Why reform is so hard in Nigeria, by The Economist

Gov. Kayode Fayemi

Are Nigerians reluctant to accept reforms? How far can they go to ensure reforms are frustrated? The Economist thinks they can go to any extent to ensure reformers are cut to size, citing Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s loss of the governorship election in Ekiti State as a good example.

ONE of Nigeria’s most reform-minded and articulate governors has been ousted in an election in Ekiti, a south-western state, by a populist who was once impeached following charges, albeit unproven, of embezzling public money. The vote was deemed generally free and fair. The result highlights public resistance to political reform.

The incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi, a member of the All Progressives Congress, Nigeria’s main opposition, was trounced by Ayo Fayose (pictured) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the party that rules Nigeria at the federal level and is backed by the president, Goodluck Jonathan. It was a big win for the government, which hitherto controlled none of Nigeria’s six south-western states and has been struggling with internal divisions; several PDP governors have defected to the opposition. By gaining a gubernatorial foothold in Ekiti the PDP’s chance of victory in next year’s presidential election looks brighter.

In dismissing a forward-thinker, the voters sent out a loud message. After coming to power in 2010, Mr Fayemi laid new roads, improved the university system, presented a plan to get more young people into jobs, created a social-security scheme for the elderly, and cut corrupt wage payments to government workers. But such reforms upset people with a vested interest in the old political system. Unqualified teachers who have been told to take tests as part of Mr Fayemi’s education reforms probably voted against him.

So did civil servants upset by his more meritocratic hiring practices. Such people plainly prefer the old “politics of the belly”, which keeps them comfortably on the state payroll and hands out cash in return for their votes. “We felt we had the people on our side, but the people themselves made this decision,” an aide to Mr Fayemi mournfully admits. “It is worrisome just how much enlightenment the electorate needs.”

Indeed, the election was a clash between appeals to good governance on the one hand and the lure of old-school clientelism and populism on the other.

Despite Ekiti having a relatively well-educated electorate, the old ways prevailed. This does not bode well for political reform across the country.

Why reform is so hard in Nigeria, by The Economist

Gov. Kayode Fayemi

Are Nigerians reluctant to accept reforms? How far can they go to ensure reforms are frustrated? The Economist thinks they can go to any extent to ensure reformers are cut to size, citing Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s loss of the governorship election in Ekiti State as a good example.

ONE of Nigeria’s most reform-minded and articulate governors has been ousted in an election in Ekiti, a south-western state, by a populist who was once impeached following charges, albeit unproven, of embezzling public money. The vote was deemed generally free and fair. The result highlights public resistance to political reform.

The incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi, a member of the All Progressives Congress, Nigeria’s main opposition, was trounced by Ayo Fayose (pictured) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the party that rules Nigeria at the federal level and is backed by the president, Goodluck Jonathan. It was a big win for the government, which hitherto controlled none of Nigeria’s six south-western states and has been struggling with internal divisions; several PDP governors have defected to the opposition. By gaining a gubernatorial foothold in Ekiti the PDP’s chance of victory in next year’s presidential election looks brighter.

In dismissing a forward-thinker, the voters sent out a loud message. After coming to power in 2010, Mr Fayemi laid new roads, improved the university system, presented a plan to get more young people into jobs, created a social-security scheme for the elderly, and cut corrupt wage payments to government workers. But such reforms upset people with a vested interest in the old political system. Unqualified teachers who have been told to take tests as part of Mr Fayemi’s education reforms probably voted against him.

Security forces bust Boko Haram’s intelligence network

Director, Defense Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade

Security forces have bust a Boko Haram intelligence cell headed by a businessman, Babuji Ya’ari, who participated actively in the abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok in April, 2014.

Ya’ari who is also a member of the Youth Vigilante Group popularly known as Civilian JTF which he used as cover while remaining an active terrorist, also spearheaded the murder of the Emir of Gwoza.

A statement by the Director, Defense Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade in Abuja on Monday, said the suspect’s main role in the group was to spy and gather information for the terrorists group.

“Babuji has been coordinating several deadly attacks in Maiduguri since 2011, including the daring attacks on Customs and military locations as well as the planting of IEDs in several locations in the town,” it said.

Olukolade said the arrest of the businessman who is known to deal in tricycles, has also yielded some vital information and facilitated the arrest of other members of the terrorists’ intelligence cell who are women.

He stated that one of them, Hafsat Bako had earlier escaped to Gombe State to avoid suspicion but was tracked and arrested.

According to him, prior to her arrest, Bako coordinated the payment of other operatives on the payroll of the group, adding that in her confession, she disclosed that a minimum of N10,000 is paid to each operative depending on the enormity of his task.

Olukolade said, “Another female suspect named Haj Kaka who doubles as an armourer and a spy for the terrorists group has also been arrested.

“Until their arrest, all the suspects actively operated a terrorists’ intelligence cell in collaboration with others still at large.”

In another development, troops deployed in Goniri, Yobe State, had an encounter with terrorists, resulting in casualties on both sides after the attack was successfully repelled.

Source: Punch

Security forces bust Boko Haram’s intelligence network

Director, Defense Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade

Security forces have bust a Boko Haram intelligence cell headed by a businessman, Babuji Ya’ari, who participated actively in the abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok in April, 2014.

Ya’ari who is also a member of the Youth Vigilante Group popularly known as Civilian JTF which he used as cover while remaining an active terrorist, also spearheaded the murder of the Emir of Gwoza.

A statement by the Director, Defense Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade in Abuja on Monday, said the suspect’s main role in the group was to spy and gather information for the terrorists group.

“Babuji has been coordinating several deadly attacks in Maiduguri since 2011, including the daring attacks on Customs and military locations as well as the planting of IEDs in several locations in the town,” it said.

Olukolade said the arrest of the businessman who is known to deal in tricycles, has also yielded some vital information and facilitated the arrest of other members of the terrorists’ intelligence cell who are women.

He stated that one of them, Hafsat Bako had earlier escaped to Gombe State to avoid suspicion but was tracked and arrested.

According to him, prior to her arrest, Bako coordinated the payment of other operatives on the payroll of the group, adding that in her confession, she disclosed that a minimum of N10,000 is paid to each operative depending on the enormity of his task.

2014 World Cup: France beat Nigeria to reach Quarter Finals

France scored twice in the final 11 minutes in Brasilia to beat Nigeria and reach the World Cup quarter-finals.Nigeria's Emmanuel Emenike had a strike ruled out for offside before Vincent Enyeama saved Paul Pogba's volley.

Victor Moses cleared Karim Benzema's shot off the line after the break and Yohan Cabaye volleyed against the bar as France pressed. But Pogba eventually headed in after an Enyeama error and Joseph Yobo diverted Mathieu Valbuena's cross into the net.

France will play the winners of Monday's late match between Algeria and Germany in the last eight at the Maracana on Friday. The final scoreline was harsh on Nigeria, who dominated for large parts of the second half, but late mistakes from their tiring players ensured they will have to wait for their first quarter-final appearance in a World Cup.

France have pedigree in the knockout rounds, having reached at least the semi-finals on the last five occasions they have progressed past the first round at the World Cup. Nigeria's last-16 preparations had been disrupted by a row over bonuses and, with their group victory over Bosnia-Hercegovina their only World Cup win in 11 matches, this tie was always going to prove a big ask.

But, attacking with pace down the wings through both Moses and Ahmed Musa, the Super Eagles looked threatening early on. Only a flag for offside denied the powerful Emenike the opener, when he tapped home Musa's cross.

Nigeria's goalkeeper Enyeama made the most saves of any goalkeeper in the group phase and had to be alert again to keep out Pogba's fierce close-range volley as the play swept from end to end in a first half that saw both sides look vulnerable defensively.

Juventus's Pogba was being afforded a lot of space but, as was the case all over the pitch, the final ball was all too often wasteful, with Mathieu Debuchy's shot wide the only other notable attempt in a half that promised more than it delivered. The African champions were forced into a change before the break when influential midfielder Ogenyi Onazi was injured by a late tackle from Blaise Matuidi, who was lucky to escape with only a yellow card.

Source:BBC

2014 World Cup: France beat Nigeria to reach Quarter Finals

France scored twice in the final 11 minutes in Brasilia to beat Nigeria and reach the World Cup quarter-finals.Nigeria's Emmanuel Emenike had a strike ruled out for offside before Vincent Enyeama saved Paul Pogba's volley.

Victor Moses cleared Karim Benzema's shot off the line after the break and Yohan Cabaye volleyed against the bar as France pressed. But Pogba eventually headed in after an Enyeama error and Joseph Yobo diverted Mathieu Valbuena's cross into the net.

France will play the winners of Monday's late match between Algeria and Germany in the last eight at the Maracana on Friday. The final scoreline was harsh on Nigeria, who dominated for large parts of the second half, but late mistakes from their tiring players ensured they will have to wait for their first quarter-final appearance in a World Cup.

France have pedigree in the knockout rounds, having reached at least the semi-finals on the last five occasions they have progressed past the first round at the World Cup. Nigeria's last-16 preparations had been disrupted by a row over bonuses and, with their group victory over Bosnia-Hercegovina their only World Cup win in 11 matches, this tie was always going to prove a big ask.

Fashola’s take away on Ekiti poll

As the ink is yet to dry on the analysis of the results of the recent Ekiti polls and the landslides that are reminiscent of 1983 under the now-defunct NPN (National Party of Nigeria) now seems like child’s play, I feel compelled to comment for many reasons, which I will summarize below:

The eminent public commentators

These are some of our most seasonal, informed and respected columnists, whose back page writings have shaped opinion in the public space on the many Nigerian newspapers.

As I read several of them in the week commencing on Monday the 23rd of June, 2014, they all seemed to be saying, “We got this wrong”.

Interestingly, none of them could have called this result a week before without raising eyebrows about their credibility. The word on the street was that the incumbent had served his people well. About this, there was no debate. Whether it would be enough to secure victory was another matter.

If these eminent commentators were willing to stick their necks out one week before the election, I guess the worst prediction perhaps would have been to suggest that it would be a close election.

If a good Governor did not win his ward, let alone his Local Government, none of the Deputy Governor, three Senators, all the House of Assembly members won their Local Governments, the question that arises in my mind is: Is this logical human behaviour?

Is there an incumbent amongst all those defeated in Nigerian electoral history who lost all their Local Governments and even their wards?

Logical human behaviour?

The arguments for the victorious camp and their supporters, (or the “propaganda”) to justify an “unprecedented” electorate behaviour were that: (a) money and inducements were factors that swayed the electorate; (b) the incumbent was elitist and disconnected; he spoke too much English. I did not offer these arguments. It came from them before and after the election.

(a)        Money and Inducements

We had heard about this before Ekiti. It came from the very top, like many orders from above. It was delivered on an electoral podium in Kano. A serving Governor was accused of diverting money meant for delegates. It was the unspoken word in Nigerian politics.

But the party of the Governor-elect has jumped headlong into the place where many feared to tread; perhaps because they don’t give a damn.

In the public space on television, members of the party have now broken the taboo, Ekiti was all that mattered.

They paid for it and all of us can do whatever we like; after all, they control the National Treasury, oil proceeds and all that is being forensically audited.

But they have finally helped to show Nigerians, if by default, that there is now an ideological difference between their party and the main opposition. I will address this later.

But, even if money mattered, the incumbent gave out money under a state-funded and well publicised welfare scheme for elderly and vulnerable citizens.

The project had run for 3 years successfully. The beneficiaries knew that the money came every month, they banked on it, and there is no report that it had been stopped.

Were these people the “elite” that the incumbent served or the grassroots from whom he was accused of being disconnected?

Is it logical human behaviour for all of them to have abandoned him and preferred the new but untested money by the party of the Governor-elect, in such a way that not even in his ward did they show fidelity to that well-conceived policy by voting to retain it?

(b) Elitist and disconnected

I have asked myself where else could the incumbent be excused for speaking too much English than in the land of professors in Nigeria.

Is it logical human behaviour for a land of many intellectuals to reject so overwhelmingly an incumbent that was a respected family man, a devout Catholic, gentleman and urbane representative, even in his own ward?

The ideology now crystallizes

When the merger of the main opposition party was being consummated, not a few commentators asked what the difference was.

Try as the new party did, the party in power either said there was no ideology or at times that the new party cannot be different from them; because, some of their own members were now major stakeholders in the new opposition party.

In perhaps what is a most welcome Freudian slip, they have shown through Ekiti that there is the major ideological difference on economic issues.

We have seen some differences on social issues like pardons and National Honours.

But the difference on economic issues is profound.

They have propounded a new definition for infrastructure. They call it the infrastructure of the stomach or “stomachstructure”.

By this, they assert that although the incumbent has built schools, hospitals, markets, tourist complexes and other infrastructure that provide a system for organising the economic development and affairs of Ekiti, to create direct and consequential jobs for construction workers, architects, quantity surveyors, school teachers, doctors, and even employees of banks that lend money to finance these projects; the party of the Governor Elect would rather not do that.

They say, by their own methods, these things do not matter in any gubernatorial tenure.

Do nothing, gather money, buy rice, stop at a few local pubs to show you are ordinary (maybe without shoes) and distribute money and rice to the “grassroots”, and you are sure to get to Government House; and this is the plan for the whole of the Southwest and the Presidency.

This ideology will quieten those who ask why there is no electricity or why we can’t find the Chibok girls or indeed why audit reports on $20 bilion or $10 billion should not matter.

It should quieten the rich and the poor who now live in fear of insecurity.

Indeed all those who are looking for employment and those who have died in the process should simply tarry a while. The money and rice are on their way.

If you still do not see the ideological difference on economic issues, let me spell it out in other words.

The party of the Governor Elect appear to agree with the party of the incumbent Governor, that the poor matter and that indeed something should be done for them. What they disagree about, is what should be done.

The party of the Incumbent Governor argue that through new schools, new roads, new hospitals, tourism development and physical infrastructure renewal, the fortunes of Ekiti people will get better economically and developmentally; because, skills will be created and honed, services will be offered, jobs would be delivered on a sustainable basis.

On the contrary, the party of the Governor Elect argues that a once-in-four year fix of dash, cash and inducement is what the people prefer. The people of Ekiti seem to have chosen this economic ideology  by the “votes” of June 21, 2014. Did they?

This is their prerogative, I cannot question it, but I intend to learn from it, because the Ekiti people are highly respected people who have contributed ideas and values to our national development.

This is why I am curious.

Is the land of honour and intellectuals teaching us something new? I think these are the matters for scholarly research which the incumbent in his most commendable and statesmanly post-election speech (which many have interpreted as an unqualified concession) urged upon us.

He sacrificed, so that perhaps we could all learn about a “new human behaviour” of a great people of honour, valour, integrity and self-pride.

I have been accused of “insulting Ekiti people”. There is no reason for me to do so and I did not do so.

I asked questions so that we can learn. This is the realm of the Research that the incumbent Governor urged. To make an inquiry.

I think the party of the Governor elect must not feel uncomfortable about me asking questions. If they exercise the bragging rights that come with the results and the incumbent Governor’s “concession” they should not feel uncomfortable about research and inquiries that also come with the “concession” speech.

It may well be that the party of the Governor-elect may be right in their assessment of what the people of Ekiti and by extension Nigerians want, this would make any inquiry appropriate because;  it may compel a change of strategy for many political parties.

It should make governance a lot easier if they were right. Do nothing, put money together, share it a few weeks to election, strut to Government house, and why should you bother about agriculture, electricity, housing, security, Healthcare and more?

After all, everybody has been paid in advance to go and fix these problems by themselves. They will not matter, we will see them in another four years and rule again for the next 60 years, or indeed for eternity.

Fashola’s take away on Ekiti poll

As the ink is yet to dry on the analysis of the results of the recent Ekiti polls and the landslides that are reminiscent of 1983 under the now-defunct NPN (National Party of Nigeria) now seems like child’s play, I feel compelled to comment for many reasons, which I will summarize below:

The eminent public commentators

These are some of our most seasonal, informed and respected columnists, whose back page writings have shaped opinion in the public space on the many Nigerian newspapers.

As I read several of them in the week commencing on Monday the 23rd of June, 2014, they all seemed to be saying, “We got this wrong”.

Interestingly, none of them could have called this result a week before without raising eyebrows about their credibility. The word on the street was that the incumbent had served his people well. About this, there was no debate. Whether it would be enough to secure victory was another matter.

If these eminent commentators were willing to stick their necks out one week before the election, I guess the worst prediction perhaps would have been to suggest that it would be a close election.

If a good Governor did not win his ward, let alone his Local Government, none of the Deputy Governor, three Senators, all the House of Assembly members won their Local Governments, the question that arises in my mind is: Is this logical human behaviour?

Is there an incumbent amongst all those defeated in Nigerian electoral history who lost all their Local Governments and even their wards?

Logical human behaviour?

The arguments for the victorious camp and their supporters, (or the “propaganda”) to justify an “unprecedented” electorate behaviour were that: (a) money and inducements were factors that swayed the electorate; (b) the incumbent was elitist and disconnected; he spoke too much English. I did not offer these arguments. It came from them before and after the election.

(a)        Money and Inducements

We had heard about this before Ekiti. It came from the very top, like many orders from above. It was delivered on an electoral podium in Kano. A serving Governor was accused of diverting money meant for delegates. It was the unspoken word in Nigerian politics.

THE ESSENCE OF RAMADAN

It is to imbibe the virtues of love, care, tolerance and harmonious co-existence

As Nigerian Muslims join their counterparts all over the world for the 30-day fasting period which commenced at the weekend, we enjoin them not only to use the season to pray for themselves but also for our nation that is going through harrowing times. With the season being marked by private and group prayers, and abstinence from worldly comforts and pleasures, the overall aim is to enhance spiritual growth and foster charity and brotherly love—virtues that are sorely needed in Nigeria today.

While we congratulate the Muslim Umah on the occasion of this season, we must remind them and indeed all Nigerians that there is no better time for self-introspection than a period of self-emptying without which no spiritual being can have a truly rewarding relationship with his or her maker. During this period, in total submission to the injunction of Allah, Muslims would abstain from food and drinks from dawn to dusk and also shun all forms of vices. Making such sacrifices in the bid to be better persons also require that those who hold public offices imbibe a new spirit that would make them give honest and selfless leadership to their respective constituents by providing the most basic of services that will help reduce and ultimately eliminate poverty, ignorance and disease.

Therefore, it is important to point attention to some evergreen lessons of this great religious observance, which, if imbibed by the nation’s leaders are capable of making life more meaningful for the people. This is especially necessary at this stage of the nation’s development when killings arising from terrorism are fast becoming a daily staple; when massive graft in high places is worsening people’s standard of living; and when ethnic uprisings and sectarian violence are threatening to tear the country apart. These are particularly frowned at by God and are vehemently discouraged by Ramadan fasting, the essence of which is to expose the faithful to their spiritual roots while teaching them that true humanity does not condone violence under any guise nor does it equate to mere material possessions.


The Ramadan period encourages the spirit of sharing with, and caring for the needy and the less privileged. If this spiritual core of man is recognised, it could lead to a positive change in our perspective on life: there would be no room for senseless materialism, greed and primitive accumulation of wealth. Rather, there would be greater concern for the poor. That indeed explains why fasting during Ramadan is a leveller of sorts as both the rich and poor are exposed to hunger and thirst at the same time. Thus, after such self-denial, expectations are that the wealthy would show more concerns for the plight of millions of their less fortunate compatriots while those in positions of authority would enunciate policies targeted at alleviating the sufferings of the people.

The essence of Ramadan fast is that man is invariably better off doing the will of God than merely pleasing himself. When he is able to rein in the impulse for self-gratification, man is more liable to make his society a better place to live in, not only for himself but also for his neighbour. Therefore, the nation’s political leaders have much to learn from the message of this holy season. If only they can curtail their materialistic tendencies and pay more attention to the yearnings of the people, the country will certainly become a much happier place for all to live in. There is much greed in our polity and it has all but ruined the nation.


However, it is our hope that political leaders, at practically all levels, would avail themselves of the lessons of this glorious season. We also hope that the outcome of this annual spiritual exercise will be of immense benefit to the nation.
Ramadan Kareem to all our Muslim brothers and sisters.

Source: THisday

THE ESSENCE OF RAMADAN

It is to imbibe the virtues of love, care, tolerance and harmonious co-existence

As Nigerian Muslims join their counterparts all over the world for the 30-day fasting period which commenced at the weekend, we enjoin them not only to use the season to pray for themselves but also for our nation that is going through harrowing times. With the season being marked by private and group prayers, and abstinence from worldly comforts and pleasures, the overall aim is to enhance spiritual growth and foster charity and brotherly love—virtues that are sorely needed in Nigeria today.

While we congratulate the Muslim Umah on the occasion of this season, we must remind them and indeed all Nigerians that there is no better time for self-introspection than a period of self-emptying without which no spiritual being can have a truly rewarding relationship with his or her maker. During this period, in total submission to the injunction of Allah, Muslims would abstain from food and drinks from dawn to dusk and also shun all forms of vices. Making such sacrifices in the bid to be better persons also require that those who hold public offices imbibe a new spirit that would make them give honest and selfless leadership to their respective constituents by providing the most basic of services that will help reduce and ultimately eliminate poverty, ignorance and disease.

Therefore, it is important to point attention to some evergreen lessons of this great religious observance, which, if imbibed by the nation’s leaders are capable of making life more meaningful for the people. This is especially necessary at this stage of the nation’s development when killings arising from terrorism are fast becoming a daily staple; when massive graft in high places is worsening people’s standard of living; and when ethnic uprisings and sectarian violence are threatening to tear the country apart. These are particularly frowned at by God and are vehemently discouraged by Ramadan fasting, the essence of which is to expose the faithful to their spiritual roots while teaching them that true humanity does not condone violence under any guise nor does it equate to mere material possessions.

Jonathan, Adenuga Boost Eagles Ahead France Clash

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday lifted up the spirits of the national team, the Super Eagles, when he said all their outstanding Brazil 2014  World Cup appearance fee have been ordered cleared by Sports Minister, Hon Tammy Danagogo.
He also promised to clear any outstanding that the team may incur in the course of the championship, including outstanding FIFA grants to the NFF,  that will be off-set later by the soccer ruling house.

The Minister made this declaration while addressing players and officials of the national team at their Brasilia Palace Hotel camp in the Brazilian capital.
He was in the company of the Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, Adamu Azimeyeh Emozoza and top officials of the embassy, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, his vice, Mike Umeh and Technical Committee Chairman, Chris Green.

The President, said Nigerians from all works of life have implicit confidence in the abilities of the team to excel at the ongoing World Cup, and promised to be in Brazil later in the week to cheer the team to victory. Already, Senate President David Mark is expected on Wednesday in Brazil and a precursor to the President’s arrival. The Minister said the President was particularly thrilled by the team’s outing so far even in the defeat to Argentina, urging the team to remain focused and not fear of non-payment of any outstanding due them.

The Minister, also announced that Nigerian business mogul, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr, has sent through him the sum of $250,000 to boost the team ahead of their clash against France later this evening.. “He said this is a token and if the team goes ahead and shock the world he will join Mr President to shock the team” he declared amidst thunderous ovation from the players and their officials.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, said the country was very lucky to have a President like Goodluck Jonathan , who takes personal interest in the activities of the national team, assuring the President that the team will not let the nation down at this crucial point. Team Skipper, Joseph Yobo and Head Coach Stephen Keshi spoke in similar vein.

Later at the FIFA Media briefing, Chelsea star, John Mikel Obi, said the game against France is one that the team needs to make a statement that Nigeria has arrived at the soccer map of the world. “It’s a great opportunity for us and the weather will affect both sides but we hope to do what we have to do to win the match”, he declared.

Source: Thisday

Jonathan, Adenuga Boost Eagles Ahead France Clash

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday lifted up the spirits of the national team, the Super Eagles, when he said all their outstanding Brazil 2014  World Cup appearance fee have been ordered cleared by Sports Minister, Hon Tammy Danagogo.
He also promised to clear any outstanding that the team may incur in the course of the championship, including outstanding FIFA grants to the NFF,  that will be off-set later by the soccer ruling house.

The Minister made this declaration while addressing players and officials of the national team at their Brasilia Palace Hotel camp in the Brazilian capital.
He was in the company of the Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, Adamu Azimeyeh Emozoza and top officials of the embassy, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, his vice, Mike Umeh and Technical Committee Chairman, Chris Green.

The President, said Nigerians from all works of life have implicit confidence in the abilities of the team to excel at the ongoing World Cup, and promised to be in Brazil later in the week to cheer the team to victory. Already, Senate President David Mark is expected on Wednesday in Brazil and a precursor to the President’s arrival. The Minister said the President was particularly thrilled by the team’s outing so far even in the defeat to Argentina, urging the team to remain focused and not fear of non-payment of any outstanding due them.

The Minister, also announced that Nigerian business mogul, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr, has sent through him the sum of $250,000 to boost the team ahead of their clash against France later this evening.. “He said this is a token and if the team goes ahead and shock the world he will join Mr President to shock the team” he declared amidst thunderous ovation from the players and their officials.

We don’t know where Chibok girls are – US

The United States said on Friday it had decreased its surveillance flights in the search for the about 219 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram, but added that the overall effort was unchanged due to more flights by other countries.

It stated that it had no idea of the location of the girls, noting however that there is no letup in the efforts to locate and rescue them.

“We don’t have any better idea today than we did before about where these girls are, but there’s been no letup of the effort itself,” Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters, according to Reuters.

Kirby said the same level of effort was being sustained now through international involvement.

A US defence official speaking on condition of anonymity said American flights had been reduced only after a body of intelligence had been gathered and that the cuts had been offset by the British and the French support.

Kirby denied a suggestion that US flights over Nigeria had been reduced to accommodate increased US surveillance over Iraq, where Washington is flying unmanned and manned aircraft to gather intelligence about Sunni insurgents.

He said some of the resources that were being used in Nigeria had been diverted from other missions in Africa and could now be used elsewhere on the continent.

Officials declined to say how long heightened U.S. surveillance over Nigeria had lasted.

Asked whether it was just a week or two, the defence official said, “No. We were building this baseline for a good period of time.”

US surveillance flights over Nigeria were now intermittent, the source said.

US military personnel are in Abuja helping to coordinate the effort, and some 80 others were sent to Chad in May to support the surveillance operation.

Chad is northeast of Nigeria and borders the area in which Boko Haram is known to operate.

In the last month, US officials had played down expectations about a swift rescue of the girls and stressed the limitations of intelligence from surveillance flights.

One US official voiced concerns that Boko Haram might have booby-trapped areas where the girls could be held, and there had been reports that they might have been split up into groups that were not being held in one place.

The defence official said surveillance alone would not lead to a resolution. “It will take the Nigerian piece of the equation with their own sources and human intelligence coupled with the other forms to really understand the picture,” he noted.

In an opinion piece in the Washington Post on Friday, President Goodluck Jonathan said his government and security services had “spared no resources, have not stopped and will not stop until the girls are returned home.”

Source: Punchng

We don’t know where Chibok girls are – US

The United States said on Friday it had decreased its surveillance flights in the search for the about 219 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram, but added that the overall effort was unchanged due to more flights by other countries.

It stated that it had no idea of the location of the girls, noting however that there is no letup in the efforts to locate and rescue them.

“We don’t have any better idea today than we did before about where these girls are, but there’s been no letup of the effort itself,” Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters, according to Reuters.

Kirby said the same level of effort was being sustained now through international involvement.

A US defence official speaking on condition of anonymity said American flights had been reduced only after a body of intelligence had been gathered and that the cuts had been offset by the British and the French support.

Kirby denied a suggestion that US flights over Nigeria had been reduced to accommodate increased US surveillance over Iraq, where Washington is flying unmanned and manned aircraft to gather intelligence about Sunni insurgents.

He said some of the resources that were being used in Nigeria had been diverted from other missions in Africa and could now be used elsewhere on the continent.

Officials declined to say how long heightened U.S. surveillance over Nigeria had lasted.

Inside Story Of Super Eagles Bonus Row In Brazil - Saharareporters

Reports have emerged of what really transpired behind the scenes in the Super Eagles/Nigeria Football Federation bonus row that threatened to scuttle the reigning African continental cup  champions chances of reaching the country's first ever FIFA World Cup quarter-finals when they tackle the Franch national team in Brasilia tomorrow.

Bonus standoff isn't a new phenomenon as far as African teams are concerned as it recently happened with the Black stars of Ghana and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

It is usually, as a result, of mistrust between the players and the mostly corrupt football administrators. Typically before any tournament an agreement is reached on what is to be received by the players in the event of win, draw or loss but in most cases the officials renege on promises made in order to enrich themselves with funds meant for players.

The Aminu Maigari led Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had already promised $10,000 to Super Eagles players in case of  a win, $5,000 for a draw and $2,500 in case the team is defeated. Also,  $30,000 was to be given to each Eagles player if they qualified to the knockout phase of the World cup in Brazil.

After Nigeria's match against Argentina which sealed qualification to the 2nd round,the players expected to receive their match bonus but the NFF Chairman  Maigari had a meeting with the team on Wednesday during the meeting he completely avoided the issue and by Thursday rumors started spreading in the camp that the players would only be paid half of the agreed bonus for qualifying for the second round, this rattled the players especially the home based players who are heavily relying on the bonuses to improve their lives back home.

The four home based players: Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egweke, Kunle Odunlami and Ejike Uzoenyi led a protest to team captain Joseph Yobo who has already promised to fight for them because he knows how vital the bonus is for them.

“Whatever bonus I get from this tournament isn't going to change my life but it will go a long way for some of my colleagues that are playing in the domestic league and as the captain it is my duty to fight for their rights" Yobo said before agreeing in unison to embark on a training strike on Friday as nothing was done about the said bonus.

Maigari, who has already gotten wind of the players, strike action avoided the team in Porto Alegre and flew early Friday (ahead of the team) to Brasilia where the team is set to tackle France tomorrow.

Captain Joseph Yobo eventually reached out to Senate President David Mark who spent two days with the team in Brazil and promised to look into whatever issues they might encounter at the event(sensing how untrustworthy the NFF are) he brought President Goodluck into the picture before the row was finally settled with each Eagles player set to receive $30,000 knockout bonus before, the team files out for the game against France in the round of 16  tomorrow.

Inside Story Of Super Eagles Bonus Row In Brazil - Saharareporters

Reports have emerged of what really transpired behind the scenes in the Super Eagles/Nigeria Football Federation bonus row that threatened to scuttle the reigning African continental cup  champions chances of reaching the country's first ever FIFA World Cup quarter-finals when they tackle the Franch national team in Brasilia tomorrow.

Bonus standoff isn't a new phenomenon as far as African teams are concerned as it recently happened with the Black stars of Ghana and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

It is usually, as a result, of mistrust between the players and the mostly corrupt football administrators. Typically before any tournament an agreement is reached on what is to be received by the players in the event of win, draw or loss but in most cases the officials renege on promises made in order to enrich themselves with funds meant for players.

The Aminu Maigari led Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had already promised $10,000 to Super Eagles players in case of  a win, $5,000 for a draw and $2,500 in case the team is defeated. Also,  $30,000 was to be given to each Eagles player if they qualified to the knockout phase of the World cup in Brazil.

After Nigeria's match against Argentina which sealed qualification to the 2nd round,the players expected to receive their match bonus but the NFF Chairman  Maigari had a meeting with the team on Wednesday during the meeting he completely avoided the issue and by Thursday rumors started spreading in the camp that the players would only be paid half of the agreed bonus for qualifying for the second round, this rattled the players especially the home based players who are heavily relying on the bonuses to improve their lives back home.

Ekiti defeat: APC governors woo workers, students

Mr. Ayodele Fayose

The defeat of the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, by the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has caused fears and jitters in most states governed by the All Progressives Congress.

The governorship election, held in Ekiti State on Saturday, June 21, saw Fayose polling a total of 203,090 votes to emerge the winner of the contest while Fayemi of the APC and another major contestant, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, of the Labour Party, polled a total of 120,433 and18,135 votes, respectively.

Punch correspondence  sampled the mood in the APC states of Osun, Rivers, Borno, Lagos and Oyo. They also checked the pulse in Ogun, Kwara and Edo states.

 OYO

In Oyo State, the ruling party, the APC, our correspondent gathered, had stepped up its efforts to retain the state in 2015, following the victory of the PDP in Ekiti State penultimate Saturday.

Investigations by SUNDAY PUNCH showed that the party leaders had met to discuss the modalities that would sustain their hold on power come 2015. A source said efforts were being made to reconcile aggrieved party members.

“Fayose won because he was close to the people when he was in government. Oyo APC leaders are fashioning strategies that will bring Governor Abiola Ajimobi closer to the grass roots.

“Ekiti election is a wake-up call to the party. Senator Femi Lanlehin has gone to the Accord Party and Senator Ade Adeseun is on his way to the PDP; it says a lot about the internal crisis in the party. And with the Ekiti results, those who are moving towards the exit door are moving fast now. They want to leave before the next election,” the source said.

After the Ekiti election, a serving commissioner in the state (name withheld) expressed concern over the ability of the APC to hold on to power on his Facebook page. He wrote, “A responsible government must at all times connect with the people.”

One of those who responded to the post said Ekiti election was a big lesson for Oyo State.

Another respondent said it could be too late for the APC and that the masses would react in 2015.

The Chairman of the APC in Oyo State, Akin Oke, told one of our correspondents that the party would investigate what happened in Ekiti before taking a decision on the immediate future.

“There will be investigation into what happened in Ekiti. The party will not fold its hands and watch. It is unfortunate that Governor Kayode Fayemi did not reflect on the events leading to his loss before accepting defeat. Is he so bad that he could not even win in his ward? There are fundamental questions to be asked,” he said.

Ajimobi’s Special Adviser on Media, Festus Adedayo, told our correspondent that the Ekiti election was an eye-opener.

“What the Ekiti election has done for us is to open our eyes to the newest intrigues in electioneering and party politics. We have collated all the events leading to the election, studied them and we are wiser,” Adedayo said.

 Osun

Sources close to the APC in Osun State told one of our correspondents that shortly after the Ekiti election results were announced, the astounded leaders of the party in the state held a meeting and decided to pacify workers and other groups in the state.

One of the measures, it was learnt, was the payment of the May salaries of workers, aimed at boosting their confidence in the administration.

The governor confirmed this at a rally held in Ikirun on Tuesday, where he said workers had started receiving salary payment alerts.”

Also, members of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, popularly known as O’YES, who had not be paid for some months, it was learnt, had started receiving their salary arrears.

All these payments, a chieftain of the party said, were aimed at pacifying some categories of people who might have been aggrieved.

The loss of the APC in Ekiti State has also forced the ruling party to commence aggressive campaigns in rural communities.

It was also observed that public taps, which had been dry for months in some areas like Odi Olowo Street in Osogbo, the state capital, had started running.

Reacting to the outcome of the Ekiti election, Aregbesola had said, “What they did in Ekiti is not possible here in Osun. Osun is different and they know it. In 2011, all Yoruba states voted for PDP presidential candidate, but Osun people voted for Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (the Action Congress of Nigeria candidate). We are different in Osun. Don’t let them scare you.”

 Edo

In Edo State, where the APC currently holds sway, sources close to some of the party officials told SUNDAY PUNCH that the loss of Ekiti State by the APC to the PDP shook the party.

“What happened in Ekiti was amazing. We did not expect the PDP to have such a landslide in all the local governments because our candidate had a good scorecard, when it comes to good governance.

“For instance, the provision of good roads, quality education and other amenities shows the readiness of a man to give the people of Ekiti the true dividends of democracy,” the source said.

Another party faithful, who simply gave his name as Mike, said, “I think my party might have soft-pedalled at some point. But it is a big eye-opener for Edo State in 2016. We will tighten all loose ends. We will not take chances at all because there is no room for the PDP here,” he said.

In a telephone interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Godwin Erhahon, however, described the Ekiti showdown as a display of Fayemi’s patriotic approach to governance which President Jonathan should emulate.

He said, “I think Jonathan should learn from the patriotism and democratic spirit of the Ekiti Governor (Kayode Fayemi), who accepted defeat even when there were reasons for him to protest.”

The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, in an interview with one of our correspondents, attributed the APC loss in Ekiti State to tactical error, stressing that the APC had gone to the drawing board to analyse the situation towards learning some lessons and preventing them from occurring again.

 Ogun

In Ogun State, the defeat has started to affect the governance style of the state Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

One of our correspondents gathered that the governor has launched a ‘welfarist agenda,’ aimed at paying more attention to the people’s welfare.

Amosun revealed this on Tuesday at the Arcade Ground of the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta while handing over severance cheques to former political appointees, who served between 2007 and 2011.

It was observed that the civil servants were paid their monthly salaries on Tuesday, June 24, 2014, as against the practice of making such payments between 10th and 15th of the other month.

The governor had also taken a step further by holding a stakeholders meeting with the civil servants at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta on Wednesday. Many of the civil servants were aggrieved because they felt they were not getting a fair treatment from the current administration.

In addition, the governor has scheduled meetings with different groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress.

When contacted for official reaction on the defeat of Fayemi, the factional state Publicity Secretary of the APC loyal to Amosun, Mr. Sola Lawal, said the party had nothing to say.

He said, “We have no comment.”

 Kwara

In Kwara State, investigations by SUNDAY PUNCH revealed that the APC, in an apparent move to guard against a recurrence of the party’s defeat in Ekiti, had taken strategic decisions on youth empowerment programmes, grassroots mobilisation and empowerment of artisans, traders, commercial drivers and commercial cyclists.

It was also gathered that the party had evolved strategies to woo more students in the state, especially eligible voters into its fold.

A source also informed our correspondent that elected public officials of the party had been asked to redouble their empowerment and mass mobilisation drives.

The sources described the defeat of Fayemi was a big shock.

It was gathered that the party had decided to field only popular candidates and that the party leaders had started having meetings with defected party members with a view to wooing them back to the APC.

The APC in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Sulyman Buhari, said the Kwara State election results would not be “rigged, manipulated and announced in PDP’s favour from Abuja.”

He also said the party would field only popular candidates in all its elections, adding that every member of the APC was sad that the party lost a state.

He said, “We are making efforts to appease some of the APC members that defected to the PDP. Many of those that left are already coming back. I held meetings with two groups few hours ago.”

 Lagos

The outcome of the Ekiti State governorship election also caused panic among leaders of the APC in Lagos State as the party has held meetings where the implications of the election have been discussed.

According to a leader of the party in Lagos, who pleaded anonymity, there have been meetings at different levels in the party where the party’s strategy towards retaining the state in 2015, in spite of threats by the PDP, were discussed.

Apparently, one of such was the closed door meeting Governor Babatunde Fashola had with the vice-chairmen of the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas at the State House, Marina, on Thursday.

Fashola’s comment on the Ekiti election after the meeting was an indication that APC’s chance in Lagos governorship election in February, 2015, must have been a reasonable item of discussion at the meeting.

While fielding questions from journalists, Fashola was quoted as saying, “The lessons that are supposedly coming out of Ekiti are frightening lessons for me. Lesson about whether the people of Ekiti are really saying that this is all about money and rice. It must be a very dangerous message to simply suggest that once you give people money, then this is the way it will happen.”

A member of the APC, Mr. Gbenga Fakoya, confirmed that the outcome of the Ekiti election underscored the need to make adjustments to the party’s strategy for campaigns.

“Before now, we could go to bed and take it for granted that the South-West belonged to the APC; but the Ekiti election has shown us that we can no longer take anything for granted. More work needs to be done. There is no more room for assumption, we need to face reality.”

He said after the Ekiti loss, APC leaders had gone back to the drawing board and part of what had been decided was to establish proper internal democracy.

 Rivers

No doubt, the APC defeat in Ekiti has not only stunned the Rivers APC, it   has made the party to adopt quick measures against similar defeat.

A source, who is a strong member of the state APC, told SUNDAY PUNCH that what happened in Ekiti was worrisome and that the outcome of the election meant more works would be done by the APC in the Rivers.

The source, who preferred not to be mentioned, explained that despite Fayemi’s good performance, he lost the election because he was not on the ground.

“What happened in Ekiti was worrisome to us. But we learnt that Fayemi was not on ground in terms of being close to the voters. Even with the good works he did in the area of people-oriented projects, they said he was not on ground,” the source said.

He said the governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, would strategise to put measures in place to ensure APC’s victory in forthcoming elections in the state.

Amaechi’s Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, attributed the failure of the APC to win in Ekiti State to overconfidence, saying that there was also the lack of relationship between Fayemi and the voting population.

He said, “The circumstances in Ekiti and Rivers are not the same. There are very peculiar circumstances. What played out in Ekiti was an issue of overconfidence.

“Overconfidence was at the fore, based on performance, and there was no relationship with the voting population. Of course, you know that Nigeria is not yet attuned to the politics of development. People are eager for what will go into their stomach; the issue of stomach infrastructure was not addressed.”

 Borno/ Yobe/ Adamawa

Although SUNDAY PUNCH investigations revealed that the APC members in Borno and Yobe states did not feel threatened by the turn of events in Ekiti, the same cannot be said of Adamawa State.

The Publicity Secretary of the APC in Borno , Makinta Zarami, said, “The PDP has never won the governorship election in Borno State before,” and still had no chances to do so.

Similarly, an APC member in Yobe State told one of our correspondents the success of PDP in Ekiti could never be “replicated here.”

He asked, “Where is the structure they want to build on? They may even suffer devastating loss worse than in the past here as the insurgency has further nailed the party coffin in the state.”

In Adamawa, the finding was that victory could go either way, for PDP or APC.

An analyst said, “Adamawa, even when Abubakar Atiku vied for presidency under the ACN, voted for PDP and the same scenario may play out this time around.”

“The party will still win the state; Atiku and Nyako cannot dictate the destiny of the state for there are other bigwigs within the PDP that can still dictate the politics of the state.”

Source: Punch