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You Can’t Arrest APC Lawmakers, Omirin Tells Fayose

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FKsw2SQQzKRPlGC25hws4PN4rSZlIhs4GVa_GksrtSRBTTEk0l52m_8sXpUO4szZmGC-BF-hbUhmg9KnTXvpNBBGyKosDsnynf-UyB529gkC5pfJqiQSmZDJlPTbeJpVpU-flkXKHvk/s1600/FayoseOmirin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FKsw2SQQzKRPlGC25hws4PN4rSZlIhs4GVa_GksrtSRBTTEk0l52m_8sXpUO4szZmGC-BF-hbUhmg9KnTXvpNBBGyKosDsnynf-UyB529gkC5pfJqiQSmZDJlPTbeJpVpU-flkXKHvk/s1600/FayoseOmirin.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>The Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, has reacted to the alleged directive by Governor Ayodele Fayose urging the Ministry of Justice to write a memo authorising the Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, to arrest the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers.</b></div>
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The APC lawmakers sat in a plenary last Friday in Ado-Ekiti.</div>
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Omirin in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Wole Olujobi, said that the APC lawmakers acted within the law to conduct their sitting in a public building in the state capital.</div>
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“The governor or the police cannot arrest us for performing our constitutional duty. Section 101 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria makes it explicit that the House can regulate its activities, including conducting its sittings in public buildings in the state capital.</div>
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“The Supreme Court had also ruled that the House can conduct its sittings in public places in the state capital if conditions exist that endanger members in the conduct of their sittings.</div>
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“Governor Fayose has kept armed thugs permanently in the House of Assembly to attack us. We can’t put ourselves in harm’s way, yet we have a responsibility to our constituents to make laws for good governance. The is why we followed the law to sit to consider issues on the ongoing constitutional amendment.”</div>
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Omirin explained that the House had a responsibility to respond to the National Assembly’s demand to send Ekiti State contributions to the constitutional amendment process.</div>
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“Ekiti State has just one House of Assembly. That is why the National Assembly acknowledged the receipt of our resolutions on the constitutional amendment.</div>
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“If they are sure of their status, let them approach the National Assembly or the Judiciary for recognition,” he added.</div>
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The speaker said it was regrettable that the governor had not learnt a lesson from his past experience when he instigated a constitutional crisis that led to the declaration of the state of emergency that culminated in the dismissal of his government in 2006.</div>
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Omirin appealed to Lakanu not to allow himself to be dragged into political fray in Ekiti State, warning that the governor would bear the consequences if he caused conditions that could threaten good governance in Ekiti State.</div>
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<b>Source: The Punch</b>

You Can’t Arrest APC Lawmakers, Omirin Tells Fayose

The Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, has reacted to the alleged directive by Governor Ayodele Fayose urging the Ministry of Justice to write a memo authorising the Commiss…

21 Dec 2014

Jonathan versus Buhari: A Clear Choice - By Dele Sobowale

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqePgDImomCeh9h6lESGpSN6_GcO7s_-l6mAqzD-CcgpD3OMdHBLVqrHFzcJ9N3tRFA88_1Ld0xIbbdljo9P4svEtSEDuqPvnrx4kMQqRX4d0thSXeXxAaILYagp5jGOAbb47ODD8v2p8/s1600/Jonathan-Buhari2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqePgDImomCeh9h6lESGpSN6_GcO7s_-l6mAqzD-CcgpD3OMdHBLVqrHFzcJ9N3tRFA88_1Ld0xIbbdljo9P4svEtSEDuqPvnrx4kMQqRX4d0thSXeXxAaILYagp5jGOAbb47ODD8v2p8/s1600/Jonathan-Buhari2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>“Once to everyman and nation comes the moment to decide; in the strife between truth with falsehood, for the good or the evil side.” J. R. Lowell, 1819-1891, (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS,VBQ, p 254).</b></div>
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For great nations, the choice comes once or, at most, twice. For Nigeria, the choice had come several times. And, the fact that, today, the failure of a country which was more advanced than South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand, among others, in 1965, is unanimously attributed to the lack of purposeful leadership is an indictment of the leaders as well as the followers.</div>
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To the best of my knowledge, nobody had been elected into office, either at the Federal, or State, level who had not enjoyed some significant measure of support. Even when the votes were supposed to have been rigged or bought, with “Stomach Infrastructure”, fellow Nigerians had been involved in the deals. Nobody alone can impose himself on a nation of 170 million people. As Joseph de Maistre, 1751-1820, in VBQ p. 80, has warned us, “Every country has the government it deserves.”</div>
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So if Nigeria, a potentially rich, but, actually poor country, has a government in which a Minister can purchase two bullet-proof cars, at inflated prices, that is what we deserve. If another Minister can spend billions of naira leasing a jet for her official use; and, then go to court to stop anyone from asking questions, because her “boss” never did, that is what we deserve too. If the BOSS himself runs a Presidential Airline with nine aircrafts, while the Presidents of France and Brazil and the Prime Ministers of Japan and Britain manage with one each, that is what we also deserve.</div>
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By contrast, we now have a challenger, who was a former Minister for Petroleum Resources (he leased no jets) and a former Head of State (no Presidential Airways then). Yet, he could state, without fear of contradiction as follows: “While others who have occupied those same positions have grown mysteriously rich, I still live on my army pension. I own no foreign bank accounts, I own no companies profiting from government contracts.”</div>
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To me the difference is clear; as clear as drinking tea or coffee with milk; or drinking mud water. Let those who had become mysteriously rich explain the source(s) of their wealth to Nigerians – including how much tax they paid on them…</div>
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<b>IBIBIO LEADERS WALK AWAY FROM PDP…</b></div>
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“If one had watched our kind of politics..one came to know that a nose for danger is something all the real performers had..” C.P. Snow. VBQ p 192.</div>
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Unfortunately, for President Jonathan, the “nose for danger” appears to be missing. Hence, GEJ had almost single-handedly carved out large sections of states, formerly considered safe for his re-election bid, and handed them to the opposition. Akwa Ibom State is one of them.</div>
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For several months, I had warned the President that his second term ambition places him in a conflict of interest with his closest ally among the PDP governors – Godswill Akpabio. Because the point deserves to be repeated, permit me to summarise the situation – which is based on ethnic politics. Ibibios constitute close to sixty-eight (68) percent of the AKS population. Thus once substantially united, they will determine the outcome of any election in the state. They had become substantially united in opposing any candidate Akpabio supports – and that might include the President; as long as he stands by Akpabio.</div>
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The outcome of the primaries for Governorship candidate, which purportedly was won by Akpabio’s nominee, had resulted in a two-prong attack by the Ibibios. Some had followed Umana O Umana (see last week’s article) to the All Progressive Congress, APC. Others stayed behind, in order to establish locus, to take legal action aimed at preventing the PDP from fielding a candidate in 2015. Failing that, I can state, authoritatively, that most of the rest will decamp to APC.</div>
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Increasingly, Jonathan might find himself returning to Jerusalem to offer just one prayer. “God save me from my friends; I can take care of my enemies.”</div>
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<b>NIGERIAN STROKE EXCHANGE</b></div>
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“What does corrupting time not diminish?.. Horace, 65-8 BC. VBQ p 247.</div>
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Once upon a time, it seems so long ago, people invested in the Nigerian Stock Exchange to get rich. Since 2008, it has become the Nigerian Stroke Exchange. They take your money and the manipulators give you stroke. This time around, if you already have High Blood Pressure, HBP, or stroke, begin to say your last prayers.</div>
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The warning was given last year about imminent crash. It was ignored – as usual. The result is here. Need I say more?</div>
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<b>CHEER UP</b></div>
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The Minister of Finance says we are not broke. She also said that government has Plan B to avert economic disaster. If you believe that, you will believe anything.</div>
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But, cheer up; have a Merry Christmas; if you can. The worst is yet to come.</div>
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<b>Visit: www.delesobowale.com or www.facebook.com/biolasobowale or follow on twitter @DrDeleSobowale</b></div>
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<b>Source: <a href="http://ht.ly/2SopUR">Sunday Vanguard </a></b></div>

Jonathan versus Buhari: A Clear Choice - By Dele Sobowale

“Once to everyman and nation comes the moment to decide; in the strife between truth with falsehood, for the good or the evil side.” J. R. Lowell, 1819-1891, (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS,VBQ, p 254).…

21 Dec 2014

Nigerians In UK Storm High Commission For Buhari

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<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>A group of Nigerians in the Diaspora on Saturday December 20, 2014 visited the Nigerian High Commission in London to demand for change in Nigeria. </b></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The group, <i>Hope Movement</i> stated their mission in a press release obtained by <i><b>SaharaReporters</b></i>, “as passionate Nigerians based all over the world, the group ideology stem from the need to identify and support credible leaders to aspire for political office in Nigeria.”  </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The group said members will fully support the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election scheduled to take place next February.</span></div>
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Nigerians In UK Storm High Commission For Buhari

A group of Nigerians in the Diaspora on Saturday December 20, 2014 visited the Nigerian High Commission in London to demand for change in Nigeria. The group, Hope Movement stated their mission in a …

21 Dec 2014

Gana To PDP: We Must Not Underestimate Buhari

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<b>Ahead of the 2015 Presidential polls, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday said it must not underestimate the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) General Muhammadu Buhari and other opponents.</b></div>
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This was disclosed in Abuja by a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, BOT, and former information minister, Jerry Gana, during the PDP Fund Raising Dinner organised for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election.</div>
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Speaking at the dinner, Gana warned the PDP leadership against taking things for granted, stressing that the forthcoming general elections would be very competitive.</div>
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Similarly, Gana, who also chairs the fund raising committee, charged the party to use its campaign to show Nigerians what it had achieved for the country within the last 16 years.</div>
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He said: “Let me use this opportunity to say that the forthcoming general election is essentially going to be a two-party affair. It will be very competitive. I therefore appeal to the leadership of our great party that we must not take things for granted. We must campaign. We must not underestimate the opposition. We have to show people what we have done in the last 16 years. Having a very good candidate is very important and I can tell everyone that our presidential candidate is good”.</div>
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Likewise, the former Information Minister told the audience that the just concluded primary elections of the party had created a lot of problems for the party in most states.</div>
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He said the party had reached a critical stage where its leadership must desist from imposing unpopular candidates on Nigerians</div>
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Maku warned: “I must tell you that we have serious challenges and difficulties in a number of states arising from the primaries. And I want to appeal that our party’s leadership must not impose unpopular candidates on the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.</div>
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However, Maku, expressed optimism that the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.</div>
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Meanwhile, the national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu identified that the party needed financial resources to prosecute the 2015 general elections.</div>
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<b><i>Nigeria Newsroom</i></b> gathered list of some of the donations received so far: ₦1bn from the chairman of the occasion, Tunde Ayeni; ₦2bn from his friends and associates; ₦5bn from the oil and gas; ₦1bn from the aviation and transport sector; ₦4bn from the real estate sector; ₦500m each from from the water resources and power sectors; and ₦350m from the construction industry.</div>
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According to the National Chairman, more donations have also come from PDP governors forum, ₦1.05bn, Shelter Development Ltd, ₦250m; Youth Ambassador, ₦10m; Food and Agric sector, ₦500m; Katsina Deputy Governor, ₦2m; and Labaran Maku ₦1m.</div>

Gana To PDP: We Must Not Underestimate Buhari

Ahead of the 2015 Presidential polls, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday said it must not underestimate the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) General Muhammadu Buh…

21 Dec 2014

Buhari vs Jonathan: Supporters Hold Popularity Contest Tomorrow

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<b>President Goodluck Jonathan and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari are to engage in popularity contest tomorrow Monday as their campaigners jostle for Nigerians attention.</b></div>
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While the pro-Jonathan campaigners asked Nigerians to put on white wristbands or hold white handkerchiefs on Monday December 22, the <i>Buharists</i> have asked Nigerians to show support by putting his photo and that of his running mate as their display photos on social media.</div>
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Analysts believe that the request by the <i>Jonathanians</i> is coming in response to what the <i>Buharists</i> have demanded which seems to be boosting the popularity of the APC candidate.</div>
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A pro-Buhari group, <i>Buhari For Change</i>, told the <b><i>Nigeria Newsroom</i></b> that the response by the <i>Jonathanians</i> is an indication of panic.</div>
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"They are being reactive. They are shocked by the massive support Buhari is getting", said Convener of the group Kola Okanlawon.</div>
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Nigerians are already getting set to monitor who gets the highest support of Nigerians as Monday draws nearer.</div>

Buhari vs Jonathan: Supporters Hold Popularity Contest Tomorrow

President Goodluck Jonathan and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari are to engage in popularity contest tomorrow Monday as their campaigners jostle for Nigerians att…

21 Dec 2014

[Video]: Anti-Gay Pastor Arrested For Sexual Assault On Man

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRII7ce1uX-tOAweLA8fCE3kWGesYvYuBDlAR-A8iYAJInW34C1OuppQITJUr_R40PjadGSKnMmPP119D-LOfS3ITupMmMC4EeEW2L3cHrp61F1P1Df06RgM4J6O5DUywpIN_XeUxuUWY/s1600/gaylard-williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRII7ce1uX-tOAweLA8fCE3kWGesYvYuBDlAR-A8iYAJInW34C1OuppQITJUr_R40PjadGSKnMmPP119D-LOfS3ITupMmMC4EeEW2L3cHrp61F1P1Df06RgM4J6O5DUywpIN_XeUxuUWY/s1600/gaylard-williams.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>A pastor who has spoken out against homosexuality has been arrested for grabbing a man’s genitals and asking him for oral sex.</b></div>
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Gaylard Williams, 59, is the pastor at the Praise Cathedral Church of God in Seymour.</div>
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On Tuesday morning, he appeared at the Jackson County Superior Court.</div>
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According to court documents, the victim told police that on Friday, Williams approached his vehicle that was parked at Cypress Lake.</div>
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He said that when he rolled down his window, Williams grabbed and squeezed his genitals, and then requested that he perform oral sex.</div>
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Officers said Williams took off after the victim acted like he was reaching for a gun.</div>
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The man then called police with Williams' license plate number and told them about the incident.</div>
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Caleb Funke is startled by the accusations against fellow religious leader, Williams.</div>
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As youth director at another local church, he understands the moral responsibilities that one must uphold. </div>
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"I guess when you hear of a pastor getting caught of that, you get a little more shocked than I guess somebody else. But we're all sinners, so,” said Funke.</div>
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When police later caught up with Williams, they found gay pornography in his car.  </div>
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<b>Source: <a href="http://www.wlky.com/news/pastor-accused-of-making-unwanted-sexual-advances-on-man-at-lake/30260360">WLKY</a></b></div>

[Video]: Anti-Gay Pastor Arrested For Sexual Assault On Man

A pastor who has spoken out against homosexuality has been arrested for grabbing a man’s genitals and asking him for oral sex. Gaylard Williams, 59, is the pastor at the Praise Cathedral Church of Go…

21 Dec 2014

Tinubu Has No Control Over South-West Politics - Okupe

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeirYFuo98UvZGMok71GuzuINm5KQopiBlJWdnnhrZ74qh8uDaQ3uUE1U6cuQO733M0zh_GBXTqdugakfFXUmA1G-e1xIA72DwQtKunn63jhbSPAIcKxfAfJcmLuU478Ok5kC2j0GjrQ/s1600/doyin-okupe+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeirYFuo98UvZGMok71GuzuINm5KQopiBlJWdnnhrZ74qh8uDaQ3uUE1U6cuQO733M0zh_GBXTqdugakfFXUmA1G-e1xIA72DwQtKunn63jhbSPAIcKxfAfJcmLuU478Ok5kC2j0GjrQ/s1600/doyin-okupe+(1).jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Dr Doyin Okupe is the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan. Okupe, who was a guest at <i>Vanguard</i> corporate headquarters in Lagos, bares his mind, in an interview with Dapo Akinrefon and Charles Kumolu, on burning national issues including the decision by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field General Muhammudu Buhari as its presidential standard bearer in 2015. Excerpts:</b></div>
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<i><b>So, how is the President?</b></i></div>
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He is hale and hearty.</div>
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<i><b>When is government finding the Chibok girls?</b></i></div>
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That is a very touchy issue, it is a very lamentable situation and an issue of profound national tragedy. It is not an issue of finding or when are we finding the girls. The media has gotten on the wrong side of it, it is not finding the Chibok girls. The real issue is that we are in a war situation and, at the beginning, I am not sure everybody accepted that situation.</div>
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Some people are waging a very serious war against Nigeria, nothing is worse than war. When you are in a war situation, anything happens. Murder, cold blooded murder, wanton destruction of properties, kidnapping, rape, you can name it. Even the best armies in the world commit such terrible atrocities.</div>
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So a war situation is a bad situation, that is why I said that it is not about finding the girls. When your are a war situation, all the things I have said can happen. The misfortune we have is that we had these girls taken away violently and it is extremely painful. A couple of days ago, I was reading that the American government made three attempts to rescue hostages and all without exception resulted in disaster, fatalities. The hostages were killed, the people that went to rescue them, some were killed. That is trying to rescue one hostage.</div>
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So, when you have over 200 hostages, it is bad business. The hostages are not kept in one place, which makes it more profound, so do not let us go into the sentimentality of when government will bring the girls back. We are in a war situation, it is a very dastardly circumstance, but when you are talking of safety of lives, you cannot put tenure to what you must endure, and that is why we must stop counting. It is unnecessary, it does not help us, it does not help the girls. It only encourages the insurgents and I don’t think that is the intention of anybody anywhere.</div>
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So, we are in a war situation, the girls are kept as hostages. The Nigerian Army does not lack the capacity to hit at a camp and destroy it. But then, you will be coming back with body bags of girls. Is that what you want?</div>
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If all these months and days, Boko Haram has not killed the girls and there is no information that the girls have been killed, it means there is a reason they are holding them. We are not going to encourage them or create a situation where the girls are going to be killed.</div>
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That is why government took a lot of effort and took the bait when Chad offered an olive branch; unfortunately, nothing came out of it. That shows you that government is caring; this government, even at the risk of its reputation, is willing to do anything possible to release the girls but we are in a war situation.</div>
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<b><i>When did the government realise that we are in a war situation?</i></b></div>
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We have always known that we are in a war situation.</div>
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<b><i>General Buhari has emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP stalwarts have been saying they know how to defeat him. There is also a contrary view that Buhari controls a formidable front. How do you see the Buhari challenge of President Jonathan in two months’ time?</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Secondly, how do you react to the statement made by the APC Chairman that the party will form a parallel government if the election is rigged? How does the Presidency see that kind of threat?</i></b></div>
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The choice of APC or their decision to elect Buhari as their standard bearer, is a fatal error. I have been in this game for nearly 30 years or more. I understand this game of politics very well. Buhari is not a winner, will not win and has never won; and it is for a reason that he has never won.</div>
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The question you need to ask yourself and what APC should have asked themselves is that, why Buhari?</div>
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Yes, the calculation that Buhari came with 12 million votes (in 2011) without other platforms; now, if you can deliver the entire of the South-west, that is another 20 million votes, you add it and he is going to win. Politics is not mathematics. Yes, Buhari may have had 12 million votes in 2011. But the Bola Tinubus of this world, in the course of showing their capabilities, have been bruised, they do not control the South-west and that is very clear. In actual fact, were it not because they have a lot of money, Buhari should have dumped them long ago because they cannot deliver. At the beginning of this year, maybe the calculation was still clear that they would deliver South-west.</div>
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Today, in the South-west, Ondo is not in the basket, Ekiti is not in the basket, Osun is neither here nor there, and I am saying that authoritatively. PDP gubernatorial candidate Omisore may still be the governor of Osun; but even if he does not become the governor of Osun, we have seen the results of the last gubernatorial election in the state. If that is something to go by, it is topsy turvy.</div>
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In Lagos State, just as they (APC) are clamouring for change at the national level, people at the grassroots are saying they are fed up with the nonsensical things that APC has been doing in the state.</div>
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So, the point I am trying to make is that theoretical calculation may be what has misled them into taking that decision; but it is unfortunate and regrettable and it is a fatal error.</div>
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Buhari, to me, is a non-issue. Buhari has only two things going for him. He has not improved himself since he left office; he has not added any value, personally to himself or to any political tendencies that he represents. He is a religious bigot and there is nothing he can do about that. He is not even a nationalist.</div>
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Some few days ago, some people came out to say that Buhari is the northern candidate. So, who is the southern candidate? I was telling you that there are two things going for him: one is his purported integrity, the other is his supposed incorruptibility. None of them can stand the test of time and I don’t want to go into details.</div>
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If a man says he went to buy a ₦27m form with a loan from his bank and it was alleged that it was a former governor who wrote a cheque to the party for him to get the form, is that integrity? Why do you need to lie? Buhari is trying to make poverty a virtue, but poverty is not a virtue.</div>
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The fact that Buhari has left office for so long and he says he is so poor, is nothing to celebrate; it is indolence and shameful. Is that a role model? Is that who you will want your children to be, a poor man? Indolence is not something we should celebrate. If a man like Buhari at his age says he is a poor person, that is too bad and it is also a deceit. That is not integrity.</div>
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Let me tell that the greatest problem this country has had is the military regime, so the representative of the things that we want to forget is the person you people are bringing back as president and you are saying you want change. Nigeria has not benefited from the past military regimes and one of the principal characters is Buhari. What change can he bring?</div>
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<b>On APC’s threat of forming a parallel government</b></div>
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That is absolutely irresponsible. There is no basis for it in law. How do you determine an election that is rigged or not rigged. It is only a court of law that can pronounce that an election was rigged. Preparing to form a parallel government before an election, should not be taken serious. The person who started the discussion was Amaechi (Rivers State governor) and that should not be taken serious. Amacehi first made that statement and the party adopted it. It is an irresponsible statement.</div>
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<b>On the position of the Inspector General of Police on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, and Obasanjo’s position that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has not performed up to average</b></div>
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What I said on Obasanjo’s assessment on Jonathan was that the former president’s position was not true. We published it in the newspapers. That was all I did because I was employed to correct errors and misconceptions about the Presidency. I said that the statement was not true because it was not supported by facts. I was misunderstood on my position on the Speaker. What I said is that the duty of the police boss is to enforce the law.</div>
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We derive the law from our Constitution and the interpretation is done by the courts of law. In Plateau State, the Speaker of the House of Assembly and some people defected to another party and their seats were subsequently declared vacant by the court. Therefore what I am saying is logical. If you change your party and someone goes to court, that shows that there is a problem. A section of the Constitution says that anybody who changes his party without evidence of crisis in that party, would lose his seat.</div>
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The courts have interpreted that law and have maintained the position of the law. The job of the police is to carry out their job to ensure the enforcement of that law. After that judgement, if such thing happens again, the police have the right to ensure that the seat is vacated. Tambuwal has violated the law.</div>
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<b><i>Despite the trillions of Naira that has been invested into the military, hunters are helping them to recapture some lost territories to Boko Haram in the North-east. Also there is no news on the budget and it looks as if the government is preoccupied with politics. What do you have to say?</i></b></div>
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The last time the military was kitted was during Shagari’s era. During the time of Obasanjo, some efforts were made to bring some equipment from China but that did not work. The military deliberately under-equipped its people because the military was preoccupied with its own security. It did not want its constituency to create problem. The last major procurement in the army was during Shagari’s era. A large part of the budget so far, is often dedicated to recurrent expenditure. Majority of the money you see in the budget, is for the upkeep of the personnel.</div>
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Security agencies were the ones that acquired intelligence gadgets, it was not the military. We had challenges in the military and government is doing its best to overcome these challenges. It is not wholesomely correct to say hunters are leading the fight for the recapturing of lost territories. Majority of the soldiers don’t know the terrain, so the hunters assist them. The needed fire power still comes from the Nigerian Army.</div>
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I don’t know why it is easier to believe that hunters who are using dane guns and arrows are the ones that are chasing the insurgents away. The military does not intend to take on anybody on this issue. They are rejigging their arrangement. In the last four weeks, virtually all the places that the insurgents had put their flags, have been taken over by the military. Peace has returned and most of the areas have been recovered from the insurgents.</div>
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<b>On the budget</b></div>
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There is need to have some level of confidence in the government. There are many things that go on in government that is not available to the public. Oil is our major source of revenue and the prices are fluctuating almost on daily basis. Government can not budget on fluctuating price. It has to come to some reasonable figure which it will base the budget on. These are things that will take time. We have crisis at hand now and it will be unfair to say government is only concentrating on politics.</div>
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<b>On right of first refusal</b></div>
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We are politicians and we want to win elections. Political parties are not formed for funfair. The majority in the party believe that Jonathan is the man that can win for us. It is our duty to tell the nation why we are backing the man. We have things that guide what we do and our preoccupation is to win election. And we have no apology for putting forward the best candidate that can win election for us. The two people who picked forms are not the people who can win elections for the PDP.</div>
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This is an enduring political party that has existed for 16 years with same ideology. The party has a pedigree and track record of wining elections. We don’t have time for charlatans. When a sitting president anywhere in the world indicates interest in running for second term, the party has the right to sympathize with him.</div>
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<b><i>Don’t you think that the state of Apapa/Oshodi Expressway is in conflict with the achievements that this government is laying claim to? There is also so much problem in the power sector inspite of government reforms to make electricity available to the people.</i></b></div>
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Apapa-Oshodi Expressway is less than 22 kilometres and about 65 percent of the road has been completed. The challenges being experienced by people now as a result of the ongoing construction is akin to sacrifice. Things will get better. The problem about power is that many things are not fully comprehended by people. Virtually the entire system has become archaic. Even if we were to generate more, we will not transmit effectively, because of distribution and transmission problems.</div>
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These problems have bedeviled us for 50 years and no government has attended to them. Now a gentleman has a road map to resolving the problem. It is inconceivable to expect a 50-year-old problem to be solved within four years. In four years, a lot has been achieved. One of the greatest achievements which is unsung, is the privatisation of the PHCN.</div>
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If it was not privatised, there is no way the problem would have been solved because government does not have the requisite resources to fund it. All over the world, power is mainly distributed by the private sector. We have meticulously done things top ensure that the power sector works. That is why about 20 billion dollars has come into the sector. Now we are generating 4,800 megawatts from the 2,000 that we inherited.</div>
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The DISCOs (distribution companies) are doing all they could to ensure that the situation becomes normal. Government has decided to pay the money that was being owed to the DISCOs. We are not where we were in 2007; we are not where we are supposed to be in 2014, but the advances that have been made in that sector are irreversible.</div>
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<b>Source: <a href="http://ht.ly/2SopUR">Sunday Vanguard</a></b></div>

Tinubu Has No Control Over South-West Politics - Okupe

Dr Doyin Okupe is the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan. Okupe, who was a guest at Vanguard corporate headquarters in Lagos, bares his mind, in an interview wi…

21 Dec 2014

France Remains Best Place To Live, Britain Falls To 25th Best - Report

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GSUNyKCv7Y5-4D-c-mfe_9NEwCdCWar57WZOx1EH6gQUODlPQXidhjTh58eOn51jZmO5za4MxVIufI3H-vT17MhF-OQAIMmUlUEpOI_v-vCZAB7dkOT_Vj-ITfTh0bxbMjSvrLo6UhM/s1600/Report1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GSUNyKCv7Y5-4D-c-mfe_9NEwCdCWar57WZOx1EH6gQUODlPQXidhjTh58eOn51jZmO5za4MxVIufI3H-vT17MhF-OQAIMmUlUEpOI_v-vCZAB7dkOT_Vj-ITfTh0bxbMjSvrLo6UhM/s1600/Report1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Britain has dropped to 25th place on a list of the best places in the world to live  -  behind countries such as the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Uruguay.</b></div>
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While France tops the poll for the fifth year running, the UK's climate, crime rate, cost of living, congested roads and overcrowded cities have pushed it even further down from last year's ranking at 20.</div>
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The Quality of Life Index, published by International Living magazine for the 30th year, says the French live life to the full, while Britons are over-worked.</div>
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In all, 194 countries are surveyed on nine criteria, including the cost of living, culture and leisure, environment, safety, culture and weather.</div>
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Australia is placed second after France, followed by Switzerland, Germany and New Zealand.</div>
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Even former communist countries where unemployment is still rife are considered better places to settle down in than Britain, with Lithuania and the Czech Republic coming in at 22nd and 24th place respectively. </div>
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The magazine says the French enjoy everything from Riviera beaches and Alpine ski resorts to what it describes as 'the best health service in the world'.</div>
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But it is the country's <i>bon vivant</i> lifestyle that sets it apart. </div>
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While the British are infamous for a love of TV dinners and binge drinking, the French savour the finer things in life.</div>
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These include two-hour lunch breaks at cheap cordon bleu restaurants, and some of the best wine in the world.</div>
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Working hours are far shorter than those of their stressed British neighbours, who have less holiday entitlement too. The French take most of August off, view Sunday leisure as sacrosanct, and have more public holidays, as well as a lower crime rate.</div>
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'In France, life is savoured,' said Jackie Flynn, publisher of International Living. 'I don't think anyone will argue that France is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The French love tidy gardens, pretty sidewalk cafes, and clean streets. Cities are well tended and with little crime.'</div>
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Variety is also seen as a major factor in France's appeal, with the survey noting: 'Romantic Paris offers the best of everything, but services don't fall away in Alsace's wine villages, in wild and lovely Corsica, in lavender-scented Provence. Or in the Languedoc of the troubadors, bathed in Mediterranean sunlight.'</div>
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Britain does not top a single category in the survey, which is compiled using official government statistics, data from the World Health Organisation and the views of the magazine's editors around the globe.</div>
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The U.S. fell from third to seventh place because of the economic crisis last year. A magazine spokesman said: 'Sustaining the American Dream has escalated out of the reach of many.'</div>
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Germany is widely praised for its efficiency and leisure facilities, with the magazine noting that 'the Harz Mountains now has a specialist hiking trail for nudists. Germany is arguably the world's most naturist-friendly country'.</div>
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<b>Source: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1240988/France-tops-list-best-places-live-world-fifth-year-row--Britain-languishes-25th.html">Daily Mail</a></b></div>
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France Remains Best Place To Live, Britain Falls To 25th Best - Report

Britain has dropped to 25th place on a list of the best places in the world to live - behind countries such as the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Uruguay. While France tops the poll for the fifth ye…

21 Dec 2014

Amaechi Spent ₦17 Billion On Failed Bid To Be VP - PDP

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SRC2FGI-5G9TSqvJEzyYdolUZSfgUaxH0WqWo0cQt6r5SkjxOhsfIKnhG-238ND14tug80COlx-QgZAPupYcntqy3rehCDhzexU2gKf3paxzIsKjvY7a7VsF7gRUxKESnX9SfULkfuc/s1600/Amaechi-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SRC2FGI-5G9TSqvJEzyYdolUZSfgUaxH0WqWo0cQt6r5SkjxOhsfIKnhG-238ND14tug80COlx-QgZAPupYcntqy3rehCDhzexU2gKf3paxzIsKjvY7a7VsF7gRUxKESnX9SfULkfuc/s1600/Amaechi-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described as uncomplimentary, comments by the State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi on its 2015 Governorship Flag bearer, Chief Nyesom Wike.</b></div>
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The party said it was most concerned about the inconsistency and falsehood contained in Amaechi’s statements, observing that they were obvious pointers to the frustration of a drowning person.</div>
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PDP described Gov Amaechi’s claim while speaking on <i>Radio Port Harcourt 91.7FM</i>, a live Radio programme, on Friday December 19, 2014, of sacking Chief Nyesom Wike as Chief of Staff, as monumental fallacy and inconsistent with his later remarks that he recommended same person for appointment as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.</div>
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In a statement on Friday signed by Jerry Needam, media aide to State Chairman, Felix Obuah, PDP wondered why the so-called principal that sacked his employee on ground of incompetence would still recommend same person for a higher and more tasking responsibility.</div>
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The truth, PDP explained, was that the former Minister, Wike, was not sacked, neither was he recommended for any federal appointment by Gov. Amaechi, stressing that the former Chief of Staff was appointed Minister based on his pedigree, resourcefulness, capability and ability to deliver assigned tasks, in addition to his domestic goodwill and acceptability by the people in Rivers State.</div>
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The party challenged Gov. Amaechi on issues of corruption, warning that those who live in glass houses should beware of throwing stones.</div>
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“It is unfortunate that Gov Amaechi has not conducted himself as a responsible, wise and civilized leader. Otherwise, he would have realized that the immunity clause under which he hides himself today will soon elapse, and the evils and fraudulent activities he engages in today will be accounted for, because nothing is hidden under the sun”, the PDP remarked.</div>
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“We had thought of consoling Governor Amaechi on the several avoidable disappointments he has suffered under the APC, but his unrepentant attitude and continued desperation, smack of ignorance and youthful exuberance, which does not encourage such sympathy. Our worry also is the fact that the appointment as campaign officer to Buhari will translate to nothing in terms of benefit to the people of the State”, it added.</div>
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Describing the reported appointment of Gov. Amaechi as the Campaign Manager of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Gen. Muhammed Buhari, as “a further humiliation to the disappointed Vice Presidential dreamer”, the PDP insisted that the APC never took the decision in good faith, but to ensure that its major source of funding and execution of party campaigns was sustained.</div>
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“The PDP wonders why Gov. Amaechi continues living in a fool’s paradise, having been deceived by the APC leaders, the second time, stressing that the paramount interest of Ahmed Tinubu and his cabal is only in creating avenues for squandering Rivers tax payers money and resources without conceding any sensitive top elective position to the man (Amaechi), who is today a leading financier of the APC.</div>
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“The Party recalls that Amaechi, after spending billions of Rivers money, lobbying for the National Chairmanship slot of the Party, was rigged out, he further wasted over ₦17b canvassing for the emergence of the former military dictator, Gen. Buhari, to pave way for his selection as Vice Presidential candidate.</div>
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“While the Governor was struggling to recuperate from the shock of his rejection as Buhari’s running mate, the APC leaders have just thrown in another banana peel, naming him (Amaechi) as campaign manager, only to encourage the prodigal son to continue to milk dry the resources of Rivers State.</div>
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“The Party, therefore, warns Gov Amaechi on the wrong and dangerous path he has chosen to tread, and admonishes him to retrace his steps, urging all those who have been deceived by his lies and mendacity to come back home and help to rebuild our beloved State.</div>
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“It also calls on well meaning Rivers people to rise up and stop Gov. Amaechi from further wasting the State resources in executing Tinubu’s political agenda, thereby impoverishing the oil-rich but suppressed people of Rivers State”.</div>
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<b>Source: <a href="http://newswirengr.com/2014/12/20/governor-amaechi-spent-n17-billion-on-failed-bid-to-be-general-buharis-running-mate/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">NewsWireNGR</a></b>

Amaechi Spent ₦17 Billion On Failed Bid To Be VP - PDP

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described as uncomplimentary, comments by the State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi on its 2015 Governorship Flag bearer, Chief Nyesom Wike…

21 Dec 2014

Buhari Breaks Into A Sprint - By Murtala Opoola

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3y6_yQmsvTGfxkUgWQ2ldts_w1h1nsnfp_di0jyHVGPsHeUfCqMNLf8cRfV9scq4EIqnymE6YIgGCR6ZJfXwsCb7-T3Vggu35G5qaZwgnaeKgLBncVBpRX7qy2L-Js3wjj5My3yKmnk/s1600/Buhari+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3y6_yQmsvTGfxkUgWQ2ldts_w1h1nsnfp_di0jyHVGPsHeUfCqMNLf8cRfV9scq4EIqnymE6YIgGCR6ZJfXwsCb7-T3Vggu35G5qaZwgnaeKgLBncVBpRX7qy2L-Js3wjj5My3yKmnk/s1600/Buhari+(1).jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>The portrayal of General (rtd) Muhammadu Buhari by the <i>Daily Trust</i> cartoonist on the front page of the December 12, 2014 edition with arms held aloft, thumbs raised and his face aglow with a full smile captured the groundswell of euphoria that greeted his emergence as his party’s presidential candidate. </b></div>
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But whereas his acolytes may have broken into <i>palongo</i>, break dance or whatever dance step is in vogue these days, it is unlikely that the man himself, considering his usually serious disposition, would punch the air in exultation, like an overjoyed footballer on scoring a goal, ecstatic about what he has achieved. So, was the cartoonist’s depiction of the general’s reaction to his victory too exaggerated and therefore opened him to the charge of triumphalism at a time when celebration should have been muted and subdued so as not to rub other contestants on the wrong side, particularly when the real and important contest is still ahead?</div>
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It is worth noting that the cartoonist did his job perceptively; he may have depicted the general as being beside himself with glee but it was he (Buhari) alone on the page, without the other contestants and cannot therefore be accused of gloating. Moreover, since exaggeration is the stock in trade of cartoonists in the representation of events they depict, the cartoonist was therefore well within the bounds of decorum and appropriateness. Enough, however of a cartoonist’s rendition of the epochal event of APC’s choice of a flag bearer.</div>
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Events have gathered momentum since the general became the APC’s presidential candidate. As was expected, he has moved quickly to mend fences with a number of his co-contestants, notably Alhaji Atiku Abubakar whose residence in Abuja he visited as a mark of recognition and appreciation of the host’s political sportsmanship. The general must have used the occasion to underscore the importance of the party and the need to continue to strengthen it as the count- down to Election Day continues.</div>
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The APC presidential primary was conducted in a squeaky clean fashion and all contestants recognised it as such, thereby avoiding post- contest cries of foul that are usually rife in this kind of contest and cause some to storm out to denounce the whole exercise as a farce and a mockery of democratic tenets, as a result undermining the whole process. Hence, bringing such an important process off successfully was a feat of no mean measure. </div>
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The vexed issue of the presidential candidate’s running mate took some time before it was resolved. In the end the dice fell on Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a legal luminary who had served as an attorney general in Lagos State. It is a choice that lends itself to a number of conjectures, as reports later confirmed he was not the first choice. The general first offered the job to Ashiwaju Bola Tinubu who had withheld his endorsement until he extracted that concession. But the Ashiwaju as a running mate would have meant the party would risk fielding a Muslim/Muslim ticket at a time when inter-religious relation is fraught with suspicion and mistrust. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) fielded late Chief Mashood Abiola and Ambassador Babagana KIngibe, a Muslim/Muslim ticket in 1993, but then a combination of factors that included the chief’s legendary generosity and philanthropic bent enabled the party to get away with it. </div>
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One would have thought that after so many years Nigeria should have made progress in deepening integration so much so that such political outcomes should no longer cause concern. Sadly, in 2014 Nigeria, the gulf between the religions has grown even wider as to render a Muslim/Muslim or a Christian/Christian ticket anathema.  Perhaps it was this reality that forced the Ashiwaju to back down and paved the way for the Law professor, who in fact, besides being a lawyer is also a pastor in his own right. So in Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Muhammadu Buhari has got not just a nominal Christian but a full-blooded committed one at that, who propagates the word of God. In 2011 he similarly chose Pastor Tunde Bakare as running mate. </div>
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Surely, no one should blame Muhammadu Buhari for going the extra mile to seek to allay Christian fears about him as president. He seems to be saying that it is not enough for a running mate to be a mere Christian, he must also be a leader in the Church and this is what makes his choice politically, or if you will, religiously correct. It will frustrate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has been stampeding him to pick a running mate since he emerged the flag-bearer, in the hope that in haste he will choose wrongly, and so give it the opportunity to reinforce the hackneyed but erroneous notion that Buhari is a religious bigot and a fundamentalist or even a Boko Haram sponsor. Now that Professor/Pastor Yemi Osinbajo has come on board, the PDP must now cast about for a more credible issue to attack the APC with. </div>
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Other notable names that came up were those of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Babatunde Raji Fashola—the Edo and Lagos States governors respectively. For some time Fashola must have been very high on the list the general was considering for his running mate, seeing that he had gone personally to Lagos to invite the governor to attend his presidential declaration in Abuja. Adjudged to have run Lagos State in an enviably sustainable manner, Fashola’s experience would have been invaluable at the federal level. Apparently being a Muslim ruled him out. </div>
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Adams Oshiomhole would have fitted into the running mate’s role as well. Though not a pastor but his credential as a devout Christian is well known, he also would have brought an enviable record of performance to the federal level. He has revamped and given Benin City a makeover befitting its status as a state capital by dualising its major streets and generally imbuing it with a spanking new look. The comrade would also have brought a large dose of verve to the party’s campaign, being a past master of the husting, a skill he honed after spending many years in the labour movement.</div>
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Still, nothing should be taken away from Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s elevation in the party. His immediate task towards a successful election is to bring all his learning to bear in forming policies and putting them in a systematic digestible fashion, much as he would do for his students in the classroom. As for campaigning skills capable of swaying the voters, his many years at the bar, as well as his role as a law teacher would amount to nothing, if they have not prepared him well for the political assignment ahead. </div>
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There is however a certain sneaking feeling that the Prof. would have his job clearly cut out for him in providing the legal backbone which the APC’s campaign against corruption and its new ethos of discipline, law and order are going to rest upon. </div>
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In1983, Muhammadu Buhari badly burnt his fingers when he allowed his zeal to instil discipline in the polity to override certain aspects of individual freedoms. It has haunted him since. True, the polity needs a large dose of discipline, but this time around the policies must derive their powers from extant laws with copious protection for individual rights. And it would be Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s duty to ensure every government action is strictly within the law.</div>
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<b>Source: <a href="http://dailytrust.com.ng/sunday/index.php/sunday-column/19053-buhari-breaks-into-a-sprint">Daily Post</a></b></div>

Buhari Breaks Into A Sprint - By Murtala Opoola

The portrayal of General (rtd) Muhammadu Buhari by the Daily Trust cartoonist on the front page of the December 12, 2014 edition with arms held aloft, thumbs raised and his face aglow with a full smi…

21 Dec 2014

Jonathan Is The Messiah Nigerians Need In 2015 - Group

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgbiepsaR8xnDv3CbKNeOgpVuJo9px0jdijsbjwnE0GwZOjfQcQFCBZiO_oVfblJN1HVHhmfrCdaWsdopZODd73CsxPQTIw4zez7Hi5a7CMcoHrVk3ncVFMt3uXlhdcA8iH5ofMCojMc/s1600/Goodluck-Jonathan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgbiepsaR8xnDv3CbKNeOgpVuJo9px0jdijsbjwnE0GwZOjfQcQFCBZiO_oVfblJN1HVHhmfrCdaWsdopZODd73CsxPQTIw4zez7Hi5a7CMcoHrVk3ncVFMt3uXlhdcA8iH5ofMCojMc/s1600/Goodluck-Jonathan.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Ahead of the 2015 general elections, a group, <i>Goodluck Jonathan Group of Northern Nigeria</i>, has solicited support for President Jonathan as he is a "sellable commodity".</b></div>
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Alhaji Nura Sabon-Birnai, the National Coordinator of the group, told newsmen on Saturday in Sokoto, that President Goodluck Jonathan had recorded tremendous achievements.</div>
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"So, giving Jonathan another mandate in 2015 is voting for the sustenance of his laudable programmes and policies".</div>
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He said that the president was truly committed to taking Nigeria to greater heights.</div>
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"The epoch-making achievements of the president are tangible across the country.</div>
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"There is no gain-saying the fact that Jonathan is an unrivalled achiever and he deserves to be re-elected by Nigerians, contrary to the cynicisms of some doubting Thomas", the national coordinator stressed.</div>
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Sabon-Birni stated that the group’s 760,000 registered members spread across the 19 northern states had since begun serious campaigns for President Jonathan.</div>
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He urged Nigerians to set aside religious and ethnic affinities and vote for merit in 2015.</div>
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"We believe in the sustenance of peace and unity in Nigeria, and these should be sustained beyond 2015.</div>
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"Jonathan is the messiah that Nigerians need in 2015 and he should not be totally blamed for all the problems of Nigeria, including the insurgency", Sabon-Birni added.( NAN)</div>
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<b>Source: <a href="http://ht.ly/2SopUR">Sunday Vanguard</a></b></div>

Jonathan Is The Messiah Nigerians Need In 2015 - Group

Ahead of the 2015 general elections, a group, Goodluck Jonathan Group of Northern Nigeria, has solicited support for President Jonathan as he is a "sellable commodity". Alhaji Nura Sabon-Birnai, the …

21 Dec 2014

Group Drags APC, PDP To Court Over Undisclosed Campaign Funds

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<b>For failing to disclose their planned expenditure and sources of funding, Nigeria’s two largest political parties have been charged to court, <i>Premium Times</i> is reporting this Sunday morning.</b></div>
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The suit is coming over one month after both parties received a Freedom of Information, FOI, request, but declined to disclose their finances to a civic group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP. The group said it dispatched the FOI request to the the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, and that of the All Progressives Congress, APC, John Odigie-Oyegun on November 18.</div>
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Dissatisfied that both parties refused to honour its request, SERAP has charged them to court. Between them, the APC and PDP govern 34 of Nigeria’s 36 states. The February 14, 2015 presidential election is also expected to be between the PDP’s candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, and APC’s Muhammadu Buhari.</div>
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In stating why it charged both parties to court, SERAP said “Nigerians have the right to know about spending by their political parties especially the major parties with a strong possibility to assume government in the future.”</div>
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<b>Read SERAP’s full statement below:</b></div>
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A civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to court over “failure to disclose their sources of spending on their respective electoral campaigns and other operations linked to the February 2015 general elections.”</div>
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The suits filed last week at the Federal High Court Ikoyi followed Freedom of Information requests to PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, and APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, dated 18 November 2014.</div>
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The originating summons against the PDP with suit number FHC/CS/1969/2014 and against the APC with suit number FHC/CS/1968/2014 were brought pursuant to section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, and signed by SERAP Senior Staff Attorney, Olukayode Majekodunmi.</div>
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The plaintiff is arguing that under the FOI Act, “Nigerians have the right to know about spending by their political parties especially the major parties with a strong possibility to assume government in the future. Citizens should be able to examine financial transactions of parties and be certain that politicians are working for their voters, not their benefactors.”</div>
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The plaintiff also argues that, both the APC and PDP “Cannot take the position that the FOI Act does not apply to them because to do so will seriously undermine citizens’ trust in their political parties and lack of trust will inevitably destroy confidence in the system and decrease citizens’ interest and participation in democratic processes.”</div>
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The plaintiff also said that “Without free and fair elections there can be no democracy. However, elections are only one part of the democratic process, and a fair and effective electoral system must be founded in an adequate democratic infrastructure and responsibility of political leaders.”</div>
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The plaintiff wants the court to determine “Whether by virtue of the provision of section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the Defendants are under an obligation to provide the Plaintiff with the information requested for.”</div>
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The plaintiff is seeking:</div>
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A DECLARATION that by virtue of the provisions of Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the Defendants are under a binding legal obligation to provide the Plaintiff with up to date information relating to the following:</div>
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1. Information about the spending and sources of income derived from federal, state and other institutions, agencies or persons for the campaigns and other operations of the Defendants related to the February 2015 elections.</div>
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2. The total amounts that have been spent and the anticipated spending and the sources of any such spending related to the February 2015 general elections.</div>
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3. Total contributions received by the Defendants for or on behalf of their Presidential candidate and candidates for the governorship elections and the sources of any such contributions.</div>
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Earlier in its FOI requests, the plaintiff had expressed “serious concerns about the risks of corruption during electoral campaigns for the February 2015 general elections, especially the role of money in politics and the persistent failure generally to comply with national and international law on political party finance.”</div>
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According to the plaintiff, “Releasing the information will help to address the perception among the citizens that the major political parties in the countries are less transparent and accountable. The lack of transparency and accountability in political finance is seriously undermining the legitimacy and credibility of the democratic and electoral processes, and invariably contributing to denying the citizens the right to effective participation in their own government.”</div>
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The plaintiff further argued that, “Transparency, accountability, integrity and independence of political parties is also important to achieve greater transparency in public life, to curb the influence of money in politics, to promote a level playing field, and to remove the risks to the independence of political actors and would-be public office holders and the risks of conflicts of interest, including undue influence and corruption in the funding of political parties.”</div>
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According to the plaintiff, “By virtue of Section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011, SERAP is entitled as of right to request for or gain access to information being requested. Under the FOI Act, your party is under a binding legal obligation to provide the applicant with the information requested for, except as otherwise provided by the Act, within 7 days after the application is received.”</div>
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The plaintiff also said that, “By Sections 2(3)(d)(V) & (4) of the FOI Act, there is a binding legal duty to ensure that documents containing the necessary information are widely disseminated and made readily available to members of the public through various means. The information being requested does not come within the purview of the types of information exempted from disclosure by the provisions of the FOI Act.”</div>
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Signed</div>
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<b>Olukayode Majekodunmi</b></div>
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SERAP Senior Staff Attorney</div>
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<b>Source: <a href="http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/173597-nigeria-2015-serap-drags-apc-pdp-court-undisclosed-campaign-expenses.html">Premium Times</a></b></div>

Group Drags APC, PDP To Court Over Undisclosed Campaign Funds

For failing to disclose their planned expenditure and sources of funding, Nigeria’s two largest political parties have been charged to court, Premium Times is reporting this Sunday morning. The suit …

21 Dec 2014

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Group Drags APC, PDP To Court Over Undisclosed Campaign Funds

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