Tell Nigerians How Much You Paid Chatham House For Poll Shift, APC Challenges PDP, FG

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUuRw17RDBEz95_hgzxuaaQM9VuiTxonPyRLKthrNtlB-OQttUD_aBDuWXJC9uX8m7VH9MT9kFwGOnRFZZxYOn3cUetPB-N45b1dyU2SiL0IFDEN8gNQ0myaMRwagoGjkLaQIYS91XWxr/s1600/Dasuki-Sambo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUuRw17RDBEz95_hgzxuaaQM9VuiTxonPyRLKthrNtlB-OQttUD_aBDuWXJC9uX8m7VH9MT9kFwGOnRFZZxYOn3cUetPB-N45b1dyU2SiL0IFDEN8gNQ0myaMRwagoGjkLaQIYS91XWxr/s1600/Dasuki-Sambo1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The All Progress Congress Presidential Campaign Organization has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party and the Federal Government to disclose how much was paid to Chatham House to give the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, the platform to call for the postponement of the general election earlier fixed for February 14 and 28.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Reacting to allegations by the PDP that the party spent ₦5 billion to enable its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari speak at Chatham House, the APCPCO said the government should tell the whole world how much it paid to Chatam House before it granted Dasuki audience.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While speaking at the Chatam House, the NSA had said the elections were not feasible due to security concerns and the Service Chiefs later informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that they cannot guarantee security during the elections, leading to a six-week postponement of the exercise.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However, after Buhari’s address at the Chatam House, the PDP said the opposition party spent ₦5 billion to enable the former head of state deliver his address at the prestigious British institute.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the organization lamented that Jonathan’s administration has taken propaganda to a ridiculous level of childishness, triviality and banality.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Shehu said any suggestion by the PDP that the APC bribed Chatham House to get its presidential candidate speak at the institute was a reflection of the general opinion that the ruling party has not only run out of ideas and popular goodwill.</div>

Tell Nigerians How Much You Paid Chatham House For Poll Shift, APC Challenges PDP, FG

The All Progress Congress Presidential Campaign Organization has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party and the Federal Government to ...

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Wow! 107-Year Old Man Ties The Knot With His 95-Year Old Lover

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJXpXYsqkGXQ_qv7ypBu3JHkJU_emm5RhW7mYqB-dv37dzqwAoMHdcFKpuGFvUEDLyqM6Mqdg7zpZ6U0t9fyACkKH0jaln9rfbeus_1x6dlOpZKH17Nkt8gXKro6izzG06bEikOo1ejUN/s1600/Old+Couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJXpXYsqkGXQ_qv7ypBu3JHkJU_emm5RhW7mYqB-dv37dzqwAoMHdcFKpuGFvUEDLyqM6Mqdg7zpZ6U0t9fyACkKH0jaln9rfbeus_1x6dlOpZKH17Nkt8gXKro6izzG06bEikOo1ejUN/s1600/Old+Couple.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>For 70 years, Elder Dikam Garba Dabo’ok and Mrs. Ka’a Nafung had lived together as husband and wife. But the couple, now 107 and 95 years respectively, have found a new sparkle to rekindle their marital love in the church.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The church ceremony in Plateau State, has remained the talk of the town in the social diary of the state and may remain so for a long time. This is particularly so because the celebrants are the first couple in the history of the state to be administered marital vow at such unusual ages.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> At 95, the bride is well past her menopause. Her surviving first child is 65 years old. The groom, popularly known to many in his neighborhood as <i>Baba Dikam</i>, is 107 years old and may no longer be sexually active. But all that is not enough to discourage the couple from walking down the aisle arm-in-arm for a new marital oath.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The ceremony, which was held at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Chizu village in Bwai, Mangu Local Government Area of the state, was a delight to watch as it was packaged in the manner that young grooms and brides would walk down the aisle. The groom was dressed in black suite and a red neck tie to match, while the bride stepped out dressed in a pure white wedding gown with a neatly made hair to match. They drove to the church in separate vehicles, as if they never met before. The groom was accompanied by cutely dressed men and the bride by a long bridal train.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> They had a procession and matched into the church separately as if they never met before. They only came together after they were wedded by the officiating pastor. The officiating pastor of the church, Rev. Tongwe Sale, congratulated the couple and admonished them as if they were young couples. He said: “Marriage is ordained by God and it should be kept sacred.” He charged them to keep faith in God since they are still alive, noting that although they are old, they can still be important in the lives of their children and grand children.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Taking his message from Genesis 1:26-27, Rev. Elisha Pam spoke on the topic, “Marriage: Highly mysterious” and pointed out that when God created Adam, the woman was already in existence in the body of man, after which she was brought out in a mysterious way and Adam named her Eve. He noted that the grounds for a solid marriage are patience and obedience through Christ as he read Ephesians 5:21</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> They happily took the oath that they would love themselves until death do them apart. They also vowed not to allow a third party in their marital life. They signed the marriage certificate after the service and marched out of the church dancing to the admiration of their guests.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> When they got outside the church auditorium, the newly wedded couple posed for photograph in various styles and angles. After the photograph session, they moved in a car and zoomed off to the reception ground accompanied by their guests, children, friends and family members.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> When it was time to cut the wedding cake, the couple walked hand in hand to where the colourful cake was placed. The groom continuously gazed at his wedding ring in a manner that suggests that the occasion was a dream come true for him. Like marksmen, they held the knife firmly and on completion of the spelling of Jesus, they cut the cake and feebly smiled at the guests. They trilled their guests with the ceremonial culture of couple feeding one another with the cake and non-alcoholic wine. After feeding themselves, the newly wedded couple danced to the music blasting from the loud speakers in “old school” style to the admiration of their guests.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It was celebration galore at the reception for the family and friends of the couple. The couples told their excited guests at the reception their true life stories. They said it was the grace of God that allowed them to solemnise their marriage in the church.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The groom narrated his life story thus: “I had seven wives and 32 children during my younger days, but I did so because I did not know Christ. But that made me great among my contemporaries as only those who were wealthy could do that. But in spite of that, God remained faithful and merciful for me. I have a lot of testimonies to show that God was so faithful to me. I am now in a better position to advise my children and my well wishers to live the life of Christ. I don’t want any of my children to emulate my past life style, because you may fall out of the grace and mercies of God. But I’m so pleased because my children are committed to Christ; they lived the life of Christ, they were the ones that insisted I must come to Christ and take their mother to the altar.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Before now we lived our lives outside Christ, but from today, we are now confirmed children of Christ. It would have been worse for us if we had died without Christ. But God has protected our lives up till this moment to come to Him.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> One of the children of the couple, Barr. Zephaniah Garba was full of appreciation and praises to God when he spoke with our reporter. He said: “I am full of joy today because my father has come to profess Christ at his old age. I have been looking forward to this day and I thank God they were able to make it. I want to encourage those who did not conduct their marriage in Christian way to try and do so; it is never late. My father’s own should be an example to others, you can still do it”.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> There were goodwill messages from the Chairmen of PCC Kabwir, Rev. David Musa, and Langtang North LG Chairman elect, Hon. Daniel Dandul, while various dance groups added colour to the event as the couples cut their wedding cake.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Credit: <a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/new/drama-as-107-yr-old-man-takes-heartthrob-95-to-altar/">The Nation</a></b></div>

Wow! 107-Year Old Man Ties The Knot With His 95-Year Old Lover

For 70 years, Elder Dikam Garba Dabo’ok and Mrs. Ka’a Nafung had lived together as husband and wife. But the couple, now 107 and 95 yea...

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Default In Subsidy Payment, Cause Of Fuel Scarcity - APC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfOpdR2UduwsUsJjwq81BG9sba0VCeDg7xLMyeTLKy-AuAdYJr0o8htPsoCn_cG2mAVmdEvHJIVs5oI24t23e3jiw57H88-aMh50ibeo9zOLlFaoAevRUiVK-yz1HQWFWOcdy6ehe93gI/s1600/Fuel+Scarcity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfOpdR2UduwsUsJjwq81BG9sba0VCeDg7xLMyeTLKy-AuAdYJr0o8htPsoCn_cG2mAVmdEvHJIVs5oI24t23e3jiw57H88-aMh50ibeo9zOLlFaoAevRUiVK-yz1HQWFWOcdy6ehe93gI/s1600/Fuel+Scarcity.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the real causes of the debilitating fuel scarcity across the country are President Goodluck Jonathan's administration's failure to pay fuel subsidy and the cost of interests on bank loans to oil marketers, thus making it impossible for them to begin another round of importation of refined petroleum products. </b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The party also said the crisis in the energy sector could be traced to an alleged looting of the $12 billion domestic gas fund under President Jonathan's watch.  In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the PDP and the Jonathan Administration decided to divert attention from those problems by accusing the opposition of being responsible for the scarcity - a most laughable and irresponsible statement by a sitting government that is always so eager to blame everyone but itself for the nation's woes. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It recalled that the self-styled Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had, in February, promised to pay all subsidies owed to the marketers then in the sum of ₦264 billion, along with the accrued interest. APC said, however, that the failure to meet this obligation has made it impossible for the oil marketers, who are being owed heavily, to finance another round of products importation, <b><a href="http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/apc-links-fuel-scarcity-to-default-in-subsidy-payment/203217/">THISDAY</a></b> reports.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> ''The truth is that this profligate government has run Nigeria aground, and the oil sector, whether upstream or downstream, has particularly suffered hugely.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "The quantity of petroleum products that was imported has almost been fully consumed, without fresh products being brought in to augment supplies that have now fallen well below re-order level .</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> ''The implication is that in addition to worsening power supply, crumbling prices of oil at the international market, weakening Naira and unprecedented corruption, Nigerians - who routinely provide their own electricity to power their homes and business, now".</div>

Default In Subsidy Payment, Cause Of Fuel Scarcity - APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the real causes of the debilitating fuel scarcity across the country are President Goodluc...

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VIDEO: Al Jazeera Talks To Goodluck Jonathan

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVEzVFSfQVbley_pvV5smyvvkq9FUHcrLLapChrnR8Gg-HNXshy9QSKZcC3UIT4yHz1BCxy0x52EwaBNwG6DFngHJwhtLX305b5961AvaRSzMdkO4JPQH1dgXjbZLsLZM805fqac_NHH9/s1600/GEJ+AJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVEzVFSfQVbley_pvV5smyvvkq9FUHcrLLapChrnR8Gg-HNXshy9QSKZcC3UIT4yHz1BCxy0x52EwaBNwG6DFngHJwhtLX305b5961AvaRSzMdkO4JPQH1dgXjbZLsLZM805fqac_NHH9/s1600/GEJ+AJ.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to defeat Boko Haram, the armed group that has killed thousands of people in the country's northeast.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jonathan denied mishandling the Boko Haram crisis and allegations that a recent escalation in military operations against the group was politically motivated.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In the interview, the President reaffirmed that the he is not thinking of sacking INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega saying the position is a sensitive one no one would wake up and fire the helmsman.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He also expressed fears about violence during the upcoming presidential election which was postponed because of a lack of security.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> When asked if he would bow out gracefully if he loses, Jonathan was not emphatic in his response. Rather than a straight forward response, he boasted that he would not lose the election.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Al Jazeera</b>'s Yvonne Ndege spoke to Jonathan in Lagos.</div> <br /> <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="400" id="flashObj" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=4088836693001&playerID=1513015402001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAmtVJIFk~,TVGOQ5ZTwJYzP5l-b5uZA0wXezQXHPxp&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=4088836693001&playerID=1513015402001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAmtVJIFk~,TVGOQ5ZTwJYzP5l-b5uZA0wXezQXHPxp&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="640" height="400" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <b>Source: <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2015/03/al-jazeera-talks-goodluck-jonathan-150302191010773.html">Al Jazeera</a></b>

VIDEO: Al Jazeera Talks To Goodluck Jonathan

In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to defeat Boko Haram, the armed group ...

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Court Rejects Application To Stop INEC's Card Readers

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDADGs-3RDGyYWqGBoDuq10Zk0XYC6X4_PHrge-UxvlRt1uGgzIjJUZvtp1nXSkCbzLLqD0Dx0RjvP0rlYjsBwOZobq-tTFk5LSCGldHp49aeTeiXhTRO6d70HPchz5W1CEP0wpkxAmAaF/s1600/INEC-Card-Reader2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDADGs-3RDGyYWqGBoDuq10Zk0XYC6X4_PHrge-UxvlRt1uGgzIjJUZvtp1nXSkCbzLLqD0Dx0RjvP0rlYjsBwOZobq-tTFk5LSCGldHp49aeTeiXhTRO6d70HPchz5W1CEP0wpkxAmAaF/s1600/INEC-Card-Reader2.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday rejected an application for an order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission from using the electronic card readers in the forthcoming general elections.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The application filed as ex parte was filed by four political parties – the United Democratic Party, Action Alliance, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria and Alliance for Democracy.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A similar suit challenging the exclusive use of the Permanent Voter Card and the card reader is pending before Justice Abdulkadir Abdul-Kafarati of the Federal High Court in Abuja.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in his ruling on Monday on the application filed on behalf of the political parties by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria, held that INEC deserved to be heard before making a pronouncement on their prayers.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He noted that the political parties had shown that they had legal rights to institute the action and that the case was one that could be litigated on, but he insisted that he could not grant the interim orders sought by the applicants without first hearing INEC.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> ‎But the court ordered INEC to file its defence within four days of receiving the court papers.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It fixed hearing of the substantive suit for March 10.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The application was argued on behalf of the plaintiffs on Monday by Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), who led two other SANs – Bolaji Ayorinde, Ikechukwu Ezechukwu and Adekunle Oyesanya – in filing the main suit.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The plaintiffs had argued on Monday that the use of the electronic card reader was contrary to the provisions of the Constitution as well as the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The plaintiffs are challenging the powers of the electoral body to introduce a process not specifically provided for in the statutes ahead of preparations for the the rescheduled polls.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He maintained that the proposed use of the electronic card readers is in breach of the provisions of section 52(1) of the Electoral Act which he argued prohibits electronic voting.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said, “My lord, this is what brought us to this court. INEC wants Nigerian voters to subject themselves to electronic voters card reader, an electronic component which is expressly prohibited.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Any thing to do with electronic magnetic capturing properties cannot be allowed in the conduct of the election.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He urged the court to temporarily restrain the electoral body from “implementing, commencing or directing the use of the card reader machine for the forthcoming election, pending the determination of the suit.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He further urged the court to bridge the time within which the electoral body would be allowed to file a response in view of the nature of the case which, according to him has a robust electoral jurisprudence.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He cited a decision of a Federal High Court in Ebonyi Division in 2003, when open secret ballot system was adopted by the state Independent Election Commission in the conduct of local government elections contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act which prescribed an open ballot system.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He pointed out that the court went ahead to nullify that election and that “the heavens did not fall.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He insisted that the the card reader could not be allowed to take the place of accreditation as prescribed by the Electoral Act, reports the <b><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/court-dismisses-suit-to-stop-inecs-card-readers/">PUNCH</a></b>.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The parties are among the 16 parties that supported the Peoples Democratic Party in objecting to the conduct of the elections as earlier scheduled. They also have adopted President Jonathan (the presidential candidate of the PDP as their candidate.</div>

Court Rejects Application To Stop INEC's Card Readers

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday rejected an application for an order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission fro...

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World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYn7-W7JWKAhWv-xqQztxg3CrR1mfhqwdXl8f8aiLaWaVWH_WIWAd3IGx5tyyzflVakXJE-TstdVcgibUCwMcQxTIoERa7VE3T70DOvBXhyphenhyphenWoCNGl8Iyvvir3zG29grREAd7KYBDODt_n6/s1600/Uruguay+President.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYn7-W7JWKAhWv-xqQztxg3CrR1mfhqwdXl8f8aiLaWaVWH_WIWAd3IGx5tyyzflVakXJE-TstdVcgibUCwMcQxTIoERa7VE3T70DOvBXhyphenhyphenWoCNGl8Iyvvir3zG29grREAd7KYBDODt_n6/s1600/Uruguay+President.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Can you imagine a Nigerian president riding in 28-year-old VW Beetle? Or living in his own house, forgoing the heaven-like Aso Rock? Or giving 90% of his salary to charity? Or, the most difficult one, having to leave office quietly when he could have manipulated state institutions to give him another term in office, given his popularity?</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It may never be replicated in Nigeria, but it has happened in Uruguay, where the outgoing president, Jose “Pepe” Mujica, has broken all records in presidential modesty.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A former guerrilla who spent 13 years in jail, Mujica was elected president in 2010 for a five-year term. The Uruguayan constitution forbids an incumbent from seeking re-election, so he had to leave office on March 1, 2015 despite his street popularity. Of course, he made no attempts to change the constitution.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The 79-year-old socialist has handed over to his predecessor and successor - Tabaré Vázquez, who is now on his second term because of Uruguay’s peculiar law.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In an interview with BBC, Mujica recalled the years he spent in detention, two of them lying at the bottom of an old horse trough.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “I was imprisoned in solitary [confinement] so the day they put me on a sofa I felt comfortable!” Mujica joked about his status as president.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “I’ve no doubt that had I not lived through that I would not be who I am today. Prison, solitary confinement had a huge influence on me. I had to find an inner strength. I couldn’t even read a book for seven, eight years - imagine that!”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But you are not likely to say that of any Nigerian politician who had been to jail before coming to power - they seem to be overwhelmed by the flow of cash as soon as they assume office.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Yet, Mujica cannot understand the global fascination with his modest lifestyle, <b><a href="http://www.thecable.ng/worlds-poorest-president-bows-gracefully">TheCable</a></b> reports.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “This world is crazy, crazy! People are amazed by normal things and that obsession worries me!” he said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “All I do is live like the majority of my people, not the minority. I’m living a normal life and Italian, Spanish leaders should also live as their people do. They shouldn’t be aspiring to or copying a rich minority.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He will also be remembered for stabilising the country’s economy and promoting equity and social justice.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Neither will he be forgotten for legalising abortion and marijuana in a country with Catholic majority.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said: “Marijuana is another plague, another addiction. Some say it’s good but no, that’s rubbish. Not marijuana, tobacco or alcohol – the only good addiction is love!.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “But 150,000 people smoke [marijuana] here and I couldn’t leave them at the mercy of drugs traffickers. It’s easier to control something if it’s legal and that’s why we’ve done this.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On his retirement plans, he is not going to be typical.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “I have no intention of being an old pensioner, sitting in a corner writing my memoirs - no way!” he said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Don’t expect him to write <i>“My Watch”</i> in a hurry then.</div>

World’s Poorest President Bows Out Gracefully

Can you imagine a Nigerian president riding in 28-year-old VW Beetle? Or living in his own house, forgoing the heaven-like Aso Rock? Or...

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