of the common people, especially those in her constituency. When Akunyili wrote that "I will work very hard to attract development from the Federal Government and from outside the country through various international organisations and philanthropists from across the world with whom I have built good relationships over the years", one felt that Akunyili could have achieved that objective better and more effectively in her previous capacity as Minister of Information and Communication. As evidence of her ability to excel in her public duties, Akunyili drew on her achievements at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) where she served as director-general, and also her most recent position as the Minister of Information and Communication. No one can take away from Akunyili her solid achievement record at NAFDAC, in particular the successful battle she waged against the merchants of fake and adulterated drugs in Nigeria and overseas. However, as Minister of Information and Communication, Akunyili did not quite lift her performance to the level she established at NAFDAC. Everything she touched at the Information Ministry turned controversial. In fact, the charisma she established at NAFDAC vanished even before Akunyili could settle into her job as a minister of the federal republic. Right from the moment she was appointed as Information and Communication Minister, everyone was ill at ease that Akunyili had been given an ill-fitting robe that proved to be too bogus for her size and shape. The general impression was that Akunyili had been set up to fail. Perhaps that was true. Akunyili had arrived at the Information Ministry with a towering reputation. She was perceived as the conqueror of all obstacles although doubts remained about whether she could replicate her achievements in NAFDAC at the Information Ministry. One major task that consumed her time in the Information Ministry and destroyed whatever reputation she carried with her was the ill-conceived and ill-defined "Re-branding Nigeria Project". Akunyili will be remembered, among other things, as a woman who took on the difficult and unachievable task of attempting to transform the image of Nigeria and Nigerians through the construction of rambling media messages channelled through the pipelines of public information campaigns. Did the project succeed? The re-branding Nigeria project was an assignment that was as infantile in conception as it was catastrophic in implementation. So much money was wasted in a worthless national project, the futility of which should have been foreseen by the initiators, the designers and the implementers. With these unflattering antecedents, Akunyili’s current efforts to reposition herself and her public image in order to win the Anambra central senatorial position must be at odds with the character she cultivated over a period of time. During the early days of her political career, she portrayed herself as a no-nonsense and difficult woman. This image has stuck with her public persona because, during her days in the PDP, she represented in many people’s minds the personification of a bully and a powerful woman who always got what she wanted through force and also through fair or foul means. At the state level, Akunyili made many enemies because she dabbled unnecessarily into the politics of the Anambra State branch of the PDP where she occasionally lobbed insults at anyone who did not agree with her views, including Alex Ekwueme, widely respected as one of the founding fathers of the PDP. Before and during the governorship election in Anambra State in February 2010, Akunyili regularly picked quarrels with Charles Soludo, former Central Bank Governor and the candidate of the PDP in that election. It was her irascible conduct in the Anambra State branch of the PDP that signalled to many ambitious politicians that Akunyili might be warming up to something big, politically. And they began to checkmate her moves. At the federal level, Akunyili is perceived as a woman with excessive political ambition. Her enemies cite, as an example, the role Akunyili played in the final weeks of President Umaru Yar’Adua’s tragic life. At a meeting of the Federal Executive Council, Akunyili had circulated a memo calling for Yar’Adua to step down from the presidency temporarily pending his recovery and return to Nigeria from his Saudi Arabian hospital. Many of her colleagues in the executive council perceived her call as symbolic of a woman with inordinate ambition. It was this particular action that earned Akunyili numerous enemies from the North, particularly those politicians who benefited from the crumbs that fell from the president’s breakfast table. They waited for an opportunity to get even with Akunyili. That opportunity finally arrived when Akunyili was nominated for a ministerial post and had to undergo screening in the senate. On Monday, 29 March 2010, Akunyili stepped into an intricate trap set up by her enemies in the Senate during her screening. The nature of the questions, the grated tone of the questioner, the applause to each question, as well as the heckling that followed Akunyili’s responses showed quite clearly that Akunyili had stepped into a specially contrived lion’s den in the Senate chambers. Senator Mahmud Kanti Bello from Katsina State did not hide his contempt for Akunyili when he asked her some embarrassing questions. There are now formidable forces against Akunyili, as she prepares to contest the Anambra central senatorial seat on 2 April 2011. If Akunyili wins that election, it will not be because the people love her so much or because of the flawless nature of her campaigns or the believability of her political manifesto but because of the popularity that APGA enjoys in Anambra. If, however, she loses the election, it could be because of the invincible qualities of her opponents.

April polls: ACN, PDP show strength in Lagos

Editors Online — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 07:00:44 +0000

Eric Ikhilae

LAGOS was groaning yesterday under a massive traffic jam – no thanks to a show of strength by the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The ACN pulled massive crowds at four rallies to present its candidates in the April general elections. The PDP held a rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in the heart of the city to drum up support for its presidential candidate Dr Goodluck Jonathan. The coincidence of the rallies, to many a resident, pointed to a test of popularity between the two leading parties. There was no shopping at the TBS Shopping Centre. Besides, all the adjoining roads were blocked by security agents. Fashola, who attended rallies at the Agege Stadium and the Volkswagen grounds in Ojo on the outskirts of the city, flew in a Chopper to the rallies. The other ACN rallies were held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere and at the Gbagada playground. Juju songster Sunny Ade was on the band stand at the TBS rally. Fuji star Adewale Ayuba thrilled ACN faithful at the Teslim Balogun Stadium rally. The ACN rallies were huge, throbbing with party supporters and excited residents who came to see Fashola as well as listen to the message of the leaders. At the TBS were PDP chiefs, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Olabode George, Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki, Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, Speaker Dimeji Bankole, PDP Acting National Chairman Dr Haliru Bello, Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana Musiliu Obanikoro and Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim. Others are: Ghali Umar Na’Abah, Mrs Sarah Jubril, Jimoh Ibrahim, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, PDP vice chairman, Southwest, Alhaji Oladipo Tajudeen, Governors Akwe Doma (Nasarawa), Ibrahim Idris (Kogi), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Minister of Petroleum Dieziani Madueke, former Deputy Governors, Mr Femi Pedro and Mrs Koforola Buknor-Akerele, and Mr Olusola Obada, among others. President Jonathan, who noted that the Federal Government has abdicated its responsibility to Lagos, said this situation led to the decay of its infrastructure. He said a committee had been set up to review Federal infrastructure in Lagos. "Those we feel that can be handled by the state government, we’ll let them have them; those we feel must be handled by the Federal Government, we’ll look into them. "If it’s road we’ll repair them and if it’s houses, we’ll renovate them." The President added: "We want to return Lagos to its pride of place. In achieving this, we’ll work with the private sector, including either privatising or selling federal infrastructure in Lagos." The aim, according to Dr Jonathan, is to revive the economy, using Lagos as a model "because of its strategic importance". He promised to address the problem of infrastructure in Lagos, if re-elected. Jonathan said he would modernise the Murtala Muhammed Airport road and the Tin Can Port road to ease goods clearance. "Lagos is important and in view of its cosmopolitan nature, Lagos is where we have to emphasise that we have no enemy; we have nobody to fight. We will work with you to improve the economy of this country," he said. Jonathan praised the efforts the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Akintola and Chief Moshood Abiola, among others, in the political development of the Southwest. He said he intended to emulate those leaders in his effort to revamp the economy through the initiation of policies that would stimulate investment, improve infrastructure and ensure job creation. Obasnajo, who spoke briefly in Yoruba, interspersed with pidgin English, said he would be discontented should his party lose in both the presidential and governorship elections in Lagos. In a song: Lau erebe erebe lau, lau erebe erebe lau, Obasanjo onigba kadibo kamawole o, Lau erebe o, erebe lau." (Obasanjo will not be contented that we vote and lose). He assured Jonathan of victory at the poll, saying he has the support of the people. He also congratulated him in advance. Vice President Sambo, who pleaded for support, described President Jonathan as the most qualified of all the presidential candidates. Speaker Bankole, who also spoke in Yoruba, urged the people to vote PDP, assuring them that the Federal Government will provide them with security. The party’s governorship candidate, Ade Dosunmu, promised a better alternative by reducing taxes. He will also improve infrastructure and standard of education. At the ACN rallies, party leaders railed against what they called the PDP’s ineptitude, urging the electorate to defend their votes. Fashola accused the PDP of squandering Nigeria’s wealth. He urged the people to liberate themselves by voting the ACN.

Fashola tackles Dosunmu, Randle at debate

Editors Online — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 07:51:39 +0000

By Wale Adepoju and Miriam Ndiakwu

Aspat between Governor Babatunde Fashola and Chief JK Randle was the highlight of the debate by Lagos State governorship candidates organised by Channels Television last night. Accusation of disobedience of the court order which bars Dr. Ade Dosunmu from parading himself as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate was also raised at the debate co hosted by Thisday and held at the Muson Centre in Onikan, Lagos Island, before a live audience.I’m surprised that Dr. Dosunmu is here because I know there is a court order restraining him from parading himself," Fashola said but Dosunmu said neither he nor his party had been served any court order to that effect. The ACN standard bearer said Dosunmu left Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) where as Managing Director he spent N150,000 daily to rent a generating set for three years . But Dosunmu said he did not understand what the governor was saying, adding that both the governor and himself once applied to work with the National Productivity Centre. But Fashola said Dosunmu was lying to Lagosians as he never applied to work in any public corporation until he joined the government of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as Chief of Staff. Fashola, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, accused Randle, the 67-year-old candidate of the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP) of building his house on the drainage system contrary to the environmental laws of the state, after Randle accused the governor of being inaccessible. Two other candidates, Yomi Tokoya of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Dr Adegbola Dominic of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), also participated in the debate. Fashola said he will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to Lagosians, saying investments in the hospitality business and in other areas are examples of investors’ confidence in the policies of his government. He said Mastercard and TNS came into the state in the last two months. Fashola sais he had built 5,000 houses which Dosunmu faulted as elitist. He said he would bring his wide experience in public service to bear if elected while eliminating multiple taxation. He said he would use the resources of the state more prudently. But Fashola said he had no problem with the age of Randle and Dosunmu "but with the age of their ideas." Fashola faulted the accusation of financial impropriety against his government by Randle who re echoed the issues raised by the Face of Lagos group, saying the "only collateral" he brought into government was his integrity. Randle equally defended his integrity and declined to shake hands with Fashola after the debate.

Fall-out Of Petition Against Appeal Court President: Ex-Ekiti Gov, Osun PDP Acting Chair In Soup

Editors Online — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:47:11 +0000

By goke butika

Sequel to the allegation of corruption and unholy romance levelled against the leadership of the Court of Appeal, one of the lawyers alleged in the purported telephone conversations with President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Ayo Salami, Chief Niyi Akintola, has slammed N50 billion suit on the duo of acting chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and ousted governor of Ekiti State, Messrs Sunday Ojo-Williams and Mr Segun Oni for mentioning his name. It would be recalled that the PDP lost Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states through a legal war waged by candidates of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Labour Party (LP) respectively, making the PDP to lose the grip of the South-West geo-political zone, a situation that has made some political gladiators of the party to begin unleashing blackmail on the leadership of the Court of Appeal. Besides, penultimate week, the party caused some newspapers to publish purported call-logs of telephone conversations, where they claimed that some political associates of former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu engaged Justice Salami in telephone conversations while the election petitions of Osun and Ekiti lasted at the appeal court. However, the publication rolled out names of some lawyers, one of them, Akintola, alleging that they spoke to the PCA on behalf of the ACN candidates with Justice Salami with a view to obtaining verdict in their favour. A legal action instituted by Akintola with six lawyers to be led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the Ibadan legal luminary argued that he never spoke to the President of the cout of appeal while his case was before the Court of Second instance, insisting that he was out to teach the duo of Ojo-Williams and Oni a lesson of their lives. According to him: "Segun Oni of all people disappointed me, because, I thought he ought to be more civil in his approach to issues, because he ought to be aware that I handled briefs for my clients across the party divides, across the states. But once they have chosen to play it rough, we shall meet in court to prove innocence". Investigations revealed that Ojo-Williams, the acting chairman of the PDP in Osun State was only acting the script of aggrieved Senator Iyiola Omisore whose governorship bid has crashed irredeemably, as a result of the court judgment which had given Governor Rauf Aregbesola four years straight from last year November. Investigation further showed that immediately the court papers were served on Ojo-Williams, he quickly placed a call to his paymaster in Abuja, saying that Akintola has started his onslaught, demanding for huge funds that could be given to lawyers who would assist him. OSUN DEFENDER learnt that Omisore had ordered Mr. Kunle Kalejaiye, the Senior Advocate who was caught in a telephone call-logs scam while the election petition tribunal which was hearing the petition of the then AC governorship candidate, Mr. Aregbesola lasted to move into action; specifically demand his assistance for Ojo-Williams, promising to make funds available for the legal war. However, it has not been confirmed whether Omisore has made fund available. Speaking on the development, a legal practitioner, Mr. Shenge Ramon, stressed that the onus lies on the PDP politicians to prove their allegations with facts, saying that some personalities involved in the matter would not allow the matter to lie low, noting that Ojo-Williams and Oni would be shooting themselves in the legs if they fail to bring out foolproof to back up their allegations. He said: "There is no point hiding behind a finger again, because those guys who alleged the PCA and some justices of the Court of Appeal should come out with their proof now, a kind of make-believe call-logs to substantiate their claims, or else, I observe some people would not find it funny this time around, because we are all watching the scenario".

Osun Agric Scheme: Govt Reiterates Commitment To Farmers’ Welfare

Editors Online — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:03:30 +0000

By shina abubakar

Osun State government has reiterated its commitment to ensure that peasant farmers benefit from its agricultural policies which would commence this rainy season. This was disclosed by the Assistant Director (Community Forum), Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr Olatunbsun Oyintiloye at Town Hall meetings held at Ijebu-Jesa and Ibokun, Headquarters of Oriade and Obokun Local Governments Council Areas of the state, on Monday. The assistant director stated that apart from the mechanised farming of the state government where a thousand hectares of land would be required from each local government council area across the state, government was willing to assist peasant farmers to encourage farming among the rural dwellers. Oyintiloye added that the administration of Mr Rauf Aregbesola was dedicated to the welfare of the people, irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliations. According to him, this administration would not only redeem its pledge to the people who voted it into office, but would ensure that the socio-economic atmosphere in the state endear investors and improve its internally generated revenue. He admonished the people of the council areas to cooperate with their council chairmen in order for them (chairmen) to deliver dividends of democracy for all and sundry. "This government is relying on the cooperation of the good people of the state to succeed in all its laudable programmes and we believe that you will give us adequate support to enable us succeed in all our endeavours as a government," he stated. He also called on the monarchs from the council areas to continue to guide the politicians’ a right, with a view to delivering the needs of the people through their elderly counseling. Speaking at the hall meeting, the caretaker Chairman of Oriade Local Government, Honourable Taiwo Fatiregun disclosed that his administration was committed to the development of all the communities in the local government. He added that he would collaborate with the department of agriculture in the council to ensure that farmers in the various communities in the council benefitted from the state agricultural scheme, saying the people of the area were predominantly farmers. At Obokun Local Government Council Area, the Caretaker Chairman, Dr Olugbenga Ogunleye, disclosed that the farmers in his communities have prepared for the scheme and would not jeopardise efforts of the state government to make the state the food basket of the nation. He stated further that besides the state agricultural scheme, the council was also looking into revamping the skill acquisition centres in the council area, with a view to discouraging the youths in the communities from embarking on commercial motorcycling, which, according to him, has done more harm than good in their lives. Ogunleye further pledged to ensure that he informed the state governor on the plight of the people regarding pipe-borne water supply and the available resources to provide drinkable water in the area. Speaking at the gathering, the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, urged all the people of the local government to give their support to the present administration in the state, so as to enable them enjoy the dividends of democracy. He also called on politicians to be responsible to the electorate, who voted them into offices, by redeeming their campaign promises. He, however, on behalf of other monarchs in the council area, pledged the support of the people in his domain to the present administration in the state, praying that both the state and local governments achieved its objectives. Also speaking on behalf of the women group, the Iyaloja of Ibokun, Chief (Mrs) Dorcas Odunniyi, stated that with the achievement of the state governor, it was certain that the present administration in the state would make the plight of the masses its major concern and would provide necessary solutions. She assured the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state of the support of the women group in the forth-coming elections in the council area The town hall meetings in the two local government council areas were widely attended by various groups in the communities, including women groups, Community Development Councils (CDC), Religious organisations and others. Other monarchs at the Obokun town hall meeting include the Owalare of Ilare, Owa Ooye of Ilowa, Oniponda of Iponda and others too numerous to mention.

Osun Ready To Partner With OAU - Aregbesola

Editors Online — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:08:38 +0000

By sola jacobs

Osun State Government is ready to partner with Obafemi Awolowo University, in order to revamp the educational sector in the state. This was the charge of the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, at the commissioning of the Natural History Museum located within the university campus last Thursday. The state governor, who was speaking through his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Laoye-Tomori enumerated the contributions of Obafemi Awolowo University to the educational development in the country and promised that the door of the state government was opened twenty four hours for the authority of the university so as to realise his dream in moving the all-important education sector ahead in the country. Also speaking at the event, Dr Anastasios Paul Leventis, the donor of the facility, in his lecture: "Our Environment at Risk" enunciated the risks associated with loss of biodiversity and destruction of ecosystems. He ascertained that the self-evident risks and looming problems caused by fundamental changes in the environment and in our climate not only undermined the benefit, and pleasures derived from biodiversity by human but which, if not stemmed, could well threaten the sustainability of life itself. Dr Leventis said the change in our climate condition has taken its toll the production of food and animal for the teeming populace of the country. He also stated the contribution of the Leventis foundation to increase the production of food in the country by establishing agricultural training schools both in Ilesa, Osun State and Dogon Dawa in Kaduna State. There are now six of such schools in Nigeria and the schools exists to train young farmers, men and women in efficient farm management and in improved agricultural practices to protect soil fertility, which include inter-cropping and corporation. In his contribution, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, lauded the Leventis family for their contributions to the development of both natural and human resources in Nigeria. The monarch specifically made mention that the training he had received from the Leventis family in the 50’s had made him what he is today. The vice chancellor of the university Professor Michael Faborode, in his chat with the medium said the Leventis Foundation spent about N201 million naira to complete the project. He continued that though the project had started in the last twenty six years, but it was abandoned by the university management due to financial constraint before the Leventis Foundation agreed to complete it. The commissioning was witnessed by students, traditional rulers and intellectuals in the university.

Court Injunctions And April Polls

Editors Online — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:27:34 +0000

Stakeholders have expressed concern that the spate of different court injunctions may affect the general elections slated for April, Jayeola Oyekan writes. Defining the role of the judiciary in a democracy is a very difficult adventure as democracy itself can rarely be said to contain a natural or intrinsic role of the judiciary. Hence, the role of the judiciary in advanced democracies as the United States. The United Kingdom and Australia to mention a few are substantially different from the role of the judiciary in modern democracies. According to a learned scholar. "The French Revolution assigned to judges in France a function very different from the function assigned to the English judges by what is sometimes called the Glorious Revolution". However, various scholars who have had the opportunity to write on the role of judges in a democracy agreed that the role played by judges in a given country or a society is discernible by not only what the judges in that society do but how they do it. In other words judicial style dictates the role of the judiciary. There is also a common agreement that judiciary in a modern democracy plays very crucial roles: that apart from protecting individual liberty and freedom. it maintains checks and balances on the powers of the legislative and executive branches of government. In the past two and half decades, the Nigerian judiciary has been plagued by several problems and challenges that seem to question its role and style in our nascent democracy. One of such challenges that have become a very serious albatross is reckless nature of its judicial activism and the way judges exercise their discretions in granting injunctions. One subject that clearly reflects public interest is election: there is a general resentment against the judiciary tampering with electoral process even though; there are clearly some situations where public interest also demands that injunctions be granted in certain extreme situations. However, the strong public interest in having elections go forward unhindered usually outweighs the granting of injunctions that may delay elections: and if the court must exercise this equitable remedy, efforts must be made by the courts to ensure that injunctions are rarely granted and that courts do not become a market place for deciding political and electoral questions. It is therefore; improper for courts to unduly interfere with the April 2011 general elections as such an exercise will encroach on the voting rights of Nigerians and violate the Electoral Act, 2011. Very few Nigerians would forget the late Justice Bassey Ikpeme who was used by the former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida to set the agenda for the eventual annulment of the June 12. 1993 Presidential election which the late Chief M.K.O Abiola convincingly won. Reports had it at that time that Justice Ikpeme who was a young judge of the Abuja High Court was influenced by the military to grant an injunction at midnight and under a candle light on the eve of the June 12 presidential election restraining the then National Electoral Commission from conducting the election despite the fact that the late judge knew that she had no jurisdiction to entertain the case brought before it by an amorphous organisation led by Arthur Nzeribe due to the "ouster clauses" in the electoral decree passed by the same military government. By this singular act of recklessness and judicial activism, the judge ruled that elections must not hold, thus setting the tone for the annulment of the most credible election in the political history of Nigeria. The Nigerian judiciary still has many judges whose present roles and styles in our democracy today are similar to the roles played by the late Justice lkpeme judging by the spate of injunctions and counter injunctions flying around the political space barely less than two months to the April general elections. Apart from the salutary effect on INEC who has been forced in many instances to display the names of candidates who were not presented by their parties to the commission in accordance with the Electoral Act, political parties and their members have also been disenfranchised and may be robbed of their rights by the judges who routinely grant injunctions in a reckless manner. Some of the candidates on the lists currently being displayed by INEC neither emerged winners in their party primaries nor participated in party primaries. Some even do not belong to any political parties but were able to secure court injunctions to compel the INEC to substitute their names with those that were validly nominated in any political parties of their choices! In some cases, after the party’s primaries were concluded and the party announced a candidate, an aspirant who did not win would go to court and obtain a court order compelling the INEC to recognise him; rather than moving to vacate the order, the candidate that won would rush to another Court to procure a counter order directing the INEC to publish his name. While INEC is groaning under the weight of judicial activism and questionable injunctions, political parties are yet to commence campaigns in several states for the same reason. hi the same vicious cycle, the general public have been deprived the opportunity of assessing the candidates in order to assist them in making informed decisions ahead of the general elections that would assist them to vote for the right candidates. In short, these injunctions are aimed at promoting rule of chaos as opposed to the rule of law. As at today, the INEC may have received well over 100 injunctions and’ orders either stopping the electoral body from including some candidate on its list or substitute the names with some others who in many cases are even unknown to the political parties. The INEC Commissioner for Legal Services, Mr. Philip Umeadi (Jnr.), while reacting to the sad developments by our judges in one of the National dailies recently, admitted tl1at the trend was precarious and might portend a serious threat to the forthcoming elections. Cautioning the judiciary, the commissioner who himself is being accused of high handedness with the way he picks and chooses which of the court orders should be obeyed by the INEC, warned the judiciary against allowing itself to be used by politicians to rubbish its integrity and image. Umeadi also confirmed to a national newspaper that the fears being expressed in certain quarters about the deluge of court orders derailing the election were real. Quoting from the newspaper. Umeadi said: "As today (three weeks ago), orders are still being served and information available to us from some of the courts indicate a number of cases waiting to be assigned to judges, which would be heard and of course ex parte orders compelling INEC to do one thing or another would be expected. But I can assure you, we will go ahead with the publication of the candidates’ list. In our books, we have noted some of the areas where there are concerns in most of the states. and we also appreciate the fact that most of the cases are still pending. I make particular reference to the one in Enugu State, which is pending. I also note the one in Ogun State, which is pending. So, I think at the end of the day, we should be able to sieve all these cases and have a clearer picture Honestly, the fear that the avalanche of court cases can derail the April elections is real". Umeadi did not just mention Enugu and Ogun states cases in isolation; they both present very pathetic examples of the race by the judiciary to threaten the forthcoming elections. Ironically both cases involves the People’s Democratic Party and they are ~ Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal Court, Abuja. ruling People’s Democratic Party and they are before Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The National Legal Adviser of the PDP after the successful conduct of the primary of the party in Enugu State had submitted the name of its governorship candidate, Governor Sullivan Chime for publication. In an ex-parte application brought by one of the governorship aspirants, Mr Anayo Onwegbu, and 38 others, Justice Abdul Kafarati granted an order restraining INEC from accepting or validating Chime’s name as the party’s standard bearer for the governorship poll. Justice Kafarati also ordered the PDP not to submit the name of Chime as its candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in the state, pending the determination of an action challenging his alleged nomination. Fortunately, at the resumed hearing on January 16, 2011, Justice Kafarati vacated the order. Lawyer to INEC, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), had argued that if the interim order was not vacated, it might affect the chances of the PDP fielding a governorship candidate for the April poll in Enugu State. The case of Ogun State is similar in all particular materials with that of Enugu State. From the motion to vacate the order of Justice Kafarati dated January 26, 2011 and brought by Mr. Lateef Fagemi (SAN)on behalf of the PDP National Secretariat and other newspaper reports, the party held its primaries in Ogun State between January and February 2011 where the party’s candidates emerged and the names submitted to INEC. However, a section of the party in the state led by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo who either did not participate in the party’s by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo who either did not participate in the party’s primaries or lost the party’s nominations approached the court for an order substituting the list of names of the validly nominated candidates which contained the name of Mrs. Lola Abiola-Edewor, daughter of the winner of the 1993 presidential elections, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, with a list of people who did not participate in the primaries including the name of Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of ex-President Obasanjo. Justice Kafarati granted the order and compelled the INEC to substitute the PDP list with the list of Obasanjo’s candidates. The National Secretariat of the PDP had disowned the list and challenged Kafarati’s order, informing the judge also that he was misled by the Obasanjo faction to obtain the order. The motion to vacate which was filed about three weeks ago is still pending before the Justice Kafarati thereby presenting a cloud of uncertainty over the fate of the PDP in Ogun State. As the general elections are drawing near, our courts must work round the clock to remedy these situations by vacating their conflicting orders thereby reassuring the general public that the country is not about witnessing yet another late Justice Ikpeme’s situation. Effective dispensation of justice and public confidence is vital to the role of the judiciary in a democracy. According to the Hon. Murray Gleeson, the then Chief Justice of New South Wales in a public lecture entitled: "The role of the judiciary in A Modern Democracy" which he delivered at the annual judicial conference of Australia in 1997: "A great deal of public money is invested in courts, and the community is entitled to demand that they be administered efficiently and effectively. The public are entitled to expect that individual judges will do their work efficiently, as well as fairly, will manage cases with ‘due regard to considerations of economy, and will deliver judgments reasonably promptly" . •Oyekan sent this material from Abuja.

CODER, Afenifere Flay PDP Over Bode George

Editors Online — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:38:52 +0000

The Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER) and Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) have criticised leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for holding a reception in honour of Chief Olabode George, after his release from prison. They said the red carpet treatment for the ex-convict may have conveyed a wrong impression to youths that crime pays. The convener of CODER, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, and ARG chieftain Mr. Dipo Famakinwa said PDP leaders and government officials that attended the reception were insensitive to public opinion. Opadokun said the event was a celebration of corruption by PDP. He said: "The PDP has boldly declared that corruption is at the centre of public policy. Given the kind of reception organised for Bode George, I dare say that a negative impression has been passed to the youths that crime pays. "It is against Yoruba tradition and culture for a rogue-someone who steals, a criminal-to be treated like a decent person. He should be treated as an outcast. Usually, only a few people would even associate with him. I feel terribly bad that his friends and confederates have continued to lie and present the criminal trial and conviction as politically motivated." Opadokun praised the priest, who officiated at the Cathedral Church, Lagos, for advising George to learn from his incarceration and shun corruption in the future. He said the presence of PDP governors, ministers and chieftains at the reception conveyed the impression that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration cannot fight corruption. Opadokun said: "The administration is hypocritical and deceptive. In a society where government officials are pleasure lovers, they cannot meet the aspirations of the people." Famakinwa said: "The celebration of Bode George is a shame to the nation. It is a big slap on Nigerians, a debasement of our values. Now is the time to liberate the country from the likes of George. It was a shameless gathering and George should seek forgiveness from the nation." Yesterday the PDP lashed the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) for condemning its actions Its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), in a statement in Abuja, described them as petty. The statement reads: "The attention of the PDP has been drawn to media statements credited to the ACN and CPC, in which our party was unjustly condemned for the spontaneous actions of friends, family and supporters of Chief Olabode George, following his release from prison. "We have always expected these parties to misrepresent facts regarding our party, especially as the April elections draw near. "But at no time did we expect them to stoop so low, as to turn the personal tragedy of George into a vote seeking melo-drama. "It is on record, that George, a PDP leader and former Deputy National Chairman, South, was tried and convicted under a PDP government, as part of its anti-corruption war. "This fact speaks volume of our party’s commitment to the war against corruption. "We challenge the ACN and the CPC, whose foundations were built on corruption and conflict, to show evidence that they have ever punished any of their members for corruption. "Having served his term, George retains his right to freedom of association and must not be denied this, especially by people, who ordinarily should share the same fate as him. "For the avoidance of doubt, the thanks giving service for George was by me his family, friends and well-wishers. "The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during Jonathan’s administration has recorded the highest confiscation of assets of corrupt public officers. More than N800 billion have been recovered from the banking sector. "If the ACN needs reminding, its presidential candidate, Nuhu Ribadu, is the product of the PDP’s anti-graft war."

Fayemi Hails Obama’s Appointment Of Ekiti Indigene Into Cancer Advisory Board

Editors Online — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:43:34 +0000

GOVERNOR Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has hailed the appointment of an indigene of the state, Professor (Mrs) Olufunmilayo Falusi Olopade, into the United States National Cancer Advisory Board. Professor Olopade, who is from Ire-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of the state, was among six individuals appointed into key administration posts last Thursday by President Barack Obama. She is an authority on cancer risk assessment, prevention, and individualised treatment based on risk factors and quality of life, and also a practising clinician and director of the University of Chicago’s Cancer Risk Clinic. In a statement, on Sunday, signed his Special Adviser (Media), Mojeed Jamiu, Fayemi said Olopade’s appointment bore eloquent testimony to academic and professional excellence Ekitis were renowned for worldwide. The governor, who noted that Olopade’s appointment had gone a long way in placing the name of Ekiti State on the world map, also promised to collaborate with Ekiti in Diaspora to develop the state in the key sectors of economy. Fayemi explained that the feat achieved by the Ire-Ekiti born medical professor would go a long way in motivating the young ones and other Ekiti professionals to strive towards attaining excellence in whatever fields they found themselves. The governor expressed optimism that Olopade’s appointment into the cancer advisory board would help reduce the scourge, which he noted had assumed an alarming level even in Third World countries like Nigeria. Professor Olopade, is a Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics, Associate Dean for Global Health, and Director of the Centre for Clinical Cancer Genetics at the University of Chi

Mimiko Inaugurates N350m Projects

Editors Online — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:57:46 +0000

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, yesterday, inaugurated N350 million community projects. The projects are part of the Quick Win Confidence building projects of the Mimiko administration. They are sited in Akure South, Idanre, Ondo East and Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo local government areas. Mimiko told the benefiting communities that he would meet their needs He said: "For many years, we have shared the vision that we can take this state to the next level and with determination, we can do it. ‘’Gone are the days that government determines and dictates the infrastructure for communities without knowing what they desire. ‘’Ondo State will, in no distant future, become the benchmark for community development in Nigeria. "Whatever efforts any government is making, at the end of the day, what matters most is the welfare of the people. ‘’That is why I am appealing to our people to ensure that there is peace in the land before, during and after the elections in April. ‘’This country will be better for it if stakeholders in the electoral process, especially INEC, security agencies and others make efforts and be committed to ensuring credible elections that will earn Nigeria respect in the comity of democratic nations." Mimiko also performed the ground-breaking of five other projects in Ondo West and Ile Oluji-Okeigbo local government areas.

Obasanjo's faction wins another round

Editors Online — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 07:13:06 +0000

By Gowon Emokpe and Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji Former President Olusegun Obasanjo's faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State yesterday won another round in the battle on who will fly the party's flag in next month's elections. A Federal High Court in Abuja declared Adetunji Olurin, the "authentic candidate" for the governorship elections in the state. Abdul Kafarati, the presiding judge, added that the Governor Gbenga Daniel-led faction has been dissolved by the national working committee of the party and the court. The Obasanjo faction had secured a court injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP from accepting or acting upon the results of the primaries conducted by Mr. Daniel's faction, pending the determination of the substantive suit filed on the matter. The two factions had conducted parallel governorship and National Assembly primaries that led to the emergence of different winners. While Isiaka Gboyega emerged from the Daniel camp, Mr. Olurin emerged from the Obasanjo faction. Ruling on the motion filed by Mr. Olurin and others with INEC and PDP as respondents, the court restrained INEC and PDP "from announcing or making any pronouncement validating the result of the primaries/congresses conducted in the Ogun State pending the hearing of the originating summons" in the case. This ends the crisis over who will be the governorship candidate of the party at the April elections after two candidates were fielded by the factions. In his argument, the PDP counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, said that the Joju Fadairo-led executive is the "authentic" executive of the party in Ogun State, saddled with the responsibility of conducting primary elections. Mr. Fagbemi subsequently urged the court to recognise the primary elections conducted by the factional chairman, Mr. Fadairo, on the ground that a judgment delivered by an Ogun State High Court recognised him as the chairman. But counsel to Mr. Olurin, Olagoke Fakunle, however, told the court to discountenance the submissions of Mr. Fagbemi on the ground that the Fadairo-led executive conducted an illegal primary election in violation of a subsisting court order which sacked him. Mr. Fakunle, therefore, asked the court to dismiss Mr. Fagbemi's arguments and uphold Mr. Olurin as the validly elected governorship candidate of the party in Ogun State. Mr. Kafarati, in his judgment, said that the Fadairo-led executive of the state stands dissolved, following an order of a Federal High Court in Lagos confirming the dissolution. He added that the injunction granted against it by the court from parading itself as the executive of the state PDP had not been vacated. According to him, the court injunction granted to the Fadairo faction by a high court in Abeokuta in August 2010 was not necessary and cannot be binding on the plaintiff since the act had already been completed, and there is an appeal against it. "The dissolution of the Fadairo-led executive was done through a letter in May while the injunction restraining the PDP from dissolving the Fadairo faction was granted in August 2010. "The plaintiffs could not have been expected to participate in the congress conducted by the Fadairo faction. There was a high court order made against the Fadairo faction. The order still subsists since it has not been set aside," Mr. Kafarati said. Dissatisfied with the judgment, the PDP filed a notice of appeal at the Appeal Court, Abuja, challenging the court decision. Mr. Fagbemi averred that the trial judge erred in law in granting the claim of the plaintiffs. ‘No victor, no vanquished' Meanwhile, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the Obasanjo faction erupted in celebration at its secretariat in Onikolobo shortly after the news of the judgment broke. Sina Kawonise, the information and strategy commissioner, declined comments when contacted on the judgment: "It is a party matter, you may call the party people and their lawyers." But the media aide to Gboyega Isiaka, Bolaji Adeniji, confirmed that his faction will appeal, boasting that the other faction will not get away with the judgment. "The Olurin group will not go away with it, as the judgment does not align with the argument posited by its team of lawyers. The judgment came as a surprise," Mr. Adeniji said. Mr. Olurin, however, said "no victor, no vanquished" in his reaction. Speaking with journalists in Abeokuta, he also expressed readiness to embrace aggrieved party members and work assiduously for PDP to win the elections. "Now that we got the judgment, it does not mean I am a victor and the other is a loser. It is no victor and no vanquished. I will personally do everything possible to meet others collectively and individually. I am in a very good tune to work together with others to ensure that our party emerges victorious in the forthcoming elections," Mr. Olurin said.

I got tricked to attend Bode George reception, says Obasanjo

Editors Online — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 22:03:34 +0000

By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday revealed that he was tricked to attend the reception ceremony recently held in honour of Bode George who regained freedom after completing a two year jail term. Mr Obasanjo made this known in an interview with newsmen while preparing for his 74 birthday anniversary at his Hilltop Private residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, scheduled to hold today (Saturday). He stressed that his attendance of the event was totally in error. "You got it wrong again. I was not part of the celebration of Bode Goerge. He sent a passionate message to me from prison urging me to attend a family church thanksgiving and I believe that for whatever any family is giving thanks in the church or in the mosque and he invites me and I am able to go there, I will go there, whether it is for marriage, for burial, house warming or christening a child." Mr Obasanjo said. "But when I got to the church, the atmosphere I found was more than a family affair. And I even took the opportunity to ask the state PDP Chairman that, ‘is this a PDP affair?’ And he told me it was not a PDP affair. "Because I don’t see what PDP as a national party, as a party that is trying to form a government in Lagos State, as a party that formed government at the national level and in at least 27 states in the country, would be celebrating criminality because whatever we may say, the reason Bode went to prison should be condemned by everybody. "And I have condemned it but he did not go to prison for political offence. If he had been sent to prison for political offence, then he comes back and all his political associates may get round him and PDP must do something noble and wholesome but in this case, PDP as a party must dissociate itself from celebrating criminality. "When I asked the state chairman, he said ‘well, you know Area Boys, they do hijack these things.’ If it’s Area Boys, leave it to the Area Boys and not to PDP," the party’s board of trustee chairman emphasised. On the Federal Court judgement which pronounced Tunji Olurin as the party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Mr Obasanjo said: "Don’t forget that PDP is a family; there may be a little misunderstanding but we have to go to court for adjudication; the court adjudicates but as soon as possible, the family should come together and forge ahead. "PDP nationally is a family; zonally is a family; state-wise it is a family; local government wise, it is a family; so the members in Ogun State should put behind them whatever might be their bone of contention." He said he had equally told Mr Olurin to extend his hand of fellowship to other people. "I have told him to set up a reconciliation committee. I am the Chairman of BOT of the PDP. As the Chairman of the BOT, I am supposed to be the conscience of the party. Whatever be the rift, I am supposed to find amicable settlement. I have done it in other states, why not in my state?" Mr Obasanjo explained.

ACN: No room for PDP in Southwest

Editors Online — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 11:21:55 +0000

Emmanuel Oladesu and Miriam Ndiankwu The campaign train of the Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N) rolled into Lagos State yesterday, with the leaders of the party vowing to totally liberate the Southwest geo-political zone from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the April general elections. Party leaders, including the National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola chided the ruling party at the centre for intimidating the opposition, warning that the people of the zone would insist on one man and one vote and defend their votes during the election. Akande chided the PDP leaders for bad manners, contending that ACN is the only credible alternative to the inept PDP government. Former Lagos State governor, Tinubu also took a swipe at the PDP, which he accused of leading the country astray, saying that "PDP government is a government of the greedy by the greedy and for the greedy.’ Dismissing the PDP’s threat to capture Lagos State in April polls, Senator Tinubu said the party only deserves zero vote in the state. It was at a carnival-like rally held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, and witnessed by a massive crowd of party supporters from the pre-existing 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Tagged ‘ACN rally for continuity of excellence’, the campaign was also attended by the party’s presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who introduced his running mate, Mr Fola Adeola, an accomplished banker and administrator, to the party faithful. As from 7 am, thousands of party supporters who adorned various branded party uniforms and fez caps thronged the venue, waving their brooms, the symbol of the party, and dancing to the musical tunes of the ace fuji maestro, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde. Posters and banners of the party’s candidates for the general elections competed for spaces on the walls of adjoining streets and the venue of the campaign. Itinerant drummers, Boys Brigade Band and singing train of women and youths entertained party leaders who had taken their seats before noon. At the rally were Deputy Governor Sarah Sosan, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Chief Busura Alebiosu, Alhaji Akanni Seriki Bamu, Chief Adesye Amingo, Col. Rafiu Ajala (rtd), Primate Charles Odugbesi, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus, Chief Kola Oseni, Mrs Kemi Nelson, Hon. James Faleke, Pa Abiodun Sunmola, Hon. Toun Adediran, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Alhaja Abiola Williams, Hon. Wale Edun, Prof. Tunde Samuel, Hon. Kenny Okunmuyide, Chief funso Ologunde, and Mr. Boss Mustapha. Senatorial, House of Representatives and Assembly candidates at the venue included Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Alhaji Gbenga Ashafa, Lanre Odubote, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Ajibayo Adeyeye, Dayo Alebiosu, Ganiyu Hamzat, Kolawole Taiwo, Funmi Tejuoso, Kako Aare, Bisi Yusuf, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai and Deji Jakande. Also at the campaign were Hon. Kayode Opeifa, Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye, Ademoorin Kuye, Jokotola Pelumi, Senator Tony Adefuye, Segun Mayegun, Kunle Odufuwa, Oyinlomo Danmole, Tunji Bello, Segun Ayobolu, Idowu Obasa, Dr Sina Fawole, Sola Iji, Kaoli Olusanya and Yoyin Hamzat. In the mood of excitement were various clubs, societies and ethnic groups supporting the second term ambition of Governor Fashola, including ‘Arewa for AC N’, led by Alhaji Ahmed Tijani and Mallam Chedo, ‘Igbo for AC N’ led by Chief Chris Ekwilo, ‘Babatunde Raji Fashola for Governor Again’ led by Comrade Rasak Olokoba, ‘Lagos Middle Belt Group for Fashola’, and ‘Lagos Southsouth Youths for ACN’. At the rally, ACN expanded its coast to accommodate defectors from the PDP. The defectors, who came from 13 local governments were led by Dr Adesola Taiwo, Chief Wale Mogaji, the Ajiroba of Epe and former PDP secretary in the state, Ademola Adedokun, and Kehinde Afolabi. Amid funfair, the defectors tore their party cards as they received ACN flag from the Lagos State ACN chairman, Chief Dele Ajomale, who described them as re-responsible Lagosians. The campaign kicked-off at 1.40 pm with a Christian opening prayer by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Joe Igbokwe and Muslim prayer by Pa Hamzat Olatunji, a party leader from Lagos West Senatorial District. Chief Ajomale, who welcomed the party faithful, described ACN as "the most progressive, reliable and sought-after party in Nigeria", thanking the supporters for rekindling their faith in the party. Akande, who presented the party’s flag to Fashola, who was accompanied by his wife, Abimbola and running mate, Hon. Joke Orelope-Adefulire, enjoined Lagosians to reject the PDP during the forth-coming elections. "I present to you the flag of power, success and best wishes’, said the National Chairman, who also did the same thing for the senatorial candidates- Mrs Tinubu (Lagos Central), Solomon (West) and Ashafa (East), amid jubilations by their supporters . Ribadu, who was described by Hon. Bello as a man of honesty, honour and transparency, hailed the huge turn-out, saying: "This is a great day. This is a wonderful day." He congratulated Governor Fashola for his feats in Lagos State, pointing out that the state has witnessed a lot of progressive changes. The presidential candidate, who started his career as a policeman in the state, promised to replicate what Fashola has done in Lagos, if elected as president. He observed that Fashola was able to serve Lagosians with his knowledge and experience because ACN gave opportunities for youths to excel. Ribadu said: "Change has come to Nigeria. You have seen changes in Lagos. It will spread across Nigeria. Fashola and I have many things in common. We are lawyers, youths and technocrats. ACN is giving young men and women opportunities to prove themselves. I know how Lagos was before. Lagos has changed. Lagos is the pride of Nigeria. We are going to bring change to Nigeria. "ACN has a team of performers, not selfish people. PDP is the problem. They will promise and fail. It is time for PDP to give way." Ribadu’s running mate, Adeola, who spoke in Yoruba, rendered a song, after which he enjoined Lagosians to re-endorse governor Fashola at the polls. Turning to the crowd, he added: "Governor Fashola has worked for Lagos in four years. You have enjoyed him. He is the salt of Lagos. Lagos government is an example. As you voted for him in 2007, vote for him again in April 2011." Tinubu, who hailed the youths several times, said that the ACN is youth-friendly, judging by its decision to field Ribadu and Fashola for the elections. He thanked party members for their unrelenting support and faith in the party, promising that the governor would not let them down after voting for him. Tinubu said: "Four years ago, I brought a young man before you. I brought you a youth; brilliant, sharp youth. You asked: who is he? I answered that his name is Babatunde Raji Fashola, a son of ours, a SAN with a sound mind. I recommended him. Today, I am greatly honoured. You voted for him. The PDP herbalist and liars failed in their threat to capture Lagos. "A week ago, they came to Lagos with rodents, cockroaches, and ants. The Poverty Development Party cannot capture anywhere in the southwest, not to talk of Lagos. Are you not ready to defend your votes? We are proud of Fashola. He has served a great purpose." "I am proud. Their own leader left a legacy of failure, inefficiency, and defective leadership. Lagos is changing every day; Lagos is a dynamic city. A man of competence is giving you great service." Tinubu berated the PDP federal government for attempting to cripple the additional 37 councils in the state. He said, despite the seizure of the council funds, the newly created councils, which survived the onslaught, have continued to live up to expectation. "PDP government is the government of the greedy, for the greedy and by the greedy. Obasanjo totally rejected the responsibility of offering good leadership for the country. Lagos came with the IPP Project to help the business community. They hijacked it. PDP leaders are wicked, greedy and selfish," he added. The former governor advised the crowd to keep their voters’ card, saying that "it is the secret of salvation. It is the secret of success." "Don’t let anybody intimidate you. In Lagos, we will not fear anybody. We will do everything to ensure the success of our candidates.

Jonathan’s advisers under pressure to quit

Editors Online — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 11:25:40 +0000

By Yusuf Alli

Fresh facts emerged yesterday that there is pressure on some members of the Presidential Advisory Council(PAC) to quit the group following disagreement over the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to run in the April election. It was learnt that those who opposed Jonathan’s bid for the presidency may leave PAC after the April poll. The PAC, which is headed by a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophillus Danjuma (rtd), was inaugurated on March 5, 2010. It was raised by the President to advise his government on key policy issues and directions in view of the controversy that trailed Jonathan’s emergence as acting President and later as the nation’s number one leader. But when the President offered to seek a fresh mandate in April, some members of the PAC, described as ‘young elements’, opposed his aspiration. Worried by the rejection of their advice, these young elements had decided to leave PAC. Investigation, however, showed that some elderly members of the PAC had prevailed on the young elements not to quit now. A top source in PAC said: "Some influential members of PAC had advised the President, before he declared, not to run for the presidency. They wanted him to complete only the tenure of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. "But the President said he would consider the advice and weigh options. "His ambition does not enjoy the support of many members but he later decided to give his aspiration a trial. "The young elements in PAC are still insisting on their point that the President has no business with April presidential poll. "Following Jonathan’s insistence, they chose to opt out of PAC because they claimed that their relevance has been called to question. "The presidency does not want them to leave because of the backlash on the President’s campaign. "Also, elders in the council warned members who wanted to leave that their exit might be misinterpreted politically and it may take a partisan dimension. "There were fears that the council might also split along political divides over the President’s ambition which would not augur well for the objectives behind the inauguration of PAC. "Although some members of PAC like Fola Adeola, Bamanga Tukur, Chibudom Nwuche, and M.D. Yusuf, had already taken a position on April poll, the leadership of the council has been trying to manage the situation to avert any major split. "So, they prevailed on the younger ones to remain and allow the tenure of this current administration to end." Another PAC member said: "We were asked not to quit because if there is any major political crisis, the council will be in the best position to address it. "So we have heeded the advice of the elders. But after the poll, some of us will quit because there is no point remaining in a council where your advice does not count. "Look at the 2011 Budget, 60 per cent of it is voted for recurrent expenditure and 40 per cent for capital estimates. "Is there anywhere in the world you have that kind of budget. We have given advice but they seem not to accept it on the budget." Besides Danjuma, other members of the council are a foremost constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze (Deputy Chairman); ACN Vice-Presidential candidate, Mr. Fola Adeola; Mallam Abubakar Gimba; a former Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr. Basil Omiyi; a former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji M. D. Yusuf; a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Amb. G. B. Preware; Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji, and Mr. Kase Lawal. Others are Mallam Muhammed Hayatuddeen; a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore; Hon. Chibudom Nwuche; Mrs. Mobolaji Johnson; Hajiya Halita Aliyu; Alhaji Magaji Danbatta; Prof. B. G. Bajoga; Dr. (Mrs.) Sally Bolujoko; Mrs. Mariam Uwais , and Chief Kanu Agabi. Others are Dr. Bamanga Tukur; Alhaji Ismaila Isa; Prof. Shehu Said Sarinwata, and Dr. Simon C. Okolo, the Chairman, National Economic Summit Group, and the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation( Secretary).

ACTION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA USA CHAPTER

Editors Online — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 06:59:19 +0000

Motto: Justice, Peace & Prosperity ACN: Democracy for Justice P.O. BOX 29356, WASHINGTON, DC 20017 Email: actioncongressofnigeriausa@yahoo.com PRESS RELEASE February 25, 2011 WASHINGTON, DC USA ACN-USA ENDORSES AKANDE AND RIBADU AS IT ELECTS NEW OFFICERS AT ITS 2011 CONVENTION IN ATLANTA USA The Action Congress of Nigeria, United States Chapter at its National Convention held in Atlanta Georgia on Saturday, February 12, 2011 endorsed the Chief Bisi Akande led National Executive Committee of the party that emerged at the Benin Convention. ACN-USA also endorsed the presidential primary in Lagos at which Mallam Nuhu Ribadu emerged as the presidential candidate of ACN. ACN-USA noted the rising profile and gains of ACN and attributed them to the focused, principled and progressive leadership of Chief Bisi Akande, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other national and state leaders of the party. ACN-USA calls for free and fair elections in April 2011 and urged Nigerians to vote for change and progress by voting Mallam Ribadu and all ACN candidates to power. ACN-USA convention was heralded by the National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akanda who used the occasion to explain and assert the nomination process employed by the party in picking its candidates for the April 2011 elections. In his address titled “Candidate nominations by political parties in a democracy“, Chief Akande presented a studied comparison of the varied processes employed by political parties in several countries practicing electoral democratic form of governance. He noted that there was no uniform process of picking candidates as each party does so under a set rules and defined nominating processes. He demonstrated that even within countries, parties differed in the method they employed in selecting their candidates. He pointed out that in every case, each party has the responsibility of presenting candidates who would represent their interest and are loyal to the party and its ideals. He maintained that ACN’s nominating process will continue to evolve and charged members of ACN-USA to study the ways the process can continually be improved and make recommendations to the party. Also addressing the Convention was Otunba Henry Ajomale, Chairman, ACN-Lagos State, who brought the goodwill of the ACN Governors and the States Chapter Chairmen, commended ACN-USA members for committing to raising the flag of ACN in North America. He enumerated the sterling performances of the ACN Governors in Lagos and Edo States, and asserted with emphasis that the same is bound to hold in Ekiti and Osun States. He maintained that ACN is bent on turning the “brain drain” from Nigeria in to “brain gain” as the party would not shy away from seeking, welcoming and deploying the abundant reservoir of knowledge, talents, skills and experiences present at the convention. He acknowledged the dedication and performance of ACN-USA members who have joined the governing team in Lagos and Edo and insisted that the same level of dedication and performance is envisaged from those joining ACN governments in Ekiti and Osun. A profile of the party’s flag bearer in April 2011 Presidential Election, Malam Nuhu Ribadu was presented by Dr. Dawudu who saluted the qualities and character of Malam Ribadu. He urged the convention to gear up to work to elect our candidate as the next President of Nigeria and to be ready to receive our candidate when the Presidential Campaign train comes to North America. The Convention also welcomed representation from the leadership of the party in Nigeria and delegates from other Diaspora Chapters including the United Kingdom and South Africa. The convention was also addressed by Chief Olu Adeuyan, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Media and Mr. Kayode Opeifa, a pioneer member of ACN-USA and Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Transportation. Earlier In his address, ACN-USA chairman, Tony Ike Isama, acknowledged the services of the out going Executive and thanked them for being steadfast in preserving ACN-USA and upholding discipline amongst its ranks. He called on Federal Government and INEC to ensure a free and fair elections and promised that ACN-USA will deploy all its resources to monitor the April 2011 elections and expose to the whole world any irregularities that may be discovered. The Convention produced new officers to lead ACN-USA for two years. The officers are: Tony Ike Isama (re-elected overwhelmingly as the Chairman), Adesegun Labinjo (Deputy Chairman), Kunle Oshunlalu (National Secretary), Femi King (PRO), Ayo Olashege (Financial Secretary), Felicity Mbanefo (Woman Leader), Alade Williams (Treasurer) and Henry Adesanya (Organizing Secretary). The Convention was concluded with a dinner party, celebrating the ACN recent victories in Edo, Ekiti and Osun States. Recognition awards were presented to all ACN Governors as well as to ACN leaders including Chief Bisi Akande, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr. Chris Ngige, Otunba ‘Dele Ajomale, Oloye Lekan Awojoodu and Barrister Dele Alade. The The convention was attended by ACN members across USA and beyond including the Convention Chairman, Barrister Dele Alade, Oloye Lekan Awojoodu, Dr. Andrew Anugwom, Dr. ‘Biodun Dada, Mr. Kunle Masha, Mr. Femi Akande, Mr. Friedry Nwoghiren, Mr. Lasisi Mohammed, Mr. Philip Ekeson, Mr. Musiliu Jibowu, Mr. Adeola Odusanya, Chief Emeka Malokwu, Dr. Babs Onabanjo, Hon. Shakirudeen Ayoade, Mr. Sesan Omomo, Mr. Tyrone Adeyemi, Mr. Charles Odiase, Mr. Dapo Ojuade and many others. Signed Femi King, Publicity Secretary

Daniel’s faction dumps PDP in battle for Ogun

Editors Online — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 07:19:43 +0000

By Yomi Odunuga, Abuja Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sank deeper into trouble at the weekend. Governor Gbenga Daniel’s faction, which has lost a fierce contest to present PDP’s candidates with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s group, has dumped the PDP for the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN). The governorship candidate of the faction, Alhaji Gboyega Isiaka, and his running mate, Mrs Joko Odebunmi, will run on the ticket of the PPN, it was learnt yesterday. All the candidates of the faction running for House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats, who were also excluded by the court from running on the ticket of the PDP, will run on the platform of the PPN. It was, however, gathered that Daniel, the daughter of the late Chief Moshood Abiola, Mrs Lola Abiola-Edewor, and House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole will remain in the PDP. Although Daniel and Mrs Abiola-Edewor, who are gunning for seats, were denied the tickets, the Obasanjo faction listed Bankole as its candidate for the Abeokuta South Federal Constituency seat. Daniel and Mrs Abiola-Edewor according to sources, will remain in the PDP "to fight the battle to a logical end". The group has appealed the judgment of Justice Abdu Kafarati, which affirmed the Obasanjo group’s governorship candidate, Chief Adetunji Olurin, as the PDP candidate. Daniel, at the weekend, described the Obasanjo group’s victory as "temporary" during a meeting with his supporters. He vowed to laugh last. Obasanjo has continued to pillory Daniel for poor performance. The PPN, in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Raheem Ajayi, said the party had endorsed Isiaka as its governorship candidate. It added that President Goodluck Jonathan is its presidential candidate. Ajayi expressed confidence that the people of the state were determined to vote for Isiaka and other PPN candidates next month. The statement reads: "The National Executive Council welcomes into its fold the good people of Ogun State. We are particularly happy to have with us eminent personalities with proven integrity who are ready to team up with PPN in the struggle for the emancipation of the Nigerian people. The new members are worthy people to be associated with because our party is democratic and decisions taken democratically. "PPN is aware of the unfortunate situation in most of the parties, especially in Ogun State PDP, where genuine candidates were robbed of their mandate, having won at the party primaries. We promise the people of Ogun State that what we stand for in PPN is justice, equity and fairness." Ogun State PDP had been split along the two factions before the primaries into various offices were held in January. Both factions held parallel congresses, although the congress by the Daniel faction was witnessed by the representatives of the national headquarters of the party as well as INEC officials. But the Obasanjo faction went to court to challenge the legality of the Daniel faction and its right to hold primaries. It claimed that the Joju Fadairo executive of the state PDP had been dissolved by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos following which a harmonised executive led by Chief Dayo Soremi, was put in place with the blessing of the national ;leadership of the party. Justice Kafarati of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja upheld the claim and gave an injunction stopping INEC from recognising the candidates’ list submitted by the Daniel faction. The two attempts made by the Daniel faction to lift the injunction failed before Justice Kafarati last week ruled that the Obasanjo group’s candidates were the authentic persons that the PDP should field.

‘Supreme Court judges took bribes to validate Yar'Adua/Jonathan election'

Editors Online — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 07:29:45 +0000

By Elor Nkereuwem

We had just had elections in 2007 that, by most accounts, were possibly worst ever, and the legitimacy of the presidential poll that the authorities had declared won by Umaru Yar'Adua and his running mate, Goodluck Jonathan, hung in the balance. Justices of our Supreme Court, the final arbiters of the disputed election, immediately became the objects of affection of interested politicians, who proceeded to shower them with cash to make sure they confirmed the legitimacy of the election of Messrs Yar'Adua and Jonathan, according to secret US diplomatic cables leaked to the whistleblower site Wikileaks and made available to NEXT. According to the cables, filed to Washington by then US ambassador to Abuja, Robin Sanders, the source of this information was none other than the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole. Following a two-hour meeting with Mr. Bankole on May 5, 2009, Ms. Sanders filed a report to the US State Department in which she said the House Speaker told her he had proof that the venerable justices were bought and paid for with cash supplied by the former governor of Delta State, James Ibori. According to Mr. Bankole, Mr. Ibori, a convicted criminal, who is being held in preventive detention in Dubai while awaiting extradition to London to face the latest in his many corruption trials, got the then newly appointed federal attorney general, Michael Aondoakaa, to serve as bag man, delivering the cash to the unnamed Supreme Court justices. Mr. Bankole also told the US ambassador that by accepting bribes to reach a legal condition favourable to President Yar'Adua and Vice President Jonathan, the supreme court justices had "tasted blood". The cables made exclusively available to NEXT are part of a cache of more than 250,000 US diplomatic reports leaked to Wikileaks, the whistleblower web site now under legal siege in Europe and whose work has caused major embarrassment for the US government. While the revelation from Mr. Bankole cannot be independently verified by NEXT, the cables themselves are indisputably authentic and the U.S government has never cast doubt on the accounts. On May 6, 2009, a day after the meeting with the Speaker, Ms. Sanders filed a report to her principals in Washington, detailing her interaction with Mr. Bankole, whom she described as "sometimes elusive, but certainly ego-driven." "Bankole claimed that he had proof that most of the judges had lined their pockets throughout the entire process of rerunning state elections, including the Supreme Court decision on President Yar'Adua's case in November 2008," the diplomatic cable read. ‘It is not true'When contacted on Sunday, Mr. Bankole did not deny that he had met with the US ambassador but claimed he was misquoted. "He could not have said what was attributed to him," Mr. Bankole's spokesman, Musa Ebhomhiana, said by telephone. "He is not an INEC official and could not have said that about the election. But how can you believe whatever Wikileaks says, given the damage it has been doing around the world?" On his part, Mr. Aondoakaa said Bankole's allegation is ‘rubbish'. "I don't know whether he really said that or why he said it," the former AGF said by telephone. "But let him come out in the open and say it. Then, I will know what to say or do." Mr. Aondoakaa denied that he passed bribes to the justices. "Yar'Adua is not a man who gives bribe, and Ibori did not give me a kobo to give to anybody. I didn't do anything like that." The justices involved in the case could not be reached on Sunday. When contacted, Sunday Olorundahunsi, the chief registrar at the Supreme Court who also doubles as spokesperson for our highest court, wouldn't comment on the statement credited to Mr. Bankole. Immediately our reporter posed his question to him via telephone, Mr. Olorundahunsi terminated the call. He did not answer subsequent calls. A former Chief Justice of the Nation, Muhammadu Uwais, declined comment on Mr. Bankole's comment, saying he had retired at the time the Supreme Court decided the case. Justices of the Supreme Court and other senior judges have lately been enveloped in the stench of another election scandal, in which senior judges have accused one another of manoeuvring to reassign judges in a way that friendly justices can determine the outcome of election cases. The 2007 presidential election was characterized by irregularities and violence and was rated by both international and domestic observers as the worst election ever held in the country. Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, two contestants, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) and Atiku Abubakar of the Action Congress (AC) dragged Mr. Yar'Adua to court, asking that the election be annulled. In February 2008, the Court of Appeal upheld the election. The appellants then took their case to the Supreme Court. The seven-member panel of the Supreme Court concurred with the appellate court in November that year. The four Judges who voted in favour of Mr. Yar'Adua were Legbo Kutigi, who was the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) at the time; Aloysius Katsina-Alu, the current CJN; Niki Tobi; and Dahiru Musdapher. Justices George Oguntade, Maryam Mukthar and Samuel Onnoghen, in a minority judgment, held that the election failed substantially to comply with the law. Bribing the JudgesAccording to Mr. Bankole, the cable reported, the late president was actively involved in the bribery process and made special arrangement to ensure that the judges swing judgment in his favour. Mr. Ibori was the money bag while Mr. Aondoakaa, was the conduit. Ms. Sanders explained that the disclosure by the Speaker was a confirmation of earlier reports the U.S. Mission in Nigeria had received regarding how the Supreme Court decision was manipulated to favour the late president and his then deputy (who is now president). "We had also heard during the entire Supreme Court process on the Yar'Adua case that the judges had been heavily influenced and paid off," Ms. Sanders said in her report, quoting Mr. Bankole as saying ‘he had no faith in the transparency of the judiciary'. There were reports in the media at the time that as much as $30million was spent to bribe the Supreme Court judges. But there was no concrete evidence to back the claim. The Speaker reportedly said the judiciary had over-stepped its bounds in most of the rerun gubernatorial elections, and had "tasted blood," with its new found power to influence state elections and power politics in Nigeria. Ms. Sanders also said that the Speaker's revelation was a confirmation of Mr. Aondoakaa's corruption as well as an explanation for why Mr. Yar'Adua refused to fire the former AGF in spite of the widespread calls for his removal. "The Ambassador asked what this particular minister [the AGF] had on the president," the cable further reported. "Bankole said without hesitation he was the money conduit from Ibori to the Judiciary as regards to the President's Supreme Court case. "The Mission was always aware that Yar'Adua would not touch him [the AGF], but also did not believe that the President was unaware of the AG's corruption. Evidently not only was he aware, but also had to use the AG as the avenue to secure the Supreme Court decision, if Bankole's comments are true," Ms. Sanders said. Reacting to the revelation, Jiti Ogunye, a lawyer and activist said, "If Bankole says he has proof, he should bring it forward. He is the Number 4 citizen of this country. If he has proof and he has been sitting down like a lame duck and is not bringing it out to help the country, what are we to make of him? That is not a statesman. If there is that allegation, the public ought to be helped by the provision of evidence."

Why the North will always feel betrayed by President Jonathan, by Mohammed

Editors Online — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 07:46:09 +0000

From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna

Newly elected Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) National Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, spoke on how he intends to reposition the Forum, how President Goodluck Jonathan betrayed the North, his vision for the North, why the April elections must be credible. He spoke with SAXONE AKHAINE in Kaduna. Excerpts: CONSIDERING the circumstances that led to your emergence as the national chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), what would you say about the leadership issues in the Forum? The Forum doesn’t have any problems with leadership. For instance, the Forum is not a new terrain to me; I have always been with the northern elders. I have been with them from inception when the late Abdurahman Okene led it. Later on, we had leaders like Waziri Katagun, Sule Katagun and the Second Republic president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Then came the time when the late Sultan advised and decided that we should all merge into one organisation in the North because we all had the same objectives. He then set up a committee and suggested the name, ACF. He set up an organising committee to merge the three existing bodies then under the leadership of the Emir of Ilorin. We went on for about a year to do this and set up the ACF, that was 10 years ago really and at that time I was in the Executive Council of the Northern Elders Forum. The Chairman was the Galadima of Katsina, Justice Mamman Nasir. After that merger, the institution harmonised and a constitution was raised for one organisation. So, we have had various leaders since then, from MD Yusuf, the late Sunday Awoniyi, IBM Haruna and now myself. Events leading to the April elections have exposed the ACF as being a political organisation… The ACF is not a political organisation, but we know in reality we cannot say that we will not be involved in national politics, particularly as it affects the North. We want to ensure that the North gets the leadership of the nation when it is due. And we also want to ensure that the leadership is devoid of ethnic and religious influences. The membership of ACF cuts across all the regions in the North, and all are adequately represented within the Forum’s hierarchy. The ACF is also concerned about the peoples’ culture, business, and governance itself. We have had problems in the past. For example, the problem of the Tiv and Jukun; now we have Jos, Bauchi, Borno crises, particularly Boko Haram. We have really tried as an organisation, to negotiate and advise government on how to resolve most of the problems. We successfully resolved the problems in Taraba we are now working on the crises in Jos and in Borno, and we will certainly put it behind us. What do you make of the controversies over zoning and rotational presidency that engulfed the ACF and do you have plans to reconcile the warring groups in ACF? When the Northern governors discussed zoning, they categorically declared that they were pro-zoning. And the ACF also accepted zoning. The arguments have been widely published. The South had eight years under President Olusegun Obasanjo. And when the leadership came to the North, President Umaru Yar’Adua unfortunately died in office before he could even complete his first term. But the feeling in the North is that the North should complete the next four years before it goes back to the South. The governors understood and accepted this position. In accepting it, the ACF advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that if President Goodluck Jonathan was going to contest, then he should see that the PDP constitution is changed because the party accepted zoning in its constitution. But if the constitution is not changed, then Jonathan should go to another party that does not have the constraints to contest. The governors agreed, but they found some spurious reasons to make a U-turn. In the end, we saw what happened in the presidential primaries. Beside our monthly meetings, we are going to have an Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will be chaired by former head of state General Yakubu Gowon, who is also the chairman of the Board of Patrons. There is no problem. Whatever the ACF agreed upon we have them in various communiqués and we stand by them. I don’t think it is true that ACF feels threatened or being torn apart. Most of the divergent comments are personal opinions of people who do not accept zoning. The ACF has its stand. These people should understand that the North did not moot zoning initially; the suggestion came from the former Vice President, Chief Alex Ekwueme and it was agreed and put in the PDP constitution. If there was no zoning, the President himself would not be where he is today; if there was no zoning, people will be free to contest elections anywhere. Zoning was to give us a sense of belonging, so that no part of the country will feel cheated. The president was among those who agreed on zoning and he signed it. Now he has said that he will not go for second term, but that he will serve for four years. How can we trust that he will keep to his words if he could not abide with an agreement he signed on zoning? How can we trust that after four years he will go? After four years he might say that circumstances forced him not to leave. If you cannot keep your word, of course people cannot trust you. That is the point. Will ACF support President Jonathan or ask the people to vote for him? The ACF believes that people will be left their conscience when they vote. Our preference should have been really that zoning continues. We are not going to tell people not to vote. We are not like the Ohanaeze Ndigbo that has asked their people to vote for Jonathan. The danger of that position is that they are telling the North that they have done away with zoning. And they are expecting to have the Presidency in 2015 and they want other parts of the country to support zoning then. Today, if Jonathan is contesting, it means there is no longer zoning and the North will look for candidates and use its numerical strength to chose whoever we think should lead this country. Would the ACF prefer that Jonathan did not run? Naturally, the North feels cheated that it does not have the option to continue after the death of President Yar’Adua. We accept that the 1999 Constitution says the vice president should complete the tenure of the late president. But he should have respected the agreement on zoning. He should have allowed the North to complete its four years and he could still contest. Your predecessor, Gen. Ibrahim Haruna congratulated President Jonathan after the PDP primaries despite the ACF position on zoning… That is his view. I am following what the ACF has agreed on. The ACF issued statements and a communiqué that stated the Forum’s standing on zoning. If he said anything to the contrary, it is his view. Comment on the cost of governance under the presidential system of government? Our constitution is supposed to be tailored towards the American type of constitution, and it has its own advantages and disadvantages. When the military came up, they brought the Presidential type of government and promised that there was going to be a plebiscite to make sure that it was accepted, but they didn’t do that. So, we are following the constitution and model of government and that is what we have at the moment. Until it is changed, this is the reality facing us. How much has the present democratic governance benefitted the nation in the last 12 years? I really don’t know, and people must understand that for this country to remain united, every part must have a sense of belonging. You can’t isolate one section and say that you are running a country. Everybody must have a sense of belonging. If we look at the South West, for example, they are leading in education and they are also leading in economy. The South East have a high entrepreneurial spirit and they are great traders. In every corner of the country, and in every village that you go, you will find a shop owned by an Ibo man. The North has a lot of catching up to do. We have not got the education like the others, but I believe there is hope. For example, there are more universities in the North now, so, it is a matter of time before we will catch up. In any case, democracy is all about numbers, it is the numbers that will vote you in and not any other thing. So, let us wait and see. How will your leadership handle the problem of underdevelopment in the North? What we need to do first is to have the unity of the North. There have been frail nerves and we have to unite our people. And we have to look at the issue of education. We have been doing that but we have to be more serious now. We are worried that education is getting worse in this country. It is shocking to hear that at the Senior Secondary School level, only 20 per cent passed the final examinations, when actually we should be have 99 per cent. That is what other countries are having. We can’t progress without education. We have to also encourage people to set up industries, so that our people can get employment. The biggest problem is elite unemployment; our universities are producing thousands of people without jobs for them. After their national service, they stay for three or five years without a job. These are the things we will look into. What will you be telling northerners ahead of the April polls? The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised that every vote will count. This means that what happened in the past will not happen. People will vote, their votes should count and whoever wins will be the choice of the people. What people are worried about is when some people fraudulently win elections, and then want to claim to run the country. So, if people are elected with popular votes and there is no fraud, then the result will be accepted. My advice is that we should hold INEC to its promise in April. The government should not think that what is happening today in Middle East cannot happen in Nigeria if people want to do the things that have been done in the past. 　

Bode George: Requiem For Our Values

Editors Online — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:07:19 +0000

By Tunde Fagbenle

If Chief Bode George were my family member, or even my friend, how would I feel back in October 26, 2009 when he was sent to jail for wanton criminality in the discharge of his duties as chairman of Nigeria Ports Authority? Then, how would I feel with the sad and immoral fanfare "celebrity welcome" given him upon his release from prison last week? Answer to the first part of my troubled mind was given by my brother and friend, Dr Dele Sobowale, that irreverent intellectual columnist of The Vanguard newspaper, in his column of November 1, 2009. Dele and Bode George, we are told, are childhood friends and co-Lagosians. They not only grew up in the same neighbourhood, they had "similar upbringing" from "stern and upright father, who drilled into us, with advice and cane, the virtues of honesty in everything we do." So, Dele assures us, the fault could not be want of good parentage. The feeling of a true brother and friend in seeing a Bode George sentenced to jail, even for a day, for 47 different criminal charges out of 68, was summed up by Dele Sobowale thus: "I cried when I heard the verdict…it is a tragedy of unimaginable proportions that (the son of Pa George) would end up splashing the hitherto pristine family name with mud. If indeed the dead roll in their graves, the old man must be having a fit wherever he is. This is perhaps the worst possible way to repay parental love – even if the folks are dead." Dele ended the piece: "The tears might never end." Dele Sobowale has by those words of his expressed the values with which we were brought up, the values of the proud Yoruba family: Honesty, Integrity, Hard work, and, above all, Pride in the family name. The persistent plea into our ears by our parents was to do nothing to tarnish the family name. Our fathers warned us of how, even faced with the threat of hunger, they have struggled to preserve the family name and integrity as bequeathed to them by their own parents. Our mothers begged us not to be the ‘black sheep’ of the family. Events, such as the jailing of a family member for inordinate corruption and evil brought shame "of unimaginable proportions" unto the family within the community and society at large. I have no account how the last two years of Bode George (BG) in prison went for the likes of Dr. Sobowale. Did he, even once, pay his friend a visit in jail or was that his column the nunc dimittis to the relationship? Worse, what and how did he feel seeing the great "carnival" made of Bode’s return from jail? Was he privy to the arrangement planned by Bode’s "family and friends" to give him a "befitting" (as I imagine they would have worded their invitation) welcome? Or knowing what Dele’s stand would be, had the group of "family and friends" quietly sidelined him? We know that ‘Lagosians’ had earned a reputation for "show" – Eko for show! What we didn’t know was when great and proud Lagos families – and we know a few – lost shame enough to bring out the drums to celebrate the criminal in their midst. I did a quick scan of the faces and names published in the "BG Carnival" and I sighed in relief to find missing the great Johnson family, the great Fujah family, the great Elias family, the great Sobowale family, and some others I know, to whom the "family name" means everything. Are there no more elders in the George family of Bode? Is he the surviving eldest? Se Bode ni mogaji ile won ni? Even then, what home-training, what values, have the family been raised in, er, since Pa George that Dele Sobowale spoke of died years ago? That "BG Carnival" – aso-ebi, band music, food, drinks, etc – would have gulped some handsome millions of naira; was that ‘show’ and church service meant to wash away the family shame and socially and politically "rehabilitate" Bode? How wrong, how shamefully wrong! I am pained because the whole BG saga is more than shame to just the Bode George family, it is also a sad reflection of the times and of the tragic erosion of Yoruba family values. I am pained because I am Yoruba and it is just not in us to be this. What Bode George was found guilty of committing, namely wanton corrupt abuse of office – to the tune of some N100bn! – is probably what many would do given the same opportunity in the Nigeria of today, a Nigeria of inverted moral values, a generational value in which money speaks and getting money at all cost is the order of the day. But as another brother and friend, the erudite Prof. Okey Ndibe, wrote on the BG Carnival: "A country where a criminal emerging from jail is greeted adoringly is not simply in deep trouble – its case is grave and perhaps terminal." And sadly at the head of this show of moral decadence, this depravity, are some notable names in the society, political bigwigs whom it has been our collective misfortune to have as leaders in this country. In the name of political brotherhood they came, virtually all of them in the ruling party – the PDP – to which Bode George belongs. They are celebrating the return of one of their kind! The great WS had once called the party "a nest of killers", now they have reminded us that in the eyes of killers, looting is nothing. The sad part is that these blighted bleeders of our country are still seeking our votes to get or return into power at the state and federal levels, and the welcome and later arrogant frontline parade of ex-convict Bode George is their selling point to the kind of government we are to expect if we give their PDP party our votes. The pointed exhortation of the poor officiating prelate at the BG Carnival church service, Tayo Aduloju, to Bode George was: "If you are involved in any shady deal; if you are found anywhere elections are rigged; and partake in any form of manipulation, it means you have not learnt anything from your experience. Real power belongs to God. It does not belong to PDP. It does not belong to any president." But, like a lost dog that would heed no whistle, Bode George, obviously dismissing the exhortation, promptly declared after the service, "now there is a job at hand for us to do and now is the time for us to win Lagos State…" A few days later President Goodluck Jonathan and his campaign train came to Lagos. The PDP came in their true colours, their leading ‘father’, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was there, heaving and dancing, and so was Tony Anenih, amongst others. Bode George was given his "due" "high table" place. The picture of their kind was complete! Bode George should thank God that he is neither my family nor friend. If he were, I would have given him a few ‘dirty’ slaps to remind him of the son of whom he is. It is not too late for BG to beat a retreat and retire into a more "dignified" existence, quietly enjoying whatever is left of whatever he has made. He should desist from emulating the bad example of some shameless leaders out there who we know but would not name here. Bode, for your children’s sake and that of whatever is left of your family name, I beg. 　

Ijeoma Nwogwugwu And Her Tinubu’s God Complex Theory

Editors Online — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:15:40 +0000

By Joe Igbokwe On Monday February 28 2011 Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, a columnist and the big lady of Thisday Newspapers told the nation that our leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is playing God in Lagos and Nigerian politics. According to Ijeoma, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made himself the Leviathan, the hippopotamus, the omnipotent, the omniscience, the ominipresence and the octopus of Lagos and Nigerian politics. For Ijeoma, Bola Ahmed Tinubu should "get off his high horse and stop pushing his luck. Otherwise he will wake up one day to discover that the emperor has been stripped bare"Now, before I go on to educate Ijeoma on the phenomenon called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I will like Ijeoma Nwogwugwu to go and speak to Comrade Kayode Komolafe, another columnist with Thisday and a bosom friend of our own Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and she will learn that the biggest lesson that Rome was not built in a day. If Kayode Komolafe will be frank enough to open up to her on Asiwaju complex kingdom, his huge networks, his teeming associates, and followers, Ijeoma will run 40-40 to go and make friends with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Since Asiwaju made in roads into the tortuous and murky waters of Nigerian politics in the early 90s, I have been a committed and ardent follower of this Nigeria patriot, sage, colossus and I have not been disappointed for once. Asiwaju may have made some mistakes as a mortal but his good works far outweigh his mistakes a million times. I have met leaders in my life but Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains a different person with an infinite capacity to provide leadership even in difficult situations. Leaders that can match Asiwaju in actions but deeds are rare to be found. For twelve years now, I have been crying that if we have one replica of Asiwaju in the North and the East, this country will sit up. Over the years it has been very difficult for me to find out what is in this man that pushes him to try to break his back for Nigerians and Nigeria. What will make a man to devote his life time, all his energy, all his money to work for humanity? What is it in the world that will make Nigeria’s greatest minds to sit around the Asiwaju of Africa anywhere he finds himself? What in the world will make the poorest of the poor to find solace in Asiwaju’s house or his office without molestation? Some people think Asiwaju is a Yoruba leader alone but go to his house on a certain day to see things for yourself. I have been privileged on several occasions to wine and dine with this leader and to my utmost surprise he eats little and drinks little. Over the years, I have discovered that what gives Asiwaju peace of mind is the people around him, more especially when they are people with cerebral minds, people with huge brains, the bean counters, the great thinkers. For Asiwaju, attitude is the magic word. He treats every person as the most important person on earth. In his small book titled: Lead The Field, Earl Nightingale says that "people doing an outstanding job and getting outstanding results are outstanding people and that is because of an outstanding attitude" The truth is that you do not just show up accidentally in the world series. The price of leadership must be paid to the letter. Hear Earl Nightingale again: "The outstanding leader in any field is societies most valued person. Every organization needs leadership. You do not raise morale; it filters down from the top. People will always reflect the attitude of the leader. Behind every success is an outstanding leader. This leader works early and late and when not working is thinking and planning". Ijeoma may not know this: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu lays too much emphasis on ideas and values and has very deep organized focus on goals and objectives. One of the greatest achievements I have recorded in life is the fact that I am at peace with my Creator. The second achievement is the family God gave me and the third is the day God brought me in contact with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have been trained, I have been taught the nitty gritty of leadership and he has opened the byways, highways, subways, and super ways to mix with the right people. In 2009 when busy bodies like Ijeoma Nwogwugwu tried to knock Governor Fashola’s head with that of Asiwaju the way she did it on February 28 2011, a seasoned writer, Jimanze Ego-Alowes shouted from the mountain top that Asiwaju remains the greatest living politician of our time and rebuked the interlopers thus: "we have to forgive Tinubu’s critics because there is a failure of mathematical or better statistical imagination. Their handicap is a fallout of what statisticians call survivorship bias. That is why they use and assume the real life outcome as the only possible universe. They are thus forgetting that with life as a game, all options are open and remain so. If for instance one bothered to think of a second line scenario, where Tinubu handed over to Fashola and flew away to Monaco or Mecca, it beholds on one to think out the matter fully. If Tinubu did, for instance and left Fashola alone the question or issue is not that he left Fashola alone but what would have followed"This writer has been in Lagos for more than 30years and without sounding immodest, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu commands the type of respect Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu commands in Igboland today. Just like there are people who can lay down their lives for Ojukwu in Igboland there are people who can lay down their lives for Asiwaju in Southwest and beyond Southwest. Asiwaju’s loyalists and committed associates are Heads of States in Africa, Governors in Nigeria and beyond, Ministers in Nigeria and beyond, super rich men and women, professionals, intellectuals, young people etc. Success breeds envy but those who know better tells us that envy will not only turn you green, but it will kill you. The late Chief Bola Ige of the blessed memory told us shortly before he died that "in every field of human endeavour, he that is first must perpetually live in the white light of publicity. Whether the leadership is vested in a man or in a manufactured product, emulation and envy are ever at work. In art, in literature, in music, in industry, the reward and the punishment are always the same. The reward is widespread recognition, the punishment fierce denial and detraction". General Collin Powell, former US Chief of Joint Staff once warned us that "organization does not really accomplish anything. Plans don’t accomplish anything either. Theories of Management don’t matter. Endeavours succeed or fall because of the people involved. Only by attracting the best will you accomplish great deeds". Asiwaju knows how to attract the best people around him and that is his strength. This is where his greatness emanates from Finally Ijeoma may not like this but this Asiwaju I know remains "in the lofty peak, towering above a thousand mountains and hills, he is the sun in whose presence a million stars of heaven lose their scintillating brilliance" Thanks to Mati, the Chinese logician. Over to you Ijeoma Nwogwugwu. Joe Igbokwe Lagos 　

INSECURITY: Arewa, retired security chiefs in crucial meeting

Editors Online — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:48:05 +0000

By JIDE AJANI, Editor, Northern Operations & ALBERT AKPOR

ABUJA – THERE were strong indications, yesterday, that the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, is not about to let up on its relevance within the Nigerian polity as it has scheduled a meeting of very senior retired military officers of Northern extraction to a meeting slated for Wednesday, March 23, 2011.

Vanguard has authoritatively discovered a letter of invitation dated March 1, 2011, sent out by the ACF to 44 of such individuals. This came as the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, yesterday, queried the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abubakar Alkali, over the disturbing spate of crimes in the state. The letter of invitation was signed by Colonel Musa Shehu (rtd), in his capacity as the Secretary General of the elite Northern body. The invitation indicated that at the end of the deliberations "submissions would be made to the Federal Government as our contribution to finding solution to the incessant communal and ethno-religious conflicts ravaging our region in particular and Nigeria as a whole." Security situation The document which is in Vanguard’s possession reads: "PROPOSED MEETING OF FORMER SECURITY CHIEFS OF NORTHERN EXTRACTION "As you are now aware, the security situation in the country has taken a turn for the worst. For quite some time now, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has engaged its members in different Standing Committees in order to come up with suggestions that could be made to assist those in authority to effectively address the worsening situation. It is at one of these sessions that it was agreed that the North has large resources of credible experts, experienced and respectful professionals whose input would enhance the integrity of any submission by the ACF. "Consequently, it was agreed to request you to personally participate at a roundtable set up for this purpose by the ACF. Your discussions would be free and frank and would be made to the Federal Government as our contribution to finding solution to the incessant communal and ethno-religious conflicts ravaging our region in particular and Nigeria as a whole. "As an accomplished professional and very highly esteemed member of our community who has served and headed your service meritoriously at one time or the other your personal attendance and participation will be greatly appreciated. The roundtable is planned to hold on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at the ACF Conference Room No. 11A, Sokoto Road, Kaduna, from 1100hrs." The Roundtable which is proposed to be chaired by Alhaji M D Yusuf, GCON, has the following distinguished personalities as invited participants: *Lt. Gen M I Wushishi, GCON; *Gen. Domkat Bali, GCON; *Alhaji Umaru Aliyu Shinkafi, GCON; *Alhaji Mohammed Gambo Jimeta, CFR; *Air Marshal A D Bello, GCON; *Lt. Gen. Salihu Ibrahim, CFR; *Alhaji Aliyu Attah, CFR; *Lt. Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, GCON; *Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie, CFR *Brig. Gen. Haliru Akilu, CON,; *Admiral Saidu Suleiman, CFR; *Alhaji Ismaila Gwarzo; *Major-Gen. A Kazir, CFR; * Air Vice Marshal Idi Musa, CFR *Major Gen M C Ali, CFR; *Air Marshal Al-Amin Dagash; *Lt. Gen. Victor Malu, CFR; *Lt. Gen. I I Bamaiyi, CFR; *Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi, GCON; *Major Gen. Sarki Mukhtar; *Amb. Adamu Mohammed; *Amb. Babagana Kingibe, CFR; *Alhaji Bukar Usman, MFR; *Amb. Ibrahim Zakari, CON; *Gen. Martins L Agwai, GCON; *Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Sabo; *Major Gen. A M Halidu Giwa; *Air Marshal Isaac Alfa, CFR; *Air Marshal Jonah Wuyep, CFR; 8Major Gen. Mohammed Said; *Lt. Gen. A D Danbazau, CFR; *Mr. Afakriya Gadzama, MFR; *Vice Admiral I I Ibrahim, CFR; *Brig. Gen. M A Umar, Secretary" The document pleaded that the invited personalities should "kindly indicate your availability to attend by contact the following coordinators of the roundtable meeting: Gen. Haliru Akilu (rtd), Brig. Gen. M N Umar (rtd), and Colonel Musa Shehu (rtd). While we look forward to seeing you at the Roundtable, be assured of our usual respect and sincere regards." A security expert, however, told Vanguard that "it is curious that such a meeting of strategic importance is being called at a time like this and not earlier". IGP queries Lagos CP Apparently disturbed by the spate of armed robbery in Lagos State, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Hafiz Ringim, yesterday, warned the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abubakar Alkali, to buckle up or be prepared to leave the state. The IGP in a signal signed by his Principal Staff Officer, PSO, said he was particularly worried over reports of incessant armed robberies and civil disturbances in Ketu and Mushin areas of the state since Alkali took over from his predecessor, Marvel Akpoyibo. He noted that instead of reducing, crime rate has since shot up astronomically. Meanwhile, the CP was said to have held a marathon security meeting with his senior officers yesterday with a view to finding solution to the spate of insecurity in the state. Change of officers A source was quoted as saying that one of the mistakes Alkali might have made was the immediate change of some senior officers in key commands instead of consolidating. He said: "We told him that a good administrator does not dismantle an already existing structure but he seemed not to have heeded that golden advice. What he did was to bring in his kinsmen who are totally alien to what is on ground. The result is what you are now seeing."

You’ll go to jail, Jega warns INEC officers against rigging

Editors Online — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:24:41 +0000

From: FRANCIS AWOWOLE-BROWNE, Abuja Tuesday, March 8, 2011 Following reports of sharp practices among the electoral officers during past elections, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega yesterday summoned the electoral officers across the federation to a meeting warning that any of them caught conniving with politicians in the April polls will be prosecuted and sent to jail. Jega told the officers that he had reports of some bad eggs among them but that he would not allow any staff of the commission to throw spanner into his efforts at making the April elections the most credible in the history of the country. At the meeting in Abuja, the INEC boss said he believed that all staff of the commission should key into the vision of the leadership and threatened to prosecute staff of the commission found culpable of committing electoral offences detrimental to the vision. According to him, the new commission under his leadership was determined to conduct a free, fair and credible election which would go down in history as the best election ever held in Nigeria. He nevertheless commended them on the success of the recently concluded voters’ registration which he described as challenging and that lessons learnt from it would guide the commission in the conduct of the April elections. The INEC boss noted that he was aware that most members of staff were honest and doing their best under difficult situation the commission found itself, adding that there were ‘a few bad eggs’ whose activities had tinted INEC’s image. Jega said the difficult situation could not be an excuse for any member of staff to conduct himself or herself in a manner that would jeopardize the integrity of the commission, urging them to turn a new leaf. While warning the electoral officers against betraying the public trust during the forthcoming elections, the chairman pointed out that those who would be caught on the wrong side of the law were sure to face its full wrath. Said he: "Therefore, we will institute necessary reforms and we urge you as you do your work to follow the procedures that are in place, avoid committing electoral offences; because if you do that then you are absolutely on your own. "We are strengthening our capacity in-house to be able to identify those who are wanting in the discharge of their responsibilities and to make them go through the disciplinary process. "We will be fair to every body but we will not condone the recklessness and the impunity with which a few of us have conducted their activities in the past. "I want to plead with all of you please let’s join hands to ensure the success of this exercise to have a free, fair and credible elections. "It is possible, it is doable, it is challenging and difficult but we can do it and if we apply ourselves and we resolve to do it, definitely we will succeed. "I urge you to turn a new leaf I know that most of you need not be asked to do that but if there is anybody who thinks that the job of an electoral officer is to connive with politicians and to take money and to allow fraud to be perpetrated and to declare false results or fraudulent results; then they should be prepared to answer to the consequences of their actions. "We will not condone it, we will not protect anybody who does that, we will do our best to apprehend those who have done that and make sure that they are prosecuted. "I am saying this with the mind that most of you are doing your honest jobs but there are a few bad eggs among us who continue to give us a bad name and it is important for us to do self cleansing so that this negative perception among Nigerians about INEC as an institution will be cured once and for all. "Many of you out there are very honest people doing your best under difficult circumstances but we must recognize the fact that there are also some of us, a few who are abusing the trust; who are not doing their jobs the way they should do it. "And who rather than adding value to the work of the commission and to the success of the assignment that we do, are actually undermining the work the commission does." Jega noted that the commission was aware of the difficult conditions under which its members of staff were working, adding that the commission was doing its best to improve them.

Jonathan under pressure to order Tinubu’s arrest

Editors Online — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:41:01 +0000

By Yusuf Alli

THE President is under pressure to order the arrest and detention of former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu, sources said yesterday. Some security agents are believed to have been trailing Tinubu’s movement in the last few days. The planned arrest is said to be part of a grand plot by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to "capture" the Southwest and prevent a likely run-off in the April 9 presidential election. A former President has been fingered in the plot. But President Goodluck Jonathan is said not to be "keen" on any "crude" method to win. The Nation learnt that some of the President’s strategists repeatedly queried why Tinubu is still left to call the shots in the Southwest and in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) when the government could take advantage of pending "phantom" allegations against him. It was learnt that some of the strategists, at a meeting in Abuja, took exception to the alleged "kid-glove" treatment given Tinubu by the President. Some sources alleged that the meeting was held at the Villa; others claimed it was at a secret location, which they refused to state. But, it was learnt that, in line with the "grand plot", the ex-governor’s security aides were withdrawn last week to "demonstrate the efficacy of Federal might". A source said: "The plot by some strategists of the President, including a former Head of State, is to ensure that Tinubu is in detention till after the April poll. These people are intimidating and putting Jonathan under pressure to do it. "In one of their meetings, they queried why it had been difficult for the Presidency to ‘demystify’ Tinubu. "The President has, however, restated his commitment to win the poll, free and fair. He has been reminding some of his strategists of his pledge to the international community that the April elections will be conducted without inhibitions. "These desperate strategists, including some PDP stalwarts in the Southwest, are, however, blind to the implications of the arrest and detention of a key opposition figure less than one month to the polls. "Their concern is that the over 14 million votes from the Southwest cannot be ignored by the PDP. They also raised concern about likely surprises the ACN might spring in some states, such as Bauchi, Imo, Ebonyi, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun, Edo and Rivers states." "Acting National Chairman of the PDP Mohammed Haliru Bello reportedly gave an insight into the plot at a campaign rally in Lagos when he made a lot of innuendoes on Tinubu. "These strategists had initially ignored the possibility of a presidential poll rerun in April, but the reality of the political situation nationwide has made Tinubu a target. "It has now dawned on them that once there is a presidential rerun, PDP will lose out as the Action Congress of Nigeria and the Congress for Progressive Change can form an alliance to seal the fate of the PDP. "They are after do-or-die poll to retain the grip of the PDP." An ACN source said last night that the party and Tinubu were also set for the battle ahead. The source added: "Tinubu is unruffled by their plot. Although he is aware that his movement is being trailed, he is ready to give it what it takes. "He has told all his aides and followers that he would resist all attempts to smear his image just to taint his political career and capture the Southwest."

Revolution Tsunami

Editors Online — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 22:17:24 +0000

By Stanis Laus

I find it a bit of a marvel, how certain innocuous events tend to result in sometimes catastrophic events which just like a tsunami have a way of shaping the future for a long time to come. Who would have thought that a Tunisian street vendor could become the fuse that would set in motion the revolutionary events sweeping North Africa and parts of the Middle East. A "common" man, perhaps one of the perceived, "rejects of society", going about his daily tasks. Maybe all he has left is this wheelbarrow of produce, that he needs to sell and make some money from. Maybe he has a sick wife, sick children, who knows really? The most important thing here is when this one wheelbarrow was forcibly taken off him, something was on already on the verge of snapping. Then they decided to beat him up as well, probably because he protested at the injustice of relieving him of his wheelbarrow. The public beaten was just the final straw that perhaps broke Mohamed Bouazizi's back. He would have gone home that day asking himself, "How long? How long can this continue? Am I a man? What powers do I have? How can I fight these tyrants who prey on human blood? These tyrants who are ready to push a man through the wall?" If he had children and a wife, he would have looked at them and thought to himself, "Now that I have lost it all, how can I face these loved ones everyday knowing that I am powerless to protect them, to provide even the basics of life for them? How can I come back home so meekly and say 'Insha Allah' it will get better someday? When will it ever get better? When?" Who knows really what questions passed through his mind that day? Perhaps nothing passed through his mind, maybe he just snapped. Mohamed Bouazizi was 26 years old. The regime of the dictator was 23 years old. Mohamed had spent the better part or almost all his life under a dictatorship that had no regard for the yearnings and aspirations of its subjects. The step of self-immolation which Mohamed took was perhaps a long time coming. This singular action of desperation has culminated in the 'revolutionary tsunami' sweeping the Middle East today. It is not surprising anyway. What is surprising is how long it took. That in itself is also not surprising. Borne out of the need for self-preservation, people will always go for the option of suffering and smiling. It is not often that they will actually take the step and look for the means to free themselves from tyranny. These dictators spend a long time in power. They become deeply ensconced in the citadel of control and they find it difficult to let go. In the process, like vampires, they suck their countries dry of their sovereign wealth. They siphon these monies to various 'safe havens' all over the world. Their actions are so pathetic and laughable that one can only feel pity for them. What is the essence of stealing 30 billion dollars from your countries coffers, stashing it in some account in Switzerland or the likes, meanwhile, your people whom you claim to represent to serve, to rule, are suffering and wallowing in the depths of poverty? They live under the assumption that the countries they rule are fiefdoms that need to be controlled with iron fists. If not with iron fists, then with misinformation, misrule, and suffering. They do not hesitate to go to the Western nations and buy up properties there as a way of laundering this ill-gotten wealth. They siphon their countries' external reserves and use this to open accounts in the names of their children, wives, concubines, and cronies. I wonder if they have ever asked them selves this question. When was the last time a Western leader came to Africa or the Middle East for a holiday or to buy some property? Western leaders know that taking the money out of their economies would not be good for the countries they lead, so they don't do that. Western leaders, when on holiday, take pride in holidaying in their countries, because it is a matter of pride for them. African leaders when on holiday, travel all over the world, to Switzerland, Luxembourg, Bahamas, and other countries in Asia where they can easily stash monies stolen from their countries coffers. A lot of leaders from the so-called Third World have died and left their monies in the Western economies. Yes, they invariably steal so much that it is difficult to find out where it is all stashed. Sani Abacha of Nigeria stole so much that till date, nobody knows exactly where it is all stashed. The little that was supposedly repatriated from the West was in turn misappropriated by those who could have used it for the betterment of Nigerian masses. On the eve of being toppled from power, there are rumours that Mubarrak of Egypt and his family did all they could to convert as much as they could into gold which they could then flee the country with. This is just so pathetic and contemptible. After a well contested, free and fair election in Ivory Coast, Gbabo clings to power effectively splitting his country in two, but does he care? Even in the face of world ridicule and contempt, he clings on, knowing that once he leaves the corridors of power he would not be able to enjoy the trappings of power, which sadly, translates to siphoning wealth out of his country. Muamar Ghaddafi clings to power too. He clings on, desperately, swearing with flecks of spittle flying off his lips, that he is ready to die a martyr's death to remain a leader of his country. In the process, he is ready to kill as many of his compatriots as possible to remain in power. Indeed, there are claims that many have died as a result of a burning desire for change. Ghaddafi's actions are so reprehensible that a fellow dictator, or rather the face of dictatorship in Iran, Ahmedinajad, is said to have mused in horror at what sort of leader can kill his people this way! Ahmedinajad! Ha! I am sure that all those who have died to bring change to Iran would be turning in their graves over his musings over Ghaddafi's actions! What Mohamed set in motion in Tunisia simply represents the fact that people are tired of the "e go better" attitude (that comes from Nigeria, it means 'things will get better'). People are tired of the suffering. People want to live the good life also. People don't want to prostitute themselves to get the good things of life. People don't want to become armed robbers to be able to enjoy good things. People want their children to have a meaningful life, a life of abundance not one of suffering. People are simply beginning to realise that the status quo could remain the same forever for all these selfish dictators care, so if they do not wrest power from them, then it would be the same story for generations to come. This is a fundamental message to sit-tight African leaders, 'Your time is almost over….better shape up or ship out'

Fola Adeola, Vice-Presidential Candidate Of ACN Escapes Death As Campaign Plane Crash-lands In Bauchi

Editors Online — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 22:35:40 +0000

By SaharaReporters, New York

The Vice-Presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Fola Adeola, and other party chieftains narrowly escaped death this afternoon in Bauchi, Bauchi State capital. The near-accident occurred when the chartered airplane conveying Mr. Adeola, the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Boss Mustapha, and the former National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Yusuf Alli, to a scheduled rally in Bauchi crash landed due to non-clearance of the airport runway by airport authorities. Despite receiving an approval to land, the pilot discovered as he descended that the runway of the airport had been taken over by rams and goats. It forced the pilot to force-land, damaging the aircraft. None of the passengers in the plane was seriously hurt. According to the press release obtained by SaharaReporters, another aircraft conveying the ACN presidential candidate, Nuhu Ribadu, and other leader leaders of the party such as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was forced to hover in the air for about an hour for the runway to be cleared. The Director of Media and publicity of the Nuhu Ribadu Campaign Organization, Ibrahim Modibbo condemned the incident. "We suspect sabotage," Mr. Modibbo said. "And as a matter of urgency we call for an investigation into the immediate and remote cause of the runway invasion. If not for the expertise of the pilot, we would probably not be saying what we are saying today," In the last few years, controls of the nation’s airspace and airports have become one of the political weapons used by those in power to intimidate their opponents. Routinely, planes are left hovering in the air for hours because the president’s plane was sitting idle in an airport. Airport authorities usually site security concerns. Last December, a plane carrying human rights activists and journalists to the burial of the wife of Edo State governor had to return to Lagos when it was denied landing rights due to what airport authorities called presidential movement. In 2009, another presidential movement kept a Bellview Abuja-bound plane on the air for three hours. Three years before a pilot of a Cessna Citation trainer plane landed on the expressway at Ewekoro, Ogun State, when it was prevented from landing in Lagos due to presidential movement. Mr. Modibbo urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that airports are safe in the country, not just for himself but for his opponents. "Before the present PDP government is booted out by the people, they should at least ensure that our airports, our roads, and our towns and villages are safe enough for everyone including our candidates and particularly during this electioneering period," he said.

Daniel’s faction not sure of contesting in new party

Editors Online — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:35:16 +0000

By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji
The movement of Gbenga Daniel’s supporters to the People’s Party of Nigeria (PPN) with the aim of contesting in the forthcoming elections in Ogun State may end up being a futile mission. Investigations have revealed that the party has submitted the names of all its candidates for the election hence, there is no vacant position for the defecting members. The group had on Sunday left the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the Federal Court judgment which nullified its list of candidates and upheld the list of former President Olusegun Obasanjo which produced Tunji Olurin as the party’s governorship flag bearer. The governorship candidate of Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) in the INEC released list is Enisenyin Ayodeji Rasaq and his running mate is Durojaiye Omowunmi Comfort. This is contrary to the group’s desire to field Isiaka Gboyega as the governorship candidate. The INEC approved list shows that the party has candidates in all the three senatorial districts, eight candidates for House of Representatives and fifteen House of Assembly Candidates. This has left members of Mr Daniel’s faction in confusion. Substitution of candidates While reacting to whether there is a list of substitutes from INEC, the Administrative Secretary of INEC in the state, Ebenezer Fakorode, said, "I have not gotten any list, we have not gotten any other than the one we got three weeks ago." When asked if INEC is expecting a new list, Mr Fakorode said, "I don’t know, nobody told us anything at Abuja. No information rather than the one we have three weeks ago. I am a civil servant, I don’t know anything." But the State Publicity Secretary of PPN, Raheem Ajayi, said, "We have done the substitution before the end of deadline given by INEC," arguing that it is the function of the electoral body to bring out and publish list of candidates. Mr Ajayi who doubles as Mr Daniel’s Special Adviser on Youth and Sports said "I can tell you that, they (INEC) have given us acknowledgement," recalling that the earlier injunction gotten by the Olurin group was ‘like a judgment, hence we have to be proactive and swung into action to perfect our defection before now.’ New posters with PPN logo Meanwhile, the group has commenced production of new posters with PPN logo to project the party in the state. NEXT gathered that the candidates are now working round the clock individually and collectively for mass production of their posters which is expected to be pasted all over the state. Similarly, the party has established a secretariat which is located at 77a Vaughan Street, Adedotun in Abeokuta. The building which is also residential had the party’s flag hoisted in front of it, the state chairman of the party, Rasaq Eyiowuawi gave assurance of a speedy transformation of the secretariat. Mr Ajayi said events of the past weeks in Ogun State have shown that the PDP in the state is dysfunctional. * To see INEC approved list of PPN candidates in Ogun state please click hereHYPERLINK "http://www.divshare.com/direct/14264266-37a.jpg", continues here

April polls: PDP, 12 others refuse to sign election Code of Conduct

Editors Online — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:41:03 +0000

From FRANCIS AWOWOLE-BROWNE, Abuja

Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega has expressed concern over alleged hostility by some state governors to opposition parties in their states, especially as it concerns electioneering campaign. He expressed his concern just as some 13 political parties, including the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) withheld their assents to the new Code of Conduct, which signing ceremony took place in Abuja yesterday Jega lamented that the widespread undemocratic actions of the governors of banning opposition parties and tearing their candidates banners and posters, if allowed to continue, portends grave danger to the success of the April general election. “I want to say that this is unfortunate and we must do everything to prevent it. When we hear that certain governors are banning other political parties from campaigning in their states, it calls for serious concern and does not augur well for the success of our democracy and we ask for restraints and tact. “Similarly, when we read reports about activities in certain states where banners and posters of opponents are pulled down; this is a very serious concern, which has to be addressed. “We have also read of reports of some media not giving coverage to campaign of opposition parties; we have heard for example that some parties wanted to pay but were told that other political parties had booked for the entire period of campaign; this type of attitude will not augur well for level playing ground,” he said. He advised the leaders of the political parties that it was necessary that “in the next few weeks remaining, we bring new attitude and mindset for the respect of rule of law and the signing of code of conduct would add value to the moral persuasion of all.” However, there was drama when it was time for the signing of the revised Code of Conduct as some of the parties made good their threat not to sign. Interestingly, PDP, the party at the centre of accusation of having flouted the Code of Conduct also refused to sign. Citizen Popular Party (CPP) had earlier indicated it would not sign it because “the provisions in the code had always been observed in breaches and therefore of no use to the Party,” Maxi Okwu, the national Chairman had insisted. Apart from the two, African Renaissance Party (ARP) also refused to sign, while Labour Party (LP), which initially declined, eventually signed the document. It was not immediately known why the PDP declined to sign, but its National Secretary, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, who represented the party confided in some of his colleagues that his party would need to study the document to ascertain that it conforms to what the parties had agreed on earlier with the INEC during its revision. The revision of the Code of Conduct carried out by the commission and the leaders of the political parties at a retreat in Tinapa Resort, Calarbar, Cross River State Capital was meant to ensure the 63 registered political parties comply with all the rules guiding the election including compliance with the electoral laws. Some of the party leaders caused a stir during the ceremony as the LP chairman, Chief Dan Nwayanwu and his ARP counterpart, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu described the signing as worthless given their parties experience. Indeed, Ndu who is also the ARP’s presidential candidate referred to the document as “useless” and a waste of time, while Nwanyanwu, also condemned the document and the attitude of INEC over the indiscriminate substitution of candidates’ names in the lists submitted by political parties. “We have studied the document and our legal department is of the opinion that we should not constitute ourselves into another body because INEC has the full responsibility to conduct elections. “And the current Electoral Act has given INEC powers to deal with offenders, to deal with political parties that fail to conform. We signed similar document before the 2007 elections and the INEC under Prof. Maurice Iwu did not keep its side of the bargain. If you look at this document, what are the obligations of INEC? I cannot come here and sign my death warrant,” the LP boss said. Nwanyanwu also alleged that the process of manipulating the 2011 elections had started, saying, “INEC has no business in the Electoral Act to decide who the candidate of a political party is. The law allows an aspirant to go to Court if he is aggrieved. The process has started because if a senator of the Federal Republic can talk to INEC not to include a candidate that emerged during the primaries, then something is wrong with INEC.” Meanwhile, at the end of the ceremony, Jega explained that about 75 per cent of the political parties signed the vital documents despite initial opposition to it and urged the party leaders to ensure compliance by their party stalwart.

Election debate group introduces innovation into presidential debate

Editors Online — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:05:11 +0000

(NAN)

Abuja – The Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) says fresh ideas are being introduced to ensure that presidential debates remain a stable feature in the nation’s democratic development. Taiwo Alimi, chairman of NEDG stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a one-day workshop on "Nigerian Media and the 2011 Elections: Setting Agenda for Issue-based Campaign". Alimi said that every effort had been made to ensure that this year’s presidential debates got the widest coverage, locally and internationally. "Throughout the world, the United States have perfected making debates a permanent feature of democracy in America; and this year a three-man delegation had come from the United States and will now be exchanging ideas; they have been bringing input to us. Earlier, Abubakar Jijiwa, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the NEDG, said that plans were underway to organise mid-term debates to institutionalise a mechanism where politicians were held accountable to Nigerians for either their actions or inaction. "The organisation we are trying to do is to go beyond the debates so that in the course of the service or their tenure of office we hold the political leaders accountable for some of their actions and promises. "But the most important thing is that we have put in a sustainable structure that will outlive each and every one of us here. From the onset we called an all-inclusive board of trustees that made sure that everyone was on board." Jijiwa, who is also the Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), urged Nigerians to look forward to "very exciting and robust presidential debates in 2011″. NAN reports that the 2011 presidential debates scheduled to hold between March 28 and March 30 is the brainchild of the NEDG, a broad-based coalition of civil society groups and media organisations.

Fola Adeola relives crash-land

Editors Online — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:25:31 +0000

Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja, Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta and Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain Fola Adeola yesterday in Abeokuta recounted how the plane conveying him and other chieftains crash-landed in Bauchi on Tuesday. He described his survival as" a manifestation of God’s benevolence and mercy." Adeola, who hails from Ogun State, spoke to party supporters at the Abeokuta home of former Governor Olusegun Osoba. The running-mate to presidential candidate Nuhu Ribadu said the crash-land was a national embarrassment and negligence on the part of the managers of the airstrip – the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). "I thank God that I’m not injured and I did not die. But the incident gave me a lot of concern. We never knew that our plane crash-landed until somebody told me. It was Ribadu who later told me that I had just escaped death," he said. Adeola said he did not know how bad the situation was until he saw blood stains on the plane. The place landed on some animals that strayed to the tarmac of the airstrip. Adeola said he was in Abeokuta to seek the cooperation and mandate of Ogun State people for the Ribadu/Adeola ticket. He pledged to represent them adequately if they win at the elections, Adeola, a former bank managing director, said it took one week before he could make up his mind to accept the invitation of Ribadu to be his running mate. Osoba, Ogun state ACN Chairman Alhaji.Tajudeen Bello and ACN governorship candidate Senator Ibikunle Amosun, assured him of their support and readiness to deliver 100 per cent of Ogun votes to the Ribadu/Adeola ticket. Barely 24 hours after a Hawker Siddeley 125 aircraft belonging to Kings Air rammed into eight goats on the Bauchi airstrip runway, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has begun a post-incident inspection of the site. The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), the agency saddled with investigating air accidents, has also dispatched a team of investigators to the scene. The director-general of NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren, yesterday explained that the inspection of the runway and the aircraft revealed that the flap on the left hand side of the aircraft was damaged and two goats were found dead. Demuren said the runway was closed to traffic at 12.28 local time as part of safety precautionary measures and reopened at 12.45 local time after the inspection and clearing of the dead animals. The six passengers and three crew members, including Captain Wale Salami, were unhurt. A statement issued by the NCAA reads: "On March 8,2011, about 12.28 pm, a chartered HS125 aircraft with registration number 5N BMR, operated by Kings Air, touched down at the Bauchi Airstrip. "While on landing roll, about eight goats strayed across the runway. The aircraft hit two goats but the Captain was able to maintain his course on the runway centerline and parked the aircraft on the apron safely." AIB spokesman Tunji Oketunbi said following the notification it received on the accident, the AIB dispatched investigators to the scene of the accident. Fed Govt rules out sabotage The Federal Government yesterday denied any possibility of sabotage in the near mishap at the Bauchi airstrip involving the plane conveying key officials of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The Federal Government also warned against politicising the issue. The plane carrying ACN presidential candidate’s running-mate Fola Adeola collided with some goats and sheep upon landing on the tarmac. The ACN said it suspected sabotage. The issue came up for discussion in yesterday’s weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo. The council extended the government’s goodwill message to the ACN and those on the aircraft. Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, with whom were Minister of Aviation Fidelia Njeze and Minister of Interior Capt. Emmanuel Ihanacho, disclosed that the government’s position was taken after receiving a briefing on the incident from Mrs Njeze. He also noted that fencing of the Bauchi airstrip had been on before the incident. According to Maku, the council expressed regrets over the incident, adding: "We are glad that the worst didn’t happen and that they are hale and hearty because that would have been very tragic for Nigeria and, indeed, for our aviation industry." As part of the measures to guide against reccurrence, the minister said the Federal Government had been fencing airstrips across the country. Maku said: "Contrary to reports in the papers today, the report from the Aviation ministry indicated that the plane had landed safely and was taxing before some animals strayed onto the runway. The Ministry of Aviation is taking necessary precaution to put a stop to this in future. "The fencing of the airstrip is ongoing but indeed politicising it is not very decent. To say that it was sabotage, again is something we believe is undue politicisation of the incident." Mrs Njeze said the Bauchi airstrip’s runway was closed for just 17 minutes to clean it up and, thereafter, airplanes were allowed to land. "So, there was no act of sabotage, but what we call in aviation circle force majeure and it’s nobody’s fault. We have started fencing the airstrip and, unfortunately, this particular one, animals stray onto it. Once we conclude the fencing, which the contractor has promised will be completed in two weeks, thereafter, such incidents will not happen again. The airplane had touched down and was taxing when the goats got onto the runaway. No plane crashed landed as was reported," Njeze said.

Five-man panel to probe CJN, Salami feud

Editors Online — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:28:57 +0000

Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja The National Judicial Council (NJC) yesterday raised a five-man Committee to investigate the allegations against the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the council in Abuja. It was summoned to deliberate on the feud between the top two judicial officers. The fact-finding Committee is headed by a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umar Abdullahi. Other members are a former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola; a former Chief Judge of Edo State Justice Akepioroh and a member of the Council, Mrs Rekiya Ibrahim. The name of the fifth member of the panel could not be ascertained last night. The committee is to submit its report within three months. The Committee is different from an earlier three-man Reconciliation Committee, which is brokering peace between the two leaders of the Judiciary. A source at the meeting said an attempt by Deputy Chairman of the NJC Justice Dahiru Musdapher, who presided, to single-handedly determine the list of members of the Committee was resisted by other Council members, led by former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

Judicial council denies suspension of chief justice

Editors Online — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 07:17:26 +0000

By Gowon Emakpe The National Judicial Council (NJC) yesterday denied reports it has suspended the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloysius Katsina-Alu, and president of the Court of Appeal, Ayo Isa Salami. The council said it just constituted a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the two men. Danladi Halilu, secretary of the council, said the council, at its 5th emergency meeting, deliberated on the various petitions against Messrs Katsina-Alu and Salami and that after considering all the petitions and the comments by the two men and other Justices of the Court, it constituted a panel to investigate the allegations. "Contrary to the media publications, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and President of the Court of Appeal were not suspended as members of council, neither was there any disagreement on the list of members of the panel presented. "Further, the time-frame given to the panel to investigate and submit its report to the council is not three months as published in the media," Mr. Halilu said. He said in view of the number of petitions involved and the gravity of the allegations contained therein, the council gave the panel a time-frame of two months within which to submit its report. He said members of the committee are former Court of Appeal president, Umaru Abdullahi, as chairman; E. O. Ayoola; D. O. Edozie; M. E. Akpiroroh; and Rakiya S. Ibrahim. Mr. Halilu also said the council deliberated on the complaint by the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, and members of some political parties in respect of alleged abuse of ex-parte orders and conflicting orders by courts of coordinate jurisdiction. "The council, however, observed that no specific report, complaint, or petition has so far been forwarded to it against any particular judicial officer involved in granting frivolous injunctions and or conflicting orders, to enable it consider and take appropriate disciplinary action in that regard," he said. No one to sanction He said it is on record that eight judges who had granted frivolous ex-parte injunctions in the past were dismissed from service on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council. "It is to be stressed that in the absence of any proof of misconduct against a Judicial Officer, council has no power to interfere with his judicial functions," he said. The controversy between the Appeal Court president and the Chief Justice started with the elevation of Mr. Salami to the Supreme Court, which the NJC has since reversed. Mr. Salami subsequently alleged that Mr. Katsina-Alu asked him to compromise the Court of Appeal's verdict on the protracted Sokoto governorship legal tussle by either disbanding the original panel, which he (Katsina-Alu) believed was about to give a verdict adverse to the governor's interest, or direct the panel to give judgment in the governor's favour. Conversely, the sacked former governors of Osun and Ekiti States, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Segun Oni, sent separate petitions to the council and the presidency, alleging that collusion between leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria and Mr. Salami accounted for their removal.

Amosun attacked at Ilaro

Editors Online — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 23:50:48 +0000

Vanguard

ACTION Congress governorship candidate in Ogun State; Senator Ibikunle Amosun yesterday alleged premeditated attack on his campaign train by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] adding that some of the hoodlums attacked his team on Thursday in Ilaro and Ajilete in Ogun State. Senator Amosun told newsmen in Abeokuta that some people fired gunshots at his convoy in Ilaro while some also attacked him in Ajilete with stones which led to his receiving injuries on the forehead. He received stiches on his head. Amosun said "there is no campaign that we have had that they did not attempt to attack us. We felt that since it was the Olurin camp that we would face, we did not see them as violent as Daniel, but we have found out otherwise. PDP represents violence. The ACN candidate said the campaign team was first attacked in Ilaro where several gun shots were fired, he said the campaign train moved on to Oke_Odan before proceeding to Ajilete at about 8.45 pm where another round of attack took place. He said "we had to hurriedly leave the place. We were scheduled to sleep in Ilaro but we could not because we did not want the thing to escalate. We just want to plead with them not to turn Ogun State into a bloody state But in a swift reaction, the Olurin Campaign Organization denied having any hand in the attack saying "It is disturbing that anyone could attempt to link the PDP governorship candidate or his supporters with the attack". The Chairman of the campaign Organization Mr. Lai Labode in the release said "to be sure, everyone knows that our candidate is a gentleman. He has always conducted himself in a non_violent manner. Indeed, recent events leading to where we are at the moment attest to this. We are surprised that anyone could link our candidate and his supporters with this despicable act. "On that fateful day, Chief Olurin and most of our supporters were in Abeokuta, meeting and fine_tuning plans for the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Akala stops Buhari’s rally for Jonathan’s wife

Editors Online — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 06:58:41 +0000

By OLA AJAYI & DAPO AKINREFON

* Bakare flays action Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State has ordered the stoppage of the rally by the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), scheduled for tomorrow at the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan. The order was informed by the proposed visit of the first lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday. The action drew instant condemnation from the CPC vice presidential candidate, Pastor Tunde Bakare, who claimed it amounted to stiffling of the opposition by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Alao-Akala was said to have given security reasons for his action, alleging that the CPC changed its plan without carrying him along and that the inability of the party to use Mapo Hall should not be blamed on him but the party. Mr. Adebayo Shittu, governorship candidate of the CPC in Oyo State, said his party had paid for the venue more than two weeks ago, but the state government had allegedly given an instruction to the management of Mapo Hall that the party should not be allowed to use the venue. He said, "It is quite unfortunate what is happening in this country that the opposition is being muzzled by the government in power. We all know that nobody was elected into the position of the first lady, yet the instrument of the state is being used to deny somebody of the calibre of Gen. Buhari the opportunity to tell the people of the South-West what he has in stock for them". He added that like a drowning person, the PDP was doing that because it knew it had already failed in Oyo State. Alao-Akala, however, cleared the air on his action through Prince Dotun Oyelade, his Special Adviser on Public Communication, saying, "It is also untrue that Oyo government has denied the Congress for Progressive Change presidential candidate the use of Mapo Hall". He explained that CPC wrote that it would pay a courtesy call on the governor, on Monday, March 7 and he replied that he was in the thick of his electioneering campaign; so he couldn’t receive him. "When CPC suddenly changed its campaign to next Monday (tomorrow), it should have the courtesy of notifying appropriate authority which, in any case, had allocated Mapo to the First Lady, Mrs. Jonathan, who is on state visit Tuesday. CPC should blame itself for the embarrassing lapse, " Alao-Akala stated. Fielding questions from journalists in Lagos, yesterday, Bakare berated Oyo State government for frustrating the efforts of the CPC south west campaign because of the wife of the president, by taking possession of Mapo Hall, Ibadan. He explained that the CPC was supposed to make use of the hall on Tuesday for its rally, having paid for the hall, while the President’s wife is billed to host PDP women at the venue on Wednesday. The CPC vice presidential candidate said, "They cannot stop us from holding our rally at Mapo. I’m marching there, not in agbada, but in jeans to tell them that they cannot prevent us from holding our campaign in Mapo Hall." While reacting to the allegation by the PDP that his party instigated violence in some states, he absolved his party of being involved in any act of violence. His words: "Is CPC responsible for the violence in Bayelsa? Was CPC responsible for the stampede in Port Harcourt where a lot of people died as a result of the overzealousness of security agents? God helped them that they have not come face to face with the revenge and revolt of the poor. I am an eye witness to history. From Abuja to Maiduguri, it’s one hour twenty minutes. The governor of Borno State withdrew all the buses that were meant to welcome us. The people trekked, they ran, they came on Okada. From the airport, it took us four hours to get to the palace of the Shehu of Borno, these people you call violent did not cause any disturbance at the palace, but they cannot stop anything called PDP. As far as we are concerned, we are preaching peace, but the people are exhibiting against PDP." On the perceived deadlock between ACN and CPC on alliance talks ahead of the April polls, he said the talks are on going.

Let’s crash this democracy–Pat Utomi

Editors Online — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 07:05:46 +0000

From Mariam Aleshinloye-Agboola, Jos

•Nigeria is dying For years, Professor Pat Utomi has advocated for a change in a system he was convinced was decaying. Today, he is exasperated at a nation and its leaders unperturbed by the US prediction that Nigeria may cease to be one in a few years. The former Director of Lagos Business School and Presidential candidate of Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP), in this interview with Magazine Editor, Shola Oshunkeye says he is convinced that what we have is no democracy and it is high time we dismantled it otherwise… How has it been on the campaign trail? The campaign comes as expected with many challenges but it also comes with a very firm promise in that it elevates your consciousness on why this is such an important exercise. Everyday I discover why our country unfortunately has not made much progress in spite of God’s grace. I have particularly been struck by a number of things in recent times that go to the heart of the matter and sometimes people talking on the streets don’t connect to those kinds of things. Sometimes our elders, politicians and so-called business leaders either don’t get it or pretend not to but it’s going to catch up with all of us very soon. Let me give you a couple of things that entered my universe of thinking in the last four days. I was reading a report from Brazil in one of our newspapers, about people trying to get the former President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva prosecuted. As you know, Da Silva was an extremely popular president who worked very hard for the Brazilian people. Everything was booming. This is a hero but Brazilians have gone to court saying that while he was president he went somewhere or something and after he came back the presidency sent out thank you notes to those he saw and they said that he did at government expense what should be a private matter. They have gone to court for him to be prosecuted for using public funds to send out thank you notes. Now while he was still president, da Silva flew from Brazilia, the capital to Rio on official assignment. It happened that his party was having a party caucus or something in Rio. He stopped over and attended, while he was still incumbent. Some people went to court that he used public money for party matter and the court ruled against him and refunded the cost of fueling the plane. The Jonathan government has crippled the Nigerian government. All the public resources of our country are being used to prosecute private personal political campaign of the PDP. The state governors have pillaged the treasuries to advance their political interest. So you see the collapse of the civil society is part of Nigeria’s trouble. Civil society has collapsed just like almost everything else in our country. So I look at Brazil, I look at Nigeria and I can understand why today we talk about BRIC economies; Brazil, Russia, India, China. Nobody is putting "N" in it or calling it BRINC because nobody thinks Nigeria is going anywhere. Secondly, on Saturday I was flying to Abuja and there was a small guy in Agbada surrounded by two other guys on the plane. I was wondering who he was, there was evident movement that tried to suggest that he was of some kind of importance but I didn’t pay any attention. He didn’t look like somebody I had ever met. I was sitting in seat 1A and he sat maybe two rows behind. When we landed, there was this rush to come to the door for them to be the first people to exit. So, I stepped back so that we the lesser citizens will wait for them to go out. As we disembarked, we saw a big crowd with cameras and they started yelling oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ah, ah. So I asked the managing partner of KPMG who was also on the flight who the short guy was and he told me it was the former MD of NPA that was released from prison that day with Bode George. He started telling me the Bode George story because I didn’t follow the thing, and I didn’t watch it. he said it was live on TV. Now in any country where you want to bring young children up and you show them people being released from prison when it wasn’t for treasonable felony or a political trial. Whichever way you look at it, it was for stealing, simplicita. And all I could think of was a friend of mine from Shagamu who was telling a story of growing up in Shagamu in the late 1950s and somebody in the neighbourhood sighted a policeman going into a house. It wasn’t that they knew he did anything, the policeman was seen going to their house and they became lepers in the community. Nobody would associate with them because a policeman was seen going to their house. Now I see people who are coming out of prison for criminal offence being celebrated on Live Television as if they were war heroes and I definitely knew something was wrong with the heart and soul of my country. Values shape human progress. If we have gotten that wrong, progress can’t take place. Why can’t Professor Pat Utomi just be contented with going to the Senate and putting all his intellectual values at the disposal of his people at that level? That is the worst question to ask because that is one place I will never want to be. God will prevent me from being in such a place. Why? What has the Senate ever done of any value in Nigeria? Because people believe that with people like you and others who are of like minds coming in… We have a fundamental problem. We have to bring this system down completely and rebuild. How do you mean bring it down completely? Destroy it. Crash the democratic system? Crash the whole thing. It is not working for Nigeria, it will not work for Nigeria. So how do we crash it? By proving to the world that it’s a joke. That is what this is about. We have spent close to twelve years… Of a joke. Show me one road that has been completed in Nigeria in 12 years. One road. The dualisation of theLagos-Ibadan Expressway? One Canadian diplomat was coming to a meeting with the Concerned Professionals and other Civil Society Groups three years ago and he had gone to speak to some group in Ibadan. When he arrived the meeting, he said that driving on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway is a violation of the fundamental human rights of all those who travel on it. The Lokoja/Abuja dualisation has been going on for more than eight years, it has killed half of Nigeria, literally speaking, and it’s not completed. It’s not working, the system is not working, and the country is not working. Why are we fooling ourselves? Essentially because there are no viable institutions Absolutely. This democratic system is just a gangster arrangement for extracting economic rent from the system. It is not working. You just prescribed that we should crash this democratic experiment, what is the alternative? First of all we need a new constitution. All this patching is not working. We need to start from ground level. You need to have a system that is owned by the people. Have you ever seen a country where the people are so completely alienated from governance? The people don’t feel that the government is for them or about them. Anybody you talk to just shrugs: ‘God will catch them one day.’ So for me my role is essentially to highlight the fact that this is not a working system. You talked about Senate and all that, when I started out, my goal was to see if we could build an alternative institution, a political party that brings together progressive forces. When you have that kind of viable political force with a complete agenda of again literally starting afresh, then you can make progress. When I woke up January 1, 2010, my New Year resolution, which I told my wife, was I’m not running for anything. I am out of it. I’ve worked with young people for so long. I will continue to work with young people in one way or the other to shape their mind so they can realize they can rebuild their country. But I kept getting pulled in. you know this Chief Enahoro’s idea, build a mega summit movement I was just a follower. One day I traveled, came back and was told I was chairman. I said oh is that the story? On another day, I was told that I have to be candidate because they need somebody to rally around to make the point I have been making about constructing a new Nigeria, so I said okay oh. But you see what is required is so fundamental and requires commitment. We have a dying country. People don’t realise it but we have a dying country. This is hypothetical. Do you think it will do us well if we shift the elections and go into that conference to re-arrange things before we can say we are ready? It is hypothetical, as you say. But they won’t do it. We are going to have an election and it is going to be a complete mess. Jega or no Jega? Jega or no Jega. You see, that is another part of Nigeria’s problem; this turning to Jega. What we need are strong institutions not strong men. We are obsessed with strong men. Where will Jega be? How many places can he be? They will run rings round him so much he will just be wondering what is happening. Is Jega’s constant demand for more money part of the confusion? That is one of the reasons I say we should crash this system. What I mean is that we have to change it completely. We cannot run such an expensive democracy. We are now living for the democracy instead of the democracy living for us. Let us go back to the parliamentary system where a group of us in our village nominate one guy who we think is good for our village to go and represent us for a total cost of next to nothing. If he doesn’t do well, he comes back. This system is not working. You sound thoroughly sad When I was growing up, I was raised in a country of promise. I grew up expecting the world. As I am entering the sunset of my life, I looked back and all the promises have failed. Look, (Ben) Nwabueze, a professor of constitutional law, an extra-conservative man in his 70s, says Nigeria must have a revolution. That there is no way out but a revolution! This is not a flippant statement. He is conservatism personified and he is 70, saying revolution is inevitable. He is not mad. He is talking about a country that has failed and the only thing that can save it is upturning the system. Politicians have been campaigning but a lot of Nigerians say they are just making noise… We have not had campaigns in this country. At the risk of sounding funny, I was the only one who campaigned in 2007. I was considered a joke but I was the only one who campaigned in the sense that Americans campaign. Maybe because I didn’t have money. I had three or four vehicles and we went round this country. I was in every state in this country in 2007... I was in Kano at least five times. At least on three occasions I travelled between Kano and Abuja about 11pm by road. I see people jump into an airplane to Adamasingba Stadium with a huge crowd of people that they had paid and given uniforms. They clown around for 45 minutes and go. That is not campaigning. They are just making a joke. What do you think the media is not doing right? The media should point out that what PDP is doing is not called campaigning; that it is a charade, a circus. A ruling party runs on its record, an opposition party runs on its vision, the strength of his vision. Compare the vision of the opposition with the record of the incumbent. Of course, as you know, PDP cannot run on its record. There is no record to run on. It has destroyed the country. Call one PDP trustee and ask him to show how the quality of life of the average Nigerian is better today than it was in 1999, even him cannot justify it. Everybody knows that life expectancy in Nigeria is worse today than it was in 1999. Everybody knows that infant mortality in Nigeria is one of the worst in the world. Everybody knows that Nigeria is almost at the bottom of the African competitiveness index, that Nigeria’s economy is one of the least competitive economies in Africa. Ironically, Tunisia, where this crisis started from, is Africa’s most competitive economy. So you can imagine in Africa’s least competitive economy, Nigeria, what should be happening. I think our problem is oil. Because it can be used to service the greed of a few and make them bent on worsening our lives it continues. The Economist interviewed me in 1996 when Abacha was in power and I said I wished Nigeria could find a way of giving the oil to its soldiers and politicians and say tackle this, leave Nigeria, leave us alone and go away that Nigeria will be more prosperous. Because oil services this corrupt bureaucracy and political machine there is a semblance like we are functioning. If it was not there Nigerians will know that they either have to build their future or they will become Somalia and I’m sure that they will vote for building their future and Nigeria will be a truly prosperous country. The endowments of this country are enormous. The endowments that can make this country truly great even without oil are phenomenal. What are you bringing to the table in your campaign? Ideas are the most important thing to bring to an election campaign. Barack Obama is president of United States not because of anything else he brought to the table but because he can think. You know in Nigeria they think the intellect is a disadvantage. They call it theory, but there is no practice without theory. You have to think out, see the possibility before you can put it to practice. Nigerian politicians who are very anti-intellectual have managed to convince Nigerians, including journalists, that thinking is theory. So we have a serious problem. The problem we have is the collapse of culture. The value system has crashed completely and Nigerians cannot even tell right from wrong, what makes for progress or what distracts from. It is not that there are no roads. So it boils down to poverty of the mind Poverty of the mind, ultimately. In fact, I will show you the message from a priest who read the piece I had in The Guardian. He was very frustrated. He said: "Prof, your message is good but my fear is that you are talking to a people whose minds are closed. Most of our leaders are sick and their sickness is chronic poverty of the mind. They simply cannot understand the things you say because they are blind and you are thinking normally in a country where people are so accustomed to thinking upside down. Can you imagine the hero’s welcome given to Bode George? Can’t you see the level of mental poverty and decay? Anyway don’t be discouraged because there are still some sane minds who know and appreciate the truth. Regards. Monsignor." What is your assessment of INEC? To be fair, we really don’t have any empirical basis for evaluation. The only thing I know that I can evaluate is the voters’ registration exercise. It had its flaws and aany things were corrected. Overall, it left you afraid and worried about a few things. But I think the taste of the pudding is in the eating. So we may have to wait until after the elections to be able to evaluate them fairly. What will be your priority in the first six months if you are elected President? Job creation. But you know the beauty of job creation is that you will be solving several problems at once. When you create jobs, they won’t be doing those jobs entertaining themselves. The jobs will be solving other problems. The primary way to create jobs quickly is infrastructure development. Anybody who is a serious observer will notice that our infrastructure continue to decay in an extraordinary manner. The contracting process is so fundamentality corrupted in this country. But massive effort at infrastructure development will immediately create several million jobs. First of all, you have take people off the streets. As I said before, the corruption in the contracting system has made it difficult. One simple way you can solve this problem is to take it away from the contracting system. For instance, iif you want to do Lokoja/Abuja dualisation, you don’t go to the Ministry of Works to award contracts to whoever. There are people who have their own money around the world who are willing to come and build a road and collect toll. But those people will not come to Nigeria. Most of the roads in Malaysia, Indonesia are all built that way. But they won’t come to Nigeria because there is so much uncertainty here. They don’t know if the next election takes place the man nominated by this governor will not say I cancel that road arrangement because Nigerian elite have grown up feeding on corrupt extraction of rent. So they keep cancelling contracts and re-awarding. No serious business around the world will take that risk for something you collect your toll over 25 or 50 years. So they won’t come. How do you change that? When we still had 60 something billion dollars in our reserves, I was on a flight with Chukwuma Soludo, then governor of Central Bank, and I said to him, now that you people have all this cash, instead of just keeping the thing there why don’t you take $20billion and put it in whatever bank in Europe as collateral security? You can then invite private infrastructure companies from Australia (because Australia remarkably are the leaders in that area) to come and do a coastal highway from Lagos all the way across the Atlantic coast. People can build hotels and there will be tourism explosion. You just collect your toll. If we misbehave at any point in time between now and 50 years during which you have toll you can go to international arbitration. If we are found guilty, they can share the money in the bank and pay back. Just the demonstration effect will lead to a flood of people even whether the collateral is there or not anymore because it has already given the confidence to open things up. We will put millions of Nigerians to work building those roads and railways and all of that opening our country for more progress. I thought you were going to mention power Infrastructure is also power. I started with roads because that is what I talked about earlier. Do you know how much we have spent on power and still it is not working. Same logic for power as for roads; just the same thing. Power should be decentralized. You come and build your ten megawatts plant and be collecting your tariff or whatever people pay for electricity. How about security? Security is very critical, very important. I mean if people are not secured they cannot do anything. Again, I will decentralize policing in Nigeria. I will go for a fiscal arrangement where the federal government will provide grants to the states and the funding of the police force will be a state matter. We need a state police force not a federal one. Policing is about being in the community, knowing the thieves. If you are in Abuja and you are sending people to Akwa Ibom to protect them, they will collude with the kidnappers. When a man from Ikot Abasi is policing Ikot Abasi, he knows that it is his personal business and at first point he knows the families that steal. So the police need to be adequately funded and decentralized. They will say politicians used the local police to harass their enemies in the 60s. That is a naïve argument. Don’t we use federal police to harass our enemies if we are the government in the centre? The way to deal with that is that whenever any issue involves fundamental human rights it immediately becomes a federal issue as it is in America. So decentralize policing, invest heavily in creating a new police force, re-educate the policemen and make policing a prestige institution. Right now policing is seen as some thing for any drop out to go into. I have no problem making a university degree the minimum requirement to be a policeman because you need them to be enlightened to understand what they are doing. If all that you do with your budget as government is education, healthcare and security the country will make progress. How would you tackle the waste in the system, for instance, by trimming the size of government in Nigeria? Well I used to say that one of the first things I will do in the first six months is to slash government massively. By how many per cent? It is not a matter of percentage. If I really have my way it will be by 80 per cent. But it is not a matter of sacking people, moving them to other functions where they can do real work. Seven years ago, DFID (Department For International Development) invited me to make a presentation at their London office. They were really fascinated by some of the ideas that I expressed on over-bloated public service. I said it is true that we have an over-bloated civil service. People are in Abuja doing nothing. For instance, the Ministry of Finance is full of people who don’t understand the first thing about finance. If I got rid of 80 per cent of the people in the ministry today, bring in a few serious professionals who understand finance to run the ministry at 20 per cent of the current work force, I don’t need to sack anybody actually. I will look at the profile of all of these people that we don’t need in the ministry and probably spend a little more money retraining them. Can you imagine what would happen in many local governments if people like that were injected into the local government administration because local governments don’t have capacity? What they are doing is just share the money and it is not just because they are greedy. It is because if you even gave them a target they won’t be able to do it with the money because they don’t know how to do it; they don’t have capacity. These roads we are talking about, that none has been completed in 12 years since 1999, is an indictment on the public service because every year they award contracts for roads and not one has been completed. The only road that can be completed is the Abuja airport unnecessary road. Why are you spending billions to build a road that was okay? What the hell in the rush building a ten-lane highway to the airport? It was Dr Kolade who said this to me; he said it is presidential route. So what decides what Nigeria is doing is the route the president travels on when there are serious commercial arteries in this country that are unmotorable. Where are our foreign reserves that were built up to such a huge level? It’s gone. Where is the excess crude account? It’s gone. What was it used to produce? There is no single road that is motorable in Nigeria. There is no viable institution that is working even the judiciary has become a disgrace. Where in the world do you find judges of that level exchanging words? Nothing is sacred anymore in Nigeria and you don’t think your country is dying? Celebrating prisoners, judges abusing each other, people taking money from the treasury to run their campaigns and all of that, no accountability, impunity. The country is impunity extraordinaire. One day young people who have been out of work for ten years will revolt. These characters are saying it is not possible in Nigeria, Tunisia started because one guy out of work was so angry he set himself on fire. I can show five hundred thousand guys who have not been at work for seven years after graduation. You think that one day they won’t get together and start burning everything. The short sightedness of these fellows just beat me. People who said revolution is impossible in Nigeria site the example that in Nigeria we are so polarized along ethnic lines, religious divides and there’s the influence of money that the people at the top use in dividing us … How many of the millions of unemployed Nigerians get some of the money they share? How many can you share to? How much does Nigeria earn from crude oil? Countries don’t get rich from selling one commodity like oil, countries get rich from producing things. So how much is that crude if you begin to share it? And if there are 3-4million unemployed graduates, how much will you share to them to prevent 1 million of them coming together to bring the whole system down? It’s just short sightedness. This thing you have said Prof we will publish you verbatim when you said we have to crash this democracy It’s not a democracy. It’s not working. It is not a democracy Some over zealous security agents might interpret this to mean you are canvassing alternative form of change So, they have to catch me doing something that is unconstitutional. They have a right to think, it’s a God-given right. Okay let’s spell it out, how do you want us to crash this democracy and start to rebuild? We have to sit before the Nigerian people and discuss where we are which is that we are nowhere. If so many millions of Nigerians are unemployed there is no constructive plan, don’t tell me I will vote 50billion for employment to get Nigeria working, the engine has knocked but we are pretending. You know when a person is in the hospital on life support system they think he is alive because there is life support. In Nigeria there is a life support system called crude oil earning. The country has crashed. It’s all about how to share that life support and what eventually happens is that one day the doctor will pull the life support and death will officially be recognized but you were living dead anyway. That is what Nigeria is right now, a living dead on life support system of crude oil revenue. Now if people are not able sit down and say politicians are not serving Nigeria, all of us politicians are not serving the Nigerian people, then what should they say? What is a democracy? And you don’t say it by taking up NTA airtime in song and dance. You say it by standing before the Nigerian people in town hall meetings one-on-one but they definitely won’t want it to happen. You think Nigerians will wait forever? If we don’t organize to have a true democracy, one day the youth will take it over. Do you see that happening very soon? I don’t know when it will happen but I am just talking as a scholar who has studied societies. I wrote a piece that was in the papers this weekend, the poverty conspiracy. All I am just trying to do is show you historically what has happened in other parts of the world. Argentina was at par with the United States in the 1930s by the 1990s Argentina was down to West African level GDP. It had moved from first world to the third. The US had gone on to become the world’s preeminent economy. You don’t have to read Gerald Diamond to know that collapse has come to Nigeria. Unless there is a massive rethink Nigeria’s life support system is designed to last only for a short period, and what you’ll get is Somalia. Somalia? Nigeria is on the road to Somalia. Look at what is happening with Boko Haram, in Jos, the Niger Delta? We are using some money to sustain the so-called amnesty, how long can we continue that? Those same boys will resume. The governor of Niger was shouting the other day that Boko Haram people were coming to his state. All over the place warlords will be in charge just because the elite has not shown responsibility in the way it has governed the country. A US report predicted a few years back that by 2015 Nigeria will be a failed state. Do you now see that happening? It is not in my interest for that to happen. What I thought that prediction should have done is cause us as an elite to rally around and say our country must not go that way instead we just continued doing the same very things that will bring us to that point. Look there is an index a failed state index. The difference between Nigeria and Ghana is more than a hundred countries; Ghana is as far away from being a failed state as Nigeria is as close to being a failed state. So don’t come four years from now and say ah they said in 2015 Nigeria will collapse. For many Nigeria is already a failed state. Most South Easterners are so passionate about the homestead that they go home every month. They have their mass return in Easter, and everybody goes home for Christmas. I was at a meeting in Abuja of leading politicians from the South East; some of them had not been to their hometowns in three years because of insecurity primarily. What do you call a state that people are so in secure? A failed state. So Nigeria is in serious trouble. I don’t want to get into the American prediction and all of that because people forget that that process is not that a group of Americans woke up one morning and said this state will be a failed state, you know how they produce those reports? It’s global trend survey. It’s not about Nigeria. Every five years, and that is how serious countries work, they pull together the world’s smartest people to look at how the world is evolving; the trends, the possibilities, what will happen and when these people finish they take the data from their study, the US intelligence community then produces a report. And then they find some of the smartest people in the world to review that report and publish what they call global trend for the next five years. I have had the good fortune of being invited. I was the only one from sub-Saharan Africa invited that room included former European prime ministers. We spent one week together reviewing the latest global trend survey. Nigeria in the eyes of the world has lost its relevance because it has had bad leaders, nothing else. But I cannot just roll over and die. Let history record that some Nigerians stood up and said our country cannot go on like this. Prof when you look at the political field and you see all this retired generals, people with deep pockets and who have almost become veterans contesting for the presidency, are you intimidated? Intimidated by their deep pockets? Yes Deep pockets have nothing to do with running a country. Because you need loads of money If I want to do it their way then I shouldn’t be informed in this business. My being in this business is an indictment of their way so if I do it their way what’s the point? I can as well go and become one of them. I have to do it differently. Granted the way the Nigerian system works, your chances of becoming president or being sworn in on May 29, I’m sorry I’m not trying to discourage you No, go ahead You know your chances are so remote but by May 29 what would you have achieved by joining this race? Let May 29 come first. Let it come. I’m talking about you refocusing that you have spent all your energy, resources over the years, how do you intensify your efforts? You know the thing that makes me feel my life has been worth living are not this huge things, they are the small things like waking up, being in airport which has happened to me a week before last in Washington DC and a young man running from somewhere, running up to me and I look at him, he turns out to be a Nigerian and he says are you Professor Pat Utomi? And I say yes. He says my life is what it is because of you. You know you just look at yourself and say who am I? for me the amazing thing is that it happens with such frequency this days that I say God you must have a good sense of humor. What are you trying to communicate to me? I flew from Washington to Atlanta and as I was checking a fully kitted US Marine walks up and I was saying what have I done now that an American soldier wants to arrest me you know and he says excuse me sir are you Pat Utomi? And I said yes I am. I said see these Americans, now they have sent CIA to catch me. He said I was actually sending you something on Facebook yesterday night. I said you are sending me something on Facebook, which one concern me and you? Then he introduces himself. They were just arriving from Iraq. He is a US army doctor but he is Nigerian-born. So I talked with him a few minutes and he was very excited. He is in touch with me on Facebook and he goes on saying some extraordinarily kind things about without people like me, our country is dead and blah blah. I said thank you. I get into the airplane. Coincidentally he is sitting right next to me. That one-hour plus flight to Atlanta we did talk. Then he said his family must meet me. So I went up with him; he was taking photographs. Look people were seeing him and as they were coming, you know the way Americans regard their soldiers. They were giving him flowers, all kinds but he was chaperoning me to go and take photograph with his wife. So when I go through moments like that, I say its been worth it. He is from Benin but he is a US Army doctor. So looking back at the whole of your life now 55 years of your life do you have any regrets at all? Would you do what you have been doing all over again if you had the opportunity to? You know that question whenever I am asked my response is not the typical one. Most people when they ask that question will say definitely if I live my life ten times I will do it all over again. I am not that em em what is the right word to use. If I had to do it all over I probably will.

Daura, Buhari’s hometown, agog for Ribadu

Editors Online — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 13:55:49 +0000

Festus Eriye

Daura, hometown of the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), General Muhammadu Buhari, came alive Saturday evening as the campaign team of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) presidential candidate, Nuhu Ribadu, arrived the city for an unheralded visit to the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk. Scores of indigenes who had been taken by surprise by the sudden appearance of Ribadu and the ACN bigwigs, swamped the campaign tour buses and motorcade as they made their way out of the Emir’s palace – chanting ‘Nigeria! Abaura Ribadu’ meaning ‘Nigeria leave it for Ribadu or Nigeria give it to Ribadu’ in Hausa language. An excited Ribadu said of the surging crowd and spontaneous cheering: ‘I have never seen anything like this. The entire town literally came out!’ Receiving the ACN candidate, the Emir warned politicians to seek peace and avoid ‘do or die politics’. ‘All the aspirants are my sons. Anybody who wants to cause trouble for Daura – even if he is a son I would not support him.’ Earlier in the day, the former EFCC boss had held a presidential flag-off rally at the Polo Ground in Katsina. He told the enthusiastic crowd of supporters chanting ‘Nigeria! Sai Ribadu,’ the time for change had come. He said because the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had promised and failed to deliver on too many occasions, it could not be the solution to Nigeria’s problems. ‘We’ll be honest and use the resources that God has blessed Nigeria with for the benefit of the common man,’ he promised. Explaining why he chose the former Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc, Tajudeen Fola Adeola, as running mate, he said he wanted someone who could step in and take over as president in a crisis. ‘The basic consideration was competence – not just picking someone to represent South-South or Christians or Muslims.’ Also speaking at the rally, national leader of ACN, former Lagos Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, blasted the PDP for widening the gap between the rich and poor in the last 12 years. Party chairman, Chief Bisi Akande blamed the ruling party for ‘bastardising and destroying education and agriculture in Katsina.’ The Katsina rally attracted party stalwarts from across the country – among them former Jigawa State Governor, Saminu Turaki, former chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Alhaji Yusuf Alli, former Minister for Labour, Musa Gwadabe, ACN National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed among others. The Katsina leg of the rally which witnessed the presentation of party flag to the gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Usman Bugaje, was rounded off with a courtesy call on the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman.

Tinubu Lambasts Jonathan Over Remark

Editors Online — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 14:15:58 +0000

By kazeem mohammed

•Aregbesola Steals Show At Akure ACN Presidential Campaign The former governor of Lagos State and the National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has again described President Goodluck Jonathan as a failure in the next general elections for calling the people of the South-West geo-political zone ‘rascals’. Addressing a mammoth crowd of ACN members and supporters in Akure, Ondo State capital on Friday during the campaign rally of the party’s presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Tinubu said that rather than Jonathan to imitate the impressive leadership style of the ACN-controlled states where there have been rapid development, the president was busy abusing the people of the zone despite seeking their votes in the next election. He said: “You have been here since morning and you didn’t fight, neither did you abuse anybody, but somebody just came calling you and us rascals despite the fact that he is seeking our votes. “It means that he was saying that you and us don’t have good upbringing from our fathers and mothers. We are not afraid anymore, because he would fail here. Already, he had got the result and what he got is failure even before the elections”, he said. While calling on the people to vote Ribadu as president of the country in the next general elections, Tinubu said that the ACN was the only party that could bring development to the country, unlike the Peoples Democratic Party which, he said, had brought backwardness and lies to Nigerians. He recalled that Nigerians used to see prosperity in agriculture, job employment, but what has been the experience under the PDP administration in the last 12 years were destitution, frustration and backwardness. “There are over 12 million of unemployed graduates and over 25 million of ordinary youths roaming the streets. They (PDP) said they would put money in education, but we have seen that they are liars. They redefined democracy for us as ‘the government of the greedy for the greedy and by the greedy.’ They promised electricity, but we have seen nothing; what we see is empty promises. “PDP is a party that cannot even keep promises to themselves. They believed in zoning and where is their zoning formula today. Let us say bye-bye to them. They only make empty promises”. However, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State stole the show at the venue of the campaign, as he described the ACN as the only progressive party in Nigeria. Aregbesola, who was nearly the last person to mount the podium, was quickly noticed when he arrived, as he began to entertain the crowd with his different political songs, a situation that charged the crowd and threw them into jubilation mood. He said that it was time for the youths to take challenges of ruling the country and bring development to the country, saying that that was the basis for the nomination of Ribadu as the presidential candidate of the ACN. “We, youths, are the majority in Nigeria and that is why our party has nominated two young people, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Fola Adeola, to run the affairs of this country and make sure that you vote for ACN in the next elections. The only progressive party that can run the affairs of this country properly is ACN and that is the only party that has the interest of the people at heart”, he said. Also speaking, Ribadu said that it was time Nigeria put an end to unfulfilled promises by the PDP, saying that the PDP in the past “had promised electricity, but there was no electricity; they had promised security, but there was none; they had promised jobs, but there are no jobs”. He challenged the PDP and Jonathan to give way for the ACN to remake Nigeria from the underdevelopment it had been subjected to by the PDP. “You have seen what is happening in Lagos, Edo, Ekiti and Osun states and we shall do it more in Abuja and bring development to our country”, he said. Other speakers at the rally were the National Chairman of the ACN, Chief Bisi Akande; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and the running mate to Ribadu, Mr Fola Adeola among others who called on the people to vote the ACN, being the only party that is progressive-minded and ready to bring development to the country.

A Festival Of Goats

Editors Online — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 16:36:11 +0000

By Reuben Abati

"FIDELIA Njeze must go" "Who is that?" "You see, you don't know her. That is part of my point. For your information, she is the Minister of Aviation." "Am I supposed to know her? I stopped caring about who occupies what position a long time ago. They are all the same." "Precisely my point. How do we run a successful country if Nigerians no longer care who it is that is in public office on their behalf?" "So what has this Fidelia woman done to you, that you want her out of office? Are you consulting for one of the aviation sector unions, because I smell a rat? How can you just wake up and start campaigning against another man's wife?" "I am talking about how goats took over the runway of the Bauchi airstrip under her watch?" "Come off it. It is not the duty of a Minister to chase goats off the runway. To the best of my knowledge, there is no nomadic content to her job description. And this is not a Fidelia Njeze problem. She is Minister of Aviation, yes, but she didn't send the goats to the runway, and in any case, this is not the first time that this has happened. In 2006, an Air France aircraft ran into a herd of cows on the runway of the Port Harcourt airport. You didn't call for the head of the Minister of Aviation then. A few years earlier, another aircraft nearly ran into human beings on the runway. I also recall that someone once drove a car through a security gate onto the runway and crashed into an aircraft. This is Nigeria. This is Nigeria. Anything can happen. And things happen." "Meaning what? Does that mean when people do not do their jobs, we should not criticize them because inefficiency and underperformance have become national modes?" "If you ask me, I will like to know what happened to the goat meat. The goats died instantly. Fresh meat! Correct meat. Who took the goats away? What did they do to the goats? You will recall that when a similar incident occurred in Port Harcourt, there was a big scramble for free beef, even the security officials abandoned their duty posts and struggled to carve some meat for their wives' soup pots. Who took the Bauchi goats away? Did Fola Adeola, the man who would have been killed because of goats enjoy the privilege of taking the unfortunate goats home for pepper soup, asun, and nkwobi to celebrate his survival? Did he enjoy the free meat? A high-powered investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the goat incident must unravel this!" "You are a very stupid man, I am sorry to say. You think everything is a joke? You think if the incident had been worse than that; there would not have been serious trouble in the country? Knock on wood, if the goats had capsized the aircraft and there had been fatalities, you don't imagine that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) would have accused the PDP of sending the goats to eliminate ACN chieftains? Someone would have insisted that the goats were bleating: pee dee pee, pee deee peee, as they trotted onto the runway? And won't the Yoruba have insisted that there was a deliberate plan to eliminate a prominent Yoruba son?" "You like to imagine things. Anything is possible in a Nigerian airport. Have you not seen people planting and harvesting vegetables right next to runways. And what is the big deal about ACN anyway or your brother Fola Adeola? People die every day because of this election." "Precisely my point. People should not die because of elections, and definitely not at airports. If we have a Minister of Aviation, her priority should be to address those issues. Go round the country's airports. They are terrible. Take the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, that place is an eyesore. I was seeing a friend off yesterday, you know we couldn't find a place to sit down and wait for her flight to be announced. I went to the toilets, I couldn't spend a second; I rushed out. The odour alone could send you to the hospital for contracting an air-borne disease. And oh my God, the place is so hot. No air-conditioning. Other airports are worse. And I ask myself: what has Fidelia Njeze done?" "No. I think you just don't like the woman. This is an anti-Igbo agenda. You people like to criticize Igbos. Just because an aircraft chartered by a Yoruba party deputy presidential candidate ran into goats in Bauchi, you want an Igbo woman punished, did Jonathan appoint her to go and mind goats and cows?" "This is the problem with public debate in Nigeria. The so-called educated class stopped thinking a long time ago. I am raising serious questions about the aviation industry and one woman's incompetence, but here you are, ethnicizing it. Is it only the Yoruba that use airports? Don't Igbos also use Nigerian airports? If it pleases you, Kema Chikwe in retrospect looks like a very good Minister of Aviation. In her time, the air conditioning at the country's main airports worked. When one Omotoba got there, things stopped working. So, why can't your sister at least fix the air conditioners, fix the luggage carousels, arrange seating areas, do perimeter fencing of all the airports in the country, get FAAN and NCAAA to work, and move the aviation sector away from an entrenched rent-collection culture; I mean, can we have some common sense in the industry before people get killed for nothing?" "Leave her alone. People always get killed for nothing in Nigeria. It is the system, not the Minister. You are criticizing Fidelia Njeze, you won't criticize your own brother, who went to beg Obasanjo." "Who?" "The ogidi child" "You mean OGD?" "Yes". "You this kobokobo. He is not ogidi child. He is ogidi omo. "You dey craze. Is Yoruba my language? Ogidi child, and ogidi omo. What is the difference? Okeke and Okereke. Okoro and Okoroafor. You think I don't have sense? I see you don't like to criticize your own people." "Okay what has OGD done?" "What has he not done? He went to beg Obasanjo. He prostrated. I read in the papers that he has asked his boys went to PPN to return immediately to PDP, and that he is now supporting the Obasanjo faction. What is that?" "What is what?" "He prostrated." "What is your problem with that? Obasanjo is old enough to be his father. In Yorubaland, we prostrate to our fathers, we don't wake them up with a kick as some other Nigerians do." "So is Ogidi going to prostrate to all the people he has quarreled with? Is he going to withdraw the cases in court against the PDP and INEC?" "My friend, you don't understand politics. Things are not always what they seem. As a politician, you must learn to stoop to conquer. And when you lose, you can change strategy. And then re-strategize, and don't tell me please that goats on the Bauchi runway and lack of air-conditioning and seating space in our airports is a strategy. I don't want to hear that. "Strategy? Tell me. But since you know it all, I'll like to hear something about principles." "Go and sit down. Okay, Ogidi went to beg Obasanjo and Jonathan was able to visit Ogun state and have a successful outing. The civilized and united people of Ogun state did not stone him. His helicopter landed, his vehicles arrived, no goats stood in their way, no area boys harassed anybody. Nobody threw bombs. It is the triumph of the OGD strategy at work. Nigerians don't understand politics. And you don't. You obviously don't know jack about politics. You see, politics is very complex, it is not a straight route..." "And sometimes, it can be a tsunami" "Don't joke about that please. What is happening in Japan is not a joke. As a human being, I feel deeply pained." "It can't happen here." "Don't say that. We are all part of a common humanity, and the world is dealing with the challenge of climate change. It is an issue on which Nigeria should be pro-active." "Nigeria is covered by the Blood of Jesus. No weapon fashioned by any demon or principality or agent of the Devil shall prosper against us." "Are you okay? I am talking science, you are quoting something else". "Blood of Jesus. I rebuke every spirit of Tsunami, I bind the spirit of climate change and cast it into hell-fire." "All of this, just because I said Nigeria should try and learn from what is happening in Japan? To move Nigeria forward, we obviously have to worry about the goats in human skin who are no different from the goats on the runway." "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing?" "Helloo ooo oh." "What?" "Can you come back to reality zone? I think the biggest tragedy that has befallen this country is how some of its so-called elite have ended up on the religious runway. You can't have a proper discussion without the entire thing being reduced to either ethnicity or religion. The latter is almost worse than the former. Just look at you. With all your brilliance, when you start this your thing about being an Igbo nationalist and being a Christian, I simply lose you. And yet you are a fine human being and a good person." "You are insulting me because I said your brother prostrated to OBJ? Go and remind him that Atiku also begged the Ebora oh." "There is a difference between a son and a rival." "Obasanjo dey laugh o. Me sef, I dey laugh oh." "Laughter can make somebody lose his teeth oh." "Talking seriously now, looks like Gaddafi is winning the battle in Libya." "In the long run, he will lose the war." "How?" "He has been demystified. For him, the countdown to exit has begun. It is a question of when?" "And Laurent Gbagbo in Cote d'Ivoire?" "Same of the same." "Very much like Nigerian politics" "Tell me." "In Niger state, the police stopped a rally of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). The Police don't want change. In Ebonyi state, the Governor Martin Elechi reportedly stopped the ANPP from launching its presidential campaign in Abakaliki; in Benue, the PDP state government forced the ACN to shift its planned rally from Makurdi to Gboko." "Our politicians have gone mad again. Imagine throwing stones at the President's convoy, an act bothering gingerly in my view on the fringes of sedition and treasonable felony." "Hey, sedition is dead law." "But the Presidency is a living institution. When next anybody stones the President's convoy, I give the security agencies the permission to fire on sight." "True, true, craze dey worry you. Ogbnge craze." "Me, I dey kampe. All the craze people are in government and in politics." "And their friends are in journalism." "You say?" "At your own risk." "No. No. The presidency according to one story is worried that there is a plan by the opposition to use the media to discredit the 2011 polls. People believe you journalists are part of the problem." "Who is a journalist?" "People like you." "These days we are all journalists, you know?. You don't need more than a cell phone, ipad, or a computer. With a cell phone, you can take photographs, you can send bulk mail, you can create news; with a computer or ipad, you can create fiction and impose it on the world wide world, and get accolades for being cynical. So?" "And so?" "Knowing the truth is becoming more and more difficult" "How do we build a country without certain truths" "Well, you can answer that. That's an assignment for your Blood of Jesus". "The Blood of Jesus is about..." "Please, I have to take my drugs, Looks like my malaria fever is about to relapse. Please. Please." "I cover you with the Blood of Jesus. Blood of Jesus... sha baba ababba ra, ebora massahha ah ...Father, I beseech you.. for you are the Lord of Lords, rock of refuge"

I Endorse Muhammadu Buhari For President

Editors Online — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 16:45:04 +0000

By Sonala Olumhense

I HEREBY announce my support of Muhammadu Buhari for President of Nigeria. He is credible, and capable of changing Nigeria for the better. Is Buhari an angel? No. Indeed, I have criticized him in the past. I have expressed my disappointment that people of his generation and background act as if they are all that Nigeria has got. That argument is still valid. At the April elections, however, he will be the best that Nigeria has got. Everyone knows that next month's election will be the most critical in Nigeria's history. It will show whether we have learned anything from our own history or not, and therefore whether we are determined to move forward or not. Of the lessons we have learned, the elections will show, most of all, whether we have learned what I call the David Hill lesson. As editor of the London Weekend, Mr. Hill wrote a column in which he considered the question as to why people would do the same thing over and over again but expect different results. He wondered why a man who struck his own thumb with a hammer twice would expect not to experience the same excruciating pain the second time. That is the same question Nigerians must answer in less than one month from now. My answer is: Yes, if you clobber your thumb with that hammer, you are going to feel the same screaming and searing pain all over again. Actually, the pain will feel worse the second time because—unless you are of considerably languid intelligence— your brain would have informed you ahead of time about just how much of a fool you are and how bad the agony is going to be. Demographically, two kinds of people will offer their support to Goodluck Jonathan in April. The first comprises of beneficiaries of the incompetent, corrupt and unpatriotic system that has grounded Nigeria since 1999, and which Jonathan unapologetically represents. Of this category, no persuasion is possible. Such supporters are the golddiggers who dig for themselves and see in the atrocious manipulation that gave us Umaru Yar'Adua and Jonathan the perpetuation of that system. For them, there is no bigger picture, and no Nigeria. But by themselves, they will not be able to put Jonathan back in Aso Rock where, while Yar'Adua lasted, he was so disrespected he was known as the "social prefect." They will need the full cooperation of the second category: the fools. This second category comprises of masochists who will vote against the best interest of their own children and their country by giving their ballot to Jonathan of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). By doing so, they will be authorizing Jonathan to pick up that hammer the second time as they stick out their thumbs, telling him, "Hurt me, sir! Hurt me again! Hurt me, I am a fool!" And Jonathan will. Jonathan will hurt the people of Nigeria because in the past 12 years, and through agents Obasanjo, Yar'Adua and himself, the party has proved that the mission of the PDP is the PDP. The PDP provides privately for the PDP, and prescribes punishment for others. And it is because Jonathan will implement that agenda without question that he is carrying what his wife Patience Jonathan advertises at campaign stops as "umblerah" (umbrella). Obasanjo spent eight years carrying it, and he left Nigeria in the dark ages; Obasanjo is following Jonathan around to make certain Jonathan will not deviate. Anyone giving his vote to Jonathan gives him the permission to serve the PDP, to protect its army of crooks and looters, and to spend the federal treasury until it is empty. A Nigerian may vote Jonathan for a plethora of "reasons," but in the end, each of them will be found to be selfish or narrow. In the end, none of them will be truly an intelligent argument. The man has no record of character, patriotism or commitment. He is long on promises but extremely short on performance. As soccer coach Chris Udemezue used to say, [a player] cannot do in a match what he was unable to do in practice. Jonathan is not going to give Nigeria in May what he has not given since Yar'Adua died. Buhari can stretch out one of his long hands and arrest the drift. At this time in our history, his candidature is the wisest, the most promising, and the most logical. He has honour, discipline and strength of character: attributes every great leader must have but which are not a currency of the PDP. Furthermore, Buhari knows what is wrong with this country, and knows what to do about it, an insight he demonstrated when—as Head of State between 1983 and 1985—he led a memorable assault on indiscipline and excess in public life. Nigeria needs in office a leader whose word will command respect; a leader who will not speak out of both sides of his mouth; a leader who will deploy power in the national interest and not in the massaging of his own bloated ego and the greed of his friends. Nigeria needs a leader who is capable of holding himself and those around him to high standards of accountability and performance, not one who simply preaches about them in public. Nigeria needs a man who has demonstrated he can stand up to Nigeria's army of the rich and influential, not one whose friends, colleagues and mistresses are exempt from the law. Nigeria needs a man who will be consistent from day to day, not one for whom right and wrong depends on the company or the time of day. Nigeria needs a man who can tell opportunity from opportunism; a man who can resist the greed, insensitivity and ethical nothingness that now defines the country. There are many people asking to be president of Nigeria next May, but only Buhari truly meets these basic considerations. Only he answers the question: "Who is Nigeria's best hope for halting and reversing the deterioration and decay?" Only he can change the questions and seek new answers. He can bring in new men and women of character, and throw open a genuine new beginning anchored on public service. He can slam the doors on indolence and compromise, and unlock the cellars where the PDP hopes the bodies will never be discovered. I wholeheartedly endorse his candidature for President of Nigeria because he has the capacity to bring a sense of responsibility and mission to governance. If he does, implementing budgets and policies will become standard, and good men and women will have a place in our nation head of the mob of monsters. All of this is possible because Buhari has character. In Pastor Tunde Bakare, he has also chosen another man of integrity. Through action, not loud rhetoric, they can correct the principal weaknesses that have made Nigeria an underachieving and under-developing country. I have never met Buhari or spoken to him. But I have observed him closely for the better part of three decades, and I know that what he offers is superior to the weaknesses those who fear his ascendancy are eager to cite. Buhari is different. As I preached to complete strangers at Bar Beach in Lagos last week, he is the missing link, and he is an opportunity. I endorse him enthusiastically. sonala.olumhense@gmail.com 　

Ribadu, Adeola, Tinubu, others storm Ekiti March 21

Editors Online — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 16:57:05 +0000

By Gbenga Ariyibi
Ado Ekiti – Plans have been concluded for the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu take his campaign train to Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Monday, March 21. According to the statement signed by the state chairman of ACN, Chief Jide Awe a copy of which was made available to Vanguard in Ado Ekiti, Sunday, other notable party chieftains expected at the rally are the vice presidential candidate, Mr. Fola Adeola; the national chairman, Chief Adebisi Akande; national leader and former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and other national leaders of the party are expected to address the rally. Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has approved the constitution of a committee that would plan and make arrangements for the success of the presidential campaign of the ACN in the state. The committee is chaired by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi. Members of the committee are the state ACN Women Leader, Mrs. Ronke Okusanya; Chairman, Ikole Local Government, Chief Biodun Akin-Fasae; former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bayo Aina; Personal Assistant to the Governor, Mr. O’ Seun Odewale and Special Assistant to the SSG, Mr. Bisi Adesua. Other committee members are Senior Special Assistant (Security), Mr. Charles Fasuba; Senior Special Assistant (Research); Mr. Hakeem Jamiu; Senior Special Assistant (Mobilization), Mr. Tope Osatoyinbo, Special Assistant (Media), Mr. Odunayo Ogunmola; ACN Organizing Secretary, Rev. Femi Ojo and ACN Youth Leader, Prince Adeyemi Adelaja. Ribadu, who had taken his campaign to other parts of the country is expected to unfold his agenda to the people of the Land of Honour in what promises to be another round of the Broom Revolution Rally. Although there would be no governorship election in the state in April, elections is expected to be conducted into the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly. 　

Akala’s bid to stop Buhari’s rally fails

Editors Online — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:25:13 +0000

Our Reporters Today’s rally of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at Mapo Hall in Ibadan will go on, the police said yesterday. The CPC and the Oyo State government were yesterday engaged in a war of words over the rally "They (the CPC) have applied and we will give them security," Oyo State Police Commissioner Adisa Bolanta told our reporter. He added: "The command is prepared for the rally. Other parties have held their own rallies and we provided security. This one will not be an exception." But the Oyo State government said: "We are shocked that the CPC is roping in the Oyo State government in a straight forward administrative muddle it created for itself. "We are even bemused that Pastor Tunde Bakare is threatening that his party must hold its rally at Mapo Hall tomorrow (today), when the same party booked for last Friday only to change its mind that the rally will now hold on Monday when Ibadan Holding Company in charge of the Hall had already allocated that date to another client planning to host the President’s wife on Tuesday. "We chose to believe that the man of God must have been misquoted." The statement was signed by Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala’s Special Adviser on communications Prince Dotun Oyelade. Buhari’s spokesman Yinka Odumakin, in a statement in Ibadan yesterday, said: "Having complied with all regulations known to the laws of the land, the rally would hold at the planned venue. As far as our party is concerned,we would not submit to the intimidation of the ruling PDP in the state. "They (the PDP) have denied us venues in Niger and Adamawa states. There comes a time when ‘enough is enough’. We ask President Jonathan to hold the leash on his attack dogs as it smacks of hypocrisy for him to be pretending to be calling peace parleys with other presidential candidates while his agents are working against peace." Odumakin added: "We wish to sound it loud and clear again that all these shenanigans will not stop the Buhari/Bakare hurricane that is blowing away the umbrella of deception all over Nigeria. Our party sees the development as a continuation of the abuse of incumbency by the Jonathan administration, which he (Jonathan) claimed has buried ‘the rule of law’ mantra with the remains of his predecessor. "We want Nigerians to help us ask if Mrs. Jonathan will ask somebody not to hold a wedding ceremony at an event centre because she intends using the place the following day if she were a private citizen." Faulting the claim by the Akala administration that the CPC caused the problem by changing the date of its political rally, Odumakin made available receipts to show that the CPC validly booked the venue for today. "Governor Alao-Akala added a ridiculous dimension to the whole saga when he lied that the hiccup was because we changed our rally date," he said. "The attached receipts from Ibadan Local Governments Properties Co. Limited, the official managers of Mapo Hall, showed the date CPC booked Mapo Hall and the subsequent official acceptance of CPC use of Mapo Hall on the new rally date as 14th March 2011. This contradicts the false account of the Oyo State government," he added. Bakare gave an insight into the political strategy of his party to harvest votes from the Southwest when he refuted suggestions that the zone is only open to the ACN. He said the zone, being highly enlightened, is open to all and it would depend on strategies adopted by the parties hoping to access the huge votes available. He said his party would not rely on conventional methods of rallies for its campaign in the zone, but would devise other means of addressing smaller groups and emphasising the change element in its programme. On the allegation that CPC promotes violence, especially in the North, Bakare said the PDP was merely chasing shadows and attempting to defend itself. He said: "Is the CPC responsible for the violence in Bayelsa? Was CPC responsible for the stampede in Port-Harcourt where a lot of people died as a result of the overzealousness of security agents? God helped them that they have not come face-to-face with the revenge and revolt of the poor. "I am an eye witness to history. The governor of Borno State withdrew all the buses that were meant to welcome us. The people trekked, they ran, they came on okada. From the airport, it took us four hours to get to the palace of the Shehu of Borno. These people they call violent did not cause any disturbance at the palace, but they cannot stop anything called PDP. As far as we are concerned, we are preaching peace, but the people are exhibiting against PDP." Bakare also dismissed permutations that suggest that there could be a run-off which will make an alliance of opposition parties possible. He said: "Some already are thinking of a runoff, but we think and we are optimistic that we will win in the first ballot. Where we don’t win, we have assurances from appropriate quarters that they will support our bidding and we have built that across the different parties and I can assure you I don’t want to go further because I don’t want to deny what I have said." Speaking in his church yesterday in Lagos, Bakare, who reiterated that the Ibadan campaign would go on as planned, said: "By the magnitude of the crowd that turned up at the rallies, it appears to me that the North has already chosen its president. Will you choose him also?" he asked his church members. Bakare described President Jonathan’s campaign as "extravagant" and a "farewell party". "Jonathan is having a farewell party; farewell sightseeing. If they try to rig this election, I challenge them that they dare not," he said Bakare said the alliance talks between CPC and ACN was alive. He insisted that "the talks are still on (but) everybody wants to do it his own way".

Does Jonathan Deserve Nigerians Votes?

Editors Online — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:38:18 +0000

Tunde Fagbenle As I read the excerpts of the interview with Oronto Douglas, the Senior Special Assistant to Mr President on Strategy and Documentation published in The Nation newspaper of Sunday March 6, I could not but feel sorry for my brother and friend, lawyer and activist Oronto. What a damn hard job he has selling a damn hard product! The interview was headlined "Why Jonathan Deserves Nigerians’ Votes" but at the end, it read like "Why Jonathan Does NOT Deserve Nigerians’ Votes. Entirely out of no fault of Oronto, I must say. He had a job to do and "a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do". I’m not sure I could’ve done any better if that sad lot had fallen on my shoulders. For completely different reasons, the job of selling Jonathan is akin to that of selling Obasanjo, and I remember expressing the same feeling of pity for my friends who were hitting their heads against the brick wall for President Obasanjo, the man with a cruel knack of immediately jumping into muddy pond the moment he’s been dressed in white garment and made to look "new and improved"! Obasanjo made nonsense of democracy and more nonsense of federalism. He altered passed budgets in his bedroom, inserted strange clauses into bills already signed into law, undermined the National Assembly exploiting their greed and spinelessness to change the leadership at will, disregarded court judgments not in his favour, unilaterally withheld state allocations, called anyone not in his favour a thief even as his own hands are deep in the till – his aide caught with a plane load of dollars flying into America, his presidential library and third-term projects gulping billions without batting an eyelid, added the ministry of petroleum to his own portfolio of non-accountability, etc. But as excuses were being given by his image handlers for one abuse or another, Obasanjo pushes the limit even further – OBJ, the ultimate image-maker’s nightmare! But this is not about Obasanjo. Jonathan has not made life easy for his handlers and image-makers. The picture he cuts is one of cluelessness and guile at once. Our president brandishes a PhD yet sounds every moment mediocre, even simple. He’s not the sort of President you can show off, knowing he can stand his own in any circumstance or occasion with eloquence and brilliance – unsalutary aspect that makes the avoidance of a political debate on national TV a wise counsel indeed. But yet Mr President evokes sympathy with his ordinariness, and, lately, believability in his preachment. And after so much effort and a lot of words, those are the two selling points for President Jonathan that Oronto could come up with as far as I can see: ordinariness and believability. "The president rose from a humble background to this position…he never had opportunity of wearing shoes to school…he had to trek several kilometres," says Oronto Douglas of his boss, as if it’s some badge of honour. Well, I have news for my friend: the "Poor Parentage Association" already has a ‘chairman’, OBJ. I have it on authority that OBJ did not know where his next meal would come from when he was growing up such that even MKO in his own penury had enough to show mercy on his destitute classmate! But with what OBJ turned out to be, I doubt if coming from a poor background makes a great selling point after all. There were a few other things that Oronto said about GEJ in the struggle to sell him: "Nigeria needs a man they can give the country to and go to sleep; a man that will not sell the country." Really? Somehow late President Umaru Yar’Adua didn’t think so of his vice or he wouldn’t have turned the country unto Yayale Ahmed, the Secretary to the Government, rather than GEJ, when he was ill. Umaru may have his own, probably unholy, fears but whether we can "go to sleep" with Nigeria in GEJ’s hands happens to be one of my many worries; his story so far, those he is beholden to, is not comforting. "Wonderful achievements" of Jonathan since he assumed full powers as president on May 6, 2010 which Oronto could point to include: banishing of fuel queues; uniform fuel prices all over the country; appointments of credible persons to sensitive positions, like Prof. Jega as INEC chair, Gen. Iherika as Army chief (first Igbo in donkey years), Prof. Afolabi as Head of Service (first Yoruba in monkey years). Beyond that, my brother Oronto could only remind us of "the three Es" which the president launched when he assumed full powers, namely: Electoral Reform, Electricity, and Energy Security. We are also told that a fourth ‘E’ for Education has just been added, and proof of that is the sudden creation of 12 federal universities in one fell swoop to add to the existing, albeit poorly funded and ailing, ones. We must grant that Mr President has made effort, even if halfway, to persuade us of his sincerity on "Electoral Reform" and having a violence-free and fair election. At least he mouths it at every opportunity even if he has been unable to persuade his handlers to adopt fully the Justice Uwais recommendation on meaningful electoral reforms. We must also give credit to Jonathan for throwing money at electricity and education more than ever before. But that is precisely the point: a lot of money is being thrown around, pretty much haphazardly and without sound logicality. Hence, the pace of change in those fundamental aspects is pitifully slow. And there is money in Nigeria! In the last month or so of the upheavals in the Middle-East, not only has the price of oil more than doubled our budget benchmark, our production level has risen far above the 2 million bpd mark. What that means is that the country has earned stupendous surplus running into hundreds of million dollars, enough to make any sane country meet existing challenges faster. Not so in Nigeria, a country of huge blessings turned into huge opportunities for profligacy and plunder; sans accountability, sans sanctions. There is one thing going for Ebele, he is from Bayelsa in the South-south, an area that produces the bulk of the nations oil revenue but yet suffers (until lately) the most neglect. If GEJ fails to get it, in all probability, giving the geopolitical structure of the country, no one from his area would be president for another 50 or more years. On the South-south basis alone and in a country where anything goes and the desire for progress as a nation isn’t uniformly given, Ebele qualifies for our votes and four more uncertain years! What a life!

Odds Against PDP And Jonathan Increasing By The Day

Editors Online — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:46:59 +0000

By Ms Eno Ntuk

No matter the angle one looks at it, Jonathan should be pitied for venturing into the 2011 presidential race. It would have paid him and all if he ignored the voices of sycophants and greedy minds and position self for another two-term of eight years possible from 2015. Had he adhered to his party’s constitution, he would have been in that good position. He has now made mince meat of any minority hoping to be Nigerian president in any foreseeable future. The greed and sentiments that has brought him thus are now turning his albatross. There are double-speaks other albatrosses: Leaning on Obasanjo has worsened his struggle. There are other instances too numerous to mention here but few are: His bad economic pronouncements, for example, unbanning importation of toothpicks, bottled water, 15-year old vehicles, textiles, etc; the banning and unbanning of Nigeria from international football; absolving the MEND while at the same time prosecuting the MEND boss and associates for the October 1st bombing. All these are pointers that President Jonathan may be groping. People are now asking: Can Nigeria afford to go through this for the next four years? Again the carnival-like campaigns by Jonathan/Sambo have continued to be not in PDP’s favour. With tangential issues to speak on in almost all the outings other than promises which people are now judging him by many failed issues and renege on promises. Muzzling opposition and general insecurity are also counting against PDP. At Kaduna stadium people walked out on Jonathan. In Nassarawa, his convoy was stoned by the youths. In Port Harcourt he unwittingly remained in agreement with his security aides who locked the gates of the stadium where Akwa Ibom politicians sprayed Naira at the gates leading to loss of many lives; this assumption is now gaining ground because President Jonathan has not bothered to release the outcome of the presidential panel he set up. Jonathan’s PDP is losing States, going by what has so far gone on now with rallies like in Akwa Ibom which has proven that the State is now ACN and no more PDP. The situation in Ogun State is there; forget the window dressing settlement between Obj and OGD. Jonathan’s campaign in Yola was greeted with almost an empty stadium. All these are pointers that all is no better with Jonathan and PDP.

The Youth: Can Presidential Candidates Afford To Ignore The New Political Force In Town

Editors Online — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:51:25 +0000

whataboutusnigeria.org

Last year Ngozi Okonjo Iweala uttered a fact that sent a shudder through the youth population of Nigeria. She let the youth know that they comprised a whopping 70% of Nigeria's population. Seventy percent?? How could this be? The schools were dilapidated, the youth unemployed, and none of the leaders looked like they'd been a youth in decades. This fact sent a ripple through the Nigerian Youth community, forcing them to ask themselves how could a majority so vast have been impoverished for so long, and how had this strong majority allowed this to happen? The youth had been clearly underrepresented, but one glaring question rose up, how many of them had actually gone out to vote? This year the youth were determined to change that, coming out in droves, with estimated 65% of the electorate said to be between the ages of 18 and 35. This election wouldn't pass them by without them casting their vote. Then there was another dilemma. Who would they cast their vote for? Nigerian politicians have historically spewed vague rhetoric, never really saying what their plans were to fix Nigeria. It only made sense that the unseen change matched the unheard platform details, making every politician seemingly the same as the next. What did it really matter, the elections were rigged anyways. For this reason Vote or Quench, Sleeves Up, Enough is Enough, Stand Up Naija, and various other youth led organizations came up with one phase of a solution in educating the youth electorate on the candidates, in the form of "What About Us?" the first Youth centered Presidential debate taking place on the 25th of March in Abuja. The concept of the debate is to give the young electorate and the candidates an opportunity to engage in a direct conversation, with questions gathered from Nigerian youth at home and in the diaspora. The candidates were chosen by the Nigerian youth in a poll that ran for two weeks, along with the subjects to be addressed. Anyone will tell you the process of arranging a debate is not an easy one, certainly when it comes to getting candidates to attend. Understandably so, with the schedules and campaigning, but I would like to examine what risks candidates risk take by shunning the youth debates. I will have to repeat the estimate that 65% of the electorate is estimated to be between the ages of 18-35 years of age, a demographic that What About Us has directly engaged with. A demographic that trusts the information divulged by the coalition as all groups involved are those that serve as sources for news, and have worked to push for youth empowerment. When four of the six candidates publicly accepted the invitation to debate of various social media outlets an immediate spike in their fans was detected. A level of mutual respect was felt, with the candidates understanding the value of the youth, and the youth understanding that these candidates actually cared about them, and wanted them to know that. Not by holding a rally, or giving them bags of rice, but by agreeing to come on a trusted youth created and managed transparent platform. With this being said, for a candidate who the youth have selected to hear speak in a debate to not show up, may be seen as a slap in the face, especially with the promises of wanting to engage the youth on a social media platform, but shying away from doing so in real life. With the debate reaching millions of young Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, absentee candidates would be donating the youth vote to the present candidates, as they will be able to speak sincerely to the youth, from a platform that the youth look to for information. You didn't have to watch the NN24 Vice Presidential Debate in order to hear about the empty podium where our current Vice President should have been standing. This defining act could be what will separate the new brigade of politicians from the old. The new politicians with the conviction and confidence to address the youth unprepared. The new politicians that are forward thinking enough that they realize the power in what used to be a silent majority. The new politicians who genuinely care to address the concerns of the youth. So the only question left to ask those candidates with pending invitations: Do you think it is in your best interest to ignore the devastatingly large and powerful youth electorate that is loudly screaming "What About Us?" Some food for thought. 　

Another N4bn Libel Suit Slammed On Ex-Ekiti Governor

Editors Online — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 23:43:09 +0000

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Segun Oni has been slammed with N4 billion suit following the allegation of compromise and unethical phone conversation between President of the Appeal Court, Justice Ayo Salami and counsel to Ekiti State governor during the disputed 2007 and 2009 governorship elections tribunal in the state, Mr. Yusuf Ali (SAN). Ali has dragged Oni to an Ilorin High Court with a complaint that his credibility has been badly damaged by Oni’s claim on the controversial call logs between the President of the Court of Appeal and parties in the legal tussle over the Ekiti State gubernatorial election that was eventually decided by the appellate court in favour of Dr. Kayode Fayemi. The legal luminary also joined the Western Publishing Company Ltd, the publishers of Nigerian Compass newspapers and Westerner Magazine in the suit. According to the suit, Ali is demanding for a sum of N4 billion from the defendants and an injunction order stopping the second defendant from further publishing and circulating the said items. Part of the reliefs being sought by Ali was an order of the court directing the defendants to publish a suitable apology in terms acceptable to the claimants in three newspapers to be specified by the court. Ali in a 27-paragraph affidavit deposed to by himself, argued that Oni had “willfully, wickedly, maliciously and falsely published untrue and defamatory words” against him and made same available for publication by the second defendant in its edition of Tuesday February 22, 2011. He further claimed that the first defendant “in further prosecution of his unjust assault on the claimant also posted or caused to be posted on the internet inclusive of the site of Sahara Reporter among other sites the said wicked publication thereby making it possible for same to be read beyond the shores of Nigeria.” It would be recalled that another counsel to Fayemi during the governorship litigation, Chief Niyi Akintola had last week instituted a N50 billion suit against Oni and the Acting Chairman of Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Sunday Ojo-Williams. Oni and Ojo-Williams had claimed that some associates of former Lagos State Governor and leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, engaged Salami in phone conversations while the governorship elections petitions tribunals of Osun and Ekiti states lasted at the court of appeal.

Reviving OSBC

Editors Online — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:04:29 +0000

By Segun Fajoye, Lagos

There is no need restating the fact that Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has, since taking over the reins of power, been trying his best to reposition the state. One place he should beam his searchlight on is the state-owned broadcasting outfit, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC). There is the need to ensure that professionalism is brought to bear upon the management of the agency, comprising of three televisions and 2 radio stations. The governor has the template of the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation (LSBC) to leverage on to stop the present situation, where a touted digital outfit is being managed by analogue staff. It requires an experienced and up-to-date management to know that rather than continuing to hook on daily at 9pm with NTA to carry its fouled and slanted network “news”, it should help the change process brought about by a new administration by developing another programme to fill the belt. This, it could do by gathering its own news, generously available across the state. A lazy television station management should be aware that even if it is a civil service set-up and it has to rely on NTA’s network lies, that it is economically senseless to carry free all adverts on NTA in addition to its “news’’ shamefully. These free adverts include the Jonathan-Sambo campaign mumbo-jumbo, dressed up by the leaders of the national ruling party as political jingles. Yet, another television funded by a reformist government but tagged paymaster of the NTA would offer its own platform to air these broadsides free of charge, rather than giving adequate publicity to the positive activities of its own proprietor. The management of the OSBC might be resisting change due to its orientation and belief that with the hosting of the World Summit of Black Mayors by the state, it is back to business as usual. It will be in the interest of the state government to move quickly with its “brooms” into the corporation by reorganizing it and purging it of its politically-induced hangover. To do this, efforts should be made to head-hunt Osun indigenes, who doing well outside the state to come back home and help run the agency and develop modern contents for the stations. Its reorganization must involve making the necessary decisions on whether a cash-strapped state could continue to provide jobs for the boys by owning three television stations when a rich state like Lagos has only one, the LTV, which is also made available on cable through DSTV. While I will suggest that Reality Television Service, Iwo be funded to take off fully with signals being received across the state, the NDTV, Ibokun generally loved for showing live soccer matches played world over should be liked to RTS. For the two radio stations, while Orisun FM, Ile-Ife should continue to broadcast in Yoruba, the one in Osogbo should be directed to stick to English. A state capital usually has a large population of non-indigenes. With the privately-owned FM station in Ilesa, Unique 103.1 FM not filling the gap, non-indigenes in the state must not be shut out.

Osun Professionals Thumb Up For Aregbesola

Editors Online — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:09:23 +0000

By Goke Butika

An Osun State professional group, Peoples Welfare League (PWL), has thumbed up for Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, over successful implementation of 20,000 jobs for citizens of Osun State, noting that the scheme has shown that the new administration has the capacity to fulfill electoral promises. Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo on Wednesday, the National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Biodun Agboola said Governor Aregbesola has demonstrated to the world that if people on the corridors of power in to make life abundant for their people, they could achieve it. Analysing the trickle-down effect of the programme titled: ‘Osun State Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES)’, Agboola stated that if N10,000 was the fixed monthly wage that would be given to an individual volunteer, it means that the N200 million would be oscillating within the circulation of Osun State in addition to the government statutory expenditure. “With 20,000 youths engaged, N200 million would be moving round the circulation, suggesting that the economy of Osun State has been boosted with N200 million the more and the result would be more jobs, more money and more opportunities for the people on the streets”, Agboola reiterated. Speaking on the attendant effect of the programme, the event manager/consultant stressed that the burden of capital flight would be reduced with the scheme, for each volunteer would spend the money collected in the state on households and basic needs, which in turn would boost the micro-economic indices that has spiral effect on the grassroots. He then counseled Aregbesola’s administration to further encourage consultants and experts who are working with the government to always patronise private firms and artisans, saying that would go a long way to lubricate the engine of the local market. “If posters are printed through local artists, advertising is done through advertisers from Osun State, uniform kits are given to local tailors, if builders buy cement from local sellers; the engine of the economy of the state will be lubricated, and people at the grassroots will feel the direct impact of the government. This could only be achieved if the government makes it mandatory for its experts and consultants”, Agboola said. Speaking further, the PWL co-ordinator stressed that if the government engages youths; challenges of crime have been half solved, noting that the recruitment of 20,000 youths executed by Aregbesola’s administration has shown that past rulers were not interested in alleviating the sufferings of the hapless masses. Calling on the government to engage more people in the productive sector, Agboola noted that if agriculture and construction could be tapped into, the government would have succeeded in doubling the figures of the able and willing youths that it is putting to work. He said: “There is no doubt that Aregbesola’s government is ready to widen its scope of engagement. This is an indictment on the previous administration, and we are convinced that if Osun State could be turned into a giant construction site, and the mechanized agriculture could be exploited, then thousands of people would have their stars to thank for having the governor at the helms of affairs. Aregbesola has succeeded in indicting previous administrations as incapable of making good things happen”.

Akala bars Buhari from Mapo Hall

Editors Online — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:59:16 +0000

Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan and Ernest Nwokolo Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala yesterday made good his promise to prevent Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari from using Mapo Hall for his campaign rally in Ibadan. He locked Buhari and his supporters out of the venue, but the defiant CPC went ahead with the rally within the precincts of the historic hall. The Alao-Akala administration cited security reasons for barring Buhari from the venue. The government said First Lady Patience Jonathan would address a women rally at the venue today. It also said the CPC team hired the hall for use last Friday only to change the date to yesterday. But CPC spokesman Yinka Odumakin debunked the claim, saying the party booked for Monday and paid the fee, which the mangers of the hall acknowledged. All the gates leading to the ancient hall were locked and guarded by security men, who turned people back. The podium built by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in front of the imposing edifice for its political rally was also kept under watch to prevent anyone from using it. But, the CPC rally went on, attended by a sea of supporters who waited for over five hours for Buhari. Buhari arrived at the venue at about 5.30pm. He promised the provision of infrastructure, such as good roads, water, railways and other social amenities. He declred the PDP a failure. Buhari said the CPC had come to effect the needed change across the country and to end the suffering of the masses. He promised life more abundant, jobs and free education. He urged Nigerians to organise themselves well and ensure that their votes count. Said Buhari: "Nigerians, we all know what our main problems are now. We are going to renew the state of infrastructure and ensure we have good roads, railways, water and make provision of all necessities of life to make our lives easier. That is why I’m saying that you need to vote for CPC the party that will make all these provisions available for this nation." His running-mate, Pastor Tunde Bakare, who spoke in Yoruba, said Nigerians’ problems were compounded by the PDP, "the party that has brought untold hardship on the people of Nigeria". According to him, there is wide-scale corruption, embezzlement, fraud and poor governance by the ruling party. He urged the crowd to send the ruling party packing with their votes, saying the CPC will ensure free and qualitative education, wealth creation and better life for the people. Juju musician Shina Peters entertained the crowd. His words "We have visited the Alake (of Egbaland), the Osile (of Oke Ona), and the Olubadan and they assured us that the CPC would make it. That this election is a possibility for the CPC. Pastor Enoch Adeboye has prayed for us and we are assured of victory," he said. Buhari presented the party’s flag to the governorship candidates in Oyo and Lagos states, Mr. Bayo Shittu and Mr. Abayomi Mumuni. Apart from visiting the Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, the presidential campaign team was in Abeokuta where it visited two traditional rulers and Governor Gbenga Daniel. "The 2011 contest is not between the CPC and the PDP; it is between the honest and the dishonest men, experienced people and those who are lucky. "It is a contest between the incorruptible and the corruptible, a contest between the promise makers and the promise breakers and, by the grace of God, by the support of the Kabiyesi and the people, we will conquer," Bakare said. He spoke at the palace of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo. Bakare said the campaign team’s brief visit to Ogun state was part of the activities for their campaign rally in the Southwest and deemed it worthy to visit the monarch. He described Buhari as a transparent and honest man, who Nigeria needs now. Said Bakare: "I have no doubt in my mind that working with Buhari will bring the desired change that the nation is yearning for." At the governor’s office, Daniel described the Buhari/Bakare ticket as "depicting a combination of talents and a formidable team". Buhari, in a brief address identified security, unemployment and corruption as some of Nigeria’s major problems. He promised to tackle them headlong, if elected into office. Buhari also promised that CPC administration, if voted into power, would ensure accountability and transparency at all levels of government.

How I was attacked at campaign rally, by Amosun

Editors Online — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 01:16:46 +0000

Ernest Nwokolo It was like a scene from an action movie. Men and women, young and old scampered for safety. Horns blared deafeningly and vehicles screeched here and there as fear-gripped drivers made feverish bid to escape the violence in two attacks on the campaign train of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate Senator Ibikunle Amosun, last Thursday. Amosun and dozens of ACN supporters in a long convoy of vehicles had taken the broom revolution to Yewa – Owode, Oke–Odan, Ajilete wards and Ilaro town; the home of General Tunji Olurin, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun. The first attack occurred around 4pm in the seedy junction of Sabo, Ilaro. The other took place around 8:45pm in Oke Odan. A witness said the attack in Sabo was provoked by a commercial cyclist who ran into the convoy and was knocked down. Hordes of other cyclists , the witness added, engaged Amosun’s supporters in a fight and were joined by hoodlums. The Nation visited the scene yesterday and counted 20 motorcycles that were damaged - their fuel tanks and tyres were cut open with machetes. Shops were looted. Seven of Amosun’s campaign buses were damaged by the hoodlums and political thugs. The office of the Road Transport Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the PDP secretariat in Sabo - Ilaro were vandalised. A barber ‘s shop belonging to a resident, Tella Babatunde, was destroyed. Besides, he was injured. Mr Jide Olagoke had a big gash on the head from matchete cut. When calm returned to both communities, 12 persons were injured, some with machete cuts on their heads and others with gunshot wounds. The Nation was shown shrapnels from gunshot fired during the fracas. Amosun was injured on his head when stones were hurled at him. Olurin, who accused Amosun of "intentionally causing the trouble" in Ilaro to disrupt President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Ogun, said he was in Abeokuta on Thursday when the incident occured. He said Amosun had a problem with cyclists when one of them ran into his convoy and got knocked down. But, addressing the press last Friday at his Abeokuta home, Amosun blamed the two attacks on his campaign train at Sabo – Ilaro and Oke -Oda on persons loyal to Olurin and some influential PDP members whom, he alleged, were thugs and urchins. Amosun: "Traditionally, we don’t do campaign when it is late but because we had been delayed and attacked for hours in Ilaro, we could not get there on time. "When we got to Ajilete in Oke Odan around 8.45pm, we told them that we just wanted to wave at them and come back but they insisted, all of them in aso ebi. I heard a noise and I saw a woman; they just threw a stone at her with deep cut and I saw blood gushing out. "Of course, I couldn’t take it. I rushed down, carried the woman to assist her; the next thing I saw was total blackout and the second stone came and hit me on the head; it was a deep cut; what could I do; they said we should get an ambulance and ferry her with me. " I was given medical attention. I have some stitches here which everybody can see and even the woman, I just pray that nothing untoward happens to her because she also got a deep cut around one of her eyes. "Anybody that wants to campaign should feel free to come and sell his programme, sell his ideas and the electorate will be the judge; that the era of carrying guns, machetes, attacking people should be a thing of the past in Ogun State." Amosun urged the security agencies to unravel influential people behind the sponsored attacks even as he maintained that both himself and ACN have the love of Yewa at heart. His words: "But we just want to use this opportunity to tell the good people of Yewa that Sen. Amosun as a person and our party, ACN love them and I know they love us. They should please expose all the people that want to give them bad names. "Yewa people are not known for violence. They are known to be peaceful people and in any case, we as a government and I as a governor will not look down on Yewa and Aworiland. "For me, we are one and the same and I’m not going to be governor of Ogun Central, nor Ogun West or East. I am going to be governor of Ogun State and everybody will be represented."

MEND Issues Fresh Warning About Imminent Attacks

Editors Online — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:20:51 +0000

By Jomo Gbomo

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) has reiterated that the public as well as all oil companies must take its latest threats seriously and not be carried away by the reassurances of the Nigerian government and security services. It warned in a new statement, signed by "Jomo Gbomo," that on account of the attempts by Nigeria’s security services, "we may resort to carry out all bomb blasts without prior notification and then issue a statement of claim afterwards." It noted that since the government of Goodluck Jonathan has blamed its political opponents in other bomb attacks, MEND "will sit back and watch how the blame game will continue to be played out by the government after our statements of claims has being issued." It said it wished to avoid civilian casualties and therefore warned public to stay clear of any political gatherings or meetings of any sort "as we know our targets. See full statement below: "The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) wishes to strongly advise the general public and all oil companies to disregard all attempts by the Nigerian government and security services in dismissing our latest threat. In light of these attempts by the Nigerian security services, we may resort to carry out all bomb blasts without prior notification and then issue a statement of claim afterwards. Anyone caught up in these blasts due to their ignorance would only have themselves and the government to blame. The same government that would abandon the casualties in an unequipped teaching hospital while their family members travel abroad for medical treatment. We gather that some agents from the United States are training some members of the Nigerian police force in bomb detection, detonation and making improvised bombs. We find this very laughable coming from a country that cannot guarantee its own citizen’s security with their overwhelmed prison system coupled with a useless and corrupt Nigerian police and security force that will end up selling this knowledge. The government of Goodluck Jonathan has formed a habit of blaming its political opponents in other bomb attacks so when we start to strike, we will sit back and watch how the blame game will continue to be played out by the government after our statements of claims has being issued. We finally reiterate our desire to avoid any civilian casualties and again strongly warn the general public to stay clear of any political gathering or meeting of any sort as we know our targets. Jomo Gbomo

Nigeria: By Luck Than Design, A Patience Goodluck Story

Editors Online — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:23:51 +0000

By Prince Charles Dickson

Her name is Patience Goodluck Jonathan; I am particularly sure that fellow Nigerians of all nationalities know who she is. A brief introduction may however be necessary, importantly she is a Dame...in case you don’t know, and a Dame is originally the official title of a female member of the Order of the British Empire, equivalent to that of a knight. I am not so sure of many things but I know Mr. President's wife is not a female member of the Order of the British Empire. A Dame however was (formerly) a form of address to any woman of rank or authority, on this count no one can begrudge madam first lady; she actually is a woman of authority. However, I don’t know exactly when people started calling our first lady Dame, but recently, the Plateau state deputy governor became a Dame too and a host of other women too now find it fashionable to be Dames. My wife too, is set to become a Dame next week I know a lot of Nigerians are not comfortable with her when she speaks English, but trust me, she may not know English but she knows quite a lot about Nigeria, and is a representation of many things that is wrong about Nigeria. As she canvasses the length and breadth of Nigeria on tax payers’ monies, it’s that same picture of profligacy of government of the greedy by greedy and for the greedy. The Patience Goodluck story to a large extent is a reflection of our current state as a nation. One we joke with everything not because they should be joked about but rather than cry, we all laugh. We are saddled with such much injustice, we continue to be patient. By fate, Japan as a result of a tripod disaster of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear wahala have 10% electricity cut off, while Nigeria by design has 80% without electricity. So by design OBJ started an Excess Crude Account meant for the future. As at today, less than one billion dollars is remaining in the account which once had about 34 billion dollars. Whatever happened to over 33billion in less than 3yrs is luck, or like a friend asked, has that future, which the money was meant for arrived? Very quickly let me thank those who have jealously stood in 'patient' defence of the First lady, because of such naivety and collective acceptance of that which is not correct we have accepted the 'umblella', they would use it while it’s raining, defending themselves, leave us in the rain, and in the scorching sun, only to return it when they are done. Again let me quickly remind those that are jealous of her husband to know that with goodluck, everything is possible and also that her loving husband is not the problem of Nigeria, on the contrary together, with their ilk in PDP, they represent solutions. The only choice we have is to show via the polls that hence with PDP everything is possible, with the peoples' power if we can muster it, nothing is impossible, not that we have all the time and choices. When people castigate Patience Goodluck Jonathan for saying that we should vote for the "Umblella", they forget or rather chose not to remember that under the rule of the 'umblella' nothing has really worked for almost 12 years so Nigerians remain victims of the Stockholm syndrome. For example in the whole of 2010, the four refineries with a combined capacity in excess of 445,000 barrels per day could only refine a mere 80,757 metric tonnes of petroleum products. It was by luck not design that the refineries even worked especially given that the rest volume of 8.1 million MT of petroleum products that came into the downstream sector was imported. And Nigerians still praised Jonathan for availability of petroleum products, when Kerosene was either costlier than fuel or killing more Nigerians that malaria shows that we are sick. It is by luck that with the country’s daily revenue from crude oil at an average of US$282 million by design there is very little to show for... And as usual Nigerians blame everything and anything, and I wonder, how is it Dame Patience use of English or her husband's fault that a nominee who is said to be a wife of serving Ambassador to France failed to recite the national anthem and could not name the capital of Jigawa state, when asked to do so by the Senate foreign affairs screening committee. And so you know, Mrs. Chinyere was beautiful by design, could speak English by design, but could not recite the national anthem, at least Dame Patience Jonathan can recite it and her beauty just like the Nigerian nation is in the eye of the beholder, even if her English fails her, by luck she is the First lady and not you. After all just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, spoken English is in the ear of the hearer. It's all a function of how we see things. Strangely because of how we see things, a lot of persons have compared her to former first lady, Hajiya Turai Yar'adua, and they forget that it is not easy to carry second. (Whoever is better amongst the two of them, majority of Nigerians who criticize them can never be first or even second ladies). Her husband's recent ramblings on oil and gas according to a commentator (An Hausa man) is because her husband and Sambo is a good people. By luck Jonathan's presidency will unite us, the only problem is that it may be difficult to make fellow Nigerians irrespective of their nationality to see reason and allow him because we are blinded by 'tribalism', a derogatory term only used to refer to Nigerians that are loyal to their identity. Forgetting that it is a similar sentiment used in the Western world to refer to loyalty or patriotism. Therefore we lose track of the fact that as a people it is only when we are loyal to our identity that we can be loyal to a nation that adequately represents us. In the end due to a lack of design, a lack of planning, the nation under the current crop cannot represent us. Dame Patience through her campaign trail is asking us to close our eyes to what looks today like a symphony, exhibiting astute exhibition of clueless drifting and moribund spin by the umblella click, one which has driven our nation’s economy through unproductive dealings aptly defined in rudimentary economics as 'Cash & Carry economy' and on the contrary, like "A Good Mother takes care of his Children and believe that her fellow husband will make change happen if we can give him a chance. I will go into my concluding paragraphs by letting us know that except something magical happens by design, luck will prevail. Luck, a force that seems to operate for good or ill in a person's life, as in shaping circumstances, events, or opportunities. In this instance, goodluck, that which has seen Dame and her husband, and 50 years of leadership on the good end of the nation's misfortune. As we approach the D-day, can Nigerians by all means necessary start by wilfully designing a new course? We have to put a full stop to the luck being enjoyed by our leaders...we have to re-shape our circumstances, re-direct events, and find new opportunities The Nigerian politician by luck is an indescribable specimen of anthropologic potency, carrying gold headed cane, more in the cane's head than his. They wear tinted eye glasses that they cannot see through, Brazilian leather wears that slow their movement and agbada that make them look like dressed grasshoppers. The onus on Jonathan, Buhari, and Ribadu is to prove beyond doubt that by design they can come up with plan that can move this nation forward. The question on the lips of conservative progressives is, do these men have the will or again we are going to make do with the complexities of patience, hoping against hope that it will be well when indeed we watch leadership sap us of the will to live.

Selling the Nigerian Politician

Editors Online — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:26:41 +0000

Uche Nworah

It is that time again in our national life when politicians, real and wannabes, attempt to outdo each other in the public space with their political campaign messages. With the way some have carried on, one may run away with the impression that these politicians campaigning for votes using various marketing communications tools will let the votes count if and when eventually they are cast. Past experiences have shown otherwise which makes one to conclude that the various political messages currently being aired on radio and T.V, and showing on newspapers, billboards, posters, You Tube, Facebook and other social media channels may actually not be aimed at canvassing for votes but rather to create an illusion of wide acceptability in the minds of the voting public irrespective of their voting patterns during the actual elections. In doing so, the electorates are being turned into unwilling accomplices in grand scale political conspiracies as the argument that will follow later will be along the lines of; "How can politician A or B claim that the election was rigged, we did not see his or her posters anywhere, he or she was not on ground". As has been the case in past elections most recently the 2007 general elections, the Nigerian electorates may have their say during the voting process but ultimately the politicians end up having their way. Perhaps this may be the reason why most political advertising in Nigeria is devoid of content that has been thought through and shaped into some kind of political agenda or manifesto which is then expressed using available or cost-effective communications tools. But for a few, it appears that the standard practice currently by the politicians is a wholesale adoption of what I call the beauty pageant approach which sees politicians take the widely travelled road of hoisting their ‘photoshopped’ smiling faces on every available space on campaign posters, as if it is all that matters. There is usually no attempt at making an effort at presenting issues or themes to convince an electorate which way he or she should swing his or her vote. In urban and rural communities, political posters currently litter the landscape thus making a mockery of whatever laws there are regulating the display of such posters. Take Lagos for example where the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and the Lagos Advertising and Signage Agency (LASAA) have been at the forefront of regulating advertising practice. Initially it was just Governor Fashola’s campaign posters that could be seen all over the place but now it appears that other aspirants have also hit the ground running with their posters in view all over. They may have hesitated initially not wanting to incur the wrath of advertising regulatory authorities but lately it seems they have been emboldened by the fact that there should not be one law for Governor Fashola and another for the other aspirants, if Fashola can display his posters indiscriminately, they too can. Perhaps we should not blame the campaign teams of the various politicians too much for resorting to the beauty treatment approach. In a Wikileaks era plus other hard hitting online websites such as saharareporters.com and nigeriavillagesquare.com, selling a Nigerian politician with all their credibility issues and political baggage must be one hard sell. It may also be that voters could care less about what politicians are saying having been disappointed severally by their broken promises. This may have led to the thinking in marketing communications circles that there is no one exciting political advertising campaign out there from any of the parties and their candidates. Another reason for the largely disjointed series of messages lacking in clear thinking and strategy displaying all over the landscape is the friend and family factor. Friends and family usually contribute towards enabling a politician’s campaign either by contributing money or other resources, but these days what seems to happen is that such friends and family become advertising copywriters overnight, they write the copies and print/produce and display same without any direct link to a master strategy, assuming there is any. There is a lack of control over advertising input and output by the politician, but this is at the risk of damaging both the politician’s personal brand and political campaign. At the University of Uyo, I was inspired by Emeka ‘Prof’ Nnabuko’s final year seminar paper which he aptly titled ‘Selling the politician’ to pursue that line of enquiry. Subsequently I engaged with the theme during my final year thesis doing a comparative analysis of the political advertising strategies of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and that of the National Republican Party (NRC) during the 1993 elections. The SDP account was managed by Sunrise D’Arcy while Insight Communications managed the NRC account. Since then I have taken more than a passing interest in political advertising campaigns in Nigeria. Unfortunately, it appears that the NRC/SDP campaign era still ranks as the golden era of political advertising in Nigeria. Both campaigns which were managed by reputable ad agencies were driven by socio-economic themes that mattered to the people, these were also beautifully and creatively executed across various media platforms. To recall a few, when the NRC did a ‘Beware the Trojan Horse’ press ad referring to SDP’s horse symbol, the SDP countered with their own version where they showed the NRC’s eagle symbol as being primed to steal Nigeria’s resources. These ads at the time were not only intellectually stimulating, they were engaging and entertaining. Ever since President Goodluck Jonathan announced to his friends on Facebook that he was going to seek nomination of his party to run for president, the battle seemed to have been also transferred online. The missing link however remains the way many of the politicians who joined the social media bandwagon use such platforms to engage the voters. The platform has not been put to best use the same way the Obama campaign exploited it to full advantage during the 2008 U.S presidential elections. Leading up to the 2011elections, it remains to be seen clearly the major strategic thinking driving present day political advertising in Nigeria. This is not for lack of resources, these abound in plenty as evidenced in President Goodluck Jonathan’s splash across major airports and billboards in Nigeria but these still fall short of delivering the much anticipated breath of fresh air in Nigerian political advertising, no puns intended.

Katsina gov in fatal crash

Editors Online — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 07:03:18 +0000

Aide-De-Camp, 7 PDP supporters killed From ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Tragedy hit the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign train on Tuesday as the convoy of the Katsina State governor which was on its way to receive President Goodluck Jonathan at Daura town was involved in a multiple collision with two buses conveying some party supporters. Although Governor Ibrahim Shema and his running mate, Abdullahi Garba Faskari, cheated death by the whiskers in the auto crash, no fewer than eight persons, including the governor’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Mr. Aminu Ibrahim, died on the spot. The crash reportedly occurred at Zaka Aliyan village, near Mashi, about 20 minutes from Katsina. An eyewitness told Daily Sun that the ADC, who was traveling with his boss in the same car, three supporters of the PDP in a bus that collided head-on with Shema’s Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and another four faithful of the party in another bus that crashed into the ill-fated vehicles all died on the spot. The governor was going to Daura while the two buses conveying the PDP supporters were going towards Katsina town. Investigations also revealed that about 20 others who escaped with various degrees of injury were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina. The remains of the ADC and three of the victims were also deposited in a morgue of the hospital. Dependable sources close to the hospital, however, told Daily Sun that the remains of the ADC and the driver of one of the affected buses were removed from the centre before mid day for burial according to Islamic rites. President Jonathan, however, arrived Katsina in the afternoon and was received by Governor Shema who accompanied him on a visit to the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, and the party elders at the PDP secretariat before proceeding to the Katsina Polo ground, to address the rally despite the tragedy. Speaking at the low-key rally, President Jonathan told the crowd that he would tackle the nation’s problems. The governor was believed to have been slightly injured but he did not betray it at the rally. The president, who said his campaign train was reflecting on the demise of former President Umar Yar’Adua on their way to Katsina when he learnt of the fatal crash involving Shema’s convoy, assured that he would not disappoint the state and the nation. He insisted that the robust plan, which the late Yar’Adua could not actualise would be completed by the current administration in the next four years. "He (Yar’Adua) had a robust plan for Nigeria. He had seven-point agenda. A number of things were planned by us. In the eight years that we expected him to run the Federal Government, a number of things would have been taken for granted. Things like power, water and a number of things," the PDP presidential flag-bearer stated. Jonathan, who also commissioned a number of projects executed by the state governor, particularly hailed the three-lane ring road going round Katsina town as "a major investment that has brought a major facelift to Katsina." He also paid courtesy call on the Yar’Adua’s family in Katsina and promised that he would continue to work with the people of the state politically and otherwise. Earlier, Governor Shema had assured that the party would deliver the state in the April elections, saying the electorate had seen in the PDP the prospects of sustaining people-oriented policies. Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has condoled with the Governor Shema. "I wish to convey to Your Excellency the commiseration of the people and government of Edo State as well as my personal condolence over this unfortunate incident," Oshiomhole said. In his letter, the governor added: "We share your deep anguish over the death of such a close and effective confidant and aide. I had met Aminu on a few occasions and do remember him as a charming and resourceful officer, who invested so much energy into his duties. Yet, we must bear the pain of his demise with equanimity, since we cannot question the will of Allah (SWT). "Our fervent prayer is that Allah (SWT) will extend His mercy to Aminu and grant him Alijanna Firdaus, as befitting a favoured servant. We also pray God to give you and the family the strength and courage to bear the loss." While expressing his sympathy to the Katsina Governor, Oshiomhole said: "We thank Allah for your survival and for the survival of others, who were involved in the accident with Your Excellency. We pray for the continued protection of Allah (SWT) as we all engage in the electioneering campaign."

How I`ll develop N`Delta, economy, by Ribadu

Editors Online — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:26:57 +0000

From Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt), Odita Sunday and Gbenga Akinfenwa (Lagos)

Shekarau promises transparent leadership Jonathan reaches out to civil societies Shekarau promises transparent leadershipJonathan reaches out to civil societies THE polity was awash with presidential rallies yesterday as the standard-bearers of the major political parties hopped from one state to the other seeking the mandate of the Nigerian voters at the April polls. There were however a few ugly cases, forcing some parties and their presidential candidates to cancel their scheduled campaigns over perceived insecurity. For instance, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) presidential rally slated for Yenagoa, Bayelsa State yesterday, was shelved by the party’s leadership in Abuja, who directed their flagbearer, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, to proceed to Port Harcourt for the Rivers State’s leg of the exercise. At the Port Harcourt event, Ribadu told his supporters that he would declare a Marshall Plan for the Niger Delta when elected to address the region’s underdevelopment. Ribadu said there is no reason why the oil-rich region, which has generated over $300 billion for Nigeria in recent times, cannot be like Dubai or Kuwait. His All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) counterpart, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, who took his campaign to Ondo State, urged the people to vote for his party, which he described as the best alternative to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said the PDP had failed Nigerians in their expectations of purposeful leadership and dividends of democracy, stressing that none of the promises made by the party had been fulfilled. And as reported by The Guardian yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP have kicked off special campaigns using political and civil society groups in the South-West and North-West for the second round of their campaigns to make impressive showing in the zones at next month’s elections. On Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State, Jonathan reached out to the civil society groups and activists, whom he urged to use their influential roles in the country to push his presidential bid to their members and other Nigerians. At the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital yesterday, Ribadu, who was accompanied by his running mate, Mr. Fola Adeola and ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, said, if elected, he would implement a Marshall Plan similar to the one used in rebuilding Europe after the World War II. The plan, according to him, would include massive infrastructural development in schools, hospitals, roads, creation of jobs for the youths, and housing. "There is no reason why this part of the world, this part of Nigeria cannot be like Dubai or Kuwait. There is absolutely no reason because the money is there and it is coming from here. The people are entitled to enjoy their resources. "The time has come for you to get the benefit of what God has given to you. We will not touch your money. We will not waste it, we will not convert it, and we will make sure that the money that God gave to you is used for your good. It will happen," he said. Ribadu explained that his Marshall Plan would be different from the present administration’s policy towards the Niger Delta and accused the Federal Government of merely throwing money on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs instead of tackling the core issues of the region. He castigated the government’s amnesty programme, which he said, was aimed at only a few erring youths. "Today, they will say there is amnesty. It is amnesty to themselves and their pocket. Serious work will start from May 29, 2011 in the Niger Delta. We intend to provide security. We will make sure that we improve our law enforcement agencies. We will take care of the police," he said. The former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman said the ACN would tackle the horrible misdeeds of the PDP from May 2011, assuring that he would provide a just, fair, transparent leadership for the country’s advancement. The highlight event was the presentation of the party’s governorship flag to Mr. Abiye Sekibo, who was the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) under Mr. Peter Odili’s administration. The ACN National Youth Leader, Mr. Ebikibina Miriki, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that Ribadu’s rally was cancelled by the party’s national headquarters due to security reports. He said the party had, therefore, decided to take its campaign to Port Harcourt, saying that "right now, I am at the Port Harcourt Airport waiting to receive our presidential campaign train." On December 7, 2010, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, was pelted with stones at a rally in Yenagoa by yet to be identified youths in a bus. Also, some gunmen on January 4, 2011 attacked the country home of the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Timi Alaibe, at Opokuma in the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Council of the state, killing two persons. In a swift reaction, the state Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Mr. Nathan Egba said: "First of all, it is not the responsibility of state government to provide security at rallies, so it is ridiculous for any serious political party to use that as a basis for canceling a whole presidential rally. "What I think has happened is that the ACN considers campaigning in Bayelsa State a waste as they know that all available votes will go to Mr. President. They have only tried to hide under these false allegations,’’ he added. The Director of Civil Society, Jonathan Campaign Council, Dr. Tosin Awolalu, who was at the South-West civil society stakeholders’ summit on the PDP presidential campaign, said the President reached out to the activists based on the historical fact that they were instrumental, through various struggles and agitations, to the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria. "We are fully persuaded that civil society organisations are not intrusive agents. We see you as partners in good governance," Awolalu said. He noted that the mandate of the civil society in the presidential campaign council was not just to mobilise support for the Goodluck/Sambo programme of action, it was also to create a platform for interaction between the civil society and government to allow meaningful participation in governance. Meanwhile, the Campaign Organisation of the presidential candidate of the SDMP, Prof. Pat Utomi, has described the ongoing political rallies as carnivals devoid of issues. Addressing reporters ahead of its presidential rally billed for Thursday in Lagos, the group’s spokesman, Rev. Austin Nnorom, said their campaigns would be issue-based and not a jamboree. "What we are witnessing nationwide by most politicians are fanfare in which 90 per cent of the participants do not understand issues raised but see their participation as an opportunity for merrymaking and dancing. Nigerians and security operatives should begin to ask questions on how the money spent for rallies are generated," Nnorom said.

You’ll go to jail if…. Olurin warns Daniel

Editors Online — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:56:55 +0000

From Moshood Adebayo, Abeokuta

…Exchange violence for violence, says OBJ

The Ogun State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), General Adetunji Olurin (retd), has warned Governor Gbenga Daniel to refrain from spending public funds recklessly or risk going to jail.

Olurin who spoke during the flag-off of his campaign at Ilaro in Yewaland, yesterday stated that any moves by Daniel to fund the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) with state money, would lead him to jail. The governorship hopeful was apparently referring to allegation that Daniel had directed all the 20 local government caretaker chairmen to raise N25million each within 72 hours. "Anybody who did what will make him to be in prison will end up in prison. Anybody who uses public funds unjustly will go to jail. "Those who fund political parties with government money will go to jail. It is not my own law; it is the constitution that says so. I don’t like catching thieves. I prevent thieves from stealing. I don’t want to dissipate my energy catching thieves when I can prevent them from stealing," Olurin warned. But in a swift reaction, the PPN in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Raheem Ajayi, said there was no iota of truth in Olurin’s allegation. Ajayi said the PDP was being haunted by the mandate stolen from its party’s candidate. Olurin who promised to ensure accountability and prudent management said he had the responsibility of moving the state forward by bringing desired change and development where needed. Speaking at the rally, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, advised the party supporters to eschew violence in the coming elections. He, however, told them to retaliate if they were attacked by anybody or group. "Don’t fight anybody as we are law-abiding citizens, but if anybody pushes you to the wall, you have to find a way out by defending yourselves," he said. He also described the act of spending public money recklessly by public office holders at all levels of governments for electoral purposes as criminal. "It is an act that should be discouraged. Public fund is meant for development of the people and not as campaign fund." The former President described Olurin as a hardworking and honest man, saying, "I know his reputation in Ogun I know his reputation in Oyo State. When we wanted to stop the rascality in Ekiti State, we looked for people to use and three ex-soldiers and three ex-civilian administrators were brought but Olurin came out as the best among them."

Joining The BB2011 Bandwagon!

Editors Online — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:14:10 +0000

By Jamal Akinade

There is a loftier ambition in life than to stand tall in the world; it is to stoop and lift mankind a little higher (Van Dyke). These words have had a lasting impact on my life and would have had a lasting impact on Nigeria as a nation only if we had selfless leaders. A leader who would be truly a servant leader and not a paper one like what the ruling party preaches, a leader whose priority in governance will not be to replenish his pockets but to focus on the development of the sleeping giant. Talking about all what is wrong with Nigeria here, will be too boring as even a primary school kid knows there is a problem with his country when he wakes up every morning with no electricity, dilapidated classrooms, bad roads and insecurity just to mention few. Everyone in our beloved country wants Nigeria to move forward except the ruling elite who account for just 0.1% of the population. This percentage is insignificant in terms of numbers but powerful in terms of financial muscle and political will to preserve the status quo. For over 50 years of independence, a big chunk of those years have witnessed the same kind of people, lord over our country´s affairs. We have sung the same song every year and politicians have always preached the same thing in their campaigns year in year out. It is shameful that politicians have to promise good roads, water and electricity to get votes while these amenities are basic human rights of Nigerians. The election date is getting closer and electioneering activities are increasing with pace but the question that remains unanswered and I yearn to know is if we Nigerians are ready to put our money where our mouth is, if majority of Nigerians are ready to choose a leader based on quality as against tribal or religious solidarity, if we Nigerians are ready to protect our votes and make our decision count, if we Nigerians are ready to stand up to injustice and fight for our children´s future. Currently, we have four main aspirants in the persons of the incumbent president Jonathan, Buhari, Ribadu, Shekarau and Utomi with due respect to other candidates not mentioned here. My humble self have to come the conclusion that the man to lead the radical change Nigeria requires at this moment is General Muhammad Buhari GCON. The dire urgency of the moment requires a man of character, a fearless leader who has seen it all, done it all and has nothing to prove except the sole purpose of kick starting the real change Nigeria requires. God has blessed us all with the ability to differentiate between truth and falsehood, honesty from dishonesty, light from darkness, dependability from hopelessness, integrity from immorality and good from bad. Nigerians should rise up and utilize this ability in the forthcoming election; it is clear as daylight that GEJ cannot bring about the required change that Nigerians desire. My observation is simply because he is surrounded by the same old politicians who ruined Nigeria, the same old politicians who are entrenched in the life of corruption, old men who can never change again, men of questionable character, men who have failed to provide us with good roads even as a minister of works, politicians whom their only abode in civilized countries would be in the hallows of a prison or in some countries like china would have been sent to the abyss of extinction by the way of hanging. Buhari said "It is true that there is a worldwide economic recession. However, in the case of Nigeria, its impact was aggravated by mismanagement. We believe the appropriate government agencies have good advice but the leadership disregarded their advice. The situation could have been avoided if the legislators were alive to their constitutional responsibilities; instead, the legislators were preoccupied with determining their salary scales, fringe benefit and unnecessary foreign travels, et al, which took no account of the state of the economy and the welfare of the people they represented. As a result of our inability to cultivate financial discipline and prudent management of the economy, we have come to depend largely on internal and external borrowing to execute government projects with attendant domestic pressure and soaring external debts, thus aggravating the propensity of the outgoing civilian administration to mismanage our financial resources. Nigeria was already condemned perpetually with the twin problem of heavy budget deficits and weak balance of payments position, with the prospect of building a virile and viable economy." It would be interesting to note that these words are extracts from the First speech Buhari made to Nigerians as a Head of State on 1, January 1984. It is a shame that to see how his speech fits perfectly into the reality of current Nigeria which leaves us to wonder the kind of progress we have achieved as a nation in the last 27 years since Buhari left power. Buhari talked about leaders having good advice but lacking the political will to implement it, the perfect example is the damning report of the Danjuma led PAC which castigated the GEJ government for running a massive and inefficient government. GEJ not only ignored it but went on to appoint additional special advisers and assistants to feed fat on our national wealth at a time governments all over the world are cutting wasteful spending. Buhari talked about excessive borrowing and lack of financial discipline, the GEJ government is running a budget with a great percentage focused on recurrent expenditure while the capital expenditure accounts for a smaller share at a time when the whole country is in dire need of infrastructural development. The general further said, "The last general election was anything but free and fair. The only political parties that could complain of election rigging are those parties that lacked the resources to rig. There is ample evidence that rigging and thuggery were relative to the resources available to the parties. This conclusively proved to us that the parties have not developed confidence in the presidential system of government on which the nation invested so much material and human resources. While corruption and indiscipline have been associated with our state of under-development, these two evils in our body politic have attained unprecedented height in the past few years. The corrupt, inept and insensitive leadership in the last four years has been the source of immorality and impropriety in our society. Since what happens in any society is largely a reflection of the leadership of that society, we deplore corruption in all its facets. This government will not tolerate kick-backs, inflation of contracts and over-invoicing of imports etc. Nor will it condone forgery, fraud, embezzlement, misuse and abuse of office and illegal dealings in foreign exchange and smuggling." I came close to tears reading the sincere analysis of Buhari in 1983 but crux of the matter here, is that the situation buhari painted 27 years ago has quadrupled in our political system and in fact it has been imprinted in Nigeria´s DNA. It is unfortunate that ruling elite cutting across the regions of Nigeria will never be comfortable with Buhari as his principles stand against the very ideology of bad governance the ruling elite stand for. The intention of the corrupt elite is to use a smoke screen of religion and ethnicity to split us, while they stuff their bank accounts! They seek medical services abroad while our hospitals are dilapidated, their children study in private universities or abroad while the government universities and schools are not worth a penny. They all have accounts are abroad in case of trouble they flee like Umaru Dikko did in the early 80s. Nigeria is on the verge of collapse and this collapse will spell doom for Nigerians with the exception of the very people who are the cause of our imminent collapse. Our destiny is in our hands and now is the time we have to act, or else we would forever suffer in silence. Let us all vote for Buhari Bakare in order for them to lift Nigeria a little higher to where it rightly belongs. Jamal Akinade United Kingdom Jayakinjay@gmail.com

Primaries: Jega rejects secret talks with lawmakers

Editors Online — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:17:54 +0000

BY TORDUE SALEM

ABUJA – Efforts by a House of Representatives’ joint-committee on Justice Electoral Matters to hold a secret session with the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, failed yesterday as the electoral umpire insisted on an open meeting.

Prof. Jega had turned down a request for a secret session with the lawmakers, following allegations that the commission was partisan in honouring exparte orders on party primaries. The House panel had, at an interactive session with Jega, proceeded on a general demand that the commission must avail it with facts on cases pending in courts against it and exparte orders it had honoured or ignored. The lawmakers, however, posed a caveat that explanations on specific cases raised in the allegation be done closed door. But the INEC boss insisted that all enquiries on allegations and his responses be made public for Nigerians to get the side of the commission on the issue of party primaries and court orders. "The motion that was passed by the House on this matter was done in public. And allegations of preferential treatment were made. So we will prefer that if there are specific cases, they should be mentioned publicly now so that we can clarify them. We want to be given an opportunity in public to clear them," he said. The legislators, however, did not respond to Jega’s response. It should be recalled that some of the lawmakers at the session had either lost at the parties primaries through party-hierarchy intrigues, dying-minute substitutions or exparte orders. According to Prof. Jega, the commission had to ignore certain court orders because they came after INEC had obeyed orders from "courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction". Henry Dickson, Chairman, House Committee on Justice, who had suggested the close-door session, stressed that "the meeting was not an investigation or an inquisition" of INEC, but an "interactive session". He argued that a secret session would have taken care of the technical aspects of the probe, while the commission’s boss made general remarks in public. The idea was immediately endorsed by all members of the committee. The Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Musa Sarki Adar, had regretted the plethora of court cases that bedeviled the party primaries, warning that April polls could be imperiled if the trend was not checked by politicians and the commission. "We prayed that the scenario that led to the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election is not being re-enacted by the sponsors of those exparte injunctions," he said. Jega had earlier told the committee that over 300 court cases were either pending against the commission, including those on party primaries in which INEC was joined.

The President Is A Good Son Of A Bad Family

Editors Online — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:08:46 +0000

By Dele Oluwole

"Democracy is an impossible thing until the power is shared by all, but let not democracy degenerate into mobocracy" - Gandhi As a Nigerian, before I share my pain with you let it be known that the followership (all of us Nigerians) is as bad as the leadership and that is because we do not hold the leadership accountable like it is in Europe and America. Starting with a macro economic comparison between Ghana and Nigeria, Ghana foreign reserve is just below 3 billion US Dollars and the GDP of less than 40 Billion US Dollars. On the other hand, Nigeria’s GDP is 320 Billion US Dollars and foreign reserve of almost 40 billion US Dollars. The euro bond issued by Ghana had a sovereign interest of 6.5% but that of Nigeria was 7.8% Are you wondering about the wide difference in the interest? Even though Ghana envies the Nigeria’s bequest of over 200 natural recourses and despite the fact that Nigeria is far richer than Ghana the global financial community has more credibility, respect, and trust for Ghana than the government of my country, the Nigerian government. The holy bible says, "The hearts of my men are desperately wicked" the bible did not say hearts of black men but 'men'. In this perspective, the white politicians in Europe and America have the predisposition to be corrupt but majority of them at least have either chosen or compelled to be transparent because the followership holds them accountable. Haven leaved in Europe for many years I now know that the leadership of Nigeria will continue to milk the country dry until the Nigerians themselves say enough is enough as we have seen in the Arab countries recently. Unfortunately, we Nigerians are too timid to embark on a path that will liberate us from the jaws of the clique that has held the country captive for many years. Occasionally we have the brave amongst us like our own Allen Greenspan, the bold central bank Governor, Mr Sanusi Lamido. He has spoken openly without fear or favour against the corrupt malpractices of the lawmakers in the National assembly and the presidency, these are those who should know better. The national assembly senators challenged him to clarify one of his public speeches or be sacked. He bluffed the senators who summoned him to defend his statement that the annual expenditure of the national assembly is massively burdensome on the overall national budget. The senators dug their own pit as he gave his televised defence to the detriment of the committee members whose mediocrity seems to have taken turn for the worse. The ruling party, PDP in the past 10 years or so have brought the economy of the country to its knees. From a rigged election to jailed corrupt party chiefs, speakers and governors. The ruling party has made a governing a do or die affairs as we have seen in recent years as they are the only party that failed to sign the electoral code of conduct. They now hurriedly read the freedom of information bill that has been avoided for over four years with hope of passing it before the election. Do they think Nigerians are fools? What has also characterised the ruling party is the failed Nigerian economy because of policy somersaults, mediocrity, and greed. These unpalatable national antecedents have eroded the very little credibility the Nigerian state and people have in the international community before the ruling PDP came into power. My country’s economy is now on life support due to the unprecedented colossal looting of the treasury and the non-implementation of the national budget since 1999 How does one justify the National Security Adviser office massive capital budget of $580 million for 2011 whilst the Ministry of Education capital budget is just $399 million? No one should expect anything better from a clique of mediocre that hijacked the country since the early 90s. My country have spent more than $333 billion on Nigerian roads since 1999 yet our roads have become more deplorable. Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) reports put daily deaths on our roads to about 780. That sadly means that there are 780 avoidable deaths on our roads while the politicians fly across the country in private jets and helicopters. We do not need UNO, EU or America to intervene in the man made national political Tsunami Nigeria is experiencing. We are blessed with enormous natural and human resources, therefore the future lies in our hands. Let the good people of Nigeria vote out corrupt politicians that have plagued the country and vote in those who they believe in. The election is next month and the president is vying for your vote again, unfortunately, he is the good son of a very bad family (the ruling PDP). The Holy Bible has it that seeds that falls on bad ground will die; the ruling party PDP is the bad ground whilst the president is the seed. Vote for whom you believe in not a party! Before the politicians are voted out or given another tenure in office let us start by petitioning our governors, senators, local government chiefs, etc FREE at .... http://www.myopenpetition.com/ - it is FREE .

Dinner With Mr. Speaker

Editors Online — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 11:24:10 +0000

By Pius Adesanmi

Venue was Parliament Hill, Ottawa, home to the proud Gothic Revival buildings that make up the national Parliament of Canada. Our host was the Honorable Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons and Canada’s equivalent of Dimeji Bankole. Date was Thursday March 3, 2011. The occasion was a dinner prelude to a conference convened to celebrate the life and legacy of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the great African nationalist and former president of Tanzania. Carleton University’s Institute of African Studies, in liaison with numerous actors and organizations in Ottawa’s Africanist community, especially friends of Tanzania, was organizing the conference. As Julius Nyerere had been a great friend of Canada, it was in order for the Canadian establishment to support the conference. Because dinner was the Speaker’s show, the guest parade was intimidating. A Nigerian journalist writing about it would describe the guests as "dignitaries and top government functionaries from all walks of life." On the Tanzanian side, there was the High Commissioner of Tanzania in Canada. Tanzania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations flew in from New York for the dinner. There was the Honorable Abdulrahman Kinana, a former Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly and a top political figure in Tanzania. On the Canadian side, there were distinguished Members of Parliament (MPs) and leaders of sundry congressional delegations in the areas of international trade and development. There were high ranking Canadian government officials whose job descriptions put Africa on their table every morning. Carleton University’s delegation comprised the University President, two Deans, the Director of the Institute of African studies, and a number of African studies professors. It was a bitterly cold evening. I parked on a street across from the imposing Parliament buildings and ran towards the main entrance of the central building, passing the two casual police cars (often empty) that I have seen decorating parliament grounds since I moved to Ottawa about five years ago. This time, there were police officers in the cars. They smiled and nodded in my direction as I shot past them, probably pitying the poor fellow who had to brave that bitter cold to reach the main building. How were they to know what I thought of the fact that only four police officers, seeping coffee and smiling in their cosy cars were all I had to see (see, not even deal with) before I accessed the centre of Canada’s parliamentary democracy? How were they to know that my mind was already in Abuja, visualizing the mean and unfriendly security obstacles that separate the National Assembly from the ordinary Nigerian? At the main entrance, I met my Dean and a few other guests. We went through metal detectors briskly and were given directions to the Speaker’s office by the very friendly staff at the lobby. We made our way to the elevator, up one floor, and into labyrinthine hallways with great ceilings. Fifteen or so odd metres to the Speaker’s office, and we were on our own, walking like we were in our fathers’ oko egan (farm), totally unharassed, unmolested by anybody. No power show. No do-you-know-who-I-am (apologies to Salisu Suleiman). No overbloated egos. No barking of orders by paraga-drinking and igbo-smoking security guards. No corking of rifles preparatory to accidental discharge. The ‘abnormal’ simplicity and humility of that environment was beginning to annoy me. Remember, I was thinking about our friends in Abuja. We got to the reception area of the Speaker’s office for that part where you do a little chitchat and exchange business cards with other guests while picking wine glasses from trays being ferried around by uniformed staff. Canada’s High Commissioner in Tanzania was already there with a few MPs and some Directors of Parliamentary offices. The High Commissioner had heard about me and told me he was looking forward to the publication of my Penguin book. I was pleased and told him that I had recently had a meeting in my office with Chris Cooter, Canada’s High Commissioner in Nigeria, and he had assured me that he would want to play a role in a possible book launch in Nigeria later this summer. More chitchat and Speaker Milliken breezed in from an inner sanctuary, accompanied by an aide, just one aide. I made a mental note of the fact that anybody in his status bracket in Abuja would have made such an entry accompanied by at least two Ekene Dili Chukwu bus loads of personal assistants and protocol officers. The Honorable Speaker went round the room, spending time with each guest. Finally somebody I can call "honorable" without puking, unlike the clowns in Abuja. My turn. A handshake. I introduced myself as one of his guests from Carleton University. And he said: "Professor Adesanmi?" I nodded. He smiled, our hands still locked in a handshake, and: "did you say you were from Nigeria? How long have you been in Canada sir?" I gave him the appropriate answers, taking a mental note of that "sir" of politeness and scrutinizing him closely in case the mention of Nigeria gave him a heart attack. Because of a long tradition of respect for learning, Western politicians and government officials always have a way of creating an aura of solemnity and respect when they are in the presence of University professors. Teachers in this culture remind me of the exalted position of teachers in a once-upon-a-time Nigeria. Treasury looters and yahoo boys who hammer to hummer are the new cool in Nigeria, not Professors. "Thank you for offering your expertise to Canada," the Speaker’s voice broke in to my thought. He patted me on the shoulder and moved on to the next handshake with another guest. Soon, we were formally invited to the dining room somewhere down the hall. I looked at the haute cuisine menu and regretted not having had the opportunity to perform a little ritual I always perform before attending upper class oyibo functions. Despite all my years of Frenchification and movement in the circles of culture and haute cuisine in the Western world, I never leave home to eat oyibo food at exclusive gatherings without laying a solid foundation of pounded yam or eba and egusi soup in my stomach. That way, I can look very relaxed when those painfully small servings of five-course menu items with encyclopaedic names arrive in very expensive plates on the trolley of a uniformed chef. After dinner came the speeches but my mind was not there. I have never been able to escape a comparative frame of mind in these kinds of situations. Never mind that comparison with what obtains back home always brings misery and migraine. I looked at that room, packed with so many dignitaries from the top of the Canadian establishment and the thought I how casually I had strolled in there depressed me. I thought of what it would take to assemble this calibre of people in one room and at the same event in Abuja. How to manage their ten-kilometre long convoys and the inevitable clashes between their security agents and protocol officers? How to manage the cacophony of their sirens? How to ford their igbo olodumare of special assistants, special advisers, senior special assistants, and senior special advisers? How to massage the anjonu iberu of their bloated egos? How to deal with their competition to arrive two hours late for the event and have the emcee "recognize their presence" according to protocol? There is so much arrogance of power in Nigeria. So much irresponsibility on the part of the largely empty egos prattling all over the place as Chief or Alhaji in Abuja and the state capitals. How to get the Nigerian government official to embrace an ethos of the ordinariness of power such as I was witnessing in that room has been at the centre of much of my reflections lately. We will make no progress as a nation until we figure out how to demythify and demystify power. I remembered my friend, Bayo Aregbesola, who had worked as a senior parliamentary librarian before being transferred to New Brunswick as a senior manager in a Federal ministry. Bayo had to deal with MPs, Senators, Committee Chairs, and the general leadership of the Parliament every day in his line of work. Seeing all these people take the Ottawa public bus system to work every morning was a source of great sadness for my friend who would remember Nigeria, phone me from work, and scream: "Pius, can you imagine a Nigerian Senator or Rep taking public transportation to work?" And we would agonize to no end about Nigeria’s totally indolent National Assembly. Dinner over, formal speeches began, followed by more small talk, exchange of business cards, and promises of phone calls. Some of the Canadian government officials and Members of Parliament told me that they had been to Nigeria in the past as members of all sorts of delegations and in the context of inter-governmental relations and initiatives. This is the part I like most about my access to Western officials who travel in Africa. This is the part where I get to ask: "so, who did you meet in Nigeria and what did they tell you?" You hear that they met Minister X or Senator Y or Governor Z. You hear that they were also in the Presidency. You hear very nice things about Nigeria and the wonderful things that the government of Nigeria is doing for the good people of Nigeria. Don’t blame these Western government officials for these views. Remember, they are telling you what they were told by their hosts in Abuja and the state capitals. Nigerian officials display two kinds of behaviour when they are hosting their Western counterparts – especially if the guest if white. Firstly, they are overly obsequious, grinning from ear to ear, demonstrating a level of sheepish solicitude for western officials – no matter how junior – that they will never accord the Nigerian people. Secondly, they tend to tell loads of lies for they must prove to their western patrons that they are delivering the "dividends of democracy" to Nigerians. This atrocious psychology and slavish mentality explains why so many of them would begin to sing like a canary the moment an American official steps into their office as we see in the Wikileaks revelations on Dimeji Bankole, Bukola Saraki, Yayale Ahmed, and so many Nigerian officials. They sing and sing and sing, revealing Nigeria’s state secrets to these people, and praising their own meretricious service to high heavens. This explains why I go to meetings with Western officials hoping to hear what they were told in Abuja. My personal policy is: no lie told to a Western official by a Nigerian official – especially if they are PDP – shall be left standing after a meeting with me. One by one, I shoot down the lies. Painstakingly and meticulously, I tell the story of the Nigerian people. I speak of our travails in the hands of those lying and treasury-looting officials. I warn those Western officials to always do their home work and check in order to know who is credible and who isn’t before rushing to Abuja to be lied to by treasury looters. I tell them that the only official they should take seriously for now is Babatunde Fashola in Lagos. Sometimes the lies from Abuja are so overwhelming you don’t even know where to start. Here, I apply the Unoka principle and debunk the big lies first. Remember Unoka? That is Mazi Okonkwo’s father in Things Fall Apart who subscribes to the principle of paying off his big debts first before attending to the small debts. I shed light on the lies standing before looking at the lies kneeling under them! In moments of candour, some Western officials tell you that they know all these things but, sadly, in the real world, governments deal with governments. Were Speaker Milliken to visit Nigeria, for instance, it would be impossible for him to avoid Dimeji Bankole, no matter what Nigerians think of their Speaker and the overall leadership of their moribund and money-guzzling National Assembly. Governments deal with governments. On my way back to my car, the policemen were still in their cars. One wound down his car door window and offered: "chilly night, eh?" I agreed with him. "Hurry home, buddy, and keep warm", he shot after me sympathetically. I didn’t have to look over my shoulder. I felt safe.

How we’ll stop rigging – Jega

Editors Online — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 11:46:02 +0000

Headlines

Independent observers to track election results- Jega Already 22 persons, including electoral officials, are currently facing trial for offences committed during the January governorship re-run elections in Delta State, according to Prof. Jega at the just concluded National conference on Partnering the Police for free, fair and credible 2011 elections facilitated by Vanguard Newspapers, in Asaba. As the conference attended by senior police officers, politicians and other major election stakeholders wound up yesterday, policemen were warned that they would be individually held responsible if found if found carrying out unlawful orders given them by either senior police officers or political office holders. A 14 point communiqué issued at the end of the conference amongst others called for closer collaboration between the Police, INEC and the media in checking the violations of the nation’s electoral laws. The communiqué also called for a review of the electoral act to stop the swearing in of election winners with cases pending in the tribunal. The communiqué also called for a rectification of the limitations arising from parts of the voiding of the Public Order Act. *Jega unveils measures Jega in a paper entitled ‘The imperatives of building confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system through efficient information and security management’ said results from any polling areas where ballot boxes are snatched would be cancelled and polling repeated under a free and fair atmosphere. In the paper read by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC in Delta State, Dr. Gabriel Ada Jega said: "There is also the introduction of parallel observers who shall document election results independently and forward same to the Commission for comparative analysis. "Others are the repeat of elections in any polling unit or ward where ballot papers and boxes were snatched, burnt or destroyed by hoodlums until a free and fair conduct is achieve no matter the length of period it takes the Commission to achieve the feat". "I can say it without fear of contradiction that the Commission has steadfastly and progressively introduced far-reaching measures to build confidence in the electoral process. These include the introduction of radical and revolutionary electoral reforms such as the production of a credible voters register, new guidelines for the conduct of elections, accreditation of voters/announcement of the numbers accredited to the hearing of all present at a polling unit, announcement and pasting of election results at the polling units and the ban on government officials at all levels from parading the voting centers with security escorts. Noting the determination of the commission to punish electoral offenders as deterrence to others, he said: "As at the last count 22 people are undergoing trial. Their offences ranged from ballot box snatching, disruption of polls during the re-run elections and tempering with voter registration during the voter registration exercise etc. However, issues of security management should be addressed vigorously at both the national, state, local government area and community level and continually reviewed and re-assessed." "From INEC perspectives, the transparency of the new process of election we hope shall help to reduce threat to peace and violence thus the need for all to adapt to this new process", he added. Also at the session yesterday, police officers were charged to uphold their obligations to the law above human and political considerations. Mr. Frank Odita, a retired Commissioner of Police in response to enquires from some of the senior police officers in attendance told them that they would ultimately be held responsible if caught carrying out illegal instructions either given out by politicians or their superior police officers. "If the DIG here for example gives you an illegal assignment and you are caught, it is not him but you who would be held liable," Mr. Odita, erstwhile Force Public Relations Officers said. *Stakeholders want collation centres relocated Meanwhile, political stakeholders including senior Police officers at the conference called for the relocation of collation centres away from the local government secretariats. Barrister Uche Okuku, Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN who gave vent to the plea of the political stakeholders submitted that parties who control local governments in the country would make the local government secretariats inhospitable if not inaccessible to opposition political parties during collation of election results. He thus called on the INEC to relocate the collation centres away from the local government secretariats as proposed to public schools accessible to all. Also in his presentation yesterday, Barrister Ted- Iseghohi-Edwards a columnist with the Leadership Newspaper called for the amendment of section 81(1) of the Electoral to allow stringent punishment of political parties who violate the provisions of the law. He described the present laws as too lenient to deter infraction. Yesterday’s session was attended by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Azubuko Udah, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Mr. Tony Uranta, member of the Niger Delta Technical Committee, the Commissioner of Police Delta State, Mamman Ibrahim Tsaase, among other senior officials of the nation’s security agencies and politicians from different political parties. *22 persons facing trial for electoral offences *stop swearing in of election winners with cases in tribunals – communiqué By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Austin Ogwuda and Evelyn Usman CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega has unveiled revolutionary measures to allow free conduct and flow of election results in the April elections.

Presidential candidates battle in debate

Editors Online — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 12:03:11 +0000

By Joe Brock
President Goodluck Jonathan snubbed a television debate with election rivals on Friday, drawing criticism from the Facebook generation he sought to woo at his campaign launch six months ago. There was an empty podium next to his rivals, ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, former anti-corruption chief Nuhu Ribadu and Kano state governor Ibrahim Shekarau, at the event, broadcast live on Nigerian news channel NN24 and the Internet. "Why don't Ribadu, Shekarau and Buhari agree under one party and kick this PDP (ruling party) out of power," said one posting on a Facebook page dedicated to following the NN24 debate. "GEJ (Jonathan) should have at least sent a Senior Special Assistant on Debates and Challenging Interviews," said one commentator on Twitter, mocking the ruling party's reputation for setting up committees without solving problems. The presidency said NN24's request was one of several from media organisations seeking to organise a televised debate and had been received while he was busy on the campaign trail. "The request came late, it was one of ten. He's going to participate in a debate on the 29th...It's unfair to the president to suggest he's avoiding a debate," said Ken Saro-Wiwa, his special assistant on international affairs. The presidential vote is due to be held on April 9, with parliamentary elections a week earlier and state governorship elections a week later. Jonathan announced his intention to run in the elections on social networking site Facebook in September, stealing the thunder from Buhari, who was holding a campaign launch in the capital Abuja at the time. Jonathan's aides spun the strategy as a sign he was a "breath of fresh air" in touch with Nigerian youth. Political commentators acknowledged the stark contrast with the traditional pomp of Buhari's launch was a publicity coup. But his campaign has since lost momentum, with the turnout at some of his rallies in recent weeks less than overwhelming. A pre-recorded television interview with local music star D'banj, broadcast on Thursday evening, was pilloried by some as a patronising attempt to engage with the youth. "Jonathan and the PDP may be misjudging the youth who are determined to put an end to the era of mediocrity and criminal showmanship that has dragged their nation backward for decades," said one comment doing the rounds on Blackberry messenger. Opposition Eyes Run-Off The ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate has won every election since the end of military rule 12 years ago and Jonathan remains the front runner, but opposition parties are hoping they may be able to force a run-off. Jonathan must win at least a quarter of the vote in two thirds of the 36 states to secure victory in the first round. Buhari has strong grass roots support in parts of the north, while Ribadu's Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is dominant in the southwest, and while they have no formal alliance they are hoping to prevent Jonathan clinching a first-round win. Diplomats were in the front row at the debate and members of the audience were asked to submit questions in advance. Buhari was grilled on his reputation as an authoritarian during military rule, Ribadu on why he was standing for a party whose members include people he has accused of graft, and Shekarau on the Hisbah Islamic squad he set up in Kano to enforce sharia law even on a Christian minority. The opposition has called for the order of the parliamentary and state governorship votes to be amended, saying the timetable favoured the ruling party because if Jonathan won the presidential race then voters would be more inclined to vote PDP at state level a week later. The electoral commission ruled out the suggestion on Friday, saying it was too late for such a change. "It is like a moving train, it cannot suddenly be brought to a stop because you see something by the rail," electoral commission spokesman Kayode Idowu said.

Politicians And Shrines

Editors Online — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:46:39 +0000

Adebulu Taiwo Iyanu The lifestyle of a typical African man revolves around the belief in the supernatural. A typical African man believes in the existence of gods and goddesses and the need to pay obeisance to them. He consults them when the need arises. This can be done in form of a visit to a shine for worship and consultation. Consultations are made when one needs help at a crossroads. Some say it is occultism while some people also say it is African religion. However, Nigerian politicians are not left out of this show. The 2011 election is fast approaching and they are desperately deploying all means within their reach, including a radical overhaul of their arsenal and paying visits to spiritualists. As they campaign to the geo political zones in the country, they also campaign to the geo political shrines. The likes of Okija shrine has become a tourist centre to the campaigners. This practice has been in place for ages. Occultic political institution appears to be the bedrock of Nigeria politics. It is a medium through which godsons attest their loyalty and faithfulness to their godfathers. It is also a means through which supporters pledge their loyalty with pints of their blood. The shrine stands as a testimony to the agreement of parties at the expense of needless voters. These fetish customs involve rigorous ritualistic and barbaric practice. At the end of the day, these same politrickcians dance along the aisle of churches for thanksgiving to the victory won at the polls. They appear so theocentric, giving thanks to God for what they have done behind the scene. After the show, the celebration and redemption of pledges continue at the occultic rendezvous. They have eaten the inedible and they have done the absurd and unimaginable. When crocodiles eat their own eggs, what will they not do to the flesh of a frog? No wonder they act without fear! It has become obvious that we can never separate our politicians from occultism. They have to swear oaths of allegiance at shrines before they swear the legal oath of allegiance at the swearing in. The cabals operate within the system and if you are not in the clique, you are definitely out of the political rat race. How do we know the cabals? All lizards lie prostrate, how can one tell which lizard suffers from bellyache? Well, it’s no use to ask if the pope is from Catholic. The fact that politics in Nigeria has been adulterated with occultism is an open secret. Since this appears to be the trend in politics, then the system cannot change. And if at all there are possibilities for changes, it is not changing into the lion that is hard, it is getting the tail of a lion. We need to evict the existing cabals. You must first of all chase away the wicked snake before blaming the fowl for carelessness in exposing her chicks. Where do we start from when it appears nobody is innocent, Ola Rotimi in his play, The gods are not to blame, said "when the elders we esteem so highly can sell their honour for devil’s money, then let pigs eat shame and men eat dung." How long must feverish birds tremble in silence before their keeper. This is an issue we must address as it is fast crippling the Nigerian society at large including our universities.

Fresh Hurdles Before April Polls

Editors Online — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:42:12 +0000

By Alabi Williams

ELECTION Day is barely 14 days but not much, if anything at all, is on ground by way of the INEC assuring the electorate of its preparedness to conduct free, fair and credible elections commencing on April 2. Thus, experts and poll watchers are worried that the 2011 general elections might go the way of the 2007 balloting that was roundly condemned by local and international observers as abysmally flawed. It is true that the commission, through its chair, Prof. Attahiru Jega and some other officials had been releasing snippets of what to expect at the polls. For instance, it had been reported that the commission would adopt the Modified Open Ballot System (MOBS) for the elections while politicians, the so-called ‘big men’ who move about polling stations in the guise of ‘monitoring election’ will not be allowed that indulgence in April. Besides, stakeholders’ meetings and seminars are being held in the states by RECs in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the processes of the elections. Still, there are worries by critical segments of the society about INEC readiness to deliver on its mandate. The fears stem from INEC’s near tardiness in the conduct of the voters’ registration, which suffered undue delays in delivering of materials and malfunctioning of equipment. In the end, the public did not know how the INEC arrived at the final figure from a tentative 67,764,334 to 73,528,040 voters registered. INEC may yet carry the can of politicians, who despite signing a code of conduct and the government avowal to ensure ‘one man, one vote’ are perfecting their scheming in a do-or-die politics. Stories from the states are exceptionally unsettling, with the incumbent governments visiting varying degrees of harassment, intimidation, thuggery and violence on the opposition politicians and political parties.

PDP men arrested with INEC in Ibadan materials

Editors Online — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:45:36 +0000

Our Reporter

Four people suspected to be working for the People Democratic Party in (PDP) in Oyo State were yesterday arrested by the police while filling data into laptops belonging to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). The four suspects were arrested in a private a hotel located in old Bodija of Ibadan Oyo State capital . A source told the The Nation that the suspects were rounded up around 7 30 p.m while inputing data into six INEC laptops from INEC registration form. The police were said to have been alerted by other customers in the hotel when they discovered that the suspects were carrying out the act. They were arrested and taken to Bodija Police Station from where they were later transferred to the Area Command Iwo Road for further interrogation. Among the materials recovered from the suspects were INEC voters registration forms, voters registration materials for some local government in the state including Afijio local government, Ibadan South-West local government and some local governmentsin Ibadan land, mobile telephones and PDP complimentary cards. One of the suspects claimed to be an INEC official. The Commissioner of Police of the state Mr. Adisa Bolanta confirmed the arrest to The Nation last night. He also the command wa still carrying on investiagations.

Cut president, govs’ tenure – CBN Gov Sanusi

Editors Online — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:55:45 +0000

By Taye Obateru

* Also seeks slimmer legislature, cabinetGovernor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has urged the nation to consider a single tenure for the president and governors, a uni-camera legislature and a reduction in the number of ministers in the search for a durable democracy. This is as he accused the present ruling class of failing to leave behind the same or a better educational system than the one they enjoyed while growing up, challenging Nigerians to collectively take up the challenge to fix the country for the benefit of present and future generations. Sanusi spoke, yesterday, after being conferred with a honorary doctorate degree at the 24th convocation of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), reiterating that the solution to militancy, kidnapping and ethno-religious crises was to create an equitable society that would give people hope. He said Nigerians must answer honestly some questions that are fundamental to the country’s economic growth and development even if the answers are unpalatable. "What are our priorities as a nation? What can we do about the cost of governance? We just passed a budget of N4.9 trillion, the bulk of which is recurrent expenditure. We have a constitution that says we must have a minister from every state, so we must have 36 ministers. Do we need 36 ministries? These are questions that we need to ask. "Do we really need a bi-camera legislature? Do we need all the ministries, departments and agencies that we have or can we do something about that and reduce the cost of governance and free up funds for education and health?", he said. The CBN governor added: "The vice chancellor just announced that this is his last convocation after four years. I still remember when vice chancellors had two terms and, at the end of the first term, there would be nothing but struggle and conflict between vice chancellors and deputy vice chancellors and whoever wanted to succeed. "Do our executives, maybe, need just one term so that they now think of the legacy they leave behind rather than the next term? These are the questions that the civil society alone can raise and would push through the legislative changes required to improve governance in this country. Democracy is a process; the constitution itself should evolve and it should be relevant to the needs of a developing nation." He said the country was not spending enough on education while people are not presented enough opportunities that would make them succeed, adding, "it is very easy to dismiss people as militants or as terrorists or as fanatics or as ignorant people, but the fundamental question is, what type of society breeds these types of human beings and who is responsible for that society?" Sanusi lamented that while most of those presently in leadership position received quality education from primary to university within the country, "we are not leaving for those coming behind us something as good not to talk of better, than we benefitted from." He advised the youth to refuse to be used by those who construct differences on the basis of religion or ethnicity, arguing that "the only difference that matters in the difference between those who have and those who do not have; between those who have the opportunity and those who do not." In a message to the convocation, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Professor Nicholas Damachi, said the administration was committed to improving education as demonstrated by the allocation of the highest amount ever to education in the 2011 budget. He re-affirmed the commitment of the administration to maintaining peace in troubled areas like Plateau State noting that the country’s nascent democracy requires a peaceful atmosphere to grow. He commended the governing council and the management of the university on the giant strides recorded in various areas despite obvious challenges. A total of 6,924 graduands bagged various categories of degrees, diplomas and certificates among them, Governor Gabrael Suswam of Benue State, who bagged a Ph.D. Sanusi and chairman, Zinox Technologies Limited, Mr. Leo-Stan Ekeh, were conferred with honourary doctorate degrees.

‘Our plans for Nigeria’

Editors Online — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:00:20 +0000

Sanni Ologun

Last Friday evening, three leading presidential candidates, Muhammadu Buhari (CPC), Ibrahim Shekarau (ANPP) and Nuhu Ribadu (ACN) took part in a presidential debate organised by the cable television NN24 and beamed live to Nigerians. Here are excerpts from the debate anchored by Kadaria Ahmed of Next Newspaper. Buhari: Ribadu Shekarau: Kadaria: During your presentation before the senate you indicted Mr. Bola Tinubu of corruption. Now given what you said about Ahmed Bola Tinubu can I ask you why Nigerians should believe you? Doesn’t this raise serious morality and ethical issues about you because you are now working with the man and trying to become the president? Ribadu: With respect Kadiria. I never said he is a looter of international standard or a thief. I was making reference to all the persons that we were investigating then. I said the case of Bola Tinubu was a case involving international dimension. It was not a case that was being handled by the EFCC therefore I would not have much to say about it. In any case I have never come out to judge and sentence an individual before. Kadaria: Buhari: Basically, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 stipulates that every person from the age of 18 and above can aspire to any office from councilor of a local government to the president. I am using that facility to ask Nigerians to vote for me. Kadaria: Will you be able to operate in a democratic setting given your history? Will you be able to work with democratic institutions? Buhari: Kadaria: How do you reconcile this intolerance with your desire to be a leader of the country as diverse as Nigeria? Shekarau: In the first place I do not agree that the Hisbah was brutalizing and violating the constitutional rights of our citizens. We did not just wake up to establish Hisbah without the legislation. We used the same constitutional provisions that allow any state to create any form or any law that would maintain law and order within the state. The Hisbah is not more than what today we refer to as community policing. We have Hisbah in every community; their duty is to ensure that the citizens are law-abiding. This is exactly what they do. It is those who violate the rules of the land, and we challenge any one who ever says that the Hisbah has done any thing to him contrary to the rules and regulation governing the land should take his case to the law court and challenge the creation of Hisbah. In fact the fist item on the law of the Hisbah is that the Hisbah is to assist the Nigeria police in maintenance of law and order. Kadaria Shekarau: Kadaria: You seems to be very strong in terms of protecting the rights of the majority, what about the rights of the minority in the society that you govern? Shekarau: Kadaria: Now since Nigeria started exploring oil, the benefits have included poverty, environmental degradation and in recent times, criminality. How would you address this problem if you are voted to become the president of Nigeria? Ribadu: General Muhammadu Buhari, how will you deal with the issue of militancy in the Niger Delta? Buhari: Kadaria: As a matter of fact what you are saying is that you still don’t have a solution. You still going to sit down and come up with a solution? Buhari: Kadaria: How is your programme for the Niger Delta different from that of the two other candidates? Shekarau: Kadaria: I think we keep hearing sit down with the militants, talk to them but the existing government had sat down with the militants. We have an ongoing amnesty programme Shekarau: It is not about the militants. The government is sitting with the militants. It is not about just the militants. What are we doing about the whole idea and the people back home in the communities. The militants are somehow speaking loud the minds of the teeming population back home. If you go to the leaders of the militants, this is just one of the byproducts of the grudge back home. What you need to do is to go back and sit with the communities, identify what the root causes are. What are the problems? What measures are you going to take at all levels to solve them? Kadaria: Now Nuhu Ribadu you know that there is a PIB bill that is making its way through the legislative arm of government are you satisfied with the provisions of the bill as it is? Ribadu : No. there are so many areas that would require improvement and changes. It is a good thing because it is progress in what we are doing. The fundamental thing that is lacking in this industry is openness, transparency, accountability in the way we manage these resources. Today, NNPC is a closed place. No one knows what is going on there. It is a small clique of people that is in control. They are in conspiracy with the oil companies. The oil companies do what they like, no questions are asked. They are almost literally above the law. It has to change. They caused the problems that are happening in the Niger Delta and indeed the oil industry. I wanted to say and I will say it again, that the problem, the insecurity, the inability to get the maximum out of that industry and indeed the Niger Delta is simply because of not being able to address those fundamental issues. The issues are economy and justice. Economy: ability to get the maximum out of what we have, use it properly in the way that people would see benefits. Two, if you want peace you must go through the hall of justice and fairness. The oil companies have been in conspiracy so far. They have not been on the side of Nigerians. … The issue of the Niger Delta is not necessarily about the militants. Coming from my back ground as a trained guidance counselor, you need to go back to the roots, get back to the community. There is something that tells me that there is a total loss of confidence in government. Before these young men start carrying weapons and start harassing everybody that must have had some inclines or feeling that their leader and elders down there in their community have a grudge that those government at the local, state and federal levels have not been fair to them. The sum total of the problem of the Niger Delta is a problem of total loss of confidence and the only solution is to go back and address the issue of loss of confidence. It is not about telling these youths to hand in their weapons, we have an amnesty, it is not working. The issue is go back to the roots sit down with them, discuss with them and allocate appropriate funds to make sure that the problems are addressed. No, we have a solution. The solution is we have to sit down with the Niger Delta militant’s leadership, their traditional leadership and the operating companies before we know the problems. The issue of militancy in the Niger Delta is that young people were armed, given ammunition and sent against political opponents and after winning the elections the youths were asked to hand over the weapons but they said no. if we examine the reason it is very clear. If a young man, a teenager is earning $50,000 a week why should he go to school and spend 20 years and earn N100,000 a month? In the CPC we have decided that the traditional leadership, the operating company leadership and all the three tiers of government will have to come together and critically examine the issue of militancy in the Niger Delta and deal with it using the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The problem of the Niger Delta is also the problem of Nigeria. It is a region that has produced so much but unfortunately it has not been able to translate into development and growth of the area. We have neglected that part. We have to change it. We have to as a matter of urgency go back; we have seen what this government is doing, creating agencies, making just patronage outfits and taking care of very few people. Action Congress of Nigeria during my own administration, with my team, will come up with a marshal plan; a plan that is going to address the totality of the problems confronting this region. We are going to ensure the resources that are coming out of that area constitutionally go to that region, channeled and put into addressing those issues. The violence there has to be addressed. Two, youth employment, young men and young women who are today almost frustrated will have to go back and see that they are given a chance to contribute. In fact it may interest you to know that Kano State today is the most peaceful state in Nigeria. If you ask any of the so called minority they are quite happy, they are quite peaceful. In fact, today you will be surprised to find out that those you call non indigenes prefer to go for settlement of disagreements within the community either to the Hisbah or to the censorship board. We don’t have any quarrel at all. The laws are working, the society has accepted them and the film industry is thriving very well. All we say is abide by the rules and regulations and there is no community that you live in without guiding principles, without rules and regulations and think there would be discipline and order in that community. I think there is something wrong. Hisbah has nothing to do with film censorship. We have a film censorship board created by law through a legislation. We have a right to decide what is right for the community. A government has the moral responsibility to protect the rights and interests for the peaceful coexistence of the society. What we have done is to say any body who wants to establish a film industry should comply with certain basic laws. I challenge anybody who says any of these rules and regulations contradicts the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to challenge us in court. : In practical terms, the impact of the Hisbah in Kano has included killing the film industry that was providing employment for what is known in Nigeria as Nollywood. So there has been an exodus of film makers out of Kano who get harassed, who have been asked to submit their scripts for inspection in total disregard of the peoples rights to express themselves in that particular way. Now Mallam Shekarau, Nigeria is a plural society. I learnt in the state you govern, Kano State the Hisbah which is a morality police is known to brutally enforce Sharia and in the process sometimes trampling on peoples rights as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. Yes. My antecedents in party Politics since 2003, I believe Nigerians knows about it. We lost an election. I did not go on the streets. I went to court to prove my case. In 2007 again I contested, again the Supreme Court which was the last court gave a split decision. Three justices of the Supreme Court said the election was flawed, three said it can be managed. Nigeria couldn’t run another election. The Chief Justice then cast his support for the government then. Which means undemocratic. I spent 50 months in court asking for my rights that the elections were rigged and the international community observer team reports and our internal observer team report confirmed that the elections were rigged. I didn’t go to the streets, I went to the court and I spent 50 months in court. Firstly you said when the question was put to me about democracy then I said we have not decided about it. It means within the military government I to lead I was democratic. I was the president of the Supreme Military Council, the chairman of the national council of states and the chairman of council of ministers: We, when I say we, these three governmental structures at the federal level in deciding on each issue, whether it is budgeting, security, whether it is in any aspect of government before the other parts of government is given the opportunity to execute such a decision of government, there are ministries, there are parastatals, there are security institutions. So part of the constitution the military administration under me suspended were of course the election and the partisan politics… Now to General Muhammadu Buhari. Sir you were a Head of State during the military regime and you were quoted in an interview with the Daily Times I think that was in 1984 when you were asked about transition to civilian rule as saying that "we have not discussed the question of return to democracy in the military council. The problem we have now is how to revive the economy, ensure discipline and respect abroad. In addition to all that your regime was known to be a little bit autocratic. Now given your antecedents, when you were a military leader why should Nigerians vote for you under a democratic dispensation? My party, the All Nigeria Peoples Party has identified five major focal areas which are summarized as FENDS. The F stands for freedom, E stands for equity, N stands for nationalism, D for development and S for security. All of these items are about human development and for us to achieve and realize this kind of objective we broke them down into two components: that is human development and social justice. These are the two major platforms by which we shall achieve these five major objectives. : I am 50 years. A child of Independence. I hold a Master’s degree in Law and I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984. I joined the Nigerian Police Force in 1985 and since then I have been in the service of my country. I worked for 25 years and rose to the rank of AIG. I was the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which I laid the foundation a few years ago. I am here contesting for the office of the President Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have come to bring change because time for change has come. And this event is proof that time for change is here. I am not here because of luck. I have worked all my life. I deliberately and consciously came out to contest for the office of the president of Nigeria. I am young. I belong to the age bracket of vibrant young leaders in the world today. The important issue to be discussed as I have always mentioned is firstly the security of the nation state itself. There is no point of going out only to be kidnapped and this is more significant, perhaps, more than even the issue of power. There is no way you can get serious investors anywhere in the world if their security cannot be guaranteed.

Cement disaster face Nigeria as PDP leaders seek votes from deprived citizens

Editors Online — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:48:25 +0000

As the nation is about to vote in another round of elections, it is regrettable that cement, the necessary input in building and construction sectors of the economy is now sold for N2, 500.00 per bag. This is a tragedy for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidates particularly, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who is going round the country to seek the mandate of a long-suffering people of Nigeria without demonstrating care for their welfare. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is miffed and displeased at the carelessness of the PDP in not feeling for Nigerians by arresting this unacceptable hike in price of cement but busy itself with the crazy search for elusive mandate across the nation. If PDP leaders are shameful, they would have convened an urgent economic council meeting to nip the crisis in the bud before it became an eye sore and economic disaster that it is now. Rather than do the right thing, PDP leaders are busy painting the streets red and flaunting their ill-gotten wealth in the face of all Nigerians as if no Nigerian is important. The implications of this hike in the price of cement is that housing will no longer be within the reach of Nigerians while the multiplier effect on the national economy is better imagined than expressed. It is surprising that the PDP-controlled Federal Government promised Nigerians that it would import cement to aid reduction in price of cement but what we now have is an unacceptable situation that pose naked threat to the tottering Nigerian economy while the leaders of government business at the federal level have no clues as to how to address the problem in the interest of the nation. With an unresolved national economic crisis confronting Nigerian citizens, voters should demand explanation from President Goodluck Jonathan and all PDP flag bearers across the nation to explain the poor economic situation and the cesspool of corruption that have bedeviled their footsteps since 1999. The cement crisis is just unacceptable and must not be swept under the carpet. It is a sign of a sick economy that PDP must explain to the satisfaction of Nigerians before we go to the poll. Elder Adelowo Adebiyi Acting Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),

Jonathan meets with Bode George, Daniel others in Lagos

Editors Online — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:23:28 +0000

Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

President Goodluck Jonathan last night met with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos in his bid for votes from the nation’s commercial capital. The state has the highest number of voters. Sources said among the people he met with were Chief Olabode George, who has just completed a jail term for contract splitting at the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) and the governorship candidate of the party in the state Dr. Ade Dosunmu. Other leaders of the party were also at the meeting. The President came direct from Benin Republic where he went on a visit at the weekend. He was accompanied to the meeting by his Chief of Staff Mike Ogiadomhe. Sources said the President is worried that the Lagos state PDP governorship candidate has not been receiving the full support and cooperation from the generality of the members of the party. The party is split along various groups. The dominant group –the establishment- is led by George while 2007 governorship candidate and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro is heading the Solidarity Group. The Mandate group is led by Former Works Minister Adeseye Ogunlewe. There are also smaller groups. The President according to sources has been trying to rally the party behind Dosunmu so that the party will not go into the election deeply divided. It was gathered that settling the crisis in Ogun State also topped the agenda as embattled Governor Gbenga Daniel was said to be at the meeting. Governor Daniel’s men who lost the PDP battle in the state in court, to President Olusegun Obasanjo faction, have moved to little known Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN). The President is believed to be ready to stay till Tuesday in Lagos to be able to sort out the problems in the southwest including Oyo State where the party is also bitterly divided. Many party members have vowed to work against the candidacy of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.

‘Ribadu is solution to Nigeria’s problems’

Editors Online — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:27:56 +0000

Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday stormed the ancient commercial city of Kano. ACN leaders said they would sweep away the 12 years misrule of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the country. Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu told ACN supporters at the Kano Polo Ground, that the Nuhu Ribadu/Fola Adeola ticket is the solution to the nation’s problems. He said: "This turnout represents the desire of the people of Kano for a change, and we are happy because this is an endorsement of our policies and candidates." The ACN national leader promised the people that if voted into power, the party would revive the industrial sector and empower the farmers to guarantee the nation’s quest for food security. The former governor lashed out at the ruling PDP for inflicting poverty and underdevelopment on Nigerians. Tinubu said: "PDP is a poverty development party. PDP and ANPP are one and the same, and I want all Nigerians to be wary of these two parties because they have the same antecedents and characteristics. ‘’Nigerians should not repeat the mistakes of the past by voting them to power. What they did in Kano to the deputy governor is a manifestation that they are a party of betrayal." He presented the party’s presidential candidate, Malam Nuhu Ribadu and his running mate, Fola Adeola, to the people of Kano. Tinubu said Ribadu and Adeola would usher in the change that Nigerians desire. Ribadu and Adeola assured the people that the ACN would wipe their tears by running an open government, if elected next month. Ribadu said he was impressed with the turnout. He said: "We thank God, we have seen acceptance in Kano, we have seen that people are talking about change, and that the broom revolution has reached Kano. ‘’We are glad and happy, and we are ready to take this challenge." The Kano State ACN governorship candidate, Abdullahi Tijani Mohammed Gwarzo, hailed the crowd for support. Gwarzo urged the party’s supporters to vote for the ACN. He said: "God gives power, we were politically humiliated, but God gave us the ticket. We shall sweep ANPP out of Kano, and I urge you to come out to vote for ACN." The ACN leaders visited the Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero, who prayed God to give Nigeria a leader that would transform Nigeria. Other ACN leaders at the rally in Kano are National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, Director-General of Ribadu/Adeola Campaign Organisation Chief Audu Ogbe, former Minister of Labour Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, the party’s governorship candidate in Katsina State, Alhaji Usaman Bugaje, and former Chairman of the defunct APP, Alhaji Yusuf Ali.

Senators in mandate renewal tussle

Editors Online — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:35:01 +0000

OGUNWALE

Senators have plunged into the charged political environment, seeking to renew their mandates either on the platform of the parties that brought them to the Senate or under their new-found political parties. Assistant OGUNWALE reports the momentum being gathered by the renewal bid. Human and vehicular traffic within the National Assembly complex has thinned out in the past few weeks as a good number of serving senators are currently on the field haranguing the electorate for votes. Senate President David Mark leads the pack of the senators struggling to retain their seats. Having been elected to the upper legislative chamber for three consecutive times since 1999, the ex-soldier-turned-politician is having the hottest contest so far in his political career. Clutching the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Benue South senatorial district, his arch-rival and fellow retired Army General, Lawrence Onoja is keenly contesting the seat with Mark, but on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The political rivalry between the two prominent sons of Idoma land dates back to 1999 with renewed hostilities at every circle of election. This time around, the battle appears to have assumed a more complex dimension as the ranks of Marks’s political foes appear to be more united by a common destiny of securing their political future. On the same line with Onoja is George Akume, former Governor of the state and serving senator representing Benue North West. Akume is seeking a return to his seat on the platform of the ACN. He is being challenged by Tersu Tsegba, a member of the House of Representatives and one of the major beneficiaries of the political war of attrition between Akume and the sitting Governor Gabriel Suswam. The Governor was on hand to ensure that Akume, who was elected to the Senate in 2007 on the platform of the PDP, lost the Benue North West ticket of the PDP to Tsegba, apparently with a wink from David Mark; a development that forced Akume to join the ACN where he got the ticket on a platter of gold. Tugging at Akume’s garment on the ACN plank is Joseph Akaagerger who represents Benue North East in the Senate. He suffered the same fate as Akume as the PDP ticket which brought him to the Senate in 2007 has since been pocketed by the former national chairman of the PDP, Chief Barnabas Gemade. To strengthen the ACN camp, Usman Abubakar who almost truncated Mark’s political career through the election petitions tribunal in 2009 has been drafted into the ACN camp. Reports say that Abubakar was persuaded with the offer of the deputy governorship ticket of the ACN as a counterforce to Mark’s stranglehold on Zone C, where the young politician and the President of the Senate hail from. He has since grabbed the ticket with both hands. Abubakar contested the Benue South ticket with Mark in 2007 under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and had challenged the ex-soldier’s victory at the tribunal where he got the latter’s victory voided before the Appeal Court came to his rescue. Today, the ANPP in Benue, just like in many other states across the country, is breathing through only one nostril. Analysts predict a straight 50-50 chance between ACN candidates and the PDP contestants in the coming elections where opposition to the governor’s re-election bid has continued to long in the balance. Also on the mark is Lawrence Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy President of the Senate who is battling to renew his Enugu East mandate. It took a great deal of legal fisticuffs and political horse-trading before Ekweremadu, backed by the top hierarchy of the PDP at the centre, could retrieve his ticket from an anointed candidate of the party’s erstwhile national chairman, Ezekwesilezie Nwodo. In that encounter, Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime was also shaken to the whiskers by the rampaging Nwodo before stronger forces within the national leadership of the party whipped Nwodo into submission with a court order. With Nwodo out of the way, Ekweremadu may as well smile back to the Senate, depending on the strength or weakness of other contestants in the Enugu West race. The boisterous Senate Majority Whip, Kanti Bello is also in the ring, trying to renew his Katsina North mandate in a state where stiff opposition from the Muhammadu Buhari-led rival Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is giving Bello and his ruling PDP sleepless nights in all categories of elective positions on the table. Kanti Bello was one of the candidates who scrambled for the post of Vice President under President Goodluck Jonathan in May last year when the latter mounted the saddle after President Umaru Yar’ Adua’s death. He was beaten to it by former Kaduna State Governor, Namadi Sambo. Incidentally, Kanti Bello turned out to be one of Jonathan’s fiercest critics in the acrimonious political war over zoning when he aligned with the General Ibrahim Babangida’s camp in the failed battle to scuttle Jonathan’s ambition. For this time-tested political war horse seeking re-election, the battle ahead appears a bit complicated with the image of the CPC looming heavily above the Katsina political firmament. Also seeking re-election for the third time is the diminutive Deputy Majority Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba, SAN. He represents Cross River Central. Opposition parties seem to have a very weak presence in the state which makes the contest a near-comfortable one for the lawmaker. Deputy Senate Whip, Muhammed Mana’s fate is still hanging in the balance as the PDP ticket for his Adamawa North is currently trapped in a web of legal contest. It appears he may have to fight the election either through the ballot or the courts. Minority Leader, Maina Lawan and Minority Whip, Ahmad Sani have also thrown their hats in the rings in Borno and Zamfara states respectively, contesting on the platform of what is left of the ANPP. While Lawan who represents Borno North can still hope to coast home to victory on the back of Governor Ali Modu Sheriff who still has a firm grip of the party in Borno, it may not be that easy for Ahmad Sani. The former Zamfara Governor who left the government house to represent Zamfara West in 2007, has been on a war path with the sitting Governor, Mahmud Shinkafi. The two politicians became enemies shortly after the 2007 election and their irreconcilable difference led the governor and a good number of prominent erstwhile ANPP stalwarts into defecting to the PDP at different points. Still clutching to the carcass of the ANPP in the state, Sani is faced with a combined forces of the Governor and other powerful forces to unseat the bearded apostle of Sharia. While he is still battling to secure his precarious political career, confetti of negative public denunciation has continued to trail his recent marriage to an Egyptian teenage girl like a horde of flies. But considering the cultural peculiarity in his immediate environment, his marriage to a teenager may not be a major obstacle on the way to realising his political ambition. His major challenge is the hostile political environment dominated by the governor and the rising profile of his political foes. In the race for the Kano South is Senator Kabiru Gaya, Deputy Minority Whip and chieftain of the ANPP. Gaya had been beating the drums for his governorship ambition towards the last quarter of 2010 only to engage the reverse gear a few months back. Details of why he made the u-turn remained unclear but reports have it that he was being careful not to go against the wish of Kano Governor Ibrahim Shekarau who was said to have penciled down another candidate for the governorship position. Apart from the determination of the ruling PDP to wrest the state from the grip of the ANPP, the onslaught by the invading CPC has altered the political equilibrium in the state. Gaya obviously has a tough battle ahead of him. Anambra State presents an entirely different turf. The three senators from the state: Annie Okwonkwo (Anambra Central); Ikechukwu Obiora (Anambra South) and Alphonsus Igbeke (Anambra North) lost the PDP tickets to their more rugged opponents. Okwonkwo is contesting under the Accord Party while Obiora is flying the flag of the LP. Igbeke who displaced Mrs. Joy Emodi in May 2010 through an Appeal Court verdict had contested under the ANPP in the 2007 elections but had defected to the PDP a few weeks after he took his seat. He may as well be waiting for the expiration of the current legislative session before he decides what to do next. Former presidential aide, Mr. Andy Uba has taken custody of the Anambra South ticket. Among contestants for the three Anambra senatorial seats under various political platforms is former Information Minister, Professor Dora Akunyili who is contesting under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). Interestingly, none of the political parties appears to enjoy any significant following. The candidates are largely counting on their personal electoral values and the goodwill of the electorate. The battle for senatorial seats in the North West and South West zones with majority of PDP sitting members is expected to record major upsets with the onslaught from the opposition CPC in the former and the ACN in the latter. It is apparent that a good number of senators in these zones seeking re-election may fall by the wayside. Other interesting cases in the senatorial race are the senatorial districts where the candidates are fighting to come back the fourth time. Besides David Mark, two other senators in this category are Gbenga Ogunniya (Ondo Central) and Nuhu Aliyu (Niger North). Ogunniya is fighting it out in a state controlled by the opposition Labour Party (LP) where Governor Olusegun Mimiko appears to dictate the tune. But sources close to Ogunniya maintained that the soft-spoken lawyer of the PDP stock may spring a surprise at the end of the day. Their position is premised on the fact that Ogunniya who hails from the same district with the governor, enjoys a robust goodwill from a large chunk of his constituents, including traditional leaders across the zone. He has candidates of the ACN and the LP to contend with in a race generally described keen and competitive. On the other hand, Nuhu Aliyu may encounter very little problem if political configuration in terms of numerical strength on his ruling PDP vis-a-vis the opposition parties is anything to go by. For now, the ex Deputy Inspector General of Police who has been in the Senate since 1999 appears to dominate his immediate political environment. Senators Abubakar Sodangi (Nasarawa West) and Patrick Osakwe (Delta North) used to be on the fourth-term contestants’ list before the party primaries. While a war-tested former Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Adamu snatched the ticket from Sodangi, combined forces of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and power political interests in the state seem to have driven the nails into Osakwe’s political coffin. An associate of Uduaghan’s and immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Professor Utuama has since taken the ticket from Osakwe. The scramble by senators to return to the Senate has taken a toll on legislative duties and attendance at both plenary and committee assignments. Since the conclusion of the primaries, attendance has been dwindling progressively up till the time the Senate went on break on Wednesday, March 16. Senators who were attending plenary sessions and committee functions regularly are mainly those who lost their tickets and who are not seeking re-election on the platform of any other party. Some of the regular faces include Senators Jibril Aminu (Adamawa Central); Effiong Bob (Akwa Ibom North-East); Umeh Ekaette (Akwa Ibom South); Nimi Barigha Amange (Bayelsa East); James Manager (Delta South); and Osita Izunaso (Imo West). Others are Nicholas Ugbene (Kogi East); Otaru Ohize (Kogi Central); Caleb Zagi (Kaduna South); Grace Bent (Adamawa South); Bassey Ewa Henshaw (Cross River South); Patrick Osakwe (Delta North); Anyim Udeh (Ebonyi South) and Lee Ledogo Maeba (Rivers South-East). Also on the regular attendance list are Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin (Oyo Central); Andrew Babalola (Oyo North); Olorunnimbe Mamora (Lagos East); Kola Bajomo (Ogun West); Umar Gada (Sokoto East); Anthony Manzo (Taraba North); Abubakar Sodangi (Nasarawa West); and Sidi Ali (FCT). Members who are contesting but still kept fairly regular attendance include David Mark (Benue South); Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West); Victor Ndoma Egba (Cross River Central); Aloysious Etok (Akwa Ibom Nort-West); Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna North); Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West); Zaynab Kure (Niger South) and Ayogu Eze (Enugu North).

No Motion to Stay action on tenure of five governors

Editors Online — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:43:14 +0000

By Gowon Emakpe
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), may have deceived Nigerians when it claimed that it had pleaded with the Federal High Court in Abuja to allow it conduct governorship elections in the five states that the court earlier ruled there will be no election. In a judgment on February 23, Adamu Bello, a Federal High Court judge, ruled that governorship elections should not hold in Kogi, Sokoto, Adamawa, Cross River and Bayelsa states until next year. However, the Commission recently claimed that it asked the court to stop the execution of its judgment. In a motion for stay allegedly filed by its lawyer, Carol Ajie, INEC reportedly asked the court to stop the governors from benefiting from the judgment until the Appeal Court decides the appeal it against the judgment. "But if this application is granted by this court, the appellant would perform its statutory duties of conducting elections in the affected states as well others and the opportunity of a level playing ground afforded to other candidates.," INEC stated in the petition. Ms Ajie said if the application was refused, any decision arrived at by the Court of Appeal would have been rendered nugatory by the ruling that extended the tenure of the five governors. Findings at the court registry over the weekend, however, showed that there was no motion for stay before Mr. Bello. When asked to confirm the date the motion for stay of execution will be heard, the Court Registrar, having gone through his record, said there was no such motion for stay of execution, stressing that a declarative judgment cannot be stayed. In his ruling on the case Mr Bello, had set new dates for the termination of the tenure of the governors, Ibrahim Idris, Kogi, will stay on till April 5, 2012; Aliyu Wammakko, Sokoto, remains till May 28, 2012; Timipre Sylva, Bayelsa, leaves on May 29, 2012; Liyel Imoke’s tenure in Cross River terminates on August 28, 2012; and Murtala Nyako, Adamawa, gets his tenure elongated to April 30, 2012. Mr. Bello held that, "There is nowhere in the world where a Constitution takes retroactive effect as erroneously held by the INEC. Amendments to Section 180 of the 1999 Constitution cannot be used to determine the tenure of the governors who took oath of office in 2008. The five governors had gone to court to challenge the decision of the Commission to conduct governorship elections in their states this year. They said their tenure only began after they won the run off in their states and should, therefore, not be terminated in April 2011. They named INEC and the Peoples Democratic Party as first and second defendants. The alleged motion for stay In a seven-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Kennedy Ajogi, a litigation clerk in Ajie Chambers, the lawyers claimed an appeal had already been filed against the judgment and that it raised substantial issues of law which might be resolved in favour of the appellant (INEC). Specifically, Ms Ajie said a greater hardship would be caused if the application was refused and that the governors would lose nothing. She said INEC would find itself in an awkward position if the appeal was decided in its favour since the time fixed for elections in the affected states would have passed before the appeal would be decided. She also asked the court to take notice of the fact that some of the elections were nullified on account of malpractices and irregularities and that to allow the governors to stay beyond May 29, would make them benefit from their wrongs. "There are special and exceptional reasons why suspension of the judgment ought to be granted in this case," she told the court. When contacted to comment on the issue, Kayode Idowu, the spokesperson of the electoral body, asked to be allowed to get confirmation on the motion from the Commission’s legal department. Two hours later, Mr. Idowu said, "I am yet to get a response from them. I’ve sent a message to them because the calls were not going through and they are yet to reply me."

Who Says that PDP Is A Political Party In Nigeria?

Editors Online — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:44:14 +0000

Joe Igbokwe

We have been shouting from the roof top to the East, West, North and South of Nigeria that PDP is not the Political Party to be trusted with power again in Nigeria and some people think we are playing politics. We have been screaming on top of our voices that PDP has forfeited the right to continue to govern Nigeria after 12 years of disastrous leadership and yet some people think we are playing to the gallery. Our strong argument has always been the obvious and painful fact that the mafia in PDP is a deformed, disoriented, disjointed, disorganized and failed ruling class that must be destroyed or managed out of the China’s shop meticulously to prevent further damage to our collective psyche. It is now crystal clear that what we have been thinking all along about PDP is true and the world know it Charge d’Affairs of the United States Embassy in Nigeria, Lisa Piascik in a dispatch dated October 19 2007 informed Washington that despite its labeling as a Political Party, the PDP did not meet "the common western understanding" of a Political Party. Lisa Piascik went further to say that the PDP "lacks key ingredients most political parties share" But she is not done yet. Listen to her "the PDP remains an agglomeration of interest groups formed around persons of prominence and power which are loosely tied together by a desire to remain in office and maintain access to the ‘national coke’ or resource of the state" she went further to say that "the PDP remains a highly fractious and opportunist coalition of interests. True opposition, in form of a powerful group with access to the pillars of power, comes from within PDP – not from without as would be accepted in a Democratic Party structure" Now, if you have been in Nigeria in the past 12 years, and you have looked at Nigeria dispassionately with intelligent objectivity, can you fault Lisa Piascik? I do not think so. She stated the obvious! 12 years is enough for any party that is privileged to be called a political Party to leave indelible marks in the sands of times considering the enormity of resources available to PDP between 1999 and now. If you must know, Nigeria has earned more money from 1999 to 2011 than what she had earned from 1960 to 1999 and yet PDP has abandoned 7500 projects throughout Nigeria. For 12 years, PDP led government cannot fix our electricity, cannot build our roads, cannot rebuild our schools, cannot create jobs, cannot provide security, cannot rebuild our hospitals etc. In fact, in all indices used for measuring good governance, PDP has failed woefully. The Party has been called so many names like Poverty Development Party, People deceiving party, people destroying party, manipulators, compromisers, nest of killers, strange bed fellows, certificate forgers, gunrunners, contractors, election riggers, blackmailers etc just to prick its conscience and yet the Party has refused to lay emphasis on values and ideas. The Party has refused to think. The Party has refused to do some growing up. Give PDP some 50 years to fix Nigeria and I can tell you straight away that they cannot just do it. The Party cannot give what it does not have. It is deficit in everything we hold dear. PDP cannot get it. Our duty is to vote PDP out in 2011 and go ahead to reclaim our dear country that has been pillaged, plundered and raped. Folks, please perish the thought that anything good can come from PDP in Nigeria. The men and women running PDP are not human beings; they cannot be patched over, reformed or persuaded to change. They are completely brainless, inhuman and wicked. If we cannot get PDP out of the way, Nigeria can never make progress. Nigeria’s future is tied to the total liquidation of PDP and its gang of forty thieves. Until we have the courage to reject this useless Party and what it stands for, we may not join the human race.

110 judges for election cases

Editors Online — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:03:12 +0000

By IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

ABUJA – AHEAD of next month’s general elections, Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, yesterday, swore in 110 judicial officers that will sit over election disputes that may arise after the polls. The inaugurated members of the 2011 election petition tribunals were drawn from a total of 210 qualified judicial officers in the country. By this arrangement, each state of the federation is to have two tribunals to preside over the national and state Houses of Assembly election disputes and a governorship election tribunal to handle election petitions arising from the forthcoming polls. CJN okays list Whereas it was the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, that drafted members of the panels in accordance with provisions of Section 9 and paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Second Alteration Act), 2010, the CJN, however, okayed and gave the list his approving nod yesterday. Performing the swearing-in at the Supreme Court complex, the CJN lamented that allegations of corruption had in recent past, placed the role of election tribunals in jeopardy, just as he warned members of the newly inaugurated panels to strive to be above board in the discharge of their duties, warning that anything contrary from them, may portend danger to the already battered integrity of the Nigerian judiciary and tenets of democracy in the country. Katsina-Alu said: "By the appointment, you are assigned the original and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine petitions as to whether any person has been validly elected as a member of the National Assembly, or any member has been validly elected as a member of the House of Assembly of a state or any person has been validly elected to the office of Governor or Deputy Governor of a state. "You have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders and the earlier you appreciate this, the better for the nation and the image of the judiciary. The judiciary plays a very important role in the determination of election conflicts in any part of the world. "In Nigeria, allegations of corruption have in recent past placed the role of election tribunal in jeopardy. Election petitions, just like the ordinary day-to-day civil cases, are intended to be dealt with by tribunals consistently, fairly without bias or partiality. You must bear in mind that in most cases in this country, when Election Petition Tribunals fail in their duties, the consequences had been violence resulting in murder, arson and grievous bodily harm. "Attempts will no doubt be made by unscrupulous persons to corrupt, influence and/or coerce you into taking wrong decisions. This you must resist at all cost. You must act in accordance with the dictates of the oath which you have just taken as well as your good conscience. I am confident that you will not fail the nation at this crucial moment of our nascent democracy and our effort to build a nation on the principle of the rule of law, justice and fair play. Scrutiny of litigants "Finally, I want to warn you the Chairmen and Members of the Election Tribunals that you are under the scrutiny of the eyes of the litigants that will come before you, as well as members of the general public. Any substantiated complaint of impropriety against you will go before the National Judicial Council and you will pay dearly for such. "It is, therefore, up to you to work honestly, diligently and with integrity. Let your conscience guide you according to the oath that you have just taken." Meantime, the event got an added piquancy when the Appeal Court President, Justice Salami, refused to exit through the same door used by the CJN immediately after the event. In line with judicial hierarchy, the PCA, being next in command, was expected to leave the hall immediately after the CJN. He, however, declined the honour, preferring to rather follow the door used by other judicial officers that attended the ceremony. Whereas the CJN who followed the back door exclusively reserved for justices, exited the hall at exactly 11: 13 am, the PCA stalled his exit till 11.17 a.m. when he exited through the side door at the Supreme Court, just as the warring duo shunned any form of exchange of pleasantries. It would be recalled that the conduct of the CJN and the PCA are presently under scrutiny by both the NJC and the NBA, following several allegations of judicial misconduct levelled against them from different quarters, with majority of the allegations bothering on election petition malpractices. Meanwhile, the National Judicial Institute, NJI, yesterday, commenced a five-day refresher course for judges and Kadis, with a view to keep them abreast with new ideas and developments that will aid their adjudicatory duties. The CJN, who was represented at the event by Justice Aloma Mukhtar of the Supreme Court, maintained that "the enormity of the responsibilities which the democratic governance has placed on the Judiciary demands that the Courts must rise to their constitutional responsibilities." He added: "Remember that the continued relevance of our work as Judges depends to a great extent on public confidence. We must collectively avoid anything that will compromise the preservation of the rule of law."

Sour moment for Jonathan in Katsina

Editors Online — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:07:32 +0000

Isah Idris

President Goodluck Jonathan may not forget in a hurry his experience in Katsina when he took his campaign there. Besides a tragedy that nearly marred the show, some irate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths did the unthinkable. ISAH IDRIS was there. It was a frightening spectacle last Tuesday. Midway into President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign rally in Katsina, protesting hoodlums popularly referred to as ‘Kauraye’ took over the arena, looting campaign platforms on which audience stood. While the chains of presidential and state security agencies kept watching, the Kauraye boys constituting the chunk of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) youth supporters in the venue waited till midway into the president’s campaign, to pull down the platforms made of irons and metals. As President Jonathan was descending the stair-case of the platform, the kaurayes started dismantling and looting metals, furniture and plastic chairs, while the security personnel watched the ugly scene that turned out to be a national embarrassment. Source informed The Nation that, though the presidential team equally felt embarrassed, they were forced to stomach the ugly sight in the spirit of partisanship. It was not a particularly joyous moment for the president’s campaign train. Reason: Five persons including the Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State, ASP Aminu Ibrahim, were killed instantly when the governor’s convoy was involved in an accident along Daura road early on that day. The accident which occurred in Zakaliya Village of Mashi local government council along Katsina-Daura Road around 9: 45 am, involved the governor’s official vehicle, a black Land Rover Range Rover SUV and a commercial bus. It was before the arrival of President Jonathan. While Governor Ibrahim Shema was later with the presidential campaign team, the Deputy Governor, Bar. Surajo Danmari led the team to Dan Marna grave-yard where the remains of the ADC were interred. Other dignitaries at the burial were included Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service of the state; state PDP Chairman and some other government functionaries. The late Aminu Ibrahim who was survived by two wives and seven children was buried according to Islamic rites. The deceased who died at his prime age of forty years old, was described by many as a big loss to the Katsina community for his unparalleled humility, dedication to work and his unique relationship with others. Earlier, President Jonathan promised he would not fail Katsina people for supporting him in the last primary election which gave him and Namadi Sambo the presidential ticket to contest this year’s general election to lead the country for the next four years. Exuding sobriety, the president, in his speech, said his campaign would have been coloured with singing and dancing, saying: "It is a very sad day for us; we mourn with the family of the ADC, and we really have sympathy for the family and we pray that Allah gives them the fortitude to bear the loss." He thanked the Katsina PDP family for their votes for him and Sambo during PDP primaries in which they won clearly to become flag bearers in 2011 presidential election coming up in April this year. "I will not disappoint you; we will work with you. What the late president Umar Yar’adua would have done for Katsina people, we will do for you," he pledged. The president, still in sober reflection, said God used so many people to bring him to where he is today and the three principal people among them are; his former Governor Dipreye Alamieseigha, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua. Unfortunately according to the President, Yar’Adua couldn’t complete his first four years, adding that owing to the development, he could not execute his robust plans for Nigeria as exemplified in his Seven Point Agenda which included the issue of power, water and other things that would have been solved. He promised to join hands with the state governor, the sons and daughters of Katsina to develop the state as he would develop other parts of the country. President Jonathan who also appreciated Governor Shema’s achievements in the state said he had commissioned some projects including a ring road, 250 tractors and the stadium under construction in the state. The president also commended the late Yar’Adua family for their warm reception and for always taking him as their son right from the time he was a vice president, a gesture which he said, had given him a sense of belonging as a son of Katsina. He said he had also been more challenged by the warm reception given him by the Emirs Daura and Katsina and the traditional title given him by the former, which conferred on him some rights as a son of Katsina. He therefore promised that he would not disappoint the people of the state for the four years.

Why Ciroma’s, others’ meeting with Jonathan was deadlocked

Editors Online — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:11:17 +0000

Yusuf Alli

Facts emerged yesterday on why talks between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Adamu Ciroma-led Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) collapsed last Friday. The stalemate was attributed to the hiding of the report of a seven-man committee raised on February 18 by both parties from the President. Jonathan was to have been shown the report by a former Senate President who led the President’s team to the panel’s meeting. Jonathan met with NPLF last Friday in Abuja to consider the report, but he could not comment on it because he was not briefed about it. Others at the meeting were former-President Ibrahim Babangida, former-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and other key Northern leaders. But the session could not achieve much as the parties failed to reach any compromise on zoning and tenure for Jonathan. A top source said: "The Friday meeting between President Jonathan and leaders of the NPLF did not resolve the twin issues of tenure and zoning because there was a major setback from the President’s camp. "President Jonathan was unable to take decisions on the issues in contention because the leader of the President’s three-man delegation in the seven-man committee, a former Senate President, allegedly kept the report of the committee away from President Jonathan. "Everybody at the session suspected an ulterior motive for the hiding of the vital report. "President Jonathan told the meeting that he had not seen the report of the committee that was empanelled at his instance. "Following the President’s admittance that he was yet to see the report, the meeting resolved that he could take time to study the report since there was nothing to discuss." But another source said: "The former Senate President, who led the President’s group in the seven-man panel, might have "hoarded" the report of the committee for a purpose. "It may have to do with internal politics within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the choice of a new National Chairman of the party and 2015 politics." The source added: "A new meeting has been scheduled before the commencement of the April polls. "It is too early to talk whether the NPLF leaders will support Jonathan or not." There are three options before the NPLF leaders. The options are: • to back Jonathan; •mobilise the North to vote en masse against Jonathan; and to remain adamant on zoning and leave Northerners to vote for any presidential candidate of their choice. To support Jonathan, NPLF leaders are demanding a written agreement that the presidency will shift to the North in 2015.

Oyo guber race: Don’t be an ingrate –Alaafin advises Ajimobi

Editors Online — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:28:00 +0000

From TOYESE OLADEJO

•Day ACN candidate got royal blessings Wednesday, March 16, 2011, would continue to linger in the memories of the Oyo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, and his campaign team as the permanent chairman of the state Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, gave royal blessings to his ambition. The event meant to be a campaign turned to a carnival as thousands of Oyo indigenes and residents trooped out en masse. The campaign convoy which landed in Oyo at 1 p.m., three hours behind schedule saw the people of the ancient town defying the scorching sun to receive the ACN campaign train led by former governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina. The people who wore various unforms stormed the Ita Akesan playing ground singing various songs in their Oyo dialect emphasizing their support for Ajimobi. From the yet to be commissioned new Oyo-Ibadan Expressway, fleet of cars and busses adorned the road waiting for the ACN campaign team. The convoy rode around Oyo town with pomp and pageantry as residents in the areas such as Sabo, Isale Oyo, Ashipa, Ilaka and others welcomed the team. Some residents stayed in front of their houses with brooms to welcome the campaign team. The convoy arrived at the Akesan venue to the warm embrace of the excited crowd. Having performed the usual rituals of introduction and opening prayers, Ajimobi mounted the soapbox and promised the crowd that he would not disappoint them. He said his administration would provide good portable water and upgrade the Oyo mini-water works to ensure uninterrupted water supply. He thanked the people for coming out en masse to welcome him: "Aside from the Mapo Hall campaign, this is the second time we would be having a mammoth crowd." Ajimobi maintained that Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala lacked the moral and intellectual capacity to govern the state assuring them that the ACN government would return smiles to their faces. He lamented over the high school fees which parents were forced to pay for their wards, stressing that it is criminal to race school fees to N150,000. Adesina in his speech wondered why any cultured Yorubaman would fight and disrespect Alaafin: "Alaafin is a foremost Oba in Yorubaland and Nigeria. We in the ACN love him and adore him." He urged the people of Oyo to disregard the PDP and Accord Party (AP) candidates, describing them as monumental failures. Adesina assured the electorates that the ACN government would provide for their needs and provide gainful employments for their wards. He called on the people to monitor their votes against rigging, stressing that all the residents of Oyo should vote for the ACN. He advised Akala to start packing his property from the government house as well as start writing his handover notes: "Akala should start packing now and ready to handover to Ajimobi. For Saki, Igboho, Iseyin, Omi Adio, Olomi, Okeho, Tede and other areas we had visited, it has always been massive turn out." Adesina also sought for forgiveness of sins over the choice of candidates of the party, asserting that as a leaders he accepted his sin. After presenting the candidates, the campaign train moved to the palace of Alaafin. Adesina assured the Alaafin that the ACN government would give Oyo town its dues in government. He regretted ever fighting the Alaafin and assured that such thing would not happen again: "We know that from the crown you are in support of the ACN, we want to assure you that we wont disappoint you." Ajimobi promised the Alaafin who he described as an intellectual of higher pedigree to support the ACN asserting that his administration would not be an ingrate: "Alaafin is my father, I am proud to be your son as you are a worthy leader who loves his people." Oba Adeyemi prayed for the success of Ajimobi and urged him to work assiduously for the progress of the state when elected: "I don’t want you to behave like an ingrate. He came here and other traditional rulers blessed him. He won but at the end of the day, he behaved and acted as an ingrate." He also cautioned the political class against intolerance and the use of thugs, affirming that it was not good for our democracy. 　

Jonathan Goodluck and Dame Patience Goodluck-Jonathan: Mirror Images of the Nigerian Quandary

Editors Online — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:41:53 +0000

Adebiyi Jelili Abudugana Since society is attributively organic and inorganic in its nature, therefore, one can seek the understanding of what a society is, from the prism of people relative a society. Predicated on this premise, this article sets out to contend that Jonathan and Dame Patience Goodluck-Jonathan personify the problems that have rendered Nigeria a failing state. To begin with, a nation, on a specific note and a civilization, on the broad range, is made by the education that grows its people. It is education that develops, moulds and engrains the minds of the people constituting a nation with the developmental traits, which ultimately, transforms into the physical indexes that are seen and used in gauging a nation’s growth and development. It is through education that variety of problems, human, societal, environmental are researched and ideas articulated on how they can be solved. This is why education is a nation’s problem-solving centre. However, in the Nigerian case, from being a problem-solving- centre, our institutions of learning have sadly been transformed into problem-creating and corruption breeding grounds, which turn out uneducated graduates, sophisticatedly incubated crooks, who, following a sadistic and cyclic trend, unleash their crookedness on the state and start the process time and again by replicating their likes through biological and fraternizing means. From the standpoint of gross underfunding of our institutions at all levels, one needs no extraordinary logic to discern why Nigeria is donning a despicable and ghetto-like jagajaga appearance. Since we have decided to kill the problem-diagnosing and solving-centre, the end result is what Nigeria is witnessing as a gravely diseased state. Also, the level of corruption in our country is a reflection of the corruption that prevails in our education sector. Moral, academic and financial corruptions have not only reached alarming proportion in our various places of learning, also, they have sadly become integral parts of our learning culture. We have educational handlers, academic and non-academic, that occupy places not merited. Our educational centres, particularly, the public ones, are populated by bribe-takers, certificate forgers, plagiarists, fund looters, abusers of oath of service and those who receive monthly salary for services not rendered. On our campuses, grades trade for money, sexual-pleasure and etcetera. Also, students engage in all sorts of malpractices with parents as aiders and abetters. Therefore, if Nigeria is to experience a positive and enduring change, all we need, is to re-make, retool and give our education, its traditional role and as a well-facilitated problem diagnosing and solving centre. The question now is, does Jonathan Goodluck posses the credentials needed to solve the Nigerian education crises? If the proverb, "Nemo dat quod non habet" which means "you can not give what you don’t have" is anything to go by, one may be saying the obvious that Jonathan Goodluck lacks the aptitude to either initiate solutions to, or o preside over the problem-solving attempts in our educational sector. This is for the simple fact that educationally, Jonathan is a patient who is dire need of a doctor’s service. Jonathan is by all standards, a good example of sub-standard doctoral degree holders that the Nigerian education system has produced. It is sad to note that, a man who has been awarded a doctoral degree and worked as an education inspector, lecturer, and environmental-protection officer, for years, does not understand the simple rules of grammar. As pointed out by Farooq A. Kperogi, a Nigerian-born scholar that is resident in the United States, Dr Jonathan language is "awful. He doesn’t seem to be aware that there is something called subject-verb agreement, as evidenced in statements like, "I wish to thank the esteemed members of the Council on Foreign Relations for its continued interest in Nigerian affairs," "issues of corruption bothers us," etc. And "Muslim faithfuls"? Well, there is no word like "faithfuls" in the English language, Mr. Acting President. And by "sectoral crisis between Muslims" did he mean "sectarian crisis between Muslims"? Hmm." If Jonathan does not know the difference between "sectoral" and ‘sectarian,’ and the elementary rules of subject-verb agreement, then, one may logically submit that, Jonathan is educationally unfit to preside over the solution-finding attempts to mass failure in English language in our secondary schools. Also if Jonathan, a doctoral degree holder in zoology would utter un-zoological statements such as "we are diverse in terms of different human species," then, one may be saying the obvious that Jonathan cannot proffer solution to the Nigerian education problem. If, as pointed out by Farooq A. Kperogi, "a putative Ph.D. in zoology (the branch of biology that studies animals, including humans) doesn’t know enough to know that all humans belong to the same species," then, it may be illogical to expect such an individual to churn out a pragmatic and effective roadmap on how we can solve our education problems at our levels. It is sad to note that like her husband, Dame Patience Jonathan-Goodluck also posses questionable and defective educational credentials. Madam Patience, holder of National Certificate of Education (NCE) in Mathematics/Biology from the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, and a bachelor’s degree in Biology/Psychology from the University of Port Harcourt, one may be prompted to conclude, belongs to the generation of Nigerian students who obtained their degrees through fraudulent means. As documented by Farooq A. Kperogi, despite a bachelor’s degree, it is weird and mirthful to hear Madam Patience, "Our politics is without bitterness, my husband Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Sambo is a very good people, !"; "the president was once a child and the SENATORS WERE ONCE A CHILDREN"; "my fellow widows"; "the people sitting before you here were ONCE A CHILDREN"; "it is not easy to CARRY SECOND in an international competition like this one"; "the bombers, who BORN them? WASN’T it not a woman? They were ONCE A CHILDREN, now A ADULT, now they are bombing women and children making SOME CHILDREN A WIDOW"; "my heart feels sorry for these CHILDREN WHO HAVE BECOME WIDOWS by losing their parents for one reason or another"; "We should have love for our fellow Nigerians irrespective of their NATIONALITY". From the foregoing, it amounts to saying the evident that Jonathan Goodluck and Dame Patience Goodluck-Jonathan are mirror images of how defective is the Nigerian educational system. If a quote which reads, ""My doctor says that I have a malformed public duty gland and a natural deficiency in moral fibre,' he muttered to himself, 'and that I am therefore excused from saving Universes," (credited to Douglas Adams, a prominent English writer and dramatist) is anything to go by, Jonathan would need to excuse himself from presiding over and on the discourse on the Nigerian education. Since it is also rational that Nigerians should borrow a leaf from Erma Bombeck’s counsel that " Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died, " then, it will be a disservice to wisdom by allowing a man who is grown by dead education and whose doctorate degree is dead to preside over our affairs. At this juncture, attention will now be focused on the issue of integrity, corruption and the Nigerian state. While some exponents are of the opinion that the lack of integrity and not corruption is the root of the Nigerian problems, others have either argued the other way round or considered both factors as the core of our problem. Based on the concept of cause and effect, I have informed basis to toe the line of those who consider, dearth of integrity, the hub of our problem. It is a known fact all over the world Nigerians are looked down upon as people who cannot be trusted. There was a time we were making efforts to convince a company to invest heavily in potable water projects in different parts of Nigeria. This company works in collaboration with one Asian-based Non-Governmental Organization in undertaking potable water projects based on the philosophy of Build, Operate and Transfer. While at the advanced stage of our deliberation, we requested that the company should allow us submit to the appropriate Nigerian authority, a detailed proposal on this project. They declined. Why?, one would want to know. It was said that if given such document, the Nigerian government will hijack the idea and sell it out to another body to execute. On patriotic grounds, we insisted otherwise, but, in our minds, we knew, that was the bitter truth. When I shared this experience with a friend who has been working in conjunction with some young entrepreneurs in Nigeria, he confirmed the fears exhibited by the Asian-based company as the Nigerian reality. He narrated how they initiated some ideas which gave birth to some projects which were later proposed to some Nigerian government officials for implementation. He recounted how approval issued for the projects’ execution was reneged and given to another company that knows nothing about these projects. In either of these narrations, the common denominator is that Nigerians are seen as people who will never honour agreements. Failure to honour agreement will often create mistrust and mistrust will create atmosphere of suspicion which in turn will give birth to the feelings of animosity and hence, instability. If Nigeria and Nigerians are now synonymous with distrust, then, the refusal of Jonathan Goodluck to honour his party’s constitution on zoning (PDP Constitution,Section 7.2.c), clearly suggests that Jonathan is what distrust is to Nigeria and what Nigeria is to distrust. Section Section 7 (2) (c) of the PDP constitution which backs zoning reads "…in pursuant of the principle of equity, justice and fairness, we adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of party and elective offices at all levels." Jonathan, a man who, according to records, not only witnessed the PDP’s deliberation on zoning but also voted in favour of zoning, later made a U-turn and 360 degree turnaround by distrustfully stating that, "Either by virtue of the PDP Constitution,… the presidency of Nigeria has never been zoned to any part of the country. There is the concept of zoning and rotation in the PDP constitution to encourage power to move from one part to the other and it is not limited to the Office of the President". If the number one in Nigeria, the supposed father of the nation will distrustfully deny the obvious, it has only shown that he is living the much held view that Nigeria and Nigerians are now synonymous with distrust. Little wonder, Shehu Abdulqadr wisely submits, "The state itself is nothing but its leadership and a leader is a reflection of the society that produces him." If being a Nigerian is what Reuben Abati describes thus, "you must learn the lesson that nothing is ever fair, and that indeed anything is possible," then, by denying zoning, Jonathan deserves to be elevated to Grade A Emeritus of a truly Nigerian. Therefore, if Nigerians consider distrust a national disaster that should be fought at all fronts, Jonathan is therefore not a reliable hand that can be looked up to spearhead such must-win battle because his action inspires Nigerians more to distrust than to honouring pledges. If as stated Vincet Lombardi, there must be truth in the purpose and will power in the character for a leadership to be based on truth and character, therefore, Jonathan, a man who contemptibly disregarded an agreement to which he was a party and called the bluff of his party’s constituent, lacks the wherewithal that is required to lead based on truth and character. Since corruption is what I consider the effect of distrust, therefore, focus would now be on how Jonathan and his wife are mirror images of the Nigerian dilemma. One of the reasons why Nigerians are looking for alternative to the ruling PDP is because it has earned itself the infamous appellation as party of looters. Corruption is in truth not just a PDP problem; it is in reality, a problem that is affecting most Nigerians. Corruption is so pervasive in Nigeria that if a Yoruba man accuses an Igbo man of being corrupt, the latter would as a defence; mention the names of the Yorubas who have looted the country to stupor. Jonathan, the man who is a truly Nigerian, has on a number of occasions exhibited this trait. Virtually all aspirants have alleged Jonathan to be ruling and heading a government of corrupt persons. Although these aspirants are merely saying what prevails in the minds of most Nigerians, the PDP is saddened that Buhari, a leading Presidential aspirant in the ongoing democratic dispensation is favoured by the electorates because he is seen as an incorruptible person. Realizing this as his strength, Buhari has focused his campaign on anti-corruption crusade. Overwhelmed by the effects of this on his electoral worth, Jonathan, a typical Nigerian, warned Buhari in particular that, he and Ribadu are no apostles of anti-corruption and that he will expose them as members of the corrupt empire. To argue his case, Jonathan cited the case of the controversial 52 cases which was allegedly smuggled into the country in 1984 during Buhari’s regin as the Head of State. This was in reaction to a case of $13.5 million Dollars (US) and another N104 million money laundering case involving Jonathan and his loving wife, Aunty Patience which Buhari’s campaign team has been making issue of. Therefore if Nigerians are interested in overcoming the crisis of corruption, one direction not to direct our gaze at is that of Goodluck because it reminds us why our resources are not used in providing for our daily needs. On a concluding note, since it has been established that Jonathan Goodluck and his wife, Aunty Dame are mirror images of the Nigerian quandary, then, if we desire a better future, it is only logical that Nigerians should seek change and a better future in other individuals who are aspiring to lead Nigeria. Adebiyi Jelili Abudugana, a former Unilag student union leader can be reached through abudugana2000@yahoo.com

North launches ‘final assault’ on Jonathan

Editors Online — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:49:29 +0000

Yusuf Alli

Barely 18 days to the presidential election, some stakeholders in the North have advised three leading presidential candidates to form an alliance to stop President Goodluck Jonathan. They met on Monday night in Abuja with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Congress for Progressive Change); Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (Action Congress of Nigeria); and Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau (All Nigeria Peoples Party). The new coalition of Northern stakeholders is different from the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF), which is at the vanguard of the retention of the presidency by the North. The Northern stakeholders, including a retired President of the Court of Appeal, met with the trio late into the night at a private residence in Abuja . Members of the new group are professionals, youth leaders and members, civil society groups and some members of the Council of Ulamas. It was learnt that 95 per cent of members of the new group are not politicians. The Monday night session is considered to be the "North’s final assault" against Jonathan, should the three candidates succumb to pressure from the stakeholders. The session made four demands from the candidates. They are: •to save Nigeria from further drift and mismanagement by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); •not to allow presidency to slip away from the North in 2011; •to form an alliance against the PDP to realise power shift to the North; and •to sink their differences and allow for an alliance in favour of one of them. A source at the session, who spoke in confidence, said: "All groups in the North and respected Northerners you can think of were at the meeting. "The meeting was initially scheduled for Sunday but it was shifted to Monday night and it did not close till about 1am. "Those at the meeting told the candidates that the stakes are very high and the dangers of allowing power to slip away from the region are daunting. "They also raised issues why it has been difficult for the three candidates to form an alliance against the PDP when the North has every chance to win the presidential poll. "They appealed to the candidates to sink their differences and agree to queue behind one of them during the presidential poll." None of the three candidates made any commitment at the session, it was learnt. Another source said: "They promised to consult their parties accordingly on the new alliance proposal." The stakeholders are likely to meet again before the week end to take a decision because Northerners would have to be mobilised alongside the new focus". Responding to a question, the source said: "The session succeeded in bringing the candidates together - for the first time. This is a sign that something positive can come up. "At all its meetings, the Northern Political Leaders Forum could not bring these candidates together." 　

GEJ and His Imaginary Facebook Friends - Lies And Ignorance

Editors Online — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:59:57 +0000

WeBeNaija

"Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool that the open your mouth and remove all doubts" is a very popular maxim; a cliche, perhaps. But, it is a truism, nonetheless. It is, essentially, the type of thinking that would scare the pants off of an incumbent President and his deputy at the mere mention of the word "debate".

So, Dr. Jonathan heeded the age-old cliche, zipped his mouth shut, hid under his presidential bed and refused to come out and take questions from Nigerians, while his opponents humbly subjected themselves as true servants of the people do in a democracy. A smart play, one would say. That was what we thought, too, until we stumbled upon a new book, "My Friends and I", ostensibly written by the pResident himself. Sounds like the title of a "book" your kindergartner would write? We thought so, too. But the title of the book, jejune as it may be, is, arguably, the least of our concerns. In "My Friends and I", Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan ignores the entreaties of whoever said "better to keep your mouth shut", the same advise he managed to take by not showing up for debates. GEJ did not just merely open his mouth, he opened it so wide the flies built a mansion in the cavity. In "My Friends and I", Dr. GEJ clearly demonstrated his abject lack of understanding of the most basic concepts of the subject he pretends to command - Facebook. In writing "My Friends and I", pResident GEJ clearly demonstrated that his occupancy of the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria put the nation of Nigeria in grave dangers. The naivety demonstrated by GEJ in "My Friends and I" portends a security risk for the decision making and governance of the country. That GEJ manages to clearly demonstrate all these while telling one or two bald-faced lies in the process is mere icing on the cake, but it is something worth noting because it was an unnecessary made in a stupid attempt to burnish and otherwise pedestrian history of "achievements". We read "My Friends and I" so that you don't have to subject yourself to the inanity and amateurish attempts by GEJ to wrap himself in "populist" garbs as the "Facebook President". In a scurilous attempt to prove that he is personally involved in the administration of his Facebook fan page, Jonathan told us (all Nigerians) in "My Friends and I": "Many may not understand why I decided to open a facebook account. The President is too busy to have time for facebook, many will say." Many more would say that, if the President of a country takes it upon himself to personally open and maintain a Facebook page, that president is not only not busy or engaged enough, he is also a tad unserious and (to be charitable) monumentously ill-advised. Jonathan not only dismissed the relevance of his advisors in his mad quest to position himself as the Nigerian Facebook pResident, he also couldn't resist the temptation to grossly exagerate the "results" of his use of social media. Jonathan made the following claim in his fairytale "book": "Also, a Finland-based student, Dipo Daramola, and his colleagues made a suggestion to me on the way to fight insecurity and kidnapping using technology. I promptly invited them for consultation. These are indications that interacting with me on the facebook is not a waste of time. Every Nigerian has a stake in the country and has a right to be heard." Here, Jonathan is clearly trying to convey the misleading impression that he did, indeed, put Facebook to some form of productive use. What he failed to disclose is that the student and the idea he cites here are still waiting ad-infinitum for the promised "invitation for consultation" letter to materialize. The referenced "conversation" took place eons ago, and it was just a chanced interaction that has since then not been revisited, not once since the many, many months that have since elapsed. And our "I'm soooooooo Obama-like" pResident is already making a book out of the event, an additional feather in his over-sized cap. Having asserted his personal administration of a Facebook page, pResident Jonathan went on to claim: "For one, I would say I was motivated in no little way by President Barack Obama of the United States. His novel use of social media network, especially facebook, starting from during his presidential campaign, has stimulated new thinking on participatory governance across the world." This is the point at which the accidental pResident's naivety begins to rear its ugly facade. An otherwise intelligent, informed and hip public figure would have been apprised of the fact that celebrities and public figures do NOT use the social media in the way pResident Jonathan has been led to believe. Jonathan sees himself as the second coming of Barack Obama. That, in itself, is a very sorry admission, but it is of less importance and consequence as his inability to understand that Barack Obama (the candidate) did NOT operate a Facebook page by himself. No. The referenced Facebook page and other numerous social platforms Obama leverage to much success were operated entirely by operatives to whom he had delegated such mundane tasks. Obama the President uses these mediums periodically to engage Americans, on important occassions and for specific events. He does not "operate" these mediums the way Jonathan would have us believe. We have first-hand knowledge of how the social media were utilized by Obama-the-candidate, having been part of the armies of operatives and volunteers who kept those medium well-oiled during the said period. The intricacies and technicalities of how these things work appear to be lost on our accidental pResident. If Jonathan had stopped here, one may be tempted to forgive him rather than accuse him of abject ignorance. But, he didn't. Jonathan went on to boast: "I am impressed with the growing followership. I understand I am the President with most facebook fans in the world after US President Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy." Sad. So very sad. Someone is being joe-jobbed here, and we know that it is none other than Jonathan. Whoever has made Jonathan to understand his "popularity" in the way he described is definitely not his well-wisher. Otherwise, he would have been made to understand that neither Obama nor Sarkozy sees Facebook as a governing tool the way Jonathan is describing in his book (more on this below). The hangers-on that have been whispering this "understanding" in Jonathan's ears do not appear to think much of him. Otherwise they would have told him that there are so many reasons no other intelligent head of state pound their chests over the size of their Facebook "fans". They would have told him that real leaders engage their people through things like town hall meetings (where ordinary citizens get to question their leaders without filters), press conferences (where members of a free press get to grill the president without fear or expectation of "transportation money" at the end) and (God forbid) ACTUAL debates. As if that were not enough, Jonathan proceeded to confess his ignorance of the ways a Social Medium (Facebook in particular) works: "It is one tool of social media that allows for interaction between the government and the governed. Opinions on issues, policy and governance can be expressed in an unedited, uncensored way by the citizens. The access is unlimited. While you used to wonder if your letter would ever get to the President, such doubts are eliminated through facebook." If Jonathan knew ANYTHING about Facebook, he would know the following simple contradictions of his ridiculuous statements above: Facebook is highly censorable. Not just by a government, but by the Facebook page owner or administrator. A Facebook owner can EDIT his/her page any way and at any time he or she wishes. Access is indeed "limited". A Facebook admin or owner can RESTRICT posting, can hide postings, delete postings, show only a subset of all the materials on his or her page You have to wonder if your posting will be accepted at all, much less reach a pResident. Jonathan's claim above is a manifestation of the ranting of a luddite who knows squat diddly about the technology he/she is describing. Given what Jonathan has stated, it is highly doubtful that he even has the knowledge to navigate Facebook, much less"interact" with anyone on that medium. Jonathan may be a Doctor, but a PhD does not necessarily make you hip to tech. One wonders then why Jonathan feels compelled to not only so totally expose his ignorance, but to also do so in a book. And, why lie in the process? In describing his reliance on Facebook as a governing instrument, Jonathan recklessly stated: "I love facebook also because it allows me to get some information that may normally not get to me, having been "edited" along the. If, for instance, my aides are reluctant to tell me certain policy positions do not have the buy-in of the citizens, I could get first-hand reviews via facebook. This, to my mind, can only strengthen the policy discussion process." Please read that and weep for Nigeria. Jonathan not only dangerously impugn the integrity of the advice he may be getting from his advisers ("aides"), he also just clearly admitted that his deliberations and decisions could be more influenced by the vagaries of suspect "First-Hand" feedback from Facebook. If true, Jonathan is guilty not only of stupidity, but gross negligence for exposing the welfare and security of the country to such an easily manipulable method of governance. If what Jonathan is stating here is true, the pResident has lost any measure of credibility he may have hitherto been able to command. Why? In this Web 2.x era, one of the most unreliable medium of interaction and communication is the Social media. How so? Well, social media is all about personas. Across the internet, it is quite easy to obfuscate your persona. Actually, there are businesses making unthinkable amount of money EVERY DAY on the internet, and the only "product" they have is persona creation and manipulation. You need 100,000 different "people" influencing a given topic of interest to you? You want them to support or oppose xyz? You need to see a certain subject "trending" one way or the other across multiple media and social platforms? Oh, you want to see a story "burried"? Or "dug"? How about amplified? You need to see massive numbers of "people" inundate a given target with phone calls to voice a given "talking point"? All you need to do is ask. Oh, and for this much money, we will make it happen, pronto. There are computer programs that do nothing but randomly generate personas and automatically channel them to specific forums or blogs to do whatever a paymaster desires. Bots, anyone? You can live in Lokoja and own thousands of bots in Indonesia. And you tell them what to do and when you want them to do it. Friend someone on Facebook and post something on their page? Well, that would be NGN100 for 500 such postings, thank you very much. Jonathan would rather listen to these bots (sorry, people) than to his advisers? Imagine a foreign aggressor (or the more benign form of industrial espionage), learning that pResident Jonathan is susceptible to Facebook influence because he likes the size of his Facebook "peeps"? No, don't imagine. Let Jonathan speak for himself: "When I decided that we needed to put our football house in order by withdrawing from international competitions, I was impressed with the way Nigerians reacted. Indeed, the football autohrities themselves quickly acted to cleanse themselves and I had no hesitation whatsoever in keeping faith with the majority of my facebook fans who believe the suspension should be lifted." THAT, fellow Nigerians, is your President. Want Jonathan to undress in public, dance on the table top and do triple summersault and a split? All you need to do is fire up your bots and have them bombard his Facebook governing tool and, voila! You got yourself a show. Pathetic doesn't begin to describe the spectable painted by our President. What is Jonathan hoping to accomplish with this Facebook infatuation? Let's hear it from the ass' mouth (as you read the following paragraphs, please bear in mind that these are the words of a "leader" who REFUSED to debate issues with his opponents in front of the people he wants to rule. Please remember that Jonathan and Sambo refused to engage Nigerians on the issues and failed to show up for the 2 NNTV24 debates): "As more and more Nigerians get involved (on his Facebook Fan Page), the community will grow and the impact will be better felt in the democratic process." "Facebook also offers a platform for the citizens to reason with one another. The multiplicity of opinion, the variety of thoughts and the engaging argumentative nature of the posts are very essential to breeding understanding and building consensus in the democratic process. At the end of the day, it is not about one person knowing is all, but about our readiness to reason together and arrive at reasonable viewpoints. On the one hand, you are contributing to debate. On the other hand, you are learning from others." "A major problem of democracy today is the absence of a sense of belonging by the citizenry. Many citizens believe they are only of importance to politicians at election times. After that, nobody cares about them any more. With facebook, this gap is being bridged." The Facebook Jonathan does not appear to have anything in common with the real life Jonathan cowering at the mention of "Debate". Is that because the Facebook Jonathan feels much more secured in the cocoon of his palatial abode, behind the computer screen, playing "peekaboo" with his imaginary "Face Friends"? Facepalm. Jonathan would have us believe that he believes so much in "participatory" democracy, so much so that he engages with his imaginary bots (we mean "fans") on Facebook. But, unfortunately for Nigeria and Nigerians, he is so into Facebook that he has little or not time left to do any actual governing, engage in real debates, provide electricity, roads, medical failities, or any other social welfare for the ACTUAL PEOPLE that he pretends to rule. Will Jonathan be counting on his imaginary "Friends" to also manufacture the required amount of stuffed ballots for him, come April? There just may not be enough of them to save him from the consequences of such imaginary ballots.

Is Goodluck Nigeria’s Bad Luck?

Editors Online — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 07:05:00 +0000

By Moses E. Ochonu President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential ambition is built and sustained partly on blackmail. A beleaguered nation, held hostage to a PDP oligarchy that knows only waste and incompetence, is being asked to vote for Jonathan as a price for unity. The implied threat of disunity in the event of Jonathan’s rejection is not very subtle either. It is part of an elaborate script being advanced to make Jonathan seem inevitable and synonymous with Nigeria’s survival. Blackmail politics kick in when a political cause lacks merit and logic, when a candidate’s record should earn him a dismissal, not a new tenure. Jonathan comes from the oil producing Niger Delta, which admittedly has given much more to the nation than it has gotten out of it. In terms of sheer national sacrifice, I can think of no other region that has given more and lost more in this troubled union of ours. The extraction of wealth from the region is accompanied by enormous and perhaps irreparable environmental damage. There is a sense, then, unspoken but deeply embedded in the Jonathan presidential project, that his election would compensate the region for its sacrifice and recognize its fiscal centrality to the evolution of the modern Nigerian state. Certain strains of this thinking have even mutated into a sense of entitlement. And this is the danger. It is this strain that carries an undeclared threat meant to emotionally blackmail voters into embracing the candidate of the party that engineered their current misery. The problem with this argument is that the presidency is too big an office to be parceled out as compensation, and Nigeria is in too dire a state for voters to succumb to the crude politics of mere representation and recognition. Nigeria needs deliverance and reclamation. In this climate of need, blackmail will prove ineffective. Nigerians have been so traumatized by the ruling PDP that they are way beyond being blackmailed by the politics of entitlement and compensation. Compensation, redress, and justice come in many forms. None of these forms have a Jonathan imprimatur on it. And it is reductive to assume that a region’s legitimate aspirations can be cheapened and distilled into the power quest of one man. But blackmail is only one item in the Jonathan presidential toolbox. Revisionist history is another. The Jonathan presidential project has been encouraging the act of active forgetting. We are being encouraged to look past, forget, or to develop alternative understandings of events that occurred just a few years ago. No other arena has attracted this conscious project of amnesia than the Jonathan family ethical burden. The ethical troubles of the Jonathan clan, which seemed to have peaked during his governorship days only to resume when he ascended the presidency, have been well documented in oral and written forms. The oral pronouncements of Nuhu Ribadu, former EFCC chairman, constituted an authoritative indictment in their own rights. But written reports and reportage of court proceedings have supplied a thick record of multiple, spectacular ethical escapades. Two of the alleged ethical transgressions bear recapping. There is the widely reported case in August 2006 when the EFCC seized the sum of N104 Million from one Mrs. Nancy Ebere Nwosu. Nwosu testified on oath that the money belonged to Mrs. Jonathan, then the Bayelsa State first lady, and that she was a mere mule, contracted to launder the loot. The case eventually made its way through the EFCC’s convoluted investigative hoops, ending up in the court of Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court Abuja. Then, like all corruption cases involving favored members of the PDP family, the case fizzled out, never to be officially mentioned again. Even the fate of the seized money, which Justice Chikere ordered frozen, is still a mystery. Another incident came to light before the dust of the first incident settled. The story, widely reported in September 2006 in the local and international media, was of yet another EFCC interception of funds traced to the then Bayelsa first lady. This time, the amount in question was an unheard of $13.5 Million. Like the previous loot, it was destined for laundering in offshore schemes. Mr. Osita Nwajah, the EFCC spokesman, gleefully announced the seizure. Again, the case disappeared into the the PDP’s labyrinth of impunity. At this time, the Ribadu-led EFCC proclaimed these incidents triumphantly as landmark victories in the war on corruption. Lately though, Ribadu, for reasons only known to him and his creator, has not only disowned these "achievements" but has taken the politically suicidal step of constructing a new narrative of the Jonathan clan’s innocence. But, swimming against the current of written records of this recent ethical history, many of them widely available online and in court records that can now, thankfully, be obtained through the newly passed freedom of information bill, neither Ribadu nor the clan he seeks to absolve, has been able to rewrite this record of sleaze and ethical infraction. As a result, Jonathan stands indicted in the proverbial court of public opinion, stained not just by the alleged crimes but also by the cover-ups that undercut due judicial processes in the two cases. This is why we are being stealthily hurried away from Jonathan’s ethical past and being urged to discuss the possibilities for a prolonged Jonathan presidency. Nigerians have largely rejected this campaign of forgetting and see seamless connections between Jonathan’s past as a (mis)manager of resources in Bayelsa and the groping cluelessness of his presidency. The ethical challenge of the Jonathan campaign may prove fatal, as most Nigerians today identify corruption as the preeminent enemy of the Nigerian state and as a catalyst for our current dysfunction and decline. But ethical poverty is part of a larger corpus of deficits that Mr. Jonathan parades. The trouble with Jonathan is that his ethical history serves to reinforce a larger perception: that, like Yar’Adua before him, he does not know what to do with power because he is an unprepared, accidental, and unsure president. Beyond the ethical baggage, then, is a more serious crisis of incompetence and waste. The Jonathan presidency has been long on spending and short on tangible accomplishments. Promises abound and continue to multiply, but nothing gets done about our chronic infrastructure problems. Like Yar’Adua before him, Jonathan has perfected the art of setting up committees to examine every problem under the sun, but he has had trouble moving from these deliberative preliminaries into actual problem solving. As a result, we have so-called strategic blueprints on power, roads, and other sectors but little else. The underlying problem appears to be the waste and extravagance that has characterized the Jonathan presidency. It’s a bazaar of spending and cash withdrawals. The external reserve—whatever survived Yar’Adua’s cash raids—has been depleted without giving a thought to its macroeconomic impact. The problem is not so much the depletion of the external reserve as the failure to put the money to work for Nigerians. Since Jonathan took over, roads have stagnated or worsened; power remains epileptic; the health and education sectors groan under the weight of multiple deprivations; and security has gone south, insecurity north. In the midst of this deterioration, stratospheric amounts of money have been appropriated and hastily passed as budgets to feed a ballooning executive and a greedy legislature. The Jonathan budget regime is a disgrace—heavy on recurrent spending (the lubrication of the political personnel of government) and light on projects consequential to Nigerians’ lives. One vulgar indication of this is the sheer number of aides and assistants that Jonathan and his wife have amassed in their short presidential tenure. A Jonathan foreign trip is now a jamboree of sorts, reinforcing the worst Western media caricature of African political revelry and offensive pageantry. Instead of getting to work to earn Nigerians’ confidence, Jonathan has occupied himself with the expensive business of retaining his office. Governance has retreated as Jonathan and his camp have made it clear that retaining the presidency and its perks is a higher priority than working for Nigerians. They have worked to buy and coerce support instead of earning it through stellar statecraft. The Jonathan presidency has all the hallmarks of a failed presidency. Lacking in substance, the only logic that feeds it is that of representation and recognition. But it is an insult to the Niger Delta people that their worthy, costly struggle should be downgraded to a mere presidential representation. How will a Jonathan presidency heal the fundamental wounds of the Delta or solve the tense Niger Delta stalemate? Many people know that Jonathan is a poor advertisement for the Niger Delta. It would be great if he were a stellar, capable candidate. That would give the country an opportunity to solve both the representation problem and the more substantive challenges of our arrested national development. In Jonathan, however, we would have a token Niger Delta president, incapable and lacking the will to solve the Niger Delta crisis and the national one. What then is the case for Jonathan in this election? There are Nigerians who will vote for the Jonathan/Sambo ticket on the basis that it represents both a generational break and a break from the tripodal politics of the three big ethnic groups. Some members of minority ethnic groups may set aside their issue-based reservations on Jonathan and see in him the possibility of upending the unwritten but entrenched exclusion of minorities from the electoral politics of the presidency and from the rotational arrangements of the PDP. This type of vote will be a choice based on affinity and identity, a vote for the symbolic possibility that a Jonathan presidency secured in his own right as a candidate will enable minorities to dream of entering political spaces previously closed to them, the most visible of which is the presidency. As a member of a minority ethnic group myself, I sympathize with this thinking, although I cannot bring myself to put it ahead of my economic interest and of larger national interests. Symbolic political victories are important, but there are minorities who will conclude that this is the wrong time and the wrong election to make a symbolic political statement with their vote. The margin of the minority support for Jonathan may indicate the degree to which this constituency can anchor his victory. This margin will partly turn on the degree to which voters are willing to overlook the PDP’s awful record and vote for Jonathan as an individual. There is also the seemingly insignificant intangible of Jonathan’s personality. What the president lacks in intellectual curiosity, competence, and charisma, he tends to make up for in a disarming personality marked by humility and simplicity. Jonathan, for all his deficits, has an unassuming personality and is humble almost to a fault. In a culture where humility is a virtue, many Nigerians who have stuck with him through his gaffes and fumbles have cited their attraction to his simple, humble persona. It would be foolish for watchers of this election to discount this factor as a variable in the chances of Jonathan. Perhaps Jonathan has cultivated this personality for the proverbial political purpose of stooping to conquer. Perhaps humility comes naturally to him. Either way, it is working for him in some quarters. Jonathan has been able to disarm some important power brokers in unlikely places. He has charmed his way, for instance, to many important circles in the North, drawing surprisingly candid, sincere, and even enthusiastic support from the Sultan of Sokoto and the Emir of Gwandu, the two most important traditional rulers in the Caliphate hierarchy. When Dr. Olusola Saraki, the political Godfather in Kwara State, spoke glowingly about Jonathan’s candidacy recently, he focused solely on Jonathan’s humble mien and accessibility. Jonathan is clearly a do-no-harm politician. He would not derail the applecart and would not disturb the status quo in Abuja. Under his presidency, every political group will have its way and path to the national patrimony. The tradition of appropriating more money for the perks of elected and unelected government officials than for infrastructure and services will continue. Members of the political elite will thrive as long as they don’t threaten the system. A Jonathan presidency would therefore be the preference of the political elites. They would simply make peace with a candidate that will not curtail their privileges and excesses. They will make this choice even if they disagree with Jonathan politically and think that he is incompetent. The viable alternatives to Jonathan—Buhari and Ribadu—represent, at least theoretically, a threat to the interest of members of the multi-ethnic national elite, who are often more afraid of radical change than they are of each other. Will the fear of the alternative coalesce into a pragmatic elite consensus in favor of a "harmless" Jonathan? Will a humble personality, minority affinity, and pragmatic acceptance by the elite propel Jonathan to the presidency? Will these factors mitigate his intellectual, ethical, and performance deficits? More importantly, and given Nigeria’s precarious condition and the misery of its people, can any candidate win the forthcoming election without a track record of problem solving, without articulating a sound understanding of our national challenges, and without outlining a clear vision for overcoming them? The author can be reached at: meochonu@gmail.com

INEC’s battle plan, by Jega

Editors Online — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:45:37 +0000

Jide Babalola, Asst. Editor, Abuja

Nine days to the first of the general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday unfolded its plans to forestall rigging. For the umpteenth time, INEC boss Prof Attahiru Jega assured Nigerians that the elections would be credible. He vowed that he would not succumb to pressure to manipulate the polls. Jega and other top officials of INEC spoke at a meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja. Asked whether he was under pressure over the elections, Jega said: "Do I look like someone under pressure? Frankly, I am not under pressure from anybody. I have the capacity to absorb pressure. We are determined to do the right thing and we shall continue to do so; some of us take our oaths very seriously." He identified human element as a likely problem, but vowed to prosecute whoever runs foul of the rules. "No matter what you do, some criminally-minded people will try to do something else; look at the case in Ibadan where the officer in charge of our ICT left others in the office and got apprehended in a hotel with DDC machines, and with people who are not INEC officials," he said. Jega said the transfer of some electoral officials is likely before the elections. He said each of the 119, 973 polling units across the country had been given specific coding systems. This, he said, will make rigging virtually impossible. Although Jega declined to make samples of the ballot papers available, as requested by the parties, INEC said the ballot papers will have different colour codes for different constituencies. Director of Logistics of the electoral agency Alhaji Usman Farouk displayed samples of ballot boxes. They have polling unit-specific codes. This, according to Farouk, will forestall multiple voting and complement the efforts to make the Modified Open Ballot voting system efficient. Two types of sophisticated indelible inks are to be used on voters’ fingers during accreditation and voting. Built-in checks will be employed at every level of result compilation to ensure that the election’s integrity is not compromised, said Director of Operations Mr. Okey Ndeche Jega said electoral officials, security personnel and logistics vehicles would be camped in various local government areas on the nights preceding each of the elections. He said the surveillance systems to be used in monitoring INEC staff and potential electoral offenders would be much better than Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems. INEC will acquire additional 100 Hilux four-wheel drive vehicles towards ensuring that at least one operational vehicle is available in each of the 774 local government areas. He said the Navy and the Air Force would be involved to ensure effective delivery of all materials in a safe and timely manner. Jega ruled out the use of the Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines during the elections because the law forbids the use of electronic voting. Parties exchanged allegations of stoking violence and violation of Electoral Act. Mr. Buba Galadima, who represented the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), consistently caused discomfort for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Organising Secretary Uche Secondus and National Auditor Mr Samuel Ortom. Both vehemently denied allegations that his party was behind violence across the country. Party leaders expressed concern and fears that Electoral Officers who had spent close to 10 years in one place could threaten the elections. Jega said 90 per cent of the intelligence report reaching him were inaccurate. He urged those with particular allegations to write formal petitions accompanied with appropriate evidence. He said the security system put in place would eliminate some of these allegations. The Director of INEC’s Legal department, Mr Ibrahim Bawa, said 20 parties are fielding presidential candidates; 53 parties are fielding candidates for various positions. There are 351 governorship candidates, 883 are vying for the 109 Senate seats and 2, 399 are contesting for House of Representatives. The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) asked INEC to beware of manipulations from its Legal Department. Chairman of Labour Party Chief Dan Nwanyanwu also urged Jega to take more interest in the activities of its legal department. "There are problems in your Legal Department; names of our candidates in areas where we are strong went missing in INEC after an official in that department clearly told us that such candidates could only contest over her dead body. That is where Iwu’s problems started and we pray that problems from there would not rubbish your good name," he told Jega. The letter signed by CNPP’s Secretary, Chief Willy Ezugu, dated March 18, 2011, was entitled "Protest against Double Standard on INEC’s List: The Case of Enugu, Anambra, Ogun, Katsina, Kano, etc". According to CNPP, despite repeated affirmation by INEC, including a letter sent to all political parties by the Secretary of INEC that it would not accept any list of candidates emerging from primaries held after the January 15 deadline, some INEC officials still went ahead to accept PDP’s lists of candidates emerging from primary elections held after the deadline. The CNPP’s protest letter to Jega a copy of which was sent to the United States Ambassador, the British High Commissioner and the EU Mission in Nigeria, said: "Unfortunately, and in total disregard to all the above, your commission has accepted the list of candidates from the PDP, which were purportedly nominated in primary elections held after January 15."

Akpabio, Udoedehe trade blame over violence

Editors Online — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:47:50 +0000

Iniobong Ekponta, Uyo

AFTER a brief lull, violence returned yesterday to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital city and scene of Tuesday’s trouble in which many properties were destroyed. Soldiers and youths clashed on Abak Road. Many were injured. Many vehicles, several tricycles and buildings were torched on Abak Road, Atiku Abubakar, Nwaniba, NEPA Line and Ikot Ekpene. Nine persons were killed on Tuesday in Ikot Ekpene and many were injured as the governorship campaign train of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), led by its candidate, Senator John Udoedehe, his running-mate, Ime Umanah, and Joe Ukpong, the party’s senatorial candidate, was attacked by PDP loyalists. ACN supporters returned to Uyo, Udoedehe’s town, to protest the killings. Then violence broke out. Government vehicles were burnt by a mob at the State Secretariat. The Goodluck\Sambo campaign office on Abak Road was razed. Governor Godswill Akpabio and Udoedehe spoke yesterday on the violence. Akpabio said the mayhem was the handiwork of the opposition "to give the impression that Akwa Ibom State is insecure". Besides, he accused the perpetrators of bringing ethnic dimension into a political matter to create animosity among the various ethnic groups. He appealed for calm, promising that government would work with security agencies to bring the suspects to book. Speaking at a news conference yesterday, the Director-General of the Udoedehe\Umanah Campaign Committee, Udoma Ekarika, blamed Akpabio for igniting the violence. He said PDP supporters were instructed by Akpabio to stop opposition parties from campaigning in Annang. Udoedehe had last week said nine of his supporters were injured at the ACN campaign rally in Ini Local Government Area when people threw missiles, including a machete, into the crowd. Ekarika said the party would petition the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over the violence allegedly engineered by the PDP. He said over 55 ACN supporters had been arrested and detained at the Police Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia. Police Commissioner Felix Uyana confirmed the arrest of 45 persons in connection with the violence. He inspected the Fortune Schools, owned by Senator Aloysius Etok, where properties were destroyed. The properties destroyed include several classroom blocks, 13 vehicles, generators and water dispensers. Etok accused his political opponents of cashing in on the crises to attack his interests. Etok urged the government to step up security during the elections to forestall more politically-motivated killings and violence. He called for payment of compensation to those who lost valuables in the mayhem. Ekarika said: "Akpabio is responsible for the violence and we will no be intimidated by his action. Let him import all the soldiers into Akwa Ibom, we wll hold elections and it will be free and fair "Over 45 of our boys have been arrested and we will petition the Inspector General of Police.

‘Elections can be won without money’

Editors Online — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:52:22 +0000

Sunday Oguntola

To many, the ambition of the presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Ibrahim Shekarau, is nothing but wishful thinking. But the Kano State Governor firmly believes he is the candidate to beat in the April elections. SUNDAY OGUNTOLA spoke with him. Contesting for the presidency of a country like Nigeria is capitalintensive.What is your view about the place of money in Nigerian politics, especially at the presidential election level? I was not rich in 2003, I could contest the governorship election in Kano State, to the point that I dislodged the sitting governor of a ruling party at the centre of government, then one should know that the issue is not and should never be about money. These talks about money, campaigns and elections in Nigeria are, unfortunately, being overblown and it is because of the way most of the campaigners and contestants conduct themselves. I agree; you need money for logistics and some other things but it s not the way people make them appear. In 2003, I moved around and my associates and well-wishers were producing posters, donating money for fuel, volunteering their own personal things for the campaigns. In 2003, about 90 per cent of resources I used were offered by people on their own to support us. Somebody looked at my face and said if I do not boast of anything close to about N100 million – at least that was his own conservative assessment - I would be crazy to want to contest the governorship of Kano State.At that time I could not boast of N100, 000 let alone N100 million. God is my witness. But I won the election and beat the incumbent governor with hundreds of thousands of votes. How could you achieve that without rigging? Of course, I couldn’t have rigged because I did not have the machinery to rig. The security agencies and INEC were not mine.Virtually everything was stacked against us except the voters who were determined and ensured that we won that election. If you look at the service that I have rendered, there are many who feel that they owe me a favour.You can imagine me being a school principal for 13 years in five different premier institutions. In 2003, all the posters that I used were printed for me by my former students who felt that I had served them and it was time to pay me back. This is happening again now. There was a time I kept dozens of copies of passport-sized photographs because people would just come into our house and request photographs with which they wanted to print posters for us. We would just see the posters on the streets and the same thing is happening now. When I was out on rally in 2007, as a sitting governor in Kano, the people were the ones throwing money at me unlike what you have in some other instances where the office seeker is the one giving people money. People were the ones throwing money at me to support my campaign because they know me.There was a young man who had no money to give; he was so excited and he removed his shirt and threw it at me. In 2003, I was so poor such that I could not tour all the 44 local governments in Kano State and yet, I won the governorship election. The way we are thinking of this money issue is somehow. Money is applicable and desirable. When I was contesting in 2003, some people said the sitting governor had reserved N3billion to prosecute the election and you are sitting here in a rented house. I think now, it is in the same spirit and we are doing the little that we are able to do. But as a sitting governor now, will you not be accused of using state resources? We are so transparent in the state that the records are there for the opposition to see. If I didn’t do it before, I do not see any reason I should do it now. When money comes in is the voting day because as a political party, when we send our people to voting centres as agents to stay there for almost 24 hours, monitoring votes as they are counted, as a party we would allocate something as allowances. Such funds would have to be made available. There are basic things that we need money for but not the overblown figures people talk about. THOSE who claimed to be Northern Elders did not call some other politicians from the North while they were pursuing their agenda… None of the Northern Elders, up till today, has approached me.No group of people has come out to say ‘yes, we have constituted ourselves into a body of elders and we represent the North,’ none. The ones who even paraded themselves as such are limited from within the Peoples Democratic Party. That was their show and not representative of the North. If they were representing the North as they claimed, why didn’t they invite some of us who were not in the PDP? There is no such thing as a group for us in the North. It was a PDP affair. People can wish for a consensus candidate from the North but the question to ask is: what are people doing to achieve that? There is a growing concern over party supporters that are becoming more violent? We thank God that our party, the ANPP, is not associated with that, no where. Of all our campaigns and as we go round, we have not been reported as damaging anybody’s billboards because we have been sensitizing our people and educating our people. The slogan of our party is justice. Go to Kano today, you’ll find banners and billboards of PDP standing but the people know that Kano State is a total ANPP state; the billboards mean nothing. So, why pull them down? If we had wanted to be as arrogant as some of them, all we need is to give a statement and those billboards and posters will be off the streets of Kano, but we do not need that because we have thousands more support and that is why we have been winning elections. We have told them that nobody should touch the flags and banners of other parties; this is a matter of discipline that we have instilled in our people. It is unfortunate and it is giving us a bad name as a nation. If I want to defeat Goodluck, destroying his party office or billboards would not help me defeat him; so, why do it? These thugs are doing it because they have the impression from their leaders because if a party leader would be castigating other people and personalities, then their wards are indirectly being told to do the same. I challenge other people’s programmes. What makes you think that you have the chance to win at the polls? I am in this race to win. I am not in the contest on trial and I mean it. I am coming from the point of very serious strength. In 2003, out of 44 local governments in Kano, ANPP had only five of the seats. That’s a very bad position. Out of 40 state assembly seats in the state, ANPP had only six seats. Before the election, ANPP had lost three House of Assembly seats and two local government seats to the PDP. In the national assembly, Kano had 24 House of Representatives seats and ANPP had only one; there was no ANPP senator – they were all of PDP. The sitting governor was a member of the PDP. So, I didn’t blame anybody who thought I was crazy. In fact, the PDP governor then described me as a frustrated teacher who didn’t know what to do. But me, I had my integrity to sell and people knew that. We went round with the little we had and we had the confidence and despite of this statistics, I knew what I was going in for and I was prepared for it. I was convinced that God is always on the side of truth – this may sound abstract because some people will quickly say, ‘well, God is always there.’

Why there is ‘do-or-die’ politics, by SSS

Editors Online — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:05:20 +0000

Sanni Ologun and Fatima Abubakar, Abuja

State Security Service (SSS) Director-General Ekpeyong Ita yesterday said "do-or-die" politics is pervasive in Nigeria because government remains the largest employer of labour and a major source of income. Ita, who spoke during the commencement of a two-day national workshop on "Election Security Management" organised by the Police in Abuja said some politicians adopt unconventional tactics to get into power. "It is unthinkable, unimaginable and unacceptable" for some political actors in Nigeria to fail during political contests, he said, adding that some political actors regard elective positions as opportunity to illegally amass wealth from the public treasury. Ita said: "Politics in Nigeria has always been a game of intensity anchored on must-win syndrome. This is obviously because government remains the major source of employment and income. Therefore, to get into government, some political actors deploy unconventional methods to achieve victory. "To this category of politicians, failure is unthinkable. It is unimaginable and unacceptable. And this kind of attitude is what is giving us a great deal of headache, it is a source of security worry and it is what is keeping us here. Accordingly, the situation has led to divisive politics, which tends to divide instead of uniting us. "There is no doubt that politics in Nigeria is becoming very bitter by the day, particularly as some desperate politicians are getting increasingly intolerant of their opponents. This situation has led to increasing unguarded, inflammatory and unpatriotic statements, which are capable of undermining the stability of the country. "The Police and the SSS have intervened on some occasions; we’ve called them; we’ve spoken to them, we called the political party leaders; we called individuals; we have warned them but the situation still continues. "Very sadly, as a build-up to April 2011 elections, the nation has witnessed a spate of assassination and other violent crimes. This has been assessed to be politically motivated, fuelled by the struggle for the control of political space, party structures between and among politicians. Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim said security agencies are prepared to ensure free and fair elections. Ringim, who was represented by his deputy Ivy Uche Okoronkwo, said: "The Police have concluded arrangements for adequate security coverage during the April elections. As part of preparations towards the elections, we have held meetings with leaders of political parties to inform them about our preparation and solicited for their support in this all-important assignment. "There will be massive and joint deployment of personnel of relevant agencies to ensure effective coverage of all the 120,000 poling units nationwide. The military will play complementary role in this regard with particular emphasis on the protection of key infrastructure during the period of the elections."

Political Parties Disagree Over Open Ballot

Editors Online — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:36:52 +0000

Edegbe Odemwingie and Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, Abuja It lasted five hours. Party chiefs and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met for the fifth and final time before the general elections scheduled to commence on April 2. Arguably, the most contentious issue bordered on INEC’s adoption of the modified open ballot system. Parties were sharply divided into two on its adoption or abandonment. The opposing parties hinged their argument on the reason that the new voting system is cumbersome and time- wasting. Going by the released guidelines, eligible voters are expected to be present for accreditation from 8am to 12 noon. Voting starts at 12:30pm and ends when the last person on the queue votes. Citing the successful experiment in the Delta rerun and previous use in the 1993 elections, INEC said there was no going back on the new voting system. "It is certainly a little bit cumbersome, but there is an in-built flexibility," INEC chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega said. "We have gone too far on this issue to change it. "It was successful in 1993 because it was a two-party system. Today, we have 64 political parties contesting this election... if anything happens based on the experiment, I hope you (referring to Jega) will take full responsibility?" national chairman of the National Solidarity Democratic Party (NSDP), Chief Udemba Chukwudolue, said. Championed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on one end and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) on the other, parties were divided on the application of the modified open ballot system. The PDP and its supporters favour a situation were voting takes place immediately after accreditation. The CPC favours sticking with the subsisting plan to conclude accreditation before actual voting takes place. Reportedly, before yesterday’s meeting, the PDP had convened a meeting at an undisclosed location in Abuja where it sought to solicit some political parties’ support to push INEC to abandon the newly adopted voting method. Also at the meeting yesterday, INEC chairman Jega yielded to the pressure from political parties to deploy electoral officers and possibly the resident electoral commissioners. Jega had vehemently resisted agitations from political parties and other stakeholders to redeploy the EOs and RECs. But yesterday he said, "We will carry out the necessary redeployment of staff before the election but we will also ensure that it is not disruptive." Taking turns, INEC directors of operations, logistics, ICT and Legal departments made presentations on the commission’s preparedness for the elections. The commission reiterated its carpet ban on using party vehicles to move election materials. "We have banned that, we have provided resources," Jega said. Said he: "We have procured 530 Hilux four-wheel drive vehicles which we have distributed. We are trying to procure an additional 100 before the elections. Our target is to ensure at least one four-wheel drive in each local government area. "We have also procured 60 motorised boats which have been distributed to the riverine locations...we have a definite commitment from the air force to also help us airlift to places that can only be reached by air." National chairman of the Labour Party (LP) Chief Dan Nwanyanwu tasked INEC on the non-use of the Direct Data Capture machines for accreditation. "We are worried that if we introduce electronic accreditation somebody will go to court and challenge it saying it is electronic voting being introduced in another guise," the INEC chair countered. Jega said the voter register that will be used for accreditation is electronically generated. He disclosed that INEC was partnering the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to prosecute persons who double-registered. "We are working with the NBA so that, hopefully, in the next 10 days, before the commencement of the elections, many of those that we have caught for double registration will also be charged to court," the INEC boss stated. Meanwhile, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially handed over the "Practice Direction Manual" to the Court of Appeal president, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, to aid the election petition tribunal judges in speedy delivery of judgement in electoral dispute adjudication. The presentation of the document is coming after the UNDP’s two–day training for the tribunal judges and secretaries on the new Electoral Act, electoral practice direction and some case studies. Salami said the training has made clear some of the doubtful aspects of the Electoral Act 2010 to the newly appointed tribunal judges. "With this training and the manual which is the first of its kind, I am confident that the judges are equipped and well- prepared for the electoral dispute adjudication. Before we came, there were areas of the Electoral Act we were not sure of, but all the doubtful areas were made clear during the training. "If the foreigners could be so enthusiastic about the success of our election, think we should be prepared to do more than expected," Justice Salami added. The UNDP resident representative, Mr. Daouda Toure said the manual is meant to aid the judges to make a quick reference so that electoral disputes are timely determined. The manual, he said further contains cases, Electoral Act and constitutional provisions applicable to specific electoral disputes for easy reference. Justice Salami however said that the manual would be made available to the public for the lawyers and would be litigants to make use of from time to time. It would be recalled that a total of 210 Election Petition Tribunal Judges were sworn-in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloyusius katsina Alu between Monday and Tuesday, this week. Two tribunals each were however approved for the 36 states and FCT, which is a clear departure from the past. But the tribunal shall adjudicate on all electoral cases within 180 days. In otherwords, electoral cases would no longer last for 3 to four years as witnessed in the post April 2007 election matters. 　　

Ogun State 2011: ACN’s golden moment

Editors Online — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:40:36 +0000

By Wale Adedayo Without an iota of doubt, the political party best placed to win next month’s gubernatorial election in Ogun State is the ACN. Public opinion, which is the number one factor for positive results in any electoral contest, is massive in favour of the party. But for certain short-comings which’ll be treated shortly, ACN’s golden opportunity to win the elections could be likened to that of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the South-West in 1999. Thus, ordinarily, whoever is presented as a candidate of the ACN at any level of election in Ogun State should simply win without much problems. The desire to identify with the ACN by the average public opinion moulder in Ogun State is unprecedented for a party that took its root from the Action Congress (AC), which the PDP soundly defeated during the 2007 elections. But if the truth must be told, the slain gubernatorial candidate of the defunct AC during the 2007 elections in Ogun State, Otunba Dipo Dina, and Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, could rightly be given the credit for the popularity being enjoyed by the ACN in the Gateway State. Long before many concerned Ogun State citizens realised the Organised Grand Deceit of Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s government, Dina had raised the alarm about the profligacy and impunity of OGD’s Administration. With its divided leadership coupled with an inability to connect with the average Ogun State resident through quality communication, the AC lost the election at the time. Today, the song has changed. AC’s successor, the ACN, currently enjoys the widest popularity among the four major political parties in Ogun State. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently confirmed what Dina had proved beyond reasonable doubt over five years ago – that OGD’s tenure in Ogun State is characterised by little service to the public, but has an attendant massive looting of the state’s treasury using devious means that only a very select few with scientific minds can understand for what it represents – Organised Grand Deceit. Perhaps, it would have taken long for OGD to be exposed were it not for Fashola’s sterling performance coupled with an uncommon humility regularly displayed by the chief executive of neighbouring Lagos State. In more ways than one, it was ACN’s BRF who proved to about a quarter of Ogun State residents who work in Lagos State that attention to the basic social needs of the people does not require the garb of an emperor to get it done. Organisation ACN’s score here is very low in Ogun State. Unlike the PPN, which has a clearly identifiable Leader, whose perspective acts as a compass for party members and sympathisers, the Ogun State ACN is locked in a needless leadership tussle that is negatively affecting its organisational ability towards next month’s elections. Ordinarily, former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, is the acknowledged Leader of the party. But two major factors appear to have diluted his leadership position, forcing ACN members and sympathisers to be struggling to concentrate on two sources of inspiration and direction almost at the same time. The first factor was the loss of AD/AC members/sympathisers to the Ogun State PDP towards and after the 2007 elections. Thus, when the Ogun State ACN was being put together last year, it was an amalgamation of a smaller AC, a few former PDP members, Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) and Senator Ibikunle Amosun Group (SIAG). Of course, AC remained the senior partner. But the seed of the current leadership, thus organisational crisis, sown at the birth of the party has grown to ensure that AC’s Osoba’s position as Leader of the new political enterprise remains problematic. Of the four groups (AC, PDP, DPA and SIAG) that teamed up to form ACN in Ogun State, SIAG has the highest number of members, followed by the AC and DPA, which is led by former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Gbenga Kaka. The ACN’s registration of members was not only marred by denial of membership to a sizable portion of SIAG and DPA members, the subsequent Congress of the new party throughout the state was manipulated in favour of AC. Thus began a battle of wits between the AC leadership and those of SIAG with the DPA resigning itself to fate. And, until Amosun emerged in January as the gubernatorial candidate of the party, there were parallel meetings of the ACN throughout the 20 local governments and 236 Wards of Ogun State. This development, which polarised the party, damaged its structure with attendant negative consequences on ACN’s current campaign. Instead of a source of Leadership giving direction to the most popular party in Ogun State, supporters and sympathisers of the old AC and SIAG currently persist in viewing one another with suspicion. And despite Amosun’s public deference to Osoba as Party Leader, the reality on ground especially among ACN’s rank and file reveal almost the opposite. Apart from slowing down the process of information dissemination and retrieval of same, the division in the leadership and followership ranks of the ACN has negatively affected its mobilisation drive. There is a lethargy among its ‘political strikers’, which many wrongly ascribe to a poor financial base. With a sizable number of SIAG faithful threatening to ‘deal’ with the AC components of ACN after the party must have won the gubernatorial elections, the die-hard Osoba loyalists remain wary of an all-out campaign that could result in electoral victory for the party. It is also possible that the division in its ranks is responsible for the fear of a possible inability to secure ACN’s votes as members believe the party may not be able to effectively check possible violence by either the PPN or PDP during the elections. "How do we police our votes?" is currently a regular lamentation on the lips of the divided ACN leadership. Financial muscle Ogun State’s ACN’s finances is about 10% of what the PPN has in its coffers and close to 20% of what the PDP is playing with. With none of its leaders occupying public office, the standard means of using public funds to finance partisan political activities is closed to the party. Unsure of who will manage a ‘central’ purse, donations from a few wealthy members and sympathisers have not measured up to what should have happened with less than two weeks to the election. It is the same with financial assistance from ‘Big Brother’ ACN Lagos State, whose leadership had in the recent past bankrolled the emergence of the governors of Edo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states. If the party’s financial situation does not improve soon, it could be goodnight to the sweet dream of an ACN victory which many pundits still believe is achievable. Public opinion As pointed out earlier, ACN has an abundance of this in its favour. But a cohesive leadership and a definite improvement in its finances should go a very long way to assist in further channelling a much-needed resource, which both the PPN and PDP are ready to offer anything for. Conclusion The ACN is an extremely popular party with its acceptance among the electorates in Ogun State cutting across sub-ethnic and religious barriers. Nonetheless, a divided leadership, which is the foundation of its current poor organisation could negatively affect its performance in next month’s elections. Also, the oil of finance, a major lubricant for a political party’s organisational and media engine is almost dry. This is an unacceptable development that could tie ACN’s hands behind its back in next month’s all-important electoral boxing bout against the well-funded and better organised PPN along with its twin, the PDP. But if speculations about a possible under the table alliance between the ACN and PPN is true, the party has nothing to fear. A landslide victory should be expected if this happens.

Polls: Violence hits Ekiti, Oyo, Delta, Niger, others

Editors Online — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:04:21 +0000

Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti, Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan, Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba, Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa, Johnny Danjuma, Lafia, and Jide Orintunsin, Minna Security remained the issue yesterday – eight days to the first of the three-leg elections - as pre-election violence continued unabated. Two persons were shot dead at a political meeting in Delta State. One was killed in Ekiti. Youths stoned Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu’s convoy and Nasarawa State Governor Akwe Doma’s campaign was disrupted in Lafia. In Ibadan, thugs attacked a rally by the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Fifteen people were injured. Twenty vehicles were damaged. ACN governorship candidate John Udoedehe was detained in Abuja by the Police over Tuesday’s violence in which nine ACN supporters died. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the ACN was the aggressor. Violence is mounting, despite President Goodluck Jonathan’s order to security agents to arrest culprits. In Bayelsa State, guns boomed at a campaign rally addressed by the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Timi Alaibe, in Yenagoa. A bomb scare sent residents of Abuja scampering for safety and the police combing the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Bayelsa State House. In Ekiti, the latest in the spate of killings, which started about a month ago, continued on Wednesday night, with the abduction and murder by unknown assailants of Hon Toyin Akinlade, the organising secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ido–Osi Local Government Area. Akinlade, a businessman in Ilogbo, was killed at about midnight. It was alleged that the vehicle that conveyed the assailants was earlier sighted in Iropora-Ekiti, which is about 20 kilometres to Ilogbo where they were alleged to have shot two members of the party. It was gathered that the assasins posed as customers to give them access to Akinlade whom they bundled and took him to the bush where he was shot dead. In Ijero-Ekiti, four students of the School of Health Technology were yesterday abducted by people suspected to be kidnappers. Police spokesman Jimoh Mohammed, who confirmed the abduction, said they had been released. A school official said a combined force of a vigilance group and some members of the Ijero community freed the students. In Ibadan, not long after hundreds of ACN supporters converged on the ever-busy Gate in Ibadan North Local Government Area, thugs wielding cutlasses, club, bottles , guns and other dangerous weapons alighted from buses and began to unleash mayhem on them. Many were injured in the stampede which followed the action. An official of the party, Mr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, linked the attackers to some men belonging to the state chapter chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Spokesman of the Ajimobi campaign organisation Mr. Yanju Adegbite condemned the action. Oyo police spokesman Tunji Ajimuda confirmed the attack on the ACN rally. He said the police were investigating. He said four people have been arrested. Gun shots rang out at the Labour Party’s campaign rally at the Redeemed Christian Church of God Field in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State yesterday - an incident reminiscent of the first rally by the LP at Opokuma, the country home of the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Timi Alaibe. The shots started flying as the National Chairman of LP Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, was speaking. Supporters at the rally scampered to safety but people were urged to be calm. But the shots died down in less than five minutes. They were apparently fired to scare away people and disrupt the rally. No one died. Bayelsa police spokesman Egwavon Emokpai, an Assistant Superintendent, said he was not aware of the shootout. The rally was attended by Chief Peremobowei Ebebi, who was heralded in as the state’s authentic Deputy Governor; Chief Rufus Spiff, the Campaign director of the LP; Walter Feghabo, the LP Senatorial candidate for East district, Chief Douye Diri and Chief Fyneman Wilson, a one- time PDP chieftain. Pandemonium broke out in Ibusa, Oshimili North local government area, Delta State, after a young man was stabbed to death and seven others got injured as security men opened fire on a group of youths. Many parents withdrew their children from schools. Shop owners closed them down as the fighting escalated. The deceased, identified as Chizem, it was learnt, hailed from Ewulu Community, a few kilometers from the scene of the clash A witness said another person died as the youths tried to avenge the death of their colleague. The shots were fired by security men attached to a socialite. Seven youths were hit by bullets. The incident which occurred at the Umoudafe quarters inside the socialite’s home led to the attack on the house by angry youths. According to source, it was during a political meeting at the home of the socialite ahead of the elections. Police spokesman Mr. Charles Muka confirmed the killing but said he was unaware it was politically-motivated. He said a heated argument between the two youths resulted in the stabbing to death of one of them and that the culprit had been apprehended. Muka said: "I don’t want to be drawn into any talk of where the incident happened. I know it took place at Ibusa. One person was killed and the culprit has been arrested. It has nothing to do with politics."

Jonathan’s Wife Responsible For Appointment Of New ICPC Acting Chairman, Abang-Wushishi, A Former PDP Senatorial Aspirant

Editors Online — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:07:47 +0000

By SaharaReporters, New York

Wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, has been identified as the one of the key persons involved in the conspiracy that led to the removal of the former Acting Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Uriah Angulu, on Tuesday, March 22, by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the appointment of the new Acting Chairman, Dr. Rosemary Abang-Wushishi.

This revelation is coming on the heels of the denial by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Muhammed Bello Adokie, of the Saharareporters’ expose of the scandal behind the hurried sack of Uriah Angulu. Saharareporters was reliably informed by a source inside the presidential villa, Abuja, that Mrs. Jonathan was however acting on the promptings of the newly appointed Acting Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Rosemary Abang-Wushishi, a member of the board of the Commission. Abang-Wushishi, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) and formerly a member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), under which she tried unsuccessfully to get a senatorial ticket in Cross Rivers State in 2003, is said to have persuaded Jonathan’s wife to speak to her husband and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Bello Adokie, to appoint her in place of Angulu. Our sources at the villa indicated that even though Mrs. Jonathan was at first unaware of the plot by the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and AGF Adokie to persuade the former acting Chairman of the ICPC to drop the investigations of the N6 billion fraud at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in which the CJN was implicated, Abang-Wushishi brought it Mrs. Jonathan’s notice and convinced her to step in to push for the appointment of "a woman" - and one who had been a member of the PDP - in place of Angulu. Mrs. Jonathan, who is described by a source in the villa as "a meddlesome, even if semi-literate, power-grabbing woman," was said to have jumped into the fray immediately to support Abang-Wushishi, "who is not only a woman", as our source puts it, "but is also one from the Niger Delta" like the First Family. Mrs. Jonathan reportedly persuaded her husband and AGF Adokie that Abang-Wushishi can be "trusted" with the "sensitive" position at the ICPC "in this critical period." This intervention was said to have made Adokie, who was doing the bidding of CJN Katsina-Alu very happy, because it provided a "strong supporting voice" for him in the attempt to persuade President Jonathan to approve the immediate removal of Angulu over the investigations into the NJI fraud and the prosecution of the Minister of Health, Alhaji Suleiman Bello. Adokie had been fighting Dr. Uriah Angulu over these two major cases. As reported earlier, Adokie’s office compulsory hijacked the prosecution of Suleiman Bello from Angulu’s ICPC in February in the attempt to destroy the case and save Bello, a former INEC commissioner accused of graft, from prosecutrion. Saharareporters learnt that, unknown to many, since the decision to appoint her as the acting Chairman of the ICPC, Abang-Wushishi has since convinced Mrs. Jonathan to ensure that after the expected "victory" of her husband at the polls in April, she should be appointed at the substantive Chairman of the ICPC. This move, if successful, will put spanners in the works of those rooting for the retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Pius Olayiwola Aderemi, whose nomination had earlier been rejected by the Senate as they claimed he was "too old". A secret pact was reached recently between the presidency and the leadership of the Senate for the re-presentation of Justice Aderemi’s appointment, which is expected to be approved by the Senate. However, Abang-Wushishi has persuaded Patience Jonathan that she is "eminently qualified" to head the ICPC, since, as she claimed, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, was her "junior in the police force." Our sources at the ICPC hinted that Adokie might have agreed "in principle" to this arrangement, since he and CJN Katsina-Alu are not sure of what would be the attitude of Justice Aderemi to the scandal involving the CJN and other matters of investigation and prosecution before the commission, those in which Adokie and "his handlers" are interested. Abang-Wushishi, who a source at the ICPC described as an ‘inept, physically and mentally tired woman who resumes work around 2 PM in the afternoon,’ is expected to be to AGF Adokie what Farida Waziri of the EFCC was to the disgraced former AGF, Michael Aondoakaa, "a tool to protect the fraudster-friends of the president and the AGF," as a source puts it. Abang-Wushishi, who sought to represent the Central Senatorial District in Cross Rivers State for the PDP in 2003, had accused the then Governor Donald Duke and other leaders of the party of "manipulating" the PDP primaries in declaring Senator Victor Edoma-Egba as the unopposed candidate of the PDP in late December 2002. The woman who is now herself a tool of a clique at the villa and the Justice Ministry, had accused Governor Duke and others of constituting a "a negative clique" in the PDP. "What audacity do they have to do that?" she queried in late December 2002. The retired police officer and her "godmother", Mrs. Jonathan, and the AGF, who helped them to realize Wushishi’s ambition, are now facing a similar question from Nigerians regarding the controversial removal of the former acting Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Angulu. However, in a statement issued on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ambrose Momoh, in Abuja, AGF Adokie stated that, "For [the] avoidance of doubt, AIG Abang Rosemary Wushishi’s appointment was made in compliance with the provision of section 3(4) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Act, CAP. C31, LFN 2004, which states that the chairman shall be a person who has held or is qualified to hold office as a judge of a Superior Court of record in Nigeria." Added Adokie, "Since this requirement also applies to appointments made in an acting capacity, it was necessary to guide against any likely challenges of the powers exercised by Dr Uriah Angulu who did not possess the requisite qualification." Critics have described Adokie’s statement as "a puerile and futile attempt" to further cover up the scandals that his office has been trying to cover up. One highly placed source in Abuja told Saharareporters that the AGF’s "peculiar logic" in the statement shows a failed attempt at what experts in the art of falsehood and deception calls ‘the concealment of the very process of concealment.’ "The question," asks another source, "that Adokie should answer are these: Why did it take the chief legal counsel to the president and the only minister whose office is a statutory one, that is, one sanctioned and authorized specifically by the Constitution, more than three months to recognize that Angulu did not meet the primary criterion for his appointment as the acting chairman of the ICPC? Even a youth corps member who studied law in Adokie’s office would have ‘discovered’ this before Angulu’s appointment was announced; that is, if indeed that was the reason for the sudden sack of Dr. Angulu. Two, and this is what really shows the duplicity of the AGF and the fraudulence of the Jonathan administration when it announced that it was committed to the anti-corruption war and the rule of law: Does Abang-Wushishi meet the criterion that Adokie just brought to our notice in the ICPC Act? If so, that is, if she is qualified to hold office as a judge of a Suprerior Court of record in Nigeria, why didn’t Adokie recommend her to the president last November when Justice Ayoola’s term came to an end? She was there then as a member of the Commission’s board, wasn’t she?" In further defense of his controversial actions in recent times, AGF Adokie, in his press release, stated his "personal commitment" "to the war against corruption". Adokie added that he "will, therefore, not be deterred by baseless allegations and insinuations designed to achieve pre-conceived ends." While making this baseless claim of his commitment the rule of law, justice and transparency, Saharareporters can authoritatively reveal that not only has Adokie vowed to end the prosecution of the Health Minister, he has also "briefed" the new Acting Chairman of the ICPC to discontinue the investigations into the N6 billion fraud at the NJI in which the Chief Justice of the Federation is implicated. If Wushishi complies, Adokie has promised that she may be able to retain her position, as substantive chairman of the ICPC after President Jonathan "must have won the April elections."

Lootocracy Not Democracy

Editors Online — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:12:17 +0000

Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu

It makes me laugh when some people call the ongoing charade in Nigeria a democracy. The bitter truth is that Nigeria does not in the least practice democracy, what is on display is rather a crime spree of massive looting better described as "lootocracy" and not democracy. There are certain criteria that must be fulfilled for an electoral system to qualify as a democracy amongst which are free and fair elections, political party ideology and manifesto, an organized ideological opposition, a genuine passion for service and the upholding of certain standards in public service. At closer scrutiny as listed below, it would be immediately observed that none of these fundamentals of a democratic system exist in Nigeria. For starters, elections have never been free and fair as candidates have been routinely selected and rigged into office as it suits the whims and caprices of the godfathers. The non-democratic era of military coups that imposed so called leaders through instruments of coercion has simply been replaced with imposition of selected crooks by godfathers. Secondly, in a normal democracy, every political party has an ideology and manifesto which every member of the party identifies with. The ideology and manifesto is the supreme guiding principle which influences more than anything else the membership of political parties and prevents candidates from cross- carpeting to other political parties with different ideologies and manifestoes. In Nigeria, political parties have neither ideology nor manifestoes. They all exist merely as political parties without any specific leaning, ideology, intent or manifesto. This has made it possible for politicians or "lootocrats" to engage in an endless gambit of cross- carpeting from one non-ideological party to another in pursuit of a more accommodating platform from whence to unleash a looting spree which seems not surprisingly to be the only ideology and manifesto of all political parties in Nigeria. Thirdly, democracies cannot exist without opposition parties that keep the government in power on their feet and make the whole process more constructive and competitive by providing alternative ideas through constructive criticisms and proposals. It is a necessary ingredient of democracy that prevents dictatorship and refreshes the political system. In Nigeria, there is a total absence of opposition politics. The usual democratic practice of robust parliamentary debates, constructive criticisms and alternative proposals by rival political parties does not exist at any level of government. What obtains in Nigeria is a patronage system of massive looting across party lines and a quasi dictatorship by an all powerful leader that faces no organised ideological democratic opposition as obtains in normal democracies. Lastly, in bonafide democratic climes, politicians seek office with a passion and a genuine desire to serve their people. That passion is immediately evident from a deep commitment to the ideals of public service and of long years of selfless service in various capacities to their various communities. They are also willing to commit and subject themselves to very high standards in public office which usually results in a willingness to resign at the slightest infraction or conflict of interest in order to ultimately protect the values and ideals of democracy and public service. Yet again in Nigeria, none of these holds true, politicians do not seek office with a passion or genuine desire to serve in the public interest; they rather seek office to fulfil a self serving narrow interest of self enrichment. To that end, they are willing to maim, kill and destroy all on their part to secure access to the public coffers and unlimited loot. They are neither subjected nor committed to any ideals or standards in public office. No amount of incriminating evidence of wrong doing or even prosecution in court obliges public servants (lootocrats) in Nigeria to resign, they would rather engage in all kinds of desperate semantics to remain in office. It is thus obvious that what has passed for a democracy in Nigeria is quite simply an agglomeration of criminals who have come together with a single ideology and manifesto to raid the coffers of the state. Nigerians, the mass media and the general public need to wisen- up and call the ongoing absurdity in Nigeria its real name which is lootocracy and not democracy! Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu Email: lawrencenwobu@yahoo.com 　

Akwa Ibom Mayhem: Governor Akpabio Clamps Down On Opposition

Editors Online — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:08:29 +0000

By SaharaReporters, New York

Akwa Ibom State is in danger of turning into a theater for more political violence as Governor Godswill Akpabio of the PDP continues to make moves to muzzle the growing opposition to his abuses. Two days ago, the state exploded in widespread arson, destruction and shooting when thugs hired by Mr. Akpabio attempted to disperse a rally by the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Following the violence, the Goodluck Jonathan regime issued a blanket shoot-on-site order aimed at bolstering Governor Akpabio and intimidating the opposition with federal might. Our sources in Akwa Ibom said that Mr. Akpabio, emboldened by the federal government’s order, has embarked on a fresh witchhunt of his opponents. Earlier today, the Akwa Ibom police command arrested Senator Akpan Udoedeghe, the governorship candidate of the ACN. Mr. Udoedeghe is seen as the main threat to Governor Akpabio whose tenure has been marked by massive looting of state resources. The ACN candidate was picked up in Uyo and flown to Abuja where Inspector General Hafis Ringim is personally handling his case. Mr. Akpabio recently engineered the removal of the police commissioner in the state to enable him to clamp down on the opposition in the state. Mr. Akpabio acts as Jonathan’s campaign coordinator in the South South region. Top opposition members in the state have cried foul about the ongoing crackdown targeted at them. "I believe that the crisis that saw the destruction of properties in the state was precipitated by Governor Akpabio to enable him [to] take out his opponents from the elections," said a top ACN politician in the state. Governor Alao Akala of Oyo State earlier implemented the strategy of using the police to harass opposition candidates. Mr. Akala connived with the police in the state to charge his PDP primary opponent, Senator Teslim Folarin, with killing Alhaji Lateef Salako aka Eleweomo one of Akala’s thugs and a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers. Opposition candidates in Benue State accuse Governor Suswam of employing similar tactics to intimidate and hamstring his opponents. Like Akpabio, Akala and Suswam are reputed to be some of the most corrupt governors in Nigeria.

NTA rejects Buhari’s campaign advert

Editors Online — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:14:09 +0000

Suleiman M. Bisalla

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) yesterday rejected the campaign jingle of the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) General Muhammadu Buhari on grounds that it contained messages that were offensive to the government. The jingle is the first intended to be run by the CPC on the national network. One of Buhari’s campaign aides who does not want his name in print told Daily Trust that after booking the advert and making necessary payments, they were later told that the jingle would not be ran on NTA because it was critical of government. The NTA authorities therefore demanded that such areas be removed. Director General of the Buhari campaign Alhaji Sule Hamma confirmed the incident, explaining that the jingle was turned down because it contains things like "no good roads," and so on. "They said it was critical of the PDP government. By implication, NTA belongs to PDP," he said. When asked what the campaign would do in view of the development, Alhaji Hamma said the CPC will explore constitutional means to seek redress. He said the regulator body, NBC, has to ensure that every political party gets equal access to the media as provided by the law. Attempts to speak with the NTA authorities last night failed.

Nduka, Thisday Work Against The Growth Of Democracy In Nigeria

Editors Online — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 23:07:32 +0000

By Joe Igbokwe

I write to join millions of Nigerians that have been following Nduka Obaigbena and his Thisday since the paper came into existence in the heat of the annulment of elections in 1993 to condemn the fake 2011 elections opinion poll released on Monday March 21st 2011.

Please recall that Thisday came into existence during the time of Chief Shonekan's illegal interim government in 1993. Working in tandem with a frightened Shonekan and his unstable government only God knows how he deceived him to close the Guardian and the Punch newspapers just to make way for his paper to sneak into the market. Nduka and Thisday connived with Abacha to lay siege on Nigerians until the man died in 1998. He switched over to General Abdulsalam Abubakar until democracy was ushered in 1999. Initially President Obasanjo refused to do business with Nduka Obaigbena until he sought a second term in office in 2003. That was when Nduka sold the idea of fake opinion polls to the president Obasanjo's men. Since then Nduka has been smiling to the banks. He used the same fake opinion polls in 2007 to rig the late President Musa Yar'Adua to power, and I stand to be challenged. If in doubt, please go to the archives to take a look at all Thisday's opinion polls on all 2007 elections. It is on record that all the decisions of the High Courts, Appeal Courts, Election Tribunals, Supreme Courts rendered nugatory all Thisday opinion polls on 2007 elections. Please do not forget that the decision of Supreme Court on the Presidential was four Judges in favour of Yar'Adua and three in favour of General Buhari. So what happens to Nduka and his Thisday opinion polls on 2007 elections especially that of Anambra, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, and Osun States? A day to the governorship elections in 2007, Nduka's Thisday said that Lagos is too close to call meaning that it is either PDP or AC. By the time we got to the polling boots, we did not see PDP supporters on ground. Governor Fashola ran away with victory. So what happened to Thisday's too close to call polls? Absolute rubbish! In 2011, Nduka and his Thisday think all of us are fools as both the man and his useless paper return to the familiar road. But this time this fraud must be exposed. I make bold to say that Mr Nduka Obaigbena and Thisday should be probed from 1993 till date. I insist that our renascent democracy has been under threat because of the activities of certain individuals and institutions in Nigeria and Nduka and Thisday are part of them. They have been helping to write armed robbers and fraudsters into power since 1999. No wonder this country has frittered away the huge resources it has earned from 1999 till date more than what we had earned from 1960 to 1999. I submit that this country is where it is today because of what our leaders have made it. And these leaders have not been working alone. They have cronies, Court jesters and robbers who urge them to go on at the expense of 150 million Nigerians. Nduka and Thisday are part of those classes of people and institutions. I am therefore joining a patriot, Mr Yinka Odumakin to ask ICPC to probe Nduka and Thisday starting from 1993. When we wrote that the latest Thisday's opinion poll is a fraud, somebody wrote to me that he put a call to his friend working in Thisday to ascertain whether the staff were in the know of how the opinion poll was conducted, the guy said nobody was consulted and no research was carried out. What was fed to Nigerians was a figment of Nduka's imagination. A job he does every election year to make a living. Nigerians must stop Nduka and Thisday to make democracy work here. Thisday's opinion polls remain a fraud simplicita! Joe Igbokwe Lagos

Ogun PDP crisis: Setback for Obasanjo, Olurin

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 07:44:45 +0000

Our Reporter

The seeming advantage gained by the ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo faction over the one led by Governor Gbenga Daniel in the crisis that is rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State suffered a setback yesterday with the arrest and arraignment of some chieftains of the Obasanjo-led faction of the party. The factional members of the party arrested by the police and arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja yesterday over allegation of forgery included the Chairman, Chief Bashorun Dayo Soremi; the Secretary, Mr. Semiu Oladipo; Adeja Olokun; Abiodun Taiwo and Aare Olufemi Dehinsilu. The accused persons, who will have to spend the weekend in prison custody, all pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them. But their application for bail could not be heard yesterday. The court ordered that they should be remanded in Kuje prison until Monday when their applications for bail would be heard. According to the First Information Report before the court, Soremi and others were accused of forgery and illegal substitution of the name of Hon. Dave Salako. It was alleged that the accused persons collected the sum of N100 million from one Oladipupo Adebutu whose name was used to replace Salako’s name. All the accused persons were arrested following petitions to the Inspector-General of Police and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Salako had said in the petition that without his consent or approval, his name was mischievously removed from the list of PDP candidates in Ogun State submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He said: ‘’Like a shot from the blue, informatition came to me today that without my consent or knowlege or approval, someone mischievously removed my name as the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the April 2011 general election into the House of Representatives in Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, Ogun State. ‘’To make the matters worse, I understand that my name was replaced with the name of Oladipo Adebutu, an aspirant who took part in the Joju Fadairo-led primaries that was declared unlawful and illegal by Justice Kafarati. ‘‘What is more, if as at March 3, 2011, the court confirmed me as a candidate for 2011 House of Representatives elections, it means that it was after the judgment that my name was substituted. And as at the time, it was unlawful for any change of name to be made in the list of candidates by any party. ‘’There is no doubt that the purportrd change of my name as candidate is wrongful, unlawful and illegal for the following reasons: I did not sign any document to decline contest in 2011 election as required by law. *I was the 3rd plaintiff in the suit where the court on March 3, 2011 confirmed the entire plaintiffs therein as the lawful candidates of the PDP in Ogun State. *At no time did I express or even think of quitting the contest for the House of Representatives election in 2011. *I was not contacted to confirm or reject my forged signature on the paper presented to you by the person who unlawfully substituted my name.’’ A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had earlier refused an application brought by Salako, asking it to restrain Adebutu from parading himself as the PDP candidate for Remo Federal Constituency in the forthcoming election. The plaintiff (Salako), who is presently in the House of Representatives for Remo Federal Constituency in Ogun State, had in a motion ex-parte filed by his counsel, Mr. Gani Bello, asked the court to stop Adebutu from parading himself as the PDP candidate for the constituency in the forthcoming elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP and Adebutu were joined as defendants in the case with ref.No. ABJ/CS/355/2011. He asked the court to restrain INEC from recognising Adebutu as the party’s candidate for the House of Representatives election for Remo Federal Constituency in Ogun State. He also wanted the court to stop Adebutu from campaigning for the election on thegrounds that he is not the PDP’s candidate for Remo Federal Constituency in Ogun State. But counsel to Adebutu, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, responded by filing a motion to either dismiss the whole case because it was an abuse of court process or to consolidate it with a previous action filed by the PDP leaders in the constituency, led by Aare Olufemi Dehinsilu against Salako. The matter will be heard on March 29.

How assassins murdered Gen. Onoja’s aide in presence of wife, children

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 07:49:26 +0000

Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Why was an aide to the senatorial candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria ( ACN) in Benue South, Gen. Lawrence Onoja shot dead by yet to be arrested gunmen in the presence of his pregnant wife, Ann Ajibo and four kid in Otukpo, the headquarters of Idoma land in Benue State penultimate Friday? Was he killed to conceal a serious crime he could have revealed as being speculated in some quarters? Why are the police unable to arrest the suspects even though the deceased’s widow had identified those who dragged her husband out in the early morning of that day and shot him in the head at close range? These were questions begging for answers as The Nation launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assassination of Emmanuel Ajibo. While it was difficult to the pregnant widow of the deceased to speak because she was still shell shocked when our correspondent met her during the week, the elder brother of the deceased, Mr Joseph Ogabo Ajibo, in whose custody Emmanuel grew up, told The Nation the circumstances in which he was killed and the vacuum his death has left in the family. According to Joseph, before the late Emmanuel was killed on Friday March 18,2011, several unsuccessful attempts had been made to sniff life out of him. He said his late brother was one of the people who witnessed the incident in which Gen. Lawrence Onoja and Alhaji Usman Abubakar were shot, and he recognised those who fired the bullets. Joseph explained that on that fateful day, two vehicles were driven to Emmanuel’s house by some people identified as aides to a prominent Otukpo politician. They went straight into the house and ordered Emmanuel to get into one of the vehicles. "Emmanuel refused and they tried to drag him out of the house. His wife and four kids started crying for help. But before any help could come, one of the strangers pulled the trigger of a short gun and fired Emmanuel in the head. He died instantly and lay in a pool of blood," Joseph said. Joseph said that what has drawn the most curiousity from observers was a seeming attempt by the Divisional Police Office in Otukpo to sweep the incident under the carpet in spite of glaring evidence against those who killed his younger brother. He said: "His wife told the DPO in Otukpo the names of the people that killed her husband. She said they were members of a vigilante group. The Chairman of the vigilante group in Otukpo, Major Ekwuenja was arrested, charge to a Magistarte Court in Otukpo and has since been granted bail on murder charge," Joseph said. He recalled that the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Mohammed, had confirmed the arrest of the Chairman of the Vigilante group in Otukpo in respect of Emmanuel’s murder. The commissioner had told newsmen: "The wife of the deceased identified the suspects as members of the Otukpo Vigilante. He gave their names as Onjenfu Oche, popularly called JEF, and Oko Inalegwu. The DPO went to arrest them, but the Chairman of the Vigilante told him to go back, that he would bring them himself. Surprisingly, the Vigilante Chairman went to the police station without the suspects and the police immediately arrested and detained him (Vigilante Chairman)." Joseph alleged that members of the Otukpo Vigialante group, made up of many people of questionable character, were being sponsored by a prominent politician in Otukpo in a bid to intimidate one of his political opponents. He alleged that those who killed his brother had been flown to Ghana in order that they might escape justice. But he said he was optimistic that very soon, the law would catch up with them. Joseph alleged further that members of the Vigilante group were being armed with sophisticated weapons in order to cause mayhem in Otukpo, Ado and Ohimini local government areas. He said the Vigilante group was out to wipe out members of the Action Congress Of Nigeria (ACN) from the entire Zone C in order to make way for the smooth election of a particular candidate in the forthcoming elections.

A Purposeful Presidential Debate

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 08:00:04 +0000

The NVS StandPoint

On March 29, some of the frontline candidates in next month's presidential election are expected to participate in a television debate. Last Thursday, however, three of them announced they were pulling out, owing to dissatisfaction with the People's Democratic Party's Goodluck Jonathan, who skipped a previous encounter on March 18. The StandPoint urges those candidates: Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Shekarau and Nuhu Ribadu, to reconsider their decision. Their decision is understandable, but it is at the expense of the larger national interest. The March 18 debate was somewhat diminished by the absence of Mr. Jonathan, who is the candidate of the ruling party. His failure to appear at the scheduled event certainly betrayed the confidence of the other contestants. They had every reason to expect him to be present—and therefore every reason to feel hard done by. But true leadership, in the end, is service writ large. And service is never as empty as when it is devoid of sacrifice. That is why we urge the presidential debate protesters to sacrifice their justifiable anger for the greater good of Nigeria. It has also been speculated that one of the reasons the other candidates are reluctant to participate is that BON, a government agency may give the President an undue advantage. It is therefore important for BON to level the playing field and work to earn the confidence and trust of other participants. Perhaps, the questions should be shared ahead of time to each presidential candidate. We also understand that the upcoming debate is being co-organized by organizations including the Nigerian Election Debate Group and the Democratic Institute of the USA. This should be impetus for all the presidential aspirants to participate. No longer is the public debate merely an essential component of a modern democracy; it is now even a measure of its very health. Where one of the candidates in a presidential contest is the incumbent, as in our case, it is the best possible campaign forum for him to demonstrate the potency, perhaps even indispensability, of his government. By the same measure, it is the most efficacious forum for other candidates to electrify and inspire voters with their vision and their preparation for presidential responsibility. We challenge the candidates at the upcoming debate to seize the opportunity to demonstrate to Nigerians their genuineness and their readiness for responsibility at the highest level. For too long, Nigeria has suffered from a dearth of men sufficiently seized with the patriotic zeal to sacrifice and serve. We therefore challenge the presidential debaters to bring to the homes and hearts of Nigerians a clear and committed understanding of the principal challenges besetting our fatherland. We will expect to hear from them an articulate elucidation of how they intend to reverse years of decay, double-talk, manipulation and corruption. Let us hear from the incumbent and his challengers not the self-serving circumlocution and platitudes that govern much of Nigeria's political discourse, but well-conceived responses to the Nigerian condition. Let us hear not empty clichés, but purposeful policy proposals capable of pulling Nigeria out of the quicksand. Let us have a robust, productive and vigorous debate that is capable of re-igniting the hopes of our people. We hope that the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria and the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, the organizers of the debate, will ensure an unimpeachable production and make the debate widely available on online and offline channels. While the NN24 debate was excellent, we would have loved to see one or two additional interviewers. It is also essential that each participating campaign is clear as to the format of the event in order to avoid incidents of speakers being abruptly halted in the middle of their statements. Finally, while the upcoming debate will be carried on an impressive number of television networks, it is ironic that most Nigerians are unlikely to see it live because Nigeria lacks one of the basic elements of modern life: electricity. We therefore urge the participating networks to schedule repeat broadcasts in the week that follows in the hope that more Nigerians will be able to see it.

Jonathan rebuffs Ciroma, IBB on 2015

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 08:02:33 +0000

Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Fresh facts emerged yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan’s talks with the Mallam Adamu Ciroma-led Northern Political Leaders Forum collapsed because he refused to accede to two demands by the Forum. The demands are: a written undertaking that he would spend only a term in office and ensure that power shifts to the North in 2015. They also asked him to make a broadcast to the nation on these two commitments. But the President has rebuffed the NPLF leaders over these demands and decided to bear his cross by making fresh inroad into the North through alternative power brokers and northern groups. The NPLF, in collaboration with Igbo Political Forum, had on Thursday technically withdrawn backing for Jonathan during the forthcoming April 9 poll. Investigation by The Nation confirmed that the refusal of the President to meet up with these demands actually accounted for the deadlock at last Friday’s meeting with the NPLF leaders. A top source, who was privy to the talks, spoke in confidence on the grey areas that led to the stalemate. The source said: "The NPLF leaders raised issues bordering on non-respect of commitments and agreements by the President. "They therefore asked the President to enter into a written agreement that he would leave in 2015 and that power would shift to the North in 2015. The Peoples Democratic Party would have to be part of the new power deal. "They even asked him to go the extra mile to make the agreements public through either a press briefing or broadcast before they can give him support. "They said unlike 2002, they want to hold the President and the PDP liable for these new proposals. They hammered on the question of trust. "They said they decided to ask for these so that all Nigerians will be witnesses to history." But it was gathered that Jonathan considered the demands of the NPLF as undemocratic and unrealistic. The President queried the rationale behind 10 to 15 people sitting down to determine what will happen to the nation in 2015. A top aide of the President, who spoke in confidence, said: "It is true that the President said he cannot enter into a bond on 2015. "He said as Nigeria ’s President, the NPLF should be able to trust him as a reliable leader who will always do his best to preserve the unity and stability of the nation. "The President must to abide by the tenets of democracy and allow Nigerians to choose their leaders without fear or favour. The aide quoted the President as saying: "I won’t write any undertaking. Whoever Nigerians want will be the President. Nigerians will decide their next President in 2015. "This is a democracy, if I say this is what Nigerians should do in 2015 and they decide otherwise, will you still say that I must impose your will on them?" The source added that the President told the NPLF leaders that the fact that he initiated the talks presupposed that he wanted the best for the nation in 2011 and 2015. Another factor which might have influenced the President's position was the fact that he had also made the same promise to the Igbo that it would be their turn in 2015 to produce the president. "You can see that the matter poses a big dilemma for Mr. President, so he had to do the most sensible," said a source. As at press time, however, the source claimed that Jonathan is already "bearing his own cross" by making inroad into the North. "With the election fast approaching, the President has gone back to his Plan B since the NPLF is technically not backing Jonathan. "I can assure you that the President has opened discussions with other interest groups and other influential leaders in the North, who are considered as ‘match-makers’ in their own right. It is a kind of divide and rule strategy. "Do not forget that the President, to a great extent, has large following in North-Central, North-East and in some states in the North-West like Zamfara and Sokoto. "Some of the northern governors backing the President too are no push over. You cannot rule out the fact that they will make impact."

Democracy & Desperation

Editors Online — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:03:43 +0000

By Olanrewaju Ajiboye

A building with a defective structure, built on sand, and with poor quality materials will eventually cave in. And this is a truism in the context of Nigeria’s democracy as it relates to the process of peaceful transition from one government to another through elections. Humanity chose Democracy as the most desirable method of governance despite its inherent weaknesses because it provokes conflict and conflict resolution mechanism in the conduct and comportment of a society populated by human beings as against the animal kingdom where the law of the jungle reigns and each animal is on its own. A democracy where campaigns by its political parties and their candidates share the space with unauthorized guns, matchettes, charms, cutlasses, knives and explosives is like a building built on sand with defective structural engineering and substandard building materials. The least culpable of all campaign trains is the president’s entourage and the most culprits are in the president’s party. The president’s campaign entourage is devoid of hooliganism more because it has more than the fair share of security apparatti at its disposal and the president’s party spun the most social misfits out of desperation to forge and force victories at the elections especially those who have failed to impact posisitvely in the lives of the people in the past four years. The recourse to the use of such undesirables stem from the fact that democracy has always been redefined in this clime to mean short-cut to free money, influence, voluptuousness and patronage. It is also a contest between the evil and the good, light and darkness, immorality and morality. Unfortunately, darkness has gained the upper hand in the conglomerate’s chequered history, but presently it is engaged in a fisticuffs with light that is poised to overtake it. The single but significant instrument of war deployed by light is the people; the conviction is that the majority is on their side.Unfortunately, the habitude in favour of the malevolent is the odd against the benevolent; the people are weak, cowardly, submissive, complacent and easily swayed by sophism cloaked in ‘God’s will shall be done’, and yet the Almighty is a not a God in support of falsehood. Therefore, for the Moral Force to thread in the lion’s den of a sinister cabal, they must not only be pro-active in dealing with the cabal, but must beat them to their game in order not to come in harm’s way more especially when the orthodox security are often guilty of being accomplices of the Immoral Force. In this complexity lies the danger for the survival of the conglomerate especially when the Third Force, the judiciary is not fully pro-active, firmly rooted and the vestiges of its integrity being assaulted. In an ideal democracy and that which is probably the intention of those who propounded it, the ultimate power lies with the people, because those they give their mandate to represent them at a larger gathering of others from different parts of the conglomerate presumably would be there for a period of time, and should they be adjudged to have poorly delivered on the mandate, sufferance of the electorate would be between the intervals for elections where such failures can be booted out. However, in our own democracy, these candidates assume a larger than life image and ride rough-shod albeit arrogantly against their employers. And the instrument for doing same is through thuggery, intimidation, assassinations, falsifications and all sorts of satanic antics aimed at forcing themselves on their employers (the electorate). A cheek that is consistently assaulted will either collapse or suffer permanent damages; a people pushed to the wall would be forced to turn around and fight for their survival; a people pushed to hunger are bound to be angry; a system bastardized and pummelled severally is bound to be counter-productive and a polity overheated will in the long run, implode. Since independence, about five generations have been shortchanged, had their hopes dashed and arrogantly stripped of self esteem, and these occurences have made them to rise in unison by wanting to take the bull by the horn in the month of April 2011. The oppressors are reading the mood differently, thinking that it would be business as usual and banking on their hire-lings to fulfil the first leg of their political malfeasance and planning to deploy troops and other instruments of coersion to deal with the aftermath of their evil machinationsin the event that the people chose to protest. These political terrorists are hallucinating and having a wrong perception of what is at stake. They ought to see the early warning signs that signal to the fact that Nigerians are saying ‘ enough is enough’. History is a narrative, it is "a learning by inquiry…", an inquiry into the life of a people, even a society, or a country,or an institution and by inference, a guide to the future. Our past history is good enough to give us a food for thought, and by pretending or ignoring it would be at our own peril. Couple of weeks back, an impostor in the Southwest was on a campaign tour of some interiors of the state he wants to have a second term. He had the longest snake convoy of vehicles. Almost one third of the vehicles in the convoy had armed thugs who were riveting in weed smoking and liquor and displaying their weapons of instant maiming and killing. As it turned out, the electorate who ideally should be persuaded and swayed by benefits of what awaits them if he gets victory ended up being terrified and cowed. If a husband is successful, it rebounds in the wife, likewise if a candidate for election is well accepted, it reflects in the mood of the people visited especially in a rural setting. But as the impostor and his gangsters filed pass the towns and villages in their convoy, the people wore glum looks suggesting a desire for quick exit of the bad rubbish from their soil. Certainly, this character has lost it in a free and fair election, but he definitely is banking on their slogan of "Whether you vote for us or not, we have won". Unfortunately, this is the scenario that runs amok in virtually all the cities, towns and villages where so many people are yearning for a change and the reactionaries are planning to force a status quo. This is the time, a crucial time indeed to let the will of the people prevail and all those who are saddled with the responsibility to save this country should muster enough courage to do what is right. The gains in Nigeria’s indissolubility far outweighs its implosion. Suffice to say that no sacrifice is too much, political gladiators should please allow democracy to operate in the vision of those who propounded it. 　

Little known presidential candidates

Editors Online — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 13:11:35 +0000

By Ini Ekott
The April 9 presidential election which is two weeks away will feature 20 candidates but only a handful seem popular enough, besides the incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, former head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu and current governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau. Yet there are 16 lesser known candidates vying for this job, pursuing a dream that has become somewhat customary for some and symbolic for others. In the 2007 presidential election, there were 22, and 19 in 2003. Nwadike Batos Chikezie (PMP) On the current and probably final list of the Independent National Electoral Commission, published last week, the People Mandate Party will present Nwadike Batos Chikezie as its flag bearer. A former teacher from Anambra state, Mr. Chikezie joined politics in 1989 and served as the Administration Secretary of the defunct Peoples Front of Nigeria in old Imo State. He later moved to then Social Democratic Party (SDP) and contested as the Chairman of Nkwerre Local Government Area. With the return to democracy in 1999, he lost the senatorial elections and later became a Special Adviser to late senate president, Chuba Okadigbo. He contested in the presidential primaries of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2007. Now back on the hustings, Mr. Chikezie said if elected, he will pursue developmental projects and raise workers wage to a minimum of N50,000. Peter Nwangwu (ADC) The African Democratic Congress has Peter Nwangwu, a professor, as its flag bearer. Mr. Nwangwu hails from Anambra State too and besides training in the United States as a chemist and pharmacologist, Mr. Nwangwu wields relatively light political credentials for the highest political office in the country. John Dara (NTP) From the North Central state of Kwara, comes John Dara of the National Transformation Party (NTP). He once served as Special Assistant to the former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Danjuma and is a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party. Ebiti Onoyom Ndok (UNPD) Although three women will be running mates in the presidential contest, only Ebiti Onoyom Ndok from Cross River State is standing as a female candidate for the highest office, sustaining the one-female-in-the-contest convention that has remained since 1999. Representing the United National Party for Development, Mrs. Ndok trained in Nursing, Management, Law and Diplomatic Studies and is the chair of her party, like many of the less known candidates. She campaigns to champion the women agenda of greater participation in leadership and also promises a minimum wage of N50,000. Ndu Yahaya (ARP) Besides the well-known repeated push for the presidency by former military head of state, Mr. Buhari, who has been in the contest since 2003, Ndu Yahaya of the African Renaissance Party is another top ranking contestant if judged by frequency of contest. A lawyer and the chairman of the party, he has sustained his aspiration for years despite successive dismal performance at the polls. His party joined the ruling party, PDP, last week in rejecting the INEC's code of conduct for the approaching elections. He personally described the document as "vexatious and unnecessary". He promises an administration of mass participation if elected. Solomon Akpona (NMDP) Solomon Akpona, is one of four candidates from Delta State seeking the office of the president. He promises to improve the economy, upgrade power and the nation's industrial sector if elected on the platform of the National Majority Democratic Party. Chris Nwaokobia (LPN) Also from Delta State is Chris Nwaokobia of the Liberal Party of Nigeria. One of the youngest in the pack at 40, Mr. Nwaokobia wields more energy as a scholar - having trained as a lawyer and political scientist- than as a politician. The party pledges to attend mostly to education, energy and employment if elected. Christopher Okotie (FP) Renowned Pastor, Christopher Okotie, from Delta State too, returns to the contest in 2011 as a veteran candidate having attempted to win the presidency twice. In 2003, he ran on the platform of Justice Party while in 2007 he represented Fresh Party, where he remains. Mr. Okotie has repeatedly claimed divine directive to seek office. Patrick Utomi (SDMP) Another veteran presidential contestant is prominent economist, Patrick Utomi, who also hails from the South South state of Delta. He ran in 2007. Mr. Utomi has been a lecturer and entrepreneur, and stands as a candidate for the Social Democratic Mega Party. He promises transparency in governance, anchored on a 10-prong strategy for development. Dele Momodu (NCP) One of the newest in the pack is journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, of the National Conscience Party. He played a role in the campaign of the late politician Moshood Abiola, the winner of the annulled 1993 presidential elections. Besides that, he has, relatively, not been active in politics up until now. Rasheed Adewale Shitta-Bey (MPM) Rasheed Adewale Shitta-Bey is a one time member of the House of Representatives during the second republic. He was the former national chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). Mr. Shitta-Bey also led the defunct Mega Summit Movement (MSM), an alliance organised by some members of the opposition political force to oust the ruling PDP in 2011 elections. Some members of the Movement include: former head of state and the Presidential Candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, Mr. Buhari; former secretary to the federal government and the Alliance for Democracy presidential aspirant in 1999 general election, Olu Falae; An Afenifere chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo; and former vice president Atiku Abubakar. Mr. Shitta-Bey who is running on the platform of the Mega Progressive Peoples Party had at a time led the newly founded alliance of opposition parties under the auspices of the Patriotic Electoral Alliance of Nigeria (PEAN). The group had once declared its support for the aspiration of President Jonathan, but the alliance collapsed on the grounds that money was, allegedly, the main object of the group. Mahmud Mudi Waziri He is a West African School Certificate holder who aims to rule Africa's most populous nation. Lawson Igboanugo Aroh Holder of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, Mr. Aroh was the 2007 governorship candidate of the Peoples Progressive Party in Anambra state. He led a group of aspirants that declared their support for the victory of the Peoples' Democratic Party's candidate in that election, Andy Uba. He said, "We hereby endorse the April 14 governorship election in Anambra State and at the same time urge our numerous supporters to seek no violence. While we are not challenging the outcome of the election, we intend to work closely with the PDP-led government to achieve relative peace, security and above all, the human and material progress of the state. "Those who still feel aggrieved about the outcome of the election and their expectations, our advice are that there is another day and we urge them to join the reconciliation team for a better future for the state," he said. The others Running on the platform of the African Political System is Lawrence Makinde Adedoyin, a Mechanical Engineer. Ifeanyichukwu Godswill Nnadi, is the flagbearer of the Better Nigeria Progressive Party, and Albert Ambrose Awuru is of the Hope Democratic Party.

Daniel dares OBJ

Editors Online — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:27:55 +0000

By LEKE ADESERI ABEOKUTA – OGUN STATE Governor Gbenga Daniel, yesterday, challenged former President Olusegun Obasanjo to give him a copy of the petition he reportedly sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, about financial improprieties by his administration. The governor who was speaking at his Asoludero home in Sagamu said: "I heard former President Olusegun Obasanjo has written a petition to the EFCC against our government and we have challenged EFCC to come forward with that petition and they have not. "If he feels strong enough to write a petition against a sitting governor, if he is not a coward, he should be able to copy that governor to say ‘I have written a petition against you and this is a copy of the petition.’ "I can only believe or assume that it is not true. One newspaper reported it and no other paper said anything about it, but because it was speculative and we heard it in the media, we believe that for whatever it is worth, let the Attorney General write to the EFCC so that the copy of the petition can come out. "When we are still here, we can dig out the facts because it is in the public court. It should be brought out for the world to see. At least, as I speak with you, it is still in the speculative and that was why I challenge anybody who had any information about any missing dime of Ogun State to say so publicly. Open administration "Fraud is fraud and if something has gone wrong it has gone wrong. What we run in Ogun State is completely open administration. I think this is part of the deliberate ploy, because most of the time, what people want to believe about public deterrents is the negative. "I don’t want to walk on the street and some one will accuse me of something I know nothing of because someone has written a petition which he is not bold enough to bring forward. "If it’s about the soul of Ogun State, we had a process. In all these, I have faced the opposition for about five to six years, fair enough and in all that, we kept doing our work, hoping that the next process would come out. "This is the beauty of democracy; that if there are issues, you can battle them."

Udoedehe’s popularity soars amid plans for trial in Uyo

Editors Online — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:38:46 +0000

Joseph Jibueze •Senior lawyers condemn arraignment Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State Senator John Udoedehe is likely to be arraigned in Uyo this week over last week’s violence in the state. Udoedehe was charged with treason at a Federal High Court in Abuja after accepting Inspector General of Police Hafiz Ringim’s invitation. But senior lawyers have faulted Udoedehe’s arraignment as unsustainable. "They also argued that the candidate cannot be arraigned for treason when some people committed arson, adding that Udehedehe was not arrested at the scene of the crime. Besides, they said it was wrong to arraign him in Abuja over an offence allegedly committed in Akwa Ibom. Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) said: "We are going to the court tomorrow (today)." He said the court would determine the propriety of Udoedehe’s arrest. The court on Friday turned down the oral application for bail by his lawyers and requested for a written submission today. The ACN candidate’s campaign team came under severe attack in Ikot Ekpene. Nine ACN supporters were shot dead. Scores were injured. The campaign was aborted. The assailants claimed that apart from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), no other party is allowed to campaign in Annang land, with headquarters in Ikot Ekpene. Governor Godswill Akpabio, the PDP candidate, is Annang. After the attack on the AC N team, there was arson in Uyo for which Udoedehe was arrested. The ACN said his detention and arraignment is politically-motivated and called for his release, Following his arrest, Udoedehe’s popularity has soared, even as the ACN has raised the alarm over an alleged plan to arrest his running mate Chief Ime Umana and the ACN state chair, Chief Aniekan Akpan. The plan to arraign Udoedehe in Uyo may suffer a setback as a result of the two-month-old strike by judiciary workers in the state, it was gathered. But the state government, according to sources, is negotiating with the workers to ensure their return. Sources said the state government is now ready to meet their demands, so that they could return to work and facilitate the arraignment of the ACN candidate. Akpan described this move as another "act of desperation by the drowning Akpabio government". Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) said the charge cannot stand because, to him, the facts do not amount to treason. He said the ingredients of the charge are not treasonable, as the accused did not do anything that could be said to be a threat to the Federal Government or the Goodluck Jonathan presidency. "What are the ingredients upon which they concluded that he committed treason? Did he make any attempt to take over power from Jonathan? From what we have read on the facts, the charge cannot stand," he said. The eminent lawyer added that Udoedehe ought to have been charged in Akwa Ibom - if indeed he committed any offence. Fagbohungbe said with the development, politics in Nigeria is being taken to a "ridiculous point". "How did the police arrive at the conclusion that he committed treason? Have they concluded investigation? How many people did they interrogate in so short a time? "I think it is politically-motivated. They charged him with treason, which is not bail-able, in order to keep him in detention. I don’t think the development is good for Nigerian politics," he said. Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) said the charge against Udoedehe was purely politically motivated. He said it was wrong to single out the accused for prosecution, as he could have been killed in the crisis. Ngige said the riot escalated partly because Udoedehe’s supporters got false information that he had been killed. According to him, it was, therefore, partisan on the part of the government to arraign him on a charge of treason when it was a clash between opposing political groups. "It is wrong for the police to take sides in this type of dispute," he said. Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) said Udoedehe’s arraignment is in bad taste. He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to order his immediate release. He said: "It’s unfortunate that the ACN governorship candidate will be arrested and charged at this time when there is intense political electioneering. "It is obvious that what happened was a battle between two political groups. So, why single out and arrest only the ACN candidate? "It is settled law that it is where an alleged offence is committed that the accused will be charged and prosecuted. So, the entire scenario is suspect. "President Jonathan must direct the immediate release of Udoedehe while the Inspector-General of Police should refrain from making hasty conclusions. He should, instead, conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. "I think the ACN candidate’s arrest, charge of treason and detention in Abuja is in bad taste."

STEP DOWN: Ribadu, Shekarau under pressure to quit for Buhari –Kaita, ex-Katsina gov.

Editors Online — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:40:56 +0000

•Says: North ‘ll stop Jonathan From ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina The North will not fold its arms and watch President Goodluck Jonathan complete its remaining term of four years in the presidency. Second Republic governor of Kaduna State, Lawal Kaita, who spoke to Daily Sun in Katsina, said the North remains adamant on zoning and is furious over the handling of this year’s presidential primary of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Kaita says part of the game plan is to get other candidates from the North to step down for General Muhammadu Buhari. His words: "For the first time, you will see that the people of the North have honour. It is just unlike (some) people of the South who have no honour. We entered into agreement with these... "We have come to the general elections where the ordinary people will vote. Have you heard a Katsina man shouting ‘Sai Jonathan?’ You can never hear it." Kaita, who is a close associate of the erstwhile consensus presidential candidate of the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, said the North has remained unhappy following the decision of President Jonathan to contest 2011 election, contrary to his agreement with the North. "That is why we are going to the election with everybody drawing his sword. You don’t know what is going to happen at the election. Only God knows how many people will die. We don’t pray for anything but you, as a journalist, knows how hot the country is," Kaita, 78, stated. He also revealed that the North is likely to throw its weight behind the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive change (CPC) and former Head of State, Major-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), in the April 9 poll. The highly respected septuagenarian who spoke on several issues however, said that Atiku may have put the forthcoming presidential election behind him for now. Excerpts: You were conspicuously absent at the PDP presidential rally in Katsina. Are you still opposed to President Jonathan’s ambition? I don’t believe in him being the next president; I believe this, the (2011) presidency is the turn of the North. I believe this should be a Northerner’s turn, not a Southerner’s. I am not against Jonathan as a person; as a principle, I don’t welcome him. The presidential election is around the corner, but many do not know what your close associate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has up his sleeves. What are his plans? Leave Atiku alone as far as this election is concerned. We are talking of three weeks to election now, what can he do with that? The PDP has rigged him out, what else can he do? Sir, the coming elections promise to be of great expectations. Do you think it is better for the North to support PDP in the presidency? No! You see, we are fighting based on principle, it is not for something to eat; When you are fighting on principle like this, there is no reason for us to succumb or give up the fight. We will fight up to the day the election is held. We still want a Northerner to be the President; it doesn’t matter whether it is Atiku or not. There are reported moves for the North to field a consensus candidate outside the PDP. What are the chances of such moves? The negotiation is still on with Buhari, Shekarau and Nuhu Ridadu. If they fail to reach a consensus, do you think any of them can defeat Jonathan? It is going to be difficult for any of them to beat Jonathan as an individual, we agree, that is why we are fighting desperately for these people to come together; at least, for one of them to concede so that we can have our forces behind him (the consensus candidate). What are the chances of such effort coming to fruition? We will meet with the three of them. On what platform are you meeting with them? On PDP platform, I can say we are trying; we are pushing them, we have asked Emirs and chiefs to join hands with us to get all the votes of the North together. That is what we are doing; getting our votes together, which is several millions above the votes of the South. With the support Jonathan has garnered, will it not be virtually impossible for any group or individual to stop him in the April 9 poll? What support? What endorsement has he garnered in the North? He has come to Katsina, you were at the rally ground, his crowd was less than that of Lado Danmarke (governorship candidate of the CPC in Katsina State). And in any case, when people go to rallies, more than 50 to 60 per cent are paid agents. People were given N2,000 to come to his (Jonathan’s) rally but they will collect his N2,000 and vote for a Northerner. I assure you, Nigerians will see a shock election of their lives. These people you have seen in his rally will take his N2,000 and will vote for the candidate of their choice. You expressed the same confidence ahead PDP presidential primary, but we saw the power of incumbency at play against your candidate? This is a world of difference. When the power of incumbency was at play, it was only a handful of people involved. In Katsina, there were about 200 to 300 people (delegates) whom the governor or government could corner or tie them up; they were all appointed anyway; about 90 per cent were appointed. I know here in Katsina a day before the election, about 18 national delegates were changed, and these were chairmen of local governments and so forth. They could be removed overnight; they know it and none of them was allowed to fill the name of the candidates he likes. The forms were filled and given to them. Ahead the NPLF’s meeting with Buhari, Ribadu and Shekarau, who among them is your favourite? If I have the opportunity, I will support Buhari, he is the one that definitely has the chance to win. Even now, he has an equal chance as Jonathan. Do you entertain the fear that some of the Northern presidential candidates are being influenced by PDP to remain in the race? How can they be influenced? They have never been in PDP any way. Shekarau was never in PDP, he is a governor in All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). Nuhu Ribadu is a new comer; he was never in PDP. Why should I fear that PDP will influence them; because PDP has money or what? The concern is that the plan would be aimed at splitting northerners’ votes. How do you see such fear? That is what some people say, but what is likely to happen is that for the first time you will see that the people of the North have honour. It is just unlike the people of the South, who have no honour. We entered into agreement with these… (Cuts in) Many Northerners are equally supporting Jonathan… (Cuts in) Hold it, that was for the purpose of the primaries. We have come to the general elections where ordinary person will now vote. Have you heard a Katsina man shouting: "Sai Jonathan?" You will never hear it. Even if a Katsina man says "sai Shema" hundred times, he will never say: "Sai Jonathan." So, you people will be shocked over the (presidential) election outcome. Are you confident that there will be free and fair elections? Yes, I believe there will be free and fair elections. I believe Prof. Jega had been quite honest and decent; I trust him, I reason with him. What is your message to President Jonathan? He should not have contested in the first place. It is his intention to contest that has brought all these confusion. After all, Obasanjo contested yet, we Northerners gave him our votes to win, even though he is a Christian and a Yoruba man. So, it is the dishonour, the dishonourable action of people that has brought the whole of this country into confusion. That is why we are going to the elections with everybody drawing his sword. You don’t know what is going to happen on that Election Day; only God knows how many people will die. We don’t pray for anything but you, as a journalist, know how hot the country is. It is simply because of a dishonourable act. Obasanjo has done his two terms and Umaru did one term before he died, but Jonathan from the South wants the other term again. It is honourable for him to say he won’t contest again and there will be no quarrel. Why are you rooting for Buhari? I am not saying Buhari is better than Shekarau or he is better than Nuhu Ribadu. What I am saying is he looks set to be the best person to challenge PDP and Jonathan. So, giving him the consensus help will simply facilitate his victory. It is not that he is better than any of the other two contenders, but he has a better structure and a better followership than the others. On individual basis, none of them has more followership than Buhari . I am Atiku’s man; 100 per cent, but I know the support for Buhari among ordinary people. Is he doing enough to maximize the goodwill of the people? Yes, he is everywhere. He has been to Port Harcourt, Katsina, everywhere. What can he do? He hasn’t got government’s money or machines but he is trying.

INEC guide to elections

Editors Online — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:47:19 +0000

March 30, 2011 12:53PM Four days to the National Assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission on its Twittter post said it is ready to ensure free and fair elections in Nigeria, urging voters to go out and exercise their rights. It urged that incidents and developments during the elections be reported to the Twittter platform called @inecnigeria. The commission listed the procedure for ensuring a successful voting activity: >>Take your Voter’s Card to the polling unit where you registered recently to be accredited between 8am-12noon. >>During the accreditation stage, an appropriate finger of your left hand will be marked with indelible ink as proof of accreditation. >>Anyone who fails to join the queue by 12 noon when the poll orderly stands behind the last person will not be eligible for accreditation, but whoever is already waiting in the queue before 12:00 noon will get accredited no matter the time. >>Please note that anyone without his/her Voter’s Card has no business going near the polling centre as he/she will not be accredited. >>After your accreditation, you must be back on the queue at 12:30 p.m. for another head count of accredited voters who show up to vote. >>There will be a head count, and the number of accredited voters will be announced loudly by the Presiding Officer to all present. >>Anyone who shows up after the head count is taken will not be allowed to join the queue, though he/she may have been earlier accredited. >>During the voting process, after the polling officials have verified your accreditation, appropriate finger of your right hand will be marked with indelible ink as proof of your having shown up to vote. >>Thereafter, you will be issued with ballot papers signed, stamped and dated appropriately by the Presiding Officer. >>On getting the ballot paper, you’ll move to the voting cubicle compartment to fingerprint the space for the party candidate of your choice >>You’ll then return into the open and proceed to drop the ballot in the transparent Ballot Box provided. >>Please note that Voting closes for each polling unit when the last person on the queue votes. >>After voting, you may remain at the polling unit until the votes are sorted, counted and the tally announced by the Presiding Officer. >>You must conduct yourself in a peaceful and orderly manner if you choose to stay behind and await the tally. >>Adequate provisions have been made by INEC to enable physically challenged persons to exercise their franchise. >>Please note that proxy voting will on no account be allowed. >>INEC’s Blackberry PIN released: 2687A1CA INEC releases hotlines for complaints March 31, 2011 03:38AM In its quests to ensure that the rights of all Nigerians who come out to vote in the Saturday April 2 election exercise are unhindered, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in its tweeter page, has announced that physically challenged persons are entitled to have someone assist them in voting. The commission also released mobile phone lines through which all SMS reports could be sent and acted upon. It urged complainants to send such text messages to 0816 666 2222 or Call 0707-027-3671 to 9."Do not forget to add time and voting location along with the incidence report. To enable INEC respond promptly, reports should reflect details such as location, time, and action involved in the incident," it states. The commission, however, states its resolve to decentralise voting in polling units with large number of registrants in a way that all voting points shall cater for not more than 300 voters each. In order to achieve this, it states that, "any polling units with more than 300 voters will be sub-divided into voting points for ease of accreditation and balloting," claiming that "the present leadership of INEC has pledged to observe the law in strict terms, and to leave no room for any official violating the law."

Ogun governor faces expulsion from PDP

Editors Online — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:48:32 +0000

By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel may soon be expelled from the Ogun State Chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party{PDP}, following his recent description of the party which brought him into limelight as shadow of its old self, some party leaders hinted at the weekend. Mr. Daniel,who doubles as the South-West Coordinator of the Goodluck Jonathan/ Namadi Sambo presidential campaign, said at Ijebu-Ode last week that he would not work for the success of the party at the state level during the poll. Stating that the crisis within the PDP in the state had made it derail from the ideals upon which it was founded, the outgoing governor said he would rather support and work for the success of Peoples Party of Nigeria {PPN} rather than work for his original ruling party. Most of his supporters, including his chosen candidates for elective positions, have already moved to the PPN after they could not secure the candidacy of the PDP. "The PDP that you hear about in Ogun State has become a shadow of itself and, as somebody well brought up, there is no way I can afford to support PDP in the state," Mr Daniel said. A source said yesterday that following this comment, the leadership of the PDP in the state, at the weekend met to discuss the governor's ‘anti-party activities,' which they felt must not just be swept under the carpet. Hence, a move to discipline the governor is said to be in the offing. The source said the party leadership was of the view that it cannot continue to condone the action of Daniel, which they felt was contrary to the party's constitution. "His comment and recent actions are insulting to the party, we knew he had being deceiving himself, asking his so-called supporters to move to the unknown Peoples Party of Nigeria {PPN}, while at the same time claiming to be member of our party,' the PDP leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated. "He is a wounded lion who will want everything destroyed before being finally worn out. We have been managing him diplomatically and he has finally paved his way for his final exit from our party with his opening up that he would work for the opposition party." Court worries In a related development, the PPN has alleged a plot by the PDP to employ the court to deny it{PPN} the opportunity to contest elections in the state. The PDP governorship candidate, Tunji Olurin, last week went to court to challenge the candidacy of the PPN governorship candidate, Gboyega Isiaka. "We hereby alert the citizens of Ogun State and the generality of Nigerians about the grand plot by the elements who have hijacked the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Ogun State, to precipitate a major crisis prior to the April 2011 elections,' Raheem Ajayi, the party's spokesperson said. "Their new game plan is to return to the Court ... to grant them an injunction stopping the candidates of the Peoples Party of Nigeria, especially the gubernatorial flag bearer, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka from running in the election on spurious allegation. This is not only condemnable, but an usurpation of the functions of the Independent National Electoral Commission and also an infraction of the rights of the PPN under the electoral law to present its duly nominated candidates for election."

Time To Destroy The Nigerian Temple?

Editors Online — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:01:36 +0000

By Okey Ndibe

I have long nursed a profound disquiet about the prospects and direction of Nigeria, but two recent encounters have crystallized for me the particular shape and depth of the country’s malaise. One was an e-mail exchange with a friend who now lives and teaches in South Africa. Irked by my column last week, with its prescription that security vote and immunity be erased from the Nigerian constitution, this friend wrote me a sharp letter. He reminded me that I – like other Nigerians – had made no input in the current constitution. The constitution was basically imposed on the rest of us by the Abdulsalami Abubakar regime. Then he asked: "How can you in all conscience expect that what you never had a say in…you'll have a say in expunging something from it?" This friend and I have had a history of sparring over Nigeria. He often accuses me of taking a failed entity seriously, much like a man who unduly obsesses over a corpse. As for him, he no longer worries about Nigeria, a country he’s written off as a bad job. Yet, he was not always a skeptic. He was an activist in his student days at the University of Nigeria, and invested a great deal of time and other resources in the struggle to actualize the June 12, 1993 elections. It was something about that struggle that finally pushed him over the edge, made Nigeria a bankrupt idea for him, a nation that left a bitter taste in his mouth. Left to him, I should stop commenting on Nigeria altogether. The country’s prospects are dim, at best. Like this friend, I find Nigeria consistently exasperating. Unlike him, I retain, I confess, some residual faith in the redemption of Nigeria’s promise. As bleak as Nigeria appears to me, as forlorn as the landscape is, I am stubborn in believing that the country has never lost its capacity for regeneration. Nigeria is both a nation in dire straits and a polity on the cusp, perpetually, of achieving its dreams. That conviction explains the commitment I made in 1999 to write a weekly column focusing (more or less exclusively) on Nigeria. It’s been far from an exhilarating journey. Some of my friends joke that my profusion of gray hair bespeaks the harsh, painful life of one who has chosen to chronicle a disaster-in-progress. My friend is hard put to it to grasp why I bother. In our recent exchanges, he queried why I was lending credibility to Nigeria and its ostensible constitution as well as the April elections. His prescription? "We must instead emphasize [the constitution’s] illegitimacy, which is also the basis of why it’s roundly full of blatant corruption-spawning clauses. To say otherwise is akin to conferring legitimacy to it, and by so doing undermining your essence as a citizen. In which case, you're a subject, whose lot is to whimper, at the most." Then he ended by restating an old rebuke: "I keep telling you…to desist from engaging Nigeria as a given." There is, one must admit, something that strikes a chord in that reprimand. The givenness of Nigeria is suspect. Indeed, I have never viewed Nigeria as a sacrosanct idea, or a settled question. Nor – to balance the sheet – do I subscribe to the omnibus idea that the answer to Nigeria’s troubles lies in dividing up the space into separate nations corresponding to ethnic or other lines. The case for balkanization is often pushed by partisans who contend, rather lazily and with little or no proof, that virtue inherently resides in the DNA of their ethnic stock. There’s nothing in Nigeria’s history to sustain the idea that any one ethnic group has demonstrated an impressive and sagacious outlook in the management of their affairs. So, why would one care to narrate the story of a fallen edifice? Part of the reason is my belief that the intellectual, moral and technical capital exists among Nigerians to rebuild their crashed structure. Yes, Nigeria is a paradox, a nation of highly talented people who have been hijacked by some of the most contemptible mediocrities to walk the face of the earth. It’s a country in which convicts assume governorship and other exalted offices Still, Nigeria’s desultory narratives exist side by side with countervailing glimmers of hope. Think about all the Nigerians who are celebrated in the world for being outstanding writers, extraordinary physicians, leading researchers and scientists, excellent musicians, successful entrepreneurs and magnificent teachers. These are resources the nation can husband and enlist in the task of rebuilding itself. And then there’s the evidence that things are getting better – however slightly. Nobody expects this year’s elections to approach the scale of impunity of the 2007 season, when the ruling party, led by the ever shameless Obasanjo, stole any legislative seat or state capital it fancied – and then counted on some compliant, grubby judges to validate their fraud. Nigerians can’t see on the horizon any "godfathers" with the impudent airs of a Lamidi Adedibu, who openly demanded that a state governor split the security vote with him, or Chris Uba, who would breathe fire when a governor he considered a political godson defied his orders. The evidence is that Nigeria is evolving politically. But – in the nature of evolutions – the changes are slow, often imperceptible, sometimes too negligible, and easy to miss. Yet, Nigerians want to see the pace of change in their comatose country dramatically accelerated. Besides, even as Nigerian politicians are forced to drop some horrible habits, their diabolical dexterity enables them to acquire new, equally terrible – sometimes worse – habits. One of the new tricks this election season is for governors, often with the collusion of commissioners of police, to declare their states off-limits as campaign turfs to opposition candidates. Such illicit efforts to cripple the opposition has led to disturbing violence in Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Oyo, Plateau, and other states. The frustratingly slow pace of progress brings me to my second recent encounter, this time a lengthy interview Pat Utomi gave to a Nigerian newspaper. Mr. Utomi is an American-educated well-known professor, businessman, writer, and presidential candidate. Mr. Utomi has never been accused of being a gadfly, nor seen as one who speaks flippantly, uttering intemperate opinion to shock or awe. If anything, some view him as a consummate insider, a young man with a mastery of the ins and outs of the corridors and rooms of power. Now, when a man of such prudent temperament begins to despair of the direction of the polity, then we better pay attention. In the interview, Mr. Utomi spoke with the directness of an Old Testament prophet. "Sometimes," he said, "our elders, politicians and so-called business leaders either don’t get it or pretend not to, but it’s going to catch up with all of us very soon." After drawing salient examples from Brazil, where political leaders are held accountable, he turned to Nigeria. "The Jonathan government," he said, "has crippled the Nigerian government. All the public resources of our country are being used to prosecute private personal political campaign of the PDP. The state governors have pillaged the treasuries to advance their political interest." Utomi continued: "Now I see people who are coming out of prison for criminal offence being celebrated on live television as if they were war heroes, and I definitely knew something was wrong with the heart and soul of my country. Values shape human progress. If we have gotten that wrong, progress can’t take place." He then prescribed something that struck me as both radical and commonsensical. "We have to bring this system down completely and rebuild…Destroy it…Crash the whole thing. It is not working for Nigeria, it will not work for Nigeria." To buttress his case, he asked, "Show me one road that has been completed in Nigeria in 12 years. One road. The dualization of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway? One Canadian diplomat was coming to a meeting with the Concerned Professionals and other civil society groups three years ago and he had gone to speak to some group in Ibadan. When he arrived the meeting, he said that driving on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway is a violation of the fundamental human rights of all those who travel on it." Utomi’s pronouncements capture the pressing challenge before Nigerians. He depicts how thoroughly misshapen Nigeria is, but holds on to some implicit hope. Properly understood, he’s asking that we think beyond the ritual of the April elections. We must get over the distraction of these elections in order to begin contemplating what to do with the burden that our nation has become. Okey Ndibe (okeyndibe@gmail.com) 　

Hold Jonathan responsible if polls are rigged – Buhari

Editors Online — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:08:44 +0000

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM
*Challenge of credible election, a task for all Nigerians-Oshiomhole BENIN CITY - AS the much awaited general elections kicked off this weekend, former Head of State and Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), yesterday, called on Nigerians to hold President Goodluck Jonathan responsible if the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, failed to conduct free and fair elections. He recalled that President Jonathan had pledged before the international community that the legacy he would want to leave before Nigerians was to conduct free and fair election. Buhari stated this yesterday at Government House, Benin when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State as part of his presidential campaign activities in the state. He was accompanied by the national chairman of the party, Prince Tony Momoh; his running mate, Pastor Tunde Bakare and his wife; the state chairman of the party, Godwin Erahon and other national leaders of the party. According to him, "we are so much pressed for time and space because we are a new party … but the important thing for us now is what our boss, Mr President, said in his first outing when he met the President of the United States, President Barack Obama and on his second outing again in the United Nations where he said if there is one thing he would like to do is to conduct a free and fair election. "The CPC is holding him to that but all the same, we are not absolutely sitting down, we are mobilising all our supporters and indeed all Nigerians that this time around, they must insist that their votes count, there is nothing wrong with that and we are very pleased about that." He assured Nigerians that his administration would address the challenges of education, healthcare delivery and create job opportunities for Nigerians. Oshiomhole on challenge of credible election Responding, Gov. Oshiomhole said the challenge of credible election was a task for all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation. "We need to create an enabling environment which is a condition precedent to the much talked about commitment to one man one vote. For one man one vote to take place, voters must know what the issues are and they must know the candidates and, therefore, governments— federal, states and local government— have a responsibility if one man one vote will be a reality, to be seen beyond rhetoric to allow all candidates without any hindrance to go to any part of the country to present their case and to carry out imparting of ideas between candidates of various parties at all levels,"he said. Oshiomhole narrated that "in Edo State, we are proud of what we have been able to do, namely, that every candidate is welcomed here and we must have equal access to the print and to the electronic media including government-owned media. Every minute they allocate to one party, an equal time must be allocated to other parties."

If I become President... Ah! ‘Gongo Aso’!

Editors Online — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:51:33 +0000

Written by Ola Onikoyi, Jr. Gongo Aso! Not simply because it is President Onikoyi on the country’s number hot throne but because President Onikoyi ‘him body dey hot’ – ‘him dey hot’ because - for far too long - the fire of positive change have been quenched with the dirty water of politics. President Onikoyi ‘body dey hot’ because basic expectations, common sense and fair politics have been marooned in the complex labyrinth of incompetence. Him body dey hot because of the gargantuan backlog of work that is required to bring sanity into an economy that is on a continuous downward spiral. Ah! President Onikoyi ‘body dey hot well well’ because too often – the sound heard is too whining. It is the whining of our cancerous, filthy and unabashed culture. A dirty culture of treachery, ineptitude, impunity and insanity. Yes! It is not only the problem of our leaders. Take it or leave it - it is simply the core of ‘Nigerianess’. For President Onikoyi, the solution to all these insanity is not to be found in the dead end of planet URANUS or in a complex rocket science that is yet to be explored. The solution simply lies in serious competence and the effective deployment of resources. Maybe I’m fantasizing like Charly in the Chocolate Factory. But! If I become President; Ah! Gongo Aso. Fantasy aside! Have you ever aspired becoming the president of Nigeria someday? Damn! The task is enormous. Ask the CEO of a small organisation and he’ll tell you that effective leadership is not child’s play. It is tremendously challenging, crazy, daring and often dispiriting. Although it can sometimes be rewarding, strengthening and inspiring, but is it really worth the onions? Let’s ask President Jonathan if all the 5 star treatment, exposure, executive remuneration, presidential jet, networking and stealth compensation can pay off the stress, dedication, time, commitment, loss and efforts. As Abraham Lincoln once said; may be it’s not about what one trades off but about service, passion for development, commitment to excellence, hunger for change and the spirit of comradeship. But wait! If you become the president of Nigeria by good will or good luck someday - what would you do? What legacy would you leave behind? What impact would you make? What change would you inspire? And how many innocent lives would you turn around for good. As many would say; "we will cross the bridge when we get there". But Hey ! - A strategic thinker crosses the bridge ever before seeing it and so does a future leader think, reason and reflect. That is called strategic vision and foresight. After-all, Theodore Hesburg once said: "the very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet".That is exactly part of our problems. Too many uncertain trumpets blown in government houses and across all helms of affairs. Now for real, if I become president. My first three months will be dedicated to summoning directors and permanent secretaries in all ministries to submit all previously unimplemented white papers in the last five years from their respective ministries. My appointed committees and executive council will be given the serious duty of implementing some of those white papers after serious examination, critique and thorough evaluation. (For example; the Uwais Electoral Report will be reviewed in full, amended if possible and implemented without wasting time). My first three months as President will also be dedicated to proffering sensible short term solutions to immediate problems. From my fourth month. All my ministers, advisers, directors and key personnel would be given targets and goals which must be met at specific periods in time. As the Chief Executive, not meeting my set target means you don’t simply belong to my team. Bang! You are fired! Within 6 months, I will trim down government by digitalising and implementing serious monetization policy. Yes! It isn’t healthy contributing to the scale of current unemployment, but equally, it isn’t sensible spending 40% of government revenue to service and maintain staff. By cutting down staff and digitising all government agencies, I’m going to target saving at least 10% of yearly budget on recurrent expenditure. By so doing, I can increase capital expenditure on yearly budgets, increase government efficiency and response time while eliminating bureaucracy, red tapes and corruption? In my first 3 months in office. I will propose an emergency 1 trillion naira economic stimulus package which will be taken partly from the country’s windfall from continuous oil price hike as well as through issuance of FG bonds. As a possible consequence, I will monitor inflation rates and deploy fiscal policies to ensure that at no time will it be more than 9% in our first year. Of my 1 trillion naira bailout package, I will instantly allocate 150 billion to creating at least 5 million jobs in my first year. The 150 billion will be called "The Enterprise Fund" and it will be given as 0% interest rate loans over a long term period to Nigerians across all 36 states to start and grow their own businesses. To support the long term loan, I will launch at least 2 Enterprise Parks across each 36 states of the country which would contain workshops where all kinds of equipment and facility will be available for welders, mechanics, carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, ‘Agbepo’s’, etc. to complete the complex part of their jobs in case they cannot afford their own facility or have no access to the needed equipment or technology. The Enterprise Parks will also contain offices with state of the art technological infrastructure to support white collar small business starters. For every business financed. An effective mentoring and monitoring team will be commissioned to mentor and monitor their performances and direct them in the right ways. The advantage of the Enterprise Project is that within 1 year each business on average will create another 3 direct businesses and another 2 in the indirect supply chain – making it altogether 5. More so, it will be a great opportunity for Nigerian folks to achieve their own dreams and put their talents into use, it will also be a way of kick starting economic growth and mopping up the sorry state of unemployment instantly. Through the Enterprise Scheme, we will also facilitate creativity and drive originality of Nigerian thinking. Apart from the Enterprise Project – I will immediately go into partnership with the private sector to create six modern and gigantic food production projects across the country. The project will cost a rough amount of 250 billion and will be called the "Food and Agricultural Park". It will focus on processing, packaging and distribution of all sorts of foods whose raw materials will be sourced from Nigeria’s Agricultural production. The aim of the project is to immediately make the prices of food significantly drop down, bridge seasonal gaps, create new jobs and contribute to infrastructural development. The government will sell its shares of the Parks to the Nigerian public after 2 years of conscientious and effective operation after which, at least 50 thousand jobs would have been created from production to the supply and the value chain. I would also ensure that through the project and others associated with it. Food prices see a decline of nearly 20% in my first year. Now I have just N600 billion left of my economic bailout package. It’s one year and I have only created less than 6 million jobs. The fact is; no matter how much jobs that I have created, how much infratructure I have established and how much unemployment that I have mopped up. without light. "All Na Yeye"! So it’s time to visit Europe. In partnership and negotiation with the Germans - within 6 months, I am deploying 2 thousand pieces of 5 megawatt stand alone wind turbines across strategic areas in Nigeria. As I’m not paying for this equipment at one go. I’m spreading the cost over years that is agreed with the manufacturers and technical consultants – Nevertheless, I will invest 200 billion naira in the initial phase. 2,000 wind turbines at 5 megawatts each will generate 10,000 MW and will be installed within one year to work at full capacity. With another 100 billion naira, I will complete installation, and commission a very effective monitoring and maintenance agency while rehabilitating the national grid for effective power distribution. Under one year, I will distribute 17,000 MW inclusive of existing 4,000 of previous government and another 3,000 which will be generated through the rehabilitation of other existing sources. Within one year, I will facilitate policies and support the private sector into the generation of cheap, clean and green energy. Emphasis will be placed on the cleanness and Greeness of energy so that we can ensure environemental sustainability and attract modern technologies into a nation that is already crying of old and archaic technologies. I will also support state power projects where each state can build its own infrastructure, generate and distribute its own electricity independent of the FG. With my N300 billion naira of stimulus package left, I will partner with local and foreign estate developers and investors to build 1 million homes across all states within 2 years. With only an average budget of 150 billion, all homes will be sold between 2-4 million and not one single person will be required to pay more than 15% of the total cost before granted access to owing a home. This will be guaranteed through a prearranged mortgage system with financial institutions where not more than 25% of citizen’s monthly income will be spent on mortgage payment. In addition to the housing scheme, I will immediately use about 100 billion to create quick infrastructure that will make it easy to invite, support and make every thing possible and attractive for foreign manufacturers abroad from automobile to sewing machines, apparel etc to locate to Nigeria, produce their goods and employ Nigerians across their operations. I will grant them huge tax relief for at least 4 years, speedily process all their applications and support them through policies, as well as government information and infrastructural access. I will also use men and women who are in the NYSC to attract investors by placing them to work directly for private large manufacturers who relocates to Nigeria while I (the FG) pays a certain percentage of their salaries for the first to second year of employment. These will be done through the creation of the FG Tax Free Zones and Industrial Gateway in partnership with the private sector. If I spend 10 billion on NYSC salaries in the first year, I would expect to keep my graduates in Job for a long time and at the same time kick start industrialization, create more jobs, improve infrastructure and earn more money from the manufacturers through staff’s income tax and other means. As part of my emergency policies, I will within 6 months make it possible for a new business to be incorporated in Nigeria within 5 hours. Make all taxes, VAT and revenues payable online and make all government revenues and expenditure be published every week and shown in its online gateway. I will also make all contracts, bidding and procurement of every ministry and agency be published publcly and updated week in week out. As a free market oriented President - I hate high interest rates and will work tirelessly to keep it down to less than 8% in my first 2 years and this will be made possible by my stimulus package and other key fiscal policies. It is a simple ‘Keynesian Fiscal Thinking’ for those who know that; high liquidity can drive low interest rates. To further achieve this, all local Nigerian banks will be made to be in custody of distributing the stimulus fund in partnership with the CBN of course. In addition, all financial institutions, capital market, investors, stock brokers and stakeholders in our economic and financial world will be summoned, wooed and incentivised with other government ‘carrots’ to ensure that for a consistent period of time their internal policies and expectations are geared to function with new low interest rate policy. Under one year, I will launch Nigeria’s GIS and Mapping Project for every streets, nooks and crannies to be shown on the geographical information map so as to effectively allocate resources and make planning better. With less than 1 billion, I will also create a special audit team, who will be equipped with the most cutting of the edge technologies, training and knowledge to adequately monitor the effectiveness of all government projects across the country. While, there is an existing body for these. I will constitutionally reconstitute such body in a fresh, sensible and effective way. Ministers, directors or staff who fails to deliver according to target or according to set framework will be immediately relieved of their position. List of possible competent ministers and directors will be on the waiting list; therefore anyone who messes up will be immediately replaced. My Government will merge the ICPC and the EFCC together, make it more powerful and function better with better people, training, technology and infrastructure. I will also set up a serious commission to probe all past governments to account for previous financial misappropriations. All things been equal, all my projects as President except the housing scheme will be achieved in less than a year. Hey! It is always easier said than done but the fact is that none of them is rocket science. All the technology, people, fund, idea and concept already exist. The next and the right step is simply to merge resources together for common good. Nigerians simply don’t deserve the current state of poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment which is currently faced. Haba! This is a country where the basic needs of life should never be a problem. I think it simply boils down to the quality, thinking and exposure of those who are placed at the helm of affairs. So who say’s our main problem is not leadership? However, as bad, dilapidated, impoverished, corrupt and unserious as it all seem today, what we need is simply that sensible, competent and effective leader who will make sure that once he’s there. Gongo So! Under the ruler-ship of competent hands, we can grow at the speed of light and within a very short period of time and that is the thinking of many economic theories which I know. The ‘neopatrimonial model of governance’ is an example. It is a model which sees positive development as one which does not necessarily require an excellent government in state, but simply ‘ a good enough governance’. For me, that is exactly what Nigeria needs. An effective, transparent, simple and competent govenance. Yea! we use to clamor for transformational leadership, but the neopatrimonial model says no. All we need is that simple governance structure where every governor, minister, Chairman and President will not take their work for play. Nigeria is bleeding and its bleed is a serious hunger for that type of governance structure where for example we will have: A Mr President who can be good enough to move teams, assertive enough to say no and confident enough to inspire change. A simple and incorruptible leader who can stand his foot and allocate resources competently and efficiently to solve problems pronto! Do we have good enough leaders in Nigeria today? Would you not rather vote Onikoyi for President? Ah! If I become president...omo.... Gongo Aso! Let's wait and see... olaonikoyijr@yahoo.com

Udoedehe: treason charge political

Editors Online — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:27:55 +0000

Kamarudeen Ogundele

DETAINED Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Akwa Ibom governorship candidate John Akpanudoedehe yesterday accused Police chief Hafiz Ringim of conniving with Governor Godswill Akpabio to keep him in the cooler. The treason charge against him is politically motivated, designed to prevent him from contesting the election, he said. He said the Police, on Ringim’s authority, last October, searched his homes in Uyo, the state capital and in Abuja over a phantom murder allegation. Nothing incriminating was found, he said. Akpanudoedehe spoke through his counsel, Mr. Kola Awodehin (SAN), who led Mr. Ricky Tarfa (SAN), Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and 11 other lawyers at the hearing of his bail application. The former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was arraigned on a four-count charge of criminal conspiracy to commit treason before Justice Adamu Bello last Friday, after accepting Ringim’s invitation. Outside the court room, some youths were protesting, demanding the candidate’s unconditional release. They carried placards abusing Governor Akapabio and others with various inscriptions such as "Akwa Ibom is for ACN"; PDP is dead in Akwa Ibom"; and Governor Akpabio stay clear of Senator Akpanudoedehe". The ACN campaign train on March 22 came under attack in Ikot Ekpene, Akpabio’s senatorial district. Nine ACN supporters were shot dead; scores were injured. The campaign was aborted. The attack, it was learnt, followed a decision that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was allowed to campaign in Annang land, with headquarters in Ikot Ekpene, where Akpabio hails from. The attack provoked a protest in Uyo where a mob burnt vehicles. ACN sympathisers were accused of the arson. The Police accused Akpanudoedehe of levying war against the state, with intent to intimidate or overawe the governor. But his lawyer told the court that the Police have no proof against Akpanudoedehe. Moving the bail application brought pursuant to Sections 6, 35(4)(A)&(B) and 36(1)&(5) of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 118, 119 and 123 of the Criminal Procedure Act and the inherent jurisdiction of the court, Awodehin said the charge had no connection with his client in respect of the political unrest. "As a matter of fact, the Applicant was charged before this honourable court without any proof of evidence, the process which is similar to the barbaric principle of Holding Charge which is merely meant to keep him in detention, pending when his election would have been concluded," he said. On claims that the Police were still investigating the matter, the counsel said the Prosecution had failed woefully to show cause why bail should be refused. He referred to the case of Johnson v. Lufadeju (2002), 8NWLR (Pt.768) 192 paragraph D-F, where the court held that "before an accused is brought before the court, it should be assumed that the case is ripe for hearing, not for further investigation. He must not be there on mere suspicion, which cannot be regarded as reasonable suspicion under Section 35 of the Constitution. If there can be no sensible and prima facie inferences that can be drawn that an offence has been committed, then, the accused cannot be deprived of his liberty even for a second. There cannot be a ‘holding charge’ hanging over an accused, if investigations into the case against him have not been concluded". Awodehin recalled that Justice Aladetoyinbo of an Abuja High Court had on March 23, granted an order of injunction restraining the Inspector General of Police from harassing the applicant. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria wondered why the Police ordered to provide adequate security and an enabling political environment to Akpanudoedehe are now the one victimising him, in the face of a subsisting order of the court. He told the court that the applicant suffers from Polyuria, polydypsia and blurring vision with fasting blood sugar of 200/12 MMHG ailment and constantly needs medication, adding that his client had been denied access to his medication and regular contact with his doctor at Wuse General Hospital, Abuja and the United States. Awodehin urged the court to take judicial notice that the Applicant is a two-time elected Senator, former FCT Minister of State, former Uyo Local Government Chairman and a former Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Potiskum, Yobe State and that he has no criminal records. He assured the court that Akpanudoedehe would not interfere with the investigation by the police, would not commit any crime, would not jump bail and would be available for trial - if he is granted bail Opposing the application, the prosecution counsel, Mr. R.E. Nkem, urged the court to consider the gravity of the alleged offence, which is punishable by death. Stressing the need to deny Akpanudoedehe bail, Nkem said there were other cases of arson and murder still being investigated by the police. Replying on point of law, Awodehin urged the court to discountenance Nkem’s submission. He argued that the mere fact that an accused is charged with treason is not enough to deny him bail. Citing a Supreme Court decision delivered by Justice Niki Toby (rtd), Awodehin maintained that the only way an accused could be denied bail is when the prosecutor attaches the proof of evidence. "Election is a few days away; they just want to keep him away for political reasons," he told the court. Justice Bello adjourned the matter till tomorrow for ruling on bail application. Lagos activist, Richard Akinnola condemned the arrest and trial of Akpanudoedehe’s lawyer. In a statement, he said: "The arrest of Francis Affanga after appearing on a Channels Television programme and subsequently charged to court for "expressing feelings of disaffection against President Goodluck Jonathan." "This, no doubt, reminds us of the dark days of the military when freedom of exoression was circumscribed. The arrest and arraignment of Mr Affanga is a violent assault on freedom of expression and it amounts to unbriddled acts of executive lawlessness." But the Governor yesterday said the Akwa Ibom issue should not be reduced to a quarrel between the PDP and the ACN. He said it should be seen as a deliberate breach of the peace in the state. Akpabio spoke at the State House in Abuja after attending the National Council of State meeting. He displayed some photographs of the burnt government property in Uyo to support his position.

Breaking News: Akwa Ibom ACN Governoship Candidate Freed

Kola — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:35:23 +0000

A Federal high Court in Abuja, has granted bail to the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Akwa Ibom State, James Akpanudoedehe. The Police has no evidence to link him with the alleged offence and granted him bail. Ruling on Mr Akpanudoedehe's bail application, the presiding judge, Adamu Bello, said the police has no shred of evidence to link the politician with the alleged offence. He said the plan to hold onto the accused while the police go around to fish for evidence has no place in our law. Kola Awodein, counsel to the accused, told Mr Bello that Mr Akpanudoedehe's arrest in Akwa Ibom State and his quick arraignment in Abuja was designed to keep him away from the campaign trail. Mr Akpanudoedehe has been in police custody since last Friday following an order of the court that he be remanded pending his bail application hearing. He was arraigned on a four-count criminal charge bothering on treason and felony, and pleaded not guilty to all. The accused, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was arrested over last week's clash between supporters of his party and those of the PDP in the state during which many people were killed and property worth millions of naira were damaged.

Polls: Soldiers’ll carry arms, says COAS

Editors Online — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:03:38 +0000

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE BENIN – WITH less than 48 hours to the National Assembly election in the country, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, Thursday, in Benin, warned all persons who may have perfected plans to foment trouble during the April polls to have a rethink, saying that it would be an unnecessary venture. Answering questions from journalists shortly after he paid a courtesy visit on Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Lt-Gen. Ihejirika said "As I said earlier, we have done enough in terms of preparations and I am also happy to note that we have much more logistics this time around than we have before even though the level of violence has also increased than we know before". "The Army is prepared to do our very best to prevent violence. Like I said in Ibadan, I still appeal to hoodlums to have a re-think because it is an unnecessary venture. It is the desire of all citizens and all good citizens of Nigeria to have peaceful, free and fair elections. The Army in this respect will work in conjunction with the other services" "Let me say that we will bear arms not to interfere with the electoral process. We will bear arms to ensure that those who want to interfere with the electoral process by use of arms are prevented from doing so". .. The Chief of Army Staff had earlier told Governor Oshiomhole of his readiness to address contemporary challenges facing the Nigeria Army particularly internal problems within the force. Lt-Gen. Ihejirika while stressing the need for professionalism in the Army told the governor that his visit to Edo State was in continuation of the tour of 2nd Division area of responsibility, disclosing that the tour has afforded him the opportunity to access the readiness of officers of the Nigerian Army to discharge their constitutional responsibility during the April polls. Responding, Governor Oshiomhole thanked the Chief of Army Staff for the visit and expressed gratitude to him for the collaboration of the military in the state with the state government in the area of internal security. He added that the Army was helping the State Government to make a difference in the state security outfit, "Operation Thunderstorm" as its involvement has led to the arrest of several criminals. The Governor commended the Nigeria Army and the Armed Forces for standing on the side of democracy since 1999, saying that though some people were uncomfortable with the involvement of the Army in the April elections, he was personally comfortable because he believed the Army in the past had shown neutrality and would do so during the elections. Oshiomhole insisted that the Army’s involvement was necessary because the Police alone had no capacity to provide the required security during the polls. "In Edo, the people are looking forward to a peaceful election even though there are people who are determined to undermine the process. This is where the role of the Army becomes necessary", he said

Osun State Development Models as Case Studies

Editors Online — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:38:38 +0000

The World Bank has signified its desire to understudy the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES, pronounced Oh Yes) among other development projects of the state like Osun Rural Enterprises and Agricultural Programme (OREAP) and the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP). The World Bank is now interested in partnering with the state for development. This will make Osun State development programme a reference for other states. The development programmes of the state are laudable and reckoned as the best in the country. After OYES took off, Ekiti State has also promised to employ 20,000 people in four years (between now and 2014). OYES started in 2006 when Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola started its electioneering campaign for the governorship ticket of Osun State under Action Congress (AC) party. Ogbeni Aregbesola vowed that he would employ 20,000 youths within 100 days of his administration as the governor of the state if elected. Osun State was created on August 27, 1991 from part of the old Oyo Sate. The development inherited by the young state was minimal. Many people, especially students of Osun State economics and political opponents, thought this project is not achievable considering the resources, especially, the internal generated revenue, and the employment situation of the state. Before he employed 20,000 youths, Osun State had less than 18,500 workers in the state civil service. Providing work for 20,000 workforces with a remuneration that is competitive nationally is a laudable project. Machineries to actualize this pledge was put in place on November 27, 2010, with forms being printed and distributed free of charge among the 33 local governments and 1 area development council in Modakeke. As more and more youths became interested in the scheme, applicants were advised to apply online. This development reduced the stress and hardship faced by intending applicants in collection of forms and in returning them across the local governments in the state. Over 230,000 applicants applied for the 20,000 spaces. This made the governor to direct that 25,000 youths should be targeted with the aim of retaining at least 20,000 of them as Trainee Cadets. The Trainee Cadets went through Induction Trainee Programme for three (3) weeks. This training was preceded by Train-the-Trainers programme in which the cadets’ trainers were trained. The turn-out of the applicants is a reflection of the deprivation of the indigenes and residents of the state in terms of employment. The state has ten tertiary institutions and has been turning out graduates for over seven years without gainful employment. In the private sector, less employment can be expected as the state has less than fifteen industries. These industries include, International Breweries, Ilesha, Osogbo Steel Rolling Mill, Osogbo, Caps Feed Limited, Osogbo, Obelawo Industries Limited, Osogbo, Foam Industry Limited, Ilesha, Tuns Farms, Limited, Cocoa Industries Limited, Osogbo, and . The objectivity of the selection exercise was faultless because of the transparency and was commendable by all including the critics. The ripple effect of this programme is already being felt with the uniforms sew by local tailors numbering about 6,000 and the kits bought from merchants in the state. There are initially six departments in the scheme which include, Public Works Bureau (PWB), Sanitation Czars, Osun Sheriffs, Osun Paramedics, Green Gangs and Traffic Managers. At the conclusion of the training of the successful applicants and after the successful hosting of the Osun State Education Summit, the governor added special educators into the scheme. The Trainee Cadets of the programme were trained in General Learning Series including martial arts as well as academic subjects necessary for their day-to-day activities. The daily exercises began at 6.00 am and lasted till 4.00 pm daily for the three-week programme. These trainings and exercises were to psyche their mind and prepare them for future challenges within and outside OYES. The graduation ceremony was episodic and epochal with the graduates wishing the ceremony could continue. The residents of the state, especially artisans, tradesmen, landlords and food vendors have started benefitting from the multiplier effect of the scheme. The Graduate Cadets were distributed to all the local governments with 600 cadets in each local government except Osogbo, the capital, with about 2,600 cadets. The register of the cadets will also serve as the database for recruitment of workforce into the state civil service in the nearest future. From the outset, the governor stated that the aim of the scheme is to ensure socio-economic development of the state. There is no doubt that this scheme has lived to expectation with the opening parade featuring in the “African Today” programme of the Cable Network News. The Osun Rural Enterprises and Agricultural Programme (OREAP) is a scheme comprising micro-credit and entrepreneurial schemes for farmers’ cooperatives and rural entrepreneurs with the aim of developing agricultural products of the state. This is an all encompassing scheme involving the producers and consumers. The state is not only interested in the development of rural products, especially agricultural, but also in how these products will be distributed for the optimum return. The entrepreneurial programme comprises the agricultural products development like cassava, cocoa, palm kernel and yam processing, and market linkage. Markets for Osun State agricultural products will be developed in other commercial cities like Alimosho in Lagos to complement Mile 12 market. The agricultural programme involves Quick Impact Intervention Programme (QIIP) for Farmers Cooperative Groups - an agricultural micro-finance programme, and farm settlements programme. The government will be involved in the storage and transportation of the products to quality buyers to ensure that the farmers received the best returns on investment (ROI). Talks are already in advance stage to engage Nigeria Railway Corporation in the transportation of the goods which will be stacked in warehouses to be built near the Osogbo train terminus for easy haulage. The bane of the rural farmers is the multiple chains of agents between them and the consumers of their products. The state government is trying to reduce the link between the farmers and the consumers as small as possible. This exercise will bring back money into the purse of the farmers and reduce the cost of food thereby ensuring food security. There are other development schemes like the Osun State Home Grown School Feeding Programme. Osun State is the only state in Nigeria which has a school feeding programme. The school feeding programme has improved enrolment in the primary schools in Osun State. This programme initiated in 2004 by the Federal Government of Nigeria is poised to serve as a route of one of the six cardinal point of the governor. As schools are opened for a specific and determinable number of days in a year, the programme will serve as a food-basket yearly and will generate structured and predictable demands for farmers’ products in the state. This will build the farmers’ market and the enabling system around it. Thank you. Yours faithfully, Olufemi Oyedele, Okefia, Osogbo, Osun State.

$100,000 A Month In Salary & Allowances: A National Assembly Election For The Spoils Of Office

Editors Online — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:05:20 +0000

Nigeria Today

Tomorrow, the first of a three-stage national elections in the country will commence as candidates fight for the right to become members of parliament at the federal level, a job that can earn them at least $100,000 a month in salary and allowances. Arguably, the highest anywhere on planet earth. The spoils of office in Nigeria are one reason why a violent electoral campaign has claimed the lives of more than 50 people since July, according to Amnesty International. In a March 3 attack, at least 10 people died when explosives were hurled at rally of President Goodluck Jonathan’s ruling People’s Democratic Party in the town of Suleja. "Every office appears worth killing for, given the amount of money they make," said Jibrin Ibrahim, director of the Centre for Democracy and Development, a group based in Abuja, the capital, that campaigns for democracy and good governance. "That’s why we’re seeing this level of violence." The concern about sectarian and election-related violence has sparked domestic demand for foreign currency, central bank Governor Lamido Sanusi said in a March 15 interview in Abuja. That has weakened the naira, which reached an 18-month low against the dollar on March 17. "People want to see a smooth transition, a free and fair election before they bring back the money," he said. While an armed insurgency in the Niger River delta that cut more than 28 percent of the nation’s oil output from 2006 to 2009 remains relatively quiet, parts of the north have been hit by a mounting campaign of violence by Islamic militants inspired by Afghanistan’s Taliban movement. Jonathan’s PDP currently holds majorities of about 54 percent in the 109-member Senate and the 360-seat House of Representatives. Of the 59 bills the two chambers passed from the start of their tenure in 2007 to the end of last year, most weren’t part of the governing party’s political program, said Clement Nwankwo, executive director of the Abuja-based Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, which tracks parliamentary activities. "That advantage was never deployed to a higher national goal," Nwankwo said in a phone interview yesterday. "Instead, they took selfish advantage of their powers to budget for themselves extravagant pay and allowances." Jonathan, who succeeded former President Umaru Yar’Adua on his death on May 5, tried to rein in spending this year by cutting recurrent outlays by 29 percent. Parliament rebuffed him and raised the budget 17 percent to 4.97 trillion naira ($32 billion). Since Nigeria’s return to civilian government in 1999 after 15 years of military rule, the PDP has presided over the spending of more than $300 billion in oil export revenue. During that time income disparities have widened, with 54 percent of the population living on less than a dollar a day, about 22 million citizens illiterate, and maternal mortality of 800 per 100,000 live births, a rate among the highest in the world, according to the United Nations Development Programme. "People in Nigeria see very little in terms of infrastructure, health and basic services," Sola Tayo, an analyst at London-based research group, Chatham House, said by phone on March 30. "And to hear that people who should be responsible for providing these things are getting all that money is bound to fuel resentment. They don’t seem to be doing much for all that money." About a quarter of last year’s budget, about 1.12 trillion naira, went to pay 17,474 officials in federal, state and local governments, according to the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the Abuja-based agency responsible for setting their pay. Finance Minister Olusegun Aganga called this year’s budget "unimplementable," while Sanusi cited the spending boom as a reason for the decision on March 22 to raise the benchmark interest rate by a percentage point to 7.5 percent. "We have a constitution that says we must have a minister from every state, so we must have 36 ministers. Do we need 36 ministries? These are questions that we need to ask," Sanusi said in a speech on March 19. "Can we do something about that and reduce the cost of governance and free up funds for education and health?" Tomorrow’s vote will be followed in a week by the presidential election. That race pits Jonathan against 18 rivals, including former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari and the ex-head of the anti-graft agency, Nuhu Ribadu, who is the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria. A week after that, voters choose the governors and legislatures of Nigeria’s 36 states. The main opposition parties, the ACN and Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change, stand a good chance of cutting into the PDP’s parliamentary majority, Nwankwo said. The last elections, in 2007, were condemned as flawed by international and local monitors for violent intimidation of voters, falsification of figures and widespread ballot- snatching. Jonathan pledged a more transparent vote and won plaudits by appointing a respected academic, Attahiru Jega, to head the Independent National Electoral Commission. "This is an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its capacity to both manage and hold democratic elections, which are the desire of the people," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson said in a March 29 teleconference with reporters. The last elections "were deeply flawed and, in fact, were poorly administered and poorly run." Originally published by Nigeria2Day

FULL ADDRESS BY INEC CHAIRMAN

Editors Online — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 06:36:06 +0000

Our Reporter (The Nation)

Since this Commission started work in July 2010, I have repeatedly promised Nigerians that in carrying out our duties we shall always be sincere and truthful with Nigerians. I have always said that this INEC will be upfront with Nigerians, telling you exactly how things are – sharing both our successes and difficulties with you. This is one such occasion. Indeed, it is an emergency. As you know the National Assembly (House of Representatives and Senate) elections are supposed to be taking place as I speak. You would also have noticed that things have not proceeded smoothly as expected with the elections. The reason for this is the unanticipated emergency we have experienced with late arrival of result sheets in many parts of the country. The result sheets are central to the elections and their integrity. Accordingly, in many places, our officials have not reported at the polling units, making it now difficult to implement the Modified Open Ballot Procedure that we have adopted. Not only do we have to enter the results in the sheets, the number of accredited voters is also to be entered in the result sheet. While we could have proceeded with the elections in a few States of the country, where all the materials are available, such as Lagos, Kaduna, Kebbi, Delta, Zamfara and Enugu, among others, in order to maintain the integrity of the elections and retain effective overall control of the process, the Commission has taken the difficult but necessary decision to postpone the National Assembly elections to Monday, April 4, 2011. I appeal to all Nigerians for their understanding in this difficult situation. We as a Commission appreciate the profound sacrifice that you have all made not just in turning out today, but also throughout this election season. We are greatly encouraged by you and our appeal is that you remain steadfast in this last lap of this electoral process in the interest of all Nigerians and in the cause of democracy. The Commission will immediately be contacting all political parties, as major stakeholders to explain the situation. I appeal for their support in explaining the situation to their members and supporters. May I also appeal to all other stakeholders, particularly national and international observers and our development partners for continued understanding. I realize that they have committed enormous resources to this process, especially in deploying observers in the field. However, we think that what is worth doing is worth doing well. Finally, while we deeply regret this situation and apologise to Nigerians for the hardship this may have created, I would like to reiterate that we are fully committed to conducting free, fair and credible elections for Nigerians. The decision the Commission has taken is weighty; but it is also a very important step in further ensuring the credibility of the elections. Professor Attahiru M. Jega, OFR, Honourable Chairman

Police Arrest PDP Agent With ‘UTC Axe’

Editors Online — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:40:40 +0000

Despite the effort of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct violent- free elections in the country, indication emerging from the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has shown that the party is not ready with free, fair and credible elections. An agent of the PDP simply known as Ade, who was monitoring the National Assembly Elections at Ward 05, unit 020, Railway Station, Osogbo, the state capital, was caught with a weapon identified as ‘UTC axe’. Ade, who was carrying the PDP agent tag on his neck, was questioned and searched by policemen attached to the polling station when his movement and utterances were suspicious. According to sources at the voting centre, the UTC axe was detected from Ade’s ankle where he hid the weapon. The suspect was immediately whisked away to the Railway Police Station, where he was being investigated. OSUN DEFENDER learnt that Ade was sponsored by the sacked Osogbo Local Government Council Chairman, Mr. Teslim Igbalaye, who as at the time of filing this report was running helter-skelter to bail out the suspect. Igbalaye, according to a reliable source, came to the police station at noon in a car with number plate Lagos 231 GG in company of a chieftain of the PDP called Jako. Jako had reportedly given the suspect some money before he was arrested at around quarter past 9am. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the station, Mr. A.A Imako, said he could not confirm Ade’s arrest, saying that he was still investigating the case. Imako, however, directed OSUN DEFENDER to the state Police Public Relations Officer for further information on the case.

Political Hoodlums Flee Modakeke

Editors Online — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:41:30 +0000

The National Assembly election, which was later postponed last Saturday was relatively peaceful across the nooks and crannies of Modakeke in Area Office of Osun State. During accreditation period, the effort of some political hoodlums suspected to be working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was thwarted at Apostolic Church, Jagunadado polling unit area in the town. There was a fierce battle orchestrated by the PDP thugs in front of the polling unit, which initially could not be curtailed by a traffic warden, who was acting as a security officer for the unit. Immediately the crisis episode was aired on Unik Radio, Ilesa, across the state, no fewer than ten police officers stormed the venue within a twinkle of an eye; those who had been disturbing the peace of the place vanished into thin air; and part of the elections that was later postponed went on smoothly. The turn-out of voters in all the units in the town was impressive.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Save Our Souls From Omisore

Editors Online — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:43:08 +0000

Let me quickly acknowledge the significance of your widely-read newspaper, because it has grown to become the third eye of the masses. Please, permit me to air my view about the desperation of Senator Iyiola Omisore, who has turned the entire Ile-Ife and its environs into a theatre of war over his political fate that is still hanging in the balance. I live in Ifetedo, and I must say that last week Friday was the highest level of nightmare I ever witnessed in my life; for there were sporadic gunshots throughout the Friday night. The entire community of Ifetedo, and Omifunfun were at the mercy of Omisore, as his numerous thugs have turned the community into a chaotic one. I also heard from my siblings from Omifunfun that Omisore’s thugs were shooting inside cocoa plantations, a situation that has led to several causalities. I was there when my people reported the criminalty of Omisore’s thugs to the Ifetedo police station; I could not see the police officers and men swinging into action to save us. Thank God that the election has been postponed till Monday, but our fear is that Omisore may resort to wanton killings and maiming of defenseless voters’ if he loses. I am of the opinion that Governor Rauf Aregbesola is the Chief Security Officer of the state, and I think it will be a good start if he could rescue us from Omisore and his cohorts. Of course, Omisore knows very well that he has lost deposit of his goodwill, and he may be on his way to political Golgotha, he only wants to wreck havoc before his shameless departure. •Kunle Anifowose, Ifetedo.

Ife-South Residents Troop Out Amidst Gunshots

Editors Online — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:44:09 +0000

Amidst gun shots and threats, voters in Ife South Local Government Council Area of Osun State trooped out to exercise their civic duty during the last Saturday voting exercise to elect the National Assembly members, OSUN DEFENDER witnessed in Ifetedo, the headquarters of the council area. In the early hour of Saturday, the medium witnessed at Ifetedo, clashes between loyalists of both Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which left some of the party loyalists sustaining different degrees of gun-wounds. At Ikija, Ayesan, and Aare Wards, voters were seen assembled at the polling centres, as early as 7.00 a.m for the accreditation exercise. At Garage Olode, AUD Primary School polling unit, voters were also seen on queue, so as to be accredited when OSUN DEFENDER correspondent got to the unit around 9.30am. So also at Aye Oba, Ayekoka, Sekunde, Omifunfun, voters trooped out awaiting INEC materials when the medium called at the polling unit. At Around 11.05am, when the medium visited polling unit at Ogboru Compound in Ilare Ward, voters were already accredited, but around 11.10am Senator Iyiola Omisore was spotted in white bus with registration number AY677 FFE inspecting the polling units within Ife metropolis. At Ifelodun Market polling unit 005 and unit 002 at Moore market at Mooro in Ife North Local Government Council Area, accredited voters were seeing waiting to cast their vote at 12.05 when the medium visited the area. More so, at Modakeke Wards 002 and 001, voters were already accredited before INEC officers announced that the voting exercise had been postponed for lack of Forms EC8A, B, C and E, which the voters initially found very difficult to believe. Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER on the postponement of the voting exercise till Monday, voters in Ife South Local Government Council Area expressed their disappointment over INEC decision, but expressed their readiness to perform their civic duty at any future date fixed by INEC. The voters however appealed to Osun State Government to beef-up security in Ife South Local Government as PDP thugs had in recent times alleged to have unleashed terror on voters at various villages especially in the nights with a view to scaring them away from the polling centres.

184 Voters’ Names Missing In Ode-Omu

Editors Online — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:55:08 +0000

Controversies have surrounded the sudden disappearance of names of over 184 electorates on the voter accreditation list of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ode-Omu, in Ayedaade Local Government Council Area of Osun State. According to the observation of OSUN DEFENDER which observed the accreditation of the electorate by the Presiding Officers of the INEC in preparatory for the commencement of voting in the National Assembly election on Saturday, some of the disappeared names had been deleted from the central collation list of the commission. Some of the names of the affected electorate were not in the registered voters’ confirmation lists pasted at their various poling units, while some that were in the list were not included on the presiding officer’s voters accreditation lists, a development that generated controversies in the community. At Ward 05, Units 1 and 2, 92 names of the electorate were said to be missing on the accreditation list. Thirty names of the electorate were allegedly missing on the list in Ward 6, unit 6 while another 62 names had disappeared at Ward 05, units 3, 6 and 7, in Ode-Omu. All the affected potential voters were holding their voters’ cards to buttress their claim that they duly registered during the last voters’ registration exercise. Majority of the potential voters whose names were not on the lists were reportedly members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The Electoral Officers in the affected areas came late to resume for their various duties as they failed to show up until after 10 am. Besides, fake armed policemen and imported voters allegedly flood the community. They were allegedly hired by the House of Representative candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jelili Adesiyan, who is vying to represent Ayedaade, Isokan and Irewole Federal Constituency in the state. In Ikire and Apomu areas of Irewole Local Government Council Area of the state, potential voters were seen lamenting the late arrival of the electoral officers in their various wards and polling units, describing it as a gross violation of the 2011 Electoral Act. As at 10:00am, electoral officers were nowhere to be found at Ward 8, Ologun unit, Ikire. The same incident occurred at wards 5, 8 and 9 in the community. All the polling units in the wards did not open until after 10 am, a situation that delayed the accreditation of the voters. The late arrival of the electoral officers and voting materials infuriated the electorate at Ward 9, unit 05, Itamerin Compound, who challenged the electoral officers on what brought about their lateness to the polling unit. The potential voters at Ward 9, unit 4, Ejemu Oguntola Compound, Apomun, stood on their feet for over one hour while waiting for electoral officers who arrived the area at about quarter past nine. Some of the electoral officers who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under condition of anonymity attributed their lateness to logistic problems being faced by the INEC. The electorate were still being accredited at Wards 5, 8 and 9, Ikire and Apomun before the information of the postponement of the elections filtered into the area, a development that further irked the electorate who described their efforts to vote as a waste of time. While bemoaning the INEC chairman, Professor Attairu Jega, some of the electorates condemned the shifting of the National Assembly elections, describing it as a ploy to rig the elections. They maintained that it was improper for Jega to have chosen the Saturday as the elections day when he knew that the electoral body was still facing logistic problems. It was observed that majority of those lamenting the postponement of the election were farmers, petty traders, aged and commercial transporters, who said they would have earned enough in their daily businesses if they did not come to attempt to vote.

Ede Residents Vow To Troop Out En-masse Again

Editors Online — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 11:02:14 +0000

The residents of Ede in Osun State have vowed to come out en mass to express their electoral will on Monday (Today) despite the setback suffered by the postponement of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to logistics issues. Earlier on Saturday, the electorates in Ede-North and South Local Governments Council Areas thronged polling units as early as 7:30am, waiting eagerly for presiding officers to arrive and commence accreditation. All the polling units visited by OSUN DEFENDER in the town were filled with voters in high enthusiasm for the poll, as some of them disclosed that they are out to contribute their quota to the improvement of the electoral process. However, before the postponement of the poll was announced by the electoral umpire, reports of electoral foul were about to be perfected by some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the town. It was gathered that some people were camped at the country home of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, with a view to taking them to some polling units in the town where proxy registration were done by the desperate politicians during the voters’ registration. Though, the senator was seen in a convoy around 10am going to his unit for accreditation, young men were in his house collecting money and preparing to besiege polling units to vote for the senator. Also, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Adejare Bello drove to his Ede-North Polling unit in his official car, despite the directive from the state Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola that no official vehicle or arm-bearing personnel escort state officials to polling units. Besides the speaker, some PDP party chieftains were escorted to polling units at Oba-Laoye Grammar School in Ede-South local government by armed anti-riot policemen in a white-coloured Toyota Hilux Van. It was also gathered that Adeleke in his desperate effort not to lose, had been seeking votes from the electorate, dashing out as much as N1million per ward in both Ede-North and South Local Government Council Areas. Also at Agip area, the chieftains of Accord Party were seen canvassing for vote contrary to the directives of the electoral body. A group of young men led by the son of a former chairman of Ede-South local government council area Honourable Atidade were enticing prospective voters with money in order to cast their votes for PDP. The father was also at the same Anu-Olu polling units in company of other PDP chieftains. However, electorates high expectation was murdered with the announcements of the postponements of the poll, as most of the voters on the queue were rattled with the development. The news almost cause chaos at Jagun-Jagun polling units, as some voters were hell-bent on hearing the news themselves before they could allow presiding officers vacate the units. Before the announcement, the medium observed that the people are eager for the vote casting to commence, as presiding officers of some polling units have been announcing the total numbers of voters accredited. Reacting on the development, the chairperson of Ede-South Local Government Council Area, Alhaja Sherifat Oye disclosed that as much as the people would like to understand with Professor Attahiru Jega, the pronouncement was discouraging. According to her, the people in various polling units Ede-South did not leave the polling units an hour after the announcement was made by the electoral body, believing that it was another gimmick by the PDP. She however, allayed the fear that the electorates might not come out en mass on Monday to discharge their civic responsibilities, saying they would redoubled their efforts to ensure that voters turn out in large numbers to vote for the candidates of their choice.

Postponement Angers Voters

Editors Online — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 11:03:07 +0000

History was made for the first time in Nigeria on Saturday April 2, 2011 as the General Election, scheduled to start on that day were unexpectedly postponed. The news of the election’ postponement, initially did not go down well with the electorate as it elicited damping of their spirit. The people of Osogbo, the state capital and other major towns in Osun State, were lively and in the mood for the elections when the news for the postponement of the elections till Monday filtered the state capital. As directed by the rule of the elections, the accreditation of voters were concluded peacefully in most of the polling units in the state, even though, the report all over the state had it that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official came late in some of the units. It was learnt that in some parts of the state like Ife-South Local Government Council Area, especially in Ikija Ward 2, Ifetedo, no election material was brought, either for accreditation or voting. However, the turn-out of voters was impressive as the electorate conducted themselves in an orderly manner devoid of violence, except in some units in some parts of the state, where electorate who came to their polling units with their voters’ cards complained of not finding their names on the voters’ registers, a situation that nearly caused crisis before the announcement of the suspension of the elections. Events from the polling stations indicated an initial hic-cup which the INEC Administrative Secretary, Mr. Oladimeji Kayode, said was due to logistic problems encountered between the collection centres and the different polling units. Oladimeji who spoke on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner for INEC in Osun State disclosed that the election materials had already been dispatched to the polling centres. The bomb shell came later in the day, when the same INEC official disclosed that the National Assembly elections had been postponed till today. The reason for the postponement, according to him, was that the election had been postponed for logistic reasons, but it was gathered that the postponement was due to the lack of forms EC8A and ballot papers.

Udoedehe’s wife: my husband’s life in danger

Editors Online — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 06:11:06 +0000

Kamarudeen Ogundele

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State Senator James John Udoedehe was yesterday flown by a helicopter from Abuja to Uyo. The ACN has raised the alarm over his safety. Udoedehe was rearrested last Thursday after Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, granted him bail. He is facing a four-count charge of criminal conspiracy to commit treason. On March 22, Udoedehe’s campaign team came under a hail of bullets at Ikot Ekpene where it went to campaign. After the attack on his convoy, there was arson in Uyo in connection with which Udoedehe was arrested. He was accused of levying war against the state with intent to intimidate Governor Godswill Akpabio, who is also the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Udoedehe was said to have been detained at the police Headquarters in Uyo last night. His lawyer, Mr. Niyi Akintola (SAN), told reporters that efforts to contact him were abortive. Udoedehe’s wife, Justina, raised the alarm that there were desperate plans to kill her husband "in the name of election". She said her husband’s problem started during the March 22 ACN rally in Ikot-Ekpene when they were attacked PDP supporters who were said to be loyal to Akpabio. Her words: "The policemen were there but couldn’t rescue us. It was MOPOL that God used to rescue us. My husband is suffering for what he does not know. When I wanted to see my husband, I was told that he had been taken away by a Police Chopper. I am begging everybody to tell Godswill Akpabio and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, to release my husband. President Jonathan has stated that nobody should use people’s blood to win election, but they want to use my husband’s blood to win election in Akwa Ibom state." Mrs. Akpanudoedehe, who hails from Ikot-Ekpene, on enquiring from the IGP why her husband had been flown to an unknown destination, she was told that, the order was from above. Akintola disclosed that three of the 45 ACN supporters who were arrested in Akwa Ibom State had been reported dead. He said, "Information just reaching me from Akwa Ibom state has it that out of the 45 people who were arraigned at a Federal High Court in Uyo on Friday three of them had died of food poisoning. No plea was taken and all of them were remanded. Just this (Monday) evening, three of the suspects have died. "We have perfected the bail papers and all the conditions have been satisfied. I instructed my lawyers to accompany the bailiffs to get him freed. But, we were told that he has been taken away. "Ordinarily, by this court order, nobody could detain him further for a minute. We as defence counsel have decided to file necessary papers in Abuja and Uyo to know where he is being kept and for what reason." Concerned indigenes of Akwa Ibom in Abuja have called for the release of Akpanudoedehe who, they warned, must not be harmed. The leader of the group, Mrs. Mfon Umanah and foremost Reggae artiste Mr. Victor Eshiet (head of the group "The Mandators" demanded his release "in the interest of justice". Eshiet, who said he flew in from the United States, regretted that Nigeria has now become a place where human rights violations have transcended bounds of decency. Some of the placards carried by the protesters read: "No to guns"; "No to police harassment and assassination"; "Save Akwa Ibom from cultism"; Give youth jobs, not guns"’ "Stop raping our women" and "Enough is enough". Akpanudoedehe was arraigned on a four count charge of treason before Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on March 25. Granting him a N10 million bail with a surety in like sum, Justice Bello held that the Police had no evidence to link Akpanidoedehe to the charge. In a statement issued in Ilorin, Kwara State, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the ACN said its concern is in view of the glaring partisanship of the police in handling the Akwa Ibom case and the arrest of 41 ACN supporters in Akwa Ibom, whose only offence is that they were found with brooms, the party’s symbol. "Three of the 41 ACN supporters, who were arrested and slammed into detention were reported to have died. How can we then not be worried by the safety of our governorship candidate under the circumstances? "We hope this idea of flying Udoedehe to Uyo, ostensibly to arraign him in court there after the police virtually abducted him right inside a court in Abuja, in a crude and brush manner, is not aimed at subjecting him to the final solution,’’ it said. The ACN warned that nothing untoward must happen to Udoedehe, and that "since he is now held captive by the police, the force will be held responsible for his safety." The party urged Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim to respect the law in handling this delicate issue.

Oshiomhole suspends Ambrose Alli varsity vice-chancellor

Editors Online — Tue, 03 May 2011 11:32:27 +0000

By Jethro Ibileke The crisis that engulfed the Edo State-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, in the last two months has culminated in the sack of the institution's vice-chancellor (VC), Sam Uniamikogbo, by the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday. The crisis began in the wake of violent protests by the students following a hike in tuition fees. In response, the school authorities suspended principal officers of the student union. This resulted in litigation as the students dragged the school authorities to court challenging the suspension order. The case was, however, withdrawn for an out-of-court settlement. A press statement from the office of the governor, issued and signed by the special adviser to the governor on media, Tony Iyare, said that Mr Uniamikogbo's removal, which takes immediate effect, was to make way for the repositioning and reorganisation of the university, as an acting VC has been appointed. The statement reads in part: "In exercise of his powers under the Act establishing the AAU, the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has decided to remove the present Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Professor Sam Uniamikogbo with immediate effect. "The governor has also resolved that in order to reposition the university on a sound administrative and financial footing, the management of AAU needs a complete reorganisation and overhaul." Beyond student crisis However, NEXT investigation revealed that the reason for the suspension of the vice- chancellor went beyond the student crisis. He allegedly incurred the wrath of the governor for his lack of knowledge of the financial position of the school. For instance, when he was invited to the floor of the Edo State House of Assembly during the crisis and asked to give an audit report on the institution, Mr Uniamikogbo, an economist, could not tell the honourable members how much the university received from school fees, which meant that he had no record of how many students were in the school. "The governor has also directed that the former VC hand over to the Dean, Faculty of Law, Professor (Mrs) Cordelia Agbebaku who will act pending the appointment of a substantive VC," the statement said.

N46 billion contracts for airport upgrades

Editors Online — Wed, 04 May 2011 22:23:34 +0000

By Vincent Ikuomola The Federal Executive Council has retified the contracts for the upgrading and reconstruction of terminal buildings in some of Nigeria's airport. The council also ratified provision of facilities in the maitama extension district of the federal capital territory. Both contracts are valued at N46,015,371,892.87, with N22,365,371,892.87 of the sum going to aviation while facilities at Maitama district would cost N23,650,000,000.00. The weekly council meeting was presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo. Minister of Information and Communication briefed news men at the end of the meeting.

Lagos ACN Rejects Move To Conduct Election in Lagos on Separate Date

Editors Online — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:41:14 +0000

By Joe Igbokwe

The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria has rejected alleged moves by INEC to shift the coming National Assembly election in Lagos State and few other states. The party sees this as just one of the desperate moves with which the PDP wants to steal the state and says that the people of Lagos will not accept this ludicrous change, no matter what informed it. In a release in Lagos, signed by the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Joe Igbokwe, the party says that since INEC has decided not to accept the suggestion of staggered elections, which it had earlier advanced, it should be ready to conduct elections at the same time in all parts of the country. It says that INEC should know that the exposed ballots pose serious danger to the integrity of the elections and should have been expected to change the ballot papers instead of hoping to still use the ones for last Saturday’s botched election. "We were taken aback by the position of INEC, which is not quite different from the plans of the PDP to do everything possible to ensure that Lagos is stolen and for this, they are planning to ensure that the polls as well as the peace of Lagos are sufficiently disrupted to force a state of crisis and confusion. We are aware of plans to import all manners of thugs, mercenary voters and hoodlums into Lagos for the dual purpose of either manipulating the elections in Lagos or ensure the entire state is thrown into one huge ball of confusion. "Lagos ACN has been inundated with details of elaborate plans of PDP and its hoodlums to cause chaos and confusion in Lagos. We have been told of plans to throw bombs in several parts of Lagos like Fadeyi, Oshodi, Apapa, Iyana Oba, Alimosho, Ikorodu Road and several other places, before and during elections so as to scare our supporters away from participating in the elections and precipitating massive confusion in Lagos in such a way that the elections would be negatively affected and in such confusion, they hope to foist themselves on the people of Lagos, through the most callous means, as we have known them to do. "We therefore see the present wobbly effort to shift the coming election in Lagos as being quiet in sync with this elaborate desperate plan by the PDP and we urge INEC to jettison it and conduct the election in Lagos alongside other states. We see the attempt to conduct a separate election in Lagos as just one of the many plots the PDP had laid for Lagos and we will not accept it. We will resist any effort to subject Lagos to the whims and selfish caprices of the PDP and we urge all Lagosians to take note of this plot and rise stoutly against it. "We urge all Lagosians to be security conscious and watch out for any strange movements and bring same to the notice of the security agencies. We want all to be at alert so as to prevent the evil the PDP has hatched for Lagos, knowing that they have no presence and solid support in Lagos." Joe Igbokwe. Publicity Secretary, Lagos ACN

And Who Is The Wealthiest Of Them All?

Editors Online — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:49:05 +0000

Tunde Fagbenle

Mirror, mirror, on the wall – who is the wealthiest of all our presidential candidates? And when that is answered, the next: and how was his wealth acquired?

The significance of this is to serve as an indicator of the moral integrity of the candidate. Who are we dealing with, and how much trust can we repose in him? We must hasten to remind ourselves that whilst a Spartan lifestyle may be a virtue, being materially wealthy is not correspondingly sinful. What is important, and needs to be determined, is how the person came about his wealth. What inheritance, what businesses, what earnings, may account for the material status of our would-be president to enable us repose trust in him that our commonwealth would be safe in his hands. So, again, who is the wealthiest of our would-be president? Unfortunately, I’m in no position to provide an answer, and my guess is as good as that of any of Nigerian, I would imagine. Through the "Asset-declaration" forced upon President Goodluck Jonathan almost four years ago (and, yes, Vice-President Jonathan was propelled by the force of his boss, President Yar’Adua’s public declaration of his own assets, a whooping N875m, to also much later declare his own) it is public knowledge how much our president was worth four years ago – N295m. Forget the contention of how he got that rich, it would be interesting to know, and we should know, how much he would be worth, in his own "estimation", today before we give him another four years. Similarly, it is hoped that governor Ibrahim Shekarau also fulfilled this code of conduct requirement of office and did declare his own "assets" before he assumed office as the governor of Kano State. It would also be interesting to know how much poorer or richer he has become in the time he has been governor. Thereby we can have a glimpse of what to expect of him and probity as president. Poorer? Yes, it is possible, at least if we have to go by the declaration made by one clown-governor in one of the western states who at the beginning of his second term of office retroactively declared that his stupendous wealth had been impoverished in the course of his first term as governor! We also need to know how much General Buhari is worth before, and if, he becomes president; ditto Nuhu Ribadu, and ditto for all the other contestants for the office of president. It is, of course, too late for this election, but, certainly, it would be helpful if INEC finds a way to inject the "Asset Declaration" clause into the requirements for the candidature of anyone running in general elections. We need to know ahead of winning elections and prettily making "anticipatory" declaration of imaginary assets. We must as a nation get serious, and seriously hold our public office holders to account for their wealth whilst in office. The "Declaration of Asset" must be a public and mandatory requirement. The media, thanks to the Freedom of Information Bill that Mr. Jonathan has promised to sign into law once it gets to his table, must expose the declarations to the public in a way to throw light on the level of integrity and probity of the candidates. We know their antecedents so we should be able to rationalise the declarations. Again, mirror, mirror, who is the wealthiest of them all and how come? It would be nice to know The next President: who should that be? (2) In our experience, and given the level of our political development, the presidential election is the most important. Rightly so, the president is (supposed to be) the representation, nay embodiment, of our collective direction if not goal. He is (again, supposed to be) the moving spirit, the inspirer of the nation – where there is one – more so in our pseudo federalism where most powers are still concentrated in the centre. Two columns ago I came up with what I considered as the three cardinal bane of our development, namely, Indiscipline, Corruption, and Structural Imbalance. This was followed by last week’s opinion on each of the four "leading" presidential candidates, and at the end venturing to pronounce who gets my vote. There was a process of scoring of the candidates on the bases of those "cardinal three" factors or indices of concern which further helped in my determination. And I should throw it open to my readers and the electorate at large for further consideration as the election "big one" comes up by next week. The grades are my opinion of how each of the candidates (individually or within the confines of his party) rate on the ability and probability of dealing with each of the "cardinal banes" Ibrahim Shekarau Tackling Indiscipline – B; Tackling Corruption – B; Tackling the Structural Imbalance – C. Overall average – C+. Gen. Mohammadu Buhari Tackling Indiscipline – A+; Tackling Corruption – A; Tackling the Structural Imbalance – D. Overall average – A-. Goodluck Jonathan Tackling Indiscipline – B; Tackling Corruption – C; Tackling the Structural Imbalance – B. Overall average – C+. Nuhu Ribadu Tackling Indiscipline – A; Tackling Corruption – A+; Tackling the Structural Imbalance – B. Overall average – A. Voting is your civic responsibility – take the trouble to vote, and take the pain to make sure it counts! Kudos to Pat Utomi My friend, Prof. Pat Utomi, has not chickened out of the presidential race simply because he realised it would be a waste of his time and resources – which it would be. I think he did both out of frustration with the hopeless individualism the "opposition" groups to the ruling party exhibit, and importantly to bell the cat and hopefully "force" the issue (of a united front) through a process of "chain self-elimination by substitution" – and hope, in the end, there will be only one or two standing to run against the incumbent president and PDP candidate! Utomi, in his statement, lamented how efforts to bring the "progressives" in the country into presenting one particular candidate and running mate to contest against Jonathan have failed. Poor Pat has invested so much hope and effort in the "Nigeria Project" and it is appearing that "Nigeria" has won again! It may not be. Pat has handed the baton to Shekarau. Will Shekarau fulfil the expectation of similarly eliminating himself and "substituting" himself with one of either Ribadu or Buhari, who, in turn, would follow suit to leave one main candidate of the opposition groups? In now "rooting" for Shekarau, Utomi says he is not "moving Shekarau as the ultimate candidate but (he withdraws) so that…if Shekarau feels that for the sake of Nigeria he needs to step aside for another person, all can be offered to whoever that person is." It is only a week away, but it is possible. The alternative is too grim to bear for our collective interest!

AN APPEAL LETTER TO PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, ON THE CRITICAL SITUATION IN AKWA IBOM STATE

Editors Online — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:07:10 +0000

Dr. Christy Essien

I can say that I belong to an unregistered party which goes by name ERPP (Electing Right Persons Party); in other words, irrespective of any party a contestant belongs, I look at his/her pedigree and urge my followers to cast their votes accordingly. Today, by the special grace of God, you are our President that requires our respect; you are not president for PDP members only and it is on this basis that I am making this special appeal for your consideration. It is my wish to call the good attention of our president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, who as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is also the chief security officer, to the looming catastrophic situation in Akwa Ibom, my home State. It is from a little thing that uncontrollable big things up and spread out. The case in Akwa Ibom should be looked from that angle. I need not bore you with the daily occurrence there in Akwa Ibom because you may have felt that you have a capable person there as governor. Permit me to remind you of your spoken words during your campaign trip to Akwa Ibom, which I read in the media: You were quoted as having said that nobody should use people’s blood to win election and that no Nigerian blood is worth being used to win election for you. At one other occasion I read where you said that you are a respecter of rule of law. You have also been described as symbol of unity and provider of fresh air. Please if those are your statements, beliefs, and attributes, then please Your Excellency, let no man influence you to the contrary because most of those your symbolisms do not exist in minds of most Akwa Ibom people because you are being linked with the bad actions of the present PDP government there and I feel that linking you thus definitely does not augur well for all you represent.

Akwa Ibom State before now was noted as the most peaceful and the indigenes peace-loving and accommodating people until recently that the situation seem to have turned the other way round. Suffice it to say that the goings on in Akwa Ibom today where people have been continually hunted like animals, kidnapped and killed while others are forcefully banished out of the state, all in the name of politics is not an ideal situation. Where people are detained as a cover up even when the court has directed otherwise negates the points and path I believe you advocate and believe in. Little things like what is happening now in Akwa Ibom concerning ACN and PDP vis-à-vis the way Senator Udoedehe’s case is being handled is capable of leading to avoidable quagmire capable of engulfing the entire Nigeria (God forbid); a situation that would blow no one any good. It is my prayer that your present regime becomes unblemished. I know that we are not in a military regime that knows little about rule of civil laws. I believe, like some Nigerians wont, that our ‘international enemies’ are mocking us and waiting for us to fall so that they complete a saying that"Yes, the mighty has fallen".Please give instructions that the abnormality going on in Akwa Ibom should stop forthwith and civility that supposed to be, returned, including release of Senator James Udoedehe. You will be highly lifted if this happens.

Chief (Dr.) Mrs. Christy Essien Igbokwe, MFR, FICA

(Lady of Songs & Adiaha Akwa Ibom)
　　

Why I didn’t ask Jega to resign, by Jonathan

Editors Online — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:12:18 +0000

Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja and Tajudeen Adebanjo

THERE is bad news for those pushing for Prof. Attahiru Jega’s resignation.

The President said yesterday that he was "in full support" of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, who came under attack for calling off last Saturday’s National Assembly elections.

The President spoke at a photo exhibition on his campaign tour at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

"The day I no longer support him, I will of course raise the process of removing him. You know that of course, if he is no longer performing well, I will communicate to the National Assembly to terminate his appointment. Until I do that, I am fully in his support and I know that he will do well,’’ the President said.

Jonathan said: "The country and the electoral body are totally committed to ensuring that they conduct credible elections’’.

He said INEC had the alternative of going ahead with the polls last week without the result sheets to enter the results at the collation centres, but it declined.

Said Dr. Jonathan: "What arrived late were the results sheets. They could not have been distributed that night to everybody. That would have meant taking the materials to the collation centres where they would have entered the results on plain sheets of paper. This is what we are against, that is what INEC is against.

"We want to make sure that all results are entered there at the polling units and distributed to all the agents of the political parties and the candidates.

"So, if INEC wanted to conduct elections that could have been queried, it could have gone ahead to conduct the elections.

"What happened is another demonstration that the country and the electoral body are totally committed to ensuring that they conduct credible elections,’’ he said.

The President asked Nigerians to remain unperturbed over last Saturday’s botched polls.

"It is a sacrifice that all of us are paying. I was also in the village but I had to come back. We really regret what happened. A number of people spent money to go to their homes to vote. Unfortunately it was cancelled.’’

Jonathan urged Nigerians to go out en masse to cast their votes in all the elections. He assured Nigerians of his commitment to ensuring that votes count.

The President praised Photo Journalist George Esiri, the exhibitor, for the sacrifice he made, going round with him to document his campaign tour. The exhibition displayed over 50 photographs of Jonathan during his campaign trips across the country.

Also yesterday, Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka said poor structure, the rigging syndrome and stubbornness of highly powerful politicians, are problems militating against credible elections in the country.

He said the Jega-led INEC has "a load of rubbish to clear off", if it must organise free and fair elections.

Soyinka, who spoke on Aljazera in an interview aired last night, said: "Politicians who have looted the treasury in the past will do anything to continue with their evil actions."

He said there had been "no election" since the military intervened in politics in Nigeria. According to him, "protection of votes" is one of the ways Nigerians could enforce credible elections.

Soyinka warned that the billion of dollars given to INEC alone cannot guarantee credible elections.

He said if re-elected, the PDP will continue to draw the nation backward.

He said it will be difficult to take over power from the PDP going by the alarming wages received by public functionaries especially members of the National Assembly.

An average lawmaker, he said earns far more than what Barrack Obama, the President of the United States’ earns.

"Even the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria has let the cat out of the bag. You can not have a good government unless we go back to the constitution and change the laws that give loopholes to corrupt politicians to loot the treasury.

"We don’t have to do it the Egyptian way, we don’t have to do the Libyan way but with determined youths, they can chase these corrupt leaders away with their votes," he said.

He described the elections commencing Saturday as a watershed on if only Nigerians could sacrifice.

"This election is a watershed in the history. It is going to be an opportunity to demonstrate the peoples’ will for change.

"It is an opportunity to change things for better. You cannot have meaningful democracy if you rely on party with financial muscles bribing their way into elective offices," he said.

He threw his weight behind the presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, whom he said represents the idea of giving power to the youth.

Ribadu, Soyinka said, would stem the tide of corruption in the country going by his courageous feat as head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He enjoined Nigerians "to forget us – the old brigade and elect young people. We have had enough piloting the affairs of this country over these years. It is high time we let the youths take over mantle of leadership," he said.

VOTE FOR OLUREMI TINUBU

Editors Online — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:16:51 +0000

PRESS RELEASE A New York based attorney and a leading Nigerian in the Diaspora, Mr. Dele Alade has urged Lagosians to vote for Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu to the Nigerian Senate. Mr. Alade believes that Mrs. Tinubu is eminently qualified to represent the people of Lagos in the Nigerian Senate. He said that Mrs. Tinubu has been an active leader in the democratic struggle in Nigeria. "Her contributions are enormous, known to many of us who have been part of this democratic struggle for many years". Mr. Alade sees Mrs. Tinubu as a strong political leader but very humble who has also stood firmly behind her husband, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in his leading role to rescue Nigerians from PDP maladministration and from other enemies of democracy and progress. "I likened Mrs Tinubu to Mrs. Hillary Clinton, my former Senator in New York. Mrs. Clinton who was not a New Yorker, came to New York to run in 2000 when her husband was about leaving the White House. We voted for her and she became our junior Senator in USA Senate. Before we sent her to the Senator, Mrs. Clinton had never held any political office other than being the wife of a Governor and the President. She later ran for President of the United States losing to President Obama in a closely contested Democratic Party presidential primaries". Mr. Alade believes that Mrs. Tinubu is a strong leader in her own right and that she will perform excellently as a Senator from Lagos. "ACN is a progressive party and the only credible alternative to PDP. Governor Fashola has performed excellently in Lagos and I urge Lagosians to vote for him for second term to continue the good things he is doing in Lagos. Nigerians should vote for change by voting for Ribadu and other ACN candidates across the country. ACN is the only party with programs and with men and women of proven character and conviction to effect the needed change in Nigeria at this time. Barrister Dele Alade New York, USA

Lam Adesina accuses PDP of planning to buy ballot papers

Editors Online — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:24:04 +0000

*Akala wants CNPP, rights groups to caution him

BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN – FORMER Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina has alleged that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state has concluded plans to buy ballot papers from electoral officers in order to win the elections.

Specifically, Adesina accused Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of ordering all the caretaker chairmen in the 33 local government areas in the state to make available at least N100,000 per each polling centre to buy the ballot papers.

He said the latest move was informed by the revelation that dawned on the party that its time of misrule was over in the state. The ex-governor who said he was not used to making frivolous allegation said the governor had allegedly voted about N5 bilion to rig the election.

He called on INEC to be careful and warn all those electoral officers not to set the state on fire by selling ballot papers to the PDP.

But responding to the allegations, Akala, through his Special Adviser on Public Communication, Prince Doptun Oyelade asked civil rights organisations, INEC and Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, to caution Adesina over unsubstantiated allegations that bordered on security of the state.

According to him, If Lam Adesina is not restrained quickly, he stands to diminish the quality of discourse and make the onerous job of security men more difficult.

To him, Alhaji Adesina is getting "a little bit schizophrenic by allegations against INEC, police and the state government and it is time that leaders who make wild unsubstantiated statements be rebuked and reprimanded".

The former governor stated without any equivocation that the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, would not sit down and watch the elections being rigged in the state.

He said, "we would not allow some political rascals to trample upon the rights of the people in Oyo State .

For a free and credible election to be actualized in the state, he urged the INEC to ensure the withdrawal of all mutilated ballot papers used in the last Saturday botched election.

Besides, he advised the electoral body to investigate all allegations against the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Ayo Adakeja, arraign the suspects arrested in connection with the six Direct Data Capture Machines,DDC, last month.

PDP in panic over South West

Editors Online — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:37:38 +0000

BY LEKE ADESERI, ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, HENRY UMORU & DAPO AKINREFON LAGOS — THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is said to be in palpable shock over progressing schemes by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and allied opposition political parties to get the upper hand of it in the forthcoming polls in the Southwest. The party’s fears came against the background of the invasion of Lagos yesterday by the presidential candidates of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC and All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ibrahim Shekarau respectively. Buhari at the presentation of his party’s manifesto in Lagos vowed that his administration would make the country inhabitable for all criminals including politicians who fail to abide by the rules of the land. As Buhari presented his manifesto, erstwhile Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai gave him a ringing endorsement as the best of all the presidential materials on offer. El-Rufai affirmed that the day Buhari is inaugurated president half of the criminals in the country would flee. Shekarau at another forum in Lagos blasted the twelve year stewardship of the PDP as a failure which he said had brought the nation to its knees. The fears of the PDP came against reports of talks between the ACN national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State to consolidate their interests against the PDP in Ogun State, one of the Southwest States the PDP is expected to face strong challenges. Despite denials by the Ogun State government and allies of Tinubu, there were indeed strong indications that Daniel’s Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN could forge an alliance with ACN ahead of the gubernatorial elections. Leader of the PDP in Lagos State, Chief Bode George, however, dismissed claims of threats to the party’s chances in Lagos and the Southwest. The threat from the opposition among other issues were expected to have been at focus at a meeting of the PDP’s Presidential Campaign Council meeting with members of the National Working Committee of the party that took place at the Legacy House headquarters of the PCC yesterday. It was also learnt yesterday that the PDP leadership has also summoned key players in the South West PDP to Abuja for a crucial meeting anytime after the National Assembly elections of Saturday. The meeting, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, will specifically measure the party’s performance at the first set of ballots and re-jig strategies for presidential and governorship elections in the region. The meeting is also expected to review the impact of the N2.9billion earlier released by the party to challenge the progress of ACN in the Southwest. Aware of this, the ACN is said to be fighting back by plotting serious counter_attack. With the massive protest votes against PDP expected from some states like Ogun and Oyo and the uncertainty of how Southwest will flow, President Jonathan’s campaign team is now said to be concerned and fearful of underperforming in the April 2011 presidential election, especially because of the developments in the Northwest and Southwest zones. The Jonathan/Sambo campaign is clearly unwilling to tolerate a run_off presidential poll which it is feared may force the opposition parties to unite against the PDP and spell doom for the Jonathan presidential ambitions. Buhari presents manifesto in Lagos Buhari yesterday at the public presentation of his party’s manifesto in Lagos at the City Hall identified five major areas which his administration would concentrate which includes security, quality services at all levels, raising the standard of education, providing aggressive pursuit after youth development and youth employment generation and total disarming of the Niger Delta. His words: "CPC government will seek the disarmament of all criminal gangs in the nation and also secure the entire polity. On education, we shall rehabilitate all dilapidated infrastructure while we are going to make it a must to finding solution to the Niger Delta social problems and we will lay down a comprehensive blueprint for the development of the area." Besides, he explained that if given the opportunity to rule Nigeria, his party intends to make "this nation accountable and corruption_free, and bring morality back to governance. We shall make this nation uncomfortable to those who do not wish to play by the rules." To actualise this, the former Military Head of State urged Nigerians to vote credible crop of leaders who he said would turn around the fortunes of the country. "For the past 12 years, Peoples democratic party (PDP) has bastardised the nation. In all this period, it has done very little that is right even less than is proper, and nothing intrinsically useful or cost effective," he stated. The presidential hopeful , however, berated the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for failing to resolve the lingering communal and religious crises in the country, adding "What stopped them from securing the nation from communal, religious and political violence and from the new wave of terrorism? How many years do they need to do that?" On his part, Buhari’s Vice Presidential running mate, Pastor Tunde Bakare maintained that the CPC will pursue aggressive amendment of the constitution to remove immunity clause for public officers and guarantee a state of community police adding that "CPC will also address the federal structure with the aim of reviewing it." El-Rufai endorses Buhari Earlier in his address, former Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FTC), Mallam Nasir El Rufai said having critically analyzed the three major presidential candidates, Ï have found in Buhari the best quality that could move the country forward." According to him, "We all know what the PDP and his candidate President Goodluck Jonathan can do. At least the past 12 years is enough to draw our conclusion. I have also sat with the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and told him that there is a better candidate in Buhari. The day Buhari is made president of the country half of the criminals will leave Nigeria." PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the ANPP, Mallam Shekarau at a colloquium organised in Lagos by the Congress of Political Leaders attributed the poor state of the country to bad governance, he accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of failing "to give the nation good governance". According to him, in the twelve years of the PDP administration none of the many problems plaguing the country has been addressed. In addition, he said "we have no guarantee that the next 12 years of PDP rule, will be different from the last 12 years. I maintain that this party is more concerned with just ruling the country than moving the country forward." The ANPP presidential candidate said overtime, we blame the military for the woes of the country, but was quick to point out that in the "last twelve years we have been ruled by one party that claims to be the biggest in Africa, never mind the change of individuals, they are all the same, yet we have not seen any change." Political parties Earlier in his remarks, first civilian governor of Lagos state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande decried the number of political parties which currently exists in Nigeria adding that "with 66 political parties seeking to represent Nigeria, many countries will consider Nigeria as not serious." Jakande, was of the opinion that the forum would have afforded all progressives the opportunity to discuss the way forward noting that " this sort of meeting would have afforded everyone the opportunity to air his or her view on how to move Nigeria forward." Chief Bode George reacting to the development yesterday said, " As far as I am concerned, I do not think any merger threat can affect the fortune and the victory of PDP in the South-West, especially Lagos State. I will not talk about the abracadabra going on in Ogun state. Either Tinubu is entering an alliance with Gbenga Danile or not, that cannot be a big deal to us here. However, I am assuring you that the people of Lagos know what happened to them, they know the type of pain they feel in the last 12 years under the government of the ACN. So, the merger cannot reduce the pain the damages caused them in Lagos State. This cannot remove the pains of looting of the state treasury, the payment of double taxation, the payment of unrealistic land use charge. So, we are not being threatened by any merger at all." You can fool some people some times, but you cannot fool all the people all the time."

Making Nigeria Work Once Again

Editors Online — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:12:13 +0000

Written By Gen. Muhammadu Buhari Remarks by General Muhammadu Buhari, Presidential Candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, at the Public Presentation of the CPC Election Manifesto in Lagos, Wednesday April 6, 2011. It gives me great pleasure to have this opportunity of standing before you this morning to say a few words about our party and what plans we have for you and the nation in our manifesto. Let me therefore begin by welcoming all of you to the event. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the CPC Election Manifesto which sets out our election promises and plan of action. Its central and urgent message is that as Nigerians, we must restructure the country and change our ways. And in this there is an invitation to each and every one of us to come forward and join the struggle, so that together we take the destiny of this nation in our hands—and change it into a united, prosperous, caring, truly democratic Federal But before we will be able to do this, we must secure, manage and govern the country in a way that releases the energies and potentials of our people and direct these to wholesome ends. Giving this direction is what a CPC government is here to do in order to arrest the nation’s aimless drift. In its 12 years of misgovernance the government of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, had bastardised the nation. In all this period, it has done very little that is right, even less that is proper, and nothing intrinsically useful or cost-effective. It was as if they only came to pauperise the nation; and it could be said that during their time, the only places that prospered were the cemeteries and the bank accounts of a thieving elite. People in their thousands died due to poverty, hunger, disease and violent crises and violent crimes, as custodians of the nation’s resources smiled their ways to the bank. The wealth, which would have alleviated the people’s poverty; the food, which would have satiated their hunger; and money for drugs, which would have restored them to health; and the resources for the maintenance of law and order, which would have ensured the security of the land, have all been siphoned by this insensitive leadership. As a result, today, we cannot sleep safely in our beds or drive in safety on our highways in safety. Without power, without water and without good roads, we lack all the things other normal societies take for granted. We all know the problems of this country, and we have known them for the past 12 years ago and before; but, apparently, it is only now that the PDP is becoming aware of them, saying that it will try to solve them. So, where was the so-called largest political party south of the Sahara during the last 12 years? What stopped people of the ruling party from giving the nation electric power, something they promised to do after six months of coming to power? What stopped them from securing the nation from communal, religious and political violence and from the new wave of terrorism? How many years do they need to do that? And after this glaring failure they even had the temerity to ask for your votes. How on earth can anyone consider giving his vote to the PDP? Who in his right mind will consider four more years of this open thievery? Who in his senses will elect four more years of betrayal of trusts? Or four more years of broken promises? Or four more years of a collapsed and collapsing system? Or four more years of economic mismanagement? Ladies and gentlemen, I am Muhammadu Buhari, and today I am 69 years old; and I am sure I don’t have to remind you that I have fought many battles in my life. I have fought drift and purposelessness in this nation. I have fought corruption and indiscipline. I have fought indolence and the betrayal of trusts. I have fought the Nigerian civil war and struggled for the unity of this country in many other ways. I have had the fortune and privilege of managing national resources in various capacities—as a military commander, as a state governor, as a minister, as head of the Petroleum Trust Fund, and as the head of state of this great country. And in all that I have been and done, I have never touched a kobo of public funds. I say this without pride and with all sense of responsibility and humility; but I challenge anyone in the race for the leadership of this country then or now to dare make the same claim. After being head of state, I am sure I could easily have retired into a life of comfort and ease as an elder statesman, as a contractor or as a beneficiary of any one of the nation’s many generous prebendal offerings. But that is not what I wish to do with my life. And so, if I don’t take any of these alternative courses of action, it should be clear that I am not in this for the love of office or for pursuit after personal glory or in order to achieve some personal goal. Far be it from me that this should be. I need nothing and I have nothing more to prove. I am in this solely for the love of my country and concern for its destiny and the fate of its people. And that is why, despite the many disappointments along the way, I am still in the struggle and will remain in it to the end. I have decided to dedicate the remainder of my life to fighting for the people of this country—until their right is restored to them. We call on you to join us and change the destiny of this nation. And change is what CPC is all about. I am sure you will all agree with me that the question is not whether there we should change, because change we must. The only questions remaining are determining the type of change and the speed with which that change will be implemented. To effect this, we have assembled a team of competent, experienced and patriotic Nigerians to become the vanguard of the change to get the country out the woods and away from the malaise that has kept it down. We are on a rescue mission to recreate Nigeria and transform it into a powerful and prosperous nation. Our focus will be on improving the efficiency of national economic management; and the reintroduction of national economic development planning and the plan to successfully manage change. The area of emphasis of our government will be on the following five: ensuring security, in which a CPC government will seek the disarmament of all criminal gangs in the nation and securing the entire polity; raising the standard of education and providing quality services at all its levels; the aggressive pursuit after youth development and youth employment generation; rehabilitating dilapidated infrastructure; and the total disarming of the Niger Delta, finding solutions to its social problems and laying down a comprehensive blueprint for the development of the area. Along the way, we also intend to make this nation accountable and corruption-free, and bring morality back to governance. We shall make this nation uncomfortable to those who do not wish to play by the rules. We shall challenge vested interests and erase unearned privileges. Propriety and legality will be our new watchwords; and, hopefully, in time this will become the new business as usual for the nation. It goes without saying that this nation must be set free—from the clutches of a corrupt culture that has stunted the growth and development of democracy. A CPC government will seek to entrench democratic values, uphold the rule of law, respect the independence of the judiciary, and enforce the political neutrality of public service. It is our undertaking that after just one term in office, a CPC government will entrench a new democratic culture that will be impossible to dismantle even by the most tough-minded anti-democrats. We have set our priorities and we shall pursue them relentlessly. I urge you to read our manifesto and see what we have planned for this nation. And when you do so, you will see why, in the circumstance, the only sensible thing to do—is to vote for my party, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC. It is a young party but it has already set all the others to flight. It will change the way politics is practiced in this country. Our enterprise is truly an ambitious one. It is not just about winning an election: it is about restoring a sense of decency to our society. It is about taking pride in, and respecting, ourselves as human beings and consciously internalising democratic values. Unless we do this, development and true freedom will forever elude us and talents will never flower in the land. But if the answer is democracy, what exactly is the question? The question is: Why are we still not properly practicing it? And that is where CPC comes in—to provide the missing link. And with your support we shall begin to do just that in the next couple of weeks. Thank you very much for your patience and attention. Muhammdu Buhari Culled from NVS

INEC: Their Trust Duped

Editors Online — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:19:41 +0000

Hakeem Babalola I did not feel any anger, sorrow, or disbelieve when I heard that Jega’s INEC had postponed the general assembly election earlier scheduled for April 2. Mr. Jega boldly announced on the D-Day that the election had been shifted to April 4. He shocked the nation when some voters were still waiting to exercise their voting rights… Whereas Mr. Jega had told his nation; even boasted that he, Jega was prepared to conduct the freest and fairest elections in the history of a troubled nation! Of course he didn’t use the word troubled. However his assertion came on the eve of the election… This shouldn’t be suspicious because an INEC man is always a sincere man. Don’t you think so? Of course you do, and that is why you’re so taken aback that election was cancelled on the D-Day in Nigeria. Then the INEC chairman announced further that all the general elections have been re-scheduled. This basically means that elections scheduled for 2, 9 and 16 will now be held on 9, 16 and 26 respectively… Now if the incumbent wins the presidential election – free and fair or do-or-die, his opponents will definitely refers to this false start. Part of this is obviously the insensitivity that has characterised our approach to implementation of conduct. In postponing and re-scheduling the elections, Mr. Jega told Nigerians that he postponed the elections because of his earlier promise that he would tell Nigerians the truth, nothing but the truth about the controversial elections… The man apologised to the nation, saying inter alia, "This is one such occasion. Indeed, it is an emergency. As you know the National Assembly (House of Representatives and Senate) elections are supposed to be taking place as I speak. You would also have noticed that things have not proceeded smoothly as expected with the elections. The reason for this is the unanticipated emergency we have experienced with late arrival of result sheets in many parts of the country. The result sheets are central to the elections and their integrity..." full text Mr. Chairman appealed to the nation for understanding but many Nigerians dismissed it as the usual loud and confused and empty talk by public officials. Mr Goodluck, a president so lucky to have married Patience as wife, agreed with his INEC man, saying he Goodluck still trusts the professor to conduct free and fair elections… In the history of Nigeria, has there been a time when an incumbent president was defeated? Oh, how can we even know when almost what we have had were military coup and civilian counter coup! What continues to pain me is our social commentators’ position. I feel anger, sorrow and disbelie when they try to analyse – in form of rebuke or praise – how things should be done concerning the elections. Almost all of our social critics whom we look up to are intellectually fraudulent, criminally depraved in their crocodile tears’ criticism. By insinuating that Jega be removed, they have either displayed their little knowledge of political situation in the country; or rather they know not what it is they are talking about. How come they do not know that whoever replaced Jega will follow the same depressivepath or even worse. Iwuruwuru, Jega-jaga and what have you. With due respect, I passionately believe we would get the same result even if anyone or combination of these fine men – Awo, Zik, Kano – were to conduct elections in Nigerian of today. So I proclaim here that our orientation and values are genuinely responsible for Iwuruwu or Jega-jaga. I think most of our critics just write for writing sake – and for goodness sake the part of the problem. Otherwise anyone who has been diligently and passionately and honestly following Nigeria’s trajectory would definitely know it is impossible for INEC to conduct free and fair elections. Not when its chairman is under and always selected by the incumbent president. Instead of asserting this fact, most of us are still busy analysing, predicting with a first class self-deceit. How can they be surprised about the postponed elections, especially in this context when they have already projected Nigeria a doomed nation? Don’t they understand that INEC is part of that doom they have been mouthing about? So why the pretence about being surprised, why the anger; why the jega-jaga or Iwuruwuru? The only way an incumbent can lose a presidential election in Nigeria is, if the INEC chairman or his associates decide to betray the moment. And unless Mr. Jega prefers to be a dead hero will he go against the norm. Whether ironic or not, the funny thing about this, is the fact that none of the present presidential candidates would also appoint a disloyal man or woman to head the electoral commission if they were in Mr. Goodluck’s shoes. So what exactly are we moaning about? In fact, how can an informed and honest commentator write more than three words regarding the postponement? SUPER TRUST DUPER! Ours, it seems an expression of agreement not supported by real conviction. Nna, we are all part of the problem confronting this "geographical expression" called Nigeria. The way out is lost on us except of course our die-hard hypocrisy. The way out is perhaps saying enough is enough, but I guess we don’t know how to do that. Until then let INEC remain what it is – a mirror – of our pretence. 　

Crowd stones Bauchi governor

Editors Online — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:20:20 +0000

By Armstrong Bakam Bauchi State governor, Isa Yuguda was almost mobbed yesterday by angry indigenes of Bogoro town in Bogoro Local Government Area of the state, during a visit to the area. At least three vehicles in his convoy were destroyed in the process. Mr Yuguda was on an assessment tour of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government areas, hit by sectarian crises since January in which many innocent lives were lost and properties worth millions of naira destroyed. Accompanied by security officers during the tour, Mr Yuguda visited Bununu, Gital and some villages affected by the crisis where he addressed displaced victims before moving to Bogoro. The governor, who had all along avoided the area during his electioneering campaign throughout the state, ran into trouble when his convoy reached Bogoro where he was billed to address people on the lingering crisis at the palace of the district head. Mr Yuguda, whose rating has allegedly dropped due to what many see as his poor handling of the crisis in the area, got more than he could chew as a large angry crowd which gathered at the palace of the district head of Bogoro prevented him from proceeding to the affected villages. NEXT gathered that their anger with the governor was that he had failed to visit them and commiserate with them when the crisis broke out in January. It would be recalled that Mr Yuguda, shortly after the crises in January, had gathered stakeholders from the areas and threatened to relocate Tafawa Balewa town, the home town of Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister, and level the place if the inhabitants could not live in peace with one another. It was gathered that since the governor made the statement in January, there had been reprisal attacks between Fulani and Sayawa people of the area with the later spreading to Bogoro where many villages were burnt and the villagers killed. Trouble for Yuguda An eye witness close to government circles said following the shouting and confusion building outside the district head’s palace, the governor became jittery and demanded from the security chiefs who accompanied him what was amiss and he was told that a crisis was brewing somewhere in the area. "The governor then said it was better to leave the area. But the chiefs told him it was better to go there and see what was happening. As the governor came out of the district head’s office, he was confronted by an angry mob which started shouting that they did not what to see him. "Before we knew what was happening, they started stoning him (Yuguda) and he had to be hurriedly put in his car. The confusion was too much such that the convoy had to speed out from the area but not until three vehicles in his convoy were destroyed by the angry mob." Reacting on the incident, the district head of Bogoro, Haruna Yakubu described it as an "embarrassment" saying, "we have never received an executive governor only to be treated this way." "The governor", according to the district head, "visited Tafawa Balewa and other villages and there was no problem. He conducted his tour peacefully. On coming here, he was about going out when we heard some women shouting. I asked my subordinate to find out what was the problem but the noise persisted." Mr Yakubu said that it was people from Tafawa Balewa that came to Bogoro to incite the stoning of the governor’s convoy. "We don’t know the reason why they had to stone the Chief Executive of the state," he added. About four days ago, the state government issued a statement alleging that political opponents in the state were responsible for the endless uprising in the two councils of the state. The Bauchi State CPC Chairman, Shehu Barrau Ningi, had dismissed the allegation for lack of merit as, according to him, there were no facts or proofs for it.

Court supports candidacy of Gbenga Daniel's candidates

Editors Online — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:22:35 +0000

By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, yesterday ruled that the candidates of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) in Ogun State are qualified to contest the forthcoming general elections. The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed a suit against the PPN over the emergence of the candidates. Dayo Soremi, chairman of the party and two others, on behalf of PDP candidates for the 2011 general elections had, on March 22, approached the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking an order to stop the PPN governorship candidate, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, from contesting the governorship election. The case was, however transferred by the judge to a Federal High Court in Abeokuta, under argument that a circular dated March 16 ordered that all pre-election cases be filed in the state where the primaries and nominations were conducted. The PDP, in the suit, argued that the respondents were members of the PDP before defecting to the PPN and that they were previously on the list of the party as candidates for the election before decamping. In view of this, the party asked for an order of the court to restrain INEC from publishing the name of Mr Isiaka and eight others as candidates for the election. Not your business But the court, in its ruling yesterday, declared that the PDP has no locus standi to institute a case seeking to disqualify candidates of another party and therefore dismissed the suit in its entirety. The presiding judge, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, also ruled on an application filed by PPN seeking a restrain on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from tampering, altering or in any way removing the nomination list of PPN as submitted to the commission by the party. Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia upheld the arguments of the PPN, saying the PDP and its members have no locus standi to institute the action and therefore dismissed the case. She also restrained INEC from tampering, altering or removing the nomination list as submitted to the commission by the PPN.

EFCC docks el- Rufai, 2 others over graft

Editors Online — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:32:10 +0000

From Our reporter (Sun News) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re- arraigned a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and two others on a newly-amended eight-count charge before a Federal Capital Territory High Court presided over by Justice Sadiq Abubakar Umar. The two other accused persons are former director-general, Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS); Altine Jubrin, and former general- manager, AGIS, Ismail Iro. All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them. Their arraignment on Thursday April 7, 2011 followed a ruling by the trial judge last week dismissing the objection raised by the former minister and others to their trial. The judge had held that the charges against them were not only proper but that the EFCC also has the power to prosecute them for graft. The charge was filed against the accused persons based on findings from a petition to EFCC, chronicling allegations of abuse of office and graft against El-Rufai. He was accused of allocating government land to his friends and family members, in flagrant breach of the Abuja master plan. According to the petition, the former minister, between 2003-2007, allocated ten plots of land in choice areas of Abuja and in various sizes to his family members, including his wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, who got two plots- one in the Asokoro district and the other in the Kubwa district. When they were to be arraigned on March 28, 2011, the accused questioned the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter saying that the ICPC Act 2000, under which the accused persons were charged, had been repealed and could therefore, not be used as a legal platform for their trial. They also argued that the EFCC lacked the power to prosecute them as the entire allegation against them did not constitute financial crimes. But counsel to the EFCC, Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) had submitted that El-Rufai and the other accused persons were newly brought before the court on the basis of an eight amended charges and urged the court to allow their immediate arraignment. He pointed out that, "as a matter of law and fact, the objection on this ground has become mute, spent and academic by reason that the prosecution had filed an amended charge." He vehemently opposed the plank upon which the defence counsel based their objection to the arraignment saying that the objection was doomed since it was based on an un-reported decision of a Court of Appeal that had been voided by the Supreme Court. The court however granted EFCC leave to prosecute the former Minister, and two others on the amended eight count charge. This, the court said was in accordance to Section 208(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code and the EFCC Establishment Act. When the case came up on Thursday, the accused took their plea, as Akin Olujimi, SAN, counsel to first and second accused persons applied for bail on behalf of his clients saying he had earlier filed an application to that effect ealier in the day which had been served on the prosecution counsel. He placed his request for bail on the fact that it had been granted to them by EFCC and also by Justice Adamu Bello, when the accused were initially arraigned before a Federal High Court. He also stressed that the duo had completely complied with the conditions of the administrative bail given to them by EFCC.

Explosion rocks INEC office in Suleja

Editors Online — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 19:52:14 +0000

Olu Jacob
An explosion has been reported at the Independent National Electoral Commission Office in Suleja, Niger state. About 20 people, many of them Youth Corps members, who had gone to the INEC office to check their names and postings against tomorrow's polls, were reportedly victims of the blast. The cause of the explosion is not yet known but other victims of the explosion at the Kwamba office include INEC officials who had come to take possession of the voting materials. Eyewitnesses say that the explosion occurred less than than two hours after electoral materials were delivered to the office amidst a security convoy. Other unconfirmed dead include party agents and officials who had gone there to witness the arrival of the materials. It was not immediately clear how many people were injured although many of the wounded have been taken to the Suleja General hospital. When NEXT contacted the state's Police Public Relatios officer, Richard ADAMU Oguche he said, '' I am driving there now. Please i need to see the place before i can talk to you.'' Yesterday the electoral commission had announced that parliamentary voting had been postponed place in the Niger South senatorial district as well as the Bida/Gbako/Katcha and Lavun/Edasi/Mokwa federal constituencies. The commission has not yet announced if the Friday evening blast would force a further curtailment of the elections.

FORENSIC FORCE: Buhari and the northern elite

Editors Online — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 14:46:08 +0000

By Salisu Suleiman For many citizens planning to vote the Jonathan/Sambo ticket in the presidential elections, the issue is not about what the ticket has to offer or due to any sterling performance. The issue is not whether the ticket is particularly inclined (or even desirous) of fighting corruption. They will not be voting for Goodluck Jonathan because he has any clear vision of how to rebuild infrastructure, revive ailing industries or restructure the country. They will be voting for one reason: it is the time of the south. They argue, correctly, that the north has produced more leaders than other regions without much impact. For these people, no matter how bereft of ideas and colourless Mr. Jonathan and his dour deputy may be, they will vote him because it is ‘our turn’. These people are right. The north has produced more leaders and has been in power longer than other regions. The governments of Shehu Shagari(1979-1983), Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1993), Sani Abacha (1993-1998) and Umaru Yar’adua (2007-2010) are best forgotten. To those not familiar with the idiosyncrasies of the region, the ‘north’ is one huge mass of people who have dominated the political space, especially the presidency, to the near exclusion of other zones. To them, the death of late Yar’adua and the subsequent ascension of then vice president Jonathan to the presidency was a ‘divine’ coup and poetic justice of sorts. The idea of willingly relinquishing the presidency so soon, to another northerner, is an anathema. No one should question their rationale or judgement. It is one of the beauties of democracy that people can vote for any, every, and no reason. However, beneath the ‘it is our turn’ justification lies the barely hidden desire to castrate the north politically. In this calculation, if Mr. Jonathan wins the election and quits (very unlikely) in 2015, it will then be the turn of the southeast to produce the next president. This is the grand vision to politically emasculate the north. But the question is, which north? Are they referring to the north of Ibrahim Babangida, Aliyu Gusau, Atiku Abubakar, Adamu Ciroma, Barnabas Gemade, Solomon Lar, Bello Mohammed Halliru, Samaila Sambawa, the Sarakis, Ibrahim Mantu, David Mark, Ahmed Makarfi, Jerry Gana, Sarki Tafida, Jonathan Zwingina, Mukhtari Shagari etc? By ‘north’, are they referring to the emirs, chiefs and traditional institutions or the retired military generals and other elite in the region? If the answers to these posers are yes, then they have missed the mark. There is another north. There is a north that has nothing to do with the usurpation of political and economic opportunities to the exclusion of other Nigerians. There is a north that is poor, hungry, illiterate and devoid of hope. There is a north that is as much a victim as the south of the corruption and arrogance of these narrow clique of northerners that is often presented as representing the entire region. For this north, the various administrations headed by northerners have not resulted in better lives, education or improved opportunities. This north does not send its children to school in the United Kingdom, United States and other locations while local schools are systematically ruined. This north does not fly to Europe or America every fortnight for medical checkups or shopping sprees in Dubai. This north does not keep bank accounts in London, New York, Dubai, South Africa, Jordan, Beijing and Hong Kong; they own no bank accounts at all. This north does not allocate all the best positions in the country to its children, qualified or not. There is a north that simply wants change. And that is the north coming out to speak. So when we see millions of people trooping to catch a glimpse of Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, it is not because they have anything against Mr. Jonathan. The problem they have is the emissaries he has sent to woo their votes — the same people that have systematically impoverished the region and the country. Northern elite despise Buhari vehemently because they know he will destroy their power base and end their corruption and nepotism. For those voting Mr Jonathan just to defeat ‘northern domination’, the twist is that a Jonathan presidency would actually further enrich and empower these reviled northern vultures because Mr Jonathan needs them (or thinks he does). The ultimate irony is that the real key to eliminating the power base of this corrupt and arrogant northern political class lies with electing a northerner.

ACN LEADS NASS POLLS SO FAR...

Kola — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 12:57:45 +0000

Senatorial Elections 19 results have been gotten out of 94 senatorial districts. The analysis of the received results show that PDP has 5 seats (26%), LP and APGA have 1 each (5%), and ACN 12 seats (63%). District Party Abia NORTH PDP Adamawa SOUTH PDP Ebonyi NORTH PDP Enugu EAST PDP Kwara CENTRAL PDP Ondo NORTH LP Anambra SOUTH APGA Anambra CENTRAL ACN Benue NORTH WEST ACN Benue SOUTH ACN Lagos CENTRAL ACN Lagos EAST ACN Ogun CENTRAL ACN Ogun EAST ACN Osun CENTRAL ACN Osun EAST ACN Osun WEST ACN Oyo CENTRAL ACN Oyo SOUTH ACN Federal House Of Representatives Elections 22 results have been gotten out of 315 constituencies. The analysis of the received results show that PDP has 4 seats (18%), PPM, LP, CPC, and APGA have 1 each (4.5%), ACN 11 seats (50%), and ACCORD 3 seats (13.6%). Constituency Party Ogun Egbado North/Imeko-Afon PPN Plateau Jos South/Jos East PDP Plateau Langtang North/Langtang South PDP Plateau Bokkos/Mangu PDP Rivers Okrika/Ogu-Bolo PDP Ondo Akure North/Akure South LP Kaduna Kaduna South CPC Anambra Awka North/Awka South APGA Lagos Badagry ACN Lagos Lagos Island I ACN Lagos Lagos Island II ACN Lagos Lagos Mainland ACN Ogun Abeokuta South ACN Ogun Abeokuta North/ Obafemi- Owode/Odeda ACN Osun Boluwaduro/Ifedayo/Ila ACN Osun Ede North/Ede South/ Egbedore/Ejigbo ACN Osun Obokun/Oriade ACN Osun Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe ACN Plateau Wase ACN Oyo Akinyele/Lagelu ACCORD Oyo Egbeda/Ona-Ara ACCORD Oyo Oluyole ACCORD ******************************************** COMMENTS Olugbemi Dickson Akinlosotu It is a good start that the opposition is having a clean sweep of PDP core areas.it is a clear testimony that PDP may not have anything to offer again. Akintola Mubarak · Training Administrator at Federal ministry of education everyone is involved...old, young and kudos to our youth corps members...more grease to our elbow. Akinfolarin Oluwaseun · Obafemi Awolowo University Woah before my very eyes I behold a free and fair elections and I feel hope restored to this country...am happy. Grace GoldenYouth Ihejiamaizu · University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria BEST Elecetions....hope it remains this way and even better in the subsequent elections. Ajayi Abimbola · Federal polytechnic offa kwara state what happen 2 ekiti house assembly n senatorial. Dayo Otunba Adelakun · CEO at Self Employed and Loving It! The revolution we have long been waiting for. Ologbon Bolaji 'Bolesco' · University Of Ado Ekiiti CN is leading, demoncracy @ wogrk! Mohammed Taofiq · Medical Officer at Kwara State,MOH. demystification of PDP. Jide Ogunsanya, The Internet Expert Na wa ooo... ds na Tsunami or wetin na? Ibrahym Akyb Jaf · Fut minna I lyk dat, of dat pls d oppstn go ahd. Steve Brown TRUE RESULT

ELECTION RESULTS: Live Updates

Editors Online — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:10:35 +0000

234Next BAUCHI: Babayo Garba Gamawa of PDP wins Bauchi North senatorial district LAGOS: Ganiyu Solomon (ACN) wins Lagos west senatorial seat ZAMFARA: KABIR M. GARBA of the ANPP wins Zamfara Central senatorial seat ZAMFARA: Sahabi Yau of the PDP regains the Zamfara North senatorial seat ONDO: Boluwaji Kunlere of Labour party narrowly defeats former governor, Olusegun Agagu, to win Ondo South senatorial seat OYO: AGBOLA HOSEA AYOOLA of the PDP wins Oyo North Senatorial seat BENUE: Emmanuel Lymbee Jime (PDP) declared winner of Markurdi/Guma Federal constituency. ANAMBRA: Resident Electoral Commisioner, Emeka Onubuogu, says result of Anambra South senatorial district will be announced "first thing" tomorrow morning ANAMBRA: REC says it was a very "keen contest" and denies instructing anyone to name Dora Akunyili as winner ANAMBRA: REC says he has received many complaints of electoral malpractice and all will be investigated but result will come first ANAMBRA: REC reiterates that Andy Uba is the winner of the Anambra South race LAGOS: Faleke Abiodun James wins (ACN) Ikeja Federal constituency PLATEAU: Bitrus Kaze wins the Jos South/Jos East Federal constituency Below are results for election in some federal constituencies in Rivers: PDP- 46,850: Dakuku Adol Peterside ACN- 6269: Grace Bellgam CAP- 36: Patrick Ogolo P. Dam. ANPP- 613 APGA- 2402: Adolphus Orubienighe * Obio Akpor Constituency PDP- 68,945: Chinda Kingsley ACN- 7609 APGA- 9,359: Benjamin Ikezam * Okrika/Ogubolo PDP-23,192: Gogo Bright Tamuno ACN- 7,718: John Kalipa ANPP- 40: Amakiri Austin * Port Harcourt (Phalga) Constituency I PDP- 18,621: Kenneth Anayo Chikere ACN- 7,800: Chidebele Okwuwolu ANPP- 537: Ogbonna Frederick Odu APGA- 1535 *Eleme/Tai/ Oyigbo: Bari Mpigi (PDP)- 75,814 Nancy Nwankwo (ACN)- 9,334 Wogu Eze (APGA)- 1,546 *Etche/Omuma: Ogbonna Nwuke (PDP)- 28,438 (ACN)- 10,918 *Ikwerre/Emuoha: Andrew Uchendu (PDP)- 42,545 Emma Okah (ACN)- 15,347 Kingsley Iyeomasila (ANPP)- 1442 *Khana/Gokana: Pronen Maurice (PDP)- 34, 791 Letus Lah Kpekon (ACN)- 18,381 Wiko Ledee H.B. (HDP)- 2,028 *Senatorial Districts. Rivers South-East: Magnus Ngei Abe (PDP) - 154,218 (ACN)- 34,978 (APGA)- 3,679 Rivers East: George T. Sekibo (PDP)- 198,414 Lasbry Amadi (ACN) - 58, 182 Bariya Jackledo (APGA)- 13,605 Rivers West Senatorial district result Wilson Ake (PDP)- 34,931 (ACN)- 6,446 KATSINA: Abdul U. Yandoma of the CPC wins Katsina North senatorial seat KATSINA: Abu Ibrahim of the CPC wins Katsina South senatorial zone Here are more results of the Saturday NASS elections (NAN) Ogun---Yewa North./ Imeko Afon Fedederal Constituency ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Razaq Adewusi (PPN), 19, 494, (winner) Adeluyi Akanbi, (ACN), 17, 934. Ajaojuta Federal Constituency ---------------------------------------- Sadiq Mohammed (PDP), 8,733 (winner) Umar Mohammed of CPC, 8, 246 votes. Oyo South Senatorial District. --------------------------------------- Olufemi Lanlehin, ACN, 127, 691 votes. (winner) Bayo Lawal (ACCORD Party), 118, 250, Kamarudeen Adedibu(PDP), 92, 395 Kogi Central Senatorial District. ------------------------------------------------ Abdulrahman Badasiu (PDP), 30, 533, Enesi Jimoh (ANPP), 13907 Adeiza Avazi (APGA), 5, 570. River South-East Senatorial District ---------------------------------------------- Magnus Abey (PDP), 154, 218 votes (winner) Dr Nomate Kpea (ACN), 3, 978 Kahan/ Gokana Federal Constituency ------------------------------------------------- Morris Pronen (PDP), 34, 791 votes ((winner) Cletus Kpekon (ACN), 18, 381. Asari-Toru/Akoku/Toru Fedederal Constituency ------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Dawari George(PDP) 36,400 (winner) Opunabo Inko Tariah (ACN), 7,966 Ecthe-Omuma Federal Constituency ------------------------------------------------ Ogbonna Nwule (PDP), 28,438 (winner) Ambrose Nwuzi (ACN), 10, 918. OGUN CENTRAL ACN - Gbenga Obadara 102,389 PDP - Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello 56,312 PPN - Ijaduoye Monday 27,183 OGUN EAST ACN - Sefiu Kaka 76,543 PDP - Mohammed Odunowo - 52,613 PPN - Abiodun Odusanya 46,148 OGUN WEST ACN - Odunsi Babalola 61,326 PDP - Babatunde Fadun 59,949 PPN - Waliu Taiwo 45,246 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ABK/SOUTH ACN - William Samuel 28,490 PDP - Oladimeji Bankole 23,103 PPN - Ogundimu Afolabi 3,924 ADO-ODO/OTA ACN - Babatunde Ogunola 19,890 PDP - Fasiau Micheal 12,797 PPN - Hassan Kolawole 11,885 IFO/EWEKORO ACN - Adeyemi Adekunle 28,609 PDP - Osunbiyi Abidemi 13,651 PPN - Obadina Bamidele 8,372 EGBADO NORTH/IMEKO AFON ACN - Adeluyi Akanbi 17,383 PDP - Alexander Ajibade 16,784 PPN - Adewusi Rasaq 18,492 KATSINA: Ahmed Sani Store of the CPC emerges winner of the Katsina Central Senatorial Zone with 217,154 vote KATSINA: Muktar Dandutse of the CPC defeats PDP's Abdulazeez Danduri in the Funtua Senatorial Zone ENUGU Ayogu Eze, the spokesperson for the senate, polled 86,220 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mike Ajogwu of Labour Party who got 27,139. Mr Eze of the PDP, represents Enugu North Senatorial District. Toby Okechukwu of the PDP was also elected with 57,126 votes to represent Agwu/Aninri/Oji River federal constituency of Enugu State. Iferanyi Ugwuanyi of the PDP has also won his re-election to represent Udenu-Igboeze federal constituency of Enugu State. IMO: Chris Anyanwu (APGA) defeats Kema Chikwe of the PDP for the Imo East Senatorial District seat RIVERS: Action Congress of Nigeria rejects the overwhelming victory of the PDP in the election ANAMBRA: Andy Uba (PDP) wins Anambra West Senatorial District election ANAMBRA: INEC suspends announcement of Anambra Central Senatorial election results with Akunyili narrowly ahead of Ngige Below are additional results of Saturday's Senate and House of Representatives elections as announced by INEC returning officers: Gov. Bukola Saraki (PDP) emerged the winner in the Kwara Central Senatorial District by defeating his father's Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) candidate. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PDP also cleared the two other senatorial districts and five House of Representatives seats in Kwara. Saraki defeated three other candidates by polling 78,799 votes, followed closely by the ACN candidate, Dr Oloriegbe Yahaya, who got 53,058 votes, while the ACPN candidate, Hajia Rukayat Issa, scored 32,499, followed by Bilikisu Gambar (CPC), 5,928 ballots. In Kwara North Senatorial District, former Gov. Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi defeated Alhaji Yinusa Yahaya (CPC) and Alhaji Shuaib Abdullahi (ACN). Incumbent Sen. Simeon Ajibola was returned in Kwara South after defeating the ACPN and ACN candidates, Mr Lola Ashiru and Anu Ibiwoye, respectively. In the Ibadan North Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Abiodun Awoleye (ACN) polled 30,035 ballots to beat Kazeem Adeniyi (Accord Party), 24,519; Omotosho Ademola (PDP), 13,472 and Bello Armstrong (ANPP), 1,189 votes. Bitrus Kaze of the PDP won the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency seat in Plateau with 94,774 ballots, beating Augustine Choji (LP), who scored 26,460 votes. In the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State, Khamisu Mailantarki (CPC) got 122,987 ballots, followed by Ibrahim Waziri (PDP), 44,266; Dr Ahmed Gana (ANPP), 8,760; Malam Nasiru Abubakar (LP), 757 and Malam Musa Usman (ADC), 740 votes. Ayo Adeseun of the ACN garnered 105,975 votes to beat Jumoke Akinjide (PDP), who got 78,643 ballots in the Oyo Central Senatorial District of Oyo State. In the Ogun East Senatorial District, Adegbenga Kaka (ACN) won the election with 76,643 votes ahead of Mohammed Odunowo (PDP), 52,613 and Abiodun Odusanya (PPN), 46,148 ballots. PDP candidates won the five House of Representatives seats in the Rivers East Federal Constituency. Mr Osunde Ogbemudia, the INEC Electoral Officer for Port Harcourt Council, announced on Sunday that Mr Ken Chikere (PDP) won the seat for the Port Harcourt 1 Federal Constituency with 8, 671 votes, while Mr Chidibere Honourable of ACN got 7,800 votes to place second. The APGA and UNPP candidates polled 1,535 and 2,113 votes respectively. Mr Bright Gogo (PDP) defeated his rivals with 23,193 votes for the Okirika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency seat. ACN candidate John Kalipe got 7,718, while the ANPP candidate got 40 votes. The PDP candidate also won in the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency with 68, 945 votes, while APGA and ACN got 9,359 and 7,609 respectively. Mr Bari Mpigi (PDP) scored 75,814 votes to win in the Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency, with the ACN and APGA candidates scoring 9,334 and 1,546 ballots respectively. Chief Andrew Uchendu, a three-term member of the House of Representatives, equally won on the PDP platform in the Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency with 42,542 votes. His closest rival, Mr Emma Okah of ACN, got 15,347 votes while ANPP got 1,442 votes. In Enugu State, Mr Gil Nnaji of the PDP polled 67,330 ballots to defeat Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani (PDC), who garnered 32,005 votes in the Enugu East Senatorial District. Also in the race for the House of Representatives, Offor Chukwumegbu of the PDP raked in 22,504 votes to beat eight other contestants in the Enugu North/South Federal Constituency. In Kogi West Senatorial District, Sen. Smart Adeyemi (PDP) polled 84,511 while Joseph Faniyi of CPC got 35,281 votes. In the Kabba-Bunu Federal Constituency, Tajudeen Yussuf of PDP polled 22,183 to defeat Rep. Dino Melaye of ANPP, who polled 18,214. Alhaji Buba Jubril of CPC polled 29,728 to defeat Mr Shabba Ibrahim (PDP), who polled 19,793 ballots to win the Lokoja/Koton Karfe Federal Constituency seat. In the Osun East Senatorial District, Mr Jide Omoworare (ACN) defeated Sen. Iyiola Omisore (PDP) by polling 119,852 compared with the latter's 51,315 ballots. Sola Adeyeye, also of the ACN, won the Osun Central Senatorial District seat, scoring 129,527 votes, while in Osun West Senatorial District, Mr Muda Oyetunde (ACN) got 121,971 ballots to beat Sen. Isiaka Adeleke (PDP), who received 720,090 votes In Ogun West Senatorial District, Mr Akin Odunsi (ACN) won with 61,362 ballots ahead of Mr Babatunde Fadun (PDP), who got 59,949. The Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency seat in Bauchi State was won by Mr Dogara Yakubu (PDP), who got 87,646, followed by Malam Aminu Tukur (ANPP), 65,507; Alhaji Umar Jibo (CPC), 17,924 and Mr Nuhu Dallaji (ACN), 4,926. In the Owerri Fedederal Constituency in Imo, Mr Francis Ezenwa (APGA) polled 220,028 votes to defeat Mr Ernest Ibejiako (PDP), 17,702; Gibson Njemanze (ACN), 12,955 and Clement Nwokocha (Fresh Party), Zero. Incumbent Sen. Odion Ugbesia of the PDP scored 61,983 to beat Mrs Herbata Okonofua of ACN, who scored 49,385 to pick the senatorial ticket for Edo Central. For the Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency seat in Edo, the ACN candidate, Mr Jim Adun, scored 47,353 to defeat Mr Ifaluyi Isibor, a sitting member, who scored 14,813. The ACN also won the Oredo Federal Constituency election, as its candidate, Razaq Bello, scored 31,039 as against the 9,260 ballots polled by PDP's Ogbeide Ihama. Similarly, the ACN won the House of Representatives seats for Owan and Etsako, with ACN's Pally Iriase scoring 21,013 as against 18,881 votes polled by John Abolagbe of the PDP in Owan. For Etsako, ACN's Abubakar Momoh scored 52,657 while the PDP candidate, Abas Braimah, got 24,129. In the Esan South-East/Esan North-East Federal Constituency where PDP won, its candidate, Friday Itulah, scored 26,536 to defeat ACN's Christopher Ebari, who scored 21,745. In Sokoto State, the ruling PDP won three federal constituencies, with Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed winning in Kware/Wamakko, while incumbent Assemblymen Isa salihu and Umaru Bature beat their opponents in Tangaza/Gudu and Sokoto North/Sokoto South respectively. In the House of Representatives election, the PDP candidate, Mr Alli Ahmad, won in Ilorin East/Ilorin South with 31,163 votes, while the ACN candidate, Hajia Biliksu Oniyangi, polled 19,771 and the incumbent member of the House, formerly of PDP but now ACPN, scored 17,861 votes. The PDP candidate for Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, scored 44,170 to defeat his closest rival, Alhaji Jidda AbdulRazak (ACN), who got scored 29,634, while ACPN candidate Duro Sulaiman polled 17,388 ballots. In Oyo South Senatorial District, Olufemi Lanlehin of the ACN received 127,691 ballots to defeat Bayo Lawal (Accord Party, 118,250 and incumbent Kamarudeen Adedibu (PDP, who got 92,395 votes. RIVERS: PDP wins all three senatorial elections in Rivers State KOGI: Smart Adeyemi (PDP) gets 84,511 votes to win Kogi West Senatorial Districts ahead of Joseph Faniyi of the CPC OYO: Olufemi Lanlehin (ACN) defeats incumbent Kamarudeen Adedibu (PDP) in Oyo South Senatorial District KANO: Unconfirmed results shows the PDP winning two senatorial seats and 11 House of Reps seats. The ANPP wins 8 House of Rep seats while CPC wins 2 EBONYI: PDP declared winner of one Senate and two House of Reps; ANPP wins one House of Reps seat RESULT FOR LAGOS WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT OJO LOCAL GOVERNMENT. ACN - 34,341 PDP -20,111. IFAKO IJAYE ACN -44,492, PDP -13,635. IKEJA ACN-34,500 PDP -16,144. AJEROMI IFELODUN ACN -62,829 PDP - 28,441. MUSHIN ACN-76, 636 PDP-31, 860. BADAGRY ACN -28,806 PDP -18,590. AGEGE ACN -41,632, PDP - 21,695. Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon of ACN is currently leading the tally LAGOS: Oluremi Tinubu wins Lagos Central Senatorial seat with 202, 506 votes. LAGOS: Akinloye Hazeez Babajide of ACN bags 32, 473 votes to win Eti-Osa Federal Constituency. LAGOS: Monsuru Alao Owolabi of the ACN wins Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency with 42, 060 vote RIVERS: Results already announced by INEC show the PDP has won 5 of the 13 federal constituencies in the State. BENUE: Senate president, David Mark, (PDP) defeats Lawrence Onoja (ACN) to win the Benue South senatorial south seat. ENUGU: Deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu has won the senatorial election in the Enugu West senatorial District. Mr Ekweremadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 112,806 votes to beat the Peoples for Democratic Change (PDC) candidate, Jackson Ezeoffor, who got 7,522 votes. The Labour Party candidate polled 5,175, APGA 3591, ACN 1325, ANPP 278, CPC 593 and PPA 839. About 12 parties contested the election. EBONYI: Sykvester Ogbagba of PDP wins Abakaliki/Izzi House of Reps seat. BAUCHI: Aliyu Gebi, (CPC) wins Bauchi House of Reps election; Haliru Jika (ACN) wins in Ganjuwa; Abdulrazaq Zaki (PDP) wins in Ningi IMO: Francis Ezenwa Onyenwuchi (APGA) wins Owerri federal House of Reps election. KWARA: PDP candidates win all three senatorial districts and five House of Reps seats. ENUGU: Deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu and senate spokesman, Ayogu Eze, both of PDP, win poll. BENUE: Barnabas Gemade of PDP defeats incumbent, Joseph Akaagerger, of the ACN to win Benue North East senatorial race. OGUN: Speaker, Dimeji Bankole and senator, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello lose election to ACN opponents. ENUGU: Gil Nnaji of PDP defeats former governor, Chimaroke Nnamani of PDC for Enugu west senatorial ticket. KWARA: Bukola Saraki of the PDP is winner of Kwara Central senatorial district with 78, 999 votes. BENUE: Senate President, David Mark, (PDP) is leading his closest opponent, Lawrence Onoja (ACN) with 42,487 votes so far. Result from 6 local government declared while three more are being expected. Mark has 91717 votes from the six councils while Mr Onoja has 49230. BENUE: Ezekiel Awulu Adaji, PDP candidate, is declared winner of Otukpo/Ohimini fed constituency. Results: ACN = 13745; ANPP = 16737; CPC = 1068; MPPP = 198; PDP = 26991 　　　 *Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency ELECTION RESULTS: Live Updates 234Next BAUCHI: Babayo Garba Gamawa of PDP wins Bauchi North senatorial district LAGOS: Ganiyu Solomon (ACN) wins Lagos west senatorial seat ZAMFARA: KABIR M. GARBA of the ANPP wins Zamfara Central senatorial seat ZAMFARA: Sahabi Yau of the PDP regains the Zamfara North senatorial seat ONDO: Boluwaji Kunlere of Labour party narrowly defeats former governor, Olusegun Agagu, to win Ondo South senatorial seat OYO: AGBOLA HOSEA AYOOLA of the PDP wins Oyo North Senatorial seat BENUE: Emmanuel Lymbee Jime (PDP) declared winner of Markurdi/Guma Federal constituency. ANAMBRA: Resident Electoral Commisioner, Emeka Onubuogu, says result of Anambra South senatorial district will be announced "first thing" tomorrow morning ANAMBRA: REC says it was a very "keen contest" and denies instructing anyone to name Dora Akunyili as winner ANAMBRA: REC says he has received many complaints of electoral malpractice and all will be investigated but result will come first ANAMBRA: REC reiterates that Andy Uba is the winner of the Anambra South race LAGOS: Faleke Abiodun James wins (ACN) Ikeja Federal constituency PLATEAU: Bitrus Kaze wins the Jos South/Jos East Federal constituency Below are results for election in some federal constituencies in Rivers: PDP- 46,850: Dakuku Adol Peterside ACN- 6269: Grace Bellgam CAP- 36: Patrick Ogolo P. Dam. ANPP- 613 APGA- 2402: Adolphus Orubienighe * Obio Akpor Constituency PDP- 68,945: Chinda Kingsley ACN- 7609 APGA- 9,359: Benjamin Ikezam * Okrika/Ogubolo PDP-23,192: Gogo Bright Tamuno ACN- 7,718: John Kalipa ANPP- 40: Amakiri Austin * Port Harcourt (Phalga) Constituency I PDP- 18,621: Kenneth Anayo Chikere ACN- 7,800: Chidebele Okwuwolu ANPP- 537: Ogbonna Frederick Odu APGA- 1535 *Eleme/Tai/ Oyigbo: Bari Mpigi (PDP)- 75,814 Nancy Nwankwo (ACN)- 9,334 Wogu Eze (APGA)- 1,546 *Etche/Omuma: Ogbonna Nwuke (PDP)- 28,438 (ACN)- 10,918 *Ikwerre/Emuoha: Andrew Uchendu (PDP)- 42,545 Emma Okah (ACN)- 15,347 Kingsley Iyeomasila (ANPP)- 1442 *Khana/Gokana: Pronen Maurice (PDP)- 34, 791 Letus Lah Kpekon (ACN)- 18,381 Wiko Ledee H.B. (HDP)- 2,028 *Senatorial Districts. Rivers South-East: Magnus Ngei Abe (PDP) - 154,218 (ACN)- 34,978 (APGA)- 3,679 Rivers East: George T. Sekibo (PDP)- 198,414 Lasbry Amadi (ACN) - 58, 182 Bariya Jackledo (APGA)- 13,605 Rivers West Senatorial district result Wilson Ake (PDP)- 34,931 (ACN)- 6,446 KATSINA: Abdul U. Yandoma of the CPC wins Katsina North senatorial seat KATSINA: Abu Ibrahim of the CPC wins Katsina South senatorial zone Here are more results of the Saturday NASS elections (NAN) Ogun---Yewa North./ Imeko Afon Fedederal Constituency ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Razaq Adewusi (PPN), 19, 494, (winner) Adeluyi Akanbi, (ACN), 17, 934. Ajaojuta Federal Constituency ---------------------------------------- Sadiq Mohammed (PDP), 8,733 (winner) Umar Mohammed of CPC, 8, 246 votes. Oyo South Senatorial District. --------------------------------------- Olufemi Lanlehin, ACN, 127, 691 votes. (winner) Bayo Lawal (ACCORD Party), 118, 250, Kamarudeen Adedibu(PDP), 92, 395 Kogi Central Senatorial District. ------------------------------------------------ Abdulrahman Badasiu (PDP), 30, 533, Enesi Jimoh (ANPP), 13907 Adeiza Avazi (APGA), 5, 570. River South-East Senatorial District ---------------------------------------------- Magnus Abey (PDP), 154, 218 votes (winner) Dr Nomate Kpea (ACN), 3, 978 Kahan/ Gokana Federal Constituency ------------------------------------------------- Morris Pronen (PDP), 34, 791 votes ((winner) Cletus Kpekon (ACN), 18, 381. Asari-Toru/Akoku/Toru Fedederal Constituency ------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Dawari George(PDP) 36,400 (winner) Opunabo Inko Tariah (ACN), 7,966 Ecthe-Omuma Federal Constituency ------------------------------------------------ Ogbonna Nwule (PDP), 28,438 (winner) Ambrose Nwuzi (ACN), 10, 918. OGUN CENTRAL ACN - Gbenga Obadara 102,389 PDP - Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello 56,312 PPN - Ijaduoye Monday 27,183 OGUN EAST ACN - Sefiu Kaka 76,543 PDP - Mohammed Odunowo - 52,613 PPN - Abiodun Odusanya 46,148 OGUN WEST ACN - Odunsi Babalola 61,326 PDP - Babatunde Fadun 59,949 PPN - Waliu Taiwo 45,246 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ABK/SOUTH ACN - William Samuel 28,490 PDP - Oladimeji Bankole 23,103 PPN - Ogundimu Afolabi 3,924 ADO-ODO/OTA ACN - Babatunde Ogunola 19,890 PDP - Fasiau Micheal 12,797 PPN - Hassan Kolawole 11,885 IFO/EWEKORO ACN - Adeyemi Adekunle 28,609 PDP - Osunbiyi Abidemi 13,651 PPN - Obadina Bamidele 8,372 EGBADO NORTH/IMEKO AFON ACN - Adeluyi Akanbi 17,383 PDP - Alexander Ajibade 16,784 PPN - Adewusi Rasaq 18,492 KATSINA: Ahmed Sani Store of the CPC emerges winner of the Katsina Central Senatorial Zone with 217,154 vote KATSINA: Muktar Dandutse of the CPC defeats PDP's Abdulazeez Danduri in the Funtua Senatorial Zone ENUGU Ayogu Eze, the spokesperson for the senate, polled 86,220 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mike Ajogwu of Labour Party who got 27,139. Mr Eze of the PDP, represents Enugu North Senatorial District. Toby Okechukwu of the PDP was also elected with 57,126 votes to represent Agwu/Aninri/Oji River federal constituency of Enugu State. Iferanyi Ugwuanyi of the PDP has also won his re-election to represent Udenu-Igboeze federal constituency of Enugu State. IMO: Chris Anyanwu (APGA) defeats Kema Chikwe of the PDP for the Imo East Senatorial District seat RIVERS: Action Congress of Nigeria rejects the overwhelming victory of the PDP in the election ANAMBRA: Andy Uba (PDP) wins Anambra West Senatorial District election ANAMBRA: INEC suspends announcement of Anambra Central Senatorial election results with Akunyili narrowly ahead of Ngige Below are additional results of Saturday's Senate and House of Representatives elections as announced by INEC returning officers: Gov. Bukola Saraki (PDP) emerged the winner in the Kwara Central Senatorial District by defeating his father's Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) candidate. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PDP also cleared the two other senatorial districts and five House of Representatives seats in Kwara. Saraki defeated three other candidates by polling 78,799 votes, followed closely by the ACN candidate, Dr Oloriegbe Yahaya, who got 53,058 votes, while the ACPN candidate, Hajia Rukayat Issa, scored 32,499, followed by Bilikisu Gambar (CPC), 5,928 ballots. In Kwara North Senatorial District, former Gov. Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi defeated Alhaji Yinusa Yahaya (CPC) and Alhaji Shuaib Abdullahi (ACN). Incumbent Sen. Simeon Ajibola was returned in Kwara South after defeating the ACPN and ACN candidates, Mr Lola Ashiru and Anu Ibiwoye, respectively. In the Ibadan North Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Abiodun Awoleye (ACN) polled 30,035 ballots to beat Kazeem Adeniyi (Accord Party), 24,519; Omotosho Ademola (PDP), 13,472 and Bello Armstrong (ANPP), 1,189 votes. Bitrus Kaze of the PDP won the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency seat in Plateau with 94,774 ballots, beating Augustine Choji (LP), who scored 26,460 votes. In the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State, Khamisu Mailantarki (CPC) got 122,987 ballots, followed by Ibrahim Waziri (PDP), 44,266; Dr Ahmed Gana (ANPP), 8,760; Malam Nasiru Abubakar (LP), 757 and Malam Musa Usman (ADC), 740 votes. Ayo Adeseun of the ACN garnered 105,975 votes to beat Jumoke Akinjide (PDP), who got 78,643 ballots in the Oyo Central Senatorial District of Oyo State. In the Ogun East Senatorial District, Adegbenga Kaka (ACN) won the election with 76,643 votes ahead of Mohammed Odunowo (PDP), 52,613 and Abiodun Odusanya (PPN), 46,148 ballots. PDP candidates won the five House of Representatives seats in the Rivers East Federal Constituency. Mr Osunde Ogbemudia, the INEC Electoral Officer for Port Harcourt Council, announced on Sunday that Mr Ken Chikere (PDP) won the seat for the Port Harcourt 1 Federal Constituency with 8, 671 votes, while Mr Chidibere Honourable of ACN got 7,800 votes to place second. The APGA and UNPP candidates polled 1,535 and 2,113 votes respectively. Mr Bright Gogo (PDP) defeated his rivals with 23,193 votes for the Okirika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency seat. ACN candidate John Kalipe got 7,718, while the ANPP candidate got 40 votes. The PDP candidate also won in the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency with 68, 945 votes, while APGA and ACN got 9,359 and 7,609 respectively. Mr Bari Mpigi (PDP) scored 75,814 votes to win in the Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency, with the ACN and APGA candidates scoring 9,334 and 1,546 ballots respectively. Chief Andrew Uchendu, a three-term member of the House of Representatives, equally won on the PDP platform in the Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency with 42,542 votes. His closest rival, Mr Emma Okah of ACN, got 15,347 votes while ANPP got 1,442 votes. In Enugu State, Mr Gil Nnaji of the PDP polled 67,330 ballots to defeat Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani (PDC), who garnered 32,005 votes in the Enugu East Senatorial District. Also in the race for the House of Representatives, Offor Chukwumegbu of the PDP raked in 22,504 votes to beat eight other contestants in the Enugu North/South Federal Constituency. In Kogi West Senatorial District, Sen. Smart Adeyemi (PDP) polled 84,511 while Joseph Faniyi of CPC got 35,281 votes. In the Kabba-Bunu Federal Constituency, Tajudeen Yussuf of PDP polled 22,183 to defeat Rep. Dino Melaye of ANPP, who polled 18,214. Alhaji Buba Jubril of CPC polled 29,728 to defeat Mr Shabba Ibrahim (PDP), who polled 19,793 ballots to win the Lokoja/Koton Karfe Federal Constituency seat. In the Osun East Senatorial District, Mr Jide Omoworare (ACN) defeated Sen. Iyiola Omisore (PDP) by polling 119,852 compared with the latter's 51,315 ballots. Sola Adeyeye, also of the ACN, won the Osun Central Senatorial District seat, scoring 129,527 votes, while in Osun West Senatorial District, Mr Muda Oyetunde (ACN) got 121,971 ballots to beat Sen. Isiaka Adeleke (PDP), who received 720,090 votes In Ogun West Senatorial District, Mr Akin Odunsi (ACN) won with 61,362 ballots ahead of Mr Babatunde Fadun (PDP), who got 59,949. The Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency seat in Bauchi State was won by Mr Dogara Yakubu (PDP), who got 87,646, followed by Malam Aminu Tukur (ANPP), 65,507; Alhaji Umar Jibo (CPC), 17,924 and Mr Nuhu Dallaji (ACN), 4,926. In the Owerri Fedederal Constituency in Imo, Mr Francis Ezenwa (APGA) polled 220,028 votes to defeat Mr Ernest Ibejiako (PDP), 17,702; Gibson Njemanze (ACN), 12,955 and Clement Nwokocha (Fresh Party), Zero. Incumbent Sen. Odion Ugbesia of the PDP scored 61,983 to beat Mrs Herbata Okonofua of ACN, who scored 49,385 to pick the senatorial ticket for Edo Central. For the Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency seat in Edo, the ACN candidate, Mr Jim Adun, scored 47,353 to defeat Mr Ifaluyi Isibor, a sitting member, who scored 14,813. The ACN also won the Oredo Federal Constituency election, as its candidate, Razaq Bello, scored 31,039 as against the 9,260 ballots polled by PDP's Ogbeide Ihama. Similarly, the ACN won the House of Representatives seats for Owan and Etsako, with ACN's Pally Iriase scoring 21,013 as against 18,881 votes polled by John Abolagbe of the PDP in Owan. For Etsako, ACN's Abubakar Momoh scored 52,657 while the PDP candidate, Abas Braimah, got 24,129. In the Esan South-East/Esan North-East Federal Constituency where PDP won, its candidate, Friday Itulah, scored 26,536 to defeat ACN's Christopher Ebari, who scored 21,745. In Sokoto State, the ruling PDP won three federal constituencies, with Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed winning in Kware/Wamakko, while incumbent Assemblymen Isa salihu and Umaru Bature beat their opponents in Tangaza/Gudu and Sokoto North/Sokoto South respectively. In the House of Representatives election, the PDP candidate, Mr Alli Ahmad, won in Ilorin East/Ilorin South with 31,163 votes, while the ACN candidate, Hajia Biliksu Oniyangi, polled 19,771 and the incumbent member of the House, formerly of PDP but now ACPN, scored 17,861 votes. The PDP candidate for Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, scored 44,170 to defeat his closest rival, Alhaji Jidda AbdulRazak (ACN), who got scored 29,634, while ACPN candidate Duro Sulaiman polled 17,388 ballots. In Oyo South Senatorial District, Olufemi Lanlehin of the ACN received 127,691 ballots to defeat Bayo Lawal (Accord Party, 118,250 and incumbent Kamarudeen Adedibu (PDP, who got 92,395 votes. RIVERS: PDP wins all three senatorial elections in Rivers State KOGI: Smart Adeyemi (PDP) gets 84,511 votes to win Kogi West Senatorial Districts ahead of Joseph Faniyi of the CPC OYO: Olufemi Lanlehin (ACN) defeats incumbent Kamarudeen Adedibu (PDP) in Oyo South Senatorial District KANO: Unconfirmed results shows the PDP winning two senatorial seats and 11 House of Reps seats. The ANPP wins 8 House of Rep seats while CPC wins 2 EBONYI: PDP declared winner of one Senate and two House of Reps; ANPP wins one House of Reps seat RESULT FOR LAGOS WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT OJO LOCAL GOVERNMENT. ACN - 34,341 PDP -20,111. IFAKO IJAYE ACN -44,492, PDP -13,635. IKEJA ACN-34,500 PDP -16,144. AJEROMI IFELODUN ACN -62,829 PDP - 28,441. MUSHIN ACN-76, 636 PDP-31, 860. BADAGRY ACN -28,806 PDP -18,590. AGEGE ACN -41,632, PDP - 21,695. Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon of ACN is currently leading the tally LAGOS: Oluremi Tinubu wins Lagos Central Senatorial seat with 202, 506 votes. LAGOS: Akinloye Hazeez Babajide of ACN bags 32, 473 votes to win Eti-Osa Federal Constituency. LAGOS: Monsuru Alao Owolabi of the ACN wins Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency with 42, 060 vote RIVERS: Results already announced by INEC show the PDP has won 5 of the 13 federal constituencies in the State. BENUE: Senate president, David Mark, (PDP) defeats Lawrence Onoja (ACN) to win the Benue South senatorial south seat. ENUGU: Deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu has won the senatorial election in the Enugu West senatorial District. Mr Ekweremadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 112,806 votes to beat the Peoples for Democratic Change (PDC) candidate, Jackson Ezeoffor, who got 7,522 votes. The Labour Party candidate polled 5,175, APGA 3591, ACN 1325, ANPP 278, CPC 593 and PPA 839. About 12 parties contested the election. EBONYI: Sykvester Ogbagba of PDP wins Abakaliki/Izzi House of Reps seat. BAUCHI: Aliyu Gebi, (CPC) wins Bauchi House of Reps election; Haliru Jika (ACN) wins in Ganjuwa; Abdulrazaq Zaki (PDP) wins in Ningi IMO: Francis Ezenwa Onyenwuchi (APGA) wins Owerri federal House of Reps election. KWARA: PDP candidates win all three senatorial districts and five House of Reps seats. ENUGU: Deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu and senate spokesman, Ayogu Eze, both of PDP, win poll. BENUE: Barnabas Gemade of PDP defeats incumbent, Joseph Akaagerger, of the ACN to win Benue North East senatorial race. OGUN: Speaker, Dimeji Bankole and senator, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello lose election to ACN opponents. ENUGU: Gil Nnaji of PDP defeats former governor, Chimaroke Nnamani of PDC for Enugu west senatorial ticket. KWARA: Bukola Saraki of the PDP is winner of Kwara Central senatorial district with 78, 999 votes. BENUE: Senate President, David Mark, (PDP) is leading his closest opponent, Lawrence Onoja (ACN) with 42,487 votes so far. Result from 6 local government declared while three more are being expected. Mark has 91717 votes from the six councils while Mr Onoja has 49230. BENUE: Ezekiel Awulu Adaji, PDP candidate, is declared winner of Otukpo/Ohimini fed constituency. Results: ACN = 13745; ANPP = 16737; CPC = 1068; MPPP = 198; PDP = 26991 　　 *Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency　