Court Stops AIT From Airing The 'Lion of Bourdillon' Documentary

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfK1Qdvqd_-xF8ISsfIvt1jLQdqLSZKNijtL2j5moUMIYYLM6qOkT8NMFDCumzyskcJdehYwtvVMY50V9WHxYSJNoHpYwSw_Aro9cQcDk_hKOrRkmUDAukkTrjCMcRJRfaC-7i-Jp_D9T/s1600/Tinubu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfK1Qdvqd_-xF8ISsfIvt1jLQdqLSZKNijtL2j5moUMIYYLM6qOkT8NMFDCumzyskcJdehYwtvVMY50V9WHxYSJNoHpYwSw_Aro9cQcDk_hKOrRkmUDAukkTrjCMcRJRfaC-7i-Jp_D9T/s1600/Tinubu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe of the Ikeja Lagos High court today granted an interim order restraining the Africa Independent Television, AIT from broadcasting a documentary on former Lagos Governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu titled ‘Lion of Bourdillion.’</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Tinubu through his lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, had instituted a ₦150 billion suit against AIT alleging that the documentary was libelous and aimed at tarnishing his image.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC through an ex-parte motion sought an order of interim injunction restraining AIT whether by itself, agents, privies and or other persons from producing or continuing to broadcast, airing, or continuing to reproduce a documentary.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The motion also sought to restrain the TV station from continuing the broadcast of the documentary, which it started airing on March 1st and had been repeating daily, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated March 5, 2015.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The motion further noted that damages would not adequately compensate applicant/claimant if the ex-parte order was not granted and prayed that the rest of the suit may be extinguished if the ex-parte order was not granted.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It also noted that there was real, imminent and urgent threat and danger of continuing to decimate the person and integrity of Tinubu by AIT by continuing to air the “offensive” broadcast if the ex-parte motion was not granted.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> At today’s proceeding, Olanipekun had sought to move the interlocutory application but counsel to AIT, Mike Ozekhome objected the move arguing that he had not responded to the application.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He noted that his earlier reply was to the suit initially filed by one Tunji Abayomi on behalf of Tinubu.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> As a result of Ozekhome’s request, Olanipekun then asked the court to grant an interim order restraining AIT from airing the contentious documentary.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Although Ozekhome objected to the application Justice Akinkugbe upheld the application.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> She said: "The defendant is hereby restrained from further airing, publishing or disseminating broadcasting the documentary “Lion of Bourdilion”, pending the determination of the interlocutory application."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The matter was subsequently adjourned to March 20, for argument on the substantive application.</div>

Court Stops AIT From Airing The 'Lion of Bourdillon' Documentary

Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe of the Ikeja Lagos High court today granted an interim order restraining the Africa Independent Television, AIT from broadcasting a documentary on former Lagos Governor, Ahmed…

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After Revising Its Prediction On Him, Jonathan Says Eurasia Is "Not Credible"

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgHhnUc3TiLxli_QblgetQnuB-EiIXfv7kdqXbHhNLpSN6HbMV_NHicIchw_zPZiBcShx8CQLNtPZURss0Ya0_cVoNB__34ULLMRbt-bbpaN2BPJvyrxJM2msesao3p6iUk2Dw5DEMV-6/s1600/Goodluck+Jonathan3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgHhnUc3TiLxli_QblgetQnuB-EiIXfv7kdqXbHhNLpSN6HbMV_NHicIchw_zPZiBcShx8CQLNtPZURss0Ya0_cVoNB__34ULLMRbt-bbpaN2BPJvyrxJM2msesao3p6iUk2Dw5DEMV-6/s1600/Goodluck+Jonathan3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>President Goodluck Jonathan today personally reacted in anger to a United States-based university administrator, Dr. Baba Adam, after Dr. Adam praised the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Muazu, for opting to resign rather than abuse General Muhammadu Buhari publicly. </b>   </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Dr. Adam regularly sends emails to high-level Nigerian officials on a private listserv he created.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In his short note to Muazu, Dr. Adam drew attention to the prediction of a foreign think tank, Eurasia Group, which a few days ago predicted that Buhari would win the presidential election by at least 60%.  The think tank had previously predicted a Jonathan victory.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Dr. Adam's  note got Jonathan revved up, causing him to fire an email to Dr. Adam from his personal gmail address, Goodluck Jonathan, <b>“presgej@gmail.com”</b>, in which he told Dr. Adam to “stop quoting write-ups that have already been discredited” as they are “not credible.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “You may wish General Buhari win as you (sic) deem, but God's will shall be carried out on that day,” President Jonathan wrote.  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Those people you keep quoting are not in Nigeria, and do not have any link to the grassroots in Nigeria, and do not even know what is happening here.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He went on: “Also, the Think tank you quoted is a paid think tank. So their polls are not credible.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> President Jonathan subsequently received his own earful from another outraged US-based Nigerian, Toyin Dawodu, who blasted him for using a Gmail account to respond to Dr. Adam. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Isn't it shameful that a whole President of Nigeria cannot even operate its own email server to protect President Jonathan's communication?” he questioned.  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Despite all the money voted for the Ministry of Communications and Technology, no single governmental agency in Nigeria has its own email server, to my knowledge.” </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He pointed out that it costs less than $500.00 per month to own and operate an email server.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Yet the so-called leaders of Nigeria and its lackluster government see it fit to squander money on getting re-elected just to continue digging holes of misfortune for 170 million Nigerians.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Eurasia Group had previously forecast a 75% victory margin for Mr. Jonathan, a prediction that Nigeria’s leader had not challenged despite apparently knowing they “do not know what is happening here.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Revising its prediction, Eurasia Group attributed a Buhari win to several factors, including the intensity of support for his candidature, lacklustre grassroots campaigning by the PDP and the anti-rigging measures being put in place by the electoral commission.</div>

After Revising Its Prediction On Him, Jonathan Says Eurasia Is "Not Credible"

President Goodluck Jonathan today personally reacted in anger to a United States-based university administrator, Dr. Baba Adam, after Dr. Adam praised the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PD…

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Arresting Tinubu, Others Won't Stop Buhari's Victory - Yusuf

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIQgyCDeGhjxZqKPSwihbjBVnc3bpPPY1gpUkXkBT2v6N7qp6S1g46XJooZNsVjMTfQbxMoxNi6-aSNXcpzfyKeXkCOJC_UyBJLzE7C-0SkYD_bgqANlglgtLxnFmb6xG4LRvYRlCTBi7/s1600/Bisi_Yusuf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIQgyCDeGhjxZqKPSwihbjBVnc3bpPPY1gpUkXkBT2v6N7qp6S1g46XJooZNsVjMTfQbxMoxNi6-aSNXcpzfyKeXkCOJC_UyBJLzE7C-0SkYD_bgqANlglgtLxnFmb6xG4LRvYRlCTBi7/s1600/Bisi_Yusuf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The lawmaker representing Alimosho Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Bisi Yusuf, has said the alleged plot by the Federal Government to prosecute leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, would not deter the desire of Nigerians to vote for Muhammadu Buhari, the APC presidential candidate in the March 28 presidential election.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A letter allegedly detailing names of APC chieftains to be secretly prosecuted by the EFCC was leaked late last week.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The letter contained the names of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, Governor Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto, Senators Bukola Saraki and Danjume Goje, serving senators and former governors of Kwara and Gombe respectively, and Aminu Tambuwal, the Speaker of the House of Representatives.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The letter also named a few others who are not politicians but had served in government agencies and parastatals.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Adamu Mu’azu later denied the claim and accused the APC of forging the letter.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Bisi Yusuf, while reacting, said it had become customary for the PDP and the presidency to point fingers at the APC for every of their plots that backfires.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Yusuf, who is the House Committee Chairman on Transportation, Commerce and Industry, listed many other plots by the PDP that have suffered leakage and added that all these signs should have made it clear to the party that Nigerians, including those even at the corridors of power, are tired of the party.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said leaders of the APC had replicated themselves in a lot of Nigerians who would continue the job even if the Federal Government went ahead to arrest and “persecute” the party leaders.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Speaking after a version of the APC Freedom Walk he organised in Alimosho area of Lagos State, Yusuf pointed to the crowd around him: “can you see a lot of Tinubus around? Can you see a lot of Oyeguns around? Can you see a lot of Rotimi Amaechis around?</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Look around you here and you would see a lot of Oshiomholes around. What does that tell you?</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Each time they plan against us and it backfires, they would say we are the ones forging things.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “They can go ahead and arrest all the people they have tabled, but I want to tell you that we are all doing the grassroots job and would still come out victorious.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Even if the people they have pencilled down for prosecution are arrested now, they would be released after 28 March when Buhari would have been declared the winner of the presidential election,” the lawmaker said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The walk, which had a large turn-out started from the Ipaja area of the state and terminated at Ayobo, a neighbouring community to Igando, another area of the state.</div>

Arresting Tinubu, Others Won't Stop Buhari's Victory - Yusuf

The lawmaker representing Alimosho Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Bisi Yusuf, has said the alleged plot by the Federal Government to prosecute leaders of the All Progressives Co…

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Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan, Profile Of A President | BBC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHuL-jSedzq-Y6s8sbdQr1Luf4rXbiz2-mFNG4rubRpD2q0saqflTd084wnR5RPQLZFX5GFSMQ51Qka7V6VpVWLs-fiDuAiZMjDBcODW3R6kdit-kNJ37j_Yw233tTK0A_TbtmgHNQ1Jh/s1600/Goodluck+Jonathan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHuL-jSedzq-Y6s8sbdQr1Luf4rXbiz2-mFNG4rubRpD2q0saqflTd084wnR5RPQLZFX5GFSMQ51Qka7V6VpVWLs-fiDuAiZMjDBcODW3R6kdit-kNJ37j_Yw233tTK0A_TbtmgHNQ1Jh/s1600/Goodluck+Jonathan2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>As his name suggests, Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has a habit of being in the right place at the right time.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Until November 2009, he was serving out his time as a low-key deputy from the south of the country to a low-key president from the north.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But then, President Umaru Yar'Adua was taken to hospital in Saudi Arabia and was not seen again in public until he died on 5 May 2010.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Step forward, Mr Jonathan. After months of political wrangling, Nigeria's elite finally accepted him as acting leader in February 2010 when the ailing president returned home, but remained too ill to govern.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Barely 12 hours after Mr Yar'Adua's death, Mr Jonathan was sworn in as the new president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Africa's most populous nation - one of its most fractious democracies.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Not bad for a man who had never been elected to major public office in his own right.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>'Super pastors'</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He defied the governing People's Democratic Party's (PDP) tradition of alternating presidential power between north and south after two terms of office by winning the party's primaries.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In 2011, he won his first election - for president - despite opposition claims of fraud, and is now seeking another four-year term in office.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Goodluck Jonathan in focus:</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <ul> <li>Has a penchant for fedora hats</li> <li>Regular church-goer</li> <li>Middle name, Ebele, means "God's wish"</li> <li>Fond of saying he never had shoes as a child because of poverty</li> <li>Told journalists in 2012 that he would not declare his assets because he did not "give a damn about it, even if you criticise me from heaven"</li> <li>Denied reports in 2014 that his net worth is about $100m (£62m)</li> </ul> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mixing religion and politics</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Serious about tackling corruption?</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Born in 1957 in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, Mr Jonathan is a Christian from the Ijaw ethnic group.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He is said to be extremely close to the "super pastors" of Nigeria's hugely popular Pentecostal churches.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> His family's trade was canoe-making, but he studied zoology at university.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He worked as an education inspector, lecturer and environmental protection officer before going into politics in 1998.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Just as his rapid rise to power in the federal government owed a lot to luck, so too did his promotion to state governor.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Elected as deputy governor for his home state, Bayelsa, in 1999, he was once again serving his time without particular distinction.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Until, that is, his boss was impeached on corruption charges.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>'Meteoric rise'</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mr Jonathan took over as governor and two years later was hand-picked by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to run on the PDP's ticket as vice-presidential candidate in 2007.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> PDP insiders regard him as a politician without a political base - and more of an administrator than a leader.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It had been suggested that Nigeria's many groups of powerbrokers agreed to let Mr Jonathan formally become acting president only because he was not seen as a threat.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But he threw his hat into the ring at the PDP primaries and with several central and northern states backing him, proved his political acumen.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "There has not been any rise that's been so meteoric in Nigeria," analyst Charles Dokubo said in 2010.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On the relevance of the acting president's name, he said: "What is luck? Luck is when you can take advantage of an opportunity. He was in the right place at the right time."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Journalist Ben Shemang is among the many Nigerians who believe Mr Jonathan's name has given him an advantage.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He told the BBC that Mr Jonathan was doubly lucky as his other given name is equally propitious - Ebele, which means "God's wish".</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "That tells you that it was the wish of the parents for him to be successful," he said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Amnesty</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> His rise to power, though, has not been without its share of controversy.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> His wife, Patience, was investigated by anti-corruption officials in 2006 over allegations she tried to launder some $13.5m (£8.5m).</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> She has never been convicted of any wrongdoing over the affair and officials told Associated Press news agency that the case was "an old one".</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> If Mr Jonathan's time as vice-president was distinguished at all, it was through his negotiations with militants in the Niger Delta, who are mostly his fellow Ijaws.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Many of the major militant groups have laid down their weapons as part of a government amnesty.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Defections</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But he has had no such luck in the north, where an insurgency by militant Islamist group Boko Haram has gained momentum under his rule.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It has led to his critics accusing him of being ineffectual - a charge he denies.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He suffered a major blow in December 2013 when Mr Obasanjo, his former backer, called on him to step down.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In a widely circulated 18-page letter, Mr Obasanjo accused him of failing to deal with the many problems facing Nigeria - including corruption, piracy, kidnapping and oil theft.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> More worryingly for Mr Jonathan, a powerful faction of PDP members - including state governors and MPs - defected to the newly formed opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> As a result, the PDP lost, for the first time since it took power in 1999, its majority in the lower chamber, the House of Representatives.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Despite this, Mr Jonathan was elected unopposed as the PDP's presidential candidate at its primaries in December.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "It is difficult to remove the incumbent, but he is barely hanging on," says <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-africa-12192152?SThisFB">BBC</a></b> Nigeria analyst Peter Okwoche.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Now, Mr Jonathan will be hoping that luck is once again on his side on Valentine's Day, when he runs against APC candidate Muhammadu Buhari in what is likely to be its most tightly contested presidential election since military rule ended about 15 years ago.</div>

Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan, Profile Of A President | BBC

As his name suggests, Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has a habit of being in the right place at the right time. Until November 2009, he was serving out his time as a low-key deputy from the so…

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Lagos Arewa Community Reject Jonathan's Dollar Bribes

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoRuLqkAhSFLTVVtOCeHXyFiP4kHWkpa4DRvov_v8RL_jpcfWxiY1DDT5bW6wGVXWooxp3d8XqvLSyyuugW0az_Bf30icxJXpPPAX73GNbN8TaqxM-qx37-CqSA814vR8EfzBD3V3zfxu/s1600/GEJ-sad-church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoRuLqkAhSFLTVVtOCeHXyFiP4kHWkpa4DRvov_v8RL_jpcfWxiY1DDT5bW6wGVXWooxp3d8XqvLSyyuugW0az_Bf30icxJXpPPAX73GNbN8TaqxM-qx37-CqSA814vR8EfzBD3V3zfxu/s1600/GEJ-sad-church.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Hundreds of <i>Arewa</i> leaders who received Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Lagos on Sunday, said they rejected hundreds of thousands of dollars which were offered to them by President Goodluck Jonathan when the President visited the state two weeks ago.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The leaders, who were drawn from the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state, distanced themselves from the endorsement given to Jonathan by a group.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Speaking during a meeting at the Ikoyi home of a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Tinubu, the Chairman, Arewa Community in Lagos, Alhaji Sani Kabiru, said those that endorsed Jonathan were impostors.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said on the day of the endorsement, some people bought turbans at Agege and went to visit Jonathan at the State House, Marina, posing as <i>emirs</i> only to deceive the President.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said, “When President Jonathan came to Lagos with dollars, some of us here quickly went back and gathered ourselves and started calling our own not to go to visit Jonathan. I also commend some leaders here for leading an offensive and convinced people not to go there.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Most of the <i>Arewa</i> leaders and ‘<i>seriki</i>s’ did not even go there to collect the dollars. At that event, card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party bought turbans at the Central Market around Moshalashi Bus Stop, Agege. The person that sold the turbans told me that they dressed up as <i>emir</i>s and they were on their way to Jonathan’s place.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “So, most of them were fake. They went to collect dollars but cannot tell anyone because they are in hiding. But we did not stop at that; those that we knew that went, we called them to order and asked them why they went but they said they only collected dollars but they would not vote Jonathan.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Kabiru said virtually all <i>Arewa</i> members had collected their Permanent Voter Cards. He promised to ensure one million votes for the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); and the state’s governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While fielding questions from journalists,Kwankwaso berated Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, for what he termed, "inciting comments."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said Fayose’s comments against the North were a reflection of Jonathan’s temperament. He, however, urged the people to express their choice at the polls on March 28.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said, "When I did my National Youth Service Corps in Ogun State, I imbibed the belief that this part of the country has people that are positively cultured ranging from Obafemi Awolowo, Ernest Shonekan, MKO Abiola, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Olusegun Obasanjo and others."</div>

Lagos Arewa Community Reject Jonathan's Dollar Bribes

Hundreds of Arewa leaders who received Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Lagos on Sunday, said they rejected hundreds of thousands of dollars which were offered to them by President G…

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We Taught Jonathan, Mu'azu How Not To Be Rude - Ijebu Monarchs

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OtHIecC4lwM7MYFCMzR8I-hryLv5ynwKkOPuI4CtdCg2ew4a4u_wTX_zcnaBzj7LaEFaaGvjzxQeRH8TVPUGyhWme-zXK5GNrqSU7uq0ee4DFtFUnERezorkFkwAQcOOo3SStbrbFLab/s1600/Awujale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OtHIecC4lwM7MYFCMzR8I-hryLv5ynwKkOPuI4CtdCg2ew4a4u_wTX_zcnaBzj7LaEFaaGvjzxQeRH8TVPUGyhWme-zXK5GNrqSU7uq0ee4DFtFUnERezorkFkwAQcOOo3SStbrbFLab/s1600/Awujale.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Facts have emerged on why <i>Awujale</i> of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and other Ijebu monarchs failed to take group photograph with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan when he paid a courtesy visit last Thursday.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jonathan is the Presidential candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Presidential election coming up in the country on March 28, 2015.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> With South Western Nigeria votes said to be crucial in deciding the winner of the election, President Jonathan has been meeting many groups, including visiting the monarchs in their palaces. Indeed, President Jonathan has virtually relocated to the South-West since the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, postponed the general elections from 14 February to 28 March.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On February 21, President Jonathan, after inaugurating the Olorunsogo Power Plant 2, at Papalanto in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, held a private meeting with some prominent traditional rulers in the State.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> At the meeting were the <i>Akarigbo</i> of Remoland and Chairman of the Ogun State Traditional Council, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo; <i>Alake</i> and the Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo; <i>Olowu</i> of Owu, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu; <i>Olu</i> of Itori, Oba Fatai Akamo; <i>Oniro</i> of Iro, Oba Adebari; <i>Olu</i> of Owode-Egba, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo and other traditional rulers, mostly from the Ogun Central Senatorial District.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The <i>Awujale</i> and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona and the <i>Olu</i> of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle were absent at the impromptu meeting.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Also, three weeks ago, the President moved to Oyo to visit the <i>Alaafin</i>, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the <i>Soun</i> of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Ajagungbade in their respective palaces.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On March 7, the President visited the <i>Ooni</i> of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, in Ile-Ife, Osun State to seek the support of the monarch and other Osun monarchs for his re-election.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Apart from the <i>Ooni</i>, the <i>Orangun</i> of Oke-Ile, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; the <i>Owamiran</i> of Esa Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adeniran; the <i>Olufi</i> of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi; <i>Alowa</i> of Ilowa, Oba Bukola Ali; the <i>Olojudo</i> of Ido-Osun, who is the Secretary, Board of Trustees, BoT, National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, Oba Adedapo Aderemi and other monarchs from the entire Ile-Ife region were at the palace to receive the President.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The President, thereafter, went to Ilesa, where he also met with the <i>Owa Obokun</i> and Paramount ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran. Traditional rulers from Ijesaland were also present at the <i>Owa</i>’s palace to receive the President.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In Ekiti State, a similar scenario was reported to have played out.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> President Jonathan met Ekiti monarchs when he visited the State for the PDP campaign in January and about 50 traditional rulers were present at the meeting and the President took time to shake hands with all of them.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Last week Thursday, President Goodluck Jonathan returned to Ogun State and paid a visit to the <i>Awujale</i> in his palace at Ijebu Ode, with the expectation that the respected monarch would endorse him as it was done for him at Ile-Ife, Osun State.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We can exclusively report that the Presidency has remained unsettled since the visit as it was shocked with the reception at the palace.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The <i>Awujale</i>’s address was read by the <i>Dagburewe</i> of Idowa, Oba Y.A. Adekoya, who in an introduction told Jonathan: “Your Excellency, the man you are sitting with now, our own <i>Awujale</i> and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona is 81 years old and he has spent 55 years on the throne. The man is wearing gold and you know that gold does not rust.” The introduction was greeted with applause by other chiefs and monarchs present.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Our correspondent also learnt that the Presidential protocol officers tried to rush the MC, who is one of the <i>Otunba</i>s, but the compere bluntly told them: "I am acting on the directives of the <i>Awujale</i> and nobody can give another order. That is our tradition here, we don’t rush."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Later the Master of Ceremony invited the <i>Obiri </i>of Aiyepe to introduce all the members of the Ijebu Traditional Council.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> To the admiration of all the people in attendance, the monarch stood up and introduced all the monarchs, numbering about 45, as they sat off-hand.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> As the event was about rounding up, the Master of Ceremony announced that all the monarchs should move outside to the palace terrace for a group photograph with the President.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The atmosphere at the Lions Hall, venue of the meeting inside the <i>Awujale</i> palace, instantly changed as most of the monarchs declined to go while those who had intended to go for the picture, having read the body language of others, who are mainly old horses, had to retrace their steps. The photo session was called off as the President hurriedly left the palace.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The show signalled serious disappointment and embarrassment to the President, as the protocol hurriedly 'packed' the Number One citizen to his vehicle and zoomed out of the palace to catch up with another appointment at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, in Lagos.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> One of the highly respected monarchs in Ijebuland, who was part of the meeting confided in <b>P.M.News</b> that they are not hungry monarchs who could easily be bought over with the President’s dollar.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The royal father revealed that the President had before the visit sent an emissary to the paramount ruler to discuss how he would like the meeting to go, the development that really pained <i>Awujale</i>. He was said to have warned the emissary.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “One of the prominent Ijebu businessmen, whose name I don’t want to mention had been sent to <i>Awujale</i> by the President to speak with him on how he would want the meeting to go and also to get an endorsement from him, believing that <i>Awujale</i> is a strong factor that can add weight to his ambition at the poll.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “This man met with <i>Awujale</i> on Wednesday, a day before the visit but <i>Awujale</i> angrily expressed his reservation to the middleman. A blunt and straight forward monarch, he told the man, whom he so loved, that he will never be part of such arrangement and warned him never to do such as he was quoted to have told him: "how many Presidents have you ever hosted in your life, even, with your riches and wealth? Are you now the one to teach me on how I should host the President or you think I am a stereotype or robot King. Never let such thing happen again, or else, you will not like what will happen next", the monarch was quoted to have told the President’s emissary.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Commenting on why they refused to take group photograph with Mr President, the monarch queried: “Why the noise about group photograph? Haven’t they got enough pictures during the meeting, after all, they took several pictures? Are those not enough? So, what is so special or important about this group photograph?</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “You can see how the picture taken at the <i>Ooni</i>’s palace went viral on the social media. Is that the kind of thing our own picture will turn to? <i>Awujale</i> is not like that, he is an institution of integrity, an authority and a symbol of culture and tradition. We respect our tradition and nothing should be done to soil it. If A has done something,does that mean that B too must do it?</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “<i>Awujale</i> has spoken our minds, we don’t campaign for any politician and President Jonathan is not exempted. Is he a different person? Are they not all the same? So, we have resolved to maintain our dignity and integrity. We are fathers to all, we should not be seen as playing partisan politics and that was what we have demonstrated,” the royal father said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Another monarch, who is from Odogbolu Local Government expressed dissatisfaction with some of the utterances of both the President and some of his aides during the meeting.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The monarch, who pleaded anonymity, exclusively revealed that the President either deliberately or tactically ignored some of their requests and was saying other things.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The PDP Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, had annoyed the monarchs and chiefs when he described the Ijebu people as stingy people.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He was angrily corrected by <i>Awujale</i>, who said: "we are not stingy, but prudent in our spending."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> All the monarchs at the palace and other Ijebu sons and daughters at the palace were uncomfortable over the dry joke.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Even, when Muazu insisted that the Jonathan train would not leave until it received the <i>Awujale</i>'s blessing, it was clear that his hosts were not happy with him over such embarrassing statement.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “We were worried when the President was reacting to the requests and address of <i>Alayeluwa</i>, Oba <i>Awujale</i>. In his address, he mentioned like four to five things and when the President wanted to react, he just flipped through them and was saying that he did road, railway, agriculture, so, if re-elected, he will do more. 'A n wi’ri,o nwi’ru'.(meaning, we are saying this, he is saying another thing).</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “<i>Awujale</i> spoke about not feeling the federal presence in Ijebuland, resuscitating the moribund Iwopin Paper Mill, actualising Ijebu State, reimbursing Governor Amosun on the cost of construction of the Mobalufon flyover. We should have risen above partisan politics. That bridge is a landmark not for Ogun people alone but Nigerians as a whole. But instead of direct response, he was making political statement, forgetting that he is not at a campaign ground", he revealed.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A Presidency source confirmed to our correspondent that the President’s team are now regretting their visitation to Ijebu Ode, especially, after the media backlash.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The source disclosed that during the analysis of the visit, one of the party leaders from the southwest, who was in the entourage said: "we would have gotten the endorsement if not for the stupid statement of the Chairman. Why should he be saying that Ijebus are stingy in front of their Obas, that’s too bad.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A palace source also informed our correspondent that <i>Awujale</i>, since last Thursday visit of the President, has received over 500 text messages congratulating and commending him and other Ijebu monarchs for their actions.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The messages according to the source, are still pouring in.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><a href="http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/03/16/how-jonathan-muazu-belittled-ijebus-monarchs/">PM News</a></b></div>

We Taught Jonathan, Mu'azu How Not To Be Rude - Ijebu Monarchs

Facts have emerged on why Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and other Ijebu monarchs failed to take group photograph with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan when he paid a courtesy visit last T…

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