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Police Chief Orders Probe Into Attack On Couple

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<span style="background-color: transparent;">The Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered an investigation into the brutal attack on a couple, Mr and Mrs. Ijeh Smith, by a policeman, Dada Ogunsanya in Lekki, Lagos.</span></div>
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The Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the officer involved had been identified and is already undergoing administrative trial.</div>
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“All other officers whose conduct did not speak well on the incident are also being sanctioned, preparatory to further necessary action,” the statement added.</div>
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It stated that the IG ordered a full scale investigation into the matter in line with his commitment to protect and uphold the human rights of all Nigerians and residents.</div>
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<i>The PUNCH</i> had reported on Wednesday that Ejeh and Grace were going home in a taxi when Ogunsanya and six other police officers patrolling the area flagged down their cab at the Lekki Roundabout.</div>
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The policeman was said to have asked the cab driver, Ndubuisi Iheaka, to open his boot for a routine check.</div>
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He allegedly asked the couple to alight the cab when they asked him to stop flashing his torch on them since the vehicle’s inner lights were on, but during the argument that ensued, the police officer allegedly hit Ejeh in the eye with the butt of his rifle and punched his wife in the face.</div>
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The IG reiterated the determination of the Force to abide by the contents of the newly launched NPF Human Rights Practice Manual, stressing that no abuse of human rights will be tolerated in the Force.</div>
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Meanwhile, the IG has called on all his officers especially the members of Inspectorate and rank and file of the Force to remain resolute in pursuit of their statutory duties as the management team is bent on ensuring that they get their welfare entitlement as and when due.</div>
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He also noted that the problems confronting the Nigeria Police Force are being addressed.</div>
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He asked the personnel to distance themselves from any act capable of jeopardizing public peace or that may affect the nation’s nascent democracy.</div>
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Abba further warned that he would not condone any act of indiscipline, noting that any person or group of persons caught making inciting statement in the Force would not only be punished internally, but would also be made to face the wrath of the law.</div>
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He assured all Police personnel that efforts are being made by the present Management Team of the Force to address the challenges and improve on personnel welfare which includes promotions, courses, issuance of uniforms among others.</div>
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<b>Credit: The Punch</b><br />
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Police Chief Orders Probe Into Attack On Couple

The Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered an investigation into the brutal attack on a couple, Mr and Mrs. Ijeh Smith, by a policeman, Dada Ogunsanya in Lekki, Lagos. The Force Publ…

11 Dec 2014

[Photo]: See the Face of the Lagos Maid Who Absconds With 2 Infant Kids

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A photo of the maid who kidnapped two little boys on Sunday, December 7, in Lagos, has finally surfaced. </div>
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The maid, identified simply as Juliet, is pictured in what appears to be a screenshot from a CCTV footage after disappearing from a family home in Magodo with 2-year-old Rafael and 15-month-old Michael Esharegaran.</div>
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The whereabouts of the boys and the maid are still unknown and the police are requesting information that could lead to the children’s rescue or Juliet’s capture. </div>
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Any valid information should be sent to Darlington on 08037071370 or reported at the nearest police station.</div>

[Photo]: See the Face of the Lagos Maid Who Absconds With 2 Infant Kids

A photo of the maid who kidnapped two little boys on Sunday, December 7, in Lagos, has finally surfaced. The maid, identified simply as Juliet, is pictured in what appears to be a screenshot from a …

11 Dec 2014

JUST IN: Atiku Concedes Defeat, Congratulates Buhari

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has congratulated Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for emerging victorious in the keenly contested presidential primary election of All Progressives Congress (APC).</div>
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Atiku in a concession statement by his media office in Lagos Thursday said that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari ran a spirited campaign, and that since the delegates have spoken, he fully deserves the victory.</div>
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The statement reads:</div>
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“I am very confident that you will provide the needed leadership to turn this country around. I have no doubt that you will work with dedicated and qualified Nigerians to protect our citizens, improve our economy, create jobs, improve education, reform governance and fight corruption. You will indeed bring the change Nigerians have been yearning for. Once more, congratulations.</div>
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“I congratulate the other contestants, namely Governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Rochas Okorocha as well as the erudite Sam Nda-Isaiah. You have all demonstrated your commitment to democracy by participating in this transparent process and by campaigning vigorously across this country.</div>
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“I thank our delegates for their sacrifices and their commitment to democracy. In particular, I thank those who voted for me for your faith in me. However, since we came up short, we have to now rally behind General Buhari to help him prevail in the coming Presidential election.</div>
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“The APC has demonstrated, through the transparent process, the Party’s commitment to democracy and rule of law. It has demonstrated its respect for people and their choice through the ballot box.</div>
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“I sincerely thank the Convention Committee for putting together a hitch-free convention.</div>
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“My dear friends, we have voted, a winner has emerged. I pledge my commitment to this Party, and to campaign vigorously for our candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and all APC candidates to ensure victory in the 2015 elections.</div>
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“I call on all other contestants and our party’s rank and file to unite behind our candidates at all levels to ensure that the PDP is defeated, so Nigerians can have real change.</div>
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“I will hand over to Gen. Buhari for his review and possible implementation my policy document which was developed in line with the party’s philosophy.</div>
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<b>Credit: <a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/">Vanguard</a></b><a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/"> </a></div>

JUST IN: Atiku Concedes Defeat, Congratulates Buhari

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has congratulated Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for emerging victorious in the keenly contested presidential primary election of All Progressives Congress (APC). Atiku in…

11 Dec 2014

Mikel Obi Scores First Champions League Goal

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When Chelsea lost to Newcastle last weekend, Nigeria’s John Mikel Obi was made the scapegoat as he was blamed for not marshalling the midfield as well as Serbian Nemanja Matic who missed the game through accumulation of five yellow cards.</div>
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But in Wednesday night’s Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon, the former Lyn Oslo star gave a star performance and earned a goal for himself when he bundled home Chelsea’s third goal on 56 minutes to make it 3-1 and add to Cesc Fabregas and Andre Schuerrle goals for the Blues.</div>
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The goal is Mikel Obi’s first ever Champions League goal for Chelsea after 58 appearances. The goal wasn’t beautiful or spectacular but was a significant strike for the Nigerian as he celebrated like a newly wed with teammates who embraced him with graciously for a job well-done.</div>
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The Blues were already assured of qualification as goals from Cesc Fabregas, Andre Schurrle and John Obi Mikel secured the victory, despite Adrien Silva’s effort for the Portuguese side.</div>
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Spain international Fabregas was handed the chance to give his side the lead from the penalty spot after eight minutes thanks to a foul on Filipe Luis.</div>
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Fabregas made no mistake from 12 yards before Germany international Schurrle doubled the advantage shortly after.</div>
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Schurrle managed to find some space on the edge of the box and the former Bayer Leverkusen forward curled an effort beyond Rui Patricio into the bottom corner.</div>
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Nemanja Matic should have made it 3-0 on the half-hour mark but his somehow missed the target when well placed inside the area.</div>
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The Portuguese side reduced the deficit less than five minutes into the second period when Adrien Silva chested down a half cleared ball before drilling past Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.</div>
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There was an almost instant replay from Jose Mourinho’s side but Mohamed Salah was denied by an excellent stop from Patricio.</div>
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Mourinho’s men didn’t have to wait too much to longer to regain their two-goal cushion though and it was Mikel who got his name on the score-sheet with a close-range finish.</div>
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Islam Slimani almost reduced the deficit once more but the Sporting striker was thwarted by Cech’s save on 63 minutes.<br />
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<b>Credit: <a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/new/mikel-nets-first-champions-league-goal/">The Nation</a></b></div>

Mikel Obi Scores First Champions League Goal

When Chelsea lost to Newcastle last weekend, Nigeria’s John Mikel Obi was made the scapegoat as he was blamed for not marshalling the midfield as well as Serbian Nemanja Matic who missed the game thr…

11 Dec 2014

BREAKING: Buhari Wins APC Presidential Primary

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Former Head of State and a three-time contender for the Presidency, Muhammadu Buhari, has emerged the Presidential candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) as at the ongoing National Convention of the party holding at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.</div>
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Buhari who polled a total of  <b>3,430 votes</b> defeated four other contestants among whom is the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who scored <b>954 votes</b> out of about 8,000 accredited delegates who participated in the primary election. Other contestants with Buhari are Governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, and the publisher of Leadership newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah.</div>
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With this victory, Muhammadu Buhari will face the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 14, 2015 Presidential election.</div>
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Goodluck Jonathan had emerged PDP's candidate yesterday in Abuja at the party's National Convention which merely ratified his (Jonathan) candidacy because he was the only aspirant.</div>

BREAKING: Buhari Wins APC Presidential Primary

Former Head of State and a three-time contender for the Presidency, Muhammadu Buhari, has emerged the Presidential candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) as at the ongoing Nation…

11 Dec 2014

Abuja Maid Strangles A 3-Year Old Girl

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A fan of this <i><b>The Nigeria Newsroom</b></i> sent us this image and the story behind it. Please read.</div>
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A baby-sitter in Abuja has strangled a 3 year old girl to death. </div>
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Her reason for doing this dastardly act is because the girl's mum told her she couldn't travel to her village for Christmas.</div>
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The disappointed maid was said to have killed the little girl in anger because the girl's mother had insisted she had to stay in Abuja to look after the child. </div>
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Parents please be careful with the kind of people you bring around your children. It is your responsibility to protect them. I know with work and other engagements it is almost impossible not to have someone to help with the kids but make sure they're people you can trust with the lives of your children.</div>
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Please mothers, be more careful.</div>
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You too can give us a story you want us to blog. Check our contact page for details.</div>
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Abuja Maid Strangles A 3-Year Old Girl

A fan of this The Nigeria Newsroom sent us this image and the story behind it. Please read. A baby-sitter in Abuja has strangled a 3 year old girl to death. Her reason for doing this dastardly act i…

11 Dec 2014

Don't Mind Primate Ayodele, Pastor Adeboye Says I'll Win - Ambode

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By <b>Femi Oyewale</b>, <i>Encomium</i></div>
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51 year old Lagos State gubernatorial aspirant of All Progressives Congress, Akinwunmi Ambode, has carpeted the controversial prediction by Primate Elijah Ayodele that if APC picks him, the party will lose the state.</div>
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According to the technocrat turned politician, he is not swayed by Primate Ayodele’s words, rather he is rest assured by the prophesies of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye in 2013, which guaranteed his victory, not just at the primary but in the forthcoming election in 2015.</div>
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In an exclusive chat with <i>ENCOMIUM</i> Weekly on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, speaking to us through his Director of Media, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, he said,  “On June 2, 2013, the Apapa family of the RCCG organised their annual programme at Tafawa Balewa Square,  Lagos.  It comprises of Epe 47, where over 2,000 branches gather together every first week of June for Daddy G.O’s visit. Ambode was among them. When Daddy G.O mounted the pulpit, before he delivered meritorious message, he gave a word of prophecy.</div>
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“He said my father told me that the next governor of Lagos will be a member of RCCG. I have the tape here with me. Nobody knew then that he will be aspiring. But he told me that the way and manner he emerged as a guber aspirant in APC is a confirmation of that prophecy. Baba does not dabble into politics but since this development the entire members of RCCG Worldwide are praying for the confirmation of this prophecy. I don’t consider Primate Ayodele’s word as a serious prediction worthy of meditation. Ambode will not only win the ticket but will emerge winner in the election in 2015.”</div>
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Akin Ambode was the former Accountant General/Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance in Lagos, until his voluntary retirement in 2012, after 27 years service. He was probably the first civil servant to resign from such a plum position when he still had many years to go in the service.</div>
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The impression was that Asiwaju Tinubu told him to do so because he was preparing him for greater responsibility.</div>
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When he left the service, he went to Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, where we learnt he studied one or two things about governance in his preparation for the greater responsibility.</div>
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Luckily for him, while abroad studying, his wife of 18 years gave birth to a set of twins, a boy and a girl for the first time in their marriage. With the clamour for a Christian governor in the state, he has been parading himself as Tinubu’s choice as the next governor in waiting.</div>
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Ambode is from Epe in Lagos. He designed the strategy to shore up the revenue of the state when Obasanjo seized Lagos LG funds as accountant general of the state.</div>
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Born June 14, 1963, at Epe General Hospital, Epe, Lagos State, he had his primary school at St. Jude’s Primary School, Ebute Meta, Lagos, passed the National Common Entrance in Primary 5 and gained admission into Federal Government College, Warri.</div>
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Recorded the second best result in the entire West Africa in the Higher School Certificate Examinations in 1981.</div>
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Graduated with honours in Accounting from the University of Lagos at 21. He started his public service career at Lagos State Waste Disposal Board (now LAWMA) as Accountant Grade II in November 1985.</div>
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At 24, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and completed his masters degree programme in Accounting from University of Lagos, specializing in financial management.</div>
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He was appointed Acting Auditor-General for local government in 2000 and became the youngest  Auditor-General for local government in Lagos State.</div>
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He was appointed permanent secretary, Ministry of Finance in January 2005 and in February, 2006, was given the additional responsibility of Accountant-General of Lagos State.</div>
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He was the youngest permanent secretary in service and only the second person to hold both positions of permanent secretary and accountant-general at the same time.</div>
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Under his watch, the state treasury office revolutionized the way Lagos State finances were raised, budgeted, managed and planned, resulting in the state’s budget performing at an average of 85 percent annually.</div>
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He ensured payment of civil service staff salaries before the end of the month, payment of running cost by first week of each month and introduced end of the year package and special/specific welfare for staff.</div>
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He launched the e-payment platform for the monthly staff salaries. He renovated the state treasury office, created a conducive working environment, introduced a corporate dress code and provided laptops for all directors.</div>
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A scholar, accountant, administrator, an astute leader with strong emotional intelligence, he is an alumnus of Wharton Business School and has attended courses at Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield, England; the Institute of Management Development, Lausanne, Switzerland; INSEAD, Singapore and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.</div>
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He retired voluntarily from public service in August, 2012; the first voluntary retirement by a permanent secretary in the Lagos State Public Service.</div>
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He established Brandsmiths Consulting Limited in 2012 and the company is today consulting for federal, state and local governments on the transition to the new International Public Service Accounting System and other financial advisory services. A stickler for high performance, he does not make decisions based on race, gender or religion.</div>
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<b>Credit: <a href="http://encomium.ng/ambode-replies-primate-ayodele-pastor-adeboye-has-assured-me-of-victory/">Encomium</a></b>

Don't Mind Primate Ayodele, Pastor Adeboye Says I'll Win - Ambode

By Femi Oyewale, Encomium 51 year old Lagos State gubernatorial aspirant of All Progressives Congress, Akinwunmi Ambode, has carpeted the controversial prediction by Primate Elijah Ayodele that if AP…

11 Dec 2014

BREAKING: Atiku Polled 954 Votes At APC Presidential Primary

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod756OoIgFrRAVjuUsNrt6fAtiMSBt1voLOpBRV-sfxdOYS7wc0oco8VBuRXA0qTfCAXCr8xJzZmBld1oMHO_Ywv8gI_KnwRGtpgLqkXhE2s7DoolakJUlRk6QlKBOxDP_r9qaQMd2Gc/s1600/Atiku-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod756OoIgFrRAVjuUsNrt6fAtiMSBt1voLOpBRV-sfxdOYS7wc0oco8VBuRXA0qTfCAXCr8xJzZmBld1oMHO_Ywv8gI_KnwRGtpgLqkXhE2s7DoolakJUlRk6QlKBOxDP_r9qaQMd2Gc/s1600/Atiku-2015.jpg" /></a></div>
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Of the about 8,000 accredited delegates at the All Progressives Congress presidential primaries, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, whose votes were counted first, polled 954 votes. The counting of his votes ended at 14:00 GMT (3:00pm local Nigerian time).</div>
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It appears unlikely that the former Vice President (between 1999-2007) will carry the day.  Many have ruled that General Muhammadu Buhari will win going by the number of ballots sorted at the event that started yesterday (Wednesday, December 10, 2014) and is still on (on Thursday, December 11).</div>
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A winner will be announced in a matter of hours in the keenly contested primaries that paraded Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso and Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah.</div>

BREAKING: Atiku Polled 954 Votes At APC Presidential Primary

Of the about 8,000 accredited delegates at the All Progressives Congress presidential primaries, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, whose votes were counted first, polled 954 votes. The counting of his votes end…

11 Dec 2014

Just In: Police Detect Bomb in Kano Food Market

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnRpma_C7IrHckv_zlLCevUiDXkF_P1kzPd6ZhDAlESa5T_u197HUye5etNNJtdKzm-wApMw6Jfr2VIwxGxgT1XvXYrwcJgn0TxuxEF-IKXUQjRPXxblSQWNWKlejzC_A6mCckf2qsAg/s1600/Bomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnRpma_C7IrHckv_zlLCevUiDXkF_P1kzPd6ZhDAlESa5T_u197HUye5etNNJtdKzm-wApMw6Jfr2VIwxGxgT1XvXYrwcJgn0TxuxEF-IKXUQjRPXxblSQWNWKlejzC_A6mCckf2qsAg/s1600/Bomb.jpg" /></a></div>
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By <b>Abdulsamad Muhammad</b>, <i>Vanguard</i><br />
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Barely 24 hours after Kano Textile market was bombed by two female suicide bombers , the police in Kano have uncovered and detonated a high calibre Improvised Explosive Device at Dawanu, a popular food market in the ancient town.</div>
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Dawanu is the largest grains market in sub-sahara Africa.</div>
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Eyewitness told <i>Vanguard</i> that the bomb was concealed in a sack that was hidden at the busy market. </div>
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The Kano police commissioner, Adelenre Shinaba confirmed the incident,  adding that “we have successfully detonated the bomb and I can assure you that we have restored normalcy to the market.”</div>
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More details later.</div>
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<b>Credit: <a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/police-uncovers-bomb-kano-food-market/">Vanguard</a> </b>

Just In: Police Detect Bomb in Kano Food Market

By Abdulsamad Muhammad, Vanguard Barely 24 hours after Kano Textile market was bombed by two female suicide bombers , the police in Kano have uncovered and detonated a high calibre Improvised Explosi…

11 Dec 2014

I'm Not Obasanjo's Concubine - Oby Ezekwesili

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_tEElyQyYqLo4HY8HzZAKbCNmi5sXjqv88sg_NwJ9VTSDX7gClPLrECadtOxTu8z5ZCq3WEGF756960ZwENG7oFal8-njm68ZJF_aAHHlbkG6U3DOmOtGEp7m0atpcXZhrXVuGla2gE/s1600/oby-obasanjo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_tEElyQyYqLo4HY8HzZAKbCNmi5sXjqv88sg_NwJ9VTSDX7gClPLrECadtOxTu8z5ZCq3WEGF756960ZwENG7oFal8-njm68ZJF_aAHHlbkG6U3DOmOtGEp7m0atpcXZhrXVuGla2gE/s1600/oby-obasanjo.jpg" /></a></div>
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By <b>Temitayo Famutimi</b>, <i>The Punch</i></div>
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A former Vice-President of the World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, on Wednesday denied having any amorous relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.</div>
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Ezekwesili’s denial followed the widespread circulation of a photograph showing her in a very warm embrace with Obasanjo.</div>
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In the trending photo, the former President is seen holding Ezekwesili from behind and giving her a peck on the cheek.</div>
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The controversial picture was taken on Tuesday during the public presentation of Obasanjo’s three-part autobiography entitled, ‘My Watch’.</div>
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Many online commentators expressed displeasure with Ezekwesili and Obasanjo for behaving in such a manner in public.</div>
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They accused the former minister of education, who once served in Obasanjo’s cabinet, of being indecorous as a married woman and passing a wrong message to young girls who look up to her as a role model.</div>
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A group known as ‘Hope for Nigeria’ stated that it was taken aback by the decision of the two public figures to behave themselves that way in public.</div>
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“This is Dr. Oby Ezekwesili the #BringBackOurGirls crusader with former President Obasanjo at his book launch.</div>
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“Was it that Ezekwesili forgot that she was in a public place and a married woman? She threw caution to the wind. Anyway, we saw her sticking out her finger in excitement, while the ‘Chemistry’ lasted.</div>
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“What manner of role model will this woman be to young Nigerian girls who look up to her?” the group wrote, after posting the controversial photograph on its Facebook page.</div>
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But Ezekwesili has fired back at her accusers, describing those who have reacted to the photo by calling her unprintable names as “gutter minds.”</div>
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The former minister stated that Obasanjo merely gave her a “boisterous greeting”, adding that only “impure hearts” would be suspicious of the motive behind his expression of goodwill.</div>
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She blamed declining “family values” for her critics’ line of thought, noting that those “purveyors of the filthy conversation” were merely “living for the gutter.”</div>
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“My former boss – President Obasanjo – gave me a boisterous greeting at his event yesterday (Tuesday) and the impure in heart now turn it to lurid tales.</div>
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“Restoring family values will also help take us back to a descent society. It is clear that many among us have lost our pure hearts.</div>
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“Let us leave them to their lowliness. It is out of the abundance of the filthiness or purity of heart that the mouth speaks,” Ezekwesili tweeted.</div>
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Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has said only 10 states of the federation were working towards “breaking the chain” of corruption in the country.</div>
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Arguing that corruption was a major obstacle to economic and social development of the nation, Odinkalu stated that the 10 states had enacted laws capable of stemming the tide of corruption.</div>
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“Today in Nigeria, only 10 states have enacted fiscal responsibility laws. The remaining 26 states have not started working towards breaking the chain of corruption,” Odinkalu wrote on his Twitter page.</div>
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According to him, to understand how to make corruption a thing of the past, political leaders and the citizenry needed to know how the country got entangled in the menace from the outset.</div>
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“We created a country in which the church and mosque matter at the expense of country. What prayer is bigger than second stanza of national anthem?</div>
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“There was a time when there were only three public integrity institutions: the police, judiciary, civil service. Today, we’ve dozens of public institutions and the majority of them are more corrupt.</div>
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“Roads, buildings and monuments aren’t achievements in public life. To break the chain of corruption, we must count achievement in terms of growth in values,” he added.</div>
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Also, online activist, Tunji Lardner, lamented the absence of political, institutional and public will to fight corruption in the country.</div>
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In a Twitter chat titled, “Corruption in Nigeria,” held in commemoration of the world anti-corruption day, Lardner insisted that there was a direct link between the “systemic corruption” in the nation’s armed forces and the security challenges being witnessed.</div>
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The Federal Government, he stated, had spent over $6b on the armed forces with ‘nothing’ to show for it in terms of military capabilities</div>
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“Corruption is a process that corrodes, debases and destroys personal, collective, material and moral values in a society.</div>
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“Of course stealing is the popular and pervasive front face of corruption the systemic corruption of Nigeria.</div>
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“To reduce the rate of corruption in the country, there is a need for total reform of the judicial sector, massive civic education campaign, and holding of the elite accountable for their misdeeds,” the activist said.</div>
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<b>Credit: <a href="http://www.punchng.com/i-punch/im-not-obasanjos-concubine-ezekwesili/">The Punch</a></b></div>

I'm Not Obasanjo's Concubine - Oby Ezekwesili

By Temitayo Famutimi, The Punch A former Vice-President of the World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, on Wednesday denied having any amorous relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Ezekwesili’…

11 Dec 2014

APC Convention: Buhari Maintains Early Lead As Counting Begins [LIVE UPDATES]

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9HZLuu5BrXIsVgBX1VjR3WkP9mKOzcUpGON06ol1OKE11549gJjNkE_b-ShH6A1ICUg7AiM62eaVXwxV2GabV_7pFP8MqTzqWWhZ8Pn6aQluJ9UJXCw2aQJzbq2O7G0hnuw2vKz2LZs/s1600/APC+Ballots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9HZLuu5BrXIsVgBX1VjR3WkP9mKOzcUpGON06ol1OKE11549gJjNkE_b-ShH6A1ICUg7AiM62eaVXwxV2GabV_7pFP8MqTzqWWhZ8Pn6aQluJ9UJXCw2aQJzbq2O7G0hnuw2vKz2LZs/s1600/APC+Ballots.JPG" /></a></div>
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The former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, has taken an early lead over four other presidential aspirants as the counting of votes begins after ballots sorting this morning.</div>
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Signs of Buhari's commanding lead came as officials kept announcing his name as most of the votes were being announced .</div>
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The result so far has thrown up surprises with the Kano state Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso being the one giving Buhari a close chase while former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is trailing behind with Rochas Okorocha and Sam Nda-Isaiah.</div>
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At the moment, vote counting has started</div>

APC Convention: Buhari Maintains Early Lead As Counting Begins [LIVE UPDATES]

The former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, has taken an early lead over four other presidential aspirants as the counting of votes begins after ballots sorting this morning. Signs of Buhari'…

11 Dec 2014

Policeman Brutalizes Man, Wife in Lagos

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYn7ooZhcLFDf7Iu2b23uIEQPz-vk8SSJmK1tTOjOSRqNde7YdA_AjShtSR2sDczuASj3cyR9iDnNZByFPv-B0sOHuCY5114uPsMkCqhqvZGkWEXVe0cNNvvPFOw9MiYzK-Sv2cOMgub4/s1600/Ejeh-Grace-360x233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYn7ooZhcLFDf7Iu2b23uIEQPz-vk8SSJmK1tTOjOSRqNde7YdA_AjShtSR2sDczuASj3cyR9iDnNZByFPv-B0sOHuCY5114uPsMkCqhqvZGkWEXVe0cNNvvPFOw9MiYzK-Sv2cOMgub4/s1600/Ejeh-Grace-360x233.jpg" /></a></div>
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Oh My! Oh My!!...Gosh! This is madness of the highest order. I can't stand this.</div>
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A 29-year-old photographer, Ejeh Smith, and his wife, Grace, 26, are in pains and receiving treatment at a Lagos hospital after a police officer, identified as Dada Ogunsanya, allegedly tortured them with his rifle. Ogunsanya is attached to the Ikoyi Police Division.</div>
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The incident happened at the Lekki Roundabout on Wednesday, last week, while the couple was in a taxi en route to their home at Parkview Estate.</div>
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According to <i>Punch Metro</i>  the police officer was among a seven-man team, patrolling the area around 10pm. The police team was said to have stopped the taxi driver and demanded that he opened his boot for a routine check. The taxi driver, Ndubuisi Iheaka, told our correspondent that after he opened his boot which contained scaffolding belts, the policeman demanded to see his driving licence.</div>
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“I was about getting the driving licence when he started flashing his torchlight on my passengers who were sitting at the back. The wife told the officer not to flash the torch on them since the inner light of the vehicle was on.</div>
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“Because of what she said, the policeman asked them to come down from the cab. This started an argument. The next thing I saw was that the policeman pulled my passenger (Ejeh) by his trousers, and his wife went to plead with him to stop. But instead, he slapped her and punched her husband. He was wearing a ring, which inflicted a deep cut on Ejeh’s face. After that, he used the butt of his gun to hit him in his eye and face. He also dragged his wife on the road.”</div>
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Grace said the policeman, apart from slapping her, stepped on her tummy.</div>
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“If I was pregnant that night, I would have lost my pregnancy. I was only trying to pet him to leave my husband since he did not have business with us. I told him to face the cab driver and leave us alone. </div>
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“The other policemen were just looking at him while he dragged me on the ground. A man riding a tricycle at the time was the one who rescued me. He said the policemen must call their Divisional Police Officer or else he would not leave the scene,” she said.</div>
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The Ikoyi DPO, Mrs. Aisha Haruna, was said to have arrived at the scene.</div>
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Ejeh claimed he could barely see because blood was dripping from his eyes, while his wife was vomiting blood. He added that the DPO ordered that they be taken to the station to make statements.</div>
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He said: “But we told her that we needed to first treat ourselves before we could make statements. That was when we were given forms and referred to the Falomo Police Hospital. We paid for the treatment and we also went to the eye clinic for treatment.”</div>
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His wife claimed that the DPO seized her phone and asked an inspector at the station to delete all the pictures and video recording she did of the incident.</div>
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“Even my personal data were deleted. And when I asked the DPO why she did that, she said we deserved the treatment we got. She said she would have locked us up in the cell if not for our injuries. She said we did not know how to talk,” she added.</div>
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The family lawyer of the victims, Mr. Sunday Agbinya, said his office would write a petition to the Inspector General of Police to redress the wrong done to his clients.</div>
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“This is a case of assault occasioning harm and we intend to challenge it. We will send a petition to the IG. We want the police to conduct a full investigation into this,” he said.</div>
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The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident. </div>
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He said: “Yes, the incident happened in the Ikoyi division. Inquiries are on as well as disciplinary procedures.”</div>
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<b>Credit: The Punch</b>

Policeman Brutalizes Man, Wife in Lagos

Oh My! Oh My!!...Gosh! This is madness of the highest order. I can't stand this. A 29-year-old photographer, Ejeh Smith, and his wife, Grace, 26, are in pains and receiving treatment at a Lagos hospi…

11 Dec 2014

What APC Presidential Aspirants Told The Delegates

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrr0hrE3TTYy7VMyHC0zNj_uqKZgRaO1agGYPB_O2LEy8awLgUKPbNVYB2T7YZLctYGDBGhrnxJuK-c68hPge7ksc0tA2-87LzpDte00-7t-MMzCVdzhm1GWkTopZaEbl1jHUAHFyR50/s1600/APC-polls-1024x5231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrr0hrE3TTYy7VMyHC0zNj_uqKZgRaO1agGYPB_O2LEy8awLgUKPbNVYB2T7YZLctYGDBGhrnxJuK-c68hPge7ksc0tA2-87LzpDte00-7t-MMzCVdzhm1GWkTopZaEbl1jHUAHFyR50/s1600/APC-polls-1024x5231.jpg" /></a></div>
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Before the commencement of voting at the ongoing Presidential primaries of the APC in Lagos, aspirants were given the opportunity to address delegates who would determine their electoral faith.</div>
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Below are excerpts of the speeches by the aspirants.</div>
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<b>Abubakar Atiku</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7tNejTz459XhRpd2_nyAFvh983tp7qhKVItNh9sqVlBBCd1CIkgMOueiyZbTWz9UjIGgJJU3Qs7W7gLVdHqaTzTb-eJ4CdjoBDxTElgGYjha1hKDekD32g6bDCRX8ZYHj2o-ZtTa0lM/s1600/Atiku-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7tNejTz459XhRpd2_nyAFvh983tp7qhKVItNh9sqVlBBCd1CIkgMOueiyZbTWz9UjIGgJJU3Qs7W7gLVdHqaTzTb-eJ4CdjoBDxTElgGYjha1hKDekD32g6bDCRX8ZYHj2o-ZtTa0lM/s1600/Atiku-2015.jpg" /></a></div>
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By the end of this convention, you will have elected a presidential candidate, but that is not the main reason that we are here. Nigerians want change and they want change because they are fed up with the PDP government. They are tired of the crushing level of unemployment. They are tired for poor electricity, they are tired of the dangerous PDP mathematics a dangerous maths where 16 is greater than 19. They are tired and disgusted by the siege of power and the tear gas of the our speakers on the orders of the same executives that deceived the speaker to reconvene the assembly of on issues of National important. Nigerians are tired of the dead traps called road. They are tired of the collapse of the public school system.</div>
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You came here because you believe in change. you believe that our hopes and dreams can become a reality, you believe that our great country can send a standard for all of africa to see. Change for a better Nigeria and Nigeria for all as the candidate of our great party in 2015.</div>
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Today, we will demonstrate that every vote counts. The APC is offering something we have never had in a long time. We would have the chance to replace a party with a party that knows what to do; a party that understands that education should not only be accessible but delivers what it takes. The nominee you are about to elect must be a person trusted by all across all ethnic groups in the country.</div>
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Distinguished delegates, fellow Nigerians, I continue to speak out for democracy. I’ve been a successful entrepreneur creating jobs, empowering men and women.</div>
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<b>Muhammadu Buhari</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6CFsd5YMauVgm8RszA21Iqy4ihdOupHGHYXOK5nEqZTErlYTp4CAj8cf0bRP2PbwEDmFmltI9sIQZ9BNz5RL86vp76DFXiRu6jrC5gkGDjx1Yi926eopYFcs3wXuIQfXIWjbEbLdKAk/s1600/Buhari+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6CFsd5YMauVgm8RszA21Iqy4ihdOupHGHYXOK5nEqZTErlYTp4CAj8cf0bRP2PbwEDmFmltI9sIQZ9BNz5RL86vp76DFXiRu6jrC5gkGDjx1Yi926eopYFcs3wXuIQfXIWjbEbLdKAk/s1600/Buhari+(1).jpg" /></a></div>
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Dear delegates, know that the hopes and destiny of Nigerians are with you and they expect you to play a credible role. I seek to be next president of our beloved nation because I feel I have something to offer our great nation at this time.</div>
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I am ready to lead Nigeria to its rightful future.</div>
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I have always serve Nigeria to the best of my ability.</div>
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I am not a rich person, thus I cannot give you dollars to purchase you, but the fate of this nation is not for sale.</div>
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What I will give you is my commitment, toil and service. For the past six years, Nigeria has moved backward.</div>
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We are a nation afflicted by endless crisis. PDP cannot save us!</div>
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It is now time for change!</div>
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PDP government may say it needs more time and continuity, but what we need is change.</div>
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To solve Nigeria’s problems, we need leadership with integrity and strength.</div>
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The next leader should not just mouth change, but live it.</div>
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I own no foreign account or companies benefitting from government contracts.</div>
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I am what you see before you; a simple man who believes in serving Nigeria and God.</div>
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In the past, I led a war against indiscipline, today, I will lead a battle for hope.</div>
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You cannot trust the corrupt to end corruption.</div>
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Failure and incompetence does not deserve continuity.</div>
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Make no mistake as is always the case, for those who seek to bring change, it will not be easy.</div>
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I will govern Nigerian in accord with the constitution and rule of law.</div>
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I will tolerate no regional, religious or ethnic imbalance.</div>
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I will select the best Nigerians in my government.</div>
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<b>Rabiu Kwankwaso</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU6GARywYxpS6CnTRFVkuNinYGsqGAt9tElOK5XoN89zF3PcEJeN7EsNP9ehN7WP2zSBahbQqoJIzWr7laQINCguLXUOAYSpcDO9EYaZcnY72lriFbbvU8L7JqNR6aWMetEgEd_xCdSw/s1600/Rabiu-Kwankwaso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU6GARywYxpS6CnTRFVkuNinYGsqGAt9tElOK5XoN89zF3PcEJeN7EsNP9ehN7WP2zSBahbQqoJIzWr7laQINCguLXUOAYSpcDO9EYaZcnY72lriFbbvU8L7JqNR6aWMetEgEd_xCdSw/s1600/Rabiu-Kwankwaso.jpg" /></a></div>
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I congratulate the National Convention planning Committee for doing a good job “the environment has been made so good to allow the delegates to vote for persons whether they collect money or not.</div>
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In the next few minutes, voting will start and I believe the delegates will vote for the best aspirant to fly the flag of our party. From 2011, education is free at all levels in Kano State. The government is feeding children in all public schools, five times a week.</div>
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We have the most lighted city in Nigeria today.</div>
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Kano was able to establish IPP which produces 35MW for the city of Kano.</div>
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With Kwankwaso as president, I will do whatever it takes to move education forward. As former Minister of Defence, I am wondering what is happening to our armed forces who were doing extremely well. Our administration will provide all that is needed to the armed forces to reclaim its lost glory.</div>
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I will use my experience as a legislator to work harmoniously with the Legislature.</div>
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As a former governor, I will also work in harmony with all governors.</div>
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Our administration will ensure the reduction of corruption. We have done it in Kano and I see no reason why we cannot do it at the centre.</div>
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We will work hard to ensure peaceful co-existence and stop our citizens from becoming refugees in their country and neighbouring nations.</div>
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Delegates should support the right candidate and I believe that right candidate is Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.</div>
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<b>Sam Nda-Isaiah</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF4HyCKQS_udVNem20e8Vyr4akI3WCpCvz8AIG27kw85aKVdRi6Z0w7F6pmLBpQ9FtS5mRU5hcWkrIDAs5cYD2PSNkn4WQy3yi1mbN7L7MydlZpdWZmTb1_poBagu98Ud4EyQE1gzJVA/s1600/sam_nda_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF4HyCKQS_udVNem20e8Vyr4akI3WCpCvz8AIG27kw85aKVdRi6Z0w7F6pmLBpQ9FtS5mRU5hcWkrIDAs5cYD2PSNkn4WQy3yi1mbN7L7MydlZpdWZmTb1_poBagu98Ud4EyQE1gzJVA/s1600/sam_nda_01.jpg" /></a></div>
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APC has a divine responsibility to win the election next year. This is not the country you want your children to grow. I want to tell you why I’m the best candidate. I don’t think that there is a better candidate than me. Nigerian wants a new generation to step forward to lead the country. I’m the only one with a clear plan. I’m the only one that has come with big ideas. That’s why I believe we I’m the best. This country is too divided. And there is no country that is as divided as this country that can make progress. That’s why I want to come with big ideas.</div>
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Any leaders that cannot secure its people has lost its right to lead. I’m going to achieve it as the person who takes the job of the commander in chief seriously. In this country we still have soldiers whom I believe are the best in the world. If they are well armed Boko Haram will not be a match for them.</div>
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I’m talking of the kind of big ideas that will eliminate unemployment in the country, the kind of big ideas that if we call ourselves the biggest oil producer on the continent, we should not be importing oil.</div>
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<b>Rochas Okorocha</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfgc8YpuxUAuFECLiSJ9l85kYowdJK-v10uygDwExDHOq6y0-rXsVVbAuC0OO3-Bz8CJjgh0P3Sw9vaF942DhjM80dRXQR5NoVFPkpUFtoRoPeLokZZyLrZF80FBMNZJhTwwpeRJDrho/s1600/okorocha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfgc8YpuxUAuFECLiSJ9l85kYowdJK-v10uygDwExDHOq6y0-rXsVVbAuC0OO3-Bz8CJjgh0P3Sw9vaF942DhjM80dRXQR5NoVFPkpUFtoRoPeLokZZyLrZF80FBMNZJhTwwpeRJDrho/s1600/okorocha.jpg" /></a></div>
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I am very happy to be part of this history-making event. We are the last hope of Nigeria and today we must get it right. We formed APC believing that coming from our small parties, we stand a chance.</div>
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We are here gathered for the love of our nation.</div>
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We are here to provide for Nigeria the much needed dividends of democracy. There is nothing wrong with the Head of State, but there can be something wrong with the state of the head.</div>
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I celebrate General Muhammadu Buhari who is today 73 years old, and Atiku is today 68 years old and Kwankwaso who is 56 years old. Jonathan is 57, Barack Obama 53, Rochas Okorocha is only 52 years old.</div>
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Nigeria of today is different from Nigeria of 1960s. I am here to sing a different song, a song of unity. We are here to give Nigeria a good cheque; a good leader.</div>
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I offer myself to offer service as the president of Nigeria.</div>
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Political power can only be justified when used for the good of the commonman.</div>
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“My People, my People”</div>
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When I say to Nigerians, I will make education free, Nigerians will believe me, because I have done it before.</div>
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I am a child of poor parentage, I hate poverty and what it brings. Today destiny has brought to your shoulders to change the fate of this nation, you must do it well, not on the basis of sentiment.</div>
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Vote for me and I assure that Nigerian naira will be equal to the dollar.</div>
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My people My people.</div>

What APC Presidential Aspirants Told The Delegates

Before the commencement of voting at the ongoing Presidential primaries of the APC in Lagos, aspirants were given the opportunity to address delegates who would determine their electoral faith. Below…

11 Dec 2014

Jonathan Picks Sambo As Running Mate, Pledges to Tackle Corruption

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_d4WS8CaTFxAlTALEUmUrYhlxAUZK8qh9qhGAjhnRiEzRr1IwDgiJaJ5_jdPvIiOIzu8uRIPH-X2oST8zEEFCKTAH-boKoHUJHx_1afK2Dad2heAwjLHKUmVji877OFX1zmc_VXev5Q/s1600/Jonathan-and-Sambo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_d4WS8CaTFxAlTALEUmUrYhlxAUZK8qh9qhGAjhnRiEzRr1IwDgiJaJ5_jdPvIiOIzu8uRIPH-X2oST8zEEFCKTAH-boKoHUJHx_1afK2Dad2heAwjLHKUmVji877OFX1zmc_VXev5Q/s1600/Jonathan-and-Sambo.jpg" /></a></div>
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Report By <b>Chuks Okocha</b>, <i>ThisDay</i><br />
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President Goodluck Jonathan in the early hours of Thursday announced his deputy, Namadi Sambo, as his running mate in the 2015 presidential election.</div>
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The announcement has brought to an end speculations that the President would drop the vice president and choose a new vice presidential candidate.</div>
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He chose Sambo as the vice president when he was the governor of Kaduna state in 2010 after the death of President Umaru YarAdua and his subsequent assumption of office as the President.</div>
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In his acceptance speech, the President who described Sambo as 'loyal and humble' said that he would run with him in the 2015 presidential election.</div>
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The president promised to tackle corruption headlong and the grievances of members of the party in the just concluded party primaries.</div>
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<b>Credit: <a href="http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/jonathan-picks-sambo-as-running-mate/196435/">ThisDay</a></b>

Jonathan Picks Sambo As Running Mate, Pledges to Tackle Corruption

Report By Chuks Okocha, ThisDay President Goodluck Jonathan in the early hours of Thursday announced his deputy, Namadi Sambo, as his running mate in the 2015 presidential election. The announcement …

11 Dec 2014

Obasanjo's Unguided Missiles - ThisDay

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04wyGhph4M1nuQ_2G-QW4bxbDWrTqU8YmQBiSwu9VMzniMyJZ6Yohyt61srz6d1MBCtcW_kdJbVNIXT3GrkKl5McO6drIODMxVZ41cNmKRYa6CQZmKo3CEFwtsKq2gTk_WWRG_b_AkBg/s1600/olusegun-adeniyi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04wyGhph4M1nuQ_2G-QW4bxbDWrTqU8YmQBiSwu9VMzniMyJZ6Yohyt61srz6d1MBCtcW_kdJbVNIXT3GrkKl5McO6drIODMxVZ41cNmKRYa6CQZmKo3CEFwtsKq2gTk_WWRG_b_AkBg/s1600/olusegun-adeniyi.jpg" /></a></div>
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By <b>Olusegun Adeniyi</b></div>
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“...Segun Adeniyi, who is a poor apologist for Yar’Adua, made almost every case of reversal worse in his book. Not only is Adeniyi a poor apologist, but he also did not do a good job of denigrating Obasanjo. Rather, he showed his principal as an ingrate; mean, petty, vindictive, unfocused and rudderless; hypocritical, and a man who easily buckled under pressure. Well, maybe that was what he wanted to portray and convey. He may have boosted his own ego by his book and proved to any discerning reader that Umaru orchestrated the pull-Obasanjo-down activities at the Villa and in the government. I can only thank him for leaving nobody in doubt.</div>
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“When Segun Adeniyi came to apologise to me, for the second time, at Eko Hotel in Lagos in November 2012, at the Airtel Night of Influence lecture given by Fareed Zakaria, I reiterated to him what he already knew, and that there was no need for an apology. I pointed out that an author or writer must pursue and honour truth and accuracy. Wanton disregard for accuracy, for whatever reason, might hurt the victim; and the money or reward gained by the writer can be regarded as ‘blood money’.</div>
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“It is possible that Segun was showing genuine remorse – which will be good for him, the Nigerian media and even the nation – because in his subsequent column in THISDAY newspaper he reported the encounter fairly accurately. For legitimate and lasting success as a writer, your mind must be clear, your pen must be clean, your statement must be true and accurate and your bias or prejudice must be revealed. And where you have hurt others or made a mistake advertently or inadvertently you must be honest and manly enough to admit it, apologise, and make amends.</div>
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“ It is also significant, and I was made to understand, that while Segun Adeniyi might have satisfied himself by rushing to write his book, Yar’Adua’s family, friends and most members of his administration were neither amused nor pleased with it for a number of reasons. Maybe he did not write to please anybody but himself by chronicling what he knew, and surmised from his narrow and limited angle of vision without any research or enquiries to get a broader perspective. I have no doubt that Segun is learning the right lessons as evidenced from his action at Zakaria’s lecture.</div>
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“Segun had hand-written a letter of apology to me on 12 November 2007, calling himself ‘an opposition’ reporter, acknowledging the level of perfidy he had learned on his new job and seeking forgiveness from me. I wrote back to him, “forgiven and restored”. But from his book, the flame of opposition remained in him, to some extent...”</div>
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When during a lunch break in the course of the 2014 Port Harcourt Book Festival in October this year, Dr. Egbosa Imasuen, the COO of Kachifo publishing house came and sat opposite me, I knew something was amusing him when he started chuckling. I did not have to wait for long before he let the cat out of the bag: “Segun, expect Baba’s reply to your book very soon.”</div>
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Since President Olusegun Obasanjo seems to have appropriated the title of Baba, I knew instantly who Egbosa was referring to but still wondered the nature of the response so I sought to know how. “In his coming book that Kachifo is publishing. Baba yab you no be small”, he added in Pidgin English before laughing.</div>
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Right there and then, I requested that I should be given a copy of the book the moment it came out. I believe I had a right to that because when the promo of my Yar’Adua book came out before the release in December 2011, Obasanjo had requested that he be given a copy the moment it arrived. And he was obliged with Kachifo CEO, Mr. Mukhtar Bakare, driving with a copy to Ota at midnight on the day the consignment arrived the country.</div>
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So when the consignment was cleared from the Port last Friday night at a time one desperate politician was trying to abort a pregnancy that had already resulted in the birth of a baby (to borrow a famous proverb of the late MKO Abiola), I got my copy the next day before I left Lagos where I had gone to deliver a paper. Surprisingly, Obasanjo started the volume three of his book with what I would consider the longest review of my book, “Power, Politics & Death: A front-row account of Nigeria under the late President Yar’Adua” to which he devoted more than ten pages!</div>
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What are the issues in my book that rankle him? One of them is my narrative of how former River State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili was edged out of the presidential race, an account that has been corroborated by Odili himself in his book as well as the manner I presented the drama of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention that produced Chief Vincent Ogbulafor at a time he (Obasanjo) wanted to throw Chief Ojo Maduekwe into the ring. Since he has a different impression of Yar’Adua, Obasanjo also does not like my positive portrayal of the late president who to him was a bad man.</div>
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While Obasanjo had no problem with my account of the turmoil that led to the ouster of Mrs Patricia Olubunmi Etteh as House of Representatives Speaker, he believed it justified his assessment of Yar’Adua as a weakling. Obasanjo also interprets differently the accounts of the deportation of the Vaswani brothers, the travails of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) former chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the Federal Ministry of Health saga involving his daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello. From the Chukwuma Soludo-led CBN Naira redenomination to the National Independent Power Project and the Third Term saga and other issues, Obasanjo also gave his own version to contradict mine.</div>
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The foregoing are some of the issues in my Yar’Adua book on which Obasanjo did a rebuttal which I consider fair enough. However, it is also possible that beside the contents of my book, Obasanjo may have other personal grouses with me that I don’t know since he talked about “a very close friend of the Villa and a member of Yar’Adua’s inner circle, a minister from Katsina, (who) spent two nights in my house in Abeokuta when all of this was over. What he told me, which may or may not have been true, was astounding, and for me another good lesson.”</div>
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Since I do not know how to deal with the rumours and gossips that Obasanjo may have been told about me by his “Katsina mole”, let me now deal with the issue of my complex personal relationship with him. Obasanjo wrote that I have apologised to him twice in the last seven years, one in Aso Rock and the other in Lagos. While it is true, I need to state that my apologies were not because I wronged Obasanjo but rather on account of what appears to be his hostility towards me.</div>
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By my upbringing and disposition, if someone is apparently unhappy with me, rightly or wrongly, particularly one old enough to be my father, I simply make peace with that person. That was what I have done with Obasanjo and since he agrees that my account of the second encounter is accurate, let me now narrate what happened on the first occasion.</div>
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On November 12, 2007, the first Council of State meeting held under Yar’Adua and as usual, Obasanjo was at the Villa but even though he greeted everybody, he refused to acknowledge my greeting, and it was not the first time. I recall my late boss once asking me, “What have you done to Baba?” because Obasanjo always made it obvious that he was deliberately ignoring me. On that particular occasion, he said: “O kii se Omoluabi” (You are not well brought-up).</div>
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As it would happen, in the course of the Council of State meeting, my seat was directly behind Obasanjo’s and as the session went on, I became very uncomfortable. At a point, I picked the papers in front of me and wrote him the said note. He read it, looked back and smiled. About five minutes later, he handed me a paper on which he wrote his terse reply that I had been forgiven and restored.</div>
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The only person who witnessed the drama of our communication was then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Dimeji Bankole whose seat was close to Obasanjo’s and he was chuckling throughout even though he was not privy to the contents of our exchanges. I was therefore surprised when the next day as I walked to the office of then Chief of Staff, Major General Abdullahi Mohammed (rtd), he said: “Segun, you didn’t tell me you and your Baba have been exchanging love letters.”</div>
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Immediately he said that, I thought Bankole must have recounted to him what happened, especially when I asked him who told him and he said he would not tell. Then after playing pranks with me on the issue, he produced a photocopy of my handwritten note to Obasanjo and said: “This is a photocopy of your handwritten note to Baba. He said I should give you and also collect from you a photocopy of his own response.”</div>
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I was lucky I still had the paper because at that period, I was not meticulous in keeping such things and that encounter helped me to begin to keep proper records of documents so I have Obasanjo to thank for that. Now, if I apologised to Obasanjo, is it because I have wronged him? No. It is because he believes I have wronged him and was always relating with me based on that conviction. So if it makes him happy that I have apologised to him and I am indeed forgiven and restored to his good books, I feel satisfied with that as I would like to follow peace with all men, especially him.</div>
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In any case, whatever may have been my disagreements with Obasanjo over the years, I hold a certain affection for him. However, that has also not deterred me from criticising whatever actions of his that I considered to be worthy of appraisal, as I did in the course of his presidency, even when I tried to be fair.</div>
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It is noteworthy that my uneasy relationship with Obasanjo spans more than 15 years now. Our paths first crossed in August 1999 when, to commemorate his first 100 days in office, THISDAY Board of Editors decided to have an extensive interview with him. The session held around 7am at the Villa after which I was left behind to spend the next 24 hours observing him at work, at home and at leisure in what was to be a major cover story titled “24 Hours with the President” published in a special edition of THISDAY Newspaper along with his interview.</div>
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Not only was the edition well received at the Villa, it was very popular with the public at a time majority of Nigerians were hooked on Obasanjo. So for some weeks, I was a “good boy” with Obasanjo and the people around him. But when I started criticising the president in my back page column, the characterisation of me at the Villa changed.</div>
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Despite all that, and to Obasanjo’s credit, when in February 2004, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili shortlisted nominees for the governing board of the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) to be inaugurated by the president, she nominated me to represent Nigerian media and Obasanjo approved it at a time I was very critical of his administration. I will never forget that.</div>
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The NEITI role gave me both local and international exposure because as head of the Media sub-committee, I attended many EITI global sessions in France, United Kingdom, Norway etc while the assignment gave me access to vital information about the oil sector in Nigeria. Interestingly, whenever we had meetings with Obasanjo at the Villa at the period, he would spend considerable time abusing me but he never queried my NEITI membership which he in the first place approved.</div>
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By November 2005, I became the title editor at THISDAY at about the time the Third Term rumour had started and my newspaper took a stand against it. So that put me in the line of direct confrontation with the Villa. By 2006 when the Third Term project was in full steam I came out with my book, “The Last 100 Days of Abacha” which was written to remind Obasanjo of the self-perpetuation fiasco of the late General Sani Abacha. Incidentally, he requested for a copy of the book even before it came out and when it did, I sent it to him through then NSA (and current Defence Minister), Lt General Aliyu Gusau.</div>
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Eventually, the Third Term project collapsed and Obasanjo backed the late Yar’Adua to succeed him and the rest as they say is now history. However, by then our relationship had broken down almost irretrievably so for me to end up in Aso Rock as presidential spokesman could not be pleasing to Obasanjo even though he did not do anything to oppose my appointment. However, it is possible such a “silly appointment” in itself could have been one of the “offences” committed by Yar’Adua.</div>
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Obasanjo is like Constantin Demeris, the Greek tycoon character in Sidney Sheldon’s bestseller, “The Other Side of Midnight”, who never forgets an insult nor forgives an injury and that is very clear in his book as he deals heavy blows on those he considered to have wronged him. Former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai needs to get a copy quickly not only to find out from Obasanjo which of his (el-Rufai) friends was sleeping with the wife of a prominent citizen in his guest house but also to read what his former boss wrote about him.</div>
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In my own case, I think Obasanjo was rather very mild. But there are so many people who will challenge him while not a few others would feel embarrassed by what Obasanjo attributed to them. Indeed, some aspects of the book read like revelations from Wikileaks. For instance, when I told Bashorun Akin Osuntokun what Obasanjo credited to him about Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, he denied ever saying any such thing and said I should quote him on that while Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka sure has explanations to make to el-Rufai on a statement Obasanjo credited to him.</div>
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Obasanjo’s characterisation of my late boss is, to put it rather mildly, unflattering but I leave that between the living and the dead. However, at the appropriate time, I intend doing a professional review of “My Watch” though after reading it, what immediately came to my mind is the late Haruna Ishola’s song, “Oba afi fila perin, lojo kan lo mi a niyi mo...” which translates into, “the hunter who kills elephants with his cap would be famous only for 24 hours”. By the next day, according to the song, reflective people would want to distance themselves from such a hunter because if he could kill elephants with a cap, he would kill human beings with a mere wave of his hands!</div>
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In all, I believe Obasanjo’s main grouse with me is that I am the only person who has had the courage to say that Yar’Adua is not what many people, including his predecessor and benefactor, have made of him just because he is dead and can no longer defend himself. If that makes me a Yar’Adua apologist, I have no problem with the tag. Now, since many people have read my own account, Obasanjo no longer has the last word on my late boss.</div>
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Undoubtedly, Obasanjo has at different epochs played critical roles in our national life. A great deal of this role however remains fraught with avoidable controversy. Unfortunately, the former president has allowed most discussion of his relevance to remain fixated on his person, not his ideas or policies. And today, there are more Nigerians who will swear that Obasanjo will be more remembered for his personal quarrels than for the quality of his ideas or ideals.</div>
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Yet it is tragic that a man who has given so much time and energy to national service evokes such overwhelmingly negative perceptions; from his family to the man on the street. Therefore, it ought to worry Obasanjo that this quality of personal acrimony and canterkerous disposition has remained a feature of his writing from "My Command" to “Not My Will" and now to “My Watch”.</div>
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It is very sad that Obasanjo cannot grow beyond an obsession with the dominance of the first person singular ("My") in his various changing memoirs. However, since his most recent one touches on the integrity and national roles of so many well meaning Nigerians, I am not likely to be the last person to raise a voice of protest against his unbecoming selective insults.</div>
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Obasanjo feels rightly or wrongly that the people he helped to positions of authority and power, especially Yar’Adua and Jonathan, have behaved badly to him. And evidently, he is a man who believes that if you are his friend, his enemies must also be your enemies to demonstrate loyalty. Yet whatever anger he may feel, Obasanjo should have considered his pre-eminent position in Nigeria and Africa before writing some of the things he did, especially in the volume three of his book subtitled “Now and Then”. I don’t know how he believes such tales would elevate him.</div>
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While I bear no grudge against Obasanjo, there is also another issue in his book that I may have to respond to.  Ever since Yar’Adua died, there has been this recurring story of a cabal looting in the name of the late president in the course of the illness saga. It is a story I consider rather baffling because I have not seen any evidence to confirm its veracity and in the case of the Villa, I don’t know how such is possible when nobody can take a Kobo without the approval of the State House Permanent Secretary. Not only did Obasanjo also write about the alleged looting, he said at a point “everybody then decided to make money for themselves before the centre collapsed; and they did so while the No. 2 man in government knew little or nothing about what was going on. He was kept in the dark. Government had been privatised by the cabal.”</div>
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I honestly believe it is an issue that President Jonathan must investigate and if he has and confirmed such a thing actually happened, the culprits should be brought to book. It is an issue on which silence is not golden. However, since what some people hold against me is that I was part of “the cabal” against Jonathan at the time, and Obasanjo also confirmed that some of Yar’Adua’s aides and ministers had “hijacked” power and were disrespectful of Jonathan, I want to end my piece by putting a lie to any notion that I was part of such group if indeed any existed.</div>
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Shortly after Jonathan took over, by which time I had resigned my appointment, I left for the United States ahead of my family to prepare for their joining me. It was while there that I got a call from Mr. Ima Niboro, the current Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who was at that time Jonathan’s spokesman. He said I should come back to Nigeria because he was going to host me and my family to a send-forth reception at the Villa and that I should give him a date and the number of people I would want invited to the ceremony.</div>
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We agreed on the date, I came back and the lavish reception (where a live band brought from Lagos played) was held at the Banquet Hall of the Villa (a venue only the president approves for use) with some ministers and aides of both President Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo in attendance. Led by Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, then President of the Guild of Editors, many senior colleagues in the media also came all the way from Lagos.</div>
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I am aware of most of what transpired at that most delicate period in the life of our nation and there are some things I would never disclose but if indeed there was a cabal and I was part of such group, there was no way the president would have approved for me to be hosted by his spokesman at the Villa in August 2007 and many of his aides and that of the vice president would attend. Reproduced below is the toast proposed for me at the occasion by Ima Niboro:</div>
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“I am delighted to welcome you all as you join me to honour my friend, brother and distinguished predecessor in office, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, who resigned and left the Presidential Villa a couple of months ago preparatory to his departure to the United States for a year-long fellowship programme at Harvard.</div>
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“Segun and I have been friends and colleagues from our days as practicing journalists in Lagos. We also had the pleasure of working harmoniously from May 2007 till he resigned in May 2010. I can therefore speak authoritatively on his immense contributions to enhancing the stature and relevance of the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity in the Nigerian Presidency.</div>
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“My brother, Segun, certainly leaves behind a legacy of service in the Presidential Villa. He did a lot in his own quiet way to enhance presidential media relations, and made the office much more functional and responsive to the needs of the domestic and foreign media.</div>
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“Having risen through the ranks of journalism in Nigeria to become editor of one of the country’s leading newspapers before his appointment as Special Adviser by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Segun clearly brought many years of relevant experience to the job which he put to excellent use in addressing the challenges of information management in the Villa. This was hardly surprising since he was once himself a State House Correspondent in this same presidential villa.</div>
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“Segun was therefore uniquely placed, by training, experience and disposition to understand the problems which journalists on the State House beat had to contend with to report the presidency accurately under the ever-present pressure of daily production deadlines.He strove gallantly, during his tenure, to build excellent relations between his principal and the media. He was down to earth, and always ready to call a spade a spade. Segun was no spin doctor, and some hated him for it. But as professionals, we knew he was doing a good job, and gave him our support.</div>
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“Segun was forever jovial and ready to share a joke. He is a man who indeed could enjoy a good laugh, even at his own expense. We were great friends, and we successfully broke down the many usual barriers we found in our respective offices, building a warm fellowship which thrives even today.As he goes forth to enrich his knowledge of the world at Harvard, our prayers and best wishes go with him and his dear wife, and their lovely children.</div>
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“We look forward to welcoming Segun back to Nigeria at the completion of his programme, so he can put the fresh knowledge and skills he will undoubtedly acquire abroad to appropriate use in the service of our people and country.</div>
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“May we all now rise and toast to my dear brother, friend and predecessor, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi.”</div>
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<b>Culled from <a href="http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/obasanjo-8217-s-unguided-missiles/196346/">ThisDay</a> Newspaper</b>

Obasanjo's Unguided Missiles - ThisDay

By Olusegun Adeniyi “...Segun Adeniyi, who is a poor apologist for Yar’Adua, made almost every case of reversal worse in his book. Not only is Adeniyi a poor apologist, but he also did not do a good …

11 Dec 2014

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Obasanjo's Unguided Missiles - ThisDay

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